The 2026 NDAA Reshaped Acquisition. Here's a Peek at 2027 Reforms

Federal News Network features Covington lawyer Stephanie Barna as the guest on “The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton,” a Federal News Network radio show, discussing how the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act is reshaping defense acquisition and what to expect from the 2027 bill's focus on the defense industrial base.

Stephanie, a former general counsel of the Senate Armed Services Committee and principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for manpower and reserve affairs, noted that while the 2026 NDAA drew from the ambitious FoRGED and SPEED Acts, the final legislation was narrower than expected — in part because the Department of Defense used its own policymaking authority to implement reforms without waiting for Congress.

"We can put all sorts of things into law and policy. It's really implementation that's going to matter," she said, adding that she hopes the department will "put its money where its mouth is" and "really commit to working through some of these very challenging, bureaucratic obstacles to more innovative and widespread participation in the defense acquisition system."

Looking ahead, Stephanie highlighted that the House Armed Services Committee has already set a February 17 deadline for member proposals for the 2027 NDAA, which Chairman Mike Rogers has announced will focus on the defense industrial base.