Comparison of the NAVSTAR Program with the Acquisition Plan Recommended by the Commission on Government Procurement

PSAD-77-50: Published: Jan 24, 1977. Publicly Released: Jan 24, 1977.

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In 1972, the Commission on Government Procurement recommended a new plan for the acquisition of major weapons systems and other major systems which has become the basis for a revised policy in procurement for all executive agencies. The Department of Defense suggested that the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System resembled the Commission's recommendations.

The evolution of the NAVSTAR Program resembled the Commission's recommendations only slightly. The NAVSTAR system did not: (1) begin with a statement of mission capability, cost, and time goals stated independently of a specific system solution; (2) follow a Secretary of Defense assignment to a service or services for responding to a statement of needs and goals; (3) use industry initiative and innovativeness to identify alternative system concepts; and (4) maintain competition by exploring rival systems. However, the Office of the Secretary of Defense involvement in the identification and reconciliation of navigational needs was greater than the level of involvement criticized by the Commission.

Recommendation for Executive Action

  1. Status: Closed

    Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

    Recommendation: Executive agencies have to understand that under the new acquisition process, mission area deficiencies must be determined and stated independently of any specific system solution. Effort allowed under the technology base requires redefinition so that solutions to mission needs result from competition between alternative solutions. Industry must be given greater flexibility to propose a wide range of alternative solutions to mission area deficiencies in responding to government requests.

    Agency Affected:

 

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