Teaching the Old Dog New Tricks...DoD Acquisition can evolve

The Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) pathway is a streamlined and agile procurement process implemented by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to accelerate the delivery of advanced military capabilities. Established in response to the rapidly evolving technological landscape and the need for quicker adaptation, the MTA pathway serves as an alternative to traditional acquisition processes. This summary provides a brief history of the MTA pathway and its development within the DoD.

Early Beginnings: The Rapid Capabilities Office

The MTA pathway has its roots in the creation of the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) in 2006. The RCO's primary goal was to accelerate the development and fielding of new capabilities in response to urgent operational needs. The RCO served as a precursor to the MTA pathway, highlighting the importance of rapid acquisition and the need for a more flexible and responsive procurement process.

Section 804 and the Birth of the Middle Tier Acquisition Pathway

The MTA pathway was formally established by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, specifically in Section 804, which called for the creation of alternative acquisition pathways to expedite the delivery of military capabilities. In response to this mandate, the DoD established the MTA pathway as a means to develop and field new capabilities within a two-to-five-year timeframe.

The MTA pathway was designed to consist of two primary components: Rapid Prototyping (RP) and Rapid Fielding (RF). The RP component focuses on developing prototypes and demonstrating new technologies, while the RF component emphasizes the quick integration of proven technologies into existing military systems.

Implementation and Expansion

After its establishment, the MTA pathway quickly gained traction within the DoD. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) was tasked with overseeing the implementation and expansion of the MTA pathway across various defense agencies and military services. In 2018, the DoD issued guidance on the use of the MTA pathway, providing further clarity on its scope and objectives.

To promote the adoption of the MTA pathway, the DoD encouraged collaboration between military services, defense agencies, and industry partners. This collaborative approach was aimed at fostering innovation and ensuring the rapid integration of cutting-edge technologies into military systems.

Advantages of the Middle Tier Acquisition Framework

1. Speed and Agility: One of the most significant benefits of the MTA framework is its ability to deliver capabilities more quickly than traditional acquisition processes. By cutting bureaucratic red tape and promoting the use of innovative acquisition strategies, the MTA enables rapid prototyping and fielding of new technologies, systems, and platforms. This fast-paced approach can provide the military with a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment.

2. Flexibility: The MTA framework allows for greater flexibility in acquisition, with tailored approaches that enable program managers to adapt and respond to changing requirements and emerging technologies. This flexibility can lead to more efficient decision-making and resource allocation, ultimately providing the military with better capabilities to address evolving mission needs.

3. Encouragement of Innovation: The MTA framework promotes innovation by streamlining the process for introducing new technologies and capabilities into the military. By fostering collaboration between the DoD, industry, and academia, the MTA framework creates a fertile environment for experimentation and innovation, leading to the rapid development and integration of cutting-edge technologies.

4. Risk Reduction: By allowing for rapid prototyping and experimentation, the MTA framework can help to reduce the risks associated with traditional acquisition programs. Program managers can identify and address potential issues earlier in the development process, leading to a more refined and reliable end product. Additionally, the focus on iterative development can minimize the potential for costly failures in large-scale programs.

5. Enhanced Interoperability: The MTA framework encourages the development of modular, open-system architectures that promote interoperability between various platforms, systems, and components. This enables the military to integrate new capabilities more seamlessly, enhancing overall effectiveness and reducing the need for costly modifications or upgrades.

Disadvantages of the Middle Tier Acquisition Framework

1. Potential for Insufficient Oversight: One of the main concerns with the MTA framework is the potential for insufficient oversight and accountability due to its streamlined processes. The reduced bureaucratic burden may lead to inadequate monitoring of program performance and cost, increasing the risk of mismanagement, fraud, or waste.

2. Challenges in Transitioning to Full-Scale Production: The MTA framework focuses on rapid prototyping and fielding of capabilities, which may not always translate well to full-scale production. Some projects may face challenges in scaling up to meet broader operational requirements, particularly if they involve complex systems or require significant modifications to existing platforms.

3. Budgetary and Resource Constraints: The rapid pace of development under the MTA framework can strain budgets and resources, particularly if multiple projects are being pursued simultaneously. Additionally, the MTA's focus on delivering capabilities within a two-to-five-year timeframe may necessitate trade-offs between cost, schedule, and performance, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes.

4. Integration and Compatibility Issues: Despite the MTA framework's emphasis on interoperability, integrating new capabilities into existing systems and platforms can still be challenging. The rapid pace of development and the push for innovation may result in technology that is not fully compatible with legacy systems, requiring costly modifications or additional investments to achieve seamless integration.

5. Dependence on Industry Partners: The MTA framework relies heavily on collaboration with industry partners to deliver new capabilities rapidly. This reliance can create potential risks, such as dependence on specific vendors, intellectual property.

Notable Successes

The MTA pathway has seen several notable successes since its inception. One example is the U.S. Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), which was developed using the MTA pathway's rapid prototyping component. IVAS is a heads-up display system that integrates various sensors and communication tools to enhance situational awareness for soldiers. The use of the MTA pathway allowed for quicker development and field testing, ultimately delivering this advanced capability to warfighters faster than traditional acquisition methods would have allowed.

The Middle Tier Acquisition pathway represents a significant shift in the DoD's approach to procurement, emphasizing speed, flexibility, and innovation. Established as a response to the rapidly changing technological landscape and the need for faster adaptation, the MTA pathway has demonstrated its value in delivering advanced capabilities to the U.S. military. As the DoD continues to face evolving threats and emerging technologies, the MTA pathway will likely play an increasingly important role in ensuring the U.S. military remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

To learn more about Middle Tier Acquisition pathway, click the link for more via DAU:

https://aaf.dau.edu/aaf/mta/