DHITS 2026: Technology as a Combat Support Capability
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) recently hosted the 2026 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium (DHITS) in New Orleans, bringing together more than 2,200 attendees to discuss the future of military health IT. The clear message throughout the event was that technology, data, and digital capabilities are increasingly viewed as a combat support capability directly tied to warfighter readiness.
Pentagon Directive Establishes Department-Wide IT Category Management Approach
The Pentagon CIO Kirsten Davies issued a new directive in late July 2026, establishing a department-wide approach to IT category management (ITCM) at the direction of a new DOW Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Working Group and ITCM Cross Functional Board (CFB). According to the directive, the ITCM CFB, chaired by the Pentagon’s deputy CIO for the information enterprise, will act as the senior executive decision body, and the ESI Working Group will be the lead agent for implementing the department’s strategy.
The DoW “Colors of Money”: What Industry Needs To Know Before Engaging
One-Year Money (e.g., O&M, MILPERS)
Funds must be obligated during the fiscal year in which they were appropriated. If O&M is appropriated for FY26, it must be obligated by September 30, 2026. After that, it expires for new obligations. This drives the well-known fourth quarter execution surge.