WASHINGTON – August 1, 2018 – BSA | The Software Alliance praises the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today. The bill includes provisions on several issues important to the software industry, including limiting lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) contracting for IT and cybersecurity services. This language will ensure the US Government can procure technology that is equipped with the strongest available cyber defenses, rather than the cheapest, greatly strengthening our protections against malicious cyberattacks. BSA sent a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services urging the inclusion of this provision in the NDAA.

BSA is also pleased to see sections on workforce development aimed at helping military personnel and their spouses transition into new careers through professional credentials and apprenticeship programs. The software industry has more jobs than it can fill. By 2020, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be 1.4 million computing jobs but just 400,000 computer science graduates with the skills to apply. The military has a highly skilled, dedicated workforce that, with the right training, has tremendous potential to help meet this growing demand.

We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to finalize this bill into law.