State of Defense 2025 Report Commentary: Addressing U.S. Shipbuilding Challenges with the Open Acquisition System
- Mark Beninger
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
The State of Defense 2025 series, hosted by Defense One, explores how each U.S. military
service branch is adapting to rapidly shifting environments, addressing emerging threats,
technologies, and tactical decisions shaping priorities in 2025. The series features discussions with senior leaders from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force, providing exclusive insights into the future of U.S. national defense.
The State of Defense 2025 report highlights critical challenges in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, particularly its struggle to keep pace with China. With inefficiencies in funding allocation, workforce shortages, supply chain vulnerabilities, and outdated procurement processes, the U.S. Navy and its industrial partners must find innovative solutions to revitalize the shipbuilding sector. One such solution is nGAP’s Open Acquisition System (OAS), a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline defense procurement, enhance efficiency, and optimize resource
allocation.
Optimizing Acquisition and Procurement
One of the core issues identified in the report is the inefficient management of funds for
shipbuilding and supplier development. The Navy has received significant congressional funding but struggles to ensure that these funds are allocated effectively. OAS can mitigate this problem by providing:
Real-time financial tracking: Ensuring funds are directed to the most critical
shipbuilding and supply chain projects.
Automated compliance monitoring: Reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensuring
adherence to regulatory frameworks.
Data-driven procurement analytics: Identifying inefficiencies and recommending cost-
effective purchasing strategies.
By leveraging these capabilities, the Navy can prevent mismanagement of funds and increase accountability in contract execution.
Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience
The State of Defense 2025 report highlights supply chain disruptions and dependency on
specialized components that are difficult to source domestically. OAS can assist by:
Supply chain visibility tools: Providing real-time monitoring of critical materials and
components.
Predictive analytics: Anticipating shortages and recommending alternative sourcing
strategies.
Vendor performance tracking: Ensuring suppliers meet delivery timelines and quality
standards.
With these features, OAS can help stabilize the supply chain and prevent delays in ship
production.
Addressing Workforce Shortages
The report discusses the workforce challenges facing U.S. shipbuilding, including difficulty
attracting skilled labor and competition from other industries. OAS can help by:
Talent acquisition optimization: Using data-driven insights to match skilled labor with
shipbuilding projects.
Workforce planning tools: Identifying labor shortages in specific regions and
optimizing recruitment strategies.
Training and certification tracking: Ensuring workers meet the required technical
standards for shipbuilding roles.
By addressing these workforce issues, OAS can support efforts like the Build Submarines, We Build Giants campaign and help meet shipbuilding labor demands.
Accelerating Ship Repair and Maintenance
The Navy’s ship repair process is often inefficient due to unpredictable demand and outdated contracting methods. OAS can assist by:
Smart contract management: Streamlining the bidding and award process for ship
repair contracts.
Predictive maintenance algorithms: Reducing downtime by forecasting repair needs
before they become critical.
Integration with allied shipyards: Facilitating collaboration with foreign partners to
enhance repair capabilities.
By implementing OAS, the Navy can improve fleet readiness and reduce operational delays.
Supporting Modular and Autonomous Shipbuilding
The report emphasizes the importance of modular shipbuilding and autonomous vessel
production to modernize the fleet. OAS supports these initiatives by:
Configurable acquisition frameworks: Simplifying the procurement of modular
components from multiple suppliers.
Collaboration platforms: Enabling seamless coordination between shipbuilders and
technology providers.
Funding allocation tools: Ensuring investments in autonomous ship technologies
are strategically distributed.
These features allow for faster adoption of next-generation naval technologies, addressing both immediate and long-term defense needs.
Conclusion
As the U.S. seeks to strengthen its maritime capabilities, nGAP’s Open Acquisition System
offers a transformative solution to many of the challenges outlined in the State of Defense 2025 report. By enhancing procurement efficiency, strengthening supply chain resilience, addressing workforce shortages, optimizing ship repair, and supporting modular shipbuilding, OAS can play a crucial role in revitalizing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Adopting OAS will ensure that American shipbuilding remains competitive and prepared for future defense challenges.
Works Cited
This article is based on insights from the State of Defense Panel, which was accessed via
a paid ticket. For details on past State of Defense Panels, please reach out to
govexec.events@govexec.com.Insights from the State of Defense 2025 Shipbuilding Panel