10 U.S.C. § 2359a : US Code - Section 2359A: Technology Transition Initiative

Search 10 U.S.C. § 2359a : US Code - Section 2359A: Technology Transition Initiative

(a) Initiative Required. - The Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology,
and Logistics, shall carry out an initiative, to be known as the
Technology Transition Initiative (hereinafter in this section
referred to as the "Initiative"), to facilitate the rapid
transition of new technologies from science and technology programs
of the Department of Defense into acquisition programs of the
Department for the production of such technologies.
(b) Objectives. - The objectives of the Initiative are as
follows:
(1) To accelerate the introduction of new technologies into
operational capabilities for the armed forces.
(2) To successfully demonstrate new technologies in relevant
environments.
(c) Management of Initiative. - (1) The Under Secretary shall
designate a senior official of the Department of Defense
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Manager") to
manage the Initiative.
(2) In managing the Initiative, the Manager shall -
(A) report directly to the Under Secretary; and
(B) obtain advice and other assistance from the Technology
Transition Council established under subsection (g).
(3) The Manager shall -
(A) in consultation with the Technology Transition Council
established under subsection (g), identify promising technology
transition projects that can contribute to meeting Department of
Defense technology goals and requirements;
(B) identify potential sponsors in the Department of Defense to
manage such projects; and
(C) provide funds under subsection (f) for those projects that
are selected under subsection (d)(2).
(d) Selection of Projects. - (1) The science and technology and
acquisition executives of each military department and each
appropriate Defense Agency and the commanders of the unified and
specified combatant commands may nominate technology transition
projects for implementation under subsection (e) and shall submit a
list of the projects so nominated to the Manager.
(2) The Manager, in consultation with the Technology Transition
Council established under subsection (g), shall select projects for
implementation under subsection (e) from among the projects on the
lists submitted under paragraph (1).
(e) Implementation of Projects. - For each project selected under
subsection (d)(2), the Manager shall designate a military
department or Defense Agency to implement the project.
(f) Funding of Projects. - (1) From funds made available to the
Manager for the Initiative, the Manager shall, subject to
paragraphs (2) and (3), provide funds for each project selected
under subsection (d)(2) in an amount determined by mutual agreement
between the Manager and the acquisition executive of the military
department or Defense Agency concerned.
(2) The amount of funds provided to a project under paragraph (1)
shall be not less than the amount equal to 50 percent of the total
cost of the project.
(3) A project shall not be provided funds under this subsection
for more than four fiscal years.
(g) Technology Transition Council. - (1) There is a Technology
Transition Council in the Department of Defense. The Council is
composed of the following members:
(A) The science and technology executive of each military
department and each Defense Agency.
(B) The acquisition executive of each military department.
(C) The members of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council.
(2) The duty of the Council shall be to support the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics in
developing policies to facilitate the rapid transition of
technologies from science and technology programs into acquisition
programs of the Department of Defense.
(3) The Council shall meet not less often than semiannually to
carry out its duty under paragraph (2).
(h) Report. - Not later than March 31 of each year, the Under
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives a report on the activities carried out by the
Initiative during the preceding fiscal year.
(i) Definition. - In this section, the term "acquisition
executive", with respect to a military department or Defense
Agency, means the official designated as the senior procurement
executive for that military department or Defense Agency for the
purposes of section 16(c) of the Office of Federal Procurement
Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 414(c)).