Innovation in DoD Acquisition | Financial Management at the DoD | Transforming Diplomacy

Original Broadcast December 8, 2024

Presented by KPMG

Driving Sustainability and Innovation in DoD Acquisition

David Asiello, Director of Sustainability & Acquisition at OASD(EI&E), DoD, discusses the pivotal role of the Defense Department’s Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration (STED) program in advancing environmentally sustainable and operationally effective technologies. He highlights the program’s commitment to testing commercially available products in military environments to ensure they meet the dual goals of enhancing operational readiness and reducing environmental impact. Asiello emphasizes collaboration with private companies and federal agencies, showcasing innovations like bio-based lubricants and tires that improve performance, save taxpayer money, and support environmental goals. The program aims to integrate sustainable products seamlessly into the DoD supply chain, benefiting both military and civilian applications.

Key Takeaways:

1. The STED program prioritizes technologies that enhance operational readiness while ensuring user safety and environmental protection.

2. The program tests off-the-shelf technologies, reducing development time and costs, and demonstrating their effectiveness in military settings.

3. Partnerships with companies like Goodyear and agencies such as DHS and EPA ensure broader adoption of sustainable products, driving innovation across the federal government.

Transforming Financial Management at the DoD

Joseph Nave, Principal at KPMG, shares insights into the Department of Defense's path toward achieving a clean audit by the 2028 congressional deadline. He emphasizes the need to transition from transactional problem-solving to transformational financial management, which involves integrating strategies across functional domains to drive reform and efficiency. Nave highlights the significance of leveraging technology and fostering cross-organizational cohesion to overcome the challenges unique to each military service. The Marine Corps' clean audit for fiscal 2023 serves as a model, but sustaining and replicating this success requires clear data governance and alignment of priorities. Transparency, both within the organization and to taxpayers, is key to demonstrating accountability and building public confidence. Nave stresses that utilizing accurate, complete data as a strategic asset will exponentially enhance the DoD’s operational and financial effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Moving beyond solving individual problems to implementing cohesive strategies across functional areas fosters long-term sustainability and efficiency.
   
   
2. Increasing transparency within the organization and to taxpayers builds trust and ensures accountability for public funds.
   
   
3. Treating data as an asset and integrating insights across financial, procurement, and operational domains enables smarter decision-making and strategic alignment.

More about KPMG's Finance Transformation

Transforming Diplomacy Through IT Modernization and Cloud Innovation

Jimmy Hall Jr., DOS Intelligence CIO at the U.S. Department of State, unveils his ambitious plans to modernize IT infrastructure to support the department's far-reaching diplomatic mission. At the core of his strategy is a hybrid cloud approach, designed to enhance workflow accessibility, bolster global coverage, and deliver secure, efficient solutions for diplomats in 270 locations across 190 countries. Hall’s military background influences his disciplined, phased approach to modernization, which incorporates iterative improvements and is guided by rigorous metrics. He emphasizes the pivotal role of automation and AI in boosting cybersecurity and streamlining intelligence operations, all while preserving critical human oversight. Strategic industry partnerships and alignment with the department’s broader modernization goals are key pillars of his efforts. Hall’s vision is to create a resilient, innovative IT environment that empowers policymakers, intelligence analysts, and diplomats to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape with confidence and efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hall’s strategy centers on a hybrid cloud approach to improve global workflow accessibility, enhance secure coverage across 270 locations in 190 countries, and support the State Department’s diplomatic mission effectively.
   
   
2. Leveraging automation and AI, Hall aims to strengthen cybersecurity and streamline intelligence operations while maintaining human oversight to ensure balance and effectiveness.
   
   
3. For a strategic collaboration and metrics-Driven modernization you must prioritize strategic partnerships with industry and alignment with departmental goals, employing a disciplined, phased modernization approach guided by rigorous metrics to create a resilient and innovative IT infrastructure.