Government Contracting Trends

Understanding how evolving contracting practices shape innovation and industrial competitiveness, CIB fosters dialogue on how acquisition and procurement mechanisms can better support national security

The U.S. government remains the world’s largest buyer of advanced technology, yet its contracting processes often struggle to match the speed and flexibility of the commercial sector. Traditional acquisition rules and risk structures can limit innovation and discourage new market entrants, even as global competition and technological change demand more agile engagement with industry.

CIB examines key contracting trends and reform efforts, including the use of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) to better incentivize and measure innovation. It also explores the ongoing modernization of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and addresses persistent challenges around intellectual property rights and technology transition. Through targeted research and convenings, CIB identifies opportunities to make government contracting more adaptive, transparent, and supportive of a resilient defense industrial base.

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How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the U.S. Industrial Base?

The government shutdown will have a substantial impact on the industrial base. While work will continue on contracts that are already funded, no new obligations of funds are permitted unless tied to an excepted activity. 

Critical Questions by Jerry McGinn, Katy Buda, and Audrey Aldisert — October 6, 2025

Defense Mobilization in the 21st Century

COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine exposed deep vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base. Decades of offshoring, cost-cutting, and reliance on adversarial suppliers have eroded resilience—putting national security at risk when global supply chains falter.

Congressional Testimony by Christine Michienzi — March 6, 2025

How Supporting Ukraine Is Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Congress has approved $113 billion to aid the response. U.S. security assistance to support Ukraine is reinvigorating the U.S. defense industrial base and creating American jobs.

Commentary by Elizabeth Hoffman, Audrey Aldisert, Cynthia R. Cook, Gregory Sanders, and Shivani Vakharia — April 18, 2024

Defense Acquisition Trends 2023: A Preliminary Look

This CSIS brief summarizes the Department of Defense’s latest acquisition trends. In fiscal year 2022, defense contracts to industry kept pace with inflation, but shifts in response to the war in Ukraine do not begin until 2023.

Brief by Gregory Sanders, Nicholas Velazquez, Emily Hardesty, and Audrey Aldisert — December 7, 2023