Leveraging an open standard may still not achieve the desired interoperability between systems. Addressing “lessons learned” from past implementations of open standards for various Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs is critical for future success. This paper discusses past issues which range from insufficient technical detail, when and how to apply a given specification, verification of an implementation’s compliance, to inconsistent and imprecise contractual language. This paper illustrates how the Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VICTORY) initiative addresses these challenges to enable interoperability on Army ground vehicles, as well as facilitate rapid technology insertion and incorporation of new capabilities. VICTORY represents a leap ahead in solving interoperability challenges and defining open standards.