Formally a component of the Defence Logistics Organisation, the Agency brigaded together elements of the Defence Procurement Agency, the DLO and operational support elements within the three military Front Line Commands.

[2] The DCSA was formed of a core headquarters, led by a military Chief Executive at Two-star rank, supported by an Operations Directorate, Directorate of Engineering and Interoperability, and a number of Integrated Project Teams, responsible for the procurement and support of systems and services.

The Agency was headquartered at Basil Hill Barracks, Corsham, Wiltshire,[3] and had 5,000 staff at facilities in many locations in the UK and overseas.

[4] DCSA Headquarters The founding CE was Major-General Tony Raper CB CBE, late Royal Signals.

He was succeeded by Rear Admiral Rees Ward in 2002, who continued as CE until 2007 when the Agency was disestablished.