# Pentagon’s Tradewinds program lets AI firms pitch in 5‑minute videos

> The Department of Defense can award contracts in under a week after companies submit short video pitches to the Tradewinds marketplace.

Oossa · 2026-10-07 · https://oossa.com/en/pentagon-s-tradewinds-program-lets-ai-firms-pitch-in-5-minute-videos

The Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office runs a program called Tradewinds. Companies upload a video no longer than five minutes that explains how their AI product fits one of the department’s current focus areas. A panel reviews the videos each month and, if accepted, adds the product to the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace. Once listed, the product gets a “post‑competitive” status, which lets buyers use fast‑track contracts called other transactions (OTs) and can cut the award timeline to less than a week.

## Who is already in the marketplace?

OpenAI, Anthropic and Google are listed as participants with OTs in the CDAO’s records. The program has existed since late 2022, but the Trump administration pushed it harder and the 2027 budget request asks for $1.5 trillion for the DoD, highlighting AI as a priority. The 2026 focus topics include tools to boost force lethality and AI‑enabled agents for the joint targeting “kill chain.”

## What critics say

Senator Joni Ernst has warned that OTs can hide costs, limit oversight and make it hard to track results. She helped pass the Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025, which will force the Pentagon to report OT spending publicly within three years.

## The facts

- Tradewinds requires video pitches of five minutes or less.
- A panel reviews submissions at least once a month and can grant “post‑competitive” status.
- DoD officials say some awards were made in less than a week using Tradewinds.
- OpenAI, Anthropic and Google have OT agreements with the CDAO.
- The 2027 DoD budget request seeks $1.5 trillion, citing historic AI investments.

## Why it matters

For a tech startup, Tradewinds offers a shortcut to sell AI tools to the military without the usual lengthy bidding process. For taxpayers, the faster contracts could mean quicker deployment of useful technology, but the lack of public reporting on OT deals raises questions about cost and accountability.

## Sources & references

1. [The Pentagon Hopes to Speed Up ‘Kill Chain’ AI Buys With 5-Minute Videos](https://www.wired.com/story/the-pentagon-hopes-to-speed-up-kill-chain-ai-buys-with-5-minute-videos/) – Wired, 2026-10-07

Last updated: 2026-10-07