A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report calls on the Department of Defense to identify the funding and staffing needs of a new expert group tasked with helping DOD obtain intellectual property for weapons system operation and sustainment.
DOD IP specialists interviewed by the government audit agency believe that temporary job opportunities could act as a disincentive to hire specialized experts for the group, GAO said Tuesday.
The congressional watchdog noted that the department will provide funds to the IP Cadre at the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create and fill up to five positions through fiscal 2023.
GAO also found that the department lacks program support, valuation strategies and financial analysis expertise to help the cadre fulfill responsibilities.
Other recommendations from GAO include collaboration between the cadre director and the Defense Acquisition University president in support of IP-related priorities over the next three years and the development of additional guidance for DOD component heads to identify personnel who can benefit from IP-related training.
