Acquisitions
Acquisitions

Reduce duplicative investments for weapon system acquisitions

Responsibility should be given to the appropriate authority to provide assistance in portfolio management efforts for weapon system acquisitions. The DoD can more effectively use portfolio management to ensure that the funds spent on acquisitions for weapons systems are related to strategic goals. Doing so could help ensure the $100 billion+ spent on weapons acquisitions does not go to waste due to overlap or duplication. GAO reports that as of 2018, the DoD has taken some actions to improve its processes since the problem was first identified in 2011. However, work remains to ensure cost overruns and delays are avoided.

SAVINGS

STATUS
LINKS

The Problem

Readiness versus Waste

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    “If we are going to effectively tackle the long-term national security threat posed by our national debt, then we need to seriously examine how our defense dollars are being spent. Waste and inefficiency within the Pentagon not only contributes to our nation’s debt and deficit, it also diminishes the effectiveness of our nation’s armed forces."

    Dan Caldwell, USMC (ret.)
    Concerned Veterans for America
    Dan Caldwell, USMC (ret.)
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    “I'm concerned that our increasing fractious political process, particularly with respect to federal spending, is threatening our ability to properly defend our nation both in the short term and especially in the long term."

    Dan Coats
    Director of National Intelligence
    Dan Coats
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    “This guide is a much-needed first step toward encouraging politicians to consider all available options for substantive Pentagon reform. Our troops deserve better than broken bureaucracy, and politicians shouldn't fool themselves into thinking that throwing money at the problem is the solution."

    Capt. Dan Grazier, USMC (ret.)
    Project on Government Oversight
    Capt. Dan Grazier, USMC (ret.)