Episode 103: From GOTS to COTS: How Policy and Innovation Are Reshaping the Tactical Edge

*COTS vs. GOTS: What the Federal Mandate Really Means with Dom Perez * In this episode of Tech Transforms, host Carolyn Ford is joined by Dominic Perez, CTO of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, to break down one of the hottest topics in defense tech: the federal government’s new COTS-first mandate. What happens when agencies must justify government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) solutions in 60 days or lose funding? Dom shares what this means for acquisition teams, why the policy might create more confusion than clarity, and how commercial solutions for classified (CSfC) are transforming secure communications in the field. From rugged mesh networks to “MacGyvered” mission-ready tech, Dom takes us behind the scenes of CSFC innovation, explaining how rapid deployment, lifecycle savings, and mission flexibility are driving real change. If you’ve ever wondered how defense innovation happens at the speed of relevance or what’s really in that “Rubbermaid tote” this one’s for you. Topics include: The 60-day COTS mandate and its real-world impact CSFC vs. Type 1: Speed, security, and scale What government and industry must do better Why the coolest tech might not come from GOTS anymore The value of failure, fast iteration, and field-informed design Follow Dom Perez on LinkedIn for more insights and check out Curtiss-Wright’s whitepapers on modular open systems, CSFC, and edge AI. Dominic Perez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicperez/ Curtiss Wright White Papers: https://www.curtisswrightds.com/resources/white-papers