Information Technology Acquisition: Doing it Right; DOD Agency Strives to Achieve Acquisition Excellence

To improve the Defense Logistics Agency's responsiveness and flexibility, the agency began in the late 1990s to upgrade its information management systems and practices by centralizing all information technology (IT) activities under a director of information operations (J-6). This organization directs the agency's efforts to modernize its automated business systems, enhance its electronic commerce and logistics support systems, and document automation in support of military logistics.

Within this new structure, the DLA also created a program executive office (PEO) to provide overall direction and guidance for the development and testing, acquisition, systems integration, product improvement, and implementation of emerging DLA IT programs. Agency officials asked Robbins-Gioia, a leading program management company based in Alexandria, Va., to help stand up the office in 2000.

Result: Instead of providing independent program management support to individual programs, Robbins-Gioia established a “cell” of subject matter experts to support multiple programs. SMEs share lessons learned and standardize methodologies across the PEO, concentrating support efficiently where it is needed the most.

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