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TITLE 1 -- PROCUREMENT

Subtitle B--Army Programs

JWNDAA Section

House Conference Report 109-702

(a) Report Required- Not later than March 15, 2007, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the participation and activities of the lead systems integrator in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program under the contract of the Army for the Future Combat Systems.

(b) Elements- The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) A description of the responsibilities of the lead systems integrator in managing the Future Combat Systems program under the contract for the Future Combat Systems, and an assessment of the manner in which such responsibilities differ from the typical responsibilities of a lead systems integrator under acquisition contracts of the Department of Defense.

(2) A description and assessment of the responsibilities of the Army in managing the Future Combat Systems program, including oversight of the activities of the lead systems integrator and the decisions made by the lead systems integrator.

(3) An assessment of the manner in which the Army--

(A) ensures that the lead systems integrator meets goals for the Future Combat Systems in a timely manner; and

(B) evaluates the extent to which such goals are met.

(4) An identification of the mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of the interests of the United States in the Future Combat Systems program.

(5) An identification of the mechanisms in place to mitigate organizational conflicts of interest with respect to competition on Future Combat Systems technologies and equipment under subcontracts under the Future Combat Systems program.

The Senate amendment contained a provision (sec. 112) that would require the Comptroller General to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the participation and activities of the lead systems integrator in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program under the contract of the Army for the FCS program.

The House bill contained no similar provision.

The House recedes.

Senate Armed Services Committee Report 109-254

Comptroller General report on the contract for the Future Combat Systems program (sec. 112)

The committee recommends a provision that would require the Comptroller General to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the participation and activities of the lead systems integrator in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program under the contract of the Army for the FCS program. The report would provide a description of the responsibilities of the lead systems integrator and the Army under the FCS contract; an assessment of the manner in which the Army ensures that the lead systems integrator meets the goals of the FCS program; an identification of the mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of the interests of the United States in the FCS program; and an identification of the mechanisms in place to mitigate organizational conflicts of interest with respect to competition on FCS technologies and equipment under the subcontracts under the FCS program.

Section 212 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163) directed the Secretary of the Army to procure the FCS through a contract under part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, rather than through a transaction under section 2371 of title 10, United States Code. The committee congratulates the Army on completing the definitization of the FCS contract on March 29, 2006 and directs the Comptroller General to review the contract to assist the Congress and the Department understand the complexities of contracting for a system-of-systems contract with a lead systems integrator.