Overview
- The Defense Department published its Acquisition Transformation Strategy and three memos that formalize the new Warfighting Acquisition System and requirements reforms.
- Undersecretary Michael Duffey said speed is prioritized but not mandated, with decisions guided by program-level judgment and a reordered focus on schedule, performance, then cost.
- Policy sets a commercial-first default and expands use of CSOs and OTAs to bring in nontraditional firms, with organizational changes including aligning DSCA under acquisition and sustainment.
- Analysts warn of higher near-term costs from greater competition and parallel production, while officials point to portfolio flexibility and time-indexed incentives to manage risk.
- The Army detailed implementation with six Portfolio Acquisition Executives and a new Pathway for Innovation and Technology to speed prototyping and scaling, with early changes already underway and no workforce relocations.