Defense Acquisition Trends 2021 is the latest in an annual series of CSIS reports examining trends in what the DoD is buying, how the DoD is buying it, and from whom the DoD is buying using data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). This report analyzes the current state of affairs in defense acquisition by combining detailed policy and data analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the current and future outlook for defense acquisition. It provides critical insights into understanding the current trends in the defense-industrial base and the implications of those trends on acquisition policy.

This report analyzes the current state of affairs in defense acquisition by combining detailed policy and data analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the current and future outlook for defense acquisition. This analysis will provide critical insights into what DoD is buying, how DoD is buying it, from whom is DoD buying, and what are the defense components buying using data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). This analysis provides critical insights into understanding the current trends in the defense industrial base and the implications of those trends on acquisition policy.

This report is the second in an annual series examining trends in what the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is buying, how DoD is buying it, and from whom DoD is buying. This year’s study looks in depth at issues in research and development, acquisition reform in the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), performance of the defense acquisition system, the future of cooperative International Joint Development Programs, and major trends apparent in the activities of the major defense components. By combining detailed policy and data analysis, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the current and future outlook for defense acquisition.

This study examines contracting trends at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It relies on empirical analysis of DoD contracting transaction data from the open-source Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). The authors seek to identify and study emergent trends in the contracting data and marry that analysis with discussion of changing goals and methods for the larger acquisition system.

This United States Department of Defense publication, the Defense Acquisition Guidebook April 2021, is designed to complement DoD Directive 5000.01 and DoD Instruction 5000.02 by providing the acquisition workforce with discretionary best practice that should be tailored to the needs of each program. The Guidebook is intended to inform thoughtful program planning and facilitate effective program management.The DAG includes the following chapter content: Chapter 1, Program Management, provides the principal concepts and business practice needed to thoughtfully organize, plan, and execute a DoD acquisition program regardless of acquisition category, program model, or program type. Chapter 2, Analysis of Alternatives, Cost Estimating and Reporting, addresses resource estimation and program life-cycle costs, as well as the processes for conducting Analysis of Alternatives. Chapter 3, Systems Engineering, describes standard systems engineering processes and how they apply to the DoD acquisition system. Chapter 4, Life-Cycle Sustainment, provides guidance for program managers and program support managers to develop and execute successful sustainment strategies. Chapter 5, Manpower Planning and Human Systems Integration, explains the total-systems approach to HSI, including documenting manpower, personnel and training elements, and the use of program manager tools that appropriately incorporate HSI considerations into the acquisition process. Chapter 6, Acquiring Information Technology and Business Systems, describes policy and procedure applicable to the development of DoD Information Technology (IT). Chapter 7, Intelligence Support to Acquisition, provides information to enable the program manager to use intelligence information and data to ensure maximum war-fighting capability at minimum risk to cost and schedule. Chapter 8, Test and Evaluation, supplements direction and instruction in DoD Directive 5000.01 and DoD Instruction 5000.02 with processes and procedures for planning and executing an effective and affordable T&E program. Chapter 9, Program Protection, explains the actions needed to ensure effective program protection planning throughout the acquisition life cycle. Chapter 10, Acquisition of Services, describes the principles of successful services acquisition based on the Seven Steps to the Service Acquisition Process included in DoD Instruction 5000.74, Defense Acquisition of Services.

This report examines how well DoD is planning and executing its weapon acquisition programs. The report includes: (1) an analysis of the overall performance of DoD's 2008 portfolio of 96 major defense acquisition programs and a comparison to the portfolio performance at two other points in time -- 5 years ago and 1 year ago; (2) an analysis of current cost and schedule outcomes and knowledge attained by key junctures in the acquisition process for a subset of 47 weapon programs -- primarily in development -- from the 2008 portfolio; (3) data on other factors that could impact program stability; and (4) an update on changes in DoD's acquisition policies. Includes a one- or two-page assessment of 67 weapon programs. Illustrations.