Why It Matters

Congress is fundamentally restructuring how the Pentagon buys weapons and develops new capabilities—and Systems Planning and Analysis Inc. wants a seat at the table. The SPEED Act’s acceleration of procurement timelines and broader defense acquisition reforms create urgent demand for objective analysis. By retaining experienced former congressional staff at Holland & Knight LLP—including a former House Armed Services Committee Minority Staff Director—SPA is positioning itself as a trusted voice on whether the Pentagon’s transformation will actually work.

By the Numbers

Systems Planning and Analysis Inc. filed its eighth lobbying disclosure for the final quarter, reporting $80,000 spent with Holland & Knight LLP. Since launching lobbying efforts in April 2024, SPA has spent $380,000 total across eight quarterly filings, maintaining a consistent $47,500 average spend per quarter.

SPA’s lobbying team comprises two lobbyists with directly relevant congressional experience. Daniel J. Sennott served six years as Minority Staff Director for the House Armed Services Committee. Misha E. Lehrer worked five years as a Senate legislative aide to Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).

As a relatively young lobbying player, SPA is dramatically outspent by peers. Lockheed Martin spends over $4 million quarterly on defense lobbying, while Booz Allen Hamilton—a direct competitor as a professional services firm—spends $530,000 quarterly.

The Agenda

Systems Planning and Analysis Inc. is lobbying Congress on defense policy without targeting specific legislation. The Alexandria-based defense analytics firm paid Holland & Knight LLP $80,000 in fourth quarter 2025 to "educate members of Congress regarding Systems Planning & Analysis, Inc.’s work with the Department of Defense."

SPA’s lobbying has centered on the annual National Defense Authorization Act and Department of Defense Appropriations bills since April 2024. The firm’s current effort appears timed to position itself amid congressional debates over acquisition reform, emerging military technologies, and defense industrial base resilience.

Broader Context

Congress is pursuing historic defense acquisition reforms that create opportunity for analytical firms like SPA. The SPEED Act, incorporated into the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, fundamentally restructures Pentagon procurement processes—accelerating requirements development and reducing regulatory burdens.

Simultaneously, Congress is grappling with acute vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base. Recent congressional focus has centered on supply chain fragility, workforce shortages, and production capacity constraints affecting critical programs. The threat posed by Chinese military modernization has elevated the strategic importance of naval systems and deterrence analysis—areas where SPA has historical expertise.

Between The Lines

Congressional hearings have intensified focus on priorities directly relevant to SPA’s expertise:

  • Acquisition reform: House Armed Services and House Oversight committees examined "Reforming Defense Acquisition," highlighting concerns about slow capability deployment versus adversaries.
  • Industrial base resilience: Senate and House hearings underscored workforce shortages and supply chain vulnerabilities.
  • Emerging technologies: The Senate examined Defense Department cybersecurity posture, while bipartisan members pushed quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and hypersonics initiatives.

Key members are vocally engaged. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) champions defense innovation and acquisition reform. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) has secured funding for naval programs in SPA’s core expertise areas.

Competitive Landscape

SPA operates in a competitive lobbying environment dominated by major defense contractors. Lockheed Martin Corporation dominates with quarterly spending exceeding $4 million, engaging heavily on the NDAA and appropriations bills with specific focus on acquisition policy changes including the SPEED Act.

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., a direct peer as a professional services firm, spends approximately $530,000 quarterly on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing—overlapping significantly with SPA’s analytical focus areas.

SPA’s modest $80,000 quarterly budget requires a highly targeted strategy to maintain visibility amid significantly larger competitors.

The Bottom Line

Systems Planning and Analysis Inc. is maintaining a modest but consistent lobbying presence as Congress grapples with historic defense acquisition reforms. The timing reflects genuine legislative opportunity—Congress has just enacted sweeping acquisition reforms and faces mounting pressure to accelerate fielding of emerging technologies.

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