By Mike Stone
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Defense is revamping its software procurement process to increase access to a wider range of software providers, both commercial and non-traditional, in a bid to rapidly modernize its weaponry and business systems.
In a memo dated March 6, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has instructed the Department of Defense (DoD) to prioritize a new initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness of the U.S. military through software acquisitions. This memo is part of a series of directives from the Pentagon seeking to transform the way weapons and support systems are acquired.
A Defense official, speaking to reporters about the memo, highlighted that the goal is to streamline the inclusion of non-traditional commercial entities in the defense procurement landscape alongside established prime contractors like Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. Smaller companies such as Second Front Systems have faced challenges accessing Pentagon projects despite making headway in the industry.
Hegseth’s memo underscores the necessity for the DoD to adapt to the evolving nature of software-driven warfare and update its acquisition procedures to align with advancements in commercial technology. The current focus on hardware-centric acquisition has impeded the DoD’s ability to swiftly procure, deliver, and refine software for weapons and business systems.
To remedy this, the memo mandates the adoption of the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the primary avenue for all software development components within the DoD. Tyler Sweatt, CEO of Second Front Systems, a software provider for the Pentagon, emphasized the importance of emphasizing commercial capabilities and expediting acquisitions to enhance military capabilities.
The directive also directs the DoD to pursue contracting strategies that prioritize the use of commercial solutions as the default method for acquiring capabilities. This guidance extends to any software pathway program currently under consideration.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in collaboration with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, has been assigned the task of devising an implementation plan within 30 days to facilitate the swift integration of these changes.
(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
