Speed, Flexibility, and Trust: Keys to Effective Industry-DoD Partnerships

Original Broadcast on Innovation in Government on 4/29/25

Presented by Vector Solutions Federal Carahsoft

Building meaningful public-private partnerships is a cornerstone of modern military readiness—and Joe Merrill, DoD Lead at Vector Solutions Federal, is at the heart of that effort. In his discussion, Merrill shared a candid and practical perspective on what makes these relationships succeed: mutual flexibility, deep subject expertise, and a willingness to evolve together.

Merrill emphasized that successful partnerships require both industry and the Department of Defense (DoD) to keep open minds. While the military often operates with entrenched legacy systems and processes, industry brings the speed, precision, and best practices from the commercial world. The magic happens, Merrill said, when both sides are willing to meet halfway. Industry can tailor its offerings without over-customizing, while the military must be open to new approaches that may challenge the status quo.

That balance is especially critical in the training readiness space—Vector Solutions’ specialty. Merrill noted that many military leaders know where they want to go, but not always how to get there. That’s where trusted industry partners step in, not to dictate change, but to offer tested solutions that align with mission needs. The best results, Merrill argued, come when the government invites those ideas in rather than waiting to be sold to.

He also touched on a recurring challenge: the gap between military leaders’ openness to industry collaboration in public forums and their inaccessibility in practice. Too often, Merrill said, outreach like cold calls and emails go unanswered—even when they could be the start of real progress. His plea: take the call. Industry professionals come prepared, do their research, and often offer exactly what decision-makers have asked for on stage.

Merrill’s message wasn’t about frustration—it was about opportunity. When collaboration works, the results are game-changing. Military organizations get tailored, agile solutions. Industry gains a chance to solve real-world problems and make meaningful impact.

In a defense environment where speed is the watchword—speed of delivery, speed of relevance, speed to mission—this kind of synergy isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mutual Flexibility Fuels Progress: The best partnerships happen when both DoD and industry adapt to meet in the middle.

2. Responsiveness Matters: Industry outreach often goes ignored—even when it directly answers leadership’s stated goals.

3. Mission Alignment Beats Customization: The goal is not to overfit commercial products, but to refine them for military impact.