How federal agencies deliver mission-critical infrastructure is changing – and collaboration between government and industry will be essential to meeting the challenge.
That was the focus of a panel moderated by Jason Lopez, Senior Vice President at Procon, during the 2026 SAME DC & NoVA Industry Day and Small Business Conference, which welcomed a record 488 registrants.
Joining Jason were David Morrow, Director of Military Programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Randy Westfall, Director of Business Management & Acquisition at the National Security Agency; and Thomas Brown, Deputy Director of Civil Engineers for the U.S. Air Force.
The discussion explored how agencies are adapting procurement and delivery strategies to accelerate mission-critical projects. Panelists highlighted the growing use of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Progressive Design-Build, and Accelerated Design-Build while acknowledging that adopting new contracting methods also requires a shift in mindset.
Westfall emphasized that while organizations are using OTAs, many continue to rely on traditional ways of doing business, limiting the flexibility and innovation these agreements are intended to enable. He encouraged organizations to adapt their processes to take full advantage of OTAs’ benefits.
Brown discussed efforts to modernize the Unified Facilities Criteria, reducing complexity while maintaining consistent standards, and underscored the increasing value of experienced Owner’s Representatives to help agencies manage risk and oversee innovative delivery methods.
Morrow challenged industry to help expand participation from nontraditional partners and accelerate adoption of industrialized construction methods to improve speed and efficiency.
Closing the discussion, Lopez emphasized that while contracting strategies continue to evolve, one constant remains: successful mission-critical programs require experienced partners who can integrate technical expertise, independent oversight, and collaborative project leadership to help agencies deliver with greater speed, confidence, and accountability.
