Meagan Metzger on How DoD Can Identify Right Commercial Tech to Meet Critical Needs

Meagan Metzger, founder and CEO of Dcode and an advisory board member at Booz Allen Hamilton, wrote in a commentary published Thursday on Defense News that the Department of Defense and other federal agencies seeking to rapidly deploy commercial technology platforms should collaborate with private sector partners with experience screening tech companies for government contracts.

“But at a moment in history when time is particularly of the essence, there is no room for trial and error when it comes to identifying which tech companies can meet the government’s specific needs,” Metzger wrote. “By working with private sector partners that have extensive government expertise and proven results, the DoD can confidently implement innovative technology that addresses its most critical needs in a time of crises and well into the future.”

She called on agencies to work with accelerators and venture capital firms that help tech firms navigate the government contracting process as well as “focus more on fit and quality” in order to identify tech companies with viable platforms.

Metzger said the government should “look beyond legacy contracts” and introduce reforms to the Small Business Innovation Research program to leverage commercial tech platforms.