# Pentagon Directs Defense Acquisition Reforms

A September 14, 2026 memorandum from Deputy Secretary of War Stephen Feinberg directs reforms to make defense acquisition more commercially oriented, reduce contractor compliance burdens, and shift decision authority toward portfolio-level executives. Implementation remains pending for multiple measures, including further agency and Cost Accounting Standards Board action; the reporting describes a limited window for industry feedback but no formal comment solicitation or specific procurement opportunity.

- Contractors should identify how the directed changes could affect their accounting and compliance processes and internal engagement with portfolio-level decision-makers.
- The Cost Accounting Standards Board and agency implementation plans are key mechanisms for translating the memorandum into operational changes; companies should track the actions relevant to their work.
- Companies may use the limited pre-implementation feedback window described in the reporting to share industry perspectives, while noting that no formal comment process is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** November 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DoW)
- Cost Accounting Standards Board (CAS Board)

### Sources
- [GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING INSIGHTS: Pentagon Memo Aims to Strengthen Industrial Base](https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2026/11/2/government-contracting-insights-pentagon-memo-aims-to-strengthen-industrial-base) - National Defense Magazine
- [GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING INSIGHTS: Pentagon Memo Aims to Strengthen Industrial Base | By Kayleigh Scalzo, Peter Terenzio and Elizabeth Witwer | @DeptofWar #DefenseIndustrialBase @CovingtonLLP 

Read now: https://t.co/1gitmLRQYy https://t.co/IYP9EvSS8l](https://x.com/NationalDefense/status/2117251184125677630) - twitter-fed-procurement