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To put it another way, they're kind of the same thing as the RAND Corporation. Maybe more technical and less strategic?

There is some overlap but RAND is simply a think tank. (I admit that’s a vast generalization, they do good work)

MITRE operates FFRDCs, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, with very specific roles and limitations. They also don’t do a ton of policy analysis - they mostly do technical and architectural work, and support program offices and system developers. So your comment about strategic vs technical is mostly accurate, but it’s a little more nuanced.

(I am a former MITRE employee who still thinks they do good work and fill an appropriate role)

Edit: I guess RAND also operates FFRDCs too, but on policy analysis.

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