Recent criticisms of the acquisition process have leveled their focus on contracting officers — with many of the often-heard reproaches: Contracting officers are too bureaucratic; too rule-bound; too process-driven. They lack mission focus.
For all those involved in affecting the acquisition process, and others who join in the criticism, these opinions (and others like it) seem to be obvious “facts,” without need of in-depth research or analysis, which draw a simple conclusion—tighten the line on the contracting officers’ functions and you’ll “improve” the acquisition process. As with all other acquisition improvement initiatives, these proposed “solutions” will produce more legislation, regulation, policy, and the ever-popular solution of increased training.
Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/acquisition/blog/2016/07/11/contracting-officers-weakest-links/86943276/