Service Acquisition Executive(SAE)
The senior civilian official responsible for all acquisition matters within a particular military service branch.
Overview
The Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) is the senior civilian acquisition official within each military department—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The SAE serves as the department's senior procurement executive and typically holds the title of Assistant Secretary for Acquisition. The SAE has authority over acquisition policy, oversight, and major program decisions within their service.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The SAE is the ultimate decision-maker for major acquisition programs within a military service. Understanding the SAE's priorities, acquisition reform initiatives, and programmatic decisions helps contractors align their strategies with the service's direction and anticipate changes in procurement policy.
Key Details
- Authority: Serves as the Milestone Decision Authority for ACAT I programs unless authority is delegated.
- Oversight: Responsible for acquisition workforce management, policy implementation, and program performance.
- Title: Typically the Assistant Secretary of the Army/Navy/Air Force for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology.
- Reporting: Reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment for defense-wide acquisition matters.
- Delegation: May delegate MDA authority to Program Executive Officers for lower-ACAT programs.
Related Terms
- Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)
- Program Executive Officer (PEO)
- Acquisition Category (ACAT)
- Defense Acquisition System
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