ChinaTalk Second Breakfast: Acquisition Reform? Are We Really Doing It?
26 snips
Nov 15, 2025 
Pete Modigliani, a defense tech and acquisition expert, and Matt McGregor, a practitioner in defense acquisitions, dive into the complexities of acquisition reform. They explore the influx of private capital into defense startups and the struggles of prime contractors to adapt to rapid innovation. Discussions touch on the urgent need for cultural shifts within the Department of Defense, how to streamline supply chains, and the importance of integrating non-traditional vendors. Finally, they ponder the potential impact of software solutions on vendor relationships.
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Broaden The Definition Of Industrial Base
- Redefine the defense industrial base to include commercial dual-use firms and mid-tier suppliers.
- Encourage private capital to build manufacturing and scale capacity across the supply chain.
Tiered Suppliers Create Real Chokepoints
- Single-source, low-tier suppliers create choke points that scare non-traditionals away from scaling defense solutions.
- Some startups vertically integrate or find new partners to bypass those bottlenecks.
Use Authority, Provide Top Cover, Accept Risk
- Use existing authorities and focus top cover and energy rather than seeking new laws for reform.
- Give the workforce permission to accept more risk and fail fast to build new muscle memory.