Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment

📢 Modernizing Software Acquisition for the Warfighter To maintain our competitive edge, Secretary Hegseth recently directed the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the preferred pathway for all DoD software development. This ensures faster, more adaptable solutions for the Warfighter. By leveraging the SWP alongside flexible contracting methods such as Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and Other Transactions (OTs), DoD can better streamline access to cutting-edge digital solutions and maintain military superiority in an era of software-defined warfare. This approach: ✅ Accelerates software development to meet evolving warfighter needs ✅ Minimizes bureaucracy to enable rapid iteration of best-in-class capabilities ✅ Fosters stronger collaboration with innovative industry partners #RebuildingOurMilitary | Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition | Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

#DYK: DoD and interagency partners work together to gather evidence and support presidential decision-making during nuclear attack scenarios. The United States Department of Defense recently partnered with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an iteration of the Prominent Hunt exercise in New York. Together these agencies make up the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Ground Collection Task Force (NTNF). “Our ability to gather post-detonation debris and perform nuclear forensics analysis is a key element of our nuclear deterrent,” said Drew Walter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. “Through NTNF, our senior leaders are provided a confident assessment of the responsible actor, ensuring appropriate response options.” Learn more about the Prominent Hunt exercise below!

#ICYMI, earlier this week, John Noh, who is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Chief, Air Marshal Leon Phillips, signed a Statement of Intent to deepen U.S.-Australian cooperation with Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. This cooperation strengthens our shared munitions industrial base, improves interoperability, and enhances deterrence.    #ReestablishingDeterrence | Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

In alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 5400.17 and recent Executive Orders issued by the President, the Department of Defense is reviewing and adjusting its social media content to ensure compliance with DoD policies and priorities. As a result, certain posts have been removed or modified to maintain consistency with federal guidance and uphold the integrity of our official communication channels. The Office of the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment remains committed to transparency and adherence to DoD directives while continuing to engage with our stakeholder community in a manner that best reflects our mission.   For any questions regarding social media policies, please refer to official DoD guidance available at: https://lnkd.in/e7w-ETMc

#ICYMI: The Defense Logistics Agency has launched the Supplier Pathway program to simplify the government contracting process for small businesses. This initiative provides direct access to the right supply chains, making it easier for vendors to strengthen our defense #industrialbase. Learn more below!

The United States Department of Defense announced the US Navy’s USS Makin Island as the winner of the 2024 Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence at this year's Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards ceremony last month! The Sailors of the USS Makin Island were recognized for embodying pride and hands-on leadership during pre-deployment training in the Third Fleet followed by a combat deployment to the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. Learn more about the full list of 2024 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award winners at https://lnkd.in/gt4f2fyp #SustainTheForce | Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment

#ICYMI: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued his first message to the force, emphasizing the United States Department of Defense's clear mission—achieving peace through strength—and outlined three ways to guide our actions: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence. Read more below!

The Department of Defense announced a $5.1 million award via Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to Rare Resource Recycling Inc. (REEcycle). The project supports a restart of the existing demonstration facility and advances the commissioning of a commercial facility for recovering rare earth elements from recycled hard drives, electric motors, and other e-waste.   REEcycle intends to establish itself as a merchant supplier for downstream metallization and magnet manufacturing companies. With these funds, REEcycle will advance its ability to provide resources critical to the defense industrial base, and in turn, enhance mission readiness of the warfighter.   #ExpandTheBase #NDIS #DPA

The United States Department of Defense relies on critical materials to power nearly every system that protects our nation—from unmanned aerial systems to submarines. However, recent adversarial actions and supply chain disruptions have made one thing clear: securing these vital materials is more urgent than ever.   As Adam Burstein, Technical Director for Strategic and Critical Materials in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, shared at the Naval War College last week, the DoD is taking bold steps to address these challenges: 🔹 Strengthening Domestic Production: More than $439M invested since 2020 to establish secure domestic rare earth element supply chains.   🔹 Partnering with Allies: Collaborating with Canada, the UK, and Australia under the Defense Production Act to ensure a supply of key materials like cobalt and tungsten.   🔹 Stockpiling for Security: Building reserves to act as shock absorbers against unanticipated disruptions.   Burstein emphasized, "By partnering with our close allies, we can capitalize on opportunities to leverage each other's strengths to mutually reinforce our domestic and allied defense industrial bases."   Learn more about how DoD is building resilience in our defense industrial base: https://lnkd.in/e-E8Gw8k   #ExpandTheBase #SucceedThroughTeamwork

Calling all acquisition and sustainment professionals! Join us for Defense Acquisition University's Annual Acquisition Update, which will take place virtually February 19-20, 2025.   The two-day event will include success stories, updates, and best practices from across the Department, including our A&S leaders! Mr. John Tenaglia, Performing the Duties of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, will provide an update defense acquisition workforce development; and Ms. Lisa P. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Product Support, will lead a session on the Regional Sustainment Framework and Contested Logistics.   Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge, connect with industry leaders, and contribute to the success of our defense community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/eyMeXA9M.   #DefenseAcquisition #AcquisitionUpdate