An official website of the United States government
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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.

Social Media Feed

X post
The events of September 11 remain forever etched into our hearts. The Department of War and the Office of the CIO remember every life taken and stand with the families who carry their legacy forward. This solemn 25th anniversary reinforces our sacred obligation to remain https://t.co/6c1L7iOLzi The events of September 11 remain forever etched into our hearts.

The Department of War and the Office of the CIO remember every life taken and stand with the families who carry their legacy forward. This solemn 25th anniversary reinforces our sacred obligation to remain https://t.co/6c1L7iOLzi
X post
DoW CIO Hon. Kirsten Davies took the stage with Alexis Bonnell of @OpenAI for a high-impact fireside chat at Billington Cybersecurity's record-breaking summit, discussing how @DeptofWar is modernizing and transforming its IT and cyber enterprise—cutting friction, delivering https://t.co/mzhWtfzV6s DoW CIO Hon. Kirsten Davies took the stage with Alexis Bonnell of @OpenAI for a high-impact fireside chat at Billington Cybersecurity's record-breaking summit, discussing how @DeptofWar is modernizing and transforming its IT and cyber enterprise—cutting friction, delivering https://t.co/mzhWtfzV6s
X post
The @DeptofWar CIO continues evaluating public and industry input on CMMC reform. Recent listening sessions and RFI submissions underscore that inconsistent government CUI designation and portion markings introduce friction across the industrial base. Addressing information https://t.co/QtSAPFY3GN The @DeptofWar CIO continues evaluating public and industry input on CMMC reform. Recent listening sessions and RFI submissions underscore that inconsistent government CUI designation and portion markings introduce friction across the industrial base. Addressing information https://t.co/QtSAPFY3GN
X post
What an amazing event! Congratulations to the grant winners in the DIBX Pitch Competition, your innovation and success is a great example for all of us. Thank you to Mr. James Mismash and the DIB leaders who attended Hon. Davies fireside chat and provided your insights during our https://t.co/WruW6BjPqY
X post
Engaging more than 4,000 military and civilian leaders at DAFITC, the DoW CIO team conducted a live skills-based assessment evaluating over 150 Airmen, Guardians, and cyber civilians across critical defense roles. Objective evaluations ensure precise talent alignment across the https://t.co/4KIQbSDjJ6 Engaging more than 4,000 military and civilian leaders at DAFITC, the DoW CIO team conducted a live skills-based assessment evaluating over 150 Airmen, Guardians, and cyber civilians across critical defense roles. Objective evaluations ensure precise talent alignment across the https://t.co/4KIQbSDjJ6
X post
At TechNet Augusta, the DoW CIO team engaged with Army, industry, and academic partners to advance skills-based hiring for the @DeptofWar cyber workforce. Discussions with @AUG_University and University of South Carolina Aiken focused on aligning cyber curricula with defense https://t.co/dqf60SXBqt At TechNet Augusta, the DoW CIO team engaged with Army, industry, and academic partners to advance skills-based hiring for the @DeptofWar cyber workforce. Discussions with @AUG_University and University of South Carolina Aiken focused on aligning cyber curricula with defense https://t.co/dqf60SXBqt
X post
The @DeptofWar CIO’s Director of DIB Operations, Cynthia Carpenter, and Director of External Engagement, Marci McCarthy, hosted a collaborative CMMC listening session at yesterday's #DIBX Conference. 60+ defense leaders discussed lowering barriers for small/medium DIB firms, https://t.co/sKL9b9jTxl The @DeptofWar CIO’s Director of DIB Operations, Cynthia Carpenter, and Director of External Engagement, Marci McCarthy, hosted a collaborative CMMC listening session at yesterday's #DIBX Conference.

60+ defense leaders discussed lowering barriers for small/medium DIB firms, https://t.co/sKL9b9jTxl
X post
National security demands agility, yet legacy compliance processes stall progress. The math simply does not math. Yesterday at the DIBX conference, @DeptofWar CIO Hon. Kirsten Davies and DASW IBG James Mismash, (@BusinessDefense) engaged in a highly dynamic fireside chat on https://t.co/BklolOniJ9 National security demands agility, yet legacy compliance processes stall progress. The math simply does not math. Yesterday at the DIBX conference, @DeptofWar CIO Hon. Kirsten Davies and DASW IBG James Mismash, (@BusinessDefense) engaged in a highly dynamic fireside chat on https://t.co/BklolOniJ9
X post
Honorable @DoWCIODavies announced today the presidential appointment of Mr. Sonu Shankar as the new Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer. Mr. Shankar will drive the @DeptofWar information technology, cybersecurity, and digital modernization initiatives, advancing decision https://t.co/JBnGhRrs6f Honorable @DoWCIODavies announced today the presidential appointment of Mr. Sonu Shankar as the new Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer. Mr. Shankar will drive the @DeptofWar information technology, cybersecurity, and digital modernization initiatives, advancing decision https://t.co/JBnGhRrs6f
X post
Congratulations to Mr. Barry Tanner who was named the permanent @USNavy Chief Information Officer. Mr. Tanner drove the implementation of two enterprise service contracts that will have an impact across the Department. He is a ground-breaking leader and an exceptional partner as https://t.co/NfwFiScEId Congratulations to Mr. Barry Tanner who was named the permanent @USNavy Chief Information Officer. Mr. Tanner drove the implementation of two enterprise service contracts that will have an impact across the Department. He is a ground-breaking leader and an exceptional partner as https://t.co/NfwFiScEId
X post
The @DeptofWar CIO concluded its highly successful spectrum summer internship cohort, culminating in final strategic briefings & a comprehensive communications exercise. Now in its 4th year, the program has grown rapidly from 5 students to 18 this year. Congratulations to all who https://t.co/ouNootXOkM The @DeptofWar CIO concluded its highly successful spectrum summer internship cohort, culminating in final strategic briefings & a comprehensive communications exercise. Now in its 4th year, the program has grown rapidly from 5 students to 18 this year. Congratulations to all who https://t.co/ouNootXOkM
X post
DEADLINE TODAY: CMMC Reform RFI Closes at 12:00 PM EST! We are breaking down the barriers to accelerate innovation—but we still need your help to make it happen! If you haven’t submitted your responses yet, this is your final opportunity. Don't miss your chance to shape the https://t.co/LFVoYiQqsk
X post
This is what we are hearing from the field. Only two days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/Ik7X7yhnYL: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/Pod3KVFVKE This is what we are hearing from the field.

Only two days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/Ik7X7yhnYL: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/Pod3KVFVKE
X post
Less than 2 days left to submit responses to the CMMC Reform RFI, it closes on August 14 at 12:00 PM. Help us cut the red tape and improve the cybersecurity of the DIB. Be part of the future at https://t.co/Ik7X7yhnYL: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/z269uewJi4
X post
Hon. Kirsten Davies, DoW CIO, joined Mr. Evan Wolff of Akin Gump for a fireside chat @BlackHatEvents to discuss the generational, non-linear transformation underway at the @DeptofWar. The conversation covered DoW’s shift to treat its entire digital transport layer as a unified https://t.co/87G3AMxY3a Hon. Kirsten Davies, DoW CIO, joined Mr. Evan Wolff of Akin Gump for a fireside chat @BlackHatEvents to discuss the generational, non-linear transformation underway at the @DeptofWar.

The conversation covered DoW’s shift to treat its entire digital transport layer as a unified https://t.co/87G3AMxY3a
X post
This is what we are hearing from the field. Only four days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/bxYYFFqjtB: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/BF1s5AWxVV This is what we are hearing from the field.

Only four days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/bxYYFFqjtB: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/BF1s5AWxVV
X post
Ideas are rolling in on how we can best reform CMMC to unleash innovation in the DIB! Only 5 days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6 https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/JwJF1Ej0f4 Ideas are rolling in on how we can best reform CMMC to unleash innovation in the DIB!

Only 5 days left to be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6 https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/JwJF1Ej0f4
X post
DIB leaders are clear, we have to think differently about their cybersecurity programs. Be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/PnKIriphmH DIB leaders are clear, we have to think differently about their cybersecurity programs.  

Be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/PnKIriphmH
X post
Hon. @DoWCIODavies, DoW CIO, joined Mr. Evan Wolff of Akin Gump for a fireside chat @BlackHatEvents to discuss the generational, non-linear transformation underway at the @DeptofWar. The conversation covered DoW’s shift to treat its entire digital transport layer as a unified https://t.co/i2AmBLpNtv Hon. @DoWCIODavies, DoW CIO, joined Mr. Evan Wolff of Akin Gump for a fireside chat @BlackHatEvents to discuss the generational, non-linear transformation underway at the @DeptofWar.

The conversation covered DoW’s shift to treat its entire digital transport layer as a unified https://t.co/i2AmBLpNtv
X post
DIB leaders are clear, we have to think differently their cybersecurity programs. Be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/W42NqeTQWZ DIB leaders are clear, we have to think differently their cybersecurity programs.

Be part of the future at https://t.co/yjOi3hNLP6: https://t.co/9Oz0ImS8Ev https://t.co/W42NqeTQWZ
See us on X
13,095
Follow Us