Agile Acquisition Becomes DISA’s New Battlefield Advantage

As cyber threats evolve and technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the Defense Information Systems Agency is rethinking how it acquires and delivers capabilities. Acting DODNet Deputy Program Manager Kelli Garczynski and DODNet Chief Engineer Mike Butler joined CyberCast to discuss how DISA is adopting agile acquisition strategies and accelerating procurement timelines to strengthen network defenses and deliver mission capabilities faster.

Butler said DISA must pair technical agility with contract agility to keep pace with rapidly changing threats across War Department networks. Traditional acquisition timelines, he noted, can leave critical engineering efforts lagging behind emerging mission requirements.

To address that challenge, Garczynski said DISA is increasingly using Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) to rapidly identify, evaluate and deploy the best technologies for warfighters. By leveraging OTAs, DISA aims to move from industry engagement to contract award in as little as 90 days, dramatically reducing the time required to field new capabilities.

Garczynski added that modern architectures such as DODNet and DISA’s zero-trust initiative, Thunderdome, cannot be developed through rigid, static requirements. Butler said continuous data collection and operational feedback allow DISA to adjust requirements in real time, enabling more responsive development and a stronger defense against active adversaries.