Mitre Survey emphasizes persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in the acquisition of the defense

Complexity and inflexibility in the acquisition processes of defense as the most important challenge for non -traditional contractors regarded

McLean, Va. & Bedford, Mass., May 07, 2025.

57% of the experts in defense recording surveyed identified the inflexibility and complexity of acquisition processes as the most important challenge for participation. Further critical obstacles are cost types (36%) and the reliability of the supply chain (34%).

The first survey on the takeover of defense companies from Mitre, the non-profit operator of Federal Funded Research and Development Centers, including the National Security Engineering Center, interviewed 1,004 experts in the entire defense recording ecosystem. The survey was used before Mitrs breaking barriers to the Defense's Business Summit, which brings together the stakeholders of the public and private sector to investigate solutions for defense recording.

“The survey data underline the urgent need to reduce bureaucracy and use modern digital technologies to ensure an agile, effective and inviting acquisition ecosystem, in particular to tech start-ups and small businesses,” said Keoki Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Gentral National Security. “While steps have been taken to engage these business for defense innovation, negative perceptions and results of the acquisition process continue to discover.

Poll results reflect different perspectives

While all respondents emphasized the need for reforms, managers expressed a unique perspective that underlines the differences within the system. These companies take lower resource efficiency (54%), slower delivery speeds (59%) and reduces confidence in the operational effectiveness of defense acquisition processes (58%) compared to other stakeholders. While a large majority – around 80% or more – noticed other groups of other surveyed groups positively for these three areas, also showed far less – or a little more than half of the SMB executives.

Since the introduction of the adaptive acquisition framework in 2020, some extreme negative perceptions of defense acquisition processes have risen. However, the framework has not changed dramatically, as the stakeholders feel when participating in the defense acquisition process. The negative perceptions of DOD's acquisition processes, which are often bound to rigid structures and complex contract requirements, remain a critical concern.

If the respondents improve the speed, responsiveness or efficiency of the acquisition of defense, the respondents pointed out:

Reduction of bureaucracy (21%)
Introduction of modern digital technologies (20%)
Stromline permission layers and simplification of the procedures (16%)

Barriers that affect innovation and speed

Mitre's findings underline the urgent need to counter systemic challenges in several first -class areas:

Procedure for reducing and reducing bureaucracy: It was often cited to cut bureaucracy and to align processes with the operational results. A surveyed found that “the redundant supervision would change the acquisition efforts by aligning the reporting on mission results.
Digital transformation: Many participants have highlighted the need for integrated digital platforms, AI-powered tools and data analyzes in order to accelerate the decision-making and modernize the workflows.
Implementation of the agile methodology: improved flexibility through agile framework conditions and fast prototyping appeared as opportunities to improve the reactionability of acquisitions.

Other areas that were identified for improvement were the flexibility of the order, the development of employment and improved cooperation between government and industry.

“By prioritizing modern technology acceptance and strategic reforms, we can accelerate the provision of critical skills to US war subjects,” added Jackson. “Mitre is still obliged to bridge innovation and national defense and to create ways for improved partnership and operational overmatch.”

Breaking Barrier's summit to promote action

Mitre is actively responding to these challenges on his summit and breaking the obstacles to the acquisition of defense from May 7th to 8th, 2025. The summit combines high -ranking defense officers, industry innovators, political decision -makers and private capital sponsors in order to create implementable strategies for the revolution of the acquisition results. The participants will examine solutions such as accelerating the introduction of commercial technologies, the promotion of agile acquisition processes and the improvement of cooperation in the defense ecosystem.

The virtual registration for the first day of the summit is open today. Further information on the event and a number of published analyzes and guidelines for the defense recording of Mitre can be found at

Measurement method

The survey carried out by Atomik Research between April 7 and 21, 2025 contained answers from 1,004 acquisition experts in various sectors. All were carefully checked for relevant specialist knowledge and familiarity with defense acquisition processes. The respondents were divided into four groups: military/government, managers of small and medium-sized business people, managers with great practice and the larger defense ecosystem (non-profit organizations, scientists, think tanks and research institutions). The sample results in a statistical error edge of ± 3 percentage points with a trust of 95%.

The toplines from research are available

About Merver

Mitater's mission -driven teams are devoted to solutions for the most urgent challenges in our country. As a non-profit research and development organization, Mitre employees use our unique multi-sponsor vantage points, system expertise and innovative solutions to ensure health, prosperity and security.

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Contacts

Media: Lisa Fasold, media@mitre.org

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