Recent Acquisition Policy Changes Balance Risk and Flexibility, but Actions Needed to Refine Requirements Process

In 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) provided the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) with flexibilities to diverge from traditional requirements-setting and acquisition processes and instead implement a unique approach to managing its
acquisitions. After completing studies in 2019, DOD revised those flexibilities in 2020 by making significant changes to MDA’s requirements-setting and acquisition processes (see figure). Most notably, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, rather than the MDA Director, now determines whether major MDA programs may progress through the development phases.