The Fight to Buy Smart: Reforming Acquisition for Strategic Advantage​​​​​​​

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 |  11:30 AM - 2:00 PM ET

Join us for a high-impact discussion on the frontlines of acquisition reform, where policy meets battlefield urgency. The Fight to Buy Smart: Reforming Acquisition for Strategic Advantage brings together senior leaders from the Department of War and industry to explore how the defense ecosystem can break through bureaucracy without breaking the rules. Attendees will gain insight into the latest compliance shifts, emerging acquisition authorities, and bold approaches to speed, scale, and sustainment—because equipping the warfighter shouldn’t be the slowest part of the mission. Whether you're a policy maker, program manager, or tech innovator, this luncheon will sharpen your understanding of what it truly takes to buy smarter, faster, and in alignment with the Department of War and DHS.

Attendees Will:

1. Understand the current landscape of acquisition reform. Identify recent and emerging policy and compliance shifts shaping the Department of War and DHS acquisition. Explain how these changes impact program managers, policy makers, and industry partners.

2. Explore Emerging Authorities and acquisition tools. Assess new and existing acquisition authorities (ex: OTAs, rapid prototyping pathways) and how they enable speed, scale, and sustainment.

3. Examine barriers and solutions to speed and efficiency. Recognize key bureaucratic obstacles that slow acquisition processes. Evaluate strategic and case studies where leaders have successfully balanced compliance.

4. Analyze the interplay of policy, technology, and mission urgency. Discuss how battlefield needs drive acquisition innovation and reform. Explore how policy makers, program managers, and industry innovators collaborate.

5. Develop actionable insights for "buying smarter". Translate lessons from the Department of War and industry leaders into practical approaches for acquisition planning and execution. Identify bold yet compliant ways to moderate acquisition strategies in your own organization.