While once primarily a vehicle for the purchase of goods, federal procurement activities are now increasingly focused on the purchase-and management-of services. Consequently, the acquisition workforce currently includes not only contracting professionals, but also program management staffs who are responsible for executing a wide spectrum of federal projects and programs.

In this dynamic environment, there has been one constant: the size of the acquisition workforce has not kept pace with the increased demands. Our country is asking the acquisition workforce of yesterday’s numbers and yesterday’s resources to effectively manage today’s very different and expanding challenges.