House Panel Completes Latest Acquisition Report

The House Armed Services Committee’s Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform approved its final report March 23 after a year-long review that included 14 hearings and two briefings, according to a committee release. The committee formed the panel, with Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) as its chairman, in March 2009 to conduct a “comprehensive review” because they felt the Pentagon acquisition process was “not responsive enough to today’s mission needs, not rigorous enough in protecting taxpayers, and not disciplined enough” in acquiring weapons for tomorrow’s wars. The panel believes its recommendations could save the Pentagon $135 billion over the next five years. In remarks, Andrews said that while there is “little commonality” across DOD’s vast acquisition system, there are some “common, overarching issues. (The panel’s report)