DOD: New services instruction 'in final review'

New guidance related to how the Pentagon buys services is now "in final review before signature," according to a Nov. 9 letter from a Pentagon official.

The letter was sent in response to a Government Accountability Office report recommending the Pentagon better track its services contracts, including whether they include work closely associated with inherently governmental functions.

In his response, Rich Robbins, director of total force planning and requirements in the office of the assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, wrote that the new guidance "will provide clear instructions on the service requirements review board and data collection process with respect to identifying those requirements that are closely associated with inherently government functions."

Pentagon officials have said for months that the policy is close to complete. In August, Ken Brennan, deputy director of services acquisition, told Inside Defense the guidance was expected to be put in place by Oct. 1.