Acquisition Impacts of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President. It authorizes $900 billion in spending and includes significant reforms to the acquisition process, impacting how that money is spent.

Provisions in the NDAA that impact acquisition include:

• A portfolio-based acquisition model which shifts program-by-program decision-making to a portfolio-level management of weapons systems and other major efforts. The intent is to improve coordination, reduce stovepipes, and speed delivery of capabilities.
• "Commercial-first" practices that prioritize buying commercial, off-the-shelf capabilities before starting custom development programs in an agency. This is in line with the Ensuring Commercial, Cost-Effective Solutions in Federal Contracts Executive Order (EO) issued in April of 2025.
• Acquisition workforce development to strengthen the personnel skills needed to manage complex contracting and rapid buys. Space Force has already focused on this need, looking to develop training and courses in coordination with Warfighter Acquisition University.
• Innovation and prototyping authorities to simplify requirements and give acquisition professionals and contractors flexibility to deliver minimum viable capabilities (MVC) quickly. MVC is the smallest set of operationally useful capabilities that can be delivered quickly to meet a validated military need, while still being secure, supportable, and usable by warfighters. The NDAA provides authority for combatant commands and services to experiment with prototyping and rapid capability development, in order to accelerate the fielding of emerging technologies.
• Expanding U.S. development and use of drone technologies by codifying the Unleashing American Drone Dominance EO. The NDAA mandates the establishment of a new joint program with Taiwanese officials to field uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed systems.
• A number of cybersecurity enhancements are noted to improve the overall cyber posture of the Department. Included is a provision that within three months of enactment, senior defense officials are required to use mobile devices with enhanced security protections, including encryption, obfuscation of device identifiers, and continuous monitoring. The NDAA also directs the Pentagon to "harmonize the cybersecurity requirements" across the department, reducing contract-specific mandates.

To stay up to date with Defense acquisition policy and trends, check out the following resources:

• What is Digital Transformation for Acquisition (DxA) and Why is it the Answer to Speed? (January 28, 2026; webcast) - This webinar will explore the foundations of digital acquisition, including digital infrastructures, digital twinning, digital threads, model-based systems engineering, and the importance of integrating these efforts across the entire acquisition lifecycle, from prototyping through sustainment.
• Global Force Symposium & Exposition 2026 (March 24-26, 2026; Huntsville, AL) - This event organized by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) provides collaboration between military, industry, and academia. Anchored in the Army's modernization strategy, the event is a vital forum for exploring how the Army evolves to remain agile, adaptive, and lethal in an era of multi-domain challenges.
• 2026 Navy & Marine Corps Procurement Conference (May 28-29, 2026; Norfolk, VA) - This event brings together decision-makers from the Pentagon, Navy, and Marine Corps Commands, and leading prime defense contractors. Areas of discussion include updated Navy and Marine Corps purchasing priorities, new technology initiatives and programs, changes in Federal and Defense contracting rules (FAR/DFAR update), and more.
• Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Urgently Needed Capabilities to Our Warriors (memorandum) - This memorandum outlines a sweeping transformation of the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System, placing speed, accountability, and operational relevance at the center of all procurement decisions. It highlights structural reforms, new leadership authorities, and an urgent shift toward commercial solutions, modular design, and expanded industrial capacity.
• Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform (memorandum) - This directive outlines a transformation strategy for the U.S. Army, focusing on accelerated modernization, acquisition reform, and strategic force realignment. This includes a discussion of inefficiencies in contracting and workforce structure that impact readiness and agility.
• Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance (memorandum) - This memo outlines plans to dismantle bureaucratic barriers, boost domestic drone production, and embed these technologies into combat training. With support from Executive Order 14307, the strategy centers on rapid procurement, integration of AI-powered systems, and frontline-focused innovation.

For more information on Defense spending and procurement policy, search for additional events and resources on GovEvents and GovWhitePapers.