CHAPTER 303—RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES

Subchapter I—General

        

Subchapter II—Personnel

        

Subchapter III—Research and Development Centers and Facilities

        

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior chapter 303 "WEAPON SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED MATTERS", consisting of reserved section 4071, was repealed by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1841(a)(1)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4242.

A prior chapter 303 was renumbered chapter 703 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, §913(a)(1), title XVIII, §1801(a)(32), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 365, 685, struck out identical second item 4094 "Enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories" and added item 4127. Amendments were made pursuant to section 102 of this title.

2022—Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1106(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2818, added identical second item 4094 "Enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories" after item 4093.

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(b), title XVII, §1701(e)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1593, 2138, added items 4094 "Enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories" and 4121 and struck out former item 4121 "[Reserved]", effective after the amendment made by Pub. L. 116–283, as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, see note below.

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2152, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, which added this analysis, by substituting chapter heading, items for subchapters I to III, and items 4061 to 4067, 4091 to 4093, and 4121 to 4126 for former chapter heading "INNOVATION" and items 4061 to 4066.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "Defense Innovation Unit."

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2152, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, which added this chapter, by adding subchapter heading. Heading was editorially conformed to the style used in this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Establishment of Innovators Information Repository in the Department of Defense

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §220, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1681, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Defense Technical Information Center, establish an innovators information repository within the Department of Defense in accordance with this section.

"(b) Maintenance of Information Repository.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall maintain the information repository and ensure that it is periodically updated.

"(c) Elements of Information Repository.—The information repository established under subsection (a) shall—

"(1) be coordinated across the Department of Defense enterprise to focus on small business innovators that are small, independent United States businesses, including those participating in the Small Business Innovation Research program or the Small Business Technology Transfer program;

"(2) include appropriate information about each participant, including a description of—

"(A) the need or requirement applicable to the participant;

"(B) the participant's technology with appropriate technical detail and appropriate protections of proprietary information or data;

"(C) any prior business of the participant with the Department; and

"(D) whether the participant's technology was incorporated into a program of record; and

"(3) incorporate the appropriate classification due to compilation of information.

"(d) Use of Information Repository.—After the information repository is established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall encourage use of the information repository by Department organizations involved in technology development and protection, including program offices, before initiating a Request for Information or a Request for Proposal to determine whether an organic technology exists or is being developed currently by a an [sic] entity supported by the Department (which may include a company, academic consortium, or other entity)."

National Security Innovation Activities

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §230, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1689, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §213(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3456, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall establish activities to develop interaction between the Department of Defense and the commercial technology industry and academia with regard to emerging hardware products and technologies with national security applications.

"(b) Elements.—The activities required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

"(1) Informing and encouraging private investment in specific hardware technologies of interest to future defense technology needs with unique national security applications.

"(2) Funding research and technology development in hardware-intensive capabilities that private industry has not sufficiently supported to meet rapidly emerging defense and national security needs.

"(3) Contributing to the development of policies, policy implementation, and actions to deter strategic acquisition of industrial and technical capabilities in the private sector by foreign entities that could potentially exclude companies from participating in the Department of Defense technology and industrial base.

"(4) Identifying promising emerging technology in industry and academia for the Department of Defense for potential support or research and development cooperation.

"(c) Transfer of Personnel and Resources.—

"(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Under Secretary may transfer such personnel, resources, and authorities that are under the control of the Under Secretary as the Under Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the activities established under subsection (a) from other elements of the Department under the control of the Under Secretary or upon approval of the Secretary of Defense.

"(2) Certification.—The Under Secretary may only make a transfer of personnel, resources, or authorities under paragraph (1) upon certification by the Under Secretary that the activities established under paragraph (a) can attract sufficient private sector investment, has personnel with sufficient technical and management expertise, and has identified relevant technologies and systems for potential investment in order to carry out the activities established under subsection (a), independent of further government funding beyond this authorization.

"(d) Establishment of Nonprofit Entity.—The Under Secretary may establish or fund a nonprofit entity to carry out the program activities under subsection (a).

"(e) Advisory Assistance.—

"(1) In general.—The Under Secretary shall establish a mechanism to seek advice from existing Federal advisory committees on matters relating to—

"(A) the implementation and prioritization of activities established under subsection (a); and

"(B) determining how such activities may be used to support the overall technology strategy of the Department of Defense.

"(2) Existing federal advisory committees defined.—In this subsection, the term 'existing Federal advisory committee' means an advisory committee that—

"(A) is established pursuant to a provision of Federal law other than this section; and

"(B) has responsibilities relevant to the activities established under subsection (a), as determined by the Under Secretary.

"(f) Plan.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Under Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a detailed plan to carry out this section.

"(2) Elements.—The plan required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

"(A) A description of the additional authorities needed to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (b).

"(B) Plans for transfers under subsection (c), including plans for private fund-matching and investment mechanisms, oversight, treatment of rights relating to technical data developed, and relevant dates and goals of such transfers.

"(C) Plans for attracting the participation of the commercial technology industry and academia and how those plans fit into the current Department of Defense research and engineering enterprise.

"(g) Authorities.—In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary may use the following authorities:

"(1) Section 1711 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91) [10 U.S.C. 4816 note], relating to a pilot program on strengthening the defense industrial and innovation base.

"(2) Section 1599g of title 10 of the United States Code, relating to public-private talent exchanges.

"(3) Section 2368 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4124], relating to Centers for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnerships.

"(4) Section 2374a of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4025], relating to prizes for advanced technology achievements.

"(5) Section 2474 of such title, relating to Centers of Industrial and Technical Excellence.

"(6) Section 2521 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4841, 4842], relating to the Manufacturing Technology Program.

"(7) Subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, relating to assignments to and from States.

"(8) Chapter 47 of such title, relating to personnel research programs and demonstration projects.

"(9) Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) and section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, relating to cooperative research and development agreements.

"(10) Such other authorities as the Under Secretary considers appropriate.

"(h) Notice Required.—Not later than 15 days before the date on which the Under Secretary first exercises the authority granted under subsection (d) and not later than 15 days before the date on which the Under Secretary first obligates or expends any amount authorized under subsection (h), the Under Secretary shall notify the congressional defense committees of such exercise, obligation, or expenditure, as the case may be."

Joint Artificial Intelligence Research, Development, and Transition Activities

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §238, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1695, as amended by Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, §221, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1261; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §232, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3480; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title II, §212(l), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2470; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XV, §1521(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 551, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a set of activities within the Department of Defense to coordinate the efforts of the Department to acquire, develop, mature, and transition artificial intelligence technologies into operational use.

"(2) Emphasis.—The set of activities established under paragraph (1) shall include—

"(A) acquisition and development of mature artificial intelligence technologies in support of defense missions;

"(B) applying artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to operational problems by directly delivering artificial intelligence capabilities to the Armed Forces and other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense;

"(C) accelerating the development, testing, and fielding of new artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence-enabling capabilities; and

"(D) coordinating and deconflicting activities involving artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities within the Department.

"(b) Designation.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary shall designate a senior official of the Department with principal responsibility for the coordination of activities relating to the development and demonstration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the Department.

"(c) Organization and Roles.—

"(1) In general.—In addition to designating an official under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense shall assign to appropriate officials within the Department of Defense roles and responsibilities relating to the research, development, prototyping, testing, procurement of, requirements for, and operational use of artificial intelligence technologies.

"(2) Appropriate officials.—The officials assigned roles and responsibilities under paragraph (1) shall include—

"(A) the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering;

"(B) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment;

"(C) one or more officials in each military department;

"(D) officials of appropriate Defense Agencies; and

"(E) such other officials as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.

"(d) Duties.—The duties of the official designated under subsection (b) shall include the following:

"(1) Strategic plan.—Developing a detailed strategic plan to acquire, develop, mature, adopt, and transition artificial intelligence technologies into operational use. Such plan shall include the following:

"(A) A strategic roadmap for the identification and coordination of the development and fielding of artificial intelligence technologies and key enabling capabilities.

"(B) The continuous evaluation and adaptation of relevant artificial intelligence capabilities developed both inside the Department and in other organizations for military missions and business operations.

"(2) Acceleration of acquisition, development and fielding of artificial intelligence.—The official designated under subsection (b) shall—

"(A) use the flexibility of regulations, personnel, acquisition, partnerships with industry and academia, or other relevant policies of the Department to accelerate the acquisition and fielding of artificial intelligence capabilities;

"(B) ensure engagement with defense and private industries, research universities, and unaffiliated, nonprofit research institutions;

"(C) provide technical advice and support to entities in the Department and the military departments to optimize the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to meet Department missions;

"(D) support the development of requirements for artificial intelligence capabilities that address the highest priority capability gaps of the Department and technical feasibility;

"(E) develop and support capabilities for technical analysis and assessment of threat capabilities based on artificial intelligence;

"(F) ensure that the Department has appropriate workforce and capabilities at laboratories, test ranges, and within the organic defense industrial base to support the artificial intelligence capabilities and requirements of the Department;

"(G) develop classification guidance for all artificial intelligence related activities of the Department;

"(H) develop standard data formats for the Department that—

"(i) aid in defining the relative maturity of datasets; and

"(ii) inform best practices for cost and schedule computation, data collection strategies aligned to mission outcomes, and dataset maintenance practices;

"(I) establish data and model usage agreements and collaborative partnership agreements for artificial intelligence product development with each organization and element of the Department, including each of the Armed Forces;

"(J) work with appropriate officials to develop appropriate ethical, legal, and other policies for the Department governing the development and use of artificial intelligence enabled systems and technologies in operational situations; and

"(K) ensure—

"(i) that artificial intelligence programs of each military department and of the Defense Agencies are consistent with the priorities identified under this section;

"(ii) appropriate coordination of artificial intelligence activities of the Department with interagency, industry, and international efforts relating to artificial intelligence, including relevant participation in standards setting bodies; and

"(iii) that appropriate entities in the Department are reviewing all open source publications from both the United States and outside the United States that contribute to, affect, or advance—

     "(I) artificial intelligence research and development; or

     "(II) the understanding of the Secretary concerning the investments by adversaries of the United States in artificial intelligence and the development by such adversaries of capabilities relating to artificial intelligence.

"(3) Chief digital and artificial intelligence officer governing council.—

"(A) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a council to provide policy oversight to ensure the responsible, coordinated, and ethical employment of data and artificial intelligence capabilities across Department of Defense missions and operations. Such council shall be known as the 'Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer Governing Council' (in this paragraph referred to as the 'Council').

"(B) Membership.—The Council shall be composed of the following:

"(i) Joint Staff J–6.

"(ii) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

"(iii) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Evaluation.

"(iv) The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.

"(v) The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

"(vi) The Director of Cost Analysis and Program Evaluation.

"(vii) The Chief Information Officer of the Department.

"(viii) The Director of Administration and Management.

"(ix) The service acquisition executives of each of the military departments.

"(C) Head of council.—The Council shall be headed by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the Department.

"(D) Meetings.—The Council shall meet not less frequently than twice each fiscal year.

"(E) Duties of council.—The duties of the Council are as follows:

"(i) To streamline the organizational structure of the Department as such structure relates to the development, implementation, and oversight of artificial intelligence.

"(ii) To improve coordination on artificial intelligence governance with the defense industry sector.

"(iii) To issue and oversee guidance on ethical requirements and protections for the use of artificial intelligence supported by Department funding and the reduction or mitigation of instances of unintended bias in artificial intelligence algorithms.

"(iv) To identify, monitor, and periodically update appropriate recommendations for the operational use of artificial intelligence.

"(v) To review, to the extent the head of the Council considers necessary, artificial intelligence program funding, to ensure that any investment by the Department in an artificial intelligence tool, system, or algorithm adheres to each applicable policy of the Department relating to artificial intelligence.

"(vi) To provide periodic status updates on the efforts of the Department to develop and implement artificial intelligence into existing Department programs and processes.

"(vii) To issue guidance on access and distribution restrictions relating to data, models, tool sets, or testing or validation infrastructure.

"(viii) To implement and oversee an educational program on data and artificial intelligence, for the purpose of familiarizing personnel Department-wide on the applications of artificial intelligence within the respective operations of such personnel.

"(ix) To implement and oversee a scorecard to assess data decrees of the Department.

"(x) Such other duties as the Council determines appropriate.

"(F) Periodic reports.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 [Dec. 22, 2023], and not less frequently than once every 18 months thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Secretary and the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the activities of the Council during the period covered by the report.

"(e) Access to Information.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 [Pub. L. 116–283; approved Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations to ensure that the official designated under subsection (b) has access to such information on programs and activities of the military departments and other Defense Agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the duties set forth in subsection (d). At a minimum, such access shall ensure that the official designated under subsection (b) has the ability to discover, access, share, and appropriately reuse data and models of the Armed Forces and other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense, build and maintain artificial intelligence capabilities for the Department, and execute the duties assigned to the Director by the Secretary.

"(f) Delineation of Definition of Artificial Intelligence.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary shall delineate a definition of the term 'artificial intelligence' for use within the Department.

"(g) Artificial Intelligence Defined.—In this section, the term 'artificial intelligence' includes the following:

"(1) Any artificial system that performs tasks under varying and unpredictable circumstances without significant human oversight, or that can learn from experience and improve performance when exposed to data sets.

"(2) An artificial system developed in computer software, physical hardware, or other context that solves tasks requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning, learning, communication, or physical action.

"(3) An artificial system designed to think or act like a human, including cognitive architectures and neural networks.

"(4) A set of techniques, including machine learning, that is designed to approximate a cognitive task.

"(5) An artificial system designed to act rationally, including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot that achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning, learning, communicating, decision making, and acting."

[Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title II, §212(m), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2471, provided that: "Any reference in any law, regulation, guidance, instruction, or other document of the Federal Government to the Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center of the Department of Defense or to the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center shall be deemed to refer to the official designated under section 238(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. note prec. 4061) [set out above] or the office of such official, as the case may be."]

Support for National Security Innovation and Entrepreneurial Education

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §225, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1334, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §233, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1692; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, §219, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1260, provided that:

"(a) Support Authorized.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense may, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, support national security innovation and entrepreneurial education programs.

"(2) Elements.—Support under paragraph (1) may include the following:

"(A) Materials to recruit participants, including veterans, for programs described in paragraph (1).

"(B) Model curriculum for such programs.

"(C) Training materials for such programs.

"(D) Best practices for the conduct of such programs.

"(E) Experimental learning opportunities for program participants to interact with operational forces and better understand national security challenges.

"(F) Exchanges and partnerships with Department of Defense science and technology activities.

"(G) Activities consistent with the Proof of Concept Commercialization Pilot Program established under section 1603 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 2359 note [now 10 U.S.C. 4007 note]).

"(b) Consultation.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary may consult with the heads of such Federal agencies, universities, and public and private entities engaged in the development of advanced technologies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(c) Authorities.—The Secretary may—

"(1) develop and maintain metrics to assess national security innovation and entrepreneurial education activities to ensure standards for programs supported under subsection (b) are consistent and being met; and

"(2) ensure that any recipient of an award under the Small Business Technology Transfer program, the Small Business Innovation Research program, and science and technology programs of the Department of Defense has the option to participate in training under a national security innovation and entrepreneurial education program supported under subsection (b).

"(d) Participation by Federal Employees and Members of the Armed Forces.—The Secretary may encourage Federal employees and members of the Armed Forces to participate in a national security innovation and entrepreneurial education program supported under subsection (a) in order to gain exposure to modern innovation and entrepreneurial methodologies.

"(e) Coordination.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consider coordinating and partnering with activities and organizations involved in the following:

"(1) Hack the Army.

"(2) Hack the Air Force.

"(3) Hack the Pentagon.

"(4) The Army Digital Service.

"(5) The Defense Digital Service.

"(6) The Air Force Digital Service.

"(7) Challenge and prize competitions of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

"(8) The Defense Science Study Group.

"(9) The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).

"(10) The Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR).

"(11) War colleges of the military departments.

"(12) Hacking for Defense.

"(13) The National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship (NSSEFF) program.

"(14) The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship program.

"(15) The young faculty award program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

"(16) The National Security Technology Accelerator.

"(17) The I-Corps Program.

"(18) The Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Programs of the Department of Energy."

Hypersonics Development

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title II, §218, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2126, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title II, §241, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1343; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, §1079(f), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 999; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §214(b), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1325; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, §216, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1257; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §217(e), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3462, provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Joint Hypersonics Transition Office.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (in this section referred to as the 'Office'). The Office shall carry out the program and activities described in subsections (b) and (c) and shall have such other responsibilities relating to hypersonics as the Secretary shall specify[.]

"(b) University Expertise.—

"(1) Arrangement with institutions of higher education.—Using the authority specified in section 217 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note [now 10 U.S.C. 4001 note]) or another similar authority, the Office shall seek to enter into an arrangement with one or more institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) under which such institutions may provide the Office with foundational and applied hypersonic research, development, and workforce support in areas that the Office determines to be relevant for the Department of Defense.

"(2) Availability of information.—The Office shall ensure that the results of any research and reports produced pursuant to an arrangement under paragraph (1) are made available to the Federal Government, the private sector, academia, and international partners consistent with appropriate security classification guidance.

"(c) Responsibilities.—The Office shall do the following:

"(1) Expedite testing, evaluation, and acquisition of hypersonic technologies to meet the stated needs of the warfighter, including flight testing, ground-based-testing, and underwater launch testing.

"(2) Ensure prototyping demonstration programs on hypersonic systems integrate advanced technologies to speed the maturation and deployment of future hypersonic systems.

"(3) Ensure that any demonstration program on hypersonic systems is carried out only if determined to be consistent with the roadmap for the relevant critical technology area supportive of the National Defense Strategy, as developed by the senior official with responsibility for such area under section 217 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 [Pub. L. 116–283; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note].

"(4) Develop strategies and roadmaps for hypersonic technologies to enable the transition of such technologies to future operational capabilities for the warfighter.

"(5) Develop and implement a strategy for enhancing the current and future hypersonics workforce.

"(6) Coordinate with relevant stakeholders and agencies to support the technological advantage of the United States in developing hypersonic systems."

Research and Development of Defense Biomedical Countermeasures

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title XVI, §1601, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1680, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1062(g)(3), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1585; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(b)(5)(B), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3507; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §815(d), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1593, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense (in this section referred to as the 'Secretary') shall carry out a program to accelerate the research, development and procurement of biomedical countermeasures, including but not limited to therapeutics and vaccines, for the protection of the Armed Forces from attack by one or more biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents.

"(b) Interagency Cooperation.—(1) In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into interagency agreements and other collaborative undertakings with other Federal agencies.

"(2) The Secretary, through regular, structured, and close consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall ensure that the activities of the Department of Defense in carrying out the program are coordinated with, complement, and do not unnecessarily duplicate activities of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Homeland Security.

"(c) Expedited Procurement Authority.—(1) For any procurement of property or services for use (as determined by the Secretary) in performing, administering, or supporting biomedical countermeasures research and development, the Secretary may, when appropriate, use streamlined acquisition procedures and other expedited procurement procedures authorized in—

"(A) section 1903 of title 41, United States Code; and

"(B) sections 2371 and 2371b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 4022].

"(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) and the provisions of law referred to in such paragraph, each of the following provisions shall apply to the procurements described in this subsection to the same extent that such provisions would apply to such procurements in the absence of paragraph (1):

"(A) Chapter 37 of title 40, United States Code (relating to contract work hours and safety standards).

"(B) Section 8703(a) of title 41, United States Code.

"(C) Section 2313 of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 3841] (relating to the examination of contractor records).

"(3) The Secretary shall institute appropriate internal controls for use of the authority under paragraph (1), including requirements for documenting the justification for each use of such authority.

"(d) Department of Defense Facilities Authority.—(1) If the Secretary determines that it is necessary to acquire, lease, construct, or improve laboratories, research facilities, and other real property of the Department of Defense in order to carry out the program under this section, the Secretary may do so using the procedures set forth in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5).

"(2) The Secretary shall use existing construction authorities provided by subchapter I of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, to the maximum extent possible.

"(3)(A) If the Secretary determines that use of authorities in paragraph (2) would prevent the Department from meeting a specific facility requirement for the program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of Senate and House of Representatives] advance notification, which shall include the following:

"(i) Certification by the Secretary that use of existing construction authorities would prevent the Department from meeting the specific facility requirement.

"(ii) A detailed explanation of the reasons why existing authorities cannot be used.

"(iii) A justification of the facility requirement.

"(iv) Construction project data and estimated cost.

"(v) Identification of the source or sources of the funds proposed to be expended.

"(B) The facility project may be carried out only after the end of the 21-day period beginning on the date the notification is received by the congressional defense committees.

"(4) If the Secretary determines: (A) that the facility is vital to national security or to the protection of health, safety, or the quality of the environment; and (B) the requirement for the facility is so urgent that the advance notification in paragraph (3) and the subsequent 21-day deferral of the facility project would threaten the life, health, or safety of personnel, or would otherwise jeopardize national security, the Secretary may obligate funds for the facility and notify the congressional defense committees within seven days after the date on which appropriated funds are obligated with the information required in paragraph (3).

"(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to acquire, construct, lease, or improve a facility having general utility beyond the specific purposes of the program.

"(6) In this subsection, the term 'facility' has the meaning given the term in section 2801(c) of title 10, United States Code.

"(e) Authority for Personal Services Contracts.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the authority provided by section 1091 of title 10, United States Code, for personal services contracts to carry out health care responsibilities in medical treatment facilities of the Department of Defense shall also be available, subject to the same terms and conditions, for personal services contracts to carry out research and development activities under this section. The number of individuals whose personal services are obtained under this subsection may not exceed 30 at any time.

"(2) The authority provided by such section 1091 may not be used for a personal services contract unless the contracting officer for the contract ensures that—

"(A) the services to be procured are urgent or unique; and

"(B) it would not be practicable for the Department of Defense to obtain such services by other measures.

"(f) Streamlined Personnel Authority.—(1) The Secretary may appoint highly qualified experts, including scientific and technical personnel, to carry out research and development under this section in accordance with the authorities provided in section 4121(a) of title 10, United States Code, [former] section 1101 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Public Law 105–261 [5 U.S.C. 3104 note]), and section 1101 of this Act [enacting chapter 99 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and provisions set out as a note under section 9901 of Title 5].

"(2) The Secretary may use the authority under paragraph (1) only upon a determination by the Secretary that use of such authority is necessary to accelerate the research and development under the program.

"(3) The Secretary shall institute appropriate internal controls for each use of the authority under paragraph (1)."

Defense Nanotechnology Research and Development Program

Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title II, §246, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2500, as amended by Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title II, §240, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title II, §242, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2237; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(c)(2)(A)(iv), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1950, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a defense nanotechnology research and development program.

"(b) Purposes.—The purposes of the program are as follows:

"(1) To ensure United States global superiority in nanotechnology necessary for meeting national security requirements.

"(2) To coordinate all nanoscale research and development within the Department of Defense, and to provide for interagency cooperation and collaboration on nanoscale research and development between the Department of Defense and other departments and agencies of the United States that are involved in the National Nanotechnology Initiative and with the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office under section 3 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7502).

"(3) To develop and manage a portfolio of nanotechnology research and development initiatives that is stable, consistent, and balanced across scientific disciplines.

"(4) To accelerate the transition and deployment of technologies and concepts derived from nanoscale research and development into the Armed Forces, and to establish policies, procedures, and standards for measuring the success of such efforts.

"(5) To collect, synthesize, and disseminate critical information on nanoscale research and development.

"(c) Administration.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall act through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, who shall supervise the planning, management, and coordination of the program. The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of participating Defense Agencies and other departments and agencies of the United States, shall—

"(1) prescribe a set of long-term challenges and a set of specific technical goals for the program;

"(2) develop a coordinated and integrated research and investment plan for meeting the long-term challenges and achieving the specific technical goals that builds upon investments by the Department and other departments and agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative in nanotechnology research and development;

"(3) develop memoranda of agreement, joint funding agreements, and other cooperative arrangements necessary for meeting the long-term challenges and achieving the specific technical goals; and

"(4) oversee Department of Defense participation in interagency coordination of the program with other departments and agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative.

"(d) Strategic Plan.—The Under Secretary shall develop and maintain a strategic plan for defense nanotechnology research and development that—

"(1) is integrated with the strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology Initiative and the strategic plans of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the military departments, and the Defense Agencies; and

"(2) includes a clear strategy for transitioning the research into products needed by the Department.

"(e) Reports.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall submit to the National Science and Technology Council information on the program that covers the information described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 2(d) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(d)) to be included in the annual report submitted by the Council under that section."

Program To Increase Business Innovation in Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VIII, §812(a)–(c), (e), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 709, 710, provided that:

"(a) Requirement To Develop Plan.—Not later than March 1, 2000, the Secretary of Defense shall publish in the Federal Register for public comment a plan to provide for increased innovative technology for acquisition programs of the Department of Defense from commercial private sector entities, including small-business concerns.

"(b) Implementation of Plan.—Not later than March 1, 2001, the Secretary of Defense shall implement the plan required by subsection (a), subject to any modifications the Secretary may choose to make in response to comments received.

"(c) Elements of Plan.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:

"(1) Procedures through which commercial private sector entities, including small-business concerns, may submit proposals recommending cost-saving and innovative ideas to acquisition program managers.

"(2) A review process designed to make recommendations on the merit and viability of the proposals submitted under paragraph (1) at appropriate times during the acquisition cycle.

"(3) Measures to limit potential disruptions to existing contracts and programs from proposals accepted and incorporated into acquisition programs of the Department of Defense.

"(4) Measures to ensure that research and development efforts of small-business concerns are considered as early as possible in a program's acquisition planning process to accommodate potential technology insertion without disruption to existing contracts and programs.

"(e) Small-Business Concern Defined.—In this section, the term 'small-business concern' has the same meaning as the meaning of such term as used in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.)."

§4061. Defense Research and Development Rapid Innovation Program

(a) Program Established.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a competitive, merit-based program to enable and assist small businesses to accelerate the commercialization of various technologies, including critical technologies developed pursuant to phase II Small Business Innovation Research Program projects, phase II Small Business Technology Transfer Program projects, technologies developed by the defense laboratories, capabilities developed through competitively awarded prototype agreements and other innovative technologies (including dual use technologies).

(2) The purpose of this program is to stimulate innovative technologies and reduce acquisition or lifecycle costs, address technical risks, improve the timeliness and thoroughness of test and evaluation outcomes, support the integration of such products, and rapidly insert such products directly in support of primarily major defense acquisition programs, but also other defense acquisition programs that meet critical national security needs.

(b) Guidelines.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines for the operation of the program. At a minimum such guidance shall provide for the following:

(1) The issuance of one or more broad agency announcements or the use of any other competitive or merit-based processes by the Department of Defense for candidate proposals in support of primarily major defense acquisition programs, but also other defense acquisition programs as described in subsection (a).

(2) The review of candidate proposals by the Department of Defense and by each Office of Small Business Programs of each military department and the merit-based selection of the most promising cost-effective proposals for funding through contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions for the purposes of carrying out the program.

(3) The total amount of funding provided to any project under the program from funding provided under subsection (d) shall not exceed $6,000,000.

(4) No project shall receive more than a total of two years of funding under the program from funding provided under subsection (d), unless the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee, approves funding for any additional year.

(5) Mechanisms to facilitate transition of follow-on or current projects carried out under the program into defense acquisition programs, through the use of the authorities of section 4004 of this title or such other authorities as may be appropriate to conduct further testing, low rate production, or full rate production of technologies developed under the program.

(6) Projects are selected using merit-based selection procedures and the selection of projects is not subject to undue influence by Congress or other Federal agencies.

(7) A preference under the program for funding small business concerns.

(c) Treatment Pursuant to Certain Congressional Rules.—Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require or enable any official of the Department of Defense to provide funding under this section to any earmark as defined pursuant to House Rule XXI, clause 9, or any congressionally directed spending item as defined pursuant to Senate Rule XLIV, paragraph 5.

(d) Funding.—(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose and to the limitation under paragraph (2), the amounts authorized to be appropriated for research, development, test, and evaluation for a fiscal year may be used for such fiscal year for the program established under subsection (a).

(2) During any fiscal year, the total amount of awards in an amount greater than $6,000,000 made under the program established under subsection (a) may not exceed 25 percent of the amount made available to carry out such program during such fiscal year.

(e) Transfer Authority.—(1) The Secretary may transfer funds available for the program to the research, development, test, and evaluation accounts of a military department, defense agency, or the unified combatant command for special operations forces pursuant to a proposal, or any part of a proposal, that the Secretary determines would directly support the purposes of the program.

(2) The transfer authority provided in this subsection is in addition to any other transfer authority available to the Department of Defense.

(Added Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §224(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1683, §2359a; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VIII, §878(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1530; renumbered §4061 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1842(b), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(d)(8), (q)(1), (u)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2136, 2148, 2152; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §860, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 346.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4061 was renumbered section 7381 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §860(1)(A), inserted "to enable and assist small businesses" after "merit-based program" and "capabilities developed through competitively awarded prototype agreements" after "defense laboratories," and substituted "commercialization of various technologies, including critical technologies" for "fielding of technologies".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, §860(1)(B), inserted "support the integration of such products," after "evaluation outcomes,".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §860(2)(A), inserted "primarily major defense acquisition programs, but also other" after "candidate proposals in support of".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, §860(2)(B), substituted "by each Office of Small Business Programs of each military department" for "by each military department".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, §860(3), substituted "$6,000,000" for "$3,000,000".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1842(b), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), renumbered section 2359a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(d)(8), which directed the substitution of "section 4004" for "section 2302e", could not be executed because of the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2). See note below.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 4004" for "section 2302e".

2019—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–92, §878(a)(1), inserted "phase II Small Business Technology Transfer Program projects," after "projects,".

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 116–92, §878(a)(2)(A), substituted "$6,000,000." for "$3,000,000, unless the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee, approves a larger amount of funding for the project."

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 116–92, §878(a)(2)(B), added par. (7).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–92, §878(a)(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted "and to the limitation under paragraph (2)" after "for such purpose", and added par. (2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by section 1701(d)(8) of Pub. L. 117–81 to take effect immediately after the amendments made by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 have taken effect, see section 1701(a)(3) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by section 1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Regional Activities

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §213(b), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1589, provided that: "Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Defense may expand the efforts of the Defense Innovation Unit to engage and collaborate with private-sector industry and communities in various regions of the United States—

"(1) to accelerate the adoption of commercially developed advanced technology in modernization priority areas and such other key technology areas as may be identified by the Secretary; and

"(2) to expand outreach to communities that do not otherwise have a Defense Innovation Unit presence, including economically disadvantaged communities."

Pilot Program To Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §834, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1835, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §845, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2720, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Program.—Subject to availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a competitive, merit-based pilot program to accelerate the procurement and fielding of innovative technologies by, with respect to such technologies—

"(1) reducing acquisition or life-cycle costs;

"(2) addressing technical risks;

"(3) improving the timeliness and thoroughness of test and evaluation outcomes; and

"(4) rapidly implementing such technologies to directly support defense missions.

"(b) Guidelines.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary shall issue guidelines for the operation of the pilot program established under this section. At a minimum such guidelines shall provide for the following:

"(1) The issuance of one or more solicitations for proposals by the Department of Defense in support of the pilot program, with a priority established for technologies developed by small business concerns (as defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) or nontraditional defense contractors (as defined under section 2302 of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 3014]).

"(2) A process for—

"(A) the review of proposals received in response to a solicitation issued under paragraph (1) by the Secretary of Defense and by each Secretary of a military department;

"(B) the merit-based selection of the most promising cost-effective proposals; and

"(C) the procurement of goods or services offered by such a proposal through contracts, cooperative agreements, other transaction authority, or by another appropriate process.

"(c) Maximum Amount.—The total amount of funding provided for any proposal selected for an award under the pilot program established under this section shall not exceed $50,000,000, unless the Secretary (or designee of the Secretary) approves a greater amount of funding.

"(d) Data Collection.—

"(1) Plan required before implementation.—The Secretary of Defense may not provide funding under this section until the date on which the Secretary—

"(A) completes a plan for carrying out the data collection required under paragraph (2); and

"(B) submits the plan to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives].

"(2) Data collection required.—The Secretary of Defense shall collect and analyze data on the pilot program established under this section for the purposes of—

"(A) developing and sharing best practices for achieving the objectives of the pilot program;

"(B) providing information on the implementation of the pilot program and related policy issues; and

"(C) reporting to the congressional defense committees as required under subsection (e).

"(e) Biannual Reports.—Not later than March 1 and September 1 of each year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act until the termination of the pilot program established under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program.

"(f) Congressional Notification.—The Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees within 30 days after funding has been provided for a proposal selected for an award under the pilot program established under this section.

"(g) Termination.—The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2027."

§4062. Defense Acquisition Challenge Program

(a) Program Required.—(1) The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall carry out a program to provide opportunities for the increased introduction of innovative and cost-saving technology in acquisition programs of the Department of Defense.

(2) The program, to be known as the Defense Acquisition Challenge Program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Challenge Program"), shall provide any person or activity within or outside the Department of Defense with the opportunity to propose alternatives, to be known as challenge proposals, at the component, subsystem, system, or system-of-systems level of an existing Department of Defense acquisition program, or to address any broader functional challenge to Department of Defense missions that may not fall within an acquisition program, that would result in improvements in performance, affordability, manufacturability, or operational capability of that acquisition program or function.

(b) Panels.—The Under Secretary shall establish one or more panels of highly qualified scientists and engineers (hereinafter in this section referred to as "Panels") to provide preliminary evaluations of challenge proposals under subsection (c).

(c) Preliminary Evaluation by Panels.—(1) Under procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary, a person or activity within or outside the Department of Defense may submit challenge proposals to a Panel, through the unsolicited proposal process or in response to a broad agency announcement.

(2) The Under Secretary shall establish procedures pursuant to which appropriate officials of the Department of Defense may identify proposals submitted through the unsolicited proposal process as challenge proposals. The procedures shall provide for the expeditious referral of such proposals to a Panel for preliminary evaluation under this subsection.

(3) The Under Secretary shall issue on an annual basis not less than one such broad agency announcement inviting interested parties to submit challenge proposals. Such announcements may also identify particular technology areas and acquisition programs or functions that will be given priority in the evaluation of challenge proposals.

(4)(A) The Under Secretary shall establish procedures for the prompt issuance of a solicitation for challenge proposals addressing—

(i) any acquisition program for which, since the last such announcement, the Secretary concerned has determined under section 4374 of this title that the program's acquisition unit cost or procurement unit cost has increased by a percentage equal to or greater than the critical cost growth threshold for the program (in this section referred to as a "critical cost growth threshold breach");

(ii) any design, engineering, manufacturing, or technology integration issues, in accordance with the assessment required by section 4375(b) of this title, that have contributed significantly to the cost growth of such program; and

(iii) any functional challenges of importance to Department of Defense missions.

(B) A solicitation under this paragraph may be included in a broad agency announcement issued pursuant to paragraph (3) as long as the broad agency announcement is released in an expeditious manner following the determination of the Secretary concerned that a critical cost growth threshold breach has occurred with respect to a major defense acquisition program.

(5) Under procedures established by the Under Secretary, a Panel shall carry out a preliminary evaluation of each challenge proposal submitted in response to a broad agency announcement, or submitted through the unsolicited proposal process and identified as a challenge proposal in accordance with paragraph (2), to determine each of the following:

(A) Whether the challenge proposal has merit.

(B) Whether the challenge proposal is likely to result in improvements in performance, affordability, manufacturability, or operational capability at the component, subsystem, system, or system-of-systems level of an acquisition program.

(C) Whether the challenge proposal could be implemented in the acquisition program rapidly, at an acceptable cost, and without unacceptable disruption to the acquisition program.

(D) Whether the challenge proposal is likely to result in improvements to any functional challenges of importance to Department of Defense missions, and whether the proposal could be implemented rapidly, at an acceptable cost, and without unacceptable disruption to such missions.

(6) The Under Secretary—

(A) may establish procedures to ensure that the Challenge Program does not become an avenue for the repetitive submission of proposals that have been previously reviewed and found not to have merit; and

(B) may establish procedures to ensure that the Challenge Program establishes appropriate priorities for proposals from businesses that are not major contractors with the Department of Defense.

(7) If a Panel determines that a challenge proposal satisfies each of the criteria specified in paragraph (5), the person or activity submitting that challenge proposal shall be provided an opportunity to submit such challenge proposal for a full review and evaluation under subsection (d).

(d) Full Review and Evaluation.—(1) Under procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary, for each challenge proposal submitted for a full review and evaluation as provided in subsection (c)(7), the office carrying out the acquisition program to which the proposal relates shall, in consultation with the prime system contractor carrying out such program, conduct a full review and evaluation of the proposal.

(2) The full review and evaluation shall, independent of the determination of a Panel under subsection (c)(5), determine each of the matters specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such subsection. The full review and evaluation shall also include—

(A) an assessment of the cost of adopting the challenge proposal and implementing it in the acquisition program; and

(B) consideration of any intellectual property issues associated with the challenge proposal.

(e) Action Upon Favorable Full Review and Evaluation.—(1) Under procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary, each challenge proposal determined under a full review and evaluation to satisfy each of the criteria specified in subsection (c)(5) with respect to an acquisition program shall be considered by the office carrying out the applicable acquisition program and the prime system contractor for incorporation into the acquisition program as a new technology insertion at the component, subsystem, system, or system-of-systems level.

(2) The Under Secretary shall encourage the adoption of each challenge proposal referred to in paragraph (1) by providing suitable incentives to the office carrying out the acquisition program and the prime system contractor carrying out such program.

(3) In the case of a challenge proposal submitted in response to a solicitation issued as a result of a critical cost growth threshold breach that is determined under full review and evaluation to satisfy each of the criteria specified in subsection (c)(5), the Under Secretary shall establish guidelines for covering the costs of the challenge proposal. If appropriate, such guidelines shall not be restricted to funding provided by the Defense Acquisition Challenge Program, but shall also consider alternative funding sources, such as the acquisition program with respect to which the breach occurred.

(f) Action Upon Unfavorable Full Review and Evaluation.—Under procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary, if a challenge proposal is determined by a Panel to satisfy each of the criteria specified in subsection (c)(5), but is not determined under a full review and evaluation to satisfy such criteria, the following provisions apply:

(1) The office carrying out the full review and evaluation shall provide to the Panel that conducted the preliminary evaluation a statement containing a summary of the rationale for the unfavorable evaluation.

(2) If the Panel disagrees with the rationale provided under paragraph (1), the Panel may return the challenge proposal to the office for further consideration.

(g) Access to Technical Resources.—(1) Under procedures established by the Under Secretary, the technical resources of the laboratories, research, development, and engineering centers, test and evaluation activities, and other elements of the Department may be called upon to support the activities of the Challenge Program.

(2) Funds available to carry out this program may be used to compensate such laboratories, centers, activities, and elements for technical assistance provided to a Panel pursuant to paragraph (1).

(h) Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality.—In carrying out each preliminary evaluation under subsection (c) and full review under subsection (d), the Under Secretary shall ensure the elimination of conflicts of interest and that the identity of any person or activity submitting a challenge proposal is not disclosed outside the Federal Government, prior to contract award, without the consent of the person or activity. For purposes of the proceeding sentence, the term "Federal Government" includes both employees of the Federal Government and employees of Federal Government contractors providing advisory and assistance services as described in part 37 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(i) Limitation on Use of Funds.—Funds made available for the Challenge Program may be used only for activities authorized by this section, and not for implementation of challenge proposals.

(j) Treatment of Use of Certain Procedures as Use of Competitive Procedures.—The use of general solicitation competitive procedures established under subsection (c) shall be considered to be the use of competitive procedures for purposes of sections 3201 through 3205 of this title.

(k) System Defined.—In this section, the term "system"—

(1) means—

(A) the organization of hardware, software, material, facilities, personnel, data, and services needed to perform a designated function with specified results (such as the gathering of specified data, its processing, and its delivery to users); or

(B) a combination of two or more interrelated pieces (or sets) of equipment arranged in a functional package to perform an operational function or to satisfy a requirement; and

(2) includes a major system.

(l) Pilot Program for Programs Other Than Major Defense Acquisition Programs.—

(1) In general.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall carry out a pilot program to expand the use of the authority provided in this section to provide opportunities for the introduction of innovative and cost-saving approaches to programs other than major defense acquisition programs through the submission, review, and implementation, where appropriate, of qualifying proposals.

(2) Qualifying proposals.—For purposes of this subsection, a qualifying proposal is an offer to supply a nondevelopmental item that—

(A) is evaluated as achieving a level of performance that is at least equal to the level of performance of an item being procured under a covered acquisition program and as providing savings in excess of 15 percent after considering all costs to the Government of implementing such proposal; or

(B) is evaluated as achieving a level of performance that is significantly better than the level of performance of an item being procured under a covered acquisition program without any increase in cost to the Government.

(3) Review procedures.—The Under Secretary shall adopt modifications as may be needed to the procedures applicable to the Challenge Program to provide for Department of Defense review of, and action on, qualifying proposals. Such procedures shall include, at a minimum, the issuance of a broad agency announcement inviting interested parties to submit qualifying proposals in areas of interest to the Department.

(4) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Nondevelopmental item.—The term "nondevelopmental item" has the meaning given that term in section 110 of title 41.

(B) Covered acquisition program.—The term "covered acquisition program" means any acquisition program of the Department of Defense other than a major defense acquisition program, but does not include any contract awarded under an exception to competitive acquisition authorized by the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).

(C) Level of performance.—The term "level of performance", with respect to a nondevelopmental item, means the extent to which the item demonstrates required item functional characteristics.

(5) Sunset.—The authority to carry out the pilot program under this subsection shall terminate on January 7, 2021.

(Added Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title II, §243(a), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2495, §2359b; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title II, §213(b), (d)–(g), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2121–2123; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §821, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4531; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §827, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4270; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(e)(3), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1951; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1091(a)(10), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 876; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(a)(6), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3504; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §828, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2281; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(56), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1549; renumbered §4062 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1842(b), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(d)(9), (q)(1), (u)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2137, 2148, 2152.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Small Business Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(4)(B), is Pub. L. 85–536, §2(1 et seq.), July 18, 1958, 72 Stat. 384, which is classified generally to chapter 14A (§631 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 631 of Title 15 and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1842(b), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), renumbered section 2359b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (c)(4)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(d)(9)(A)(i), which directed the substitution of "section 4374" for "section 2433(d)", could not be executed because of the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2). See note below.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 4374" for "section 2433(d)".

Subsec. (c)(4)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(d)(9)(A)(ii), substituted "section 4375(b)" for "section 2433(e)(2)(A)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), which directed that each reference in the text of title 10 to a section that was redesignated by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283, as such section was in effect before the redesignation, be amended by striking such reference and inserting a reference to the appropriate redesignated section, could not be executed for "section 2433(e)(2)(A)" as there were no subparagraphs in subsec. (e)(2) of former section 2433 of this title after general amendment by Pub. L. 111–23, title II, §206(a)(3), May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1728. Section 2433(e)(2) was transferred to section 4375(b) of this title by Pub. L. 116–283.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(d)(9)(B), substituted "sections 3201 through 3205" for "chapter 137".

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(d)(9)(C), which directed that "(as defined in section 2302(5) of this title)" be struck out, was executed by striking out "(as defined in section 3041 of this title)" before period at end to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2). See note below.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 3041" for "section 2302(5)".

2019—Subsecs. (a)(1), (l)(1). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics".

2016—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(a), substituted "system, or system-of-systems level of an existing Department of Defense acquisition program, or to address any broader functional challenge to Department of Defense missions that may not fall within an acquisition program, that would result in improvements in performance, affordability, manufacturability, or operational capability of that acquisition program or function." for "or system level of an existing Department of Defense acquisition program that would result in improvements in performance, affordability, manufacturability, or operational capability of that acquisition program."

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(d)(1), inserted "or functions" after "acquisition programs".

Subsec. (c)(4)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(d)(2), added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (c)(5)(B). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(d)(4), substituted "system, or system-of-systems" for "or system".

Subsec. (c)(5)(D). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(d)(3), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(d)(4), substituted "system, or system-of-systems" for "or system".

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(b)(2), added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).

Subsecs. (k), (l). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(b)(1), redesignated subsecs. (j) and (k) as (k) and (l), respectively.

Subsec. (l)(5). Pub. L. 114–328, §828(c), substituted "2021" for "2016".

2014—Subsec. (k)(4)(A). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "section 110 of title 41" for "section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)".

2013—Subsec. (k)(4)(B). Pub. L. 113–66 inserted period at end.

Subsec. (k)(5). Pub. L. 112–239 substituted "January 7, 2016" for "the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act".

2011—Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 111–383 redesignated subsec. (l) as (j), added subsec. (k), and struck out former subsecs. (j) and (k) which related to annual report and termination of authority, respectively.

2008—Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 110–417 added subsec. (l).

2006—Subsec. (c)(4), (5). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(1), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(1)(A), (d), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: "The Under Secretary may establish procedures to ensure that the Challenge Program does not become an avenue for the repetitive submission of proposals that have been previously reviewed and found not to have merit." Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(1)(A), (g)(1), redesignated par. (6) as (7) and substituted "paragraph (5)" for "paragraph (4)".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(g)(2), substituted "subsection (c)(7)" for "subsection (c)(6)".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(g)(3), substituted "subsection (c)(5)" for "subsection (c)(4)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(g)(4), substituted "subsection (c)(5)" for "subsection (c)(4)".

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(2), added par. (3).

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(3), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(3)(A), (e), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h), substituted "Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality" for "Elimination of Conflicts of Interest" in heading, substituted "conflicts of interest and that the identity of any person or activity submitting a challenge proposal is not disclosed outside the Federal Government, prior to contract award, without the consent of the person or activity" for "conflicts of interest", and inserted at end "For purposes of the proceeding sentence, the term 'Federal Government' includes both employees of the Federal Government and employees of Federal Government contractors providing advisory and assistance services as described in part 37 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation." Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(3)(A), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(3)(A), (4), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j) and substituted "The report shall also include a list of each challenge proposal that was determined by a Panel to satisfy each of the criteria specified in subsection (c)(5), but was not determined under a full review and evaluation to satisfy such criteria, together with a detailed rationale for the Department's determination that such criteria were not satisfied" for "No report is required for a fiscal year in which the Challenge Program is not carried out". Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 109–364, §213(b)(3)(A), (f), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k) and substituted "2012" for "2007".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by section 1701(d)(9) of Pub. L. 117–81 to take effect immediately after the amendments made by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 have taken effect, see section 1701(a)(3) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by section 1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and Effective Date note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

[§§4063 to 4065. Omitted]

Editorial Notes

Codification

As enacted, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, originally transferred sections 2361a, 2358b, and 2374a of this title to sections 4063 to 4065, respectively, to become effective Jan. 1, 2022. Subsequently, Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2148, 2152, amended section 1842(b) of Pub. L. 116–283, effective as if included therein, so as to eliminate those transfers, thereby omitting these sections before they took effect. Other amendments by Pub. L. 117–81 resulted in transfers of sections 2361a, 2358b, and 2374a to sections 4142, 1766, and 4025 of this title, respectively.

§4066. Global Research Watch Program

(a) Program.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall carry out a Global Research Watch program in accordance with this section.

(b) Program Goals.—The goals of the program are as follows:

(1) To monitor and analyze the basic and applied research activities and capabilities of foreign nations and private sector persons in areas of military interest, including allies and competitors.

(2) To provide standards for comparison and comparative analysis of research capabilities of foreign nations and private sector persons in relation to the research capabilities of the United States.

(3) To assist Congress and Department of Defense officials in making investment decisions for research in technical areas where the United States may not be the global leader.

(4) To identify areas where significant opportunities for cooperative research may exist.

(5) To coordinate and promote the international cooperative research and analysis activities of each of the armed forces and Defense Agencies.

(6) To establish and maintain an electronic database on international research capabilities, comparative assessments of capabilities, cooperative research opportunities, and ongoing cooperative programs.

(c) Focus of Program.—The program shall be focused on research and technologies at a technical maturity level equivalent to Department of Defense basic and applied research programs.

(d) Coordination.—(1) The Under Secretary shall coordinate the program with the international cooperation and analysis activities of the military departments and Defense Agencies.

(2) The Secretaries of the military departments and the directors of the Defense Agencies shall provide the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering such assistance as the Under Secretary may require for purposes of the program.

(3)(A) Funds available to a military department for a fiscal year for monitoring or analyzing the research activities and capabilities of foreign nations may not be obligated or expended until the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering certifies to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics that the Secretary of such military department has provided the assistance required under paragraph (2).

(B) The limitation in subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to alter or effect the availability to a military department of funds for intelligence activities.

(e) Classification of Database Information.—Information in electronic databases of the Global Research Watch program shall be maintained in unclassified form and, as determined necessary by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in classified form in such databases.

(f) Termination.—The requirement to carry out the program under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2025.

(Added Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title II, §231(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1421, §2365; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title II, §232, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2134; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title II, §211, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2225; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, §901(j)(3), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4324; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(c)(2)(B), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1950; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title II, §215, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, §266, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1301; renumbered §4066, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2148, 2152.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1842(b), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), renumbered section 2365 of this title as this section.

2019—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92, §266(1), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–92, §266(3), substituted "Under Secretary" for "Assistant Secretary".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116–92, §266(1), (3), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" and "Under Secretary" for "Assistant Secretary".

Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 116–92, §266(2), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Assistant Secretary".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–92, §266(2), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Assistant Secretary".

2015—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 114–92, §215(1), inserted "and private sector persons" after "foreign nations".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–92, §215(2), substituted "September 30, 2025" for "September 30, 2015".

2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(c)(2)(B)(i), inserted "of Defense for Research and Engineering" after "The Assistant Secretary".

Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(c)(2)(B)(ii), substituted "Assistant Secretary" for "Director".

2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(j)(3)(A), substituted "Assistant Secretary" for "Director of Defense Research and Engineering".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(j)(3)(B), substituted "Assistant Secretary" for "Director".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(j)(3)(C), substituted "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Director of Defense Research and Engineering" and "Assistant Secretary may" for "Director may".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(j)(3)(D), substituted "Assistant Secretary" for "Director".

2009—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 111–84, §211(a), added par. (3).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–84, §211(b), substituted "2015" for "2011".

2006—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–364 substituted "2011" for "2006".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–383 effective Jan. 1, 2011, see section 901(p) of Pub. L. 111–383, set out as a note under section 131 of this title.

§4067. Technology protection features activities

(a) Activities.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out activities to develop and incorporate technology protection features in a designated system during the research and development phase of such system.

(b) Cost-sharing.—(1) Any contract for the design or development of a system resulting from activities under subsection (a) for the purpose of enhancing or enabling the exportability of the system, either for the development of program protection strategies for the system or the design and incorporation of exportability features into the system, shall include a cost-sharing provision that requires the contractor to bear half of the cost of such activities, or such other portion of such cost as the Secretary considers appropriate upon showing of good cause.

(2) The Secretary may deem the portion of the costs of the contractor described in paragraph (1) with respect to a designated system as allowable independent research and development costs under the regulations issued under section 3762 of this title if—

(A) the designated system receives Milestone B approval; and

(B) the Secretary determines that doing so would further the purposes of this section.

(c) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "designated system" means any system (including a major system, as defined in section 3041 of title 10, United States Code) that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment designates for purposes of this section.

(2) The term "independent research and development costs" has the meaning given the term in section 31.205-18 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations.

(3) The term "Milestone B approval" has the meaning given the term in section 4172(e)(7) of this title.

(4) The term "technology protection features" means the technical modifications necessary to protect critical program information, including anti-tamper technologies and other systems engineering activities intended to prevent or delay exploitation of critical technologies in a designated system.

(Added Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §223(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1682, §2357; renumbered §4067 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1841(c), 1842(b), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243, 4244, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §831(a), title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(D), (3)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1832, 2151, 2152.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1842(b), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(3)(B), renumbered section 2357 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(c), which directed the renumbering of section 2357 of this title as section 4009 instead of this section, was amended generally by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(D), effective as if included therein, so that such transfer was no longer directed.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–81, §831(a)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 3762" for "section 2372" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 3041" for "section 2302(5)".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 117–81, §831(a)(2)(B), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 4172(e)(7)" for "section 2366(e)(7)".

Pub. L. 117–81, §831(a)(2)(B), added par. (3).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 117–81, §831(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (2) as (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Conforming Regulations

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §831(b), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1832, provided that: "Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall revise the Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to conform with section 2357 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4067], as amended by subsection (a)."

Updated Guidance on Planning for Exportability Features for Future Programs

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §810, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 321, provided that:

"(a) Program Guidance on Planning for Exportability Features.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall ensure that the program guidance for major defense acquisition programs (as defined in section 4201 of title 10, United States Code) and for acquisition programs and projects that are carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway under section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.) is revised to integrate planning for exportability features under section 4067 of title 10, United States Code, including—

"(1) for major defense acquisition programs, an assessment of such programs to identify potential exportability needs; and

"(2) for technologies under an acquisition program or project carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway that are transitioned to a major capability acquisition program, an assessment of potential exportability needs of such technologies not later than one year after the date of such transition.

"(b) Revision of Guidance for Program Protection Plans.—Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall revise guidance for program protection plans to integrate a requirement to determine exportability for the programs covered by such plans."

SUBCHAPTER II—PERSONNEL

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2152, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, which added this chapter, by adding subchapter heading. Heading was editorially conformed to the style used in this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Pilot Program on Dynamic Shaping of the Workforce To Improve the Technical Skills and Expertise at Certain Department of Defense Laboratories

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title XI, §1109, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1028, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XI, §1112(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2012; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1593; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1110, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2820, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Program Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program to utilize the authorities specified in subsection (b) at the Department of Defense laboratories specified in subsection (c) to provide the directors of such laboratories the authority to dynamically shape the mix of technical skills and expertise in the workforces of such laboratories in order to achieve one or more of the following:

"(1) To meet organizational and Department-designated missions in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.

"(2) To upgrade and enhance the scientific quality of the workforces of such laboratories.

"(3) To shape such workforces to better respond to such missions.

"(4) To reduce the average unit cost of such workforces.

"(b) Workforce Shaping Authorities.—The authorities that shall be available for use by the director of a Department of Defense laboratory under the pilot program are the following:

"(1) Flexible length and renewable term technical appointments.—

"(A) In general.—Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, authority otherwise available to the director by law (and within the available budgetary resources of the laboratory) to make appointments as follows:

"(i) Appointment of qualified scientific and technical personnel who are not current Department of Defense civilian employees into any scientific or technical position in the laboratory for a period of more than one year but not more than six years.

"(ii) Appointment of qualified scientific and technical personnel who are Department civilian employees in term appointments into any scientific or technical position in the laboratory for a period of more than one year but not more than six years.

"(B) Benefits.—Personnel appointed under this paragraph shall be provided with benefits comparable to those provided to similar employees at the laboratory concerned, including professional development opportunities, eligibility for all laboratory awards programs, and designation as 'status applicants' for the purposes of eligibility for positions in the Federal service.

"(C) Extension of appointments.—The appointment of any individual under this paragraph may be extended without limit in up to six year increments at any time during any term of service under such conditions as the director concerned shall establish for purposes of this paragraph.

"(2) Reemployment of annuitants.—Authorities to authorize the director of any science and technology reinvention laboratory (in this section referred to as 'STRL') to reemploy annuitants in accordance with section 9902(g) of title 5, United States Code, except that as a condition for reemployment the director may authorize the deduction from the pay of any annuitant so reemployed of an amount up to the amount of the annuity otherwise payable to such annuitant allocable to the period of actual employment of such annuitant, which amount shall be determined in a manner specified by the director for purposes of this paragraph to ensure the most cost effective execution of designated missions by the laboratory while retaining critical technical skills.

"(3) Early retirement incentives.—Authorities to authorize the director of any STRL to authorize voluntary early retirement of employees in accordance with section 8336 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to section 8336(d)(2)(D) or 3522 of such title, and with employees so separated voluntarily from service.

"(4) Separation incentive pay.—Authorities to authorize the director of any STRL to pay voluntary separation pay to employees in accordance with section 8414(b)(1)(B) of title 5, United States Code, without regard to clause (iv) or (v) of such section or section 3522 of such title, and with—

"(A) employees so separated voluntarily from service under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of the pilot program; and

"(B) payments to employees so separated authorized under section 3523 of such title without regard to—

"(i) the plan otherwise required by section 3522 of such title; and

"(ii) paragraph (1) or (3) of section 3523(b) of such title.

"(c) Laboratories.—The Department of Defense laboratories specified in this subsection are the laboratories designated under section 4121(b) of title 10, United States Code.

"(d) Expiration.—

"(1) In general.—The authority in this section shall expire on December 31, 2027.

"(2) Continuation of authorities exercised before termination.—The expiration in paragraph (1) shall not be construed to effect the continuation after the date specified in paragraph (1) of any term of employment or other benefit authorized under this section before that date in accordance with the terms of such authorization."

Pilot Program on Assignment to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of Private Sector Personnel With Critical Research and Development Expertise

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title II, §232, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3332, as amended by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1051(t)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1566; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(c)(20), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4356, provided that:

"(a) Pilot Program Authorized.—In accordance with the provisions of this section, the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency may carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of temporarily assigning covered individuals with significant technical expertise in research and development areas of critical importance to defense missions to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to lead research or development projects of the Agency.

"(b) Assignment of Covered Individuals.—

"(1) Number of individuals assigned.—Under the pilot program, the Director may assign covered individuals to the Agency as described in subsection (a), but may not have more than five covered individuals so assigned at any given time.

"(2) Period of assignment.—

"(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Director may, under the pilot program, assign a covered individual described in subsection (a) to lead research and development projects of the Agency for a period of not more than two years.

"(B) The Director may extend the assignment of a covered individual for one additional period of not more than two years as the Director considers appropriate.

"(3) Application of certain provisions of law.—

"(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Director shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with the provisions of subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, except that, for purposes of the pilot program, the term 'other organization', as used in such subchapter, shall be deemed to include a covered entity.

"(B) A covered individual employed by a covered entity who is assigned to the Agency under the pilot program is deemed to be an employee of the Department of Defense for purposes of the following provisions of law:

"(i) Chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code.

"(ii) Sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of title 18, United States Code.

"(iii) Sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of title 31, United States Code.

"(iv) Chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the 'Federal Tort Claims Act'), and any other Federal tort liability statute.

"(v) Chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code.

"(vi) Section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 1043].

"(vii) Chapter 21 of title 41, United States Code.

"(4) Pay and supervision.—A covered individual employed by a covered entity who is assigned to the Agency under the pilot program—

"(A) may continue to receive pay and benefits from such covered entity with or without reimbursement by the Agency;

"(B) is not entitled to pay from the Agency; and

"(C) shall be subject to supervision by the Director in all duties performed for the Agency under the pilot program.

"(c) Conflicts of Interest.—

"(1) Practices and procedures required.—The Director shall develop practices and procedures to manage conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest that could arise through assignments under the pilot program.

"(2) Elements.—The practices and procedures required by paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the requirement that each covered individual assigned to the Agency under the pilot program shall sign an agreement that provides for the following:

"(A) The nondisclosure of any trade secrets or other nonpublic or proprietary information which is of commercial value to the covered entity from which such covered individual is assigned.

"(B) The assignment of rights to intellectual property developed in the course of any research or development project under the pilot program—

"(i) to the Agency and its contracting partners in accordance with applicable provisions of law regarding intellectual property rights; and

"(ii) not to the covered individual or the covered entity from which such covered individual is assigned.

"(C) Such additional measures as the Director considers necessary to carry out the program in accordance with Federal law.

"(d) Prohibition on Charges by Covered Entities.—A covered entity may not charge the Federal Government, as direct or indirect costs under a Federal contract, the costs of pay or benefits paid by the covered entity to a covered individual assigned to the Agency under the pilot program.

"(e) Termination of Authority.—The authority provided in this section shall expire on September 30, 2025, except that any covered individual assigned to the Agency under the pilot program shall continue in such assignment until the terms of such assignment have been satisfied.

"(f) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'covered individual' means any individual who is employed by a covered entity.

"(2) The term 'covered entity' means any non-Federal, nongovernmental entity that, as of the date on which a covered individual employed by the entity is assigned to the Agency under the pilot program, is a nontraditional defense contractor (as defined in section 2302 of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 3014])."

§4091. Authorities for certain positions at science and technology reinvention laboratories

(a) Authority to Make Direct Appointments.—

(1) Candidates for scientific and engineering positions at science and technology reinvention laboratories.—The director of any Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (hereinafter in this section referred to as an "STRL") may appoint qualified candidates possessing a bachelor's or advanced degree to positions described in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) as an employee in a laboratory described in that paragraph without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title).

(2) Veteran candidates for similar positions at research and engineering facilities.—The director of any STRL may appoint qualified veteran candidates to positions described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) as an employee at a laboratory, agency, or organization specified in that paragraph without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5.

(3) Students enrolled in scientific and engineering programs.—The director of any STRL may appoint qualified candidates enrolled in a program of undergraduate or graduate instruction leading to a bachelor's or an advanced degree in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical course of study at an institution of higher education (as that term is defined in sections 101 and 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002)) to positions described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) as an employee in a laboratory described in that paragraph without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title).

(4) Noncompetitive conversion of appointments.—With respect to any student appointed by the director of an STRL under paragraph (3) to a temporary or term appointment, upon graduation from the applicable institution of higher education (as defined in such paragraph), the director may noncompetitively convert such student to another temporary appointment or to a term or permanent appointment within the STRL without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title), provided the student meets all eligibility and Office of Personnel Management qualification requirements for the position.

(b) Covered Positions.—

(1) Candidates for scientific and engineering positions.—The positions described in this paragraph are scientific and engineering positions that may be temporary, term, or permanent in any laboratory designated by section 4121(b) of this title as a Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratory.

(2) Qualified veteran candidates.—The positions described in this paragraph are scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics positions, including technicians, in the following:

(A) Any laboratory referred to in paragraph (1).

(B) Any other Department of Defense research and engineering agency or organization designated by the Secretary for purposes of subsection (a)(2).

(3) Candidates enrolled in scientific and engineering programs.—The positions described in this paragraph are scientific and engineering positions that may be temporary or term in any laboratory designated by section 4121(b) of this title as a Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratory.

(c) Limitation on Number of Appointments Allowable in a Fiscal Year.—The authority under subsection (a) may not, in any fiscal year and with respect to any laboratory, agency, or organization described in subsection (b), be exercised with respect to a number of candidates greater than the following:

(1) In the case of a laboratory described in subsection (b)(1), with respect to appointment authority under subsection (a)(1), the number equal to 11 percent of the total number of scientific and engineering positions in such laboratory that are filled as of the close of the preceding fiscal year.

(2) In the case of a laboratory, agency, or organization described in subsection (b)(2), with respect to appointment authority under subsection (a)(2), the number equal to 3 percent of the total number of scientific, technical, engineering, mathematics, and technician positions in such laboratory, agency, or organization that are filled as of the close of the preceding fiscal year.

(3) In the case of a laboratory described in subsection (b)(3), with respect to appointment authority under subsection (a)(3), the number equal to 10 percent of the total number of scientific and engineering positions in such laboratory that are filled as of the close of the preceding fiscal year.

(d) Senior Scientific Technical Managers.—

(1) Establishment.—There is hereby established in each STRL, each facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, and the Defense Test Resource Management Center a category of senior professional scientific and technical positions, the incumbents of which shall be designated as "senior scientific technical managers" and which shall be positions classified above GS–15 of the General Schedule, notwithstanding section 5108(a) of title 5. The primary functions of such positions shall be—

(A) to engage in research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences, or another field closely related to the mission of such STRL, of such facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, or the Defense Test Resource Management Center; and

(B) to carry out technical supervisory responsibilities.

(2) Appointments.—(A) The laboratory positions described in paragraph (1) may be filled, and shall be managed, by the director of the STRL involved, under criteria established pursuant to section 4121(a) of this title, relating to personnel demonstration projects at laboratories of the Department of Defense, except that the director of the laboratory involved shall determine the number of such positions at such laboratory, not to exceed 2 percent of the number of scientists and engineers employed at such laboratory as of the close of the last fiscal year before the fiscal year in which any appointments subject to that numerical limitation are made.

(B) The test and evaluation positions described in paragraph (1) may be filled, and shall be managed, by the director of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, in the case of a position at a facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, and the director of the Defense Test Resource Management Center, in the case of a position at such center, under criteria established pursuant to section 4121(a) of this title, relating to personnel demonstration projects at laboratories of the Department of Defense, except that the director involved shall determine the number of such positions at each facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base and the Defense Test Resource Management Center, not to exceed two percent of the number of scientists and engineers, but at least one position, employed at the Major Range and Test Facility Base or the Defense Test Resource Management Center, as the case may be, as of the close of the last fiscal year before the fiscal year in which any appointments subject to those numerical limitations are made.

(e) Exclusion From Personnel Limitations.—

(1) In general.—The director of an STRL shall manage the workforce strength, structure, positions, and compensation of such STRL—

(A) without regard to any limitation on appointments, positions, or funding with respect to such STRL, subject to subparagraph (B); and

(B) in a manner consistent with the budget available with respect to such STRL.

(2) Exceptions.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to Senior Executive Service positions (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5) or scientific and professional positions authorized under section 3104 of such title.

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "Defense Test Resource Management Center" means the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center established under section 4173 of this title.

(2) The term "employee" has the meaning given that term in section 2105 of title 5.

(3) The term "Major Range and Test Facility Base" means the test and evaluation facilities and resources that are designated by the Secretary of Defense as facilities and resources comprising the Major Range and Test Facility Base.

(4) The term "veteran" has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, §1122(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2453, §2358a; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XI, §1111, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1636; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XI, §1112(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2012; renumbered §4091, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(a), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1843(b)(2), 1845(c)(5), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4245, 4247; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §§212(a), 215(d)(13), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1588, 1595; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XI, §1103, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 427.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §1103(1), substituted "bachelor's or advanced degree" for "bachelor's degree".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–31, §1103(2)(A), (B), (D), substituted "Fiscal Year" for "Calendar Year" in heading, "fiscal year" for "calendar year" in introductory provisions, and "the preceding fiscal year" for "the fiscal year last ending before the start of such calendar year" in pars. (1) to (3).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §1103(2)(C), substituted "11 percent" for "6 percent".

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 118–31, §1103(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which related to direct hire authority at personnel demonstration laboratories for advanced degree holders.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(a), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 2358a of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(2), which directed the renumbering of section 2358a of this title as section 4111 instead of this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Subsec. (b)(1), (3). Pub. L. 117–81, §215(d)(13)(A), substituted "designated by section 4121(b) of this title" for "designated by section 1105(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note)".

Subsec. (d)(2)(A), (B). Pub. L. 117–81, §215(d)(13)(B), substituted "pursuant to section 4121(a) of this title" for "pursuant to section 342(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 (Public Law 103–337; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note)".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–81, §212(a)(2), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–81, §212(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1845(c)(5), which directed amendment of subsec. (f)(1) of this section, as transferred and redesignated by section 503(b)(2) of Pub. L. 116–283, by substituting "section 4173" for "section 196", was executed to subsec. (g)(1) of this section, as transferred and redesignated by section 1843(a) of Pub. L. 116–283, to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendments by Pub. L. 117–81, §§212(a)(1), 1701(u)(4)(A). See notes above.

2018—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "of appointments" for "to permanent appointment" in heading and "to another temporary appointment or to a term or permanent appointment" for "to a permanent appointment" in text.

2017—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–91, §1111(1)(A)(i), inserted ", each facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, and the Defense Test Resource Management Center" after "each STRL" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–91, §1111(1)(A)(ii), which directed insertion of ", of such facility of the Major Range and Test Facility Base, or the Defense Test Resource Management Center", was executed by making the insertion after "such STRL", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–91, §1111(1)(B), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted "The laboratory positions" for "The positions", and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91, §1111(2), added pars. (1) and (3) and redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as (2) and (4), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(e), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1595, provided that: "This section [enacting section 4121 of this title, amending this section and sections 4094 and 4124 of this title, amending provisions set out as notes preceding section 1580 of this title and under sections 2223a, 2358, 4001, and 4121 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as notes under section 2358 of this title] and the amendments and repeals made by this section shall take effect immediately after the effective date of the amendments made by title XVIII of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283) [Jan. 1, 2022]."

Amendment by section 1701(u)(4)(A) of Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

§4092. Personnel management authority to attract experts in science and engineering

(a) Programs Authorized.—

(1) Laboratories of the military departments.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for such laboratories of the military departments as the Secretary shall designate for purposes of the program for research and development projects of such laboratories.

(2) DARPA.—The Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for research and development projects and to enhance the administration and management of the Agency.

(3) DOTE.—The Director of the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering to support operational test and evaluation missions of the Office.

(4) Strategic capabilities office.—The Director of the Strategic Capabilities Office may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for the Office.

(5) DIU.—The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for the Unit.

(6) Joint artificial intelligence.—The official designated under section 238(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering to support the activities of such official under section 238 of such Act. The authority to carry out the program under this paragraph shall terminate on December 31, 2024.

(7) NGA.—The Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for research and development projects and to enhance the administration and management of the Agency.

(8) SDA.—The Director of the Space Development Agency may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for research and development projects and to enhance the administration and management of the Agency. The authority to carry out the program under this paragraph shall terminate on December 31, 2030.

(9) United states cyber command.—The Commander of United States Cyber Command may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate the recruitment of eminent experts in computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, and computer network exploitation within the headquarters of United States Cyber Command and the Cyber National Mission Force.

(10) Office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering may carry out a program of personnel management authority provided in subsection (b) in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for the Office of the Under Secretary.

(b) Personnel Management Authority.—Under a program under subsection (a), the official responsible for administration of the program may—

(1) without regard to any provision of title 5 governing the appointment of employees in the civil service—

(A) in the case of the laboratories of the military departments designated pursuant to subsection (a)(1), appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 40 scientific and engineering positions in such laboratories;

(B) in the case of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, appoint individuals to a total of not more than 140 positions in the Agency;

(C) in the case of the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation, appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 10 scientific and engineering positions in the Office;

(D) in the case of the Strategic Capabilities Office, appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 5 scientific and engineering positions in the Office;

(E) in the case of the Defense Innovation Unit, appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 5 scientific and engineering positions in the Unit;

(F) in the case of the office of the official designated under section 238(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232), appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 5 scientific and engineering positions in support of the activities of such official under section 238 of such Act;

(G) in the case of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, appoint individuals to a total of not more than 7 positions in the Agency, of which not more than 2 such positions may be positions of administration or management in the Agency;

(H) in the case of the Space Development Agency, appoint individuals to a total of not more than 15 positions in the Agency, of which not more than 5 such positions may be positions of administration or management of the Agency;

(I) in the case of United States Cyber Command, appoint computer scientists, data scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer network exploitation specialists to a total of not more than 10 scientific and engineering positions in the Command; and

(J) in the case of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, appoint scientists and engineers to a total of not more than 10 scientific and engineering positions in the Office;

(2) notwithstanding any provision of title 5 governing the rates of pay or classification of employees in the executive branch, prescribe the rates of basic pay for positions to which employees are appointed under paragraph (1)—

(A) in the case of employees appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (H) of paragraph (1)—

(i) to any of the 5 positions designated by the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and any of the 5 positions designated by the Director of the Space Development Agency for purposes of this clause, at rates not in excess of a rate equal to 150 percent of the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for positions at Level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5; and

(ii) to any other position designated by the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Director of the Space Development Agency for purposes of this clause, at rates not in excess of the maximum amount of total annual compensation payable at the salary set in accordance with section 104 of title 3;

(B) in the case of employees appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(G), to any of 2 positions of administration or management designated by the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for purposes of this subparagraph; and

(C) in the case of any other employee appointed pursuant to paragraph (1), at rates not in excess of the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for senior-level positions under section 5376 of title 5;

(3) pay any employee appointed under paragraph (1), other than an employee appointed to a position designated as described in paragraph (2)(A), payments in addition to basic pay within the limit applicable to the employee under subsection (d); and

(4) during any fiscal year—

(A) pay up to 15 individuals newly appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and services described under sections 5724, 5724a, and 5724c of title 5; and

(B) pay up to 15 individuals previously appointed pursuant to such paragraph, upon separation, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and services described under such sections (as applicable).

(c) Limitation on Term of Appointment.—

(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the service of an employee under an appointment under subsection (b)(1) may not exceed four years.

(2) Extension.—The official responsible for the administration of a program under subsection (a) may, in the case of a particular employee under the program, extend the period to which service is limited under paragraph (1) by up to two years if the official determines that such action is necessary to promote the efficiency of a laboratory of a military department, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation, the Strategic Capabilities Office, the Defense Innovation Unit, the activities under section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232), the Space Development Agency, or the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as applicable.

(d) Maximum Amount of Additional Payments Payable.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 5307 of title 5, no additional payments may be paid to an employee under subsection (b)(3) in any calendar year if, or to the extent that, the employee's total annual compensation in such calendar year will exceed the maximum amount of total annual compensation payable at the salary set in accordance with section 104 of title 3.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, §1121(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2451, §1599h; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XI, §1111, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2011; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, §212, title XI, §1101, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1255, 1595; Pub. L. 116–260, div. W, title IV, §402, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2377; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVI, §1602, title XVII, §1708(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4042, 4085; renumbered §4092, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(a), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(21), title XI, §1107, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1920, 1951; Pub. L. 117–103, div. X, title IV, §412, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 976; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title II, §§212(a), 213, title XI, §1109, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2466, 2471, 2819; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title II, §213, title XVIII, §1801(a)(33), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 183, 685.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, referred to in subsecs. (a)(6), (b)(1)(F), and (c)(2), is section 238 of Pub. L. 115–232, which is set out as a note preceding section 4061 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, §213(1), struck out ", of which not more than 5 such positions may be positions of administration or management of the Agency" before semicolon at end.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 118–31, §213(2), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: "during any fiscal year, pay up to 15 individuals newly appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and services described under sections 5724, 5724a, and 5724c of title 5."

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, §1801(a)(33), substituted "the activities" for "the the activities".

2022—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 117–263, §212(a)(1), in heading, struck out "center" after "intelligence", and in text, substituted "official designated under section 238(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232)" for "Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center" and "to support the activities of such official under section 238 of such Act" for "for the Center".

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(1), substituted "December 31, 2030" for "December 31, 2025".

Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 117–263, §213(1), added par. (10).

Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 117–263, §212(a)(2), substituted "office of the official designated under section 238(b) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232)" for "Joint Artificial Intelligence Center" and "in support of the activities of such official under section 238 of such Act" for "in the Center".

Subsec. (b)(1)(H). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(2)(A), substituted "15 positions" for "10 positions" and "5 such positions" for "3 such positions".

Subsec. (b)(1)(J). Pub. L. 117–263, §213(2), added subpar. (J).

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(2)(B)(i), substituted "subparagraphs (B) and (H) of paragraph (1)" for "paragraph (1)(B)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(2)(B)(ii), substituted "to any of the" for "to any of" and inserted "and any of the 5 positions designated by the Director of the Space Development Agency" after "Projects Agency".

Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(2)(B)(iii), substituted "the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Director of the Space Development Agency" for "the Director".

Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 117–103 added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, §1109(3), which directed amendment of par. (2) by inserting "the Space Development Agency," after "Intelligence Center,", was executed by making the insertion after "the activities under section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232)," to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 117–263, §212(a)(3). See below.

Pub. L. 117–263, §212(a)(3), substituted "the activities under section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232)" for "Joint Artificial Intelligence Center".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(a), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 1599h of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 117–81, §1081(a)(21)(A), redesignated second par. (7), relating to the Space Development Agency, as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Pub. L. 116–283, §1602(a), added par. (7) relating to the Space Development Agency.

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 116–283, §1708(a)(1), added par. (8).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 117–81, §1081(a)(21)(A), redesignated par. (8) as (9).

Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 117–81, §1081(a)(21)(B), redesignated second subpar. (G), relating to the Space Development Agency, as (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated (I).

Pub. L. 116–283, §1602(b), added subpar. (G) relating to the Space Development Agency. Similar conforming amendments to subsec. (b)(1)(E) and (F) were made by Pub. L. 116–260 and Pub. L. 116–283. Text of subsec. (b)(1)(E) reflects amendment made by Pub. L. 116–283.

Subsec. (b)(1)(H). Pub. L. 116–283, §1708(a)(2), added subpar. (H). Conforming amendment inserting "and" at end of subpar. (G) was executed to the second subpar. (G) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (b)(1)(I). Pub. L. 117–81, §1081(a)(21)(B), redesignated subpar. (H) as (I).

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–81, §1107(1)(A), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "in the case of employees appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) to any of 5 positions designated by the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for purposes of this subparagraph, at rates not in excess of a rate equal to 150 percent of the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for positions at Level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5; and".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 117–81, §1107(1)(B)–(3), added par. (4).

2020—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 116–260, §402(1), added par. (7) relating to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Subsec. (b)(1)(G). Pub. L. 116–260, §402(2), added subpar. (G) relating to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, §402(3), substituted "the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, or the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency" for "or the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center".

2019—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 116–92, §212(d)(1), substituted "DIU" for "Diux" in heading and struck out "Experimental" after "Innovation Unit".

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 116–92, §212(a), added par. (6).

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–92, §1101, substituted "140 positions" for "100 positions".

Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 116–92, §212(d)(2), struck out "Experimental" after "Innovation Unit".

Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 116–92, §212(b), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 116–92, §212(c), substituted "the Defense Innovation Unit, or the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center" for "or the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental".

2018—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 115–232, §1111(a), added pars. (4) and (5).

Subsec. (b)(1)(D), (E). Pub. L. 115–232, §1111(b), added subpars. (D) and (E).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–232, §1111(c), substituted "the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation, the Strategic Capabilities Office, or the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental" for "or the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by section 1843(a) of Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Program To Develop Accesses, Discover Vulnerabilities, and Engineer Cyber Tools and Develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Offensive Cyber Operations

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVII, §1708(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4085, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Pursuant to the authority provided under section 1599h(a)(8) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), [now 10 U.S.C. 4092(a)(9)] the Commander of United States Cyber Command shall establish a program or augment an existing program within the Command to develop accesses, discover vulnerabilities, and engineer cyber tools and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures for the use of these assets and capabilities in offensive cyber operations.

"(2) Elements.—The program or augmented program required by paragraph (1) shall—

"(A) develop accesses, discover vulnerabilities, and engineer cyber tools and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures fit for Department of Defense military operations in cyberspace, such as reliability, meeting short development and operational timelines, low cost, and expendability;

"(B) aim to decrease the reliance of Cyber Command on accesses, tools, and expertise provided by the intelligence community;

"(C) be designed to provide technical and operational expertise on par with that of programs of the intelligence community;

"(D) enable the Commander to attract and retain expertise resident in the private sector and other technologically elite government organizations; and

"(E) coordinate development activities with, and, as appropriate, facilitate transition of capabilities from, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Strategic Capabilities Office, and components within the intelligence community.

"(3) Intelligence community defined.—In this subsection, the term 'intelligence community' has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)."

Guidance and Direction on Use of Direct Hiring Processes for Artificial Intelligence Professionals and Other Data Science and Software Development Personnel

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVII, §1751, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4143, provided that:

"(a) Guidance Required.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall review applicable Department of Defense guidance and where beneficial issue new guidance to the secretaries of the military departments and the heads of the defense components on improved use of the direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel.

"(b) Objective.—The objective of the guidance issued under subsection (a) shall be to ensure that organizational leaders assume greater responsibility for the results of civilian hiring of artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel.

"(c) Contents of Guidance.—At a minimum, the guidance required by subsection (a) shall—

"(1) instruct human resources professionals and hiring authorities to utilize available direct hiring authorities (including excepted service authorities) for the hiring of artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel, to the maximum extent practicable;

"(2) instruct hiring authorities, when using direct hiring authorities, to prioritize utilization of panels of subject matter experts over human resources professionals to assess applicant qualifications and determine which applicants are best qualified for a position;

"(3) authorize and encourage the use of ePortfolio reviews to provide insight into the previous work of applicants as a tangible demonstration of capabilities and contribute to the assessment of applicant qualifications by subject matter experts; and

"(4) encourage the use of referral bonuses for recruitment and hiring of highly qualified artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel in accordance with volume 451 of Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25.

"(d) Report.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than one year after the date on which the guidance is issued under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the guidance issued pursuant to subsection (a).

"(2) Contents.—At a minimum, the report submitted under paragraph (1) shall address the following:

"(A) The objectives of the guidance and the manner in which the guidance seeks to achieve those objectives.

"(B) The effect of the guidance on the hiring process for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel, including the effect on—

"(i) hiring time;

"(ii) the use of direct hiring authority;

"(iii) the use of subject matter experts; and

"(iv) the quality of new hires, as assessed by hiring managers and organizational leaders."

Applicability of Personnel Management Authority to Personnel Currently Employed Under Superseded Authority

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XI, §1121(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2452, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Any individual employed as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2016] under section 1101(b)(1) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note) (as in effect on the day before such date) shall remain employed under section 1599h of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4092] (as added by subsection (a)), after such date in accordance with such section 1599h [now 4092] and the applicable program carried out under such section 1599h [now 4092].

"(2) Date of appointment.—For purposes of subsection (c) of section 1599h of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4092(c)] (as so added), the date of the appointment of any employee who remains employed as described in paragraph (1) shall be the date of the appointment of such employee under section 1101(b)(1) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note) (as so in effect)."

§4093. Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program

(a) Requirement for Program.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to provide financial assistance for education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology skills and disciplines that, as determined by the Secretary, are critical to the national security functions of the Department of Defense and are needed in the Department of Defense workforce.

(b) Financial Assistance.—(1) Under the program under this section, the Secretary of Defense may award a scholarship or fellowship in accordance with this section to a person who—

(A) is a citizen of the United States or, subject to subsection (g), a country the government of which is a party to The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) memorandum of understanding of October 24, 1995;

(B) is pursuing an associates degree, undergraduate degree, or advanced degree in a critical skill or discipline described in subsection (a) at an accredited institution of higher education; and

(C) enters into a service agreement with the Secretary of Defense as described in subsection (c).

(2) The amount of the financial assistance provided under a scholarship or fellowship awarded to a person under this subsection shall be an amount determined by the Secretary of Defense.

(3) Financial assistance provided under a scholarship or fellowship awarded under this section may be paid directly to the recipient of such scholarship or fellowship or to an administering entity for disbursement of the funds.

(c) Service Agreement for Recipients of Financial Assistance.—(1) To receive financial assistance under this section—

(A) in the case of an employee of the Department of Defense, the employee shall enter into a written agreement to continue in the employment of the department for the period of obligated service determined under paragraph (2); and

(B) in the case of a person not an employee of the Department of Defense, the person shall enter into a written agreement to accept and continue employment for the period of obligated service determined under paragraph (2)—

(i) with the Department, including by serving on active duty in the Armed Forces; or

(ii) with a public or private entity or organization outside of the Department if the Secretary—

(I) is unable to find an appropriate position for the person within the Department; and

(II) determines that employment of the person with such entity or organization for the purpose of such obligated service would provide a benefit to the Department.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the period of obligated service for a recipient of financial assistance under this section shall be the period determined by the Secretary of Defense as being appropriate to obtain adequate service in exchange for such financial assistance. The period of service required of a recipient may not be less than the total period of pursuit of a degree that is covered by such financial assistance. The period of obligated service is in addition to any other period for which the recipient is obligated to serve in the civil service of the United States.

(3) An agreement entered into under this subsection by a person pursuing an academic degree shall include any terms and conditions that the Secretary of Defense determines necessary to protect the interests of the United States or otherwise appropriate for carrying out this section.

(d) Employment of Program Participants.—The Secretary of Defense—

(1) may, without regard to any provision of title 5 governing appointment of employees to competitive service positions within the Department of Defense, appoint to a position in the Department of Defense in the excepted service an individual who has successfully completed an academic program for which a scholarship or fellowship under this section was awarded and who, under the terms of the agreement for such scholarship or fellowship, at the time of such appointment, owes a service commitment to the Department;

(2) may, upon satisfactory completion of 2 years of substantially continuous service by an incumbent who was appointed to an excepted service position under the authority of paragraph (1), convert the appointment of such individual, without competition, to a career or career conditional appointment; and

(3) may establish arrangements so that participants may participate in a paid internship for an appropriate period with an industry sponsor.

(e) Refund for Period of Unserved Obligated Service.—(1)(A) A participant in the program under this section who is not an employee of the Department of Defense and who voluntarily fails to complete the educational program for which financial assistance has been provided under this section, or fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, shall refund to the United States an appropriate amount, as determined by the Secretary.

(B) A participant in the program under this section who is an employee of the Department of Defense and who—

(i) voluntarily fails to complete the educational program for which financial assistance has been provided, or fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary; or

(ii) before completion of the period of obligated service required of such participant—

(I) voluntarily terminates such participant's employment with the Department; or

(II) is removed from such participant's employment with the Department on the basis of misconduct,

shall refund the United States an appropriate amount, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) An obligation to reimburse the United States imposed under paragraph (1) is for all purposes a debt owed to the United States.

(3) The Secretary of Defense may waive, in whole or in part, a refund required under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that recovery would be against equity and good conscience or would be contrary to the best interests of the United States.

(4) A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 that is entered less than five years after the termination of an agreement under this section does not discharge the person signing such agreement from a debt arising under such agreement or under this subsection.

(f) Relationship to Other Programs.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate the provision of financial assistance under the authority of this section with the provision of financial assistance under the other authorities provided in this chapter in order to maximize the benefits derived by the Department of Defense from the exercise of all such authorities.

(2) The Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into partnerships with minority institutions of higher education and appropriate public and private sector organizations to diversify the participants in the program under subsection (a).

(3) In coordination with the efforts under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall additionally establish a program, which shall be known as the "Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship in STEM", to provide financial assistance under this section to at least 30 students from communities that are underrepresented in the Department of Defense STEM workforce, not fewer of 50 percent of whom shall attend historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions. As part of such program, the Secretary shall establish an internship program that provides each student who is awarded a fellowship under this paragraph with an internship in an organization or element of the Department of Defense, and to the extent practicable, each such student shall be paired with a mid-level or a senior-level official of the relevant organization or element of the Department of Defense who shall serve as a mentor during the internship.

(g) Limitation on Participation.—(1) The Secretary may not award scholarships or fellowships under this section to more than five individuals described in paragraph (2) per year.

(2) An individual described in this paragraph is an individual who—

(A) has not previously been awarded a scholarship or fellowship under the program under this section;

(B) is not a citizen of the United States; and

(C) is a citizen of a country the government of which is a party to The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) memorandum of understanding of October 24, 1995.

(h) Institution of Higher Education Defined.—In this section, the term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title XI, §1104(d)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3449, §2192a; amended Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title X, §1061(a)(5), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4612; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XI, §1102(a)–(d)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2484, 2485; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XI, §1105(a)(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 886; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title II, §215, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3327; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title II, §212, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 767; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §242, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3488; renumbered §4093, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(a), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title X, §1083, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2800.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, as added by Pub. L. 109–163, consists of text of Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title XI, §1105, Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2074; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1056(d), title XI, §1104(a)–(c), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3440, 3448, 3449; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(h)(5), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4377, which was formerly set out as a note under section 2192 of this title, and was repealed by Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title XI, §1104(e)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3450.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 117–263 added par. (3).

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(a), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 2192a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 116–283, §242(1), inserted ", including by serving on active duty in the Armed Forces" after "Department".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §242(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–283, §242(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

2015—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–92, §212(1), inserted "or, subject to subsection (g), a country the government of which is a party to The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) memorandum of understanding of October 24, 1995" after "United States".

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 114–92, §212(2), (3), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).

2014—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 113–291 amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: "in the case of a person not an employee of the Department of Defense, the person shall enter into a written agreement to accept and continue employment in the Department of Defense for the period of obligated service determined under paragraph (2)."

2013—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted "an amount determined by the Secretary of Defense" for "the amount determined by the Secretary of Defense as being necessary to pay all educational expenses incurred by that person, including tuition, fees, cost of books, laboratory expenses, equipment expenses, and expenses of room and board".

2009—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–84, §1102(b), substituted "The" for "Except as provided in subsection (d), the" in second sentence.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–84, §1102(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) provided that, under certain circumstances, the Secretary of Defense could appoint or retain a SMART program participant as an interim employee and separate such participant from employment if no appropriate permanent position was available at the end of the interim period and that the period of interim service would count towards the participant's obligated service requirements.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–84, §1102(c), struck out "The program under this section is in addition to the authorities provided in chapter 111 of this title." before "The Secretary" and substituted "the other authorities provided in this chapter" for "the authorities provided in such chapter".

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 111–84, §1102(d)(1), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out former subsec. (g). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than February 1, 2007, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives a plan for expanding and improving the national defense science and engineering workforce educational assistance program carried out under this section as appropriate to improve recruitment and retention to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense for its science and engineering workforce on a short-term basis and on a long-term basis."

2008—Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 110–417, §1061(a)(5)(A), substituted "title 11" for "title 11, United States Code,".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–417, §1061(a)(5)(B), substituted "this title" for "title 10, United States Code".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by section 1843(a) of Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

National Security Workforce and Educational Diversity Activities

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §250, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3495, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense shall seek to diversify participation in the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program under section 2192a of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4093].

"(b) Activities.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

"(1) subject to the availability of appropriations for this purpose, set aside funds for financial assistance, scholarships, and fellowships for students at historically Black colleges or universities or at minority institutions of higher education and such other institutions as the Secretary considers appropriate;

"(2) partner with institutions of higher education, and such other public and private sector organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate, to increase diversity of participants in the program described in subsection (a);

"(3) establish individual and organizational incentives, and such other activities as the Secretary considers appropriate, to increase diversity of student participation in the program described in subsection (a);

"(4) increase awareness of opportunities to participate in the program described in subsection (a);

"(5) evaluate the potential for new programs, fellowships, and other activities at historically Black colleges or universities and minority institutions of higher education to increase diversity in educational and workforce development programs;

"(6) identify potential changes to the program described in subsection (a) that would improve diversity of participants in such program; and

"(7) establish metrics to evaluate success of activities under this section.

"(c) Report.—Not later than September 30, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report that evaluates the success of activities conducted by the Secretary in increasing diversity in appropriate programs of the Department of Defense and hiring and retaining diverse individuals in the science, mathematics, and research workforce of the public sector."

Effect on Current Participants in SMART Pilot Program

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title XI, §1104(f), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3450, provided that: "Participation in the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Scholarship Pilot Program under section 1105 of Public Law 108–375 [see Codification note above] by an individual who has entered into an agreement under that pilot program before the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006] shall be governed by the terms of such agreement without regard to the amendments made by this section [enacting this section, amending section 3304 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and amending and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 2192 of this title]."

§4094. Enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories

(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program using the pay authority specified in subsection (d) to fix the rate of basic pay for positions described in subsection (c) in order to assist the military departments in attracting and retaining high quality acquisition and technology experts in positions responsible for managing and performing complex, high-cost research and technology development efforts in the science and technology reinvention laboratories of the Department of Defense.

(b) Approval Required.—The program may be carried out in a military department only with the approval of the service acquisition executive of the military department concerned.

(c) Positions.—The positions described in this subsection are positions in the science and technology reinvention laboratories of the Department of Defense that—

(1) require expertise of an extremely high level in a scientific, technical, professional, or acquisition management field; and

(2) are critical to the successful accomplishment of an important research or technology development mission.

(d) Rate of Basic Pay.—The pay authority specified in this subsection is authority as follows:

(1) Authority to fix the rate of basic pay for a position at a rate not to exceed 150 percent of the rate of basic pay payable for level I of the Executive Schedule, upon the approval of the service acquisition executive concerned.

(2) Authority to fix the rate of basic pay for a position at a rate in excess of 150 percent of the rate of basic pay payable for level I of the Executive Schedule, upon the approval of the Secretary of the military department concerned.

(e) Limitations.—

(1) In general.—The authority in subsection (a) may be used only to the extent necessary to competitively recruit or retain individuals exceptionally well qualified for positions described in subsection (c).

(2) Number of positions.—The authority in subsection (a) may not be used with respect to more than five positions in each military department at any one time, unless the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in concurrence with the Secretaries of the military departments concerned, authorizes the transfer of positions from one military department to another.

(3) Term of positions.—The authority in subsection (a) may be used only for positions having a term of less than five years.

(f) Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories of the Department of Defense Defined.—In this section, the term "science and technology reinvention laboratories of the Department of Defense" means the laboratories designated as science and technology reinvention laboratories by section 4121(b) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1106(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2817.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Another section 4094, added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XI, §1115(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3895, §2358c; renumbered §4094 and amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(14), title XVII, §1701(e)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1595, 2138, which related to enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories and was substantially identical to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, §1801(a)(32), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XI, §1106(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2818, provided that: "This section [enacting this section] shall take effect immediately after section 881 of this Act [section 881(a) and (b) of Pub. L. 117–263, set out as notes under section 4027 of this title]."

SUBCHAPTER III—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTERS AND FACILITIES

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(3)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2152, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, which added this chapter, by adding subchapter heading. Heading was editorially conformed to the style used in this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Laboratory Quality Enhancement Program

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title II, §211, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2046, as amended by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §218(a), (b)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1329, 1330; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(6), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1594, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall carry out a program to be known as the 'Laboratory Quality Enhancement Program' under which the Secretary shall establish the panels described in subsection (b) and direct such panels—

"(1) to review and make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to—

"(A) existing policies and practices affecting the science and technology reinvention laboratories to improve the mission effectiveness of such laboratories;

"(B) new initiatives proposed by the science and technology reinvention laboratories; and

"(C) new interpretations of existing statutes and regulations that would enhance the ability of a director of a science and technology reinvention laboratory to manage the facility and discharge the mission of the laboratory;

"(2) to support implementation of current and future initiatives affecting the science and technology reinvention laboratories; and

"(3) to conduct assessments or data analysis on such other issues as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(b) Panels.—The panels described in this subsection are:

"(1) A panel on personnel, workforce development, and talent management.

"(2) A panel on facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

"(3) A panel on research strategy, technology transfer, and industry and university partnerships.

"(4) A panel on governance and oversight processes.

"(c) Composition of Panels.—(1) Each panel described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b) may be composed of subject matter and technical management experts from—

"(A) laboratories and research centers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force;

"(B) appropriate Defense Agencies;

"(C) the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; and

"(D) such other entities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(2) The panel described in subsection (b)(4) shall be composed of—

"(A) the Director of the Army Research Laboratory;

"(B) the Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory;

"(C) the Director of the Naval Research Laboratory;

"(D) the Director of the Engineer Research and Development Center of the Army Corps of Engineers; and

"(E) such other members as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(d) Governance of Panels.—(1) The chairperson of each panel shall be selected by its members.

"(2) Each panel, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall transmit to the Science and Technology Executive Committee of the Department of Defense such information or findings on topics requiring decision or approval as the panel considers appropriate.

"(3)(A) Each panel described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) shall submit to the panel described in paragraph (4) of such subsection (relating to governance and oversight processes) the following:

"(i) The findings of the panel with respect to the review conducted by the panel under subsection (a)(1)(C).

"(ii) The recommendations made by the panel under such subsection.

"(iii) Such comments, findings, and recommendations as the panel may have received by a science and technology reinvention laboratory with respect to—

"(I) the review conducted by the panel under such subsection; or

"(II) recommendations made by the panel under such subsection.

"(B)(i) The panel described in subsection (b)(4) shall review and refashion such recommendations as the panel may receive under subparagraph (A).

"(ii) In reviewing and refashioning recommendations under clause (i), the panel may, as the panel considers appropriate, consult with the science and technology executive of the affected service.

"(C) The panel described in subsection (b)(4) shall submit to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering the recommendations made by the panel under subsection (a)(1)(C) and the recommendations refashioned by the panel under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

"(e) Interpretation of Provisions of Law.—(1) The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, acting under the guidance of the Secretary, shall issue regulations regarding the meaning, scope, implementation, and applicability of any provision of a statute relating to a science and technology reinvention laboratory.

"(2) In interpreting or defining under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall, to the degree practicable, emphasize providing the maximum operational flexibility to the directors of the science and technology reinvention laboratories to discharge the missions of their laboratories.

"(3) In interpreting or defining under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult and coordinate with the secretaries of the military departments and such other agencies or entities as the Under Secretary considers relevant, on any proposed revision to regulations under paragraph (1).

"(4) In interpreting or defining under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall seek recommendations from the panel described in subsection (b)(4).

"(f) Discharge of Certain Authorities to Conduct Personnel Demonstration Projects.—[Amended section 342(b) of Pub. L. 103–337, formerly set out as a note under section 2358 of this title.]

"(g) Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Defined.—In this section, the term 'science and technology reinvention laboratory' means a science and technology reinvention laboratory designated under section 4121(b)of title 10, United States Code."

Defense Laboratory Modernization Pilot Program

Pub. L. 114–92, div. B, title XXVIII, §2803, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1169, as amended by Pub. L. 114–328, div. B, title XXVIII, §2806, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2715; Pub. L. 115–232, div. B, title XXVIII, §2808(a)–(c), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2265, 2266; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(4), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1594, which authorized using amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation, to fund certain military construction projects, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–263, div. B, title XXVIII, §2803(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2994. See section 2805(g) of this title.

§4121. Science and technology reinvention laboratories: authority and designation

(a) In General.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may carry out personnel demonstration projects at Department of Defense laboratories designated by the Secretary as Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratories.

(2)(A) Each personnel demonstration project carried out under the authority of paragraph (1) shall be generally similar in nature to the China Lake demonstration project.

(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the China Lake demonstration project is the demonstration project that is authorized by section 6 of the Civil Service Miscellaneous Amendments Act of 1983 (Public Law 98–224) to be continued at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, and at the Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego, California.

(3) If the Secretary carries out a demonstration project at a laboratory pursuant to paragraph (1), section 4703 of title 5 shall apply to the demonstration project, except that—

(A) subsection (d) of such section 4703 shall not apply to the demonstration project;

(B) the authority of the Secretary to carry out the demonstration project is that which is provided in paragraph (1) rather than the authority which is provided in such section 4703; and

(C) the Secretary shall exercise the authorities granted to the Office of Personnel Management under such section 4703 through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (who shall place an emphasis in the exercise of such authorities on enhancing efficient operations of the laboratory and who may, in exercising such authorities, request administrative support from science and technology reinvention laboratories to review, research, and adjudicate personnel demonstration project proposals).

(4) The employees of a laboratory covered by a personnel demonstration project carried out under this section shall be exempt from, and may not be counted for the purposes of, any constraint or limitation in a statute or regulation in terms of supervisory ratios or maximum number of employees in any specific category or categories of employment that may otherwise be applicable to the employees. The employees shall be managed by the director of the laboratory subject to the supervision of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(5) The limitations in section 5373 of title 5 do not apply to the authority of the Secretary under this subsection to prescribe salary schedules and other related benefits.

(b) Designation of Laboratories.—Each of the following is hereby designated as a Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratory as described in subsection (a):

(1) The Air Force Research Laboratory.

(2) The Joint Warfare Analysis Center.

(3) The Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences.

(4) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center.

(5) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory.

(6) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center.

(7) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center.

(8) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center.

(9) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center.

(10) The Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center.

(11) The Engineer Research and Development Center.

(12) The Medical Research and Development Command.

(13) The Technical Center, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

(14) The Naval Air Systems Command Warfare Centers.

(15) The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.

(16) The Naval Information Warfare Centers, Atlantic and Pacific.

(17) The Naval Medical Research Center.

(18) The Naval Research Laboratory.

(19) The Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers.

(20) The Office of Naval Research.

(c) Conversion Procedures.—The Secretary of Defense shall implement procedures to convert the civilian personnel of each Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratory, as so designated by subsection (b), to the personnel system under an appropriate demonstration project (as referred to in subsection (a)). Any conversion under this subsection—

(1) shall not adversely affect any employee with respect to pay or any other term or condition of employment;

(2) shall be consistent with section 4703(f) of title 5;

(3) shall be completed within 18 months after designation; and

(4) shall not apply to prevailing rate employees (as defined by section 5342(a)(2) of title 5) or senior executives (as defined by section 3132(a)(3) of such title).

(d) Limitation.—The science and technology reinvention laboratories, as so designated by subsection (a), may not implement any personnel system, other than a personnel system under an appropriate demonstration project (as referred to subsection (a)), without prior congressional authorization.

(Added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1591.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 6 of the Civil Service Miscellaneous Amendments Act of 1983, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is section 6 of Pub. L. 98–224, Mar. 2, 1984, 98 Stat. 49, which is not classified to the Code.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective immediately after the effective date of the amendments made by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 (Jan. 1, 2022), see section 215(e) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note under section 4091 of this title.

Defense Laboratories Personnel Demonstration Projects

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XI, §1107, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 357, as amended by Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title XI, §1109, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4618; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1073(d), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2475; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title XI, §1101(b), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4382; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1066(b)(2), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1588; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1593, provided that:

"(e) [sic] Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense shall take all necessary actions to fully implement and use the authorities provided to the Secretary under subsection (a) of section 4121 of title 10, United States Code, to carry out personnel management demonstration projects at Department of Defense laboratories designated by subsection (b) of such section as Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratories.

"(b) Process for Full Implementation.—The Secretary of Defense shall also implement a process and implementation plan to fully utilize the authorities described in subsection (a) to enhance the performance of the missions of the laboratories.

"(c) Other Laboratories.—Any flexibility available to any demonstration laboratory shall be available for use at any other laboratory designated by section 4121(b) of title 10, United States Code[,] as a Department of Defense science and technology reinvention laboratory.

"(d) Submission of List and Description.—Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report containing a list and description of the demonstration project notices, amendments, and changes requested by the laboratories during the preceding calendar year. The list shall include all approved and disapproved notices, amendments, and changes, and the reasons for disapproval or delay in approval.

"(e) Status Reports.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall include in each report under subsection (d) the information described in paragraph (2).

"(2) Information required.—Each report under subsection (d) shall describe the following:

"(A) The actions taken by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (a) during the year covered by the report.

"(B) The progress made by the Secretary of Defense during such year in developing and implementing the plan required by subsection (b), including the anticipated date for completion of such plan and a list and description of any issues relating to the development or implementation of such plan.

"(C) With respect to any applications by any Department of Defense laboratories seeking to be designated as a demonstration laboratory or to otherwise obtain any of the personnel flexibilities available to a demonstration laboratory—

"(i) the number of applications that were received, pending, or acted on during such year;

"(ii) the status or disposition of any applications under clause (i), including, in the case of any application on which a final decision was rendered, the laboratory involved, what the laboratory had requested, the decision reached, and the reasons for the decision; and

"(iii) in the case of any applications under clause (i) on which a final decision was not rendered, the date by which a final decision is anticipated.

"(3) Definition.—For purposes of this subsection, the term 'demonstration laboratory' means a laboratory designated by the Secretary of Defense under the provisions of section 4121(a) of title 10, United States Code."

[For termination, effective Dec. 31, 2021, of annual reporting provisions in section 1107(d) of Pub. L. 110–181, set out above, see section 1061 of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.]

§4123. Mechanisms to provide funds for defense laboratories for research and development of technologies for military missions

(a) Mechanisms to Provide Funds.—(1) The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall establish mechanisms under which the director of a defense laboratory may use an amount of funds equal to not less than two percent and not more than four percent of all funds available to the defense laboratory for the following purposes:

(A) To fund innovative basic and applied research that is conducted at the defense laboratory and supports military missions.

(B) To fund development programs that support the transition of technologies developed by the defense laboratory into operational use.

(C) To fund workforce development activities that improve the capacity of the defense laboratory to recruit and retain personnel with necessary scientific and engineering expertise that support military missions.

(D) To fund the repair or minor military construction of the laboratory infrastructure and equipment, in accordance with subsection (b).

(2) The mechanisms established under paragraph (1) shall provide that funding shall be used under paragraph (1) at the discretion of the director of a defense laboratory in consultation with the science and technology executive of the military department concerned.

(3) The science and technology executive of a military department may develop policies and guidance to leverage funding and promote cross-laboratory collaboration, including with laboratories of other military departments.

(4) After consultation with the science and technology executive of the military department concerned, the director of a defense laboratory may charge customer activities a fixed percentage fee, in addition to normal costs of performance, in order to obtain funds to carry out activities authorized by this subsection. The fixed fee may not exceed four percent of costs.

(b) Availability of Funds for Infrastructure Projects.—Funds shall be available in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(D) only if—

(1) the Secretary notifies the congressional defense committees of the total cost of the project before the date on which the Secretary uses the mechanism under such subsection for such project; and

(2) the Secretary ensures that the project complies with the applicable cost limitations in—

(A) section 2805(d) of this title, with respect to revitalization and recapitalization projects; and

(B) section 2811 of this title, with respect to repair projects.

(c) Release and Dissemination of Information on Contributions From Use of Authority to Military Missions.—

(1) Collection of information.—The Secretary shall establish and maintain mechanisms for the continuous collection of information on achievements, best practices identified, lessons learned, and challenges arising in the exercise of the authority in this section.

(2) Release of information.—The Secretary shall establish and maintain mechanisms as follows:

(A) Mechanisms for the release to the public of information on achievements and best practices described in paragraph (1) in unclassified form.

(B) Mechanisms for dissemination to appropriate civilian and military officials of information on achievements and best practices described in paragraph (1) in classified form.

(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §220(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1332, §2363; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §250, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1702; renumbered §4123, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(b)(1), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(1), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 2363 of this title as this section. A former section 1843(b)(1) of Pub. L. 116–283, which directed the renumbering of section 2363 of this title as section 4103 instead of this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to annual reports on the use of the authority under subsec. (a).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

§4124. Centers for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnership

(a) Designation.—(1) The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall designate each science and technology reinvention laboratory as a Center for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnership (in this section referred to as "Centers") in the recognized core competencies of the designee.

(2) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a policy to encourage the Secretary of each military department to reengineer management and business processes and adopt best-business and personnel practices at the Centers of the Secretary concerned in connection with the capability requirements of the Centers, so as to serve as recognized leaders in such capabilities throughout the Department of Defense and in the national technology and industrial base.

(3) The Secretary of Defense, acting through the directors of the Centers, may conduct one or more pilot programs, consistent with applicable requirements of law, to test any practices referred to in paragraph (2) that the Directors determine could—

(A) improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at Centers;

(B) improve the support provided by the Centers for the elements of the Department of Defense who use the services of the Centers; and

(C) enhance capabilities by reducing the cost and improving the performance and efficiency of executing laboratory missions.

(b) Public-private Partnerships.—(1) To achieve one or more objectives set forth in paragraph (2), the Secretary may authorize and establish incentives for the Director of a Center to enter into public-private cooperative arrangements (in this section referred to as a "public-private partnership") to provide for any of the following:

(A) For employees of the Center, academia, private industry, State and local governments, or other entities outside the Department of Defense to perform (under contract, subcontract, or otherwise) work related to the capabilities of the Center, including any work that—

(i) involves one or more capabilities of the Center; and

(ii) may be applicable to both the Department and commercial entities.

(B) For private industry or other entities outside the Department of Defense to use for either Government or commercial purposes any capabilities of the Center that are not fully used for Department of Defense activities for any period determined to be consistent with the needs of the Department of Defense.

(2) The objectives for exercising the authority provided in paragraph (1) are as follows:

(A) To maximize the use of the capacity of a Center.

(B) To reduce or eliminate the cost of ownership of a Center by the Department of Defense.

(C) To reduce the cost of science, technology, and engineering activities of the Department of Defense.

(D) To leverage private sector investment in—

(i) such efforts as research and equipment recapitalization for a Center; and

(ii) the promotion of the undertaking of commercial business ventures based on the capabilities of a Center, as determined by the director of the Center.

(E) To foster cooperation and technology transfer between the armed forces, academia, private industry, and State and local governments.

(F) To increase access by a Center to a skilled technical workforce that can contribute to the effective and efficient execution of the missions of the Department of Defense.

(G) To increase the ability of a Center to access and use non-Department of Defense methods to develop and innovate and access capabilities that contribute to the effective and efficient execution of the missions of the Department of Defense.

(3)(A) Public-private partnerships entered into under paragraph (1) may be used for purposes relating to technology transfer and other authorities described in subparagraph (B).

(B) The authorities described in this subparagraph are provisions of law that provide for cooperation and partnership by the Department of Defense with academia, private industry, and State and local governments, including the following:

(i) Sections 3371 through 3375 of title 5.

(ii) Sections 2194, 2563, 4001, 4021, 4831, and 4062 of this title.

(iii) Section 209 of title 35.

(iv) Sections 8, 12, and 23 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706, 3710a, and 3715).

(c) Private Sector Use of Excess Capacity.—Any capability of a Center made available to the private sector may be used to perform research and testing activities in order to make more efficient and economical use of Government-owned capabilities and encourage the creation and preservation of jobs to ensure the availability of a workforce with the necessary research and technical skills to meet the needs of the armed forces.

(d) Crediting of Amounts for Performance.—Amounts received by a Center for work performed under a public-private partnership may—

(1) be credited to the appropriation or fund, including a working-capital or revolving fund, that incurs the cost of performing the work; or

(2) be used by the Director of the Center as the Director considers appropriate and consistent with section 219 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note).¹

(e) Availability of Excess Capacities to Private-sector Partners.—Capacities of a Center may be made available for use by a private-sector entity under this section only if—

(1) the use of the capacities will not have a significant adverse effect on the performance of the Center or the ability of the Center to achieve the mission of the Center, as determined by the Director of the Center; and

(2) the private-sector entity agrees—

(A) to reimburse the Department of Defense when required in accordance with the guidance of the Department for the direct and indirect costs (including any rental costs) that are attributable to the use of the capabilities by the private-sector entity, as determined by the Secretary of the military departments; and

(B) to hold harmless and indemnify the United States from—

(i) any claim for damages or injury to any person or property arising out of the use of the capabilities, except under the circumstances described in section 2563(c)(3) of this title; and

(ii) any liability or claim for damages or injury to any person or property arising out of a decision by the Secretary to suspend or terminate that use of capabilities during a war or national emergency.

(f) Use of Partnership Intermediaries to Promote Defense Research and Education.—(1) Subject to the approval of the Secretary or the head of the another department or agency of the Federal Government concerned, the Director of a Center may enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding or other transaction with a partnership intermediary that provides for the partnership intermediary to perform services for the Department of Defense that increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities of the Center with industry or academic institutions.

(2) In this subsection, the term "partnership intermediary" means an agency of a State or local government, or a nonprofit entity owned in whole or in part by, chartered by, funded in whole or in part by, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of a State or local government, that—

(A) assists, counsels, advises, evaluates, or otherwise cooperates with industry or academic institutions that need or can make demonstrably productive use of technology-related assistance from a Center;

(B) facilitates technology transfer from industry or academic institutions to a Center; or

(C) assists and facilitates workforce development in critical technology areas for technology transition activities to fulfill unmet needs of a Center.

(g) Construction of Provision.—Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize a change, otherwise prohibited by law, from the performance of work at a Center by personnel of the Department of Defense to performance by a contractor.

(h) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "capabilities", with respect to a Center for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnership, means the facilities, equipment, personnel, intellectual property, and other assets that support the core competencies of the Center.

(2) The term "national technology and industrial base" has the meaning given that term in section 4801 of this title.

(3) The term "science and technology reinvention laboratory" means a science and technology reinvention laboratory designated under section 4121(b) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title II, §211(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 764, §2368; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §231, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1690; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1731(a)(45), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1814; renumbered §4124 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(b)(1), (d), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), (C), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1844(b)(1), (c), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4245, 4246, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title II, §215(d)(12), title XVII, §1701(u)(5)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1594, 2154; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title II, §214, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 184.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 219 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is section 219 of Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title II, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4389, which was set out as a note under section 2358 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §220(c)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1333. Provisions similar to those in former section 219 of Pub. L. 110–417 are now contained in section 4123 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 118–31 inserted dash after "local government, that" and subpar. (A) designation before "assists" and added subpars. (B) and (C).

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1844(b)(1), which directed the renumbering of section 2368 of this title as section 4146 instead of this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(5)(B), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(1), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 2368 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(d), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(C), substituted "2563, 4001, 4021, 4831, and 4062" for "2358, 2371, 2511, 2539b, and 2563". Former section 1844(c)(1) of Pub. L. 116–283, which directed substitution of "4001, 4002, 4831, 4892," for "2358, 2371, 2511, 2539b,", was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(5)(B), effective as if included in title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1844(c)(2), which directed substitution of "section 4103 of this title." for "section 219 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note).", was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(5)(B), effective as if included in title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283.

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–81, §215(d)(12), which directed amendment of section "2124(h)(3)" of this title by substituting "designated under section 4121(b) of this title" for "designated under section 1105 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note)", was executed by making the substitution in subsec. (h)(3) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2019—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "transaction" for "transition".

2018—Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 115–232 added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by section 215 of Pub. L. 117–81 effective immediately after the effective date of the amendments made by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 (Jan. 1, 2022), see section 215(e) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out as a note under section 4091 of this title.

Amendment by section 1701(u)(4)(A), (C), (5)(B) of Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§4125. Functions of Defense research facilities

(a) Functions of Defense Research Facilities.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable—

(1) that Defense research facilities are assigned broad mission requirements rather than specific hardware needs;

(2) that appropriate personnel of such facilities are assigned to serve as consultants on component and support system standardization;

(3) that the managers of such facilities have broad latitude to choose research and development projects based on awareness of activities throughout the technology domain, including within the Federal Government, the Department of Defense, public and private research institutions and universities, and the global commercial marketplace;

(4) that technology position and issue papers prepared by Defense research facilities are readily available to all components of the Department of Defense and to contractors who submit bids or proposals for Department of Defense contracts;

(5) that, in order to promote increased consideration of technological issues early in the development process, any technological assessment made by a Defense research facility shall be provided to the Defense Technical Information Center repository to support acquisition decisions; and

(6) that, in light of Defense research facilities being funded by the public, Defense research facilities are broadly authorized and encouraged to support national technological development goals and support technological missions of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, when such support is determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the best interests of the Federal Government.

(b) Definitions.—In this section, the term "Defense research facility" means a Department of Defense facility which performs or contracts for the performance of—

(1) basic research; or

(2) applied research known as exploratory development.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(b)(2), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153.)

Codification

The text of subsecs. (b) and (c) of section 2364 of this title, which were transferred to this section and redesignated as subsecs. (a) and (b), respectively, by Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(2), was based on Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title II, §234(c)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3848; Pub. L. 100–26, §§3(1)(A), 7(a)(9), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273, 278; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, §1231(10)(A), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, §805, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 390; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title II, §213, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3325; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title II, §214(a)(2), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 768; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1844(d), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4246; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(5)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2154.

Amendments

2021—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(2), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), transferred subsecs. (b) and (c) of section 2364 of this title to this section and redesignated them as subsecs. (a) and (b), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and Effective Date note below.

Effective Date

Section and amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Specification of Certain Duties of the Defense Technical Information Center

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title IX, §905, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1922, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(c)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244, provided that:

"(a) In General.—In addition to any other duties specified for the Defense Technical Information Center by law, regulation, or Department of Defense directive or instruction, the duties of the Center shall include the following:

"(1) To execute the Global Research Watch Program under section 4066 of title 10, United States Code.

"(2) To develop and maintain datasets and other data repositories on research and engineering activities being conducted within the Department.

"(b) Action Plan.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 2018], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan of action for the commencement by the Defense Technical Information Center of the duties specified in subsection (a)."

Coordination of High-Temperature Superconductivity Research and Development

Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title II, §218(b)(2), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1053, as amended by Pub. L. 100–418, title V, §5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, §904(f), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1729; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title IX, §911(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 717, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, shall—

"(A) coordinate the research and development activities of the Department of Defense relating to high-temperature superconductivity; and

"(B) ensure that such research and development—

"(i) is carried out in coordination with the high-temperature superconductivity research and development activities of the Department of Energy (including the national laboratories of the Department of Energy), the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and

"(ii) complements rather than duplicates such activities."

§4126. Use of federally funded research and development centers

(a) Limitation on Use of Centers.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may not place work with a federally funded research and development center unless such work is within the purpose, mission, and general scope of effort of such center as established in the sponsoring agreement of the Department of Defense with such center.

(b) Exception for Applied Scientific Research.—This section does not apply to a federally funded research and development center that performs applied scientific research under laboratory conditions.

(c) Limitation on Creation of New Centers.—(1) The head of an agency may not obligate or expend amounts appropriated to the Department of Defense for purposes of operating a federally funded research center that was not in existence before June 2, 1986, until—

(A) the head of the agency submits to Congress a report with respect to such center that describes the purpose, mission, and general scope of effort of the center; and

(B) a period of 60 days beginning on the date such report is received by Congress has elapsed.

(2) In this subsection, the term "head of an agency" has the meaning given such term in section 3004 of this title.

(d) Identification to Congress of FFRDC Workload Effort.—After the close of a fiscal year, and not later than January 1 of the next year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report setting forth the actual obligations and the actual man-years of effort expended at each federally funded research and development center during that fiscal year.

(Added Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §912(a)(1)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783-146, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §912(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341-146, §2367; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title IX, formerly title IV, §912(a)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3925, renumbered title IX, Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273; amended Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title II, §256(a)(1), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1330; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1502(a)(9), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, §1067(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, §1041(a)(12), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2645; renumbered §4126, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1843(b)(1), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2153; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1844(b)(1), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4245, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(5)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2154.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 99–591 is a corrected version of Pub. L. 99–500.

Pub. L. 99–500, Pub. L. 99–591, and Pub. L. 99–661 added identical sections.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1844(b)(1), which directed the renumbering of section 2367 of this title as section 4147 instead of this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(5)(B), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1843(b)(1), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(4)(A), renumbered section 2367 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 3004" for "section 2302(1)".

2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–314, §1041(a)(12), struck out designations for pars. (1) and (2) and text of par. (1). Prior to amendment par. (1) read as follows: "In the documents provided to Congress by the Secretary of Defense in support of the budget submitted by the President under section 1105 of title 31 for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall set forth the proposed amount of the man-years of effort to be funded by the Department of Defense for each federally funded research and development center for the fiscal year covered by that budget."

1999—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 106–65 substituted "and the Committee on Armed Services" for "and the Committee on National Security".

1996—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 104–106 substituted "the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on National Security and the Committee on Appropriations of the" for "the Committees on Armed Services and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and".

1991—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–190 added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title II, §256(a)(2), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1330, provided that:

"(A) Paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of section 2367 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4126], as added by paragraph (1), shall take effect with respect to the budget submitted for fiscal year 1994.

"(B) Paragraph (2) of such subsection shall take effect with respect to fiscal year 1992."

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective Dec. 31, 2021, of provisions in subsec. (d) of this section requiring submittal of annual report to Congress, see section 1061 of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.

Pilot Program on Disclosure of Certain Sensitive Information to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title II, §235, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2064, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program on—

"(1) permitting officers and employees of the Department of Defense to disclose sensitive information to federally funded research and development centers of the Department for the sole purpose of the performance of administrative, technical, or professional services under and within the scope of the contracts with the parent organizations of such federally funded research and development centers; and

"(2) appropriately protecting proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure or use by such centers.

"(b) FFRDCs.—The pilot program shall be carried out with one or more federally funded research and development centers of the Department selected by the Secretary for participation in the pilot program.

"(c) FFRDC Personnel.—Sensitive information may be disclosed to personnel of a federally funded research and development center under the pilot program only if such personnel and contractors agree to be subject to, and comply with, appropriate ethics standards and requirements applicable to Government personnel, including the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 [see 5 U.S.C. 13101 et seq.], section 1905 of title 18, United States Code, and chapter 21 of title 41, United States Code.

"(d) Conditions on Disclosure.—Sensitive information may be disclosed under the pilot program only if the federally funded research and development center concerned and its parent organization agree to and acknowledge in the parent organization's contract with the Department of Defense that—

"(1) sensitive information furnished to the federally funded research and development center will be accessed and used only for the purposes stated in the contract between the parent organization of the federally funded research and development center and the Department of Defense;

"(2) the federally funded research and development center will take all precautions necessary to prevent disclosure of the sensitive information furnished to anyone not authorized access to the information in order to perform the applicable contract;

"(3) sensitive information furnished under the pilot program shall not be used by the federally funded research and development center or parent organization to compete against a third party for a Government or non-Government contract or funding, or to support other current or future research or technology development activities performed by the federally funded research and development center; and

"(4) any personnel of a federally funded research and development center participating in the pilot program may not disclose or use any trade secrets or any nonpublic information accessed under the pilot program, unless specifically authorized by this section.

"(e) Duration.—(1) The pilot program may commence at any time after the review and issuance of policy guidance, updated appropriately, pertaining to the identification, mitigation, and prevention of potentially unfair competitive advantage conferred to federally funded research and development center personnel with access to sensitive information who serve as technical advisors to acquisition programs.

"(2) The pilot program shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.

"(f) Assessment.—Not later than two years after the commencement of the pilot program, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program, including an assessment of the effectiveness of activities under the pilot program in improving acquisition processes and the effectiveness of protections of private-sector intellectual property in the course of such activities.

"(g) Sensitive Information Defined.—In this section, the term 'sensitive information' means confidential commercial, financial, or proprietary information, technical data, contract performance, contract performance evaluation, management, and administration data, or other privileged information owned by other contractors of the Department of Defense that is exempt from public disclosure under section 552(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code, or which would otherwise be prohibited from disclosure under section 1832 or 1905 of title 18, United States Code."

§4127. Defense innovation unit ¹

(a) Establishment.—There is established in the Department of Defense a Defense Innovation Unit (referred to in this section as the "Unit").

(b) Director and Deputy Director.—There is a Director of the Unit who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense from among persons with substantial experience in innovation and commercial technology, as determined by the Secretary.

(c) Authority of Director.—The Director is the head of the Unit. The Director—

(1) shall serve as a principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense on matters within the responsibility of the Unit;

(2) shall report directly to the Secretary without intervening authority; and

(3) may communicate views on matters within the responsibility of the Unit directly to the Secretary without obtaining the approval or concurrence of any other official within the Department of Defense.

(d) Responsibilities.—The Unit shall have the following responsibilities:

(1) Seek out, identify, and support development of and experimentation with commercial technologies that have the potential to be implemented within the Department of Defense.

(2) Accelerate the adoption or integration of commercial technologies within the Department of Defense to transform military capacity and capabilities.

(3) Serve as the principal liaison between the Department of Defense and individuals and entities in the national security innovation base, including entrepreneurs, startups, commercial technology companies, and venture capital sources.

(4) Carry out programs, projects, and other activities to strengthen the national security innovation base.

(5) Coordinate and harmonize the activities of other organizations and elements of the Department of Defense on matters relating to commercial technologies, dual use technologies, and the innovation of such technologies.

(6) Coordinate and advise efforts among elements of the Department of Defense on matters relating to the development, procurement, and fielding of nontraditional capabilities.

(7) Coordinate with the Joint Staff and the commanders of the combatant commands to identify operational challenges that have the potential to be addressed through the use of nontraditional capabilities, including dual-use technologies, that are being developed and financed in the commercial sector.

(8) Using funds made available to the Unit—

(A) select projects to be carried out by one or more of the service-level innovation organizations;

(B) allocate funds to service-level innovation organizations to carry out such projects; and

(C) monitor the execution of such projects by the service-level innovation organizations.

(9) Serve as the principal liaison between the Department of Defense, nontraditional defense contractors, investors in nontraditional defense companies, and departments and agencies of the Federal Government pursing ² nontraditional capabilities similar to those pursued by the Department.

(10) Lead engagement with industry, academia, and other nongovernment entities to develop—

(A) domestic capacity with respect to innovative, commercial, and dual-use technologies and the use of nontraditional defense contractors; and

(B) the capacity of international allies and partners of the United States with respect to such technologies and the use of such contractors.

(11) Carry out such other activities as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.

(e) Support for Multi-stakeholder Partnerships.—

(1) The Director shall identify and support multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnerships that—

(A) have the potential to generate technologies, processes, products, or other solutions that address national defense or security needs; and

(B) have as an objective the technology transfer or commercialization of the work product generated by the partnership, which may include work product that incorporates Government-developed intellectual property licensed to the partnership in accordance with paragraph (3).

(2) Support provided by the Director to a multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnership under this subsection may include—

(A) providing funding or other resources to the partnership;

(B) participating in the partnership;

(C) providing technical and technological advice and guidance to the partnership;

(D) suggesting and introducing other participants for inclusion in the partnership;

(E) providing the partnership with insight into desired solutions for defense and security needs; and

(F) such other forms of support as the Director determines appropriate.

(3) To the extent the Director determines appropriate, the Director shall seek to actively inform potential participants in multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnerships of the availability of Government-developed intellectual property that may be licensed to the partnership.

(4) On an annual basis, the Director shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional defense committees a report on the activities, advances, outcomes, and work product of the multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnerships supported under this subsection.

(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnership" means a partnership composed of any combination of two or more of the following:

(A) Universities, colleges, or other institutions of higher education with research and innovation capability.

(B) Non-profit organizations that provide policy, research, outreach, operations, organizational, management, testing, evaluation, technology transfer, legal, financial, or advocacy expertise.

(C) For-profit commercial enterprises that may be publicly or privately owned, early stage or mature, and incorporated or operating by another ownership structure.

(D) Departments or agencies of the Federal Government with expertise, operations, or resources related to the objectives of the multi-stakeholder research and innovation partnership.

(2) The term "nontraditional capability" means a solution to an operational challenge that can significantly leverage commercial innovation or external capital with minimal dependencies on fielded systems.

(3) The term "nontraditional defense contractor" has the meaning given that term in section 3014 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, §913(a)(1), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 365.)

Delayed Effective Date of Section

Section effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, see Effective Date; Implementation note below.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date; Implementation

Section effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, see section 913(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as notes under section 1766 of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "Defense Innovation Unit".

² So in original. Probably should be "pursuing".