What’s missing from analysis of competition in the defense industry?
Since the 1990s, the defense sector has consolidated substantially, transitioning from 51 to 5 aerospace and defense prime contractors. As a result, DoD is increasingly […]
commercial solutions openings
DIU update: the 2020 annual report
Key statistics from DIU’s 2020 annual report that I compiled: Subject 2020 2019 2016-2020 Projects 23 95 Commercial Proposals 944 466 2,381 Proposals per Solicitation […]
Data on SBIR, open topics, and the defense industry
The U.S. military has historically been an important investor in transformational technologies, but this model faces challenges from a less innovative and more concentrated defense […]
The DoD must start contracting for excellence
To encourage modern technology development, contracts should account for development that begins with a vision and proceeds with sprints. These contracts should have quantifiable outcomes […]
DHS rolls out commercial solutions openings
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)… will use the Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program (CSOP) procedures to acquire innovative, commercial items, technologies and services currently […]
How delegation of authority is proceeding in Air Force contracting
The big question in my mind is not whether we are going to increase the authorities at the lower levels — we have to do […]
What causes buy-ins on production?
When people in defense talk about “buy-ins”, they are talking about a contractor who purposefully under-bids on a competitively awarded contract. Instead of expecting losses […]
Podcast with Victor Deal on contracting and innovation
Victor Deal talks with me on the role of contracting, how the price of a screw can be worth the tank it goes on, the […]