CRS INSIGHT
DOD Plan to Split Acquisition Duties
August 18, 2017 (IN10755)
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Russell Rumbaugh
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Russell Rumbaugh, Analyst in Defense Acquisition (rrumbaugh@crs.loc.gov, 7-2212)
On August 2, 2017, DOD provided
Congress its plan for breaking the Office of the Secretary of Defense's acquisition
office—the Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L)—into two separate
organizations, as required by the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 901. The NDAA
conference report laid out the concerns that drove the split:
"Three broad priorities framed the conference discussions: (1) elevate the mission of advancing technology and
innovation within the Department; (2) foster distinct technology and acquisition cultures to better deliver superior
capabilities for the armed forces; and (3) provide greater oversight and management of the Department's Fourth Estate."
The Fourth Estate usually refers to those components of DOD not part of the Departments of Army, Navy, or Air Force.
In addition to splitting USD AT&L, the DOD plan also covers how the Chief Management Officer's organization will be
restructured to meet Congress's stated third aim.
Context
The existing AT&L had evolved over time to take greater responsibility for overseeing the efficient procurement of
weapons, especially the prevention of cost overruns. In 1986, Congress created the position of USD (Acquisition) to
address concerns highlighted by a blue ribbon commission report:
"Responsibility for acquisition policy has become fragmented. There is today no single senior official in the Office of
the Secretary of Defense working full-time to provide overall supervision of the acquisition system."
While there is little evidence this and successive organizational changes have decreased cost overruns, some observers
have become concerned the current acquisition system was not sufficiently advocating for technological advances,
especially given foreign militaries' modernization efforts. The FY2017 NDAA reflected these concerns in splitting
AT&L.
DOD Plan
The DOD plan accepts the premise that a change in organization will encourage greater technological innovation. Under
the plan, DOD will create one Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)) —a more senior position—
