This panel was joined to study the varied tools and techniques that have been developed in the field of management science. They reviewed the efforts made by CAS, and other elements of DoD, to apply these techniques, and they evaluated the success of those applications. Their purpose was to consider the potential uses of the more recent and advanced tools and techniques and to set forth, in a general way, new concepts for the development of scientific methods at all levels of CAS management.

The panel conducted a detailed study of the overall field of personnel management within CAS. They reviewed past developments, considered the implications of the present situation, and then announced their coordinated decisions as to the best courses of action by which CAS might strengthen manpower resources in the future. The report treats the subject under five divisions as follows: I. Requirements Planning II. Recruitment III. Career Development and Training IV. Interface Between Personnel and Activity Managers V. Development of Key Procurement Officers (Military).

The function of procurement pricing is an integral part of the procurement process and is carried out by all elements of the DoD, either as part of other procurement functions or as an identifiable organizational element. It is accomplished in both purchasing and contract administration services (CAS) activities. When accomplished at the purchasing activity, its primary purpose is to assist the procuring contracting officer (PCO) in determining that prices being paid by the government for supplies and services are fair and reasonable. When accomplished by the contract administration activity, it also serves the same purpose when the administrative contracting officer (ACO) has been assigned final pricing responsibility (such as for spare parts pricing). In addition, the CAS pricing function also includes the review and evaluation of contractor proposals to be negotiated by the PCO, determination of reasonableness of costs claimed under cost-type contracts, and contractor management systems reviews. The objectives of Panel 14 were to examine the CAS pricing function and major problems, trends, and goals which affect pricing performance, and to recommend any changes considered necessary for improvement.