An Analysis of the Knowledge and Skill Levels Required to Effectively Support Analytical Cost Decisions in Source Selections

This research effort intends on identifying the knowledge and skills necessary for cost and price analyst to be effective members of cost panel evaluation teams during source selections. The purpose of this research is to determine what levels of education, experience, and training (the three factors studied under this research) the participants of source selection evaluation team members, specifically the cost panel members, have when conducting a source selection. It also assesses whether the cost panel members and senior Air Force acquisition military and civilian personnel associate the levels of education, experience, and training as being key factors in fulfilling cost analyst duties and supporting the selection of a source in the government procurement process. From this analysis, a suggested education level, training requirement, and experience level that will form knowledge parameters that provide for future source selection or training that may be needed before members are assigned to fulfill a cost or price analyst role on a source selection. To accomplish this objective a literature review, personal interviews, and questionnaires were formed and utilized. The recommendations of this study are intended to assist cost and price analysts in attaining the knowledge and skill necessary in contributing and supporting a source selection.