Acquisition reform: among Pentagon buyers, much angst about IT.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra L.
• Position: DEFENSE INSIDER

The issue of how to manage "IT acquisitions" is causing much consternation at the Defense Department. The problem is that the Pentagon procurement system treats information technology as if it were a weapon system. In other words, it can take a decade to acquire. By the time the technology is fielded, it is five generations too old. "Technology is moving faster than the acquisition process that we have in place," says Frank Anderson, president of the Defense Acquisition University. The Pentagon also needs to revamp its IT acquisition work force, he tells an industry conference. Of 4,000 people who run IT programs, 75 percent are baby boomers. Training is another priority. "We're reviewing our IT curriculum to ensure we're delivering the right training for the community."

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Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter agrees that IT programs are an "area of concern." The Defense Department is struggling to "create an...