AICB Summit highlights AI impact

By Christopher Ledesma DCMA Systems Command

The Defense Contract Management Agency's Acquisition Insight Capability Board Summit featured three days of focused discussion on how artificial intelligence, analytics and data governance can improve acquisition insight across the enterprise. The virtual event was Aug. 11-13.

This year's theme was "From Insight to Impact: Mastering the AI-Powered Acquisition Landscape." The summit addressed how the agency navigates the challenges of balancing rapid, competitive AI deployment and strict federal security requirements. Approximately 100 employees participated in the summit.

Monica Riley, AICB deputy capability board manager, shared feedback she received from the committee members and employees who participated. Riley is also the deputy commander at DCMA Vertical Lift Texas.

Q1. What were some of the summit highlights?

A1. The highlights included our keynote speaker Shani Mack, the director of the Cost & Pricing Command's Tools & Analysis Division, who discussed aligning acquisition insight efforts with the Department of War's AI and Zero Trust mandates. We also discussed an AICB 2027-2029 roadmap update and looked at an advanced-analytics showcase featuring the Capability Realization Rate AI Bot and other capabilities. I received positive feedback on the sessions on scaling AI from pilot to enterprise use, discussions on executive dashboards and workforce data literacy, and identifying the next wave of automation.

Q2. How did this event help with agency mission requirements?

A2. This event helps the agency by bringing all enterprise stakeholders together to share tools, lessons learned and modernization priorities that can improve decision-making and mission execution. The summit emphasized practical applications such as data governance, enterprise AI scaling, executive dashboards, mission assurance and process automation. These efforts support stronger acquisition insight, better resource prioritization and more informed leadership decisions across DCMA.

Q3. What is the mission of your committee? How many members do you have?

A3. The AICB's mission is to advance acquisition insight capabilities across the agency by improving data-driven decision-making, modernizing tools, and promoting enterprise solutions that support leadership and mission performance. AICB has approximately 70 members who participate across five working groups, which is rapidly expanding to add new members to support the program prioritization working group that is forming.

Q4. Do you collaborate with other committees? If so, which ones?

A4. Yes, we operate across the enterprise and collaborate with all the other Business Capability Framework boards to align modernization, governance, analytics and enterprise implementation efforts. Also, we have several working groups within the AICB to include program support, defense industry base mission assurance, data governance, customer engagement and corporate assessment. We are in the process of adding a sixth working group for program prioritization.

Q5. What are some of the takeaways from the summit?

A5. The AICB summit key takeaways included the importance of strong data governance, scaling successful AI pilots into enterprise solutions, and improving executive visibility through real-time dashboards. We also want to know our citizen developers so we can share the wealth of innovation throughout the agency. Citizen developers refer to non-technical employees who create business applications or automate tasks using low-code or no-code software platforms.

Additionally, the AICB is currently working on several initiatives. We have multiple products underway to include employing AI to evaluate the quality of Program Assessment Reports and use Govini and Advana to improve acquisition insight. These are several processes and tool improvement that will positively impact a large population of the workforce to be able to work more efficiently, and we want to ensure the workforce has the training as we are focused on a data literacy campaign.

Q6. Why are these summits important and popular?

A6. These summits are important because they create a forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing and alignment on enterprise priorities. They connect strategy to execution by bringing together leaders, working groups, and functional experts to discuss real capabilities, lessons learned and future opportunities. Their value comes from providing practical insight that can improve mission outcomes, efficiency and accountability.

Q7. What are some of the upcoming projects or tasks that you hope to implement?

A7. Our areas of continued focus include implementation of the AICB 2027-2029 roadmap, which involves further maturation of the data governance framework and expansion of enterprise AI solutions. There will be continued development of the executive dashboard, refinement of the AICB Performance Management App, and on-going evaluation of additional automation opportunities across the agency, to name a few.

Q8. Who are the leaders of the committee?

A8. Timothy Keenan is the capability manager, and I am the deputy manager. The AICB co-leads are Sonia Williams, Jason McNutt and Dr. David Cottrell. The board develops measures to track goals, report progress and participate in the agency's strategic planning efforts by serving as the process owner for enterprise information technology solutions.

Q9. Is there a link for employees to volunteer or learn more about your committee? Do you need more committee members?

A9. We are always looking for new members to bring their ideas and expertise in elevating AICB initiatives: DCMA-Projects-PH-PI-AICB - Home (Login required).

Q10. Why is DCMA vital to the Department of War?

A10. DCMA is vital because our agency helps ensure the Department of War receives quality products and services on time and in support of mission requirements. By providing acquisition insight, oversight and accountability across the defense industrial base, DCMA helps reduce risk, improve performance and strengthen readiness. Events such as the AICB Summit support that mission by helping the agency improve how it uses data, analytics and emerging technologies to make better-informed decisions.

Q11. Why do you enjoy serving on this committee, and what have you learned?

A11. Serving on this committee provides an opportunity to contribute to meaningful enterprise improvement and to help shape how DCMA uses data, analytics and emerging technologies to support the mission. It also creates opportunities to collaborate with experts from across the agency, learn from different mission areas and turn ideas into practical solutions. A key lesson from this work is that successful modernization depends not only on technology, but also on governance, collaboration, workforce development and disciplined implementation.

Q12. What type of planning was involved for the summit? How long did it take to put it together?

A12. The team started planning the agenda in June. We implemented last year's feedback, collaborated across working groups and reviewed the Business Capability Framework to target meaningful topics. We also aligned the AICB roadmap to the agency's updated strategic lines of effort. This year's theme "From Insight to Impact" naturally emerged as we refined agenda topics. To ensure an engaging virtual event, we focused heavily on various capabilities' demonstrations and interactive workshops throughout the three days.

Q13. Why do you like working at DCMA?

A13. I value working at DCMA because the mission has a direct impact on defense readiness and acquisition performance. It is rewarding to be part of an organization that supports warfighters and taxpayers by improving accountability, oversight and mission execution. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with highly capable professionals across the agency and contribute to initiatives that strengthen enterprise performance.

Q14. Is there anything else that you want to say about the committee members or the summit itself? When is the next summit?

A14. One of the strongest aspects of the summit was the high level of collaboration across functional communities and the shared commitment to turning ideas into practical solutions.

The success of AICB is directly tied to the dedication, expertise and sustained engagement of its committee members, who bring diverse perspectives and work together to advance enterprise priorities. Their willingness to share lessons learned, identify opportunities and support implementation efforts is what continues to move AICB forward and make the summit valuable.

Next year's summit is scheduled for Aug. 10-12, 2027.

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