Acquisition Operating Framework (AOF) Home Page   AOF 

Acquisition Operating Framework

The high level principles and information that guide how the UK MOD Defence Acquisition Community works

version 2.0.18 – November 2009

AOF Home Page

Acquisition Operating Framework

  • Welcome to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Acquisition Operating Framework (AOF).
  • The AOF is an authoritative source of policy and good practice for all members of the UK MOD and our Industry partners concerned with acquisition.
  • The AOF will improve the consistency in our application of policy and good practice and play an important role in delivering better solutions for defence in the future.

A Message From the sponsor - 2nd PUS

  • Welcome to the Acquisition Operating Framework (AOF).
  • The AOF defines how we conduct, govern and control our Defence acquisition processes. It is a key enabler for improving our delivery to the armed forces and for driving greater value for money for the taxpayer. Ursula Brennan - 2nd Permanent Under Secretary (PUS)
  • Since its launch in April 2007, the AOF has undergone significant development in refining the Strategic and Operational layers, and with expansion of the Tactical layer. This has enabled MOD to archive the Acquisition Management System (AMS).
  • A system of governance is in place to ensure AOF is kept up to date, coherent and relevant. I encourage feedback on any aspect of AOF. Please contact the relevant page owner shown, or the AOF Team directly on +44 (0)1225 883047 (Mil: 9355 83047).
  • Please take the time to read the AOF and ensure that you and your staff understand its requirements.

Ursula Brennan (2nd PUS)

More information about the AOF

How can I get more help ?

  • For enquiries about specific subject matter, refer to the contact details provided on each page.
  • A full list of owners and contact details for all AOF content is also provided.
  • If you have general feedback about the website or are having difficulties using it then please phone the AOF Team on +44 (0)1225 883047 (Mil: 9355 83047).

The Bernard Gray Report - Released

What's New in Acquisition ?

  • Military Acquisition Stream (MAS) – Defence Acquisition Education and Training
  • Information on the Defence Acquisition Education and Training [18KB PDF] provided by the Defence Academy – College of Management and Technology, primarily, for officers in core acquisition appointments. For general enquires about Defence Acquisition Management training contact des-mas-trg1@mod.uk.
  • Operational Analysis and Procurement Regulation
  • Guidance on managing potential risks around Operational Analysis and Procurement Regulations [32KB PDF] within your project has been published by Head of Scrutiny Air/Sea/CIS. It is essential that people familiarise themselves with this guidance and how it links to the recent updates in the SMART Approvals GuidanceExternal link to Ministry of Defence Intranet content.
  • A Defence Acquisition Reform Project has been established, with Ursula Brennan (2nd PUS) as Senior Responsible Owner
  • A team led at 2-star level is being formed to deliver the project. Building on considerable previous work in this area (including the Defence Acquisition Change Programme), the aim is to make further improvements in the way the acquisition process is carried out across MOD.
  • More details on how the project will be taken forward will be published soon.

What's new in the AOF ?