Acquisition Management

The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act was intended to professionalize the Defense Department's (DOD) acquisition workforce by setting requirements for education, training, and experience that were to take effect during a three-year period beginning in October 1991. The act allows DOD officials to waive qualification requirements because of unusual circumstances or an individual's qualifications. During fiscal year 1995, the military services and DOD agencies granted 233 waivers for 231 persons not meeting the training, education, tenure, or experience requirements, compared with fiscal year 1994, when 63 waivers were granted. Of the waivers granted, 83 percent were for persons not meeting the tenure requirements--they had not served the required three-year term in critical acquisition positions because of retirement, promotion, reassignment, or downsizing. Fiscal year 1995 was the first time that tenure waivers outnumbered all other types of waivers. One-third of the 39 waivers that were not related to tenure requirements were for membership in the acquisition corps. By comparison, 19 persons received waivers for corps membership in fiscal year 1994. Waivers for acquisition experience decreased by 58 percent. Only one waiver was granted for the required Program Management Course and no fulfillment waivers were granted.

GAO found that: (1) DOD agencies granted 233 waivers for 231 individuals not meeting training, education, tenure, or experience requirements, compared to 63 waivers granted in FY 1994; (2) 83 percent of the waivers were for individuals not meeting the tenure requirements; (3) waivers for acquisition experience declined by 58 percent; (4) about one-third of the waivers not related to tenure requirements were for membership in the acquisition corps; and (5) one waiver was granted for the Program Management Course, and no fulfillment waivers were granted.