Should DISA reopen competition for the Combatant Command migration?

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Should DISA reopen competition for the Combatant Command migration effort, or is expanding an existing vehicle the fastest path to mission success?

Argument FOR DISA’s Review:

  • The migration affects approximately 231,000 users across 200 locations worldwide, making it one of the most consequential DoD network modernization efforts underway.
  • Conducting market research after the protest creates an opportunity to validate assumptions, assess alternative capabilities, and strengthen acquisition integrity.
  • Competition can often uncover innovative approaches, reduce risk, and improve long-term value for taxpayers.

Argument AGAINST Delaying Execution:

  • DoD has directed DISA to migrate combatant commands to the DoDNet environment, and the agency has a target of completing the effort by 30 September 2028.
  • Delays in acquisition strategy decisions can impact mission timelines and increase uncertainty for stakeholders.
  • The challenge is not just procurement. It is executing a highly complex migration while maintaining operational continuity.

From my perspective, the real question is not whether DISA should move fast or compete fairly. It must do both. In mission-critical IT modernization, speed without scrutiny creates risk, while scrutiny without execution creates delay. The winning strategy is a transparent acquisition approach that accelerates delivery without sacrificing competition.

What do you think? Should DISA pursue a new competitive path, or was leveraging the existing DES contract the right move from the start?

Source: Federal News Network Article [federalnew…etwork.com]

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It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice between a 2-year delay or a sole-source expansion. DISA could utilize a hybrid approach: leverage existing enterprise frameworks for baseline DoDNet onboarding, while competitively soliciting specialized task orders or sub-tier requirements—like Thunderdome Zero Trust integration, ICAM, and theater-specific operational edge capabilities. This maintains execution momentum on common commodity IT while opening up mission-critical specialized work to competitive market capabilities.

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