# Advocates Urge DIU to Train Acquirers

Two related articles recommend that the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) become the Department of Defense’s practical training and credentialing center for military personnel acquiring commercial technology. The proposed model would rotate experienced personnel through live acquisitions and return them to service program offices; it is a workforce and acquisition-reform proposal, not an announced solicitation. For contractors, the proposal points to continued interest in commercial solutions openings and other transaction agreements, including in areas such as unmanned systems and low-cost missiles.

- The recommendation could help service program offices build expertise in commercial technology acquisition; it does not establish a new requirement or contract opportunity.
- Companies offering commercial solutions may encounter greater use of commercial solutions openings and other transaction agreements if the approach is adopted.
- Contractors can use the cited unmanned-systems and low-cost-missile activity as context for the market trend, while distinguishing existing programs and awards from this training proposal.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)
- U.S. Navy (USN)
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU)

### Vendors
- Saronic Technologies (Awardee)
- Zone 5 Technologies (Awardee)
- Anduril Industries (Awardee)

### Sources
- [To Implement Acquisition Reform, Empower Military Mavericks](https://warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/to-implement-acquisition-reform-empower-military-mavericks) - War on the Rocks
- [To Implement Acquisition Transformation, Empower Military Mavericks](https://warontherocks.com/cogs-of-war/to-implement-acquisition-transformation-empower-military-mavericks) - War on the Rocks