ACT Brings Home the Gold — Wins the 2021 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award

Applied Cyber Technologies (ACT), part of PEO EIS's Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), has won the DOD's coveted 2021 David Packard Award for Acquisition Excellence.

ACT’s winning submission focused on its development of Defense Cyber Operations Resource for Updates, Innovation and Development (DRUID), and how DRUID helps ACT rapidly innovate and acquire tools for the Army’s cyber defenders. ACT’s innovation significantly shortens the time it takes to develop and deliver advanced cyber technologies, and greatly reduces the cost that the government pays for them. Additionally, DRUID leverages the accessibility of the public cloud while offering the security of private infrastructure, and provides cyber defenders with a virtual application marketplace. The innovation makes technology acquisition vastly more efficient, while simultaneously making the nation's cyber force more lethal. These key features enabled ACT to win the highly competitive award.

“This award is a testament to the incredible dedication and creativity of our team of government, military and contractor personnel,” said Arthur Edgeson, product lead for ACT. “We’ve found ways to be supremely agile and innovative, and I think our ability to work smarter really separates us from the pack.”

The David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award is one of several categories in the DOD's annual Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards and was established to recognize DOD organizations whose contributions demonstrate exemplary innovation, reform and best acquisition practices. The Packard Award Selection Board is comprised of a chair, appointed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), and up to 10 Senior Executive Service members. The board evaluates nominations and provides recommended winners to the USD(A&S) for review and approval. 

ACT was established in 2018 to rapidly provide the Army’s cyber defenders with the critical capabilities needed to meet the demands of an evolving cyber landscape. In 2020, ACT won the Public Sector 360 Government Innovation Award, as well as the Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene Award for Acquisition Writing.

This is the first time an office within EIS's DCO portfolio has won the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award.

The USD(A&S) will recognize ACT in a virtual, pre-recorded awards ceremony on Dec. 15, 2021.