Acquisition Workforce Changes Could Lie Ahead

The House-passed version of the fiscal 2005 Defense Department authorization bill (HR-4200) would make several changes in policy for acquisition workforce employees at DoD, including allowing the Secretary of Defense to designate “critical” acquisition positions in which higher salaries could be paid. The measure also would require a 5 percent reduction in the acquisition workforce by October 1, 2005-the latest in a series of attempts by the House to reduce employment in the acquisition area at DoD-and require a report from the General Accounting Office by March 1, 2005 on the current status of the acquisition workforce. The White House has issued a statement opposing those cuts. Meanwhile, in its floor voting, the Senate added an amendment to increase the acquisition workforce by 15 percent over three years. Final Senate passage of its bill (S-2400) is expected soon.