Acquisition of the Future -- The Big “A”

Published: January 28, 2015

Acquisition Reform

A growing group of government acquisition professionals, CIOs and industry leaders are joining a movement to reinvent federal acquisition.

The movement known as Acquisition of the Future (AOF), aspires to build “efficiencies and drive results” in federal procurement and acquisition by developing new procedures and implementing new technologies.  Social media, APIs, and modular IT technologies are replacing paper and even some internet capabilities, according to ASI Government’s CEO Kymm McCabe, a proponent of the movement.  These technologies and innovative online services are changing the way companies do business in the private sector.  Government stands to benefit by embracing similar change when it comes to the acquisition process.  “That's why we're creating a movement to envision what the "Big A" Acquisition function looks like, tomorrow and beyond,” according to material published on the group’s site.

Rather than joining the current acquisition reform ranks, McCabe suggests in a recent article, “Let’s stop trying to fix the current, antiquated system. Instead, let’s build in a new direction through common goals to create more value, modern technologies and business models, and a work environment that will draw talent to perform some of the most complex, important and impactful jobs in our country.” 

AOF is in the process of developing a free, open and sharable Transformation Framework and Guide.  The group wants to cultivate a common vision and developmental framework for the fragmented acquisition community. AOF is also collecting information on innovative acquisition initiatives already in development to share on their soon-to-be-launched collaboration site.  The site will allow acquisition and industry professionals to learn from each other and their innovative acquisition approaches.

AOF isn't pushing specific technologies, but wants to nurture an environment where the constant influx of technologies can be evaluated for their potential impact on the acquisition process.  Additionally, a newer workforce will expect and demand adoption of new approaches and technologies in the acquisition process.

Join the conversation by visiting www.acquisitionofthefuture.org or contacting aof@asigovt.com.