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Pentagon Clarifies Acquisition Overhaul: Speed Is a Priority, Not a Mandate

Program leaders will decide trade-offs under new commercial-first rules.

Overview

  • Undersecretary Michael Duffey said speed remains the emphasis but not a requirement, with program leaders balancing schedule, performance and cost.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set commercial products as the default and signaled openness to buying an available 85% solution to field capability faster.
  • The reform eliminates the JCIDS process and replaces Program Executive Offices with Portfolio Acquisition Executives to concentrate accountability across related programs.
  • The department plans to curtail Analyses of Alternatives in favor of prototyping and experimentation, with exceptions for major developments when needed.
  • The overhaul seeks more competition by inviting nontraditional contractors and startups, and it moves the Defense Security Cooperation Agency under acquisition and sustainment.