The Pentagon: Supply Chains Must Be Safe

According to Bob Metzger, a government contract lawyer of Rogers Joseph O'Donnell, states that the Pentagon is putting its technology contractors "under a microscope".  Federal customers have heightened the standards on protecting their networks from supple chain risks.

According to the new statute and rules, federal customers will not have to give an explanation of the denial of parts from any outside source. This statute is in place because the vendors themselves should have a secure standard to purchase within the safest possible supply chain. Metzger claims this will be a problem in the near future in a matter of due process. Vendors and contractors will want to have a second review or documented government reviews. As this will require a high DOD approval, the vendors would have no knowledge to object or seek review.

Although some aerospace contractors have a leg up on other contractors, Metzger states that even though these companies have optimum measures for contracts, some jobs need obsolete products. Contractors then have to go to an outside source, which ups the risk of counterfeit goods or parts that include malicious code.

 For the complete interview with Bob Metzger, please click here.