{"id":28032,"date":"2018-07-20T18:03:01","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T18:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/20\/with-cyber-forces-underequipped-dod-turns-to-rapid-prototyping-contracting\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:27:09","slug":"with-cyber-forces-underequipped-dod-turns-to-rapid-prototyping-contracting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/home\/2018\/07\/20\/with-cyber-forces-underequipped-dod-turns-to-rapid-prototyping-contracting\/","title":{"rendered":"With cyber forces underequipped, DoD turns to rapid prototyping contracting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U.S. Cyber Command\u2019s main warrior cadre has been deemed ready for war and now the organization is shifting its focus to readiness and operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources have told Fifth Domain that DoD\u2019s cyber warriors lack certain skills, capabilities and even equipment. One source went so far as to say that the list of what these forces can do is short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the military wants to quickly get these new cyber warriors the tools they need. To do this, they are turning to contracting vehicles such as other transaction authorities and the so-called IT Box construct<\/a> as a way to skirt the traditional acquisition system, which is often derided as lethargic, bureaucratic and not optimized for the high tempo of the software-centric world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These approaches allow for the government to partner with non-traditional companies for less mature technologies and prototypes meaning solutions, albeit some that are not always 100 percent mature, get to warfighters faster. This approach allows DoD to be more agile and flexible in procuring and equipping, multiple industry sources told Fifth Domain. However, one potential downside to this approach is a lack of competition for this work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do cyber warriors need?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the command is growing, maturing and standing on its own, it needs training modules, infrastructure to conduct operations on and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaders say one of the most critical needs of cyber warriors is a training platform. And industry officials add that often the first time cyber warriors face certain techniques is during a mission. This is because of a lack of a holistic and robust training environment, similar to the Army\u2019s combat training centers or the Air Force\u2019s Red Flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\t