Next Steps in Digital Engineering
Collaboration and Innovation
Virtual 2025 Federal Digital Engineering Forum
FED DEF is a multi-agency forum for Digital Engineering practitioners and decision makers to collaborate, share best practices, and address challenges. The forum will bring together decision makers from multiple agencies, allowing attendees to share knowledge and propose resolutions.
This one-day event will be held “virtually” to provide valuable insight into how organizations are implementing digital transformation to advance digital engineering practices. It will promote sharing of models and data, encourage model reuse and highlight opportunities for cost reduction.
- Virtual Event, One Day Only
- July 9, 8:00 – 4:00 PM
If you attended FED DEF, please complete our post-event survey here: Post Event Survey
Featured Speakers
U.S Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Represents Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District
(pre-recorded video remarks)
U.S Representative Sean Casten, Represents Illinois 6th Congressional District
(pre-recorded video remarks)
Stephen Welby, Former Special Assistant to the U.S. President for Science and Technology
Agenda Summary
Full Agenda is available here
July 9th
8:00 AM
↓
8:15 AM
Introduction Daniel Hettema
8:15 AM
↓
9:00 AM
Featured Speaker: Dr. Will Roper, Founder and CEO, Istari Digital; Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
9:00 AM
↓
10:30 AM
PANEL – “Interagency Perspectives of Digital Engineering discussion bringing together federal agencies to share valuable lessons learned in implementing DE initiatives”
10:45 AM
↓
12:15 PM
PANEL – “Aligning Academia and Government to Achieve Digital Engineering Transformation, focused on the future of the workforce from 2 year A.S. degrees to PHDs”
12:15 PM
↓
1:00 PM
Lunch
1:15 PM
↓
2:30 PM
Working Group Outbriefs:
- Workforce and Culture
- Measures of Success
- Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
- Digital Ecosystems
- Model Integration and Standards
2:30 PM
↓
3:15 PM
Industry / Professional Societies and Standards Bodies Presentations
3:15 PM
↓
4:00 PM
OUSD(R&E) Presentations
Full Agenda
FED DEF Day 1: Tuesday, March 11th
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Check in for the Federal Digital Engineering Forum
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Host Opening Remarks Scott Schutzmeister
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
FED DEF 2025 Introduction Remarks – Daniel Hettema
8:30 aM – 8:45 aM
FEATURED SPEAKER
U.S Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District (pre-recorded video remarks)
8:45 aM – 10:15 AM
PANEL – “Industry Perspective on Government Digital Engineering Transformation”
Moderator: Travis DeMeester Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Panelists: Christian Oliver, Bluesky Innovations, Co-Founder & CEO
Chris Finlay, SAIC, Vice President of Engineering
Renee Pasman, Lockheed Martin, Vice President, Advanced Development Programs (ADP) Integrated Systems
David Kepczynski, Ford Motor Company, Global Chief of Digital Transformation, Product Development
This panel will bring together industry leaders from companies of various sizes to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital engineering adoption within government agencies. Panelists will share insights on how their organizations are navigating government regulations, overcoming barriers to implementation, and leveraging digital engineering to drive innovation in the public sector. The discussion will provide a diverse perspective on how collaboration between industry and government can accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across agencies.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Ice Breaker/Networking Break
11:00 aM – 12:00 PM
WG Planning Briefs (5-10 min each)
Knowledge Sharing
Model Trust
Measures of Success
Digital Ecosystems
Policy & Process Updates
12:00 pM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 pM – 4:00 PM
WG Sessions
Knowledge Sharing
Model Trust
Measures of Success
Digital Ecosystems
Policy & Process Updates
4:00 pM – 6:00 PM
Evening Reception IDA Café
FED DEF Day 2 WEdnesday, March 12th
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Check in for the Federal Digital Engineering Forum
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Host Opening Remarks – Scott Schutzmeister
8:15 aM – 9:00 AM
FEATURED SPEAKER
Stephen Welby, Former Special Assistant to the U.S. President for Science and Technology
9:00 aM – 10:30 aM
PANEL – “The Role of Professional & Standards Organizations in Government Digital Engineering Transformation”
Moderator: Michael Heaphy, Director, Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO)
Panelists: Lesley West, ASTM Director of Product Management
Steve Records, INCOSE, Executive Director
Steven A. MacLaird, Col(Ret), USAF OMG Senior Vice President, Government and Industry Strategy
Jenny Tsao, Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Public Policy Affinity Group (AG) Lead
This panel will examine the critical role professional societies and standards bodies play in fostering partnerships for advancing digital engineering. Panelists will discuss how these organizations facilitate collaboration, establish best practices, and drive the development of industry standards essential for digital transformation. The discussion will also highlight the importance of aligning global standards with emerging technologies to ensure seamless integration and innovation in the digital engineering space.
10:30 aM – 11:00 PM
Ice Breaker/Networking Break
11:00 PM – 12:00 PM
WG Planning Briefs (5-10 min each)
Workforce and Culture
Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
Acquisition and Contracting
Model Integration and Standards
Interagency Digital Engineering
12:00 pM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 pM – 4:00 PM
WG Sessions
Workforce and Culture
Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
Acquisition and Contracting
Model Integration and Standards
Interagency Digital Engineering
4:00 pM – 5:00 PM
WG Co-Chair Outbrief Preparation
FED DEF Day 3: Thursday, march 13th
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Check in for the Federal Digital Engineering Forum
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Coffee Chat Networking
9:15 aM – 9:30 AM
Host Opening Remarks – Scott Schutzmeister
9:30 aM – 9:45 aM
FEATURED SPEAKER
U.S Representative Sean Casten, Represents Illinois 6th Congressional District (pre-recorded video remarks)
9:45 aM – 11:15 PM
PANEL – “Aligning Academia and Government to Achieve Digital Engineering Transformation, focuse on the future ofthe workforce from 2 year A.S. degrees to PHDs”
Moderator: Dr. Robert Raygan, USD(R&E)/SE&A DAU Faculty Rotation
Panelists: Phil Zimmerman, SERC Research Scientist
Dr. Daniel DeLaurentis, Vice President for Discovery Park District (DPD) Institutes, Purdue
Chris Crumbly, Adjunct Instructor for Systems Engineering Technology at Calhoun, Calhoun Community College
This panel discussion will explore the vital role academia plays in shaping the future workforce for digital engineering. Experts will discuss innovative curricula, interdisciplinary collaborations, and cutting-edge research that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation will also address how partnerships between academia and government can close the skills gap and prepare graduates for the demands of digital transformation.
11:15 PM – 11:45 PM
DHS FED DEF 2026 Intro (Host of next FED DEF 2026)
11:45 pM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 pM – 3:30 PM
WG Outbriefs
3:30 pM – 3:45 PM
FED DEF Close Out – Daniel Hettema
Panels
Day 1: Industry Perspective on Government Digital Engineering Transformation
Abstract: This panel will bring together industry leaders from companies of various sizes to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital engineering adoption within government agencies. Panelists will share insights on how their organizations are navigating government regulations, overcoming barriers to implementation, and leveraging digital engineering to drive innovation in the public sector. The discussion will provide a diverse perspective on how collaboration between industry and government can accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across agencies.
Moderator: Travis Demeester, Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
Panelists: Christian Oliver, Co-Founder & CEO/CPO, BlueSky Innovations; Christopher Finlay, Vice President of Innovation, SAIC; Renee Pasman, Vice President, Integrated Systems for Advanced Development Programs (ADP), Lockheed Martin; David Kepczynski, Global Chief of Digital Transformation for Product Development, Ford Motor Company
Day 2: The Role of Professional & Standards Organizations in Government Digital Engineering Transformation
Abstract: This panel will examine the critical role professional societies and standards bodies play in fostering partnerships for advancing digital engineering. Panelists will discuss how these organizations facilitate collaboration, establish best practices, and drive the development of industry standards essential for digital transformation. The discussion will also highlight the importance of aligning global standards with emerging technologies to ensure seamless integration and innovation in the digital engineering space.
Moderator: Michael Heaphy, Director, Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO), OUSD (R&E)
Panelists: Lesley West, ASTM Director of Product Management; Steve Records, Executive Director, INCOSE; Steve MacLaird, Col (Ret), USAF, SVP, Gov’t & Industry Strategy, Object Management Group (OMG); Jenny May Tsao, SWE GRPP Chair, SWE Baltimore-Washington Section President, and Women in Government AG Lead
Day 3: Aligning Academia and Government to Achieve DE Transformation, focuses on the future of the workforce from two-year A.S. degrees to Ph.Ds
Abstract: This panel discussion will explore the vital role academia plays in shaping the future workforce for digital engineering. Experts will discuss innovative curricula, interdisciplinary collaborations, and cutting-edge research that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation will also address how partnerships between academia and government can close the skills gap and prepare graduates for the demands of digital transformation.
Moderator: Dr. Robert Raygan, USD(R&E)/SE&A DAU Faculty Rotation
Panelists: Philomena (Phil) Zimmerman, Research Scientist, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC); Dr. Daniel DeLaurentis, Vice President for Discovery Park District (DPD) Institutes, PURDUE; Chris Crumbly, Executive Director and SET Program Manager for IDEA, Calhoun Community College, John M. M. Anderson, Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture, Howard University
Working Groups
Please participate in one of the 5 working groups. The work done will be presented during the July 9th Virtual FED DEF event.
- Collaboration will occur in five key groups during the month of JUNE, prior to FED DEF.
- Findings and solutions will be presented during the event.
- Indicate your interest in the participating in working groups when requesting registration.
- Digital Ecosystems
- What digital ecosystems and tools are currently in use? Do you have a structured tools roadmap, and how do you manage interoperability across platforms? How are you approaching Authoritative Source of Truth (ASOT) management and integration at the data level to ensure consistency and traceability?
- Emerging Technologies in Digital Transformation
- How do you evaluate and prioritize emerging technologies for adoption within your Digital Engineering (DE) environment? How are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) being leveraged to enhance Digital Engineering processes? How are you integrating Digital Twins into your engineering and operational workflows? How are you addressing interoperability challenges when integrating emerging technologies with legacy systems?
- Measures of Success
- How do you define “done” in your digital engineering efforts? What key indicators or metrics help you measure progress and impact?
- Model Integration and Standards
- How are you ensuring seamless model integration across different levels (system, subsystem, component) and across different stakeholders? What standards and frameworks guide your approach?
- Workforce and Culture
- What strategies are you employing to train your workforce in Digital Engineering principles? How are you fostering cultural change to drive adoption and sustainment?
LOCATION
FED DEF will be held at IDA’s Potomac Yard Location.
IDA (Potomac Yard) is located at 730 East Glebe Road, Alexandria, VA, 22305.
- Potomac Yard Metro Station is now open and within a 5 min walking distance from the IDA conference center.
- Public transportation is strongly encouraged.
- Paid street and garage parking are available on Dogue Street at the American Physical Therapy Association (see map).
- IDA does not validate external parking.
- Do not park in the Potomac Yard Center (Target) lot or empty pavement directly across from the IDA building on Seaton Ave; towing is enforced.
The Institute for Defense Analyses
730 East Glebe Road
Alexandria, VA 22305