DoD makes moves to improve procurement, acquisition policies

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DoD makes moves to improve procurement, acquisition policies

The Defense Department has taken a lot of heat in recent years from industry critics who charge its procurement officials have been putting too much weight on l...

Daisy Thornton@dthorntonWFED

December 6, 2016 1:13 pm

1 min read

Pentagon Solutions - Dec. 5, 2016

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The Defense Department has taken a lot of heat in recent years from industry critics who charge its procurement officials have been putting too much weight on low prices and not enough on quality. But in the largest of all of its service contracts — to manage its TRICARE insurance system — DoD was willing to pay more for better performance. We know that because of a recently released bid protest decision. Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu wrote about the decision.

The Defense Department is changing policy on how companies can get federal funding for research. DoD says the rule tinkering is needed to protect taxpayers. But industry says DoD is stifling innovation. Federal News Radio’s Scott Maucione has more.

The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental thinks it’s learned a thing or two about rapid acquisition. Over the past year it’s awarded more than a dozen contracts in an average time of 60 days. DIUx officials see no good reason why the rest of the DoD can’t use the same techniques. As Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu reported, they’ve just published a how-to guide.

Daisy Thornton

Daisy Thornton is Federal News Network’s digital managing editor. In addition to her editing responsibilities, she covers federal management, workforce and technology issues. She is also the commentary editor; email her your letters to the editor and pitches for contributed bylines.

Follow @dthorntonWFED