IBM report recommends DOD focus on services, build partnerships outside traditional base

A new report commissioned by the IBM Center for the Business of Government recommends the Pentagon continue its efforts at agile acquisition, remain focused on how it buys services and build partnerships beyond traditional defense contractors.

The report, written by two professors at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Business, is titled "Beyond Business as Usual: Improving Defense Acquisition through Better Buying Power."

In particular, the study recommends DOD "continue building on both its own and congressionally sponsored efforts to make defense acquisition more agile -- faster and more adaptive to changing circumstances." This requires improving its processes and human capital, the document adds.

Additionally, the report recommends the Pentagon maintain its focus on improving services acquisition -- recognizing the diversity of that market -- and find companies beyond the existing defense industrial base with which to do business.

Read the full report.