In the face of global conflicts and threats, ranging from
non-state actors to peer adversaries, the DoD must prioritize
delivering new capabilities that ensure U.S. superiority
and decisive advantage across the competition-to-conflict
spectrum, while moving beyond platforms and approaches
that have limited transformation across the DoD.
Unfortunately, there is a long-standing consensus that it takes too long and costs too
much to deliver new warfighting capabilities. Specifically, the Department of Defense
(DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) are not integrating advanced technological
solutions into warfighting and operational capabilities as rapidly and effectively as
needed to address the dynamic threat environment of today and tomorrow. A key
factor contributing to this gap is the lack of alignment and synchronization between
the DoD/IC and industry, particularly with the new generation of defense tech
innovators as well as non-traditional dual-use companies. This has led to increased
funding for the Defense Innovation Unit, greater use of Other Transactions (OT)
across the DoD, and calls for major acquisition reform.
MITRE is hosting “Breaking Barriers in Defense Acquisition” on May 7th and 8th
to bring together government and industry voices tackling acquisition’s toughest
challenges. Participants will deliver recommendations for capability-driven
acquisition pathways, software-intensive systems for increased lethality, rapid
acquisition for autonomous systems, scaling commercial and manufacturing
innovation, and creating the environment for a thriving Allied industrial base.
Together, we have the opportunity to redefine how industry and government interact
throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Core to the approach of breaking down barriers in acquisition is the alignment of
commercial industry technical capability and development with identified mission
gaps to effectively align resources to address the right parts of the right problem with
the right solution, ultimately reducing the time from warfighter gap to contract award.
Where to start?
Critical missions and investing in capabilities that improve mission performance.
With limited funds and time, focus on new capabilities that will make a difference in
priority missions. Basing acquisitions on analysis of current and projected military
capabilities to execute in priority threat scenarios drives investments on warfighter
priorities and solution specifications driven by pragmatic battlefield demands.
Mission-Focused and
Industry-Driven Rapid Acquisition
Key Questions
③ How can industry
and government
accelerate
deployment of
innovative capabilities
for mission success?
③ How can proposed
legislation and
policies combined
with effective use of
existing authorities
speed acquisition?
③ How can access to
tools, platforms, and
data lower barriers
for rapid commercial
and dual-use
technology adoption
to enable warfighter
lethality?
