Making the IC Leaner and More Responsive
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed today that her office is actively exploring ways to overhaul how the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) handles procurement processes, with a particular focus on streamlining contracts for unclassified, open-source intelligence (OSINT). Her goal: improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance operational capabilities.
Streamlining Contracting for Open-Source Intelligence
During her keynote at the GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, Gabbard emphasized the importance of reforming bureaucratic procedures to facilitate better integration of OSINT — an area gaining increasing congressional attention. She explained, “We’re examining how to streamline contracts across the IC so that we can maximize value, save money, and better leverage open-source data.”
She pointed out that current authorities often hinder the IC’s ability to fully utilize open-source intelligence, limiting capabilities and access. “Our antiquated procurement laws don’t always align with our objectives,” Gabbard remarked, highlighting the need for modernization.
Revamping Procurement to Support Innovation
Gabbard noted that top Pentagon officials, like Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, prioritize procurement reform aimed at opening opportunities for small companies and startups. She described the ongoing review within the IC to open up procurement streams: “How can we stop repeatedly awarding contracts to the same prime contractors and instead create direct pathways for startups that may have simple, innovative solutions?”
She explained her concern that layered contractor structures often lead to unnecessary costs and operational constraints, especially for small businesses with novel ideas. “We need to reduce waste and eliminate barriers for innovators offering cost-effective solutions,” she stated.
New Focus on Border and Counter-Narcotics Intelligence
Gabbard highlighted a significant shift in collection priorities: increased intelligence gathering on foreign cartels operating near U.S. borders, labeled as terrorist organizations under the Trump administration. She announced this as the biggest change in ODNI’s collection focus in history, emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolving threat landscape.
“This will pose challenges, especially with the proximity to our southern and northern borders, but it’s critical,” she said. To be effective, she stressed the need for “fusion”—a seamless sharing of intelligence streams—between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. “Breaking down silos in information is essential; otherwise, we risk wasting resources and increasing danger,” she warned.
Enhancing Timeliness and Objectivity in Intelligence
Finally, Gabbard committed to improving the timeliness of intelligence products and addressing potential biases. Drawing from her 22 years of military service and her time in Congress, she shared her frustrations with slow and often incomplete intelligence reports.
“Timely, relevant, and objective intelligence is vital for policymakers,” she asserted. “My priority is to ensure that those providing the intelligence deliver products that meet these standards at operational speed. When intelligence arrives too late or lacks objectivity, it becomes essentially useless,” she concluded.
This pledge underscores her commitment to making the intelligence infrastructure more responsive and fit for purpose in an increasingly complex threat environment.
