The Defense Department has established a Silicon Valey-based organization to help DoD reach out to private sector innovators and access modern technologies, FCW reported Wednesday.
Defense Innovation Unit Experimental aims to “strengthen existing relationships and build new ones, scout for breakthrough and emerging technologies and function as a local interface node for the department,” Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said in a memo obtained by FCW.
DoD allocated $1.75 million to fund the new unit’s operations in fiscal 2015 and about $5 million in operational funds for the next four fiscal years, according to FCW.
The department will appoint a Senior Executive Service official to manage the DIUX office and facilitate negoatiations between agency procurement officials and technology business executives, the report said.
