WASHINGTON – March 6, 2019 – BSA | The Software Alliance sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees today, pushing for the Committees to modernize the Department’s approach to supply chain security and software acquisition in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. By embracing smart reforms, Congress can ensure the Department is positioned to manage growing risks to its supply chain and access the most innovative and secure technologies on the market.

In its letter, BSA argues there is a need for new public policy solutions to supply chain security and that the DoD and Armed Services Committees are well-positioned to play a leading role in this area. Specifically, BSA recommends that Congress act to adopt internationally recognized risk management standards for suppliers, enforce standards through vendor contracts, and improve transparency of supply chain policies and processes.  The letter also recommends that Congress modernize DoD software acquisition practices by embracing best-in-class commercial solutions and ensuring security is integrated throughout the software acquisition lifecycle. Finally, BSA makes recommendations for empowering military spouses and former personnel to find software training opportunities and be part of the workforce of the future.

BSA and its members share the interests of the DoD and the Armed Services Committees in ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity, driving agile and meaningful innovation, and harnessing emerging technologies. We look forward to working with them as this process moves forward.