Digital Engineering and Inclusion of Small Defense Contractors (Request for Information)

In response to the House Report 118-529 for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the House Armed Service Committee (HASC) directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (USD(R&E)) to submit a briefing to the Congressional Defense Committees regarding the implementation of digital engineering by small defense contractors. Digital Engineering Modeling and Simulation (DEM&S) intends to use the data gathered from the submissions received in response to this RFI to facilitate the response to the Congressional Defense Committees.

Background. The HASC commended the Department for the December 2023 release of Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction (DoDI) 5000.97, which outlined the strategic implementation of digital engineering across defense acquisition programs. The HASC noted that digital engineering can offer significant improvements in efficiency, costs, and capabilities in procurement and lifecycle management, and that the DoDI provides needed direction for the Department and contractors supporting the Department. However, the HASC also documented its concern that while large defense contractors maintain the resources and knowledge to seamlessly adopt digital engineering practices, small defense contractors may face challenges in adapting to these new requirements. The transition to digital engineering methodologies, while beneficial, poses significant financial and technical challenges for small defense contractors, potentially leading to a disparity in capability and heightened barriers to participation in DoD programs.

Scope. The data provided in response to this RFI will be analyzed and assessed to formulate a briefing that will address the capabilities and challenges small defense contractors face in implementing digital engineering. The briefing will include an analysis of the current capabilities of small defense contractors in terms of digital engineering, including an assessment of the challenges and barriers they face in adopting DoDI 5000.97, and an overview of any initiatives to facilitate digital engineering collaboration between large defense contractors and small defense contractors to ensure knowledge transfer, best practices, and inclusive participation in defense projects is implemented and addressed throughout the Department.