Defense Science Board: Nothing Preventing Another Druyun Now

Inside Defense has a story on, and has made available, the Defense Science Board report on oversight of Defense Department acquisition in response to the Darleen Druyun case.  Druyun was found guilty several months ago for improperly steering DoD contracts toward Boeing while she, her daughter and future son-in-law were negotiating with Boeing for employment.  DSB chairman's William Schneider's verdict on the situation now:

"One of the Task Force’s key findings is that while current acquisition practices make an incident on the scale of the Druyun case unlikely, there are currently no structural or policy mandates in place that would prevent this situation from recurring." (emphasis POGO's)

The DSB recommends both better and more transparent oversight and processes in acquisition such as requiring, say, written justification for source selection.  Here's what the DSB says contributed to the Druyun situation:

• Exceptional expertise in contracting;
• Long tenure in her position;
• Gradual accretion of acquisition and personnel management authorities;
• Little oversight because of no immediate supervisor (or her supervisor delegated acquisition authorities to her);
• Abusive behavior to subordinates and contractors that was not apparent, or viewed as “tough, but fair” by supervisors;
• “Behind closed doors” decisions;
• Employment of her daughter and future son-in-law by Boeing.

Comments

[Jim Southerland]

Unfortunately, Druyen may have had events similar to Boeing with at least one other very large contractor -- and not just her.....