About ASD(A)
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) (ASD(A)) provides oversight and policy direction to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) on matters relating to DoD's acquisition system, major defense acquisitions programs (MDAPs), and space and intelligence acquisitions. ASD(A) also oversees two Defense Agencies—Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).
More than 11,000 people, including nearly 700 military personnel, work in ASD(A)-led organizations.
Vision:
Leadership for an integrated, responsive Acquisition system providing Warfighter needs with predictable performance.
Mission:
Reshape the enterprise utilizing short and long-term initiatives that accelerate lasting change for all elements of the Acquisition system.
- Trust, Integrity, Ethics as Cornerstones for building streamlined and simplified acquisition excellence
- Increased Competition, Reduced Cycle Time, Broadened Communications
Leadership Spotlight
Katrina G. McFarlandAssistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition)
Katrina McFarland is the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) (ASD(A)).
In this role, she is the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics on matters relating to acquisition.