Senators press nominee Duffy on acquisition speed, competition and industrial‑base revitalization

Senators used Michael Duffy’s nomination for Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment to press for faster acquisition, greater competition and industrial‑base revitalization.

Duffy told the committee he would focus on four goals if confirmed: dramatically accelerate delivery of lethality to warfighters; increase speed, performance and affordability of acquisition; strengthen the defense industrial base by reducing barriers to entry and increasing competition; and incorporate modern business systems and practices. He praised recent Congressional work on the FORGED Act and said some acquisition flexibilities — such as middle‑tier acquisition and other transaction authorities — can be used now to speed delivery without additional legislation. Duffy pledged to convene industry leaders to identify barriers to doing business with the Defense Department and to remove unnecessary burdens.

Senators raised specific concerns: ensuring sufficient production capacity to sustain high‑tempo operations; protecting intellectual property and supply chains against foreign theft or compromised suppliers; and leveraging university research and small business innovation. Duffy acknowledged the need to protect IP and reduce reliance on adversary supply chains, and said he would examine barriers that deter new entrants and private capital from entering the defense market. Several members urged faster adoption of private‑sector practices, data dashboards, and AI to resolve supply‑chain bottlenecks and scheduling.

The nominee said that while the administration will set priorities, his role would include assessing whether proposed guidance or resourcing will enable programs to succeed and advocating for the resources required. He committed to working with the committee and existing statutory tools to accelerate procurement.