Acquisition community stuck in time, reader says

Social media might be way behind the mindset of the acquisition community, says one reader.

We recently ran a story about how the acquisition community might have an easier time attracting young, bright employees if it were to use social media and other technology to make the work more efficient and more appealing (see story here).

Mordecai Labovitz is skeptical. Here is what he wrote:

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I was reviewing your summary of Shay Assad's testimony and the data base DOD wants to assemble. In a more rudimentary fashion, the Navy used to maintain files of negotiation memorandums covering every contractor. Welcome to the 21st century when we have come up with the idea to do this using a database! For the last couple of years I have been suggesting that rather than adding on top of what already exists, it might be wise to assemble a "Council of Greybeards" who would be willing to work for free (what a concept) to come together to look for the simple solutions. They do exist. We are trying way too hard. In medicine, they scrape away the bad part before making a repair. In acquisition, we pile on top of "the bad part." This is largely because we don't know what is broken so we don't know what needs the repair.