Gates to spearhead acquisition reform effort

The White House plans to put Defense Secretary Robert Gates in charge of crafting a plan that would overhaul the defense acquisition process, reports Defense News.

Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag told the House Budget Committee today that Gates will be the point person for crafting a new framework under which the Pentagon will spend funds to design, develop and purchase new weapons.

The 2010 defense budget plan, still being finalized by the Obama administration, “starts the process of bringing efficiencies” to the Pentagon’s weapon development and buying system, Orszag said.

President Barack Obama set a campaign-trail goal of overhauling the Defense Department’s weapon procurement system, but Orszag said the White House plans to leave the specific approach to Gates.