Ethics & Compliance Playbook (Updated 2026)

DII's foundational playbook for designing, implementing, and maintaining a corporate ethics and compliance program in the defense and aerospace sector. This Playbook (previously the Small Business Toolkit) is a practical resource for any defense contractor looking to build, strengthen, and maintain their compliance program.

Originally published in 2016 and substantially revised in 2026, the Playbook has been comprehensively overhauled to reflect today's regulatory and enforcement environment, including updated FAR requirements, the DOJ's 2024 Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs, and emerging risk areas.

The Playbook contains six resources:

• Governance & Organization — how to structure your program, assign leadership, and make it work even as a department of one
• Sample Compliance Training — ready-to-use training content
• Ethics Case Files — illustrative scenarios for training and awareness
• Other Ethics Resources — a curated reference library
• Policies & Procedures — 29 template policies, from a Code of Conduct and Whistleblower Protection policy to newer additions covering AI, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Human Trafficking Prevention, and Insider Information
• Self-Auditing — a framework for assessing and improving your program over time

Download Ethics & Compliance Playbook