Driving Faster Technology Acquisition

Why It Matters

Accelerating acquisition enables agencies to field cutting‑edge capabilities before threats evolve, directly enhancing mission effectiveness and fiscal responsibility.

Key Takeaways

• Identify acquisition bottlenecks to reduce delivery delays
• Design solicitations that accommodate rapid tech evolution
• Engage industry early for faster capability integration
• Align culture and resources for agile procurement
• Balance speed with oversight and mission impact

Pulse Analysis

Federal technology procurement has long been hampered by legacy processes that struggle to keep up with the velocity of commercial innovation. The GDIT Emerge dialogue, featuring GSA’s Corey Nickens and the Department of Commerce’s Trevor Wagner, underscored how outdated solicitation templates and lengthy review cycles can render solutions obsolete before they reach the field. By mapping friction points—from requirement definition to contract award—agencies can pinpoint where delays accrue and apply targeted reforms, such as modular contracting and pre‑approved technology baselines, to streamline the pipeline.

A core recommendation from the panel is the shift toward early, continuous engagement with industry partners. Rather than waiting for a formal solicitation, agencies can leverage sandbox environments, pilot programs, and joint development workshops to co‑create solutions that align with mission needs. This collaborative approach not only shortens the time to market but also reduces risk by validating technology readiness before full‑scale procurement. Complementary process improvements—like adopting agile acquisition frameworks, using outcome‑based metrics, and granting greater authority to contracting officers—further enhance responsiveness without sacrificing compliance.

The broader implication is a more resilient federal technology ecosystem capable of rapid adaptation. When agencies embed cultural agility and align resources toward streamlined procurement, they safeguard mission impact while delivering cost‑effective, future‑proof solutions. This paradigm shift positions the government to better compete with private sector innovation cycles, ensuring that critical services—from cybersecurity to data analytics—remain cutting‑edge and mission‑centric. As more departments adopt these practices, the cumulative effect will be a faster, smarter, and more accountable acquisition landscape.

Original Description

At GDIT Emerge: Modern Government, Corey Nickens, Client Executive and Defense & Acquisition Innovation Advocate at the General Services Administration, joined Trevor Wagner, Director of the LAB at the Department of Commerce, for a discussion moderated by John Espinosa, VP and GM of Government Operations at GDIT. The session examined how agencies can accelerate technology acquisition to better align with evolving mission demands.

Speakers focused on identifying friction points within the acquisition lifecycle and removing bottlenecks that delay delivery. The conversation addressed how to design solicitations and procurement strategies that account for rapidly advancing technology, reducing the risk that solutions become outdated before they are implemented. Panelists also discussed the importance of early and consistent engagement with industry partners to bring innovative capabilities to agencies more quickly.

Throughout the session, leaders emphasized that accelerating acquisition requires not only process improvements, but also cultural shifts and resource alignment to support new, more agile procurement approaches—ensuring speed does not come at the expense of quality, oversight or mission impact.