USING‌ ‌ACQUISITION‌ ‌STRATEGY‌ ‌TO‌ ‌IMPROVE‌ ‌EFFICIENCY‌ ‌IN‌ ‌DEPARTMENT‌ ‌OF‌ ‌DEFENSE LAW‌ ‌ENFORCEMENT‌

Abstract

This joint applied project analyzes challenges in the decentralized acquisition of law enforcement products and services in the Department of Defense (DOD). The main issue is whether the current decentralized structure of DOD law enforcement acquisition and methods of collaboration are sufficient to ensure efficient acquisitions. The DOD has established defense enterprises as mechanisms to ensure collaboration among DOD components to reduce duplication. Examples include, but are not limited to, the Defense Security Enterprise and Defense Intelligence Enterprise. However, such an enterprise does not exist for DOD law enforcement. Despite the existence of defense enterprises, the DOD still duplicates acquisition as DOD components acquire products and services independently. The researchers posit that this hinders opportunities to increase shared services and category management to realize cost savings. Using the service acquisition process in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, this research analyzes DOD law enforcement acquisition to determine if increased collaboration is needed or whether a central manager is required to eliminate or reduce DOD law enforcement acquisition. Ultimately, this research concludes that the DOD should establish a Defense Law Enforcement Enterprise (DLEE), led by a DOD senior official, as a central manager to provide authoritative decision making and senior-level governance necessary to compel collaboration between DOD components if necessary.