How To Use the NDAA Pages

Back to William M. (Mac) Thornberry NDAA Contents

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

Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Software and Technology

P. L. 116-

House Conference Report   116-617

The Senate amendment contained a provision (sec. 872) that would extend by 3 years the authorization of a pilot program to streamline contracting and auditing processes for certain innovative technology projects carried out by small businesses.

The House bill contained no similar provision.

The House recedes with an amendment that would extend the pilot program until 2022.

The conferees note that this authority has the potential to accelerate the awards of Small Business Innovation Research contracts and other contracts to innovative non-traditional defense contractors. The conferees direct the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing no later than March 1, 2021 on the use and benefits of this authority and a recommendation on the extension or permanent authorization of the pilot program.

The conferees expect the briefing to include a description of the mechanisms by which the Department is collecting data and analyzing the benefits of the authority and the best practices for its use. The conferees note that unless the Department collects data and demonstrates the value of authorities that enable streamlined acquisition practices, the conferees are unlikely to extend such authorities in the future.

Senate Committee Report 116-236 to Accompanying S. 4049

Extension of pilot program for streamlined awards for innovative technology programs (sec. 872)

The committee recommends a provision that would extend by 3 years the authorization of a pilot program to streamline contracting and auditing processes for certain innovative technology projects carried out by small businesses. Originally authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92), this authority has the potential to accelerate the awards of Small Business Innovation Research contracts and other contracts to innovative non-traditional defense contractors by alleviating requirements for small businesses to submit certified cost and pricing data and requirements for certain types of audit and records examination.