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."