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Executive Order: Commercial Contracts, Other Transactions to Be DoD Default

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

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Executive Order: Commercial Contracts, Other Transactions to Be DoD Default

Pictured is Stephen Feinberg during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Feb. 25 (DoD Photo)

While non-commercial Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) will continue, a Wednesday executive order from President Donald Trump states that commercial contracts will be the default for DoD. Within two months, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is to submit to the White House "a plan to reform the Department of Defense’s acquisition processes that, to the maximum extent possible" includes "utilization of existing authorities to expedite acquisitions throughout the Department of Defense, including a first preference for commercial solutions and a general…

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