10 USC Subtitle A, PART V, Subpart E, CHAPTER 301, SUBCHAPTER II: AGREEMENTS

From Title 10—ARMED FORCESSubtitle A—General Military LawPART V—ACQUISITIONSubpart E—Research and EngineeringCHAPTER 301—RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING GENERALLY

SUBCHAPTER II—AGREEMENTS

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1841(c)(2), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(D), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151, added subchapter heading. Heading was editorially conformed to the style used in this title.

§4021. Research projects: transactions other than contracts and grants

(a) Additional Forms of Transactions Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of each military department may enter into transactions (other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants) under the authority of this subsection in carrying out basic, applied, and advanced research projects. The authority under this subsection is in addition to the authority provided in section 4001 of this title to use contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants in carrying out such projects.

(b) Exercise of Authority by Secretary of Defense.—In any exercise of the authority in subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall act through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or any other element of the Department of Defense that the Secretary may designate.

(c) Advance Payments.—The authority provided under subsection (a) may be exercised without regard to section 3324 of title 31.

(d) Recovery of Funds.—(1) A cooperative agreement for performance of basic, applied, or advanced research authorized by section 4001 of this title and a transaction authorized by subsection (a) may include a clause that requires a person or other entity to make payments to the Department of Defense or any other department or agency of the Federal Government as a condition for receiving support under the agreement or other transaction.

(2) The amount of any payment received by the Federal Government pursuant to a requirement imposed under paragraph (1) may be credited, to the extent authorized by the Secretary of Defense, to the appropriate account established under subsection (f). Amounts so credited shall be merged with other funds in the account and shall be available for the same purposes and the same period for which other funds in such account are available.

(e) Conditions.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that—

(1) to the maximum extent practicable, no cooperative agreement containing a clause under subsection (d) and no transaction entered into under subsection (a) provides for research that duplicates research being conducted under existing programs carried out by the Department of Defense; and

(2) to the extent that the Secretary determines practicable, the funds provided by the Government under a cooperative agreement containing a clause under subsection (d) or a transaction authorized by subsection (a) do not exceed the total amount provided by other parties to the cooperative agreement or other transaction.

(f) Support Accounts.—There is hereby established on the books of the Treasury separate accounts for each of the military departments and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for support of research projects and development projects provided for in cooperative agreements containing a clause under subsection (d) and research projects provided for in transactions entered into under subsection (a). Funds in those accounts shall be available for the payment of such support.

(g) Education and Training.—The Secretary of Defense shall—

(1) ensure that management, technical, and contracting personnel of the Department of Defense involved in the award or administration of transactions under this section or other innovative forms of contracting are afforded opportunities for adequate education and training; and

(2) establish minimum levels and requirements for continuous and experiential learning for such personnel, including levels and requirements for acquisition certification programs.

(h) Guidance.—The Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance to carry out this section.

(i) Protection of Certain Information From Disclosure.—(1) Disclosure of information described in paragraph (2) is not required, and may not be compelled, under section 552 of title 5 for five years after the date on which the information is received by the Department of Defense.

(2)(A) Paragraph (1) applies to information described in subparagraph (B) that is in the records of the Department of Defense if the information was submitted to the Department in a competitive or noncompetitive process having the potential for resulting in an award, to the party submitting the information, of a cooperative agreement for performance of basic, applied, or advanced research authorized by section 4001 of this title or another transaction authorized by subsection (a).

(B) The information referred to in subparagraph (A) is the following:

(i) A proposal, proposal abstract, and supporting documents.

(ii) A business plan submitted on a confidential basis.

(iii) Technical information submitted on a confidential basis.

(Added Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title II, §251(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1403, §2371; amended Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, §1484(k)(9), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1719; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VIII, §826, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1442; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title II, §217, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2352; Pub. L. 103–35, title II, §201(c)(4), May 31, 1993, 107 Stat. 98; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §827(b), title XI, §1182(a)(6), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1712, 1771; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1301(b), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3285; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1502(a)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title II, §267(a)–(c)(1)(A), title X, §1073(e)(1)(B), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2467, 2468, 2658; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VIII, §832, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1842; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VIII, §817, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2089; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, §1067(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, §1031(a)(19), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1597; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(f)(20), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3511; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §863, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1494; renumbered §4021 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1841(b)(1), (2)(B), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §821(a), title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), (F)(i)(III), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1825, 2151; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, §913(a)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 367.)

Amendment of Subsections (b) and (f)

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, §913(a)(2), (b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 367, 368, provided that, effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, this section is amended as follows:

(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ", the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency"; and

(2) in subsection (f), by striking "and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency" and inserting ", the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

See 2023 Amendment notes below.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4021 was renumbered section 7371 of this title.

Another prior section 4021, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 233, related to appointments in professional and scientific service, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 85–861, §36B(11), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1570.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(2)(A), inserted ", the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(2)(B), substituted ", the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency" for "and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(2)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(F)(i)(III), substituted "section 4001" for "section 2358" wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2371 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–81, §821(a)(1), struck out par. (1) designation before "The Secretary of Defense", 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: "A cooperative agreement containing a clause under subsection (d) or a transaction authorized by subsection (a) may be used for a research project when the use of a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement for such project is not feasible or appropriate."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–81, §821(a)(2), amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section."

2017—Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 115–91 added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).

2014—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–291 struck out subsec. (h) which related to annual report on use of certain cooperative agreements and transactions.

2003—Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 108–136 added par. (3).

1999—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 106–65 substituted "and the Committee on Armed Services" for "and the Committee on National Security" in introductory provisions.

1998—Subsec. (i)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–261 substituted "cooperative agreement for performance of basic, applied, or advanced research authorized by section 2358 of this title" for "cooperative agreement that includes a clause described in subsection (d)".

1997—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–85 added subsec. (i).

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–201, §1073(e)(1)(B), inserted "Defense" before "Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–201, §267(a), inserted "(1)" before "The Secretary of Defense", redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, inserted "and" after semicolon at end of subpar. (A), substituted a period for "; and" at end of subpar. (B), added par. (2), and struck out par. (3) which read as follows: "a cooperative agreement containing a clause under subsection (d) or a transaction authorized under subsection (a) is used for a research project only when the use of a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement for such project is not feasible or appropriate."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–201, §1073(e)(1)(B), inserted "Defense" before "Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–201, §267(b), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives a report on all cooperative agreements entered into under section 2358 of this title during such fiscal year that contain a clause authorized by subsection (d) and on all transactions entered into under subsection (a) during such fiscal year. The report shall contain, with respect to each such cooperative agreement and transaction, the following:

"(1) A general description of the cooperative agreement or other transaction (as the case may be), including the technologies for which research is provided for under such agreement or transaction.

"(2) The potential military and, if any, commercial utility of such technologies.

"(3) The reasons for not using a contract or grant to provide support for such research.

"(4) The amount of the payments, if any, that were received by the Federal Government during the fiscal year covered by the report pursuant to a clause included in such cooperative agreement or other transaction pursuant to subsection (d).

"(5) The amount of the payments reported under paragraph (4), if any, that were credited to each account established under subsection (f)."

Pub. L. 104–106 substituted "Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives" for "Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–201, §1073(e)(1)(B), which directed amendment of subsec. (i) by inserting "Defense" before "Advanced Research Projects Agency", could not be executed because of the renumbering of subsec. (i) as section 2371a of this title by Pub. L. 104–201, §267(c)(1)(A). See below.

Pub. L. 104–201, §267(c)(1)(A), renumbered subsec. (i) of this section as section 2371a of this title.

1994—Pub. L. 103–355 amended section generally. Prior to amendment section related to cooperative agreements and other transactions for advanced research projects.

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(C), substituted "section 2358 of this title" for "subsection (a)" in par. (1) and "subsection (d)" for "subsection (e)" in par. (2).

Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(A), (B), redesignated subsec. (b) as (a) and struck out former subsec. (a), as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), (h), which read as follows: "The Secretary of Defense, in carrying out advanced research projects through the Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Secretary of each military department, in carrying out advanced research projects, may enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions with any person, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, any unit of State or local government, any educational institution, and any other entity."

Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), substituted "Advanced Research Projects Agency" for "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (a).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), (2)(A), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and inserted "and development" after "research" in two places in par. (1). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (b).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), (D), (2)(B), redesignated subsec. (e), as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), (h), as (d) and substituted "section 2358 of this title" for "subsection (a)" and "research and development" for "advanced research". Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), (E), (2)(B), (C), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e), in par. (1) substituted "research and development are" for "advanced research is", in par. (3) substituted "research and development" for "advanced research", in par. (4) substituted "subsection (a)" for "subsection (b)", and in par. (5) substituted "subsection (d)" for "subsection (e)". Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).

Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), substituted "Advanced Research Projects Agency" for "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (g), as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), (h), as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–160, §827(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (g), as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), (h), as (f).

Pub. L. 103–160, §1182(a)(6), substituted "Advanced Research Projects Agency" for "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Pub. L. 103–35 substituted "granted by section 12" for "granted by section 11" and "provisions of sections 11 and 12" for "provisions of sections 10 and 11".

1992—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–484 added subsec. (g).

1991—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(a), inserted "and the Secretary of each military department, in carrying out advanced research projects,".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(b)(1)(A), struck out "by the Secretary" after "transactions entered into".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(b)(1)(B), substituted "to the appropriate account" for "to the account".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(b)(2), substituted "The Secretary of Defense" for "The Secretary" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(b)(3), substituted "separate accounts for each of the military departments and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency" for "an account" and "those accounts" for "such account".

Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(b)(4), substituted "each account" for "the account".

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–190, §826(c), struck out subsec. (g) which read as follows: "The authority of the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions under this section expires at the close of September 30, 1991."

1990—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–510 substituted "Committees on" for "Committees of" in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2023 Amendment; Implementation

Amendment by Pub. L. 118–31 effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, see section 913(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as notes under section 1766 of this title.

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

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

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

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 103–355, see section 10001 of Pub. L. 103–355, set out as a note under section 8752 of this title.

Reporting Requirement for Certain Defense Acquisition Activities

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §825, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1831, provided that:

"(a) Procedures for Identifying Certain Acquisition Agreements and Activities.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish procedures to identify organizations performing on individual projects under the following types of awards:

"(1) Other transaction agreements pursuant to the authorities under section[s] 2371 and 2371b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 4022].

"(2) Individual task orders awarded under a task order contract (as defined in section 2304d of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 3401]), including individual task orders issued to a federally funded research and development center.

"(b) For initial agreements covered under subsection (a), the procedures required under subsection (a) shall include, but not be limited to—

"(1) the participants to the transaction (other than the Federal Government);

"(2) each business selected to perform work under the transaction by a participant to the transaction that is a consortium of private entities;

"(3) the date on which each participant entered into the transaction;

"(4) the amount of the transaction; and

"(5) other related matters the Secretary deems appropriate.

"(c) For follow-on contracts, agreements, or transactions covered under subsection (a), the procedures required under subsection (a) shall include, but not be limited to—

"(1) identification of the initial covered contract or transaction and each subsequent follow-on contract or transaction;

"(2) the awardee;

"(3) the amount;

"(4) the date awarded; and

"(5) other related matters the Secretary deems appropriate.

"(d) The Administrator of the General Services Administration shall update the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) within 180 days to collect the data required under this section.

"(e) Reporting.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], and not less than annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the use of agreements and activities described in subsection (a) and associated funding.

"(f) Publication of Information.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish procedures to collect information on individual agreements and activities described in this section and associated funding in an online, public, searchable database, unless the Secretary deems such disclosure inappropriate for individual agreements based on national security concerns."

Listing of Other Transaction Authority Consortia

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VIII, §833, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3753, provided that: "Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 1, 2021], the Secretary of Defense shall maintain on the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, a list of the consortia used by the Secretary to announce or otherwise make available opportunities to enter into a transaction under the authority of section 2371 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4021], or a transaction for a prototype project under section 2371b of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4022]."

Data, Policy, and Reporting on the Use of Other Transactions

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §873, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1905, as amended by Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title VIII, §819, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1488, provided that:

"(a) Collection and Storage.—The Service Acquisition Executives of the military departments shall collect data on the use of other transactions by their respective departments, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall collect data on all other use by the Department of Defense of other transactions, including use by the Defense Agencies. The data shall be stored in a manner that allows the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and other appropriate officials access at any time.

"(b) Use of Data.—The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition shall—

"(1) analyze and leverage the data collected under subsection (a) to update policy and guidance related to the use of other transactions; and

"(2) make the data collected under subsection (a) accessible to any official designated by the Secretary of Defense for inclusion by such official in relevant reports made by such official.

"(c) Report Required.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than December 31, 2019, and annually thereafter through December 31, 2023, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the use of other transaction authority to carry out prototype projects during the preceding fiscal year. Each report shall summarize the data collected under subsection (a) on the nature and extent of each such use of the authority, including a description—

"(A) of the participants to an agreement entered into pursuant to the authority of subsection (a) of section 2371b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4022], or a follow-on contract or transaction entered into pursuant to the authority of subsection (f) of such section;

"(B) of the quantity of prototype projects to be produced pursuant to such an agreement, follow-on contract, or transaction;

"(C) of the amount of payments made pursuant to each such agreement, follow-on contract, or transaction;

"(D) of the purpose, description, and status of prototype projects carried out pursuant to each such agreement, follow-on contract, or transaction; and

"(E) including case examples, of the successes and challenges with using the authority of such subsection (a) or (f).

"(2) Form of report.—A report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form without any designation relating to dissemination control, but may contain a classified annex."

Preference for Use of Other Transactions and Experimental Authority

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §867, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1495, provided that: "In the execution of science and technology and prototyping programs, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a preference, to be applied in circumstances determined appropriate by the Secretary, for using transactions other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants entered into pursuant to sections 2371 and 2371b of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 4022], and authority for procurement for experimental purposes pursuant to section 2373 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4023]."

§4022. Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects

(a) Authority.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Secretary of a military department, or any other official designated by the Secretary of Defense may, under the authority of section 4021 of this title, carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of personnel of the Department of Defense or improving platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces.

(2) The authority of this section—

(A) may be exercised for a transaction for a prototype project that is expected to cost the Department of Defense in excess of $100,000,000 but not in excess of $500,000,000 (including all options) only upon a written determination by the senior procurement executive for the agency as designated for the purpose of section 1702(c) of title 41, or, for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Missile Defense Agency, the director of the agency that—

(i) the requirements of subsection (d) will be met; and

(ii) the use of the authority of this section is essential to promoting the success of the prototype project;

(B) may be exercised for a transaction for a prototype project that is expected to cost the Department of Defense in excess of $500,000,000 (including all options) only if—

(i) the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment determines in writing that—

(I) the requirements of subsection (d) will be met; and

(II) the use of the authority of this section is essential to meet critical national security objectives; and

(ii) the congressional defense committees are notified in writing at least 30 days before such authority is exercised; and

(C) may be exercised for a transaction for a follow-on production contract or transaction that is awarded pursuant to subsection (f) and expected to cost the Department of Defense in excess of $100,000,000 (including all options) only if a covered official—

(i) determines in writing that—

(I) the requirements of subsection (d) were met for the prior transaction for the prototype project that provided for the award of the follow-on production contract or transaction, and the requirements of subsection (f) will be met; and

(II) the use of the authority of this section is essential to meet critical national security objectives; and

(ii) notifies the congressional defense committees in writing of the determinations required under clause (i) at the time such authority is exercised.

(3) The authority of a senior procurement executive or director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or Missile Defense Agency under paragraph (2)(A), and the authority of the Under Secretaries of Defense under paragraph (2)(B), may not be delegated.

(b) Exercise of Authority.—

(1) Subsection (e)(2) of such section 4021 shall not apply to projects carried out under subsection (a).

(2) To the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures shall be used when entering into agreements to carry out the prototype projects under subsection (a).

(c) Comptroller General Access to Information.—(1) Each agreement entered into by an official referred to in subsection (a) to carry out a project under that subsection that provides for payments in a total amount in excess of $5,000,000 shall include a clause that provides for the Comptroller General, in the discretion of the Comptroller General, to examine the records of any party to the agreement or any entity that participates in the performance of the agreement.

(2) The requirement in paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a party or entity, or a subordinate element of a party or entity, that has not entered into any other agreement that provides for audit access by a Government entity in the year prior to the date of the agreement.

(3)(A) The right provided to the Comptroller General in a clause of an agreement under paragraph (1) is limited as provided in subparagraph (B) in the case of a party to the agreement, an entity that participates in the performance of the agreement, or a subordinate element of that party or entity if the only agreements or other transactions that the party, entity, or subordinate element entered into with Government entities in the year prior to the date of that agreement are cooperative agreements or transactions that were entered into under this section or section 4021 of this title.

(B) The only records of a party, other entity, or subordinate element referred to in subparagraph (A) that the Comptroller General may examine in the exercise of the right referred to in that subparagraph are records of the same type as the records that the Government has had the right to examine under the audit access clauses of the previous agreements or transactions referred to in such subparagraph that were entered into by that particular party, entity, or subordinate element.

(4) The head of the contracting activity that is carrying out the agreement may waive the applicability of the requirement in paragraph (1) to the agreement if the head of the contracting activity determines that it would not be in the public interest to apply the requirement to the agreement. The waiver shall be effective with respect to the agreement only if the head of the contracting activity transmits a notification of the waiver to Congress and the Comptroller General before entering into the agreement. The notification shall include the rationale for the determination.

(5) The Comptroller General may not examine records pursuant to a clause included in an agreement under paragraph (1) more than three years after the final payment is made by the United States under the agreement.

(d) Appropriate Use of Authority.—(1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that no official of an agency enters into a transaction (other than a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement) for a prototype project under the authority of this section unless one of the following conditions is met:

(A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

(B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

(C) At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

(D) The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that provides for innovative business arrangements or structures that would not be feasible or appropriate under a contract, or would provide an opportunity to expand the defense supply base in a manner that would not be practical or feasible under a contract.

(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amounts counted for the purposes of this subsection as being provided, or to be provided, by a party to a transaction with respect to a prototype project that is entered into under this section other than the Federal Government do not include costs that were incurred before the date on which the transaction becomes effective.

(B) Costs that were incurred for a prototype project by a party after the beginning of negotiations resulting in a transaction (other than a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement) with respect to the project before the date on which the transaction becomes effective may be counted for purposes of this subsection as being provided, or to be provided, by the party to the transaction if and to the extent that the official responsible for entering into the transaction determines in writing that—

(i) the party incurred the costs in anticipation of entering into the transaction; and

(ii) it was appropriate for the party to incur the costs before the transaction became effective in order to ensure the successful implementation of the transaction.

(3) The requirements of this subsection do not apply to follow-on production contracts or transactions under subsection (f).

(e) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "covered official" means—

(A) a service acquisition executive;

(B) the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency;

(D) the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; or

(E) the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(2) The term "nontraditional defense contractor" has the meaning given the term under section 3014 of this title.

(3) The term "service acquisition executive" has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of this title.

(4) The term "small business" means a small business concern as defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

(5) The term "prototype project" includes a project that addresses—

(A) a proof of concept, model, or process, including a business process;

(B) reverse engineering to address obsolescence;

(D) agile development activity;

(E) the creation, design, development, or demonstration of operational utility; or

(F) any combination of subparagraphs (A) through (E).

(f) Follow-on Production Contracts or Transactions.—(1) A transaction entered into under this section for a prototype project may provide for the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction to the participants in the transaction. A transaction includes all individual prototype subprojects awarded under the transaction to a consortium of United States industry and academic institutions.

(2) A follow-on production contract or transaction provided for in a transaction under paragraph (1) may be awarded to the participants in the transaction without the use of competitive procedures, notwithstanding the requirements of chapter 221 of this title and even if explicit notification was not listed within the request for proposal for the transaction if—

(A) competitive procedures were used for the selection of parties for participation in the transaction; and

(B) the participants in the transaction successfully completed the prototype project provided for in the transaction.

(3) A follow-on production contract or transaction may be awarded, pursuant to this subsection, when the Department determines that an individual prototype or prototype subproject as part of a consortium is successfully completed by the participants.

(4) Award of a follow-on production contract or transaction pursuant to the terms under this subsection is not contingent upon the successful completion of all activities within a consortium as a condition for an award for follow-on production of a successfully completed prototype or prototype subproject within that consortium.

(5) Contracts and transactions entered into pursuant to this subsection may be awarded using the authority in subsection (a), under the authority of chapter 137 ¹ of this title, or under such procedures, terms, and conditions as the Secretary of Defense may establish by regulation.

(g) Authority To Provide Prototypes and Follow-on Production Items as Government-furnished Equipment.—An agreement entered into pursuant to the authority of subsection (a) or a follow-on contract or transaction entered into pursuant to the authority of subsection (f) may provide for prototypes or follow-on production items to be provided to another contractor as Government-furnished equipment.

(h) Applicability of Procurement Ethics Requirements.—An agreement entered into under the authority of this section shall be treated as a Federal agency procurement for the purposes of chapter 21 of title 41.

(i) Pilot Authority for Use of Other Transactions for Installation or Facility Prototyping.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may establish a pilot program under which the Secretary may, under the authority of this section, carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the ability of the Department of Defense to prototype the design, development, or demonstration of new construction techniques or technologies to improve military installations or facilities (as such terms are defined in section 2801 of this title).

(2) Limits.—In carrying out prototype projects under the pilot program established under paragraph (1)—

(A) except for projects carried out for the purpose of repairing a facility, not more than two prototype projects may begin to be carried out per fiscal year under such pilot program; and

(B) the aggregate value of all transactions entered into under such pilot program may not exceed $300,000,000.

(3) Use of amounts.—The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may carry out prototype projects under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) using amounts available to the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department (as applicable) for military construction, operation and maintenance, or research, development, test, and evaluation, notwithstanding—

(A) subchapters I and III of chapter 169 of this title; and

(B) chapters 221 and 223 of this title.

(4) Sunset.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the authority to carry out prototype projects under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) shall terminate on September 30, 2025.

(B) Ongoing project exception.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to prototype projects being carried out under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) on the date described in subparagraph (A).

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §815(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 893, §2371b; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §216, title VIII, §864, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1328, 1494; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, §211, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1674; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1731(a)(46), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1814; renumbered §4022 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1841(b)(1), (2)(C), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §821(b), title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), (F)(i)(IV), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1825, 2151; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §§842, 843, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2717, 2718; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §§821, 822(a), title IX, §913(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 326, 327, 367.)

Amendment of Subsections (a) and (e)(1)

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title IX, §913(a)(3), (b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 367, 368, provided that, effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, this section is amended as follows:

(1) in subsection (a):

(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting "the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,";

(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ", the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency"; and

(2) in subsection (e)(1), by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (E) as (D) through (F), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:

"(C) the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit;".

See 2023 Amendment notes below.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Chapter 137 of this title, referred to in subsec. (f)(5), was repealed by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1881(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4293, effective Jan. 1, 2022, in conjunction with the transfer and reorganization of acquisition provisions in this title by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, Jan. 1, 2022, 134 Stat. 4149. For definition of "chapter 137 legacy provisions", see section 3016 of this title.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4022, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 233, related to employment of contract surgeons in an emergency, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 98–94, title IX, §932(b)(1), (f) Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 650, effective Oct. 1, 1983, with continuation provision for existing contracts.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(3)(A)(i), inserted "the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(3)(A)(ii), inserted ", the Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(C)(i)(I). Pub. L. 118–31, §821(1), inserted "were met for the prior transaction for the prototype project that provided for the award of the follow-on production contract or transaction, and the requirements of subsection (f)" after "subsection (d)".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(3)(A)(iii), inserted ", Defense Innovation Unit," after "Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 118–31, §821(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (e)(1)(C) to (F). Pub. L. 118–31, §913(a)(3)(B), added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpars. (C) to (E) as (D) to (F), respectively.

Subsec. (i)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, §822(a)(1)(A), inserted "except for projects carried out for the purpose of repairing a facility," before "not more".

Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, §822(a)(1)(B), substituted "$300,000,000" for "$200,000,000".

Subsec. (i)(3), (4). Pub. L. 118–31, §822(a)(2), (3), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

2022—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–263, §843(1), substituted "personnel of the Department of Defense or improving" for "military personnel and the supporting".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, §842(1)(A), struck out ", and any follow-on production contract or transaction that is awarded pursuant to subsection (f)," after "a prototype project" in two places.

Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 117–263, §842(1)(B)–(D), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (e)(1) to (4). Pub. L. 117–263, §842(2), added pars. (1) and (3) and redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as (2) and (4), respectively.

Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 117–263, §843(2), added par. (5).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, §842(3), substituted "of chapter 221 of this title and even if explicit notification was not listed within the request for proposal for the transaction" for "of section 2304 of this title,".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–263, §843(3), added subsec. (i).

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2371b of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(2)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(F)(i)(IV), substituted "section 4021" for "section 2371".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 117–81, §821(b), substituted "Subsection (e)(2)" for "Subsections (e)(1)(B) and (e)(2)".

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(2)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(F)(i)(IV), substituted "section 4021" for "section 2371".

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(2)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(F)(i)(IV), substituted "section 4021" for "section 2371".

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), substituted "section 3014" for "section 2302(9)".

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), which directed that each reference in the text of title 10 to a section that was redesignated by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283, as such section was in effect before the redesignation, be amended by striking such reference and inserting a reference to the appropriate redesignated section, was not executed with respect to "section 2304", which was redesignated as multiple sections.

2019—Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "sources other than" for "sources other than other than".

2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(1)(A), substituted "for a prototype project, and any follow-on production contract or transaction that is awarded pursuant to subsection (f)," for "(for a prototype project)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(1)(B)(i), substituted "for a prototype project, and any follow-on production contract or transaction that is awarded pursuant to subsection (f)," for "(for a prototype project)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(1)(B)(ii), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(1)(C), which directed substitution of "Under Secretaries of Defense" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics" in par. (3) of subsec. (a)(2), was executed by making the substitution in par. (3) of subsec. (a), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(2), inserted "the prototype" after "carry out".

Subsec. (f)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 115–232, §211(3), added pars. (3) and (4) and redesignated former par. (3) as (5).

2017—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–91, §864(a)(1), (2), in introductory provisions, substituted "for a transaction (for a prototype project)" for "for a prototype project", "$100,000,000" for "$50,000,000", and "$500,000,000" for "$250,000,000".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–91, §864(a)(1), (3), in introductory provisions, substituted "for a transaction (for a prototype project)" for "for a prototype project" and "$500,000,000" for "$250,000,000".

Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–91, §216, inserted "or nonprofit research institution" after "defense contractor".

Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–91, §864(b), inserted "(including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638))" after "small businesses".

Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–91, §864(c), substituted "provided by sources other than" for "provided by parties to the transaction".

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–91, §864(d), inserted at end "A transaction includes all individual prototype subprojects awarded under the transaction to a consortium of United States industry and academic institutions."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2023 Amendment; Implementation

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VIII, §822(b), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 327, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to transactions entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023]."

Amendment by section 913(a)(3) of Pub. L. 118–31 effective 180 days after Dec. 22, 2023, with additional implementation requirements, see section 913(b)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as notes under section 1766 of this title.

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

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

Limitation on Missile Defense Agency Production of Satellites and Ground Systems Associated With Operation of Such Satellites

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVI, §1662(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2103, provided that:

"(1) Production of satellites and ground systems.—The Director of the Missile Defense Agency may not authorize or obligate funding for a program of record for the production of satellites or ground systems associated with the operation of such satellites.

"(2) Prototype satellites.—

"(A) Authority.—The Director, with the concurrence of the Space Acquisition Council established by section 9021 of title 10, United States Code, may authorize the production of one or more prototype satellites, consistent with the requirements of the Missile Defense Agency.

"(B) Report.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Space Acquisition Council concurs with the Director with respect to authorizing the production of a prototype satellite under subparagraph (A), the chair of the Council shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report explaining the reasons for such concurrence.

"(C) Obligation of funds.—The Director may not obligate funds for the production of a prototype satellite under subparagraph (A) before the date on which the Space Acquisition Council submits the report for such prototype satellite under subparagraph (B)."

Relaxation of Department of Defense Other Transaction Authority Requirements Related to the National Emergency for the Coronavirus Disease 2019

Pub. L. 116–136, div. B, title III, §13006, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 522, provided that:

"(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of section 2371b(a) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4022(a)], the authority of a senior procurement executive or director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or Missile Defense Agency under paragraph (2)(A) of such section [probably should be "subsection"], and the authority of the Under Secretaries of Defense under paragraph (2)(B) of such section [probably should be "subsection"], for any transaction related to the national emergency for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) may be delegated to such officials in the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Defense shall specify for purposes of this section.

"(b)(1) Notwithstanding clause (ii) of section 2371b(a)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4022(a)(2)(B)], no advance notice to Congress is required under that clause for transitions described in that section that are related to the national emergency for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).

"(2) In the event a transaction covered by paragraph (1) is carried out, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, as applicable, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a notice on the carrying out of such transaction as soon as is practicable after the commencement of the carrying out of such transaction.

"(3) In this subsection, the term 'congressional defense committees' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code."

Repeal of Obsolete Authority; Transition Provision

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §815(c), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 896, provided that: "Section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160; [former] 10 U.S.C. 2371 note) is hereby repealed. Transactions entered into under the authority of such section 845 shall remain in force and effect and shall be modified as appropriate to reflect the amendments made by this section [enacting this section, amending former section 2302 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 4001 of this title]."

Updated Guidance

Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §815(e), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 896, provided that: "Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2015], the Secretary of Defense shall issue updated guidance to implement the amendments made by this section [enacting this section, amending former section 2302 of this title, amending provisions set out as a note under section 4001 of this title, and repealing provisions formerly set out as a note under section 2371 of this title]."

¹ See References in Text note below.

§4023. Procurement for experimental purposes

(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments may each buy ordnance, signal, chemical activity, transportation, energy, medical, space-flight, telecommunications, and aeronautical supplies, including parts and accessories, and designs thereof, that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned considers necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense.

(b) Procedures.—Purchases under this section may be made inside or outside the United States and by contract or otherwise. Chapter 137 ¹ of this title applies only when such purchases are made in quantities greater than necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, assessment of operational utility, or safety or to provide a residual operational capability.

(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §822(c)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1706, §2373; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, §1070(g), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2859; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, §812, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 395; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §814, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 893; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §886, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1916; renumbered §4023, Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1841(b)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Chapter 137 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1881(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4293, effective Jan. 1, 2022, in conjunction with the transfer and reorganization of acquisition provisions in this title by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, Jan. 1, 2022, 134 Stat. 4149. For definition of "chapter 137 legacy provisions", see section 3016 of this title.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4023, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 233, related to employment of civilians in service club and library services, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–651, title I, §116(1), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 513.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 4504 and 9504 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–160, §822(c)(2).

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2373 of this title as this section.

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232 inserted "telecommunications," after "space-flight,".

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–92, §814(a), inserted "transportation, energy, medical, space-flight," before "and aeronautical supplies".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–92, §814(b), substituted "only when such purchases are made in quantities greater than necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, assessment of operational utility, or safety or to provide a residual operational capability" for "only when such purchases are made in quantity".

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted "only" after "applies" in second sentence.

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–337 substituted "chemical activity, and aeronautical supplies," for "and chemical activity supplies,".

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.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§4024. Merit-based award of grants for research and development

(a) It is the policy of Congress that an agency named in section 3063 of this title should not be required by legislation to award a new grant for research, development, test, or evaluation to a non-Federal Government entity. It is further the policy of Congress that any program, project, or technology identified in legislation be awarded through merit-based selection procedures.

(b) A provision of law may not be construed as requiring a new grant to be awarded to a specified non-Federal Government entity unless that provision of law—

(1) specifically refers to this subsection;

(2) specifically identifies the particular non-Federal Government entity involved; and

(3) specifically states that the award to that entity is required by such provision of law in contravention of the policy set forth in subsection (a).

(c) For purposes of this section, a grant is a new grant unless the work provided for in the grant is a continuation of the work performed by the specified entity under a preceding grant.

(d) This section shall not apply with respect to any grant that calls upon the National Academy of Sciences to investigate, examine, or experiment upon any subject of science or art of significance to an agency named in section 3063 of this title and to report on such matters to the Congress or any agency of the Federal Government.

(Added Pub. L. 103–355, title VII, §7203(a)(2), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3380, §2374; renumbered §4024 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1841(b)(1), (c), 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243, 4294; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), (D), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, §1801(a)(31), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4024 was renumbered section 7374 of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsecs. (a), (d). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "section 3063 of this title" for "section 2303(a) of this title".

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(c), which directed the renumbering of section 2374 of this title as section 4008 instead of this section, was amended generally by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(D), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2374 of this title as this section.

Subsecs. (a), (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), which directed that each reference in the text of title 10 to a section that was redesignated by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283, as such section was in effect before the redesignation, be amended by striking such reference and inserting a reference to the appropriate redesignated section, was not executed with respect to "section 2303(a)", which was redesignated as multiple sections.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Effective Date

For effective date and applicability of section, see section 10001 of Pub. L. 103–355, set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under section 8752 of this title.

§4025. Prizes for advanced technology achievements

(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and the service acquisition executive for each military department, may carry out programs to award cash prizes and other types of prizes, including procurement contracts and other agreements, that the Secretary determines are appropriate to recognize outstanding achievements in basic, advanced, and applied research, technology development, and prototype development that—

(1) have the potential for application to the performance of the military missions of the Department of Defense; or

(2) demonstrate management practices that improve the schedule or performance, reduce the costs, or otherwise support the transition of technology into acquisition programs or operational use.

(b) Competition Requirements.—Each program under subsection (a) shall use a competitive process for the selection of recipients of cash prizes and for the selection of recipients of procurement contracts and other agreements. The process shall include the widely-advertised solicitation of submissions.

(c) Limitations.—(1) No prize competition may result in the award of a prize with a fair market value of more than $10,000,000 without the approval of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(2) No prize competition may result in the award of more than $1,000,000 in cash prizes without the approval of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(3) No prize competition may result in the award of a solely nonmonetary prize with a fair market value of more than $10,000 without the approval of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

(d) Relationship to Other Authority.—A program under subsection (a) may be carried out in conjunction with or in addition to the exercise of any other authority of an official referred to in that subsection.

(e) Acceptance of Funds.—In addition to such sums as may be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary to award prizes under this section, the Secretary may accept funds or nonmonetary items from other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, from State and local governments, and from the private sector, to award prizes under this section. The Secretary may not give any special consideration to any private sector entity in return for a donation.

(f) Use of Prize Authority.—Use of prize authority under this section shall be considered the use of competitive procedures for the purposes of chapter 221 of this title.

(g) Congressional Notice.—

(1) In general.—Not later than 15 days after a procurement contract or other agreement that exceeds a fair market value of $10,000,000 is awarded under the authority under a program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees written notice of such award.

(2) Contents.—Each notice submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) the value of the relevant procurement contract or other agreement, as applicable, including all options;

(B) if applicable, a summary of the management practice that contributed to an improvement to schedule or performance or a reduction in cost relating to the transition of technology;

(C) an identification of any program executive officer (as defined in section 1737 of this title) responsible for implementation or oversight of research results, technology development, prototype development, or management practices (as applicable) for which an award was made under this section, and a brief summary of lessons learned by such program executive officer in carrying out such implementation or oversight;

(D) a brief description of the research result, technology development, or prototype for which such procurement contract or other agreement, as applicable, was awarded; and

(E) an explanation of the benefit to the performance of the military mission of the Department of Defense resulting from the award.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4025 was renumbered section 7375 of this title.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–263, §844(1), substituted "development that—" for "development that", inserted par. (1) designation before "have the potential", substituted "Defense; or" for "Defense.", and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–263, §844(2), struck out "of research results, technology developments, and prototypes" before period at end.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–263, §844(3), struck out "to acquire, support, or stimulate basic, advanced and applied research, technology development, or prototype projects" before period at end.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–263, §844(4), substituted "chapter 221" for "section 2304".

Subsec. (g)(2)(B) to (E). Pub. L. 117–263, §844(5), added subpars. (B) and (C) and redesignated former subpars. (B) and (C) as (D) and (E), respectively.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1842(b), which directed the renumbering of section 2374a of this title as section 4065 instead of this section, was amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(q)(1), (u)(3)(B), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2374a of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–81, §822(1), inserted ", including procurement contracts and other agreements," after "other types of prizes".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–81, §822(2), inserted "and for the selection of recipients of procurement contracts and other agreements" after "cash prizes".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–81, §822(3), inserted "without the approval of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" before period at end.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–283, §1883(b)(2), which directed that each reference in the text of title 10 to a section that was redesignated by title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283, as such section was in effect before the redesignation, be amended by striking such reference and inserting a reference to the appropriate redesignated section, was not executed with respect to "section 2304", which was redesignated as multiple sections.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–81, §822(4), added subsec. (g).

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

2018—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "Federal Government," for "Federal Government,,".

2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(1), substituted "and other types of prizes that the Secretary determines are appropriate to recognize" for "in recognition of".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(2)(A), substituted "prize with a fair market value of" for "cash prize of".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(2)(B), substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(2)(C), added par. (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(3), inserted "or nonmonetary items" after "accept funds", substituted ", from State and local governments, and from the private sector" for "and from State and local governments", and inserted at end "The Secretary may not give any special consideration to any private sector entity in return for a donation."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–91, §213(4), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The authority to award prizes under subsection (a) shall terminate at the end of September 30, 2018."

2016—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 114–328, §1081(c)(6), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 114–92, §1079(a). See 2015 Amendment note below.

2015—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 114–92, §1079(a), as amended by Pub. L. 114–328, §1081(c)(6), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which related to biennial reports.

2014—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(a), substituted "No prize competition may result in the award of a cash prize of more than $10,000,000." for "The total amount made available for award of cash prizes in a fiscal year may not exceed $10,000,000."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(b)(2), added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(c)(3), substituted "Biennial" for "Annual" in heading.

Pub. L. 113–291, §211(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(c)(1), substituted "every other year" for "each year" and "two fiscal years" for "fiscal year".

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(c)(2), substituted "a period of two fiscal years" for "a fiscal year" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291, §211(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).

2013—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–66 substituted "September 30, 2018" for "September 30, 2013".

2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–383 substituted "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering" for "Director of Defense Research and Engineering".

2009—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–84 substituted "2013" for "2010".

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–364, §212(a)(1), substituted "Director of Defense Research and Engineering and the service acquisition executive for each military department" for "Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency" and "programs" for "a program".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–364, §212(a)(2)(A), substituted "Each program" for "The program".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–364, §212(a)(2)(B), substituted "A program" for "The program" and "an official referred to in that subsection" for "the Director".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–364, §212(c), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) required an annual report, which included the results of consultations between the Director and officials of the military departments, a description of goals, cash prizes, methods used for submissions, a description of resources, and a description of transition plans.

Pub. L. 109–163 reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Promptly after the end of each fiscal year during which one or more prizes are awarded under the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the administration of the program for that fiscal year. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The military applications of the research, technology, or prototypes for which prizes were awarded.

"(2) The total amount of the prizes awarded.

"(3) The methods used for solicitation and evaluation of submissions, together with an assessment of the effectiveness of those methods."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–364, §212(b), substituted "2010" for "2007".

2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136 inserted "during which one or more prizes are awarded under the program under subsection (a)" after "each fiscal year" in introductory provisions.

2002—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–314 substituted "September 30, 2007" for "September 30, 2003".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

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

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, §1081(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2419, provided that the amendment made by section 1081(c)(6) is effective as of Nov. 25, 2015, and as if included in Pub. L. 114–92 as enacted.

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

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

Prize Competition for Technology That Detects and Watermarks Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XV, §1543, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 573, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], under the authority of section 4025 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a prize competition designed to evaluate technology (including applications, tools, and models) for generative artificial intelligence detection and generative artificial intelligence watermarking, for the purposes of—

"(1) facilitating the research, development, testing, evaluation, and competition of such technologies to support the Secretaries of the military departments and the commanders of combatant commands in warfighting requirements; and

"(2) transitioning such technologies, including technologies developed pursuant to pilot programs, prototype projects, or other research and development programs, from the prototyping phase to production.

"(b) Participation.—The participants in the prize competition under subsection (a) may include federally funded research and development centers, entities within the private sector, entities within the defense industrial base, institutions of higher education, Federal departments and agencies, and such other categories of participants as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.

"(c) Designation.—The prize competition under subsection (a) shall be known as the 'Generative AI Detection and Watermark Competition'.

"(d) Administration.—The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall administer the prize competition under subsection (a).

"(e) Framework.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing on the framework to be used in carrying out the prize competition under subsection (a).

"(f) Annual Briefings.—Not later than October 1 of each year until the date of termination under subsection (g), the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the results of the prize competition under subsection (a).

"(g) Termination.—The authority to carry out the prize competition under subsection (a) shall terminate on December 31, 2025.

"(h) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'generative artificial intelligence detection' means, with respect to digital content, the positive identification of the use of generative artificial intelligence in the generation of such content.

"(2) The term 'generative artificial intelligence watermarking' means, with respect to digital content, embedding within such content data conveying attribution of the generation of such content to generative artificial intelligence."

Prize Competition To Identify Root Cause of Physiological Episodes on Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Training and Operational Aircraft

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1089, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1605, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1842(c)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4244; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(3)(C), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2152, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Under the authority of section 4025 of title 10, United States Code, and section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the heads of any other appropriate Federal agencies that have experience in prize competitions, and when appropriate, in coordination with private organizations, may establish a prize competition designed to accelerate identification of the root cause or causes of, or find solutions to, physiological episodes experienced in Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force training and operational aircraft.

"(b) Evaluation of Personnel.—The Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary's designee, shall select the person or persons to conduct the competition authorized in subsection (a) and evaluate any submissions.

"(c) Limitation.—The Secretary of Defense may not exercise the authority under subsection (a) before the date that is 15 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits to [the] congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] certification in writing that the use of the authority will not compromise classified information, proprietary information, or intellectual property."

§4026. Cooperative research and development agreements under Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980

The Secretary of Defense, in carrying out research projects through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Secretary of each military department, in carrying out research projects, may permit the director of any federally funded research and development center to enter into cooperative research and development agreements with any person, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, any unit of State or local government, and any other entity under the authority granted by section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a). Technology may be transferred to a non-Federal party to such an agreement consistent with the provisions of sections 11 and 12 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 3710, 3710a).

(Added and amended Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title II, §267(c)(1)(A), (B), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2468, §2371a; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, §1073(a)(50), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1903; renumbered §4026 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §§1841(b)(1), 1844(b)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243, 4245; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), (5)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151, 2154.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

The text of section 2371(i) of this title, which was transferred to this section, redesignated as text of section, and amended by Pub. L. 104–201, §267(c)(1)(A), (B), was based on Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1301(b), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3286.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1844(b)(1), which directed the renumbering of section 2371a of this title as section 4143 instead of this section, was repealed, and a new section 1844(b) was enacted, by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(5)(D), effective as if included therein, so that such renumbering was no longer directed.

Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(u)(2)(B), renumbered section 2371a of this title as this section.

1997—Pub. L. 105–85 inserted "Defense" before "Advanced Research Projects Agency".

1996—Pub. L. 104–201 transferred section 2371(i) of this title to this section, added section catchline, and struck out subsec. (i) designation and heading which read as follows: "Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Under Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980". See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

§4027. Disclosure requirements for recipients of research and development funds

(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), an individual or entity (including a State or local government) that uses funds received from the Department of Defense to carry out research or development activities shall include, in any public document pertaining to such activities, a clear statement indicating the dollar amount of the funds received from the Department for such activities.

(b) Exception.—The disclosure requirement under subsection (a) shall not apply to a public document consisting of fewer than 280 characters.

(d) Public Document Defined.—In this section, the term "public document" means any document or other written statement made available for public reference or use, regardless of whether such document or statement is made available in hard copy or electronic format.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §212(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3456, §2374b; renumbered §4027, Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(e)(4)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2139.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 4027 was renumbered section 7377 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81 renumbered section 2374b of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §881(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2744, provided that: "The amendments made by section 1701(e) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 802(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81) [renumbering this section and sections 4094, 4873, 4875, and 8755 of this title] shall be deemed to have taken effect immediately before the amendments made by section 1881 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 4293) [see Tables for classification]."

[Subsec. (a) of section 1881 of Pub. L. 116–283, referred to in section 881(a) of Pub. L. 117–263, set out above, provided in part that chapter 139 of this title, in which chapter section 2374b of this title had been located, was repealed.]

Effective Date

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, §212(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3456, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect on October 1, 2021, and shall apply with respect to funds for research and development that are awarded by the Department of Defense on or after that date."

Treatment of Section 4027 Requirements

Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, §881(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2744, provided that: "An individual or entity to which the requirements under section 4027 of title 10, United States Code, were applicable during the period beginning on January 1, 2022, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022] pursuant to subsection (a) [set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note above] shall be deemed to have complied with such requirements during such period."