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

Subtitle H - Other Matters

P. L. 114-

House Conference Report. 114-840

(1) REVIEW REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall conduct a review of the policy, guidance, regulations, and training related to specifications included in information technology acquisitions to ensure current policies eliminate the unjustified use of potentially anti-competitive specifications. In conducting the review, the Under Secretary shall examine the use of brand names or proprietary specifications or standards in solicitations for procurements of goods and services, as well as the current acquisition training curriculum related to those areas.

(2) BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives on the results of the review required by paragraph (1).

(3) ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall revise policies, guidance, and training to incorporate such recommendations as the Under Secretary considers appropriate from the review required by paragraph (1).

The Senate bill contained a provision (sec. 829E) that would require the Secretary of Defense to ensure that Department of Defense contract language does not specify a brand name in solicitations unless justification for such a specification is provided and approved in accordance with section 2304(f) of title 10, United States Code.

The House amendment contained a similar provision (sec. 834) that would require a review of specifications in information technology acquisitions to increase competition and a review of brand names and specifications for acquisitions of goods and services.

The House recedes with an amendment that would add a review of the policy, guidance, regulations, and training related to specifications included in information technology acquisitions to ensure current policies eliminate the unjustified use of potentially anti-competitive specifications.