DISA's 2026 Industry Day: AI That Turns Data Into Decisions
The Defense Information Systems Agency is inviting industry to bring practical AI solutions that improve data management and produce actionable insight. In February 2026, DISA will host an industry day at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, centered on AI applications, streamlined database infrastructure, advanced analytics, and automated decision-support.
For operations and management teams, this is about throughput, accuracy, and speed. Better data pipelines and AI-enabled tooling reduce cycles, cut costs, and support faster decisions under pressure.
Event Snapshot
- Focus: AI for data management, analytics, automation, and decision-support
- Format: Agency briefings, requirements overview, and feedback from vendors
- Objective: Surface risks, clarify needs, and identify workable solutions that fit mission demands
- Timing: February 2026, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Priority Use Cases
- AI-enhanced ticket management for the Pentagon's network
- Basic technical support tools (chatbots, remote assistance)
- Cloud collaboration with AI to optimize workflows
DISA is also exploring AI for talent placement:
- Resume summarization to evaluate qualifications
- Skills assessment to match people to roles
Why It Matters for Ops Leaders
Across the DoD, teams are applying AI to both routine tasks and time-sensitive operations. Data volume keeps growing; the mission doesn't wait. Managers need systems that are secure, reliable, and easy to integrate-without adding operational drag.
How to Prepare Before February
- Define the win: Pick 2-3 measurable outcomes (e.g., lower MTTR, higher help desk deflection, faster incident triage).
- Get your data ready: Inventory sources, map owners, set access controls, and flag PII/PHI for protection or redaction.
- Plan the integration: Confirm APIs, event streams, identity, logging, and where model outputs will trigger workflows.
- Set responsible AI guardrails: Bias checks, audit logs, human-in-the-loop for sensitive actions, and clear escalation paths.
- Security and compliance: FedRAMP alignment for cloud services, ATO strategy, data locality, and impact levels.
- Pilot first, scale fast: Start with a narrow use case, define service levels, and bake in rollout criteria tied to metrics.
- Change management: Create SOP updates, training plans, and comms for frontline teams.
Vendor Evaluation Checklist
- Model approach and transparency (fine-tuning vs. retrieval-augmented generation)
- Data handling (encryption, redaction, retention, locality)
- Latency and reliability (SLOs, degraded-mode behavior)
- Human oversight (review queues, reversible actions)
- Interoperability (standards, APIs, support for existing tools)
- Cost controls (usage caps, per-seat vs. consumption pricing, optimization levers)
- Monitoring (drift detection, quality metrics, incident response)
- Portability (export, model swap options, clear exit plan)
Risk Areas and Practical Safeguards
- Inaccurate outputs: Use retrieval grounding, policy checks, and confidence thresholds with human review.
- Data exposure: Apply redaction, role-based access, and strict logging; isolate sensitive workloads.
- Model drift: Track performance over time; schedule evaluations and retraining windows.
- Shadow IT: Offer an approved service catalog and clear intake process.
- Over-automation: Define action limits and escalation triggers for high-impact tasks.
- Vendor lock-in: Favor open standards and exportable artifacts.
Participation and Key Dates
Vendors must register by November 21. Full details and the official notice are available on SAM.gov.
If you plan to engage, assemble a cross-functional team now-operations, data, security, and procurement. Show up with defined use cases, measurable targets, and a clear integration plan.
Build Team Capability
If you're standing up an AI ops program or upskilling managers, explore curated certification paths for practical execution: AI certifications for leaders.
Bottom line: DISA wants solutions that reduce friction, improve data use, and support decisions at speed. Bring tools that work with real constraints-and prove it with metrics.
Your membership also unlocks:
