Improving Acquisition

Convening experts and policy makers to discuss the workings of the defense acquisition system, DIIG explores potential reforms to deliver responsive, efficient acquisition in support of future missions

The acquisition system is critical to how DoD functions, yet it is plagued by inefficiencies and organizational obstacles that prevent a more streamlined, cost-effective acquisition process. The most urgent needs of the system shift over time, as demonstrated by the strain the U.S. response to the Russian war in Ukraine put on munition stockpiles. By critically examining key debates surrounding acquisition discussions and analyzing U.S. defense acquisition issue areas with DoD and industry partners, DIIG aims to identify opportunities for improving the acquisition system across all facets of the defense industrial base.

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Current Challenges to the Defense Industrial Base

Join the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group for a roundtable discussion on defense industrial base challenges in the context of the Ukraine war.

Event by Cynthia Cook , Frank St. John , Gordon Stein , and Amy Gowder — September 20, 2022

Photo: Lockheed Martin.

Leveraging Networks in Future Operations: DISA's Changing Role in Battle Networks

As the Department of Defense adapts to the challenges of a changing world, it has important choices to make about the future mission and organization of the Defense Information Systems Agency, the organization created in the Cold War to unify its top-level communications.

Report by Gregory Sanders and Rhys McCormick — January 31, 2022

Photo: Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock

2021 Defense Acquisition Trends: Topline DoD Trends after a Half Decade of Growth

Defense contract obligations grew by 8 percent in FY 2020, driven by spending on products manufactured by the Big Five defense contractors. On the cusp of a new National Security Strategy, this piece explores how a half-decade of growth has changed defense acquisition.

Critical Questions by Gregory Sanders , Won Joon Jang , and Alexander Holderness — December 2, 2021

Photo: Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Berlier

The Army's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle

Please join CSIS's Defense Industrial Initiatives Group for an interview with Major General Richard Coffman, Director of the Army Futures Command's Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team.

Event by Andrew Philip Hunter and MG Richard Coffman — March 10, 2021

Photo: Mak/Adobe Stock

Is Bigger Better? Concentration, Competition, and Defense Contracting Outcomes

Join the CSIS Defense Industrial Initiatives Group for the launch of their new report that examines the relationship between industrial concentration and competition with U.S. defense acquisition performance outcomes.

Event by Gregory Sanders , Andrew Philip Hunter , Frank Kendall , Barry Lynn , Marjorie Censer , and Pierre Chao — February 11, 2019

Is Bigger Better? Concentration, Competition, and Defense Contracting Outcomes

Surviving the Defense Industry: New Entrants and Small Business Graduation

Join us as we present the results and recommendations from a recent report that tracks businesses new to the federal contracting arena from 2001-2016, otherwise known as new entrants, using publicly available contracting data from the Federal Procurement Data System.

Event by Gregory Sanders , Andrew Philip Hunter , Emily Harman , Christian Brose , Tara Murphy Dougherty , and Brennan Grignon — February 1, 2019

Surviving the Defense Industry: New Entrants and Small Business Graduation