Acquisition Visibility - Software Pilot Program

The Acquisition Visibility - Software Pilot Program is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Defense-Wide appropriation. The primary objective of this program is to enhance the transparency, accessibility, and quality of acquisition data across the DoD, thereby supporting more informed decision-making and improved statutory reporting. This program represents a multi-year investment in building a resilient and interoperable acquisition data ecosystem.

Within this program, two interdependent projects are funded: Data Visibility and the Defense Acquisition Visibility Environment (DAVE). Both projects are designed to support the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) and align with broader digital transformation and data transparency goals set forth by the DoD and Congress.

Data Visibility focuses on identifying, maturing, and publishing acquisition data standards, including definitions and metadata, to ensure enterprise-wide alignment and transparency. This project is responsible for maintaining the Acquisition Visibility Data Framework (AVDF), which serves as the foundation for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Its objectives include enabling capability portfolio management, supporting integrated acquisition program reviews, and developing dashboards and analytic products for decision-makers. Data Visibility also ensures compliance with Section 836 of the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and aligns with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) strategy.

For FY 2026, Data Visibility will continue to deliver and maintain acquisition data management and standards, expand the AVDF with new data definitions and business rules, and support leadership priorities through enhanced data collection and analysis. The project will also focus on improving data quality, maintaining a single source of truth for data ownership and use, and providing analytic products through platforms such as Advana.

Defense Acquisition Visibility Environment (DAVE) is the authoritative platform for accessing and sharing acquisition data within the DoD. DAVE supports both Non-secure Internet Protocol (NIPR) and Secure Internet Protocol (SIPR) environments, providing data to a wide range of stakeholders, including the OSD Comptroller, Cost Analysis and Program Evaluation (CAPE), military service branches, and external oversight organizations such as Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Inspectors General (IG).

DAVE is critical for statutory reporting, including the Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR) required by Title 10 U.S. Code Section 2423 and related NDAA provisions. In FY 2026, DAVE will continue to deliver acquisition data capabilities, add new features to support evolving statutory and policy requirements, and migrate the SIPR DAVE environment from MilCloud to Azure to align with current NIPR capabilities. The project will also enhance the Modernized SAR (MSAR) capability and develop additional reporting functions based on customer needs and legislative changes. As DAVE transitions from development to sustainment, the focus will shift toward continuous agile enhancements and iterative capability delivery.

Both Data Visibility and DAVE are acquired through a combination of competed small-disadvantaged and small business contracts, reflecting the DoD's commitment to leveraging diverse industry partners. The Acquisition Visibility - Software Pilot Program aims to provide accurate, authoritative, and timely acquisition data that enables better policy, budget, and program decisions across the Department of Defense, while meeting Congressional and oversight requirements for transparency and accountability.