What if reforming the FAR wasn’t just possible—but inevitable?

In this episode, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Chip Walter, former Navy pilot and CIA innovation lead turned partner at Marlinspike. Together, they unpack the real impact of the new Executive Order on acquisition reform—and what it means for startups, contracting officers, and the defense tech landscape.

On this episode, we discuss:

📜 How the new EO challenges legacy contracting models

💡 Why OTAs offer more substance than SBIR grants

🔍 What makes dual-use technology a national advantage

🚀 The agile edge: Marlinspike’s portfolio of cutting-edge companies

⚖️ Balancing innovation with the role of the primes

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Chip’s background: Navy, CIA, Northrop Grumman, and Marlinspike

[07:05] – Why the term “innovation” is often misused—and what it really looks like

[13:08] – Cracking the code on DoD money flow and program entry points

[15:55] – OTAs vs. SBIRs: Which offers a real path to program of record?

[20:17] – Contracting officer shortages and the burden of outdated systems

[25:16] – “10-for-1” rule: How the EO forces smarter rulemaking

[30:45] – DoD’s overreliance on cost-plus—and the consequences

[38:24] – Can the primes really move at startup speed?

[44:32] – Why autonomy needs full commitment, not half-measures

[48:01] – Inside Marlinspike’s portfolio: robotics, AI, autonomy & logistics

[55:29] – Mission-first investing & Chip’s advice for startups

Links and Resources:

• Chip Walter on LinkedIn

• Marlinspike Website

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile