U.S. Department Of Defense Hopes To Pick Up The Pace With 'Better Buying Power 3.0'

On April 9, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter outlined a new set of rules that will govern the Pentagon's investment in technology.

The policy, dubbed Better Buying Power 3.0 (BBP3) focuses on keeping the U.S. current when it comes to the latest in defense technology, while still taking a cost conscious approach.

Technology In Focus

Much of the new rule book focuses on keeping the Pentagon on the forefront of technological innovation. The Department of Defense is planning to rework its incentive plans to reward contractors whose innovation has proven valuable to the Pentagon's goals in an effort to keep up with the quickly changing technological landscape.

Pentagon Under Secretary for Acquisition Frank Kendall said that the plan is aimed at helping the U.S. "stay on top of what the threats are doing." He cautioned that outside threats "are moving quickly. They're responding to us, and we have to do the same."

Cybersecurity A Priority

BBP3 also added new requirements for cybersecurity and called for the removal of some of the red tape constraining the Department's contractors.

Related Link: The Internet Of Things Complicates Cybersecurity Efforts

Last year's spate of hacking attacks on private companies as well as government agencies has raised awareness that cybercrime is quickly becoming a major threat, making defense against hackers a priority for the Pentagon.

Competition

The new set of rules also encouraged innovation through increased competition. With many policymakers calling for a reduction in defense spending, the Pentagon is tasked with staying current without spending top dollar.

One of BBP3's initiatives to meet this need will be increasing small business roles and opportunities.

In the BBP3 outline, the Department of Defense vowed to focus on considering small businesses as prime contractors as well as sub-contractors in order to balance cost cutting and innovation.