Defense IT Priorities and Strategies, 2020-2022

Published: December 18, 2020

Federal Market AnalysisBudgetCybersecurityForecasts and Spending

Deltek's Defense IT Priorities and Strategies, 2020-2022 report explores the factors shaping the Department of Defense’s information technology environment, priorities and key investment areas.

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) information technology (IT) environment and surrounding landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The department’s shift to a new cloud-based infrastructure is increasing nimbleness, allowing greater remote capabilities and laying the foundation for the enterprise deployment of artificial intelligence. Leveraging new acquisition authority and reorganizing its processes to maximize efficiency, the DOD continues to introduce commercial technologies at an unprecedented rate, beginning with prototypes that DOD can transition into permanent solutions. Outsourced network operations and 5G pilots promise to deliver capabilities faster than ever, while cyber-operations – both offensive and defensive – are becoming a part of nearly every defense mission area.

Underscoring the pace of change, a new multi-domain operations concept is replacing the Joint Information Environment (JIE) construct that was promulgated just a few years ago. The resulting new multi-domain construct combines kinetic warfare with cyber capabilities and information dominance initiatives. The military departments are working to provide capabilities to the warfighting edge using cloud-based platforms that also employ enterprise-wide big data analytics delivered via mobile devices. At the same time, demands for speed, agility, effectiveness and efficiency are reshaping enterprise IT policy while driving the use of alternative acquisition approaches, such as Other Transaction Authority (OTA). This report examines the DOD’s current and planned efforts to modernize its policies, acquisition processes and IT environment over the coming years.

Key Findings

  • Flat Defense Discretionary Budget: The defense discretionary budget will be flat in FY 2021 compared to previous years, however IT budgets will experience slight growth.
  • Securing the Defense Supply Chain: Enhancing supply chain security is a major thrust of current defense acquisition reform initiatives. Expect pending DFARS changes to clarify the potential impact these will have on industry.
  • Cloud Adoption Accelerating: DOD’s commitment to commercial cloud is firming up. An estimated $299M of the planned FY 2021 cloud budget will be spent with commercial providers.
  • Record High Defense Cyber Budgets: Recent funding for defense cyber budgets is at historic highs in response to growing threats from bad actors and state-level adversaries.
  • Industry Can Help Shape CMMC: DOD’s developing Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program will continue to evolve over the next 6-12 months and beyond, with ongoing opportunities for industry to provide input and help shape program design.
  • Interest Grows in Emerging Technologies: A growing appetite for emerging technologies is providing business opportunity for both traditional contractors and non-traditional industry partners alike, a trend reflected in increasing spending on awards for Other Transaction Agreements.

    Critical Insight for Vendors

    Deltek’s Defense IT Priorities and Strategies, 2020-2022 report examines the policy and other factors shaping the DOD’s procurement of information technology goods and services.

    The report provides:

  • Analysis of the budgetary and policy dynamics shaping the defense technology market.
  • Insight into the legislative factors shaping DOD’s organization and leadership.
  • Assessment of the key mission-enabling technologies driving opportunities for contractors doing business with the DOD.
  • Review of the current and potential adoption of emerging technologies by DOD.
  • Recommendations to help contractors evaluate the impact of trends on their business.
  • Deltek's Defense IT Priorities and Strategies, 2020-2022 report is delivered in PowerPoint® format, including a PowerPoint® Executive Briefing, and an Excel® data workbook.

    DEFENSE IT PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES, 2020-2022

    Introduction

  • Purpose of This Report
  • Scope
  • Methodology
  • Key Findings
  • Defense IT Landscape

  • Budget Environment
  • Defense Policy Environment
  • Acquisition Environment
  • Technology Priorities

  • Cloud Computing
  • Information Security (Cyber)
  • Big Data
  • ISR/Unmanned Systems
  • Mobility
  • Health IT
  • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
  • Other Emerging Technology
  • Conclusions and Recommendations

    Appendix

  • Terms and Definitions
  • Contract Obligation Analysis: Key Words