The Defense Information Systems Agency has unveiled new guidance to accelerate its acquisition framework in response to the Department of War’s directive to speed capability delivery and reduce bureaucratic friction.
DISA said Wednesday the update reinforces reforms DISA began implementing over the past two years, particularly the shift to a portfolio acquisition executive, or PAE, structure designed to centralize governance and strengthen integration across programs.
Speaking at a recent industry event, DISA Acquisition Director Jason Martin noted that while this restructuring predates the department-wide mandate, it aligns with Secretary of War and two-time Wash100 Award winner Pete Hegseth’s focus on operational agility.
Table of Contents
What Is Changing Under DISA’s Acquisition Model?
DISA’s approach centers on empowering PAEs with decision authority over integrated capability portfolios rather than individual programs. The model is intended to break down organizational silos and align accountability at the portfolio level.
According to Martin, the structure has already been applied to efforts such as the Joint Operational Edge–Coalition Environment prototype. “We were told in 90 days we would do JOE-CE. We prioritized, we moved resources around, and we are ready for Keen Edge. We are there now,” he continued.
Caroline Bean, PAE for services at DISA, said the agency is also encouraging earlier engagement with industry, expanded use of acquisition flexibilities such as other transaction authorities and greater acceptance of iterative prototyping.
How Does This Connect to Broader DISA Contract Efforts?
The portfolio-based structure complements other consolidation initiatives, including the Joint Enterprise License Agreement program, known as JELA, which seeks to reduce duplicative IT purchases across the department. DISA has established four consolidated JELAs and is scaling the program to further unify vendor terms and streamline procurement.
In parallel, the agency is applying lessons learned from the current Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract as it prepares its JWCC-Next acquisition strategy. John Hale, chief of product management and development at the Defense Information Systems Agency, indicated that the next iteration may expand access to ancillary cloud ecosystem services while avoiding overlap with the existing vehicle.
Related Articles
The Department of Justice has appointed Shantrell “Nikki” Collier, deputy chief information officer, as deputy assistant attorney general for information resources management and CIO, Nextgov/FCW reported Wednesday. What Led to the DOJ CIO Transition? The leadership transition followed the departure of Melinda Rogers, who left her role as DOJ CIO at the end of May 2025. Rogers announced in a LinkedIn post that her departure marked an “inflection point” in her life, as her twin sons prepared to leave for college. She said she planned to pursue a new milestone while maintaining the professional relationships she built during her time
Zeke Maldonado has been appointed acting chief information officer at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Former Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary and Chief Acquisition Officer Chris Cummiskey congratulated Maldonado on the appointment in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday. In his new role, Maldonado is responsible for delivering enterprise information management, technology and cybersecurity services that support FEMA’s workforce and disaster response operations, Cummiskey said. The role also includes shaping the agency’s technology strategy, overseeing major IT acquisitions, and ensuring alignment with federal architecture and security requirements. The new acting CIO will report to Shila Cooch, FEMA’s associate administrator for
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched the Accelerated Transformation of Legacy Applications and Systems, or ATLAS, initiative as a challenge-based acquisition effort designed to modernize more than 200 applications and approximately 3,000 databases across its mission-support portfolio. As federal agencies accelerate enterprise IT modernization and AI-driven transformation initiatives, leaders across government and industry are advancing the broader digital reform agenda. Save your seat at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22 and join experts as they discuss enterprise IT reform, AI and other emerging technologies shaping mission delivery. In a Feb. 17 notice posted on SAM.gov,