Acquisition planning for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the appropriateness and adequacy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acquisition planning practices to effectively meet the requirements of the AFP Modernization Program (AFPMP). Acquisition planning is key to the success of an acquisition because it provides the overall strategy for accomplishing and managing the acquisition. It is a formal documentation of the approach to satisfy the need of the warfighter, optimize resources, and fulfill the policy requirements of the proposed acquisition. In the AFP, planning for acquisitions depends on the Five-Year Rolling Plan, which contains the list of AFPMP projects and form the basis for the formulation of the Circular of Requirements (CORs). The circular does not elaborate on how to develop the CORs or the Bid Evaluation Plans (BEPs), a document similar to the source selection plan. This thesis evaluated AFP acquisition processes to determine the adequacy of AFP acquisition planning practices to adequately meet the needs of the AFPMP. However, the study found that acquisition plans are not even a requirement for the AFPMP projects and it is not mentioned in any of the other attendant documents to RA 7898 or to the IGRR. The study identified other issues that impact on acquisition planning for the AFPMP, which include lack of an acquisition organization, absence of a skilled acquisition workforce, no acquisition category designations for AFPMP projects, and lack of a single, coherent regulation that pertains to AFP weapon system acquisitions. The study then recommended acquisition plans to be a requirement for all AFPMP acquisitions and the adoption of the acquisition plan format in the FAR as a first step to the conduct of acquisition planning for AFPMP projects. With an acquisition plan that provides a logical and systematic approach for meeting the AFP need, the chance of success of AFPMP acquisition projects can be substantially improved.