Army’s “Amazon” marketplace: the new Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD)
New Army acquisition process speeds the ordering cycle, and delegates purchase authority to Commanders at the user level.
What is it?
It’s called the G-TEAD Marketplace, which stands for Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate. It is a flexible acquisition vehicle and innovation platform designed to accelerate delivery of operationally ready (TRL 6+) equipment and software to the Army and U.S. Army Service Component Commands (USASCCs) and allied/partner nations.[1]
How does it work?
Conceptually, the idea is innovation and procurement speed. With the modern battlefield changing by the minute, the Secretary of War (“SecWar”) and Secretary of the Army have continually noted that waiting for a product designed for the front line is unacceptable—and costs the lives of U.S. troops.
In order to combat this procurement lag, SecWar announced a larger plan in the most recent Acquisition Transformation Strategy which strongly foreshadowed G-TEAD. In practical terms, G-TEAD creates an Amazon web services-like marketplace for any defense-tech related items. Mechanically, the Army’s Marketplace website invites any company to pitch an idea and includes a structured vetting process—like the Army’s xTech program—to which Army Commanders[2] can shop for and purchase, the products they need or want at their levels. This provides for tailored products to sections of a battlefield where that technology is needed and responsive to the tactical environment, instead of massive purchases of broadly applicable equipment that becomes ignored or falls into disrepair.
Has it been done?
Yes. On the ground in Eastern Europe as of a few days ago, Project Flytrap 4.5 pitted over 20 companies against each other in evaluating counter unmanned aircraft systems (c-UAS) solutions with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries.[3] Of these, four companies were crowned with a $350,000 award and immediately entered as vendors in the G-TEAD marketplace for immediate follow-on purchases (complete with Amazon-style “5-star” rating schemes for user feedback on products.
Who may propose?
Large, small, start-ups, nontraditional defense contractors both foreign and domestic are invited to bid. The caveat is that if a supplier participates in this acquisition environment, it understands the operational tempo the G-TEAD will demand and is accordingly responsive. With acquisition cycles as short as 21-30 days, the main attributes of any solution are: speed, agility, a commitment to real time collaboration with the warfighter and low costs. G-TEAD appears to serve as the agile acquisition platform for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Maynard Nexsen is tracking roll outs of similar platforms and opportunities serving the same function as G-TEAD for other military departments, i.e., Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and forces within those military departments. Stay in the know by subscribing to our blog, Discussions and Clarifications at: https://www.maynardnexsen.com/blog/.
[1] Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Marketplace (Sep. 12, 2025) https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a600f39227e54e2cb38455088997f1f6/view.
[2] Currently, SAM.Gov, the Federal Government’s procurement website notes these commanders are: “Army PEOs or other Army, DoD, or U.S. agencies / activities with contracting and Ordering authority.” Id.
[3] Carley Welch, As drones menace European airspace, US Army tests c-UAS systems in Germany. Breaking Defense. Nov. 25, 2025, https://breakingdefense.com/2025/11/as-drones-menace-european-airspace-us-army-tests-c-uas-systems-in-germany/.
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