DoD and Software
The Department of Defense is updating its purchasing policies for software acquisition, moving toward an Adaptive Acquisition Framework. (fedscoop, October 7, 2020)
DoD’s new software purchasing policy includes some big changes: its focus will be on updating software on an “as needed” basis instead of custom coding. In the old model DoD purchased software in the same manner as it bought tanks, which often took years. The new policy, titled 5000.87, allows contracting officers to have the tools they need to buy code while giving them the flexibility to focus on the development and maintenance of programs. (ibid)
According to a DoD spokesperson, “as more parts of the military use similar technology-development stacks, achieving Authorities to Operate (ATOs) will happen much faster.” The goal is to improve cycle time which should now be achieved with the new framework in place.
Are you looking to work with DoD to provide software or code and have questions about how to get started under the new purchasing policy? Give us a call.