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In the News

News | May 28, 2026

Modernizing the Arsenal of Freedom: DoW Awards $9.7B Microsoft Enterprise Agreement to Power Global Mission Readiness

Cementing the digital infrastructure required to build enduring advantages and deter near-peer adversaries, the Department of War announced the award of the Microsoft Department of War Enterprise Software Agreement (ESA) II Core Enterprise Technology Agreement (CETA), to Dell Federal Systems, L.P., of Round Rock, Texas. This is a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) valued at approximately $9.7 billion.

The agreement strengthens the Department's digital infrastructure and accelerates modernization efforts across the Joint Force by delivering enterprise-wide access to secure communications, collaboration, cloud, and productivity technologies essential to powering the American "Arsenal of Freedom." 

Executing on the mandate to field a highly connected, agile, and secure Joint Force, the DoW ESA II CETA provides the Department with seamless access to Microsoft 365, advanced cloud subscriptions, and critical on-premises licensing capabilities. Together, these technologies form the foundation of the Department's digital ecosystem and support the secure connectivity required for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), enabling warfighters, commanders, and civilian personnel to collaborate effectively from the Pentagon to the tactical edge. 

"To dominate the modern battlefield, our warfighters must be armed with the most secure solutions the commercial sector can produce," said the Honorable Kirsten A. Davies, Chief Information Officer for the Department of War. "This $9.7 billion agreement is a foundational investment in decision advantage and to operate at the speed of relevance. We are fundamentally restructuring our Microsoft environment — shattering communication silos, aggressively driving efficiency, and employing a unified, collaboration environment required to defend, outmaneuver and defeat any cyber threats."

The five-year BPA structure allows the Department to rapidly acquire and deploy critical software and cloud capabilities while reducing delays associated with fragmented procurement processes. By leveraging enterprise-wide purchasing power, the Department will achieve greater cost efficiency, standardized baseline configurations, and improved interoperability across the military services and defense agencies.

"This contract is a game changer for the warfighters who rely on our networks every day," said Barry Tanner, performing the duties of the Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Navy. "It allows us to bypass fragmented procurement cycles and directly arm our Sailors and Marines with the resilient zero-trust cloud infrastructure required to fight and win in the digital battlespace." 

As a critical enabler of the National Defense Strategy, the DoW ESA II CETA fuses foundational technologies into a single architecture designed to rapidly scale against dynamic global threats. The agreement arms the force with Microsoft 365 for instantaneous, cross-domain intelligence sharing, while robust Cloud Subscriptions accelerate the deployment of combat-critical AI and data analytics to guarantee decision superiority. Simultaneously, targeted on-premises licensing ensures unbroken operational continuity at the tactical edge, fortifying classified enclaves and disconnected, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DIL) environments. By securing this comprehensive enterprise capability, the Department is telegraphing a clear, uncompromising message: the Arsenal of Freedom is fully networked, operationally hardened, and ready to dominate the digital battlespace.

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The @DeptofWar is modernizing the Arsenal of Freedom with a $9.7B CETA contract with Dell Federal Systems for Microsoft services. 🦅 Delivering on @SecWar Hegseth’s mandate to reduce IT redundancies, this is not new spending. We are consolidating fragmented IT budgets into a https://t.co/LGWRSZxPZ1 The @DeptofWar is modernizing the Arsenal of Freedom with a $9.7B CETA contract with Dell Federal Systems for Microsoft services. 🦅

Delivering on @SecWar Hegseth’s mandate to reduce IT redundancies, this is not new spending. We are consolidating fragmented IT budgets into a https://t.co/LGWRSZxPZ1
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RT @DoWCIODavies: An incredible honor to remember and celebrate our fallen warriors and American heroes at today’s Memorial Day services at…
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Please join the @DeptofWar CIO this Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸in pausing to honor and remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. As we proudly support those who defend our nation across every domain — land, sea, https://t.co/AvzFhLVoDg Please join the @DeptofWar CIO this Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸in pausing to honor and remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.  

As we proudly support those who defend our nation across every domain — land, sea, https://t.co/AvzFhLVoDg
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Hon Kirsten Davies, @DeptofWar CIO, led the U.S. delegation to the @NATO Digital Policy Committee. This is a bi-annual meeting of the Allies to discuss IT and Cyber initiatives ranging from the Alliance’s cloud program to its approach to Cybersecurity. Reinforcing the importance https://t.co/cxJYwJBj2G Hon Kirsten Davies, @DeptofWar CIO, led the U.S. delegation to the @NATO Digital Policy Committee. This is a bi-annual meeting of the Allies to discuss IT and Cyber initiatives ranging from the Alliance’s cloud program to its approach to Cybersecurity. Reinforcing the importance https://t.co/cxJYwJBj2G
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Mr. Aaron Bishop, DoW CISO and acting Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity, spoke today at the @PotomacOfficers Club 2026 Cyber Summit to discuss key features of the @DeptofWar way ahead for IT and Cyber transformation with an the audience of GovCon leaders. Cybersecurity always will be https://t.co/AtJCqruNpg
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Happy Armed Forces Day! 🇺🇸🦅 250 years strong—and still standing watch. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we honor those who have defended our nation from its founding to today—serving across every branch of our Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast https://t.co/LE4mlrrfa4 Happy Armed Forces Day! 🇺🇸🦅

250 years strong—and still standing watch.

As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we honor those who have defended our nation from its founding to today—serving across every branch of our Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast https://t.co/LE4mlrrfa4
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The Honorable Kirsten Davies, thanked her Five Eyes CIO counterparts for their hard work and candid discussion last week as part of the Defense CIO Forum (#DCIOF) and Combined Digital Leadership Summit (#CDLS). “This was my first time leading the US delegation to the CDLS and I https://t.co/2N3iCSGBmp The Honorable Kirsten Davies, thanked her Five Eyes CIO counterparts for their hard work and candid discussion last week as part of the Defense CIO Forum (#DCIOF) and Combined Digital Leadership Summit (#CDLS). 

“This was my first time leading the US delegation to the CDLS and I https://t.co/2N3iCSGBmp
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The @DeptofWar successfully wrapped the Combined Digital Leadership Summit (#CDLS 26.1) last week. Together with our Five Eyes partners, we are accelerating joint digital warfighting capabilities and moving hashtag#ProjectArcadia into operational reality. The core mission: https://t.co/GZ690pibFA The @DeptofWar successfully wrapped the Combined Digital Leadership Summit (#CDLS 26.1) last week. Together with our Five Eyes partners, we are accelerating joint digital warfighting capabilities and moving hashtag#ProjectArcadia into operational reality.

The core mission: https://t.co/GZ690pibFA
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The @DeptofWar CIO's Office is proud to announce our Workforce Innovation Directorate’s (WID) has been awarded the 2026 Government Information Technology Council’s Workforce Development Award! This award, presented by the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC), https://t.co/5KXxjogR31 The @DeptofWar CIO's Office is proud to announce our Workforce Innovation Directorate’s (WID) has been awarded the 2026 Government Information Technology Council’s Workforce Development Award!

This award, presented by the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC), https://t.co/5KXxjogR31
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In a high-stakes environment, isolated data can cost us the tactical advantage. The @DeptofWar's business systems must communicate seamlessly to be effective. The new Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA) Guidebook is the master blueprint that makes this interoperability happen. https://t.co/hPl5Y8wRFU In a high-stakes environment, isolated data can cost us the tactical advantage. The @DeptofWar's business systems must communicate seamlessly to be effective. The new Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA) Guidebook is the master blueprint that makes this interoperability happen. https://t.co/hPl5Y8wRFU
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Pictured from left to right: Brandon Cross and Holly Yuan, University of Wisconsin-Stout; Brian Scavotto, North Carolina A&T; and Amith Kamath Belman, San Jose State University
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Congrats to the ASCEND Challenge winners announced at the NCAE-C Symposium! 🏆 The @DeptofWar Office of the CIO commends Holly Yuan & Brandon Cross (UW-Stout), Brian Scavotto (NC A&T), and Amith Kamath Belman (SJSU). Your groundbreaking AI & cyber frameworks are forging the next https://t.co/DHiTiTP0f3 Congrats to the ASCEND Challenge winners announced at the NCAE-C Symposium! 🏆 The @DeptofWar  Office of the CIO commends Holly Yuan & Brandon Cross (UW-Stout), Brian Scavotto (NC A&T), and Amith Kamath Belman (SJSU). Your groundbreaking AI & cyber frameworks are forging the next https://t.co/DHiTiTP0f3
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The @DeptofWar CIO, Hon @DoWCIODavies, is excited to highlight the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (#CAEO) Community Exchange “Listening Room” at this year’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the past week, this space https://t.co/E2yir592XM The @DeptofWar CIO, Hon @DoWCIODavies, is excited to highlight the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (#CAEO) Community Exchange “Listening Room” at this year’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA.  

Over the past week, this space https://t.co/E2yir592XM
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Pictured left to right in the Listening Room: Michael Tu, university of Purdue NW University; Dr. Emanuel El-Sheikh, University of West Florida; Scott Nelson, acting PD CEAO; Adel Elmaghraby, University of Louisville; and Omar Garada, Dcode
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The Dept of War CIO’s Cyber Academic Engagement Office kicked off the annual National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Symposium, by challenging universities to join the "front lines" of the nation's cyber defense,” and highlighted @POTUS, @DeptofWar https://t.co/BlM8f9TvpD The Dept of War CIO’s Cyber Academic Engagement Office kicked off the annual National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Symposium, by challenging universities to join the "front lines" of the nation's cyber defense,” and highlighted @POTUS, @DeptofWar https://t.co/BlM8f9TvpD
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Pictured left to right: Scott Nelson, Acting Principal Director of the DoW CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office delivering the keynote at the NCAE-C Symposium; representatives of the 28 new NCAE-C institutions at the certification ceremony.
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The Dept of War CIO’s Cyber Academic Engagement Office kicked off the annual National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Symposium, by challenging universities to join the "front lines" of the nation's cyber defense,” and highlighted @POTUS, @DeptofWar https://t.co/0liZC7C5ND The Dept of War CIO’s Cyber Academic Engagement Office kicked off the annual National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Symposium, by challenging universities to join the "front lines" of the nation's cyber defense,” and highlighted @POTUS, @DeptofWar https://t.co/0liZC7C5ND
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Clockwise from upper left: Ms. Ayanna Baker (Cyber Human Capital Program Analyst), Mrs. Marci McCarthy (DoW CIO Director of External Engagements), Acting Secretary of Labor The Honorable Keith Sonderling, and Ms. Chimia Nelson (DoW CIO Program Director); Seated: DoL Acting
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The Department of War CIO announces the launch of our new DoW Cyber Registered Apprenticeship Program (#CyberRAP). Yesterday, during the National Apprenticeship Week signing ceremony at the Department of Labor, Mrs. Marci McCarthy, Director of External Engagements, kicked off the https://t.co/qRJT5sfZyM The Department of War CIO announces the launch of our new DoW Cyber Registered Apprenticeship Program (#CyberRAP). Yesterday, during the National Apprenticeship Week signing ceremony at the Department of Labor, Mrs. Marci McCarthy, Director of External Engagements, kicked off the https://t.co/qRJT5sfZyM
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🦅 @DeptofWar CIO, the Honorable Kirsten Davies, joined the 71st Siouxland/Washington Conference & Steak Reception, sharing an inspiring message of collaboration 🤝 with Senate and Congressional members and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Emphasizing the vital partnership https://t.co/eSXro6KLT7 🦅 @DeptofWar CIO, the Honorable Kirsten Davies, joined the 71st Siouxland/Washington Conference & Steak Reception, sharing an inspiring message of collaboration 🤝 with Senate and Congressional members and the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Emphasizing the vital partnership https://t.co/eSXro6KLT7
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