Streamlining the Medical Materiel Acquisition Process: Central Direction, Better Requirements. Volume 1 [report]

George L. Slyman, Gilbert L. Goldman
1990 unpublished
The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) wants to improve the performance of the medical acquisition processto field operationally suitable medical materiel in less time, at less cost, and more frequently than it now does. How to accomplish such a goal, however, draws widely divergent opinion within the Army medical community. Some would simplify the process by eliminating certain steps, others would consolidate organizations, and many would acquire only off-the-shelf, nondevelopmental items. We
more » ... eve all three approaches have value, but before taking any actions, the AMEDD needs to consolidate its acquisition authority so that it can make more-informed decisions on better materiel requirements. Currently, the AM:EDD designates managers for all the parts of the acquisition process, but it does not have an overall acquisition manager to apply the pressure needed to meet objectives, resolve requirements questions, and hold to scheduled milestones. To streamline the medical materiel acquisition process, we recommend the following critical first steps: * The Surgeon General should designate a Deputy Surgeon General for Acquisition [DSG(A)) and assign the DSG(A) the responsibility for managing the medical material acquisition process. That position would be the AMEDD's highest level of central direction and supervision of acquisition functions (other than The Surgeon General). This responsibility should not be delegated. To do so would counteract the centralized oversight intended. " The DSG(A) should direct the coordinated revision of Army Regulation 40-60, Policies and Procedures for the Acquisition of Medical Materiel and the Medical Materiel Acquisition Management Handbook to incorporate, at a minimum, the following: o AMEDD acquisition objectives P Criteria for designating programs for the DSG(A)'s direct oversight and control AR806RI/AUG 90 Chapter 4. The Nature of Requirements (Continued)
doi:10.21236/ada229077 fatcat:cz2qb7rp4zgr7p5eqy2avumyye