Design Agents: A Post-Acquisition Reform Cost-Benefit Analysis

摘要

Design agents, by definition, perform during early part of acquisition lifecycle (SD&D). Roles include: requirements generation, technology development, systems integration, and others (source selection, supply chain management, testing, validation). Design agent research questions: (1) Has the Design Agent phenomenon driven up acquisition costs for DoD programs; (2) Have Design Agent initiatives generally weakened DoD's ability to coordinate and control its major programs. Cost comparisons of 'Design Agent'- led programs to traditional DoD-led programs are difficult, as roles often transcend labels. Cost comparisons of Military / civilian / contractor personnel are straightforward, but must be understood in (qualitative) context. Cost-sharing arrangements (Facilities, Software) as well as intra-Government transactions (GFE/GFI) must be clearly understood.