SECDEF MEMO_DIRECTING-MODERN-SOFTWARE-ACQUISITION-TO-MAXIMIZE-LETHALITY_2025.03.06.pdf
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- Attached to
- AFTAC Data Operations (Data Ops) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- FA702225R0002
About this file
This is a memorandum from the Secretary of Defense dated March 6, 2025, directing a fundamental shift in the Department of Defense's software acquisition approach. The memo mandates that all DoD Components adopt the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the preferred method for software development in business and weapon system programs. Specifically, the directive requires using Commercial Solutions Openings and Other Transactions as the default solicitation and award approaches for software acquisition efforts that meet certain statutory thresholds.
The memorandum emphasizes the critical need for DoD to modernize its software acquisition processes to keep pace with commercial technology advancements and maintain military technological superiority. It highlights that the current hardware-centric acquisition model is inadequate for software-defined warfare, which is already the present reality. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Defense Innovation Unit, is tasked with developing an implementation plan within 30 calendar days, with the ultimate goal of enabling rapid delivery of digital capabilities and evolving systems faster than potential adversaries can adapt.
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Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Initial DD Form 254_2025.03.06.pdf | ||
| NIFI Software Inventory_2025.03.04.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| DRAFT_BASIC Data Ops SOO_2025.03.17.pdf | ||
| Data Ops CDRLS_Signed_2025.03.06.pdf |
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Text version
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON , DC 20301 -1000
MAR - 6 2025
MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
COMMANDERS OF COMBATANT COMMANDS
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Directing Modern Software Acquisition to Maximize Lethality
The Department of Defense (DoD) has been slow to recognize that software-defined warfare is not a future construct, but the reality we find ourselves operating in today. Software is at the core of every weapon and supporting system we field to remain the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. While commercial industry has rapidly adj usted to a software defined product reality, DoD has struggled to reframe our acquisition process from a hardware centric to a software-centric approach. When it comes to software acquisition, we are overdue in pivoting to a performance-based outcome and, as such, it is the Warfighter who pays the price.
lt is a top priority for DoD to reform its acquisition processes in order to acquire, deliver, and iterate on our weapon and business systems - including software- at speed and scale for our Warfighter. To start, DoD must maximize the use of its existing authorities, contracting strategies, and processes for software acquisition. This will enable us to immediately shift to a construct designed to keep pace with commercial technology advancements, leverage the entire commercial ecosystem for defense systems, rapidly deliver scaled digital capabilities, and evolve our systems faster than adversaries can adapt on the battlefield.
To meet thjs challenge, 1 am directing all DoD Components to adopt the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the preferred pathway for all software development components of business and weapon system programs in the Department.
The Department must also align contracting strategies and maximize the use of existing authorities. Effective immediately, for efforts that meet the threshold requirements enabling the application of authorities provided at title 10, U.S.C., § 3458 or title 10, U.S.C. , § 4022. I am directing the use of Commercial Solutions Openings and Other Transactions as the default solicitation and award approaches for acquiring capabilities under the SWP. This applies to any software pathway program in the planning phase prior to execution. Department Components are prohibited from implementing further guidance on this point that would set out restrictive measmes, guidelines, frameworks, directives, or policies other than required by statute.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, will develop and submit an implementation plan witrun 30 calendar days.
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