# R&D Acquisition Modernization Technology Research

/ Published July 25, 2023

                Acquisition Modernization Technology Research                            Acquisition Modernization Technology Research                            Acquisition Modernization Technology Research information paper            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Amber McSherryVIRIN: 200924-D-HW629-062

DLA Research & Development's recently established Acquisition Modernization Technology Research program assesses acquisition and procurement processes, uncovers and prioritizes areas that would benefit from IT modernization or advanced technologies, evaluates technical requirements and pursues future research efforts for DLA. 

### Business Processes

Global dynamics have shifted, creating unique challenges for defense acquisition. Defense market competition is dramatically more complex and data-driven. Speed of change requires agile and knowledge-driven processes to strengthen our enduring advantages.

### Marketing Intelligence

An increased understanding of supplier markets through improved market sector analysis will enable closer supplier relationships, improved resiliency, and informed decision-making to drive best value across the acquisition lifecycle.

### Commercial Industry Opportunities

DLA is exploring commercial best practices, such as advanced e-commerce or e-marketplace platforms. Leveraging existing commercial capabilities will enable rapid process transition upon full-scale implementation.

## Innovation & Technology

Identifying solutions to:
      - Improve contract award and management
      - Streamline purchasing
      - Automate repetitive, rule-based tasks
      - Support and improve processes and data

Exploring potential uses of the following technologies:
      - Artificial Intelligence          - Machine Learning 
        - Natural Language Processing  
      - Blockchain

## Strategic Thrusts

      - Identify and incorporate emerging technologies across DLA acquisition processes
      - Gather and apply enhanced market intelligence
      - Leverage commercial best practices

## Program Focus Areas

DLA will create a strategic, integrated and approach preparing our acquisition workforce to handle future challenges by:
      - Strengthening our knowledge-rich acquisition workforce
      - Applying innovative processes
      - Leveraging a connected and secure supply chain
      - Capitalizing on emerging technology
      - Maximizing enterprise IT modernization
      - Integrating data science and analytics
      - Gathering and applying enhanced market intelligence
      - Deepening industry engagement for innovation

## Benefits

      - Increased speed-to-procurement created by enhanced customer support through enriched systems/tools
      - Expanded market intelligence to drive improved pricing, strengthen vendor base and reduce supply risk
      - Improved product quality and maximized value from accessible and assured suppliers
      - Informed decision-making enabled by new tools that provide information visibility
      - Increased competition among high quality suppliers

## Partners

      - DLA Major Subordinate Commands
      - DLA Staff Directorates
      - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
      - Military Services and Federal Agencies

## Ongoing Efforts

      - Integrated Manufacturing Readiness Logistics Support (IMRLS) tested the ability of DLA to rapidly make parts by converting 2D tech data to CAD and using a pricing engine to obtain instant quotes.
      - Applied Market Intelligence for Defense Acquisition (AMIDA) is a DLA enterprise-wide effort; includes the continuous process of gathering, analyzing, and acting upon relevant industry, supplier and pricing data to improve spending strategies and business outcomes.
      - Contract Quality Control (CQC) is conducting additional discovery, feasibility analysis, and solution prototyping to support requirements development for a data-driven system to manage the quality of DLA awarded contracts.

### Contact Us - Logistics.Research@dla.mil