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TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS

Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Major Defense Acquisition Programs

P. L. 114-

House Conference Report. 114-270

Section 139b of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(5)—

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking “and approve or disapprove”; and


(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting “in order to advise relevant technical authorities for such programs on the incorporation of best practices for developmental test from across the Department” after “in accordance with subsection (c))”; and

(2) in subsection (b)(5)—

(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking “and approve”; and

(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting “in order to advise relevant technical authorities for such programs on the incorporation of best practices for systems engineering from across the Department” after “programs”.

The Senate amendment contained no similar provision.

The Senate recedes with an amendment that would authorize the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering to review developmental test and evaluation and systems engineering master plans for major defense acquisition programs, respectively, and advise relevant technical authorities on the incorporation of best practices for programs under consideration.

House Report 114-201 to accompany H. R. 1735 as it was reported out of the House Armed Services Committee.

Section 862--Revision to Duties of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering

This section would amend section 139b of title 10, United States Code, to strengthen the authority of the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) by clarifying that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Developmental Test and Evaluation and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering advise the MDA regarding review and approval of developmental test plans and systems engineering plans. Under existing statute, both these positions review and approve or disapprove those plans. The committee is proposing this change to streamline decision-making authority and strengthen accountability by ensuring that the MDA is fully responsible for determining whether a program is ready to proceed into the next phase of acquisition.