At a recent hearing on defense procurement reform, Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs Chairman William Timmons addressed outdated systems that impact the Department of Defense’s ability to innovate.
According to the from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform release, Timmons emphasized South Carolina's role in national defense and pointed to the slow procurement process affecting both large and small companies. He highlighted challenges faced by new businesses trying to move technologies from prototype to production. "Today’s hearing focuses on a critical challenge—the outdated, cumbersome process by which the Department of Defense acquires new technology—and how that process slows down the pace of innovation," he said.
A key topic was the "valley of death," where promising technologies struggle to advance to full-scale production due to bureaucratic barriers. Timmons noted that efforts to ensure accountability can unintentionally slow innovation. The hearing aimed to examine reforms that would increase speed and flexibility while maintaining oversight, as per the same release.
Military personnel and industry experts were among the witnesses who provided input on procurement issues and potential solutions. "A culture of risk aversion has led to seven consecutive failed audits and spiraling cost overruns in even our most critical programs," Timmons stated in teh release. He added that reforms are possible and necessary.
The hearing aimed to build consensus on modernizing the procurement system to eliminate obstacles and strengthen cooperation between the government and the defense industry. Timmons emphasized that updating the process is essential to encourage innovation and enhance partnerships across sectors.
📺 WATCH: Chairman @RepTimmons opens hearing on reforming DOD procurement to unleash American innovation.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) June 11, 2025
“If we want to outpace strategic competitors, we must modernize the way we identify, test, acquire, and scale cutting-edge defense technologies.” pic.twitter.com/YU3eJuR22N
