BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

As is arguably common knowledge among defense procurement professionals, the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions process is slow, expensive, and inefficient. Since 1990, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has highlighted DoD Weapons Systems Acquisition and Supply Chain Management as two high-risk areas requiring focused effort to meet cost, schedule and performance goals. Blockchain technology has the potential to advance these goals. Congress agrees. By transforming how we conduct business, the DoD can realize significant benefits from blockchain technology. Private industry is testing blockchain and offers an opportunity for the DoD to learn from established practices. This research centers on how industry is implementing blockchain technology and leads to illustrate parallels where the DoD can apply similar practices to achieve efficiencies. We aimed to do this with an analysis of specifically selected case studies in which private companies use blockchain technology to solve issues comparable to those of the DoD. Our analysis revealed common elements during the successful implementation of blockchain within the private companies. After performing the case study analysis, we discuss the findings and determine what elements appear to be relevant and potentially significant to the DoD and public procurement sector. Furthermore, we include a list of recommendations based on the trends identified during data analysis.