10 USC Ch. 322: MAJOR SYSTEMS AND MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS GENERALLY

From Title 10—ARMED FORCESSubtitle A—General Military LawPART V—ACQUISITIONSubpart F—Major Systems, Major Defense Acquisition Programs, and Weapon Systems Development

CHAPTER 322—MAJOR SYSTEMS AND MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS GENERALLY

Subchapter

Sec.

Management

4211

II.

Contracting

4231

III.

Milestones for Major Defense Acquisition Programs

4251

IV.

Additional Provisions Applicable Specifically to Major Defense Acquisition Programs

4271

Contractors

4291

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(16)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4252, which added this analysis, by adding item for subchapter V and striking out a second item for subchapter III "Contractors".

SUBCHAPTER I—MANAGEMENT

Sec.

4211.

Acquisition strategy.

4212.

Risk management and mitigation in major defense acquisition programs and major systems.

4213.

[Reserved].

4214.

Baseline description.

4215.

[Reserved].

4216.

[Reserved].

4217.

[Reserved].

4218.

[Reserved].

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(f)(7), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2139, added item 4212 and struck out former item 4212 "Risk management and mitigation".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Should-Cost Management

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §837, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1474, provided that:

"(a) Requirement for Regulations.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017], the Secretary of Defense shall amend the Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide for the appropriate use of the should-cost review process of a major weapon system in a manner that is transparent, objective, and provides for the efficiency of the systems acquisition process in the Department of the Defense.

"(b) Required Elements.—The regulations required under subsection (a) shall incorporate, at a minimum, the following elements:

"(1) A description of the features of the should-cost review process.

"(2) Establishment of a process for communicating with the prime contractor on the program the elements of a proposed should-cost review.

"(3) A method for ensuring that identified should-cost savings opportunities are based on accurate, complete, and current information and can be quantified and tracked.

"(4) A description of the training, skills, and experience that Department of Defense and contractor officials carrying out a should-cost review in subsection (a) should possess.

"(5) A method for ensuring appropriate collaboration with the contractor throughout the review process.

"(6) Establishment of review process requirements that provide for sufficient analysis and minimize any impact on program schedule."

Management of Manufacturing Risk in Major Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §812, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4264, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VIII, §834, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1506, directed the Secretary of Defense to issue, not later than 180 days after Jan. 7, 2011, comprehensive guidance on the management of manufacturing risk in major defense acquisition programs and to ensure that the acquisition workforce chapter of the annual strategic workforce plan required by former section 115b of this title included an assessment of the critical manufacturing readiness knowledge and skills needed in the acquisition workforce and a plan of action for addressing any gaps in such knowledge and skills.

Congressional Notification of Cancellation of Major Automated Information Systems

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VIII, §806, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3373, provided that:

"(a) Report Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] not less than 60 days before cancelling a major automated information system program that has been fielded or approved to be fielded, or making a change that will significantly reduce the scope of such a program, of the proposed cancellation or change.

"(b) Content.—Each notification submitted under subsection (a) with respect to a proposed cancellation or change shall include—

"(1) the specific justification for the proposed cancellation or change;

"(2) a description of the impact of the proposed cancellation or change on the ability of the Department to achieve the objectives of the program proposed for cancellation or change;

"(3) a description of the steps that the Department plans to take to achieve those objectives; and

"(4) other information relevant to the change in acquisition strategy.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'major automated information system' has the meaning given that term in Department of Defense directive 5000.1.

"(2) The term 'approved to be fielded' means having received Milestone C approval."

§4211. Acquisition strategy

(a) Acquisition Strategy Required.—There shall be an acquisition strategy for each major defense acquisition program, each major automated information system, and each major system approved by a milestone decision authority.

(b) Responsible Official.—For each acquisition strategy required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, or the milestone decision authority, when the milestone decision authority is the service acquisition executive of the military department that is managing the program, is responsible for issuing and maintaining the requirements for—

(1) the content of the strategy; and

(2) the review and approval process for the strategy.

(c) Considerations.—(1) In issuing requirements for the content of an acquisition strategy for a major defense acquisition program, major automated information system, or major system, the Under Secretary, or the milestone decision authority, when the milestone decision authority is the service acquisition executive of the military department that is managing the program, shall ensure that—

(A) the strategy clearly describes the proposed top-level business and technical management approach for the program or system, in sufficient detail to allow the milestone decision authority to assess the viability of the proposed approach, the method of implementing laws and policies, and program objectives;

(B) the strategy contains a clear explanation of how the strategy is designed to be implemented with available resources, such as time, funding, and management capacity;

(D) the strategy considers the items listed in paragraph (2).

(2) Each strategy shall, where appropriate, consider the following:

(A) An approach that delivers required capability in increments, each depending on available mature technology, and that recognizes up front the need for future capability improvements.

(B) Acquisition approach, including industrial base considerations in accordance with section 4820 of this title.

(D) Business strategy, including measures to ensure competition at the system and subsystem level throughout the life-cycle of the program or system in accordance with section 4324 of this title.

(E) Contracting strategy, including—

(i) contract type and how the type selected relates to level of program risk in each acquisition phase;

(ii) how the plans for the program or system to reduce risk enable the use of fixed-price elements in subsequent contracts and the timing of the use of those fixed price elements;

(iii) market research; and

(iv) consideration of small business participation.

(F) Intellectual property strategy in accordance with sections 3771 through 3775 of this title.

(G) International involvement, including foreign military sales and cooperative opportunities, in accordance with section 2350a of this title.

(H) Multiyear procurement in accordance with sections 3501 through 3511 ¹ of this title.

(I) Integration of current intelligence assessments into the acquisition process.

(J) Requirements related to logistics, maintenance, and sustainment in accordance with sections 2464 and 2466 of this title.

(d) Review.—(1) The milestone decision authority shall review and approve, as appropriate, the acquisition strategy for a major defense acquisition program, major automated information system, or major system at each of the following times:

(A) Milestone A approval.

(B) The decision to release the request for proposals for development of the program or system.

(D) Each subsequent milestone.

(E) Review of any decision to enter into full-rate production.

(F) When there has been—

(i) a significant change to the cost of the program or system;

(ii) a critical change to the cost of the program or system;

(iii) a significant change to the schedule of the program or system; or

(iv) a significant change to the performance of the program or system.

(G) Any other time considered relevant by the milestone decision authority.

(2) If the milestone decision authority revises an acquisition strategy for a program or system because of a change described in paragraph (1)(F), the milestone decision authority shall provide notice of the revision to the congressional defense committees.

(e) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "Milestone A approval" means a decision to enter into technology maturation and risk reduction pursuant to guidance prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the management of Department of Defense acquisition programs.

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

(3) The term "milestone decision authority", with respect to a major defense acquisition program, major automated information system, or major system, means the official within the Department of Defense designated with the overall responsibility and authority for acquisition decisions for the program or system, including authority to approve entry of the program or system into the next phase of the acquisition process.

(4) The term "management capacity", with respect to a major defense acquisition program, major automated information system, or major system, means the capacity to manage the program or system through the use of highly qualified organizations and personnel with appropriate experience, knowledge, and skills.

(5) The term "significant change to the cost", with respect to a major defense acquisition program or major system, means a significant cost growth threshold, as that term is defined in section 4371(a)(2) of this title.

(6) The term "critical change to the cost", with respect to a major defense acquisition program or major system, means a critical cost growth threshold, as that term is defined in section 4371(a)(3) of this title.

(7) The term "significant change to the schedule", with respect to a major defense acquisition program, major automated information system, or major system, means any schedule delay greater than six months in a reported event.

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §821(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 897, §2431a; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §848, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2292; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(39), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1596; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(70), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1551; renumbered §4211 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(b)(1), (2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4253; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(s)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 3501 through 3511 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(H), was, prior to amendment by Pub. L. 116–283, "section 2306b of this title", but probably should have been amended to read "section 3501 of this title" because of the amendment by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(k)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2143, which amended section 1822 of Pub. L. 116–283 by striking subsections (b) through (l) of such section and adding a new subsec. (b) to such section which transferred section 2306b of this title to section 3501 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(A), renumbered section 2431a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(2), formerly §1847(b)(2)(B), as redesignated and amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(s)(1), substituted "section 4820 of this title" for "section 2440 of this title".

Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(i)(I), substituted "section 4324" for "section 2337".

Subsec. (c)(2)(F). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(i)(II), substituted "sections 3771 through 3775" for "section 2320".

Subsec. (c)(2)(H). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(i)(III), substituted "sections 3501 through 3511" for "section 2306b".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(2)(A), which directed the transfer of section 2440 of this title to subsec. (c)(3) of this section and substitution of "section 4811" for "section 2501" in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(s)(1)(A).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(C), which directed amendment of subsec. (e) by striking pars. (1) and (2) and redesignating pars. (3) to (10) as (1) to (8), respectively, was executed by striking pars. (1) and (2) and redesignating former pars. (3) to (9) as (1) to (7), respectively, to reflect the probable intent of Congress, as no par. (10) had been enacted. Prior to amendment, pars. (1) and (2) defined "major defense acquisition program" and "major system", respectively.

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I), substituted "section 4172(e)(7)" for "section 2366(e)(7)".

Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(ii)(II), substituted "section 4371(a)(2)" for "section 2433(a)(4)".

Subsec. (e)(8). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(1)(B)(ii)(III), substituted "section 4371(a)(3)" for "section 2433(a)(5)".

2019—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics" in introductory provisions.

2017—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–91 inserted "(1)" before "The milestone".

2016—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–328, §848(1), in introductory provisions, inserted ", or the milestone decision authority, when the milestone decision authority is the service acquisition executive of the military department that is managing the program," after "the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 114–328, §848(2)(A), in introductory provisions, inserted ", or the milestone decision authority, when the milestone decision authority is the service acquisition executive of the military department that is managing the program," after "the Under Secretary".

Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 114–328, §848(2)(B), struck out ", in accordance with section 2431b of this title" before period at end.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–328, §848(3), substituted "The" for "(1) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, the" and, in par. (2), inserted "because of a change described in paragraph (1)(F)" after "for a program or system".

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.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§4212. Risk management and mitigation in major defense acquisition programs and major systems

(a) Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the initial acquisition strategy (required under section 4211 of this title) approved by the milestone decision authority and any subsequent revisions include the following:

(1) A comprehensive approach for managing and mitigating risk (including technical, cost, and schedule risk) during each of the following periods or when determined appropriate by the milestone decision authority:

(A) The period preceding engineering manufacturing development, or its equivalent.

(B) The period preceding initial production.

(2) An identification of the major sources of risk in each of the periods listed in paragraph (1) to improve programmatic decisionmaking and appropriately minimize and manage program concurrency.

(b) Approach to Manage and Mitigate Risks.—The comprehensive approach to manage and mitigate risk included in the acquisition strategy for purposes of subsection (a)(1) shall, at a minimum, include consideration of risk mitigation techniques such as the following:

(1) Prototyping (including prototyping at the system, subsystem, or component level and competitive prototyping, where appropriate) and, if prototyping at either the system, subsystem, or component level is not used, an explanation of why it is not appropriate.

(2) Modeling and simulation, the areas that modeling and simulation will assess, and identification of the need for development of any new modeling and simulation tools in order to support the comprehensive strategy.

(3) Technology demonstrations and decision points for disciplined transition of planned technologies into programs or the selection of alternative technologies.

(4) Multiple design approaches.

(5) Alternative designs, including any designs that meet requirements but do so with reduced performance.

(6) Phasing of program activities or related technology development efforts in order to address high-risk areas as early as feasible.

(7) Manufacturability and industrial base availability.

(8) Independent risk element assessments by outside subject matter experts.

(9) Schedule and funding margins for identified risks.

(c) Preference for Prototyping.—To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the economical use of available financial resources, the milestone decision authority for each major defense acquisition program shall ensure that the acquisition strategy for the program provides for—

(1) the production of competitive prototypes at the system or subsystem level before Milestone B approval; or

(2) if the production of competitive prototypes is not practicable, the production of single prototypes at the system or subsystem level.

(d) Concurrency Defined.—In this section, the term "concurrency" means, with respect to an acquisition strategy, the combination or overlap of program phases or activities.

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §822(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 900, §2431b; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(7), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2417; renumbered §4212 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(b)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(3), renumbered section 2431b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(3)(A), substituted "section 4211" for "section 2431a".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(3)(B), substituted "Concurrency Defined" for "Definitions" in subsec. heading, struck out par. (1) designation and heading, substituted "In this section, the term" for "The term", and struck out par. (2) which defined "major defense acquisition program" and "major system".

2016—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–328 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) defined terms "major defense acquisition program" and "major system".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

§4214. Baseline description

(a) Baseline Description Requirement.—(1) The Secretary of a military department shall establish a baseline description for each major defense acquisition program and for each designated major subprogram under the program under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.

(2) The baseline shall include sufficient parameters to describe the cost estimate (referred to as the "Baseline Estimate" in sections 4371 through 4375 of this title), schedule, performance, supportability, and any other factor of such major defense acquisition program or designated major subprogram.

(b) Funding Limit.—No amount appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for carrying out a major defense acquisition program or any designated major subprogram under the program may be obligated after the program or subprogram enters system development and demonstration without an approved baseline description unless such obligation is specifically approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

(c) Schedule.—A baseline description for a major defense acquisition program or any designated major subprogram under the program shall be prepared under this section—

(1) before the program or subprogram enters system development and demonstration;

(2) before the program or subprogram enters production and deployment; and

(3) before the program or subprogram enters full rate production.

(d) Original Baseline Estimate.—(1) In this subpart, the term "original Baseline Estimate", with respect to a major defense acquisition program or any designated major subprogram under the program, means the baseline description established with respect to the program or subprogram under subsection (a) prepared before the program or subprogram enters system development and demonstration, or at program or subprogram initiation, whichever occurs later, without adjustment or revision (except as provided in paragraph (2)).

(2) An adjustment or revision of the original baseline description of a major defense acquisition program or any designated major subprogram under the program may be treated as the original Baseline Estimate for the program or subprogram for purposes of this chapter only if the percentage increase in the program acquisition unit cost or procurement unit cost under such adjustment or revision exceeds the critical cost growth threshold for the program or subprogram under sections 4371 through 4375 of this title, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned under section 4374 of this title.

(3) In the event of an adjustment or revision of the original baseline description of a major defense acquisition program or any designated major subprogram under the program, the Secretary of Defense shall include in the next Selected Acquisition Report to be submitted under section 4351 of this title after such adjustment or revision a notification to the congressional defense committees of such adjustment or revision, together with the reasons for such adjustment or revision.

(e) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations governing the following:

(1) The content of baseline descriptions under this section.

(2) The submission to the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment by the program manager for a program for which there is an approved baseline description (or in the case of a major defense acquisition program with one or more designated major subprograms, approved baseline descriptions for such subprograms) under this section of reports of deviations from any such baseline description of the cost, schedule, performance, supportability, or any other factor of the program or subprogram.

(3) Procedures for review of such deviation reports within the Department of Defense.

(4) Procedures for submission to, and approval by, the Secretary of Defense of revised baseline descriptions.

(Added Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §904(a)(1)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783-133, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §904(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341-133, §2435; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title IX, formerly title IV, §904(a)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3912, renumbered title IX, Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273; amended Pub. L. 100–26, §7(b)(6), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title VIII, §803(a), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1125; Pub. L. 100–370, §1(i)(1), July 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 848; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, §1233(l)(4), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2058; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VIII, §811(b), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1493; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, §1207(b), title XIV, §1484(k)(11), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1665, 1719; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, §904(d)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1728; Pub. L. 103–355, title III, §3005(a), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3330; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VIII, §821(d), title X, §1048(b)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1182, 1225; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VIII, §802(d)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3369; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VIII, §806, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2315; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §811(d), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4524; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(71), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1551; renumbered §4214 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(b)(4), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(o)(6)(C)(i), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2147.)

Historical and Revision Notes

1988 Act

Subsection (c) is based on Pub. L. 98–525, title XII, §1243, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2609, as amended by Pub. L. 100–26, §110(a)(1), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 288.

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(2)(B), (3)(B), (4)(B)(i), which directed amendment of this section by inserting "or subprogram" after "the program" in subsec. (b) and after "the program" each place it appeared in subsecs. (c) and (d), was executed by making the insertions after "the program" each place it appeared in those subsecs. except after "designated major subprogram under the program", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

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, §1847(b)(4), renumbered section 2435 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(4)(A), substituted "sections 4371 through 4375" for "section 2433".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(4)(B)(i), substituted "In this subpart" for "In this chapter".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(4)(A), (B)(ii), substituted "sections 4371 through 4375" for "section 2433" and "section 4374 of this title" for "subsection (d) of such section".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(b)(4)(B)(iii), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(o)(6)(C)(i), substituted "section 4351" for "section 2432".

2019—Subsecs. (b), (e)(2). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment" for "the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics".

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(1), inserted "and for each designated major subprogram under the program" after "major defense acquisition program" in par. (1) and "or designated major subprogram" after "major defense acquisition program" in par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(2), inserted "or any designated major subprogram under the program" after "major defense acquisition program" and "or subprogram" after "after the program". See Codification note above.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(3), inserted "or any designated major subprogram under the program" after "major defense acquisition program" in introductory provisions and "or subprogram" after "the program" in pars. (1) to (3). See Codification note above.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(4), inserted "or any designated major subprogram under the program" after "major defense acquisition program" wherever appearing, in par. (1), inserted "or subprogram" after "to the program", "before the program", and "at program", and, in par. (2), inserted "or subprogram" after "for the program" in two places. See Codification note above.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 110–417, §811(d)(5), inserted "(or in the case of a major defense acquisition program with one or more designated major subprograms, approved baseline descriptions for such subprograms)" after "baseline description" and "or subprogram" before period at end and substituted "any such baseline description" for "the baseline".

2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–163 added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–364 inserted "prepared before the program enters system development and demonstration, or at program initiation, whichever occurs later" after "program under subsection (a)".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–163 redesignated subsec. (d) as (e).

2001—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–107, §§821(d)(1), 1048(b)(2), substituted "system development and demonstration" for "engineering and manufacturing development" and "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–107, §821(d)(2)(A), substituted "system development and demonstration" for "demonstration and validation".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, §821(d)(2)(B), substituted "production and deployment" for "engineering and manufacturing development".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–107, §821(d)(2)(C), substituted "full rate production" for "production and deployment".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 107–107, §1048(b)(2), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology".

1994—Pub. L. 103–355 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to enhanced program stability.

1993—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 103–160 substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition".

1990—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–510, §1484(k)(11), struck out closing parenthesis after "such Secretary" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–510, §1207(b), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "Stability of Program Managers.—(1) The tour of duty of an officer of the armed forces as a program manager of a major defense acquisition program shall be (A) not less than four years, or (B) until completion of a major program milestone (as defined in regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense).

"(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned may waive the length of the tour of duty prescribed in paragraph (1). The authority under the preceding sentence may not be delegated."

1989—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 101–189, §811(b)(1), substituted "production" for "development".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–189, §811(b)(2)(A), substituted "service acquisition executive designated by such Secretary" for "senior procurement executive of such military department (designated pursuant to section 16(3) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 414(3))".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–189, §811(b)(2)(B), substituted "180 days" for "90 days" in introductory provisions.

1988—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–456 clarified amendment by Pub. L. 100–180, §803(a). See 1987 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–370 added subsec. (c).

1987—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–180, as amended by Pub. L. 100–456, substituted "under paragraph (1), and for which the total cost of completion of the stage will exceed by 15 percent or more, in the case of a development stage, or by 5 percent or more, in the case of a production stage, the amount specified in the baseline description established under subsection (a) for such stage; or any milestone specified in such baseline description will be missed by more than 90 days" for first reference to "under paragraph (1)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–26, §7(b)(6), struck out subsec. (c) which defined "major defense acquisition program".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VIII, §802(e), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3370, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section and former section 2433 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006], and shall apply with respect to any major defense acquisition program for which an original Baseline Estimate is first established before, on, or after that date.

"(2) Applicability to current major defense acquisition programs.—In the case of a major defense acquisition program for which the program acquisition unit cost or procurement unit cost, as applicable, exceeds the original Baseline Estimate for the program by more than 50 percent on the date of the enactment of this Act—

"(A) the current Baseline Estimate for the program as of such date of enactment is deemed to be the original Baseline Estimate for the program for purposes of [former] section 2433 of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 4371 to 4375] (as amended by this section); and

"(B) each Selected Acquisition Report submitted on the program after the date of the enactment of this Act shall reflect each of the following:

"(i) The original Baseline Estimate, as first established for the program, without adjustment or revision.

"(ii) The Baseline Estimate for the program that is deemed to be the original Baseline Estimate for the program under subparagraph (A).

"(iii) The current original Baseline Estimate for the program as adjusted or revised, if at all, in accordance with subsection (d)(2) of section 2435 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4214(d)(2)] (as added by subsection (d) of this section)."

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, §1207(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1665, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Oct. 1, 1991.

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–456 applicable as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 100–180, see section 1233(l)(5) of Pub. L. 100–456 set out as a note under section 4172 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §904(b)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783-134, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §904(b)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341-134, and Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title IX, formerly title IV, §904(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3914, renumbered title IX, Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273, provided that: "Section 2435 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4214] (as added by subsection (a)(1)), shall apply to major defense acquisition programs that enter full-scale engineering development or full-rate production after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 18, 1986]."

SUBCHAPTER II—CONTRACTING

Sec.

4231.

Major systems: determination of quantity for low-rate initial production.

4232.

Prohibition on use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.

4233.

[Reserved].

4234.

[Reserved].

4235.

[Reserved].

4236.

Negotiation of price for technical data before development, production, or sustainment of major weapon systems.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(f)(8), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2139, added item 4232 and struck out former item 4232 "Use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection process: prohibition".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Limitation on use of Cost-Type Contracts

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VIII, §811, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1828, as amended by Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(66), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1550, provided that:

"(a) Prohibition With Respect to Production of Major Defense Acquisition Programs.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013], the Secretary of Defense shall modify the acquisition regulations of the Department of Defense to prohibit the Department from entering into cost-type contracts for the production of major defense acquisition programs.

"(b) Exception.—

"(1) In general.—The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a particular cost-type contract if the service acquisition executive, in the case of a major defense acquisition program of the military department, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in the case of a Defense-wide or Defense Agency major defense acquisition program, provides written certification to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] that a cost-type contract is needed to provide a required capability in a timely and cost-effective manner.

"(2) Scope of exception.—In any case for which the Under Secretary grants an exception under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall take affirmative steps to make sure that the use of cost-type pricing is limited to only those line items or portions of the contract where such pricing is needed to achieve the purposes of the exception. A written certification under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by an explanation of the steps taken under this paragraph.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Major defense acquisition program.—The term 'major defense acquisition program' has the meaning given the term in section 2430(a) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4201].

"(2) Production of a major defense acquisition program.—The term 'production of a major defense acquisition program' means the production and deployment of a major system that is intended to achieve an operational capability that satisfies mission needs, or any activity otherwise defined as Milestone C under Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02 or related authorities.

"(3) Contract for the production of a major defense acquisition program.—The term 'contract for the production of a major defense acquisition program'—

"(A) means a prime contract for the production of a major defense acquisition program; and

"(B) does not include individual line items for segregable efforts or contracts for the incremental improvement of systems that are already in production (other than contracts for major upgrades that are themselves major defense acquisition programs).

"(d) Applicability.—The requirements of this section shall apply to contracts for the production of major defense acquisition programs entered into on or after October 1, 2014."

Estimates of Potential Termination Liability of Contracts for the Development or Production of Major Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VIII, §812, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1829, directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to review, not later than 180 days after Jan. 2, 2013, relevant acquisition guidance and ensure that program managers for major defense acquisition programs are preparing estimates of potential termination liability for certain covered contracts and directed the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to the congressional defense committees, not later than 270 days after Jan. 2, 2013, a report on the extent to which the Department of Defense is considering potential termination liability as a factor in entering into and in terminating covered contracts.

Determination of Contract Type for Development Programs

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VIII, §818(b)–(f), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2329, 2330, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §808(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2705, provided that:

"(b) Modification of Regulations.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2006], the Secretary of Defense shall modify the regulations of the Department of Defense regarding the determination of contract type for development programs.

"(c) Elements.—As modified under subsection (b), the regulations shall require the Milestone Decision Authority for a major defense acquisition program to select the contract type for a development program at the time of a decision on Milestone B approval (or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program) that is consistent with the level of program risk for the program. The Milestone Decision Authority may select—

"(1) a fixed-price type contract (including a fixed price incentive contract); or

"(2) a cost type contract.

"(d) Conditions With Respect to Authorization of Cost Type Contract.—As modified under subsection (b), the regulations shall provide that the Milestone Decision Authority may authorize the use of a cost type contract under subsection (c) for a development program only upon a written determination that—

"(1) the program is so complex and technically challenging that it would not be practicable to reduce program risk to a level that would permit the use of a fixed-price type contract; and

"(2) the complexity and technical challenge of the program is not the result of a failure to meet the requirements established in section 2366a of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4251].

"(e) Justification for Selection of Contract Type.—As modified under subsection (b), the regulations shall require the Milestone Decision Authority to document the basis for the contract type selected for a program. The documentation shall include an explanation of the level of program risk for the program and, if the Milestone Decision Authority determines that the level of program risk is high, the steps that have been taken to reduce program risk and reasons for proceeding with Milestone B approval despite the high level of program risk.

"(f) Conditions With Respect to Certain Low-rate Initial Production.—

"(1) In general.—The number of low-rate initial production lots associated with a major defense acquisition program may not be more than one if—

"(A) the milestone decision authority authorizes the use of a fixed-price type contract at the time of a decision on Milestone B approval; and

"(B) the scope of the work of the fixed-price type contract includes both the development and low-rate initial production of items for such major defense acquisition program.

"(2) Waiver.—The limitation in paragraph (1) may be waived by the applicable service acquisition executive or a designee of such executive if—

"(A) such waiver authority is not delegated to the level of the contracting officer; and

"(B) written notification of a granted waiver, including the associated rationale, is provided to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] not later than 30 days after issuance of the waiver.

"(3) Definitions.—In this subsection:

"(A) The term 'low-rate initial production' has the meaning given under section 4231 of title 10, United States Code.

"(B) The term 'milestone decision authority' has the meaning given in section 4211 of title 10, United States Code.

"(C) The term 'major defense acquisition program' has the meaning given in section 4201 of title 10, United States Code.

"(D) The term 'Milestone B approval' has the meaning given in section 4172(e) of title 10, United States Code."

[Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §808(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2705, provided that: "Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall revise the Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and any applicable regulations regarding the use of fixed-price type contracts for a major defense acquisition program (as defined in section 4201 of title 10, United States Code) to carry out this section [enacting section 818(f) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out above] and the amendments made by this section."]

§4231. Major systems: determination of quantity for low-rate initial production

(a) Determination of Quantities To Be Procured for Low-Rate Initial Production.—(1) In the course of the development of a major system, the determination of what quantity of articles of that system should be procured for low-rate initial production (including the quantity to be procured for preproduction verification articles) shall be made—

(A) when the milestone B decision with respect to that system is made; and

(B) by the official of the Department of Defense who makes that decision.

(2) In this section, the term "milestone B decision" means the decision to approve the system development and demonstration of a major system by the official of the Department of Defense designated to have the authority to make that decision.

(3) Any increase from a quantity determined under paragraph (1) may only be made with the approval of the official making the determination.

(4) The quantity of articles of a major system that may be procured for low-rate initial production may not be less than one operationally configured production unit unless another quantity is established at the milestone B decision.

(5) The Secretary of Defense shall include a statement of the quantity determined under paragraph (1) in the first SAR submitted with respect to the program concerned after that quantity is determined. If the quantity exceeds 10 percent of the total number of articles to be produced, as determined at the milestone B decision with respect to that system, the Secretary shall include in the statement the reasons for such quantity. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "SAR" means a Selected Acquisition Report submitted under section 4351 of this title.

(b) Low-Rate Initial Production of Weapon Systems.—Except as provided in subsection (c), low-rate initial production with respect to a new system is production of the system in the minimum quantity necessary—

(1) to provide production-configured or representative articles for operational tests pursuant to section 4171 of this title;

(2) to establish an initial production base for the system; and

(3) to permit an orderly increase in the production rate for the system sufficient to lead to full-rate production upon the successful completion of operational testing.

(c) Low-Rate Initial Production of Naval Vessel and Satellite Programs.—With respect to naval vessel programs and military satellite programs, low-rate initial production is production of items at the minimum quantity and rate that (1) preserves the mobilization production base for that system, and (2) is feasible, as determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

(Added Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VIII, §803(a), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1487, §2400; amended Pub. L. 103–355, title III, §3015, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3332; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, §1062(d), div. D, title XLIII, §4321(b)(13), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 444, 673; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VIII, §821(c), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1182; renumbered §4231 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(c)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(o)(6)(C)(ii), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2147.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(c)(1)(B), amended section catchline generally. Prior to amendment, section catchline read as follows: "Low-rate initial production of new systems".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(c)(1)(A), renumbered section 2400 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(c)(1)(A)(i), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(o)(6)(C)(ii), substituted "section 4351" for "section 2432".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(c)(1)(A)(ii), substituted "section 4171" for "section 2399".

2001—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–107, §821(c)(1), substituted "milestone B" for "milestone II".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted "milestone B" for "milestone II" and "system development and demonstration" for "engineering and manufacturing development".

Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 107–107, §821(c)(1), substituted "milestone B" for "milestone II".

1996—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 104–106, §4321(b)(13), substituted "this paragraph" for "the preceding sentence".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–106, §1062(d), struck out "(1)" before "With respect to", redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) of former par. (1) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "For each naval vessel program and military satellite program, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report providing—

"(A) an explanation of the rate and quantity prescribed for low-rate initial production and the considerations in establishing that rate and quantity;

"(B) a test and evaluation master plan for that program; and

"(C) an acquisition strategy for that program that has been approved by the Secretary, to include the procurement objectives in terms of total quantity of articles to be procured and annual production rates."

1994—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103–355, §3015(1), substituted "this section" for "paragraph (1)" and "engineering and manufacturing development" for "full-scale engineering development".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–355, §3015(2), (3), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103–355, §3015(2), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and inserted after first sentence "If the quantity exceeds 10 percent of the total number of articles to be produced, as determined at the milestone II decision with respect to that system, the Secretary shall include in the statement the reasons for such quantity."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

For effective date and applicability of amendment by section 4321(b)(13) of Pub. L. 104–106, see section 4401 of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 2220 of this title.

§4232. Prohibition on use of lowest price technically acceptable source selection process

(a) In General.—The Department of Defense shall not use a lowest price technically acceptable source selection process for the engineering and manufacturing development contract of a major defense acquisition program.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.—The term "lowest price technically acceptable source selection process" has the meaning given that term in part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(2) Engineering and manufacturing development contract.—The term "engineering and manufacturing development contract" means a prime contract for the engineering and manufacturing development of a major defense acquisition program.

(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §832(a)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1468, §2442; renumbered §4232 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(c)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2442 of this title as this section and, in subsec. (b), redesignated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which defined "major defense acquisition program".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §832(b), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1468, provided that: "The requirements of section 2442 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4232], as added by subsection (a), shall apply to major defense acquisition programs for which budgetary authority is requested for fiscal year 2019 or a subsequent fiscal year."

§4236. Negotiation of price for technical data before development, production, or sustainment of major weapon systems

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the Department of Defense, before selecting a contractor for the engineering and manufacturing development of a major weapon system, production of a major weapon system, or sustainment of a major weapon system, negotiates a price for technical data to be delivered under a contract for such development, production, or sustainment.

(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §835(a)(1), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1471, §2439; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §867, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1901; renumbered §4236, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(c)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2439 of this title as this section.

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §867(4), substituted ", production, or sustainment" for "or production" in section catchline.

Pub. L. 115–232, §867(1)–(3), inserted ", to the maximum extent practicable," after "shall ensure" and substituted "production of a major weapon system, or sustainment of a major weapon system" for "or for the production of a major weapon system" and ", production, or sustainment" for "or production".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §835(a)(3), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1471, provided that: "Section 2439 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4236], as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to any contract for engineering and manufacturing development of a major weapon system, or for the production of a major weapon system, for which the contract solicitation is issued on or after the date occurring one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017]."

SUBCHAPTER III—MILESTONES FOR MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS

Sec.

4251.

Major defense acquisition programs: determination required before Milestone A approval.

4252.

Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone B approval.

4253.

Major defense acquisition programs: submissions to Congress on Milestone C.

4254.

[Reserved].

§4251. Major defense acquisition programs: determination required before Milestone A approval

(a) Responsibilities.—Before granting Milestone A approval for a major defense acquisition program or a major subprogram, the milestone decision authority for the program or subprogram shall ensure that—

(1) information about the program or subprogram is sufficient to warrant entry of the program or subprogram into the risk reduction phase;

(2) the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Chief of the armed force concerned concur in the cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance trade-offs that have been made with regard to the program; and

(3) there are sound plans for progression of the program or subprogram to the development phase.

(b) Written Determination Required.—A major defense acquisition program or subprogram may not receive Milestone A approval or otherwise be initiated prior to Milestone B approval until the milestone decision authority determines in writing, after consultation with the Joint Requirements Oversight Council on matters related to program requirements and military needs—

(1) that the program fulfills an approved initial capabilities document;

(2) that the program has been developed in light of appropriate market research;

(3) if the program duplicates a capability already provided by an existing system, the duplication provided by such program is necessary and appropriate;

(4) that, with respect to any identified areas of risk, including risks determined by the identification of critical technologies required under section 4272(a)(1) of this title or any other risk assessment, there is a plan to reduce the risk;

(5) that planning for sustainment has been addressed and that a determination of applicability of core logistics capabilities requirements has been made;

(6) that an analysis of alternatives has been performed consistent with study guidance developed by the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation;

(7) that a cost estimate for the program has been submitted, with the concurrence of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, and that the level of resources required to develop, procure, and sustain the program is sufficient for successful program execution;

(8) that, with respect to a program initiated after January 1, 2019, technology shall be developed in the program (after Milestone A approval) only if the milestone decision authority determines with a high degree of confidence that such development will not delay the fielding target of the program, or, if the milestone decision authority does not make such determination for a major system component being developed under the program, the milestone decision authority ensures that the technology related to the major system component shall be sufficiently matured and demonstrated in a relevant environment (after Milestone A approval) separate from the program using the prototyping authorities in subchapter II of chapter 327 of this title or other authorities, as appropriate, and have an effective plan for adoption or insertion by the relevant program; and

(9) that the program or subprogram meets any other considerations the milestone decision authority considers relevant.

(1) Brief summary report.—Not later than 15 days after granting Milestone A approval for a major defense acquisition program, the milestone decision authority for the program shall provide to the congressional defense committees and, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees a brief summary report that contains the following elements:

(A) The program cost and fielding targets established under section 4271(a) of this title.

(B) The estimated cost and schedule for the program established by the military department concerned, including—

(i) the dollar values estimated for the program acquisition unit cost and total life-cycle cost; and

(ii) the planned dates for each program milestone and initial operational capability.

(C) The independent estimated cost for the program established pursuant to section 3221(b)(6) of this title, and any independent estimated schedule for the program, including—

(i) as assessment of the major contributors to the program acquisition unit cost and total life-cycle cost; and

(ii) the planned dates for each program milestone and initial operational capability.

(D) A summary of the technical or manufacturing risks associated with the program, as determined by the military department concerned, including identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that need to be matured.

(E) A summary of the independent technical risk assessment conducted or approved under section 4272 of this title, including identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that need to be matured.

(F) A summary of any sufficiency review conducted by the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of the analysis of alternatives performed for the program (as referred to in subsection (b)(6)).

(G) Any other information the milestone decision authority considers relevant.

(2) Additional information.—(A) At the request of any of the congressional defense committees or, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees, the milestone decision authority shall submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for a determination made under subsection (b) with respect to a major defense acquisition program, together with a copy of the written determination, or further information or underlying documentation for the information in a brief summary report submitted under paragraph (1), including the independent cost and schedule estimates and the independent technical risk assessments referred to in that paragraph.

(B) The explanation or information shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(d) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "initial capabilities document" means any capabilities requirement document approved by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council that establishes the need for a materiel approach to resolve a capability gap.

(2) The term "Milestone A approval" means a decision to enter into technology maturation and risk reduction pursuant to guidance prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the management of Department of Defense acquisition programs.

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

(4) The term "core logistics capabilities" means the core logistics capabilities identified under section 2464(a) of this title.

(5) The term "milestone decision authority", with respect to a major defense acquisition program or a major subprogram, means the official within the Department of Defense designated with the overall responsibility and authority for acquisition decisions for the program or subprogram, including authority to approve entry of the program or subprogram into the next phase of the acquisition process.

(6) The term "fielding target" has the meaning given that term in section 4271(a) of this title.

(7) The term "major system component" has the meaning given that term in section 4401(b)(3) of this title.

(8) The term "congressional intelligence committees" has the meaning given that term in section 437(c) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, §943(a)(1), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 288, §2366b; renumbered §2366a and amended Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §813(b), (e)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4527; Pub. L. 111–23, title I, §101(d)(3), title II, §§201(e), 204(a), (b), May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1710, 1720, 1723; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §814(b), title X, §1075(b)(33), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4266, 4370; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VIII, §801(a), (e)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1482, 1483; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, §322(e)(1), title X, §1076(a)(10), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1695, 1948; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §823(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 902; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §§806(b), 807(d), 808(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2259, 2262; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §831(b)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1857; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1731(a)(44), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1814; renumbered §4251 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(d)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4254.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(A), renumbered section 2366a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(B)(i), substituted "section 4272(a)(1)" for "section 2448b(a)(1)".

Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(B)(ii), substituted "subchapter II of chapter 327" for "subchapter II of chapter 144B".

Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(C)(i), substituted "section 4271(a)" for "section 2448a(a)".

Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(C)(ii), substituted "section 3221(b)(6)" for "section 2334(a)(6)".

Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(C)(iii), substituted "section 4272" for "section 2448b".

Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which defined "major defense acquisition program".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(ii), substituted "section 4172(e)(7)" for "section 2366(e)(7)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated par. (4) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (d)(4), (5). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated pars. (5) and (7) as (4) and (5), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(iii), substituted "section 4271(a)" for "section 2448a(a)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated par. (8) as (6) and struck out former par. (6) which defined "major subprogram".

Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(iv), substituted "section 4401(b)(3)" for "section 2446a(b)(3)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated par. (9) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (d)(8) to (10). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(1)(D)(i), redesignated pars. (8) to (10) as (6) to (8), respectively.

2019—Subsec. (c)(1)(F). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "subsection (b)(6)" for "section 2366a(b)(6) of this title".

2018—Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–232 struck out "by the Secretary of Defense" after "established".

2016—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(d), inserted ", including risks determined by the identification of critical technologies required under section 2448b(a)(1) of this title or any other risk assessment" after "areas of risk".

Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 114–328, §806(b), added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–328, §808(a)(1), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (c) read as follows: "At the request of any of the congressional defense committees, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for a determination made under subsection (b) with respect to a major defense acquisition program, together with a copy of the written determination. The explanation shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex."

Subsec. (d)(8) to (10). Pub. L. 114–328, §808(a)(2), added pars. (8) to (10).

2015—Pub. L. 114–92 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to certification required before Milestone A approval of major defense acquisition programs.

2013—Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(C), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(1)(A). See 2011 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–239, §322(e)(1), substituted "core logistics capabilities" for "core depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities".

Subsec. (a)(5), (6). Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(A), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(B). See 2011 Amendment notes below.

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(B), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(2). See 2011 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 112–239, §322(e)(1), substituted "core logistics capabilities" for "core depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities" in two places.

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(C), struck out "or Key Decision Point A" after "Milestone A" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(1)(B), struck out ", or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program," after "Milestone A approval" and ", or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program," after "Milestone B approval" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(A), substituted "function" for "core competency".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(C), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(D), substituted "develop, procure, and sustain" for "develop and procure".

Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(1)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(A), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(1)(C)(i), struck out "(or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program)" after "Milestone A approval".

Pub. L. 111–383, §814(b)(1)(A), substituted "a major defense acquisition program certified by the Milestone Decision Authority under subsection (a) or a designated major subprogram of such program, if the projected cost of the program or subprogram" for "a major defense acquisition program certified by the Milestone Decision Authority under subsection (a), if the projected cost of the program".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(b)(1)(B), inserted "or designated major subprogram" after "major defense acquisition program".

Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(1)(C)(ii), struck out ", or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program," after "Milestone A approval".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(b)(33)(A), inserted a space after "(c)".

Subsec. (c)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(b)(2), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (4) as (3) to (5), respectively. Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(b)(33)(B), which directed substitution of "section 118b(c)(3) of this title" for "section 125a(a) of this title" in par. (4), was executed by making the substitution in par. (5) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 111–383, §814(b)(2)(A). See above.

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(b)(2)(A), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(a)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, §1076(a)(10)(B), added par. (7).

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–23, §204(a), substituted "may not receive Milestone A approval, or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program, or otherwise be initiated prior to Milestone B approval, or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program," for "may not receive Milestone A approval, or Key Decision Point A approval in the case of a space program," in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111–23, §201(e)(1), struck out "and" at end.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–23, §201(e)(3), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Pub. L. 111–23, §101(d)(3), inserted ", with the concurrence of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation," after "has been submitted".

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 111–23, §201(e)(2), redesignated par. (4) as (5).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–23, §204(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "by at least 25 percent, or the program manager determines that the period of time required for the delivery of an initial operational capability is likely to exceed the schedule objective established pursuant to section 181(b)(5) of this title by more than 25 percent," for "by at least 25 percent,", and added par. (2).

2008—Pub. L. 110–417, §813(b), renumbered section 2366b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1), (2). Pub. L. 110–417, §813(e)(1)(A), substituted "program" for "system".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 110–417, §813(e)(1)(B), substituted "if the program" for "if the system" and "such program" for "such system".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–417, §813(e)(1)(A), substituted "program" for "system" in two places.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–417, §813(e)(1)(C), substituted "major defense acquisition program" for "major system", "cost of the program" for "cost of the system", "estimate for the program" for "estimate for the system", "the program concerned" for "the system concerned", and "procure the program" for "procure the system".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 110–417, §813(e)(1)(D), substituted " 'major defense acquisition program' " for " 'major system' " and "2430" for "2302(5)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, §322(f), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1695, provided that: "This section [enacting sections 2460 and 2464 of this title, amending this section and sections 2366b, 2460, and 2464 of this title, repealing sections 2460 and 2464 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under this section] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on December 31, 2011, the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 [Pub. L. 112–81], immediately after the enactment of that Act."

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1947, provided that the amendment made by section 1076(a)(10) is effective Dec. 31, 2011, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–81 as enacted.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, §943(c), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 289, as amended by Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §813(e)(2)(B), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4528, provided that: "Section 2366b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4251], as added by subsection (a), shall apply to major defense acquisition programs on and after March 1, 2008. In the case of the certification required by [former] paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of such section, during the period prior to the completion of the first quadrennial roles and missions review required by [former] section 118b of title 10, United States Code, the certification required by that paragraph shall be that the system is being executed by an entity with a relevant core competency as identified by the Secretary of Defense."

Analysis of Alternatives Pursuant to Materiel Development Decisions

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VIII, §832, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1493, provided that:

"(a) Timeline.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Secretary of Defense shall update existing guidance for analyses of alternatives conducted pursuant to a materiel development decision for a major defense acquisition program to incorporate the following:

"(1) Study completion within nine months.

"(2) Study guidance issued by the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of a scope designed to provide for reasonable completion of the study within the nine-month period.

"(3) Procedures for waiver of the timeline requirements of this subsection on a case-by-case basis if—

"(A) the subject of the analysis is of extreme technical complexity;

"(B) collection of additional intelligence is required to inform the analysis;

"(C) insufficient technical expertise is available to complete the analysis; or

"(D) the Secretary determines that there [are] other sufficient reasons for delay of the analysis.

"(b) Reporting.—If an analysis of alternatives cannot be completed within the allotted time, or a waiver is used, the Secretary shall report to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] the following information:

"(1) For a waiver, the basis for use of the waivers, including the reasons why the study cannot be completed within the allotted time.

"(2) For a study estimated to take more than nine months—

"(A) an estimate of when the analysis will be completed;

"(B) an estimate of any additional costs to complete the analysis; and

"(C) other relevant information pertaining to the analysis and its completion.

"(c) Report on Analyses of Alternatives.—

"(1) Assessment.—

"(A) In general.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall engage with an independent entity, including under the Program for Acquisition Innovation Research, to assess the conduct of analyses of alternatives.

"(B) Elements.—The assessment required under subparagraph (A) shall—

"(i) assess the time required to complete analyses of alternatives within the Department of Defense completed over the last five fiscal years, as compared with best practices;

"(ii) provide recommendations and policy options to improve analyses of alternatives; and

"(iii) discuss any other matters as identified by the Under Secretary.

"(C) Access to data.—The Under Secretary shall ensure that the independent entity is provided access to the data, information, and resources necessary to complete the required analyses and assessment.

"(2) Report.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report including the assessment required under paragraph (1) and a review and assessment by the Under Secretary of the findings made in the assessment."

Milestone A Decisions

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §802(d)(2), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 880, provided that: "The Chief of the Armed Force concerned shall advise the milestone decision authority for a major defense acquisition program of the Chief's views on cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance trade-offs that have been made with regard to the program, as provided in section 2366a(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4251(a)(2)], as amended by section 823 of this Act, prior to a Milestone A decision on the program."

Guidance

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VIII, §801(d), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1483, provided that: "Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 31, 2011], the Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance implementing the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 2366b of this title], and subsection (c) [set out as a note preceding section 4321 of this title], in a manner that is consistent across the Department of Defense."

§4252. Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone B approval

(a) Certifications and Determination Required.—A major defense acquisition program may not receive Milestone B approval until the milestone decision authority—

(1) has received a preliminary design review and conducted a formal post-preliminary design review assessment, and certifies on the basis of such assessment that the program demonstrates a high likelihood of accomplishing its intended mission;

(2) further certifies that the technology in the program has been demonstrated in a relevant environment, as determined by the milestone decision authority on the basis of an independent review and technical risk assessment conducted under section 4272 of this title;

(3) determines in writing that—

(A) the program is affordable when considering the ability of the Department of Defense to accomplish the program's mission using alternative systems;

(B) appropriate trade-offs among cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance objectives have been made to ensure that the program is affordable when considering the per unit cost and the total life-cycle cost;

(C) reasonable cost and schedule estimates have been developed to execute, with the concurrence of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, the product development and production plan under the program;

(D) the estimated procurement unit cost for the program and the estimated date for initial operational capability for the baseline description for the program (established under section 4214 of this title) do not exceed the program cost and fielding targets established under section 4271(a) of this title, or, if such estimated cost is higher than the program cost targets or if such estimated date is later than the fielding target, the program cost targets have been increased or the fielding target has been delayed by the milestone decision authority;

(E) funding is expected to be available to execute the product development and production plan for the program, consistent with the estimates described in subparagraph (C) for the program;

(F) appropriate market research has been conducted prior to technology development to reduce duplication of existing technology and products;

(G) the Department of Defense has completed an analysis of alternatives with respect to the program;

(H) the Joint Requirements Oversight Council has accomplished its duties with respect to the program pursuant to section 181(b) of this title, including an analysis of the operational requirements for the program;

(I) life-cycle sustainment planning, including corrosion prevention and mitigation planning, has identified and evaluated relevant sustainment costs throughout development, production, operation, sustainment, and disposal of the program, and any alternatives, and that such costs are reasonable and have been accurately estimated;

(J) an estimate has been made of the requirements for core logistics capabilities and the associated sustaining workloads required to support such requirements;

(K) there is a plan to mitigate and account for any costs in connection with any anticipated de-certification of cryptographic systems and components during the production and procurement of the major defense acquisition program to be acquired;

(L) the program complies with all relevant policies, regulations, and directives of the Department of Defense;

(M) the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Chief of the armed force concerned concur in the trade-offs made in accordance with subparagraph (B);

(N) the requirements of section 4402(e) of this title are met;

(O) appropriate actions have been taken to negotiate and enter into a contract or contract options for the technical data required to support the program; and

(P) has approved the life cycle sustainment plan required under section 4324(b) of this title.¹

(4) in the case of a space system, performs a cost benefit analysis for any new or follow-on satellite system using a dedicated ground control system instead of a shared ground control system, except that no cost benefit analysis is required to be performed under this paragraph for any Milestone B approval of a space system after December 31, 2019; and

(5) in the case of a naval vessel program, certifies compliance with the requirements of section 8669b of this title.

(b) Changes to Certifications or Determination.—(1) The program manager for a major defense acquisition program that has received certifications or a determination under subsection (a) shall immediately notify the milestone decision authority of any changes to the program or a designated major subprogram of such program that—

(A) alter the substantive basis for the certifications or determination of the milestone decision authority relating to any component of such certifications or determination specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a); or

(B) otherwise cause the program or subprogram to deviate significantly from the material provided to the milestone decision authority in support of such certifications or determination.

(2) Upon receipt of information under paragraph (1), the milestone decision authority may withdraw the certifications or determination concerned or rescind Milestone B approval if the milestone decision authority determines that such certifications, determination, or approval are no longer valid.

(1) Brief summary report.—Not later than 15 days after granting Milestone B approval for a major defense acquisition program, the milestone decision authority for the program shall provide to the congressional defense committees and, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees a brief summary report that contains the following elements:

(A) The program cost and fielding targets established under section 4271(a) of this title.

(B) The estimated cost and schedule for the program established by the military department concerned, including—

(i) the dollar values estimated for the program acquisition unit cost, average procurement unit cost, and total life-cycle cost; and

(ii) the planned dates for each program milestone, initial operational test and evaluation, and initial operational capability.

(C) The independent estimated cost for the program established pursuant to section 3221(b)(6) of this title, and any independent estimated schedule for the program, including—

(i) the dollar values and ranges estimated for the program acquisition unit cost, average procurement unit cost, and total life-cycle cost; and

(ii) the planned dates for each program milestone, initial operational test and evaluation, and initial operational capability.

(D) A summary of the technical and manufacturing risks associated with the program, as determined by the military department concerned, including identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.

(F) A statement of whether a modular open system approach is being used for the program.

(G) An assessment of the sufficiency of developmental test and evaluation plans, including the use of automated data analytics or modeling and simulation tools and methodologies.

(H) A summary of the life cycle sustainment plan required under section 4324 of this title.

(I) Any other information the milestone decision authority considers relevant.

(2) Certifications and determinations.—(A) The certifications and determination under subsection (a) with respect to a major defense acquisition program shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees with the first Selected Acquisition Report submitted under section 4351 of this title after completion of the certification.

(B) The milestone decision authority shall retain records of the basis for the certifications and determination under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a).

(3) Additional information.—(A) At the request of any of the congressional defense committees or, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees, the milestone decision authority shall submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for the certifications and determination under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) with respect to a major defense acquisition program or further information or underlying documentation for the information in a brief summary report submitted under paragraph (1), including the independent cost and schedule estimates and the independent technical risk assessments referred to in that paragraph.

(B) The explanation or information shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(d) Waiver for National Security.—(1) The milestone decision authority may, at the time of Milestone B approval or at the time that such milestone decision authority withdraws a certification or rescinds Milestone B approval pursuant to subsection (b)(2), waive the applicability to a major defense acquisition program of one or more components (as specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a)) of the certification and determination requirements if the milestone decision authority determines that, but for such a waiver, the Department would be unable to meet critical national security objectives.

(2) Whenever the milestone decision authority makes such a determination and authorizes such a waiver—

(A) the waiver, the waiver determination, and the reasons for the waiver determination shall be submitted in writing to the congressional defense committees within 30 days after the waiver is authorized; and

(B) the milestone decision authority shall review the program not less often than annually to determine the extent to which such program currently satisfies the certification and determination components specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) until such time as the milestone decision authority determines that the program satisfies all such certification and determination components.

(3) The requirement in paragraph (2)(B) shall not apply to a program for which a certification was required pursuant to section 4377 of this title if the milestone decision authority—

(A) determines in writing that—

(i) the program has reached a stage in the acquisition process at which it would not be practicable to meet the certification component that was waived; and

(ii) the milestone decision authority has taken appropriate alternative actions to address the underlying purposes of such certification component; and

(B) submits the written determination, and an explanation of the basis for the determination, to the congressional defense committees.

(e) Designation of Certification Status in Budget Documentation.—Any budget request, budget justification material, budget display, reprogramming request, Selected Acquisition Report, or other budget documentation or performance report submitted by the Secretary of Defense to the President regarding a major defense acquisition program receiving a waiver pursuant to subsection (d) shall prominently and clearly indicate that such program has not fully satisfied the certification requirements of this section until such time as the milestone decision authority makes the determination that such program has satisfied all such certification requirements.

(f) Nondelegation.—The milestone decision authority may not delegate the certification requirement under subsection (a) or the authority to waive any component of such requirement under subsection (d).

(g) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "milestone decision authority", with respect to a major defense acquisition program, means the official within the Department of Defense designated with the overall responsibility and authority for acquisition decisions for the program, including authority to approve entry of the program into the next phase of the acquisition process.

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

(3) The term "core logistics capabilities" means the core logistics capabilities identified under section 2464(a) of this title.

(4) The term "fielding target" has the meaning given that term in section 4271(a) of this title.

(5) The term "major system component" has the meaning given that term in section 4401(b)(3) of this title.

(6) The term "congressional intelligence committees" has the meaning given that term in section 437(c) of this title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(A), renumbered section 2366b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(B)(i), substituted "section 4272" for "section 2448b".

Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(B)(ii)(I), substituted "section 4214 of this title" for "section 2435" and "section 4271(a)" for "section 2448a(a)".

Subsec. (a)(3)(N). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(B)(ii)(II), substituted "section 4402(e)" for "section 2446b(e)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §802(b)(1)(A), struck out "and" after "met;".

Subsec. (a)(3)(O). Pub. L. 116–283, §802(b)(1)(B), which directed amendment of subpar. (O) by substituting "; and" for period at the end, was executed by making the substitution for semicolon at end to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (a)(3)(P). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 4324(b)" for "section 2337(b)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §802(b)(1)(C), added subpar. (P).

Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(C)(i)(I), substituted "section 4271(a)" for "section 2448a(a)".

Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(C)(i)(II), substituted "section 3221(b)(6)" for "section 2334(a)(6)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(C)(i)(III), substituted "section 4272" for "section 2448b".

Subsec. (c)(1)(H). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 4324" for "section 2337".

Pub. L. 116–283, §802(b)(2)(B), added subpar. (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated (I).

Subsec. (c)(1)(I). Pub. L. 116–283, §802(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (H) as (I).

Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(C)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(o)(6)(C)(iii), substituted "section 4351" for "section 2432".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(D), substituted "section 4377" for "section 2433a(c)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), redesignated par. (3) as (1) and struck out former par. (1) which defined "major defense acquisition program".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), (ii), redesignated par. (4) as (2), substituted "section 4172(e)(7)" for "section 2366(e)(7)", and struck out former par. (2) which defined "designated major subprogram".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), redesignated par. (5) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (1).

Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), (iii), redesignated par. (6) as (4) and substituted "section 4271(a)" for "section 2448a(a)". Former par. (4) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), (iv), redesignated par. (7) as (5) and substituted "section 4401(b)(3)" for "section 2446a(b)(3)". Former par. (5) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (g)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(d)(2)(E)(i), redesignated pars. (6) to (8) as (4) to (6), respectively.

2019—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 116–92 added par. (5).

2018—Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(b)(3)(A), struck out "Secretary of Defense after a request for such increase or delay by the" before "milestone decision authority".

Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(b)(3)(B), struck out "by the Secretary of Defense" after "established".

2017—Subsec. (a)(3)(O). Pub. L. 115–91, §835(b)(1), added subpar. (O).

Subsec. (c)(1)(G), (H). Pub. L. 115–91, §838(a)(1), added subpar. (G) and redesignated former subpar. (G) as (H).

2016—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(1), substituted "technical risk assessment conducted under section 2448b of this title" for "assessment by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation".

Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 114–328, §843(1), substituted "life-cycle cost;" for "acquisition cost in the context of the total resources available during the period covered by the future-years defense program submitted during the fiscal year in which the certification is made;".

Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(A), struck out "and" at end.

Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(C), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).

Subsec. (a)(3)(E). Pub. L. 114–328, §843(2), which directed amendment of subpar. (D) by substituting "funding is expected to be available to execute the product development and production plan for the program," for "funding is" and all that followed through "made,", was executed by making the substitution for "funding is available to execute the product development and production plan under the program, through the period covered by the future-years defense program submitted during the fiscal year in which the certification is made," in subpar. (E), to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(B). See below.

Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(B), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (a)(3)(F) to (L). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(B), redesignated subpars. (E) to (K) as (F) to (L), respectively. Former subpar. (L) redesignated (M).

Subsec. (a)(3)(M). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(B), redesignated subpar. (L) as (M). Former subpar. (M) redesignated (N).

Pub. L. 114–328, §805(a)(3), added subpar. (M).

Subsec. (a)(3)(N). Pub. L. 114–328, §807(e)(2)(B), redesignated subpar. (M) as (N).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–328, §808(b)(1), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(1) The certifications and determination under subsection (a) with respect to a major defense acquisition program shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees with the first Selected Acquisition Report submitted under section 2432 of this title after completion of the certification.

"(2) The milestone decision authority shall retain records of the basis for the certifications and determination under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a).

"(3) At the request of any of the congressional defense committees, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the committee an explanation of the basis for the certifications and determination under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) with respect to a major defense acquisition program. The explanation shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex."

Subsec. (g)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 114–328, §808(b)(2), added pars. (6) to (8).

2015—Pub. L. 114–92 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to certification required before Milestone B approval of major defense acquisition programs.

2013—Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 112–239, §904(e)(2), substituted "the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation" for "the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering".

Subsec. (a)(3)(F). Pub. L. 112–239, §322(e)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 113–66, §1091(b)(1), substituted "core logistics capabilities" for "core depot-level maintenance and repair capabilities, as well as the associated logistics capabilities".

Subsec. (a)(3)(G), (H). Pub. L. 113–66, §821(a), added subpar. (G) and redesignated former subpar. (G) as (H).

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 113–66, §822(a), added par. (4).

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(2)(A), struck out "or Key Decision Point B" after "Milestone B" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(2)(B), struck out ", or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program," after "Milestone B approval" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(j)(4), substituted "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Director of Defense Research and Engineering".

Subsec. (a)(3)(E) to (G). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(b)(1), added subpars. (E) and (F) and redesignated former subpar. (E) as (G).

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(c)(1)(A), substituted "any changes to the program or a designated major subprogram of such program" for "any changes to the program" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(c)(1)(B), substituted "otherwise cause the program or subprogram" for "otherwise cause the program".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(2)(C), struck out "(or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program)" after "Milestone B approval".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(e)(2)(C), struck out "(or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program)" after "Milestone B approval" in two places.

Pub. L. 111–383, §813(d)(1)(A), substituted "(as specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a))" for "(as specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a))".

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–383, §1075(k)(1), which directed amendment of directory language of Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(1)(B), resulting in substitution of "paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)" for "paragraphs (1) and (2)" in text, was not executed because of the prior identical amendment by Pub. L. 111–383, §813(d)(1)(B). See below.

Pub. L. 111–383, §813(d)(1)(B), substituted "specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a)" for "specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a)".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–81, §819(b), added par. (3).

Subsec. (g)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 111–383, §814(c)(2), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 112–81, §801(b)(2), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: "The term 'Key Decision Point B' means the official program initiation of a National Security Space program of the Department of Defense, which triggers a formal review to determine maturity of technology and the program's readiness to begin the preliminary system design."

Pub. L. 111–383, §814(c)(2)(A), redesignated par. (4) as (5).

2009—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–23, §201(f), inserted "appropriate trade-offs among cost, schedule, and performance objectives have been made to ensure that" before "the program is affordable".

Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111–23, §101(d)(4), inserted ", with the concurrence of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation," before "the product".

Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(3)(A), struck out "and" at end.

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(3)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(3)(D)(i), substituted ", as determined by the Milestone Decision Authority on the basis of an independent review and assessment by the Director of Defense Research and Engineering; and" for semicolon.

Subsec. (a)(3)(E), (F). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(3)(D)(ii), (iii), redesignated subpar. (F) as (E) and struck out former subpar. (E) which read as follows: "the program demonstrates a high likelihood of accomplishing its intended mission; and".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted par. (2) for "Whenever the milestone decision authority makes such a determination and authorizes such a waiver, the waiver, the determination, and the reasons for the determination shall be submitted in writing to the congressional defense committees within 30 days after the waiver is authorized."

Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 111–23, §205(a)(2), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsecs. (e) and (f) as (f) and (g), respectively.

2008—Pub. L. 110–417, §813(a), (b), renumbered section 2366a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) consisted of pars. (1) to (10) relating to required certifications by milestone decision authority for major defense acquisition program to receive Milestone B approval, or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(3), added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(4), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 110–181, §812(2), redesignated subsec. (b) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(5), substituted "authority may, at the time of Milestone B approval (or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program) or at the time that such milestone decision authority withdraws a certification or rescinds Milestone B approval (or Key Decision Point B approval in the case of a space program) pursuant to subsection (b)(2), waive" for "authority may waive" and "paragraph (1) or (2)" for "paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), or (9)".

Pub. L. 110–181, §812(2), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(6), substituted "subsection (d)" for "subsection (c)".

Pub. L. 110–181, §812(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–181, §812(2), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f).

2006—Subsec. (a)(1) to (7). Pub. L. 109–364, §805(a)(1)–(3), added par. (1) and redesignated former pars. (1) to (6) as (2) to (7), respectively. Former par. (7) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (a)(8), (9). Pub. L. 109–364, §805(a)(4), (5), added pars. (8) and (9).

Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 109–364, §805(a)(1), redesignated par. (7) as (10).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–364, §805(b), substituted "(5), (6), (7), (8), or (9)" for "(5), or (6)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by sections 1847(d)(2) and 1883(b)(2) 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.

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §835(b)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1471, provided that: "Section 2366b(a)(3)(O) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4252(a)(3)(O)], as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to any major defense acquisition program receiving Milestone B approval on or after the date occurring one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017]."

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VIII, §821(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 809, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 26, 2013], and shall apply with respect to major defense acquisition programs which are subject to Milestone B approval on or after the date occurring six months after the date of the enactment of this Act."

Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1091(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 876, provided in part that the amendment made by section 1091(b)(1) is effective as of Jan. 2, 2013, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–239 as enacted.

Amendment by section 322(e)(2) of Pub. L. 112–239 effective Dec. 31, 2011, immediately after enactment of Pub. L. 112–81, see section 322(f) of Pub. L. 112–239, set out as an note under section 4251 of this title.

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §813(d)(1), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4265, provided that the amendment made by section 813(d)(1) is effective as of May 22, 2009.

Amendment by section 901(j)(4) of 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.

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(k), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4378, provided that the amendment made by section 1075(k)(1) is effective as of May 22, 2009, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–23 as enacted.

Responsibility for Conducting Assessments

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §838(a)(3), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1474, provided that: "For purposes of the sufficiency assessments required by section 2366b(c)(1) [now 10 U.S.C. 4252(c)(1)] and section 2366c(a)(4) [now 10 U.S.C. 4253(a)(4)] of such title [meaning title 10, United States Code], as added by paragraphs (1) and (2), with respect to a major defense acquisition program—

"(A) if the milestone decision authority for the program is the service acquisition executive of the military department that is managing the program, the sufficiency assessment shall be conducted by the senior official within the military department with responsibility for developmental testing; and

"(B) if the milestone decision authority for the program is the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the sufficiency assessment shall be conducted by the senior Department of Defense official with responsibility for developmental testing."

Guidance

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §838(a)(4), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1475, provided that: "Within one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017], the senior Department of Defense official with responsibility for developmental testing shall develop guidance for the sufficiency assessments required by section 2366b(c)(1) and section 2366c(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4252(c)(1) and 4253(a)(4)], as added by paragraphs (1) and (2). At a minimum, the guidance shall require—

"(A) for the sufficiency assessment required by section 2366b(c)(1) of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4252(c)(1)], that the assessment address the sufficiency of—

"(i) the developmental test and evaluation plan;

"(ii) the developmental test and evaluation schedule, including a comparison to historic analogous systems;

"(iii) the developmental test and evaluation resources (facilities, personnel, test assets, data analytics tools, and modeling and simulation capabilities);

"(iv) the risks of developmental test and production concurrency; and

"(v) the developmental test criteria for entering the production phase; and

"(B) for the sufficiency assessment required by section 2366c(a)(4) of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4253(a)(4)], that the assessment address—

"(i) the sufficiency of the developmental test and evaluation completed;

"(ii) the sufficiency of the plans and resources available for remaining developmental test and evaluation;

"(iii) the risks identified during developmental testing to the production and deployment phase;

"(iv) the sufficiency of the plans and resources for remaining developmental test and evaluation; and

"(v) the readiness of the system to perform scheduled initial operational test and evaluation."

Milestone B Decisions

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §802(d)(3), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 880, provided that: "The Chief of the Armed Force concerned shall advise the milestone decision authority for a major defense acquisition program of the Chief's views on cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance trade-offs that have been made with regard to the program, as provided in section 2366b(b)(3) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4252(b)(3)], as amended by section 824 of this Act, prior to a Milestone B decision on the program."

Formal Review Process for Bandwidth Requirements

Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title X, §1047(d), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4603, as amended by Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1033, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2449; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §813(c), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1851, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence shall, as part of the Milestone B or Key Decision Point B approval process for any major defense acquisition program or major system acquisition program, establish a formal review process to ensure that—

"(A) the bandwidth requirements needed to support such program are or will be met; and

"(B) a determination will be made with respect to how to meet the bandwidth requirements for such program."

¹ So in original. Does not fit with par. (3) introductory provisions and period at end probably should be a semicolon.

§4253. Major defense acquisition programs: submissions to Congress on Milestone C

(a) Brief Summary Report.—Not later than 15 days after granting Milestone C approval for a major defense acquisition program, the milestone decision authority for the program shall provide to the congressional defense committees and, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees a brief summary report that contains the following:

(1) The estimated cost and schedule for the program established by the military department concerned, including—

(A) the dollar values estimated for the program acquisition unit cost, average procurement unit cost, and total life-cycle cost; and

(B) the planned dates for initial operational test and evaluation and initial operational capability.

(2) The independent estimated cost for the program established pursuant to section 3221(b)(6) of this title, and any independent estimated schedule for the program, including—

(A) the dollar values estimated for the program acquisition unit cost, average procurement unit cost, and total life-cycle cost; and

(B) the planned dates for initial operational test and evaluation and initial operational capability.

(3) A summary of any production, manufacturing, and fielding risks associated with the program.

(4) An assessment of the sufficiency of the developmental test and evaluation completed, including the use of automated data analytics or modeling and simulation tools and methodologies.

(b) Additional Information.—At the request of any of the congressional defense committees or, in the case of intelligence or intelligence-related activities, the congressional intelligence committees, the milestone decision authority shall submit to the committee further information or underlying documentation for the information in a brief summary report submitted under subsection (a), including the independent cost and schedule estimates and the independent technical risk assessments referred to in that subsection.

(c) Congressional Intelligence Committees Defined.—In this section, the term "congressional intelligence committees" has the meaning given that term in section 437(c) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §808(c)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2265, §2366c; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §838(a)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1474; renumbered §4253 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(d)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2366c of this title as this section and, in subsec. (a)(2), substituted "section 3221(b)(6)" for "section 2334(a)(6)" in introductory provisions. Section was inserted after section 4252 of this title, as renumbered by par. (2) of section 1847(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, to reflect the probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding language directing this section be inserted after section 4252 of this title "as transferred and redesignated by paragraph (3)" of section 1847(d).

2017—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–91 added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Responsibility for Conducting Assessments; Guidance

For provisions designating officials responsible for conducting assessments and provisions requiring guidance for assessments under subsec. (a)(4) of this section, see section 838(a)(3), (4) of Pub. L. 115–91, set out as notes under section 4252 of this title.

SUBCHAPTER IV—ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SPECIFICALLY TO MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS

Sec.

4271.

Program cost, fielding, and performance goals in planning major defense acquisition programs.

4272.

Independent technical risk assessments.

4273.

Performance assessments and root cause analyses.

4274.

[Reserved].

4275.

[Reserved].

4276.

[Reserved].

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(1)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII. §1847(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4253, which added this analysis, by substituting "[Reserved]" for "Acquisition-related functions of chiefs: adherence to requirements in major defense acquisition programs" in item 4274.

§4271. Program cost, fielding, and performance goals in planning major defense acquisition programs

(a) Program Cost and Fielding Targets.—(1) Before funds are obligated for technology development, systems development, or production of a major defense acquisition program, the designated milestone decision authority for the program shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the program will—

(A) be affordable;

(B) incorporate program planning that anticipates the evolution of capabilities to meet changing threats, technology insertion, and interoperability; and

(2) The goals described in this paragraph are goals for—

(A) the procurement unit cost and sustainment cost (referred to in this section as the "program cost targets");

(B) the date for initial operational capability (referred to in this section as the "fielding target"); and

(C) technology maturation, prototyping, and a modular open system approach to evolve system capabilities and improve interoperability.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "procurement unit cost" has the meaning provided in section 4351(a)(2) of this title.

(2) The term "initial capabilities document" has the meaning provided in section 4251(d)(1) of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2260, §2448a; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §831(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1857; renumbered §4271 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(o)(6)(C)(iv), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2147.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1), renumbered section 2448a of this title as the section.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(o)(6)(C)(iv), substituted "section 4351(a)(2)" for "section 2432(a)(2)".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1)(B), substituted "section 4251(d)(1)" for "section 2366a(d)(2)".

2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(a)(1), (2), in introductory provisions, substituted "designated milestone decision authority for the program shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the program" for "Secretary of Defense shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the milestone decision authority for the major defense acquisition program approves a program that".

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(a)(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (b) read as follows: "The responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense in subsection (a) may be delegated only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2261, provided that: "[Former] Subchapter III of chapter 144B of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 4271, 4272], as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to major defense acquisition programs that reach Milestone A after October 1, 2017."

Program Cost and Field Targets

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §925(b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2361, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §831(b)(4), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1857, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense shall establish a process to develop program cost and fielding targets pursuant to section 2448a of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4271], that—

"(1) is co-chaired by the designated milestone decision authority for the major defense acquisition program and the Vice Chief of Staff of the armed force concerned or, in the case of a program for which an alternate milestone decision authority is designated under section 2430(d)(2) of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4204(b)], the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;

"(2) is supported by—

"(A) the Joint Staff, to provide expertise on joint military capabilities, capability gaps, and performance requirements;

"(B) the Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, to provide expertise in resource allocation, operations research, systems analysis, and cost estimation; and

"(C) other Department of Defense organizations determined appropriate by the Secretary; and

"(3) ensures that appropriate trade-offs are made among life-cycle cost, schedule, and performance objectives and procurement quantity objectives."

Configuration Steering Boards for Cost Control Under Major Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §814, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4528, as amended by Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §830, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 912; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §826, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1467; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(67), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1550, provided that:

"(a) Configuration Steering Boards.—Each Secretary of a military department shall establish one or more boards (to be known as a 'Configuration Steering Board') for the major defense acquisition programs of such department.

"(b) Composition.—

"(1) Chair.—Each Configuration Steering Board under this section shall be chaired by the service acquisition executive of the military department concerned.

"(2) Particular members.—Each Configuration Steering Board under this section shall include a representative of the following:

"(A) The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

"(B) The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

"(C) The Chief of Staff of the Armed Force concerned.

"(D) Other Armed Forces, as appropriate.

"(E) The Joint Staff.

"(F) The Comptroller of the military department concerned.

"(G) The military deputy to the service acquisition executive concerned.

"(H) The program executive officer for the major defense acquisition program concerned.

"(I) Other senior representatives of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military department concerned, as appropriate.

"(c) Responsibilities.—

"(1) In general.—The Configuration Steering Board for a major defense acquisition program under this section shall be responsible for the following:

"(A) Monitoring changes in program requirements and ensuring the Chief of Staff of the Armed Force concerned, in consultation with the Secretary of the military department concerned, approves of any proposed changes that could have an adverse effect on program cost or schedule.

"(B) Preventing unnecessary changes to program requirements and system configuration that could have an adverse impact on program cost or schedule.

"(C) Mitigating the adverse cost and schedule impact of any changes to program requirements or system configuration that may be required.

"(D) Ensuring that the program delivers as much planned capability as possible, at or below the relevant program baseline.

"(2) Discharge of responsibilities.—In discharging its responsibilities under this section with respect to a major defense acquisition program, a Configuration Steering Board shall—

"(A) review and approve or disapprove any proposed changes to program requirements or system configuration that have the potential to adversely impact program cost or schedule; and

"(B) review and recommend proposals to reduce program requirements that have the potential to improve program cost or schedule in a manner consistent with program objectives.

"(3) Presentation of recommendations on reduction in requirements.—Any recommendation for a proposed reduction in requirements that is made by a Configuration Steering Board under paragraph (2)(B) shall be presented to appropriate organizations of the Joint Staff and the military departments responsible for such requirements for review and approval in accordance with applicable procedures.

"(4) Annual consideration of each major defense acquisition program.—

"(A) Annual meeting.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary of the military department concerned shall ensure that a Configuration Steering Board under this section meets to consider each major defense acquisition program of such military department at least once each year.

"(B) Exception.—If the service acquisition executive of the military department concerned determines, in writing, that there have been no changes to the program requirements of a major defense acquisition program during the preceding year, the Configuration Steering Board for such major defense acquisition program is not required to meet as described in subparagraph (A).

"(5) Certification of cost and schedule deviations during system design and development.—For a major defense acquisition program that received an initial Milestone B approval during fiscal year 2008, a Configuration Steering Board may not approve any proposed alteration to program requirements or system configuration if such an alteration would—

"(A) increase the cost (including any increase for expected inflation or currency exchange rates) for system development and demonstration by more than 25 percent; or

"(B) extend the schedule for key events by more than 15 percent of the total number of months between the award of the system development and demonstration contract and the scheduled Milestone C approval date,

unless the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment jointly certify to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives], and include in the certification supporting rationale, that approving such alteration to program requirements or system configuration is in the best interest of the Department of Defense despite the cost and schedule impacts to system development and demonstration of such program.

"(d) Applicability.—

"(1) In general.—The requirements of this section shall apply with respect to any major defense acquisition program that is commenced before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008].

"(2) Current programs.—In the case of any major defense acquisition program that is ongoing as of the date of the enactment of this Act, a Configuration Steering Board under this section shall be established for such program not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

"(e) Guidance on Authorities of Program Managers After Milestone B.—

"(1) [Amended section 853(d)(2) of Pub. L. 109–364, formerly set out as a note under section 2430 of this title.]

"(2) Applicability.—The Secretary of Defense shall modify the guidance described in section 853(d) of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 [Pub. L. 109–364, formerly set out as a note under section 2430 of this title] in order to take into account the amendment made by paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008].

"(f) Major Defense Acquisition Program Defined.—In this section, the term 'major defense acquisition program' has the meaning given that term in section 2430(a) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4201]."

§4272. Independent technical risk assessments

(a) In General.—With respect to a major defense acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct or approve independent technical risk assessments—

(1) before any decision to grant Milestone A approval for the program pursuant to section 4251 of this title, that identifies critical technologies and manufacturing processes that need to be matured; and

(2) before any decision to grant Milestone B approval for the program pursuant to section 4252 of this title, any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production, or at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary, that includes the identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.

(b) Guidance.—The Secretary shall issue guidance and a framework for the conduct, execution, and approval of independent technical risk assessments.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2261, §2448b; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(73), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1552; renumbered §4272 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2), renumbered section 2448b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2)(A), substituted "section 4251" for "section 2366a".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2)(B), substituted "section 4252" for "section 2366b".

2019—Pub. L. 116–92 added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which read as follows:

"(a) In General.—With respect to a major defense acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that an independent technical risk assessment is conducted—

"(1) before any decision to grant Milestone A approval for the program pursuant to section 2366a of this title, that identifies critical technologies and manufacturing processes that need to be matured; and

"(2) before any decision to grant Milestone B approval for the program pursuant to section 2366b of this title, any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production, or at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary, that includes the identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.

"(b) Categorization of Technical Risk Levels.—The Secretary shall issue guidance and a framework for categorizing the degree of technical and manufacturing risk in a major defense acquisition program."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to major defense acquisition programs that reach Milestone A after Oct. 1, 2017, see section 807(a)(2) of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 4271 of this title.

§4273. Performance assessments and root cause analyses

(a) Designation of Senior Official Responsibility for Performance Assessments and Root Cause Analyses.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall designate a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the principal official of the Department of Defense responsible for conducting and overseeing performance assessments and root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs.

(2) No program execution responsibility.—The Secretary shall ensure that the senior official designated under paragraph (1) is not responsible for program execution.

(3) Staff and resources.—The Secretary shall assign to the senior official designated under paragraph (1) appropriate staff and resources necessary to carry out the senior official's function under this section.

(b) Responsibilities.—The senior official designated under subsection (a) shall be responsible for the following:

(1) Carrying out performance assessments of major defense acquisition programs in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) periodically or when requested by the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Secretary of a military department, or the head of a Defense Agency.

(2) Conducting root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs in accordance with the requirements of subsection (d) when required by section 4376(a)(1) of this title, or when requested by the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Secretary of a military department, or the head of a Defense Agency.

(3) Issuing policies, procedures, and guidance governing the conduct of performance assessments and root cause analyses by the military departments and the Defense Agencies.

(4) Evaluating the utility of performance metrics used to measure the cost, schedule, and performance of major defense acquisition programs, and making such recommendations to the Secretary of Defense as the official considers appropriate to improve such metrics.

(5) Advising acquisition officials on performance issues regarding a major defense acquisition program that may arise—

(A) before certification under sections 4376 and 4377 of this title;

(B) before entry into full-rate production; or

(C) in the course of consideration of any decision to request authorization of a multiyear procurement contract for the program.

(c) Performance Assessments.—For purposes of this section, a performance assessment with respect to a major defense acquisition program is an evaluation of the following:

(1) The cost, schedule, and performance of the program, relative to current metrics, including performance requirements and baseline descriptions.

(2) The extent to which the level of program cost, schedule, and performance predicted relative to such metrics is likely to result in the timely delivery of a level of capability to the warfighter that is consistent with the level of resources to be expended and provides superior value to alternative approaches that may be available to meet the same military requirement.

(d) Root Cause Analyses.—For purposes of this section and sections 4736 ¹ and 4377 of this title, a root cause analysis with respect to a major defense acquisition program is an assessment of the underlying cause or causes of shortcomings in cost, schedule, or performance of the program, including the role, if any, of—

(1) unrealistic performance expectations;

(2) unrealistic baseline estimates for cost or schedule;

(3) immature technologies or excessive manufacturing or integration risk;

(4) unanticipated design, engineering, manufacturing, or technology integration issues arising during program performance;

(5) changes in procurement quantities;

(6) inadequate program funding or funding instability;

(7) poor performance by government or contractor personnel responsible for program management; or

(8) any other matters.

(e) Support of Applicable Capabilities and Expertise.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the senior official designated under subsection (a) has the support of other Department of Defense officials with relevant capabilities and expertise needed to carry out the requirements of this section.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, §901(d), (k)(1)(F), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4321, 4325, §2438; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(f)(27), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1953; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, §1077(b), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(72), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1551; renumbered §4273 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(16)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, §1801(a)(34), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23, formerly set out as a note under section 2430 of this title, which was transferred to chapter 144 of this title, renumbered as section 2438, and amended by Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d), (k)(1)(F), and subsequently renumbered as this section and amended by Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3), was based on Pub. L. 111–23, title I, §103, May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1715.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "sections 4376" for "sections 4736".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3), renumbered section 2438 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(b)(16)(B), substituted "section 4376(a)(1)" for "section 2433a(a)(1)".

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(B), substituted "sections 4736 and 4377" for "section 2433a".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(B), substituted "sections 4736 and 4377" for "section 2433a" in introductory provisions.

2019—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics".

2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–92 struck out subsec. (f) which related to annual report.

2013—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–239 inserted "the senior" before "official's".

2011—Pub. L. 111–383, §901(k)(1)(F), substituted "Performance assessments and root cause analyses" for "performance assessments and root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs" in section catchline.

Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d), transferred section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23 to this chapter and renumbered it as this section. See Codification note above.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(1), substituted "section 2433a(a)(1) of this title" for "section 2433a(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 206(a) of this Act)".

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(2), substituted "before" for "prior to" and "section 2433a of this title" for "section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)".

Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(2)(B), substituted "before" for "prior to".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(3), substituted "section 2433a of this title" for "section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(4), struck out "beginning in 2010," after "each year,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

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

¹ So in original. Probably should be "4376".

[§4274. Omitted]

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(4), (5), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256, 4257, enacted this section, transferred subsec. (b) of section 2547 of this title to this section, and made additional amendments, which were all to become effective Jan. 1, 2022. Subsequently, Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(1)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149, repealed section 1847(e)(4), (5) of Pub. L. 116–283, effective as if included therein, thereby omitting this section and eliminating the amendments before they took effect.

SUBCHAPTER V—CONTRACTORS

Sec.

4291.

[Reserved].

4292.

Contracts: limitations on lead system integrators.

4293.

Major defense acquisition programs: incentive program for contractors to purchase capital assets manufactured in United States.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Pilot Program for Distribution Support and Services for Weapon Systems Contractors

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §883, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2316, as amended by Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §819, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2709; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §855, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 345, provided that:

"(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a [sic] eight-year pilot program under which the Secretary may make available storage and distribution services support to a contractor in support of the performance by the contractor of a contract for the production, modification, maintenance, or repair of a weapon system that is entered into by the Department of Defense.

"(b) Support Contracts.—

"(1) In general.—Any storage and distribution services to be provided under the pilot program under this section to a contractor in support of the performance of a contract described in subsection (a) shall be provided under a separate contract that is entered into by the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency with that contractor. The requirements of section 2208(h) of title 10, United States Code, and the regulations prescribed pursuant to such section shall apply to any such separate support contract between the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency and the contractor.

"(2) Limitation.—Not more than five support contracts between the Director and the contractor may be awarded under the pilot program.

"(c) Scope of Support and Services.—The storage and distribution support services that may be provided under this section in support of the performance of a contract described in subsection (a) are storage and distribution of materiel and repair parts necessary for the performance of that contract.

"(d) Regulations.—Before exercising the authority under the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations such requirements, conditions, and restrictions as the Secretary determines appropriate to ensure that storage and distribution services are provided under the pilot program only when it is in the best interests of the United States to do so. The regulations shall include, at a minimum, the following:

"(1) A requirement for the solicitation of offers for a contract described in subsection (a), for which storage and distribution services are to be made available under the pilot program, including—

"(A) a statement that the storage and distribution services are to be made available under the authority of the pilot program under this section to any contractor awarded the contract, but only on a basis that does not require acceptance of the support and services; and

"(B) a description of the range of the storage and distribution services that are to be made available to the contractor.

"(2) A requirement for the rates charged a contractor for storage and distribution services provided to a contractor under the pilot program to reflect the full cost to the United States of the resources used in providing the support and services, including the costs of resources used, but not paid for, by the Department of Defense.

"(3) With respect to a contract described in subsection (a) that is being performed for a department or agency outside the Department of Defense, a prohibition, in accordance with applicable contracting procedures, on the imposition of any charge on that department or agency for any effort of Department of Defense personnel or the contractor to correct deficiencies in the performance of such contract.

"(4) A prohibition on the imposition of any charge on a contractor for any effort of the contractor to correct a deficiency in the performance of storage and distribution services provided to the contractor under this section.

"(5) A requirement that storage and distribution services provided under the pilot program may not interfere with the mission of the Defense Logistics Agency or of any military department involved with the pilot program.

"(6) A requirement that any support contract for storage and distribution services entered into under the pilot program shall include a clause to indemnify the Government against any failure by the contractor to perform the support contract, and to remain responsible for performance of the primary contract.

"(e) Relationship to Treaty Obligations.—The Secretary shall ensure that the exercise of authority under the pilot program under this section does not conflict with any obligation of the United States under any treaty or other international agreement.

"(f) Reports.—

"(1) Secretary of defense.—Not later than the end of the fourth year of operation of the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report describing—

"(A) the cost effectiveness for both the Government and industry of the pilot program; and

"(B) how support contracts under the pilot program affected meeting the requirements of primary contracts.

"(2) Comptroller general.—Not later than the end of the fifth year of operation of the pilot program, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the report of the Secretary under paragraph (1) for sufficiency and provide such recommendations in a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.

"(g) Sunset.—The authority to enter into contracts under the pilot program shall expire eight years after the date of the enactment of this Act. Any contracts entered into before such date shall continue in effect according to their terms."

Nontraditional and Small Contractor Innovation Prototyping Program

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §884, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2318, as amended by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §865, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1495; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1806(e)(3)(D), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4156, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a pilot program for nontraditional defense contractors and small business concerns to design, develop, and demonstrate innovative prototype military platforms of significant scope for the purpose of demonstrating new capabilities that could provide alternatives to existing acquisition programs and assets. The Secretary shall establish the pilot program within the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Missile Defense Agency, and the United States Special Operations Command.

"(b) Funding.—There is authorized to be made available $250,000,000 from the Rapid Prototyping Fund established under section 804(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note [now 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.]) to carry out the pilot program.

"(c) Plan.—

"(1) In general.—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], concurrent with the budget for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2018, as submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a plan to fund and carry out the pilot program in future years.

"(2) Elements.—The plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall consider maximizing use of—

"(A) broad agency announcements or other merit-based selection procedures;

"(B) the Department of Defense Acquisition Challenge Program authorized under section 2359b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4062];

"(C) the foreign comparative test program;

"(D) projects carried out under the Rapid Innovation Program of the Department of Defense or pursuant to a Phase III agreement (as defined in section 9(r)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(r)(2))); and

"(E) streamlined procedures for acquisition provided under section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note [now 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.]) and procedures for alternative acquisition pathways established under section 805 of such Act (10 U.S.C. 2302 note [now 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.]).

"(d) Programs To Be Included.—As part of the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall allocate up to $50,000,000 on a fixed price contractual basis for fiscal year 2017 or pursuant to the plan submitted under subsection (c) for demonstrations of the following capabilities:

"(1) Swarming of multiple unmanned air vehicles.

"(2) Unmanned, modular fixed-wing aircraft that can be rapidly adapted to multiple missions and serve as a fifth generation weapons augmentation platform.

"(3) Vertical takeoff and landing tiltrotor aircraft.

"(4) Integration of a directed energy weapon on an air, sea, or ground platform.

"(5) Swarming of multiple unmanned underwater vehicles.

"(6) Commercial small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites with on-board machine learning for automated, real-time feature extraction and predictive analytics.

"(7) Active protection system to defend against rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles.

"(8) Defense against hypersonic weapons, including sensors.

"(9) Unmanned ground logistics and unmanned air logistics capabilities enhancement.

"(10) Other systems as designated by the Secretary.

"(e) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Nontraditional defense contractor.—The term 'nontraditional defense contractor' has the meaning given the term in section 3014 of title 10, United States Code.

"(2) Small business concern.—The term 'small business concern' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

"(f) Sunset.—The authority under this section expires at the close of September 30, 2026."

Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Major Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 111–23, title II, §207(a)–(c), May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1728, 1729, directed the Secretary of Defense to revise, not later than 270 days after May 22, 2009, the Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide uniform guidance and tighten existing requirements for organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major defense acquisition programs and directed the Panel on Contracting Integrity established pursuant to former section 813 of Pub. L. 109–364 (former 10 U.S.C. 2304 note) to present recommendations on measures to eliminate or mitigate organizational conflicts of interest in major defense acquisition programs.

§4292. Contracts: limitations on lead system integrators

(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), no entity performing lead system integrator functions in the acquisition of a major system by the Department of Defense may have any direct financial interest in the development or construction of any individual system or element of any system of systems.

(b) Exception.—An entity described in subsection (a) may have a direct financial interest in the development or construction of an individual system or element of a system of systems if—

(1) the Secretary of Defense certifies to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives that—

(A) the entity was selected by the Department of Defense as a contractor to develop or construct the system or element concerned through the use of competitive procedures; and

(B) the Department took appropriate steps to prevent any organizational conflict of interest in the selection process; or

(2) the entity was selected by a subcontractor to serve as a lower-tier subcontractor, through a process over which the entity exercised no control.

(c) Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude an entity described in subsection (a) from performing work necessary to integrate two or more individual systems or elements of a system of systems with each other.

(Added Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2315, §2410p; renumbered §4292, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(f)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4258.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2410p of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(3), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2316, provided that: "Section 2410p of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4292], as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to contracts entered into after December 31, 2006."

Prohibition on New Lead Systems Integrators

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VIII, §802, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 206, as amended by Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title I, §112, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4374; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(100), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1555, provided that:

"(a) Prohibitions on the Use of Lead Systems Integrators.—

"(1) Prohibition on new lead systems integrators.—Effective October 1, 2010, the Department of Defense may not award a new contract for lead systems integrator functions in the acquisition of a major system to any entity that was not performing lead systems integrator functions in the acquisition of the major system prior to the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 28, 2008].

"(2) Prohibition on lead systems integrators beyond low-rate initial production.—Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department of Defense may award a new contract for lead systems integrator functions in the acquisition of a major system only if—

"(A) the major system has not yet proceeded beyond low-rate initial production; or

"(B) the Secretary of Defense determines in writing that it would not be practicable to carry out the acquisition without continuing to use a contractor to perform lead systems integrator functions and that doing so is in the best interest of the Department.

"(3) Requirements relating to determinations.—A determination under paragraph (2)(B)—

"(A) shall specify the reasons why it would not be practicable to carry out the acquisition without continuing to use a contractor to perform lead systems integrator functions (including a discussion of alternatives, such as the use of the Department of Defense workforce, or a system engineering and technical assistance contractor);

"(B) shall include a plan for phasing out the use of contracted lead systems integrator functions over the shortest period of time consistent with the interest of the national defense;

"(C) may not be delegated below the level of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; and

"(D) shall be provided to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives at least 45 days before the award of a contract pursuant to the determination.

"(b) Acquisition Workforce.—

"(1) Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the acquisition workforce is of the appropriate size and skill level necessary—

"(A) to accomplish inherently governmental functions related to acquisition of major systems; and

"(B) to effectuate the purpose of subsection (a) to minimize and eventually eliminate the use of contractors to perform lead systems integrator functions.

"(2) Report.—The Secretary shall include an update on the progress made in complying with paragraph (1) in the annual report required by section 820 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2330) [former 10 U.S.C. 1701 note].

"(c) Exception for Contracts for Other Management Services.—The Department of Defense may continue to award contracts for the procurement of services the primary purpose of which is to perform acquisition support functions with respect to the development or production of a major system, if the following conditions are met with respect to each such contract:

"(1) The contract prohibits the contractor from performing inherently governmental functions.

"(2) The Department of Defense organization responsible for the development or production of the major system ensures that Federal employees are responsible for—

"(A) determining courses of action to be taken in the best interest of the government; and

"(B) determining best technical performance for the warfighter.

"(3) The contract requires that the prime contractor for the contract may not advise or recommend the award of a contract or subcontract for the development or production of the major system to an entity owned in whole or in part by the prime contractor.

"(d) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Lead systems integrator.—The term 'lead systems integrator' means—

"(A) a prime contractor for the development or production of a major system, if the prime contractor is not expected at the time of award to perform a substantial portion of the work on the system and the major subsystems; or

"(B) a prime contractor under a contract for the procurement of services the primary purpose of which is to perform acquisition functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions with respect to the development or production of a major system.

"(2) Major system.—The term 'major system' has the meaning given such term in section 2302d of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 3041].

"(3) Low-rate initial production.—The term 'low-rate initial production' has the meaning given such term in section 2400 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4231].

"(e) Status of Future Combat Systems Program Lead System Integrator.—

"(1) Lead systems integrator.—In the case of the Future Combat Systems program, the prime contractor of the program shall be considered to be a lead systems integrator until 45 days after the Secretary of the Army certifies in writing to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] that such contractor is no longer serving as the lead systems integrator.

"(2) New contracts.—In applying subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), any modification to the existing contract for the Future Combat Systems program, for the purpose of entering into full-rate production of major systems or subsystems, shall be considered a new contract."

§4293. Major defense acquisition programs: incentive program for contractors to purchase capital assets manufactured in United States

(a) Establishment of Incentive Program.—The Secretary of Defense shall plan and establish an incentive program in accordance with this section for contractors to purchase capital assets manufactured in the United States in part with funds available to the Department of Defense.

(b) Defense Industrial Capabilities Fund May Be Used.—The Secretary of Defense may use the Defense Industrial Capabilities Fund, established under section 814 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, for incentive payments under the program established under this section.

(c) Applicability to Major Defense Acquisition Program Contracts.—The incentive program shall apply to contracts for the procurement of a major defense acquisition program.

(d) Consideration.—The Secretary of Defense shall provide consideration in source selection in any request for proposals for a major defense acquisition program for offerors with eligible capital assets.

(Added Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, §822(a)(1), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1546, §2436; renumbered §4293, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(f)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4258.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 814 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 814 of Pub. L. 108–136, which is set out in a note under section 4811 of this title.

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 4301 to 4303 and 4306 were renumbered sections 7401 to 7403 and 7406 of this title, respectively.

Prior sections 4307 and 4308 were repealed by Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XVI, §1624(a)(1), (c) Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 522, effective on the earlier of the date on which the Secretary of the Army submits a certification in accordance with section 5523 of former Title 36, Patriotic Societies and Observances, or Oct. 1, 1996.

Section 4307, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 235, permitted President to detail commissioned officer of the Army or of the Marine Corps as director of civilian marksmanship.

Section 4308, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 236; Nov. 14, 1986, Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title III, §318(a), 100 Stat. 3855; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, §328(b)–(d), (g)(1), 104 Stat. 1533, 1534; Oct. 23, 1992, Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title III, §380(a)(1), 106 Stat. 2389; Nov. 30, 1993, Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title III, §372, 107 Stat. 1635, related to authority of Secretary of the Army to promote civilian marksmanship. See section 40701 et seq. of Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations.

A prior section 4309 was renumbered section 7409 of this title.

Prior sections 4310 and 4311 were repealed by Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XVI, §1624(a)(1), (c), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 522, effective on the earlier of the date on which the Secretary of the Army submits a certification in accordance with section 5523 of former Title 36, Patriotic Societies and Observances, or Oct. 1, 1996.

Section 4310, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 236, permitted President and Secretary of the Army to detail members of Army as rifle instructors for civilians.

Section 4311, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 237; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, §328(f), 104 Stat. 1534, permitted Secretary of the Army to provide for issue of military rifles and sale of ammunition for use in rifle instruction for civilians.

Prior sections 4312 and 4313 were repealed by Pub. L. 105–225, §6(b), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1499.

Section 4312, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 237, related to National rifle and pistol matches and small-arms firing school.

Section 4313, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 237; Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1301(b)(3)(B), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title III, §318(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3855; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, §328(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1533; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title III, §380(c)(1), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2391; Pub. L. 103–35, title II, §201(g)(10)(A), May 31, 1993, 107 Stat. 100; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XVI, §1624(b)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 522, related to expenses of National Matches and small-arms school.

Prior sections 4314 and 4315 were renumbered sections 7414 and 7415 of this title, respectively.

A prior section 4316, added Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title III, §380(d)(1), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2391; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XVI, §1624(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 522, related to reporting requirements of the Secretary of the Army, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1051(a)(27)(A), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1562.

Prior sections 4317 to 4320 were renumbered sections 7417 to 7420 of this title, respectively.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2436 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, §822(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1547, provided that: "Section 2436 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4293], as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to contracts entered into after the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 24, 2003]."

Regulations

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, §822(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1547, provided that:

"(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations as necessary to carry out section 2436 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4293], as added by this section.

"(2) The Secretary may prescribe interim regulations as necessary to carry out such section. For this purpose, the Secretary is excepted from compliance with the notice and comment requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code. All interim rules prescribed under the authority of this paragraph that are not earlier superseded by final rules shall expire no later than 270 days after the effective date of section 2436 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4293] [see Effective Date note above], as added by this section."