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116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-120
_______________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
----------
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON
H.R. 2500
together with
ADDITIONAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
June 19, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-120
_______________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
__________
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON
H.R. 2500
together with
ADDITIONAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
June 19, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
36-763 WASHINGTON : 2019
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
One Hundred Sixteenth Congress
ADAM SMITH, Washington, Chairman
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California WILLIAM M. ``MAC'' THORNBERRY,
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island Texas
RICK LARSEN, Washington JOE WILSON, South Carolina
JIM COOPER, Tennessee ROB BISHOP, Utah
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
JOHN GARAMENDI, California MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
JACKIE SPEIER, California K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California MO BROOKS, Alabama
ANTHONY G. BROWN, Maryland, Vice PAUL COOK, California
Chair BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
RO KHANNA, California SAM GRAVES, Missouri
WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
FILEMON VELA, Texas SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
ANDY KIM, New Jersey RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
KENDRA S. HORN, Oklahoma TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
GILBERT RAY CISNEROS, Jr., MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
California MATT GAETZ, Florida
CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania DON BACON, Nebraska
JASON CROW, Colorado JIM BANKS, Indiana
XOCHITL TORRES SMALL, New Mexico LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
KATIE HILL, California MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida
VERONICA ESCOBAR, Texas
DEBRA A. HAALAND, New Mexico
JARED F. GOLDEN, Maine
LORI TRAHAN, Massachusetts
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia
Paul Arcangeli, Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Purpose of the Legislation....................................... 1
Rationale for the Committee Bill................................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Position............................................... 4
Explanation of the Committee Amendments.......................... 4
Relationship of Authorization to Appropriations.................. 4
Summary of Discretionary Authorizations in the Bill.............. 5
Budget Authority Implication..................................... 5
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS................. 5
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT............................................. 5
Aircraft Procurement, Army................................... 5
Items of Special Interest.................................. 5
CH-47F Chinook Block II.................................. 5
UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter.......................... 6
Missile Procurement, Army.................................... 7
Items of Special Interest.................................. 7
Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 system of
systems................................................ 7
M240 medium machine gun industrial base.................. 7
TOW 2B missile system.................................... 8
Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army..... 8
Items of Special Interest.................................. 8
Vehicle active protection systems........................ 8
Procurement of Ammunition, Army.............................. 9
Items of Special Interest.................................. 9
Army vertical lift munitions............................. 9
M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge............................ 9
Self-propelled 155mm and 105mm artillery systems......... 10
Other Procurement, Army...................................... 10
Items of Special Interest.................................. 10
Advanced medium mobile power sources..................... 10
AN/PEQ-15 Pointer, Illuminator, Aiming Laser capability
enhancement/upgrade strategy........................... 11
Global Positioning System denied environments............ 11
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
recapitalization....................................... 12
Requirements and Capabilities for Military Shelter
Systems Ballistic Protection........................... 12
Tactical Communications and Protective System............ 12
Transportable Tactical Command Communications............ 13
Aircraft Procurement, Navy................................... 13
Items of Special Interest.................................. 13
Carrier strike group anti-submarine warfare capabilities. 13
F/A-18 infrared search and track......................... 14
MH-53E modernization and sustainment strategy............ 14
Navy Reserve F/A-18 aircraft............................. 15
Recapitalization of Navy Reserve P-3C squadrons.......... 15
Weapons Procurement, Navy.................................... 16
Items of Special Interest.................................. 16
Advanced Low-Cost Munitions Ordnance..................... 16
Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy............................ 16
Items of Special Interest.................................. 16
Amphibious Forces Modernization.......................... 16
AN/SPY-6(V) on DDG-51 Flight IIA......................... 16
Classified Briefing on Funding Requirements for Strategic
Weapons Systems........................................ 17
Composite materials...................................... 17
DDG Aegis modernization.................................. 18
Frigate requirements review.............................. 18
Future Fleet Architecture................................ 18
John Lewis fleet oiler replenishment ships............... 19
MK 18 unmanned underwater vehicle........................ 19
Naval Oceanographic Office vessel requirements........... 19
Navy Cyclone-class patrol craft replacement.............. 20
Navy study on lethality of surface combatant ships
against swarm technology............................... 20
Report on operational energy planning assumptions for the
future surface combatant............................... 21
Virginia-class submarine................................. 21
Procurement, Marine Corps.................................... 22
Items of Special Interest.................................. 22
Rapid acquisition of Rifle Integrated Controller......... 22
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force.............................. 22
Items of Special Interest.................................. 22
A-10 aircraft............................................ 22
Air National Guard F-16 Radar Upgrades................... 23
B-1 readiness recovery plan.............................. 23
B-2 Spirit Defensive Management System................... 24
C-130H aircraft propellers and engines................... 24
E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-
engining program....................................... 25
F-15C/F-15EX............................................. 25
MQ-9 Reaper funding profile.............................. 26
Tanker force structure and modernization................. 26
Procurement, Defense-Wide.................................... 27
Items of Special Interest.................................. 27
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program........................ 27
Mitigation of military aviation physiological incidents.. 28
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 29
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 29
Section 101--Authorization of Appropriations............... 29
Subtitle B--Navy Programs.................................... 29
Section 111--Modification of Annual Report on Cost Targets
for Certain Aircraft Carriers............................ 29
Section 112--Repeal of Requirement to Adhere to Navy Cost
Estimates for Certain Aircraft Carriers.................. 29
Section 113--Ford Class Aircraft Carrier Support for F-35C
Aircraft................................................. 29
Section 114--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Reduction of
Aircraft Carrier Force Structure......................... 29
Section 115--Design and Construction of Amphibious
Transport Dock Designated LPD-31......................... 30
Section 116--Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending
Quarterly Updates on the CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter
Program.................................................. 30
Section 117--Limitation on Availability of Funds for VH-92A
Helicopter............................................... 30
Section 118--National Defense Reserve Fleet Vessel......... 31
Subtitle C--Air Force Programs............................... 31
Section 121--Modification of Requirement to Preserve
Certain C-5 Aircraft..................................... 31
Section 122--Modification of Limitation on Use of Funds for
KC-46A Aircraft.......................................... 31
Section 123--F-15EX Aircraft Program....................... 31
Section 124--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for
Reduction in KC-10 Primary Mission Aircraft Inventory.... 31
Section 125--Limitation on Availability of Funds for VC-25B
Aircraft................................................. 31
Section 126--Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Retirement of RC-135 Aircraft............................ 31
Section 127--Report on Aircraft Fleet of the Civil Air
Patrol................................................... 32
Subtitle D--Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters.... 32
Section 131--Economic Order Quantity Contracting and Buy-
to-Budget Acquisition for F-35 Aircraft Program.......... 32
Section 132--Program Requirements for the F-35 Aircraft
Program.................................................. 32
Section 133--Reports on F-35 Aircraft Program.............. 32
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION............ 33
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army............ 33
Items of Special Interest.................................. 33
3-D Printed Electronics Army Innovation.................. 33
Accelerated integration to counter emerging threats...... 33
Advanced development of asset protection technologies.... 33
Advanced lightweight small arms and medium caliber
ammunitions............................................ 34
Advanced materials and components........................ 34
Advanced technology for cold regions..................... 34
Army unfunded requirement for munitions storage.......... 34
Briefing on secure communications with remote-piloted and
unmanned ground vehicles............................... 35
Carbon fiber wheels and graphitic foam for Army vehicles. 35
Composite warhead technology............................. 36
Defense Innovation and the Automotive Industry........... 36
Expeditionary Maneuver Support Technologies.............. 36
Expeditionary mobile base camp technology................ 37
Foamable celluloid material.............................. 37
Future Vertical Lift..................................... 37
Heavy Equipment Transporter System trailer development... 38
HEROES program........................................... 38
High performance advanced polymers....................... 38
Humanitarian de-mining research and development.......... 39
Improved Turbine Engine Program.......................... 39
Improvement of combat helmet suspension systems.......... 40
Instrumentable Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement
System................................................. 40
Modeling and Simulation for Ground Vehicle Development... 40
Modern mobile sheltering systems......................... 41
Multi-mission Medium Range Railgun Weapon System and
Integrated Power and Thermal Management System......... 41
Multi-spectral thermal mitigation technologies........... 41
National Academies review of technologies related to Army
Strategic Long-Range Cannon............................ 42
Real time transmission of weapons usage data............. 43
Women in Army science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics careers.................................... 43
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy............ 43
Items of Special Interest.................................. 43
Academic partnerships for undersea vehicle research...... 43
Advanced Manufacturing of Critical Scale Materials....... 44
Advanced precision materials research.................... 44
Advanced radar research.................................. 44
Autonomous vehicle collaboration across maritime domains. 44
Critical bandwidth gaps for Navy deployments............. 45
Defense University Research Initiatives.................. 45
Energy resilience........................................ 46
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli research................ 46
Hearing loss and prevention treatment.................... 46
High Energy Laser system integration..................... 47
Navigation channel clearance for nuclear powered
ballistic missile submarines........................... 47
Office of Naval Research Manufacturing Technology Program 48
Warfighter safety and performance........................ 48
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force....... 49
Items of Special Interest.................................. 49
Advanced composites for large structures................. 49
Aerospace Career Training Expansion Report............... 49
Aerospace Composites Manufacturing....................... 49
Briefing on Surface to Air Electronic Warfare Threats.... 50
Digital twinning......................................... 50
Distributed Common Ground System and 10 U.S.C. 2377...... 50
Educational partnership agreements for aerospace
propulsion............................................. 51
Kessel Run Commercial Outreach........................... 51
Light attack and armed reconnaissance experimentation.... 52
Low-cost attritable aircraft technology.................. 52
Major test range and facility enhancements............... 53
Metals Affordability Initiative.......................... 54
Modular Open Systems Architecture Intelligence Sensor
Readiness Initiative................................... 54
OC-135B Open Skies Treaty aircraft recapitalization...... 54
Open mission systems..................................... 55
Persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. 56
Thermal management and robust power generation systems... 56
Unmanned aerial systems cyber operations research........ 56
Vertical lift demonstration.............................. 57
Wide area motion imagery................................. 57
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-Wide.... 57
Items of Special Interest.................................. 57
Additive manufacturing................................... 57
Advanced composites and manufacturing technologies....... 58
AI-enabled Robotics in CBRN and Complex Environments..... 58
Analysis of Science and Technology Reinvention
Laboratories........................................... 59
Artificial intelligence in force protection activities... 60
Autonomous distribution for critical supplies............ 60
Battery Development and Safety Enterprise................ 60
Chemical and Biological Decontamination Solutions........ 61
Commercializing defense technologies..................... 61
Counterterrorism detection technology.................... 61
Cyber institutes at senior military colleges............. 62
Cyber-physical research.................................. 62
Directed energy test range workloads..................... 63
Electronic warfare planning for near-peer adversaries.... 63
Energy systems for forward and remote operating bases.... 64
Hacking for Defense...................................... 64
Hacking for Defense Support to Defense Innovation........ 65
Historically black colleges and universities and minority
serving institutions................................... 65
Human simulation and human factors modeling.............. 66
Hybrid and electric air vehicle power and propulsion
systems................................................ 66
Hypersonic test infrastructure and workforce............. 67
Implementation of existing authorities for the science
and technology reinvention laboratories................ 68
Integrated Silicon-Based Lasers.......................... 68
Investments in Science and Technology.................... 69
Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations................ 69
Joint Threat Warning System.............................. 70
Lithium-ion batteries.................................... 70
Microelectronics......................................... 71
Military rotorcraft safety............................... 71
Moving Target Defense.................................... 72
National Academies Science, Technology, and Security
Roundtable............................................. 72
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and
Responses to Terrorism................................. 73
National Defense Education Program....................... 73
Optical fiber in next generation information
infrastructure......................................... 74
Pilot Program for Supply Chain Awareness and
Cybersecurity in the Defense Industrial Base........... 74
Protecting Critical Technologies Task Force.............. 74
Protection of National Security Research................. 75
Provision of Analysis to U.S. Humanitarian Demining
Organizations.......................................... 76
Radio frequency countermeasures for rotary wing aircraft. 76
Report on Designation of a National Center of Excellence
for Pathogen and Microbiome Analysis................... 76
Role of universities in rapid prototyping................ 77
Tactical data links...................................... 77
University and industry research centers................. 78
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 78
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 78
Section 201--Authorization of Appropriations............... 78
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and
Limitations.............................................. 79
Section 211--Program on Enhancement of Preparation of
Dependents of Members of Armed Forces for Careers in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics........ 79
Section 212--Temporary Inclusion of Joint Artificial
Intelligence Center of the Department of Defense in
Personnel Management Authority to Attract Experts in
Science and Engineering.................................. 79
Section 213--Joint Hypersonics Transition Office........... 79
Section 214--Modification of Proof of Concept
Commercialization Program................................ 79
Section 215--Contract for National Security Research
Studies.................................................. 80
Section 216--JASON Scientific Advisory Group............... 80
Section 217--Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal
Technology Program....................................... 80
Section 218--Foreign Malign Influence Operations Research
Program.................................................. 80
Section 219--Sensor Data Integration for Fifth Generation
Aircraft................................................. 80
Section 220--Documentation Relating to Advanced Battle
Management System........................................ 80
Section 221--Documentation Relating to B-52 Commercial
Engine Replacement Program............................... 81
Section 222--Diversification of the Science, Technology,
Research, and Engineering Workforce of the Department of
Defense.................................................. 81
Section 223--Policy on the Talent Management of Digital
Expertise and Software Professionals..................... 81
Section 224--Development and Implementation of Digital
Engineering Capability and Automated Software Testing and
Evaluation............................................... 82
Section 225--Process to Align Policy Formulation and
Emerging Technology Development.......................... 82
Section 226--Limitation on Transition of Strategic
Capabilities Office of the Department of Defense......... 82
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters........................ 83
Section 231--Master Plan for Implementation of Authorities
Relating to Science and Technology Reinvention
Laboratories............................................. 83
Section 232--Master Plan for Infrastructure Required to
Support Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Missions................................................. 83
Section 233--Strategy and Implementation Plan for Fifth
Generation Information and Communications Technologies... 84
Section 234--Department-Wide Software Science and
Technology Strategy...................................... 84
Section 235--Artificial Intelligence Education Strategy.... 84
Section 236--Biannual Report on the Joint Artificial
Intelligence Center...................................... 84
Section 237--Quarterly Updates on the Optionally Manned
Fighting Vehicle Program................................. 85
Section 238--Grants for Civics Education Programs.......... 85
Section 239--Technology and National Security Fellowship... 85
Section 240--National Security Commission on Defense
Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
and Other Minority Institutions.......................... 85
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE............................. 85
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 85
Energy Issues................................................ 85
Energy Efficiency Improvements for Shelters and Hard
Containers............................................... 85
Enhancing Installation Energy Resiliency through Renewable
Energy................................................... 86
Fuel Resiliency Issues within the Department of Defense.... 86
Geothermal Revenue Sharing Process Improvements............ 87
Maintenance Availability for Destroyers for Hybrid Electric
Drive Retrofit........................................... 87
Medium Power Mobile Transformer Substations................ 87
Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Vehicles on Department of
Defense Installations.................................... 88
Report on Department of Defense and NATO Cooperation on
Energy Infrastructure.................................... 88
Review of Offshore Energy Development Projects............. 88
Siting Clearinghouse Process for Wind Energy............... 89
Logistics and Sustainment Issues............................. 89
B-52 Stratofortress power plant sustainment................ 89
C-17 Sustainment........................................... 90
Commercial Best Practices for Maintenance and Logistics.... 90
Comptroller General Report on F-35 Sustainment............. 91
Comptroller General Report on Homeport of U.S. Aircraft
Carriers................................................. 91
Comptroller General Report on Littoral Combat Ship
Operations and Sustainment............................... 92
Comptroller General Report on Ship Repair Capabilities and
Capacity................................................. 93
Conditions Based Maintenance Plus.......................... 94
Contracted Aerial Refueling Aircraft....................... 94
Corrosion Control and Prevention........................... 95
Optimized Fleet Response Plan.............................. 95
Planning, Programming, and Budgeting for Sustainment....... 96
Report on the National Guard's Equipment Reimbursement
Policies................................................. 97
Readiness Issues............................................. 97
Allocation of Excess Property for Wildfire Fighting........ 97
Army Urban Training........................................ 98
Assessment of Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation and
Collision Awareness Systems.............................. 98
Cold Weather Organizational Clothing and Individual
Equipment................................................ 99
Comptroller General Assessment of Surface Fleet Manning,
Workload, and Training................................... 99
Comptroller General Report on Army Rail Capability......... 100
Comptroller General Report on Navy Collective Training for
High-End Combat Missions................................. 100
Comptroller General's Report on the Army's Use of Global
Combat Support System.................................... 101
Corrosion Mitigation for Tactical Aircraft................. 102
Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services
Reductions............................................... 102
Hearing Protection Measures................................ 102
Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training................... 103
Minimal-Notice Examinations of Naval Vessels and Associated
Manpower Requirements.................................... 103
Mission Capability Rating Assessment....................... 103
Navy Readiness Assessment Teams............................ 104
Northern Strike Exercise Funding........................... 105
Report on Security Clearance Processing.................... 105
Use of Funds Provided for the Defense Community
Infrastructure Program................................... 105
Utilization of Recycled Products in Military Clothing Items 106
Value of Energy and Logistics Informed Exercises........... 106
Women, Peace and Security Strategy in Military Training.... 106
Other Matters................................................ 107
Aircraft Noise Mitigation.................................. 107
Alternatives to Burn Pits.................................. 107
Aqueous Film Forming Foam Training......................... 108
Authorities Available to the Department of Defense for
Tribal Mitigation........................................ 108
Best Practices for Cleanup and Disposal of PFOS- and PFOA-
Contaminated Groundwater, Soils, and Filters and Gaps
That Require Further Study............................... 108
Chase Aircraft at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.... 109
Climate Impacts on Installation Resiliency................. 109
Defense Personal Property Program.......................... 111
Feasibility of Using Non-Fluorinated Fire Fighting Foam in
Training................................................. 111
Health Impact to Service Members from Live-Fire Small Arms
Training Ranges.......................................... 111
Information Processing Efficiency.......................... 112
Kirtland Air Force Base Fuel Spill Remediation............. 112
Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP)................. 112
National Guard Unit Equipped Flying Squadrons.............. 113
Reducing Costs Associated with Single-use Plastics......... 113
Removal of Unexploded Ordnance on Tribal Lands............. 113
Report on Fiscal Impacts of Intergovernmental Service
Agreements............................................... 114
Report on Phytoremediation to Clear Heavy Metal
Contaminants............................................. 114
Report on the Feasibility and Cost of Net-Zero Greenhouse
Emissions and Implementing H. Res. 109, the Green New
Deal..................................................... 114
Survey to Locate and Identify the Remains of Native
American Children Buried at Carlisle Barracks............ 115
Tijuana Sewage Runoff Impact to Readiness.................. 116
Water Security under Sustainable Groundwater Management Act 116
Water Usage Related to Landscaping......................... 116
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 117
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 117
Section 301--Authorization of Appropriations............... 117
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment........................... 117
Section 311--Timeline for Clearinghouse Review of
Applications for Energy Projects That May Have an Adverse
Impact on Military Operations and Readiness.............. 117
Section 312--Authority to Make Final Finding on Designation
of Geographic Area of Concern for Purposes of Energy
Projects with Adverse Impacts on Military Operations and
Readiness................................................ 117
Section 313--Authority to Accept Contributions of Funds
from Applicants for Energy Projects for Mitigation of
Impacts on Military Operations and Readiness............. 117
Section 314-- Department of Defense Improvement of
Previously Conveyed Utility Systems Serving Military
Installations............................................ 117
Section 315--Five-Year Authority for National Guard
Environmental Restoration Projects for Environmental
Responses................................................ 118
Section 316--Sale of Electricity from Alternate Energy and
Cogeneration Production Facilities....................... 118
Section 317--Transfer Authority for Funding of Study and
Assessment on Health Implications of Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Contamination in Drinking
Water by Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 118
Section 318--Replacement of Fluorinated Aqueous Film-
Forming Foam with Fluorine-Free Fire-Fighting Agent...... 118
Section 319--Prohibition of Uncontrolled Release of
Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam at Military
Installations............................................ 118
Section 320--Prohibition on Use of Fluorinated Aqueous Film
Forming Foam for Training Exercises...................... 118
Section 321--Real-Time Noise-Monitoring Study at Navy and
Air Force Installations where Tactical Fighter Aircraft
Operate.................................................. 119
Section 322--Development of Climate Vulnerability and Risk
Assessment Tool.......................................... 119
Section 323--Provision of Uncontaminated Water for
Agricultural Use on Land Contaminated by PFOS and PFOA
Used on Military Installations........................... 119
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment........................ 119
Section 331--Material Readiness Metrics and Objectives..... 119
Section 332--Clarification of Authority regarding Use of
Working Capital Funds for Unspecified Minor Military
Construction Projects Related to Revitalization and
Recapitalization of Defense Industrial Base Facilities... 119
Section 333--F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Sustainment......... 119
Section 334--Report on Strategic Policy for Prepositioned
Materiel and Equipment................................... 120
Section 335--Limitation on Use of Funds for Implementation
of Elements of Master Plan for Redevelopment of Former
Ship Repair Facility in Guam............................. 120
Subtitle D--Reports.......................................... 120
Section 341--Readiness Reporting........................... 120
Section 342--Extension of Deadline for Transition from
Service-Specific Defense Readiness Reporting Systems..... 120
Section 343--Report on Navy Ship Depot Maintenance Budget.. 120
Section 344--Report on Runit Dome.......................... 120
Subtitle E--Other Matters.................................... 121
Section 351--Inclusion of Over-the-Horizon Radars in Early
Outreach Procedures...................................... 121
Section 352--Extension of Authority for Secretary of
Defense to Use Department of Defense Reimbursement Rate
for Transportation Services Provided to Certain Non-
Department of Defense Entities........................... 121
Section 353--Expanded Transfer and Adoption of Military
Animals.................................................. 121
Section 354--Extension of Authority of Secretary of
Transportation to Issue Non-Premium Aviation Insurance... 121
Section 355--Defense Personal Property Program............. 121
Section 356--Public Events about Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage
Facility................................................. 121
Section 357--Sense of Congress regarding Innovative
Readiness Training Program............................... 122
Section 358--Pilot Program on Reduction of Effects of
Military Aviation Noise on Private Residences............ 122
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS...................... 122
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 122
Subtitle A--Active Forces.................................... 122
Section 401--End Strengths for Active Forces............... 122
Section 402--Revisions in Permanent Active Duty End
Strength Minimum Levels.................................. 122
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces................................... 123
Section 411--End Strengths for Selected Reserve............ 123
Section 412--End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in
Support of the Reserves.................................. 123
Section 413--End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual
Status).................................................. 123
Section 414--Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized
To Be on Active Duty for Operational Support............. 124
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 124
Section 421--Military Personnel............................ 124
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY............................... 124
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 124
Appointment of Guardian ad Litem for Minor Victims......... 124
Army Special Forces Officer Education...................... 125
Briefing on Bystander Intervention in Cases of Sexual
Misconduct............................................... 125
Briefing on Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment
Program.................................................. 126
Cell Phone Use in Correction Facilities.................... 126
Comptroller General Report on Domestic Violence............ 126
Comptroller General Report on Hazing....................... 127
Comptroller General Study on Military Adoptive and Foster
Families................................................. 128
Cultural Sensitivity Training.............................. 128
Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017 129
Inspector General Whistleblower Improvement Plan........... 129
Marine Corps Integration of Recruit Basic Training......... 129
Measure Officer Accountability............................. 129
Prioritization of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment
Prevention and Response Resources........................ 130
Report on Access to Court Filings and Materials for Victims 131
Report on Air National Guard Control Grades................ 131
Report on Army Active Component Support of the Reserve
Component................................................ 132
Report on Cyber Education Integration in Professional
Military Education....................................... 132
Report on Implementation of Transition Assistance Program
Content.................................................. 132
Report on Integration of Women into Previously Closed
Special Operations Forces Career Fields and the 75th
Ranger Regiment.......................................... 133
Report on Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Community
Service.................................................. 134
Report on Passport Guidance for Emergency Contacts......... 134
Report on Program on Enhancement of Preparation of
Dependents of Members of Armed Forces for Careers in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics........ 134
Report on Senior Officer Outside Employment................ 134
Report on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery... 135
Report to the Defense Committees on the National Guard's
Role in Current and Future Space Strategy................ 136
Reserve Component Duty Status Reform....................... 136
Special Education Services for Military Families........... 136
Standardizing Training for Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Practitioners................................... 137
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 137
Subtitle A--Officer Personnel Policy......................... 137
Section 501--Management Policies for Joint Qualified
Officers................................................. 137
Section 502--Grade of Chief of the Veterinary Corps of the
Army..................................................... 137
Section 503--Authority of Promotion Boards to Recommend
that Officers of Particular Merit Be Placed Higher on
Promotion List........................................... 138
Section 504--Availability on the Internet of Certain
Information about Officers Serving in General or Flag
Officer Grades........................................... 138
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management..................... 138
Section 511--Grade of Certain Chiefs of Reserve Components. 138
Section 512--Authority to Defer Mandatory Separation at Age
68 of Officers in Medical Specialties in the Reserve
Components............................................... 138
Section 513--Repeal of Requirement for Review of Certain
Army Reserve Officer Unit Vacancy Promotions by
Commanders of Associated Active Duty Units............... 138
Section 514--Guidance for Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
by the National Guard.................................... 138
Section 515--Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps....... 138
Section 516--JROTC Computer Science and Cybersecurity
Program.................................................. 138
Section 517--Programs of Scholarships for Members of Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps Units toward Obtaining
Private Pilot's Certificates............................. 139
Section 518--Sense of Congress regarding Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps................................. 139
Section 519--Sense of Congress regarding the National Guard
Youth Challenge Program.................................. 139
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Correction of
Military Records......................................... 139
Section 521--Establishment of Board of Appeals regarding
Denied Requests for Upgraded Discharges and Dismissals... 139
Section 522--Prohibition on Reduction in the Number of
Personnel Assigned to Duty with a Service Review Agency.. 139
Section 523--Advisory Committee on Record and Service
Review Boards............................................ 140
Section 524--Time Requirements for Certification of
Honorable Service........................................ 140
Section 525--Prohibition on Implementation of Military
Service Suitability Determinations for Foreign Nationals
Who Are Lawful Permanent Residents....................... 140
Section 526--Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion.... 140
Section 527--Independent Study on Barriers to Entry into
the Armed Forces for English Learners.................... 140
Section 528--Reenlistment Waivers for Persons Separated
from the Armed Forces Who Commit One Misdemeanor Cannabis
Offense.................................................. 140
Section 529--Sense of Congress regarding Accession
Physicals................................................ 141
Subtitle D--Military Justice................................. 141
Section 531--Command Influence............................. 141
Section 532--Statute of Limitations for Certain Offenses... 141
Section 533--Guidelines on Sentences for Offenses Committed
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice............... 141
Section 534--Expansion of Responsibilities of Commanders
for Victims of Sexual Assault Committed by Another Member
of the Armed Forces...................................... 141
Section 535--Increase in Investigative Personnel and Victim
Witness Assistance Program Liaisons...................... 141
Section 536--Increase in Number of Digital Forensic
Examiners for the Military Criminal Investigation
Organizations............................................ 142
Section 537--Pilot Programs on Defense Investigators in the
Military Justice System.................................. 142
Section 538--Pilot Program on Prosecution of Special Victim
Offenses Committed by Attendees of Military Service
Academies................................................ 142
Section 539--Timely Disposition of Nonprosecutable Sex-
Related Offenses......................................... 142
Section 540--Training for Sexual Assault Initial
Disposition Authorities on Exercise of Disposition
Authority for Sexual Assault and Collateral Offenses..... 142
Subtitle E--Other Legal Matters.............................. 142
Section 541--Standard of Evidence Applicable to
Investigations and Reviews Related to Protected
Communications of Members of the Armed Forces and
Prohibited Retaliatory Actions........................... 142
Section 542--Expansion of Special Victims' Counsel for
Victims of Sex-Related or Domestic Violence Offenses..... 143
Section 543--Notification of Issuance of Military
Protective Order to Civilian Law Enforcement............. 143
Section 544--Clarifications regarding Scope of Employment
and Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed
Services................................................. 143
Section 545--Military Orders Required for Termination of
Leases Pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act... 143
Section 546--Consultation regarding Victim's Preference in
Prosecution Jurisdiction................................. 143
Section 547--Extension and Expansion of Defense Advisory
Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of
Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces....................... 143
Section 548--Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention
of Sexual Misconduct..................................... 144
Section 549--Safe to Report Policy Applicable across the
Armed Forces............................................. 144
Section 550--Availability of Special Victims' Counsel and
Special Victim Prosecutors at Military Installations..... 144
Section 550a--Notice to Victims of Alleged Sexual Assault
of Pendency of Further Administrative Action Following a
Determination Not to Refer to Trial by Court-Martial..... 144
Section 550b--Training for Special Victims' Counsel on
Civilian Criminal Justice Matters in the States of the
Military Installations to Which Assigned................. 144
Subtitle F--Member Education................................. 145
Section 551--Authority for Detail of Certain Enlisted
Members of the Armed Forces as Students at Law Schools... 145
Section 552--Education of Members of the Armed Forces on
Career Readiness and Professional Development............ 145
Section 553--Defense Language Institute Foreign Language
Center................................................... 145
Section 554--Expansion of Department of Defense Starbase
Program.................................................. 145
Section 555--Degree Granting Authority for United States
Army Armament Graduate School............................ 145
Section 556--Congressional Nominations for Senior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps Scholarships.................... 145
Section 557--Consideration of Application for Transfer for
a Student of a Military Service Academy Who Is the Victim
of a Sexual Assault or Related Offense................... 145
Section 558--Redesignation of the Commandant of the United
States Air Force Institute of Technology as the Director
and Chancellor of Such Institute......................... 146
Section 559--Eligibility of Additional Enlisted Members for
Associate Degree Programs of the Community College of the
Air Force................................................ 146
Section 560--Safe-to-Report Policy Applicable to Military
Service Academies........................................ 146
Section 560a--Recoupment of Funds from Cadets and
Midshipmen Separated for Criminal Misconduct............. 146
Subtitle G--Member Training and Transition................... 146
Section 561--Prohibition on Gender-Segregated Training at
Marine Corps Recruit Depots.............................. 146
Section 562--Medical Personnel at Marine Corps Recruit
Depots................................................... 146
Section 563--Assessment of Deaths of Recruits under the
Jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy................ 147
Section 564--Inclusion of Specific Email Address Block on
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD
Form 214)................................................ 147
Section 565--Machine Readability and Electronic
Transferability of Certificate of Release or Discharge
from Active Duty (DD Form 214)........................... 147
Section 566--Records of Service for Reserves............... 147
Subtitle H--Military Family Readiness and Dependents'
Education................................................ 147
Section 571--Authorizing Members to Take Leave for a Birth
or Adoption in More Than One Increment................... 147
Section 572--Deferred Deployment for Members Who Give Birth 147
Section 573--Authority of the Secretary Concerned to
Transport Remains of a Covered Decedent to No More Than
Two Places Selected by the Person Designated to Direct
Disposition of the Remains............................... 147
Section 574--Clarification regarding Eligibility to
Transfer Entitlement under Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program....................................... 147
Section 575--Absentee Ballot Tracking Program.............. 148
Section 576--Annual State Report Card...................... 148
Section 577--Transportation of Remains of Casualties;
Travel Expenses for Next of Kin.......................... 148
Section 578--Meetings of Officials of the Department of
Defense with Survivors of Deceased Members of the Armed
Forces................................................... 148
Section 579--Direct Employment Pilot Program for Members of
the National Guard and Reserve, Veterans, Their Spouses
and Dependents, and Members of Gold Star Families........ 148
Section 580--Continued Assistance to Schools with
Significant Numbers of Military Dependent Students....... 148
Subtitle I--Decorations and Awards........................... 149
Section 581--Expansion of Gold Star Lapel Button
Eligibility to Stepsiblings; Free Replacement............ 149
Section 582--Establishment of the Atomic Veterans Service
Medal.................................................... 149
Section 583--Review of World War I Valor Medals............ 149
Subtitle J--Miscellaneous Reports and Other Matters.......... 149
Section 591--Repeal of Quarterly Report on End Strengths... 149
Section 592--Revision of Workplace and Gender Relations
Surveys.................................................. 149
Section 593--Modification of Elements of Reports on the
Improved Transition Assistance Program................... 149
Section 594--Questions in Workplace Surveys regarding
Supremacist, Extremist, and Racist Activity.............. 149
Section 595--Command Matters in Connection with Transition
Assistance Programs...................................... 150
Section 596--Expressing Support for the Designation of a
``Gold Star Families Remembrance Day''................... 150
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS.............. 150
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 150
Commissaries during Shutdowns.............................. 150
Department of Defense SkillBridge Program Applicability to
Service Member Spouses................................... 150
Educational Opportunities for Service Member Dependents.... 151
Maternity Leave Parity for National Guard and Reserve
Components............................................... 151
Report Assessing the Advisability of Permitting Military
Personnel to use Education Benefits for Nontraditional
Cyber-Related Education Programs......................... 151
Report on Feasibility of Loan or Grant Program to Offset
the Cost of Child Care Center Accreditation in Areas with
Long Waitlists to Access On-Base Child Development
Centers.................................................. 152
Report on TSP Default Contribution Rate.................... 152
Review and Assessment of Transitional Compensation Program. 153
Service Member Separation Survey Methodology............... 154
Servicemember Statement of Benefits........................ 154
Spouse Employment Programs................................. 155
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 155
Subtitle A--Pay and Allowances............................... 155
Section 601--Clarification of Continuation of Pays during
Hospitalization and Rehabilitation Resulting from Wounds,
Injury, or Illness Incurred while on Duty in a Hostile
Fire Area or Exposed to an Event of Hostile Fire or Other
Hostile Action........................................... 155
Section 602--Basic Needs Allowance for Low-Income Regular
Members.................................................. 156
Section 603--Temporary Increase of Rates of Basic Allowance
for Housing Following Determination that Local Civilian
Housing Costs Significantly Exceed Such Rates............ 156
Section 604--Basic Allowance for Housing for a Member
without Dependents when Relocation would Financially
Disadvantage the Member.................................. 156
Section 605--Partial Dislocation Allowance................. 156
Subtitle B--Bonuses and Special Incentive Pays............... 156
Section 611--One-Year Extension of Certain Expiring Bonus
and Special Pay Authorities.............................. 156
Subtitle C--Family and Survivor Benefits..................... 156
Section 621--Payment of Transitional Compensation for
Certain Dependents....................................... 156
Section 622--Death Gratuity for ROTC Graduates............. 157
Section 623--Continued Eligibility for Education and
Training Opportunities for Spouses of Promoted Members... 157
Section 624--Occupational Improvements for Relocated
Spouses of Members of the Uniformed Services............. 157
Section 625--Expansion of Authority to Provide Financial
Assistance to Civilian Providers of Child Care Services
or Youth Program Services Who Provide Such Services to
Survivors of Members of the Armed Forces Who Die in Line
of Duty.................................................. 157
Section 626--Space-Available Travel on Military Aircraft
for Children and Surviving Spouses of Members Who Die of
Hostile Action or Training Duty.......................... 157
Section 627--Consideration of Service on Active Duty to
Reduce Age of Eligibility for Retired Pay for Non-Regular
Service.................................................. 157
Section 628--Modification to Authority to Reimburse for
State Licensure and Certification Costs of a Spouse of a
Member Arising from Relocation........................... 158
Section 629--Improvements to Child Care for Members of the
Armed Forces............................................. 158
Section 630--Casualty Assistance for Survivors of Deceased
ROTC Graduates........................................... 158
Subtitle D--Defense Resale Matters........................... 158
Section 631--GAO Review of Defense Resale Optimization
Study.................................................... 158
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS................................ 158
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 158
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy........................... 158
Civilian Astronaut TRICARE................................. 159
Co-Location of Department of Defense and Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities...................... 159
Defense Health Command Organizational Structure............ 160
Food Allergies in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research
Program.................................................. 160
Government Accountability Office Review on Health Care
Quality in the Military Health System.................... 160
Implementation Plan to Address the Impacts of Obesity on
the Defense Enterprise................................... 161
Innovative Traumatic Brain Injuries Preventative Device
Research................................................. 162
Malaria and Malaria Vaccine Development.................... 162
Military Wellness Information Synthesis.................... 162
Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton Disorientation Research
Device................................................... 163
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Drug Therapy................ 163
Report on Access to Health Care Services for Reserve and
National Guard Who Disclose Sexual Assault............... 163
Report on Expanding TRICARE benefits to include coverage to
allow for medical treatment for sexual dysfunction
related to sexual assault or harassment.................. 164
Report on Pre-Hospital Tactical Combat Trauma Training..... 164
Report on Service Member Discharges Related to Human
Immunodeficiency Virus or Hepatitis B.................... 164
Research to Reduce Deaths Due to Hemorrhaging.............. 165
Service Member Diet and Nutrition.......................... 165
Translational Application of Mental Health Evidence Base... 166
TRICARE Reserve Select Study............................... 166
TRICARE Specialty Drug Network Accessibility............... 167
Unhealthy Alcohol Use Report............................... 167
University Affiliated Research Center...................... 168
Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program........................ 168
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 168
Subtitle A--TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits........... 168
Section 701--Contraception Coverage Parity under the
TRICARE Program.......................................... 168
Section 702--Pregnancy Prevention Assistance at Military
Medical Treatment Facilities for Sexual Assault Survivors 168
Section 703--Modification of Eligibility for TRICARE
Reserve Select for Certain Members of the Selected
Reserve.................................................. 169
Section 704--Lead Level Screenings and Testings for
Children................................................. 169
Section 705--Exposure to Open Burn Pits and Toxic Airborne
Chemicals or Other Airborne Contaminants as Part of
Periodic Health Assessments and Other Physical
Examinations............................................. 169
Section 706--Enhancement of Recordkeeping and
Postdeployment Medical Assessment Requirements Related to
Occupational and Environmental Hazard Exposure during
Deployment............................................... 169
Section 707--Modifications to Post-Deployment Mental Health
Assessments for Members of the Armed Forces Deployed in
Support of a Contingency Operation....................... 169
Section 708--Provision of Blood Testing for Firefighters of
Department of Defense to Determine Exposure to
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances............ 169
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration....................... 170
Section 711--Requirements for Certain Prescription Drug
Labels................................................... 170
Section 712--Officers Authorized to Command Army Dental
Units.................................................... 170
Section 713--Improvements to Leadership of Interagency
Program Office of the Department of Defense and the
Department of Veterans Affairs........................... 170
Section 714--Inclusion of Blast Exposure History in Medical
Records of Members of the Armed Forces................... 170
Section 715--Comprehensive Policy for Provision of Mental
Health Care to Members of the Armed Forces............... 170
Section 716--Limitation on the Realignment or Reduction of
Military Medical Manning End Strength.................... 170
Section 717--Strategy to Recruit and Retain Mental Health
Providers................................................ 171
Section 718--Monitoring Medication Prescribing Practices
for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...... 171
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters........................ 171
Section 721--Establishment of Military Dental Research
Program.................................................. 171
Section 722--Pilot Program on Cryopreservation and Storage. 171
Section 723--Encouragement of Participation in Women's
Health Transition Training Pilot Program................. 171
Section 724--National Guard Suicide Prevention Pilot
Program.................................................. 171
Section 725--Reports on Suicide among Members of the Armed
Forces................................................... 172
Section 726--Study on Military-Civilian Integrated Health
Delivery Systems......................................... 172
Section 727--Study on Case Management at Military Medical
Treatment Facilities..................................... 172
Section 728--Study on Infertility among Members of the
Armed Forces............................................. 172
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND
RELATED MATTERS.............................................. 172
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 172
Assessment of Defense Sustainment Enterprise............... 172
Assessment of Program Management Structure and Improvements 173
Assessment of the Use of Tantalum.......................... 174
Assessment of Training Needs for Non-Acquisition Workforce
Personnel................................................ 174
Briefing on Sustainment Plan for Maintaining Access to MIL-
PRF-19500 Parts.......................................... 175
Communication with the Marketplace......................... 175
Comptroller General Report on Procurement Technical
Assistance Centers....................................... 176
Comptroller General Report on the Joint Capabilities
Integration and Development System Timelines............. 176
Comptroller General Report on the Use of Fixed-Price
Incentive Contracts...................................... 177
Defense Production Act Title III Funding................... 178
Expansion of the GSA Pilot Authorized under FY18 NDAA
Section 846.............................................. 178
Innovative Construction Materials and Design Process for
Military Engineering in Cold Regions..................... 179
Insight regarding Use of Lowest Price Technically
Acceptable Source Selection Criteria..................... 179
Maintain Commercial Supply Stores.......................... 180
Modernizing Department of Defense Forms.................... 181
Pacific Telecommunications Security........................ 181
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Training Standards 182
Report on Domestic Nonavailability Waiver Process.......... 182
Report on Ownership or Trading of Stocks in Certain
Companies by Department of Defense Officers and Employees 182
Report on Plan to Expand and Strengthen the Military Radar
Industrial Base.......................................... 182
Report on the Department's Market Research Practices for IT
Acquisition.............................................. 183
Report on the Procurement of Military Free Fall Parachutes. 183
Review of Conflicts of Interest in Organizational Analysis
of the Department of Defense............................. 184
Security of Department of Defense Telecommunication
Services................................................. 185
Small Business Procurement Specialists at Military
Installations............................................ 185
Sourcing of Domestic Components for U.S. Navy Ships........ 186
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 186
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management................ 186
Section 801--Establishment of Acquisition Pathways for
Software Applications and Software Upgrades.............. 186
Section 802--Software Development and Software Acquisition
Training and Management Programs......................... 186
Section 803--Modifications to Cost or Pricing Data for
Certain Procurements..................................... 187
Section 804--Modifications to Cost or Pricing Data on
Below-Threshold Contracts................................ 187
Section 805--Comptroller General Report on Price
Reasonableness........................................... 187
Section 806--Requirement That Certain Ship Components Be
Manufactured in the National Technology and Industrial
Base..................................................... 187
Section 807--Acquisition and Disposal of Certain Rare Earth
Materials................................................ 187
Section 808--Prohibition on Acquisition of Tantalum from
Non-Allied Foreign Nations............................... 188
Section 809--Application of Miscellaneous Technology Base
Policies and Programs to the Columbia-Class Submarine
Program.................................................. 188
Section 810--Application of Limitation on Procurement of
Goods other than United States Goods to the FFG-Frigate
Program.................................................. 188
Section 811--Consideration of Price in Procurement of the
FFG(X) Frigate........................................... 188
Section 812--Repeal of Continuation of Data Rights during
Challenges............................................... 188
Section 813--Repeal of Authority to Waive Acquisition Laws
to Acquire Vital National Security Capabilities.......... 188
Section 814--Repeal of Transfer of Funds Related to Cost
Overruns and Cost Underruns.............................. 188
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities,
Procedures, and Limitations.............................. 189
Section 821--Modifications to the Middle Tier of
Acquisition Programs..................................... 189
Section 822--Briefing Relating to the ``Middle Tier'' of
Acquisition Programs..................................... 189
Section 823--Rates for Progress Payments or Performance-
Based Payments........................................... 189
Section 824--Additional Requirements for Negotiations for
Noncommercial Computer Software.......................... 189
Section 825--Responsibility for Data Analysis and
Requirements Validation for Services Contracts........... 189
Section 826--Annual Reports on Authority to Carry Out
Certain Prototype Projects............................... 190
Section 827--Competition Requirements for Purchases from
Federal Prison Industries................................ 190
Section 828--Enhanced Post-Award Debriefing Rights......... 190
Section 829--Standardizing Data Collection and Reporting on
Use of Source Selection Procedures by Federal Agencies... 190
Section 830--Modification of Justification and Approval
Requirement for Certain Department of Defense Contracts.. 191
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Acquisition Workforce..... 191
Section 841--Defense Acquisition Workforce Certification
and Education Requirements............................... 191
Section 842--Public-Private Exchange Program for the
Acquisition Workforce.................................... 192
Section 843--Incentives and Consideration for Qualified
Training Programs........................................ 193
Section 844--Certification by Prospective Military
Construction Contractors of Good Faith Effort to Utilize
Qualified Apprentices.................................... 193
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Acquisition Security...... 193
Section 851--Supply Chain Security of Certain
Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or
Equipment................................................ 193
Section 852--Assured Security against Intrusion on United
States Military Networks................................. 193
Section 853--Revised Authorities to Defeat Adversary
Efforts to Compromise United States Defense Capabilities. 194
Section 854--Prohibition on Operation or Procurement of
Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems................... 194
Section 855--Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Policies to Be
Implemented through Requirements Generation Process...... 194
Subtitle E--Provisions Relating to the Acquisition System.... 194
Section 861--Modifications to the Defense Acquisition
System................................................... 194
Subtitle F--Industrial Base Matters.......................... 194
Section 871--Consideration of Subcontracting to Minority
Institutions............................................. 194
Section 872--Size Standard Calculations for Certain Small
Business Concerns........................................ 194
Section 873--Modifications to Small Business Subcontracting 195
Section 874--Inclusion of Best in Class Designations in
Annual Report on Small Business Goals.................... 195
Section 875--Small Business Administration Cybersecurity
Reports.................................................. 195
Section 876--Cyber Counseling Certification Program for
Lead Small Business Development Centers.................. 195
Section 877--Exemption of Certain Contracts from the
Periodic Inflation Adjustments to the Acquisition-Related
Dollar Threshold......................................... 196
Section 878--Improvements to Certain Defense Innovation
Programs................................................. 196
Section 879--Pilot Program for Development of Technology-
Enhanced Capabilities with Partnership Intermediaries.... 196
Section 880--Authorized Official to Carry Out the
Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Program.................................................. 196
Section 881--Permanent Authorization and Improvement of
Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program............. 196
Subtitle G--Other Matters.................................... 197
Section 891--Requirement to Use Models of Commercial E-
Commerce Portal Program.................................. 197
Section 892--Report and Database on Items Manufactured in
the United States for Major Defense Acquisition Programs. 197
Section 893--Requirements Relating to Selected Acquisition
Reports.................................................. 197
Section 894--Contractor Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Math Programs........................................ 197
Section 895--Extension of Sunset Relating to Federal Data
Center Consolidation Initiative.......................... 198
Section 896--Requirements Relating to Certain Rail Rolling
Stock Procurements and Operations........................ 198
Section 897--Prohibition on Contracting with Persons That
Have Business Operations with the Maduro Regime.......... 198
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT...... 199
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 199
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related
Matters.................................................. 199
Section 901--Update of Authorities Relating to Nuclear
Command, Control, and Communications..................... 199
Subtitle B--Other Department of Defense Organization and
Management Matters....................................... 199
Section 911--Codification of Assistant Secretaries for
Environment, Installations, and Energy of the Army, Navy
and Air Force............................................ 199
Section 912--Limitation on Availability of Funds for
Consolidation of Defense Media Activity.................. 199
Section 913--Modernization of Certain Forms and Surveys.... 199
Subtitle C--Space Matters.................................... 199
Part I--United States Space Corps........................... 199
Section 921--Establishment of United States Space Corps in
the Department of the Air Force.......................... 199
Section 922--Transfer of Personnel, Functions, and Assets
to the Space Corps....................................... 199
Section 923--Reports on Space Corps........................ 200
Section 924--Space National Guard.......................... 200
Section 925--Effects on Military Installations............. 200
Part II--Other Space Matters................................ 200
Section 931--United States Space Command................... 200
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................... 200
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 200
Other Matters................................................ 200
Assessment of Special Operations Force Structure........... 200
Audit Leadership and Accountability........................ 201
Briefing on Improving Ground Combat Vehicle Assured
Mobility in Northern Regions............................. 201
Briefing on National Guard Readiness and Ability to Meet
Modern Threats from Area Disasters and Weapons of Mass
Destruction.............................................. 202
Briefing on Support to Civil Authorities in Support of
Natural Disasters and Law Enforcement with Aerial
Platforms and Satellites................................. 203
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response
Enterprise............................................... 204
Commercial Technology Support to Audit Efforts............. 205
Designation of Gender Advisors............................. 205
DOD Efforts to Improve Friendly Force Identification in
Close Air Support........................................ 205
Evaluation of Integration of a Geographic Combatant Command
and Theater Special Operations Command................... 206
Feasibility of Providing Dedicated Security Contingency
Support for Non-Governmental Organizations............... 207
Incorporation of Cleared U.S.-Flag Commercial Ship
Operators in Wargames and Exercises...................... 208
Independent Study on Detainee Medical Care at United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...................... 208
Management of the Ammunition Industrial Base............... 209
Navy Cost Savings Initiative............................... 209
Office of the Chief Management Officer Human Capital
Analysis................................................. 209
Operational Use of Publicly Available Information.......... 210
Report on Egypt's Counterterrorism Campaign in the Sinai... 211
Report on Supporting Requirements for the Air Force's
Proposed Increase in Force Structure..................... 211
Report on the Process for Repatriation of Individuals Who
Have Been Cleared for Transfer out of United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba............................ 212
Special Operations Forces Professionalism and Ethics....... 212
Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment..... 213
Trafficking of Wildlife and Wildlife Products.............. 214
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 214
Subtitle A--Financial Matters................................ 214
Section 1001--General Transfer Authority................... 214
Section 1002--Additional Requirements for Annual Report and
Briefing on Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation
Plan..................................................... 215
Section 1003--Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation
Plan..................................................... 215
Section 1004--Reporting Requirements Relating to Department
of Defense Audits........................................ 215
Section 1005--Annual Budget Justification Display for
Service-Common and Other Support and Enabling
Capabilities for Special Operations Forces............... 215
Section 1006--Determination of Budgetary Effects........... 216
Section 1007--Independent Public Accountant Audit of
Financial Systems of the Department of Defense........... 216
Subtitle B--Counterdrug Activities........................... 216
Section 1011--Modification of Authority to Provide Support
to Other Agencies for Counterdrug Activities and
Activities to Counter Transnational Organized Crime...... 216
Section 1012--Technical Correction and Extension of
Reporting Requirement regarding Enhancement of
Information Sharing and Coordination of Military Training
between Department of Homeland Security and Department of
Defense.................................................. 216
Section 1013--Repeal of Secretary of Defense Review of
Curricula and Program Structures of National Guard
Counterdrug Schools...................................... 216
Subtitle C--Naval Vessels and Shipyards...................... 216
Section 1021--Transportation by Sea of Supplies for the
Armed Forces and Defense Agencies........................ 216
Section 1022--Use of National Defense Sealift Fund for
Procurement of Two Used Vessels.......................... 217
Section 1023--Formal Schoolhouse Training for Shipboard
System Programs of Record................................ 217
Section 1024--Report on Shipbuilder Training and the
Defense Industrial Base.................................. 217
Subtitle D--Counterterrorism................................. 217
Section 1031--Extension of Authority for Joint Task Forces
to Provide Support to Law Enforcement Agencies Conducting
Counter-Terrorism Activities............................. 217
Section 1032--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer or
Release of Individuals Detained at United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Certain Countries...... 217
Section 1033--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer to
and Detention of Additional Individuals, Including United
States Citizens, at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba..................................... 217
Section 1034--Sense of Congress regarding the Provision of
Medical Care to Individuals Detained at United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...................... 218
Section 1035--Independent Assessment on Gender and
Countering Violent Extremism............................. 218
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations........ 218
Section 1041--Scheduling of Department of Defense Executive
Aircraft Controlled by Secretaries of Military
Departments.............................................. 218
Section 1042--Explosive Ordnance Defense Disposal Program.. 218
Section 1043--Notification on the Provision of Defense
Sensitive Support........................................ 219
Section 1044--Modification and Technical Correction of
Authority for Deployment of Members of the Armed Forces
to the Southern Land Border of the United States......... 219
Section 1045--Limitation on Use of Funds for the
Inactivation of Army Watercraft Units.................... 219
Section 1046--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Construction
of a Wall, Fence, or Other Physical Barrier along the
Southern Border of the United States..................... 219
Section 1047--Expenditure of Funds for Department of
Defense Intelligence and Counterintelligence Activities.. 219
Section 1048--Limitation on Use of Funds to House Children
Separated from Parents................................... 220
Section 1049--Limitation on Use of Funds for Providing
Housing for Unaccompanied Alien Children................. 220
Subtitle F--National Defense Strategy Implementation......... 220
Section 1051--Short Title.................................. 220
Section 1052--Report on Operational Concepts and Plans
Regarding Strategic Competitors.......................... 220
Section 1053--Actions to Increase Analytic Support......... 220
Section 1054--Definitions.................................. 220
Subtitle G--Studies and Reports.............................. 221
Section 1061--Report on Transfers of Equipment to
Prohibited Entities...................................... 221
Section 1062--Elimination of Requirement to Submit Reports
to Congress in Paper Format.............................. 221
Section 1063--Modification of Annual Report on Civilian
Casualties in Connection with United States Military
Operations............................................... 221
Section 1064--Inclusion of Certain Individuals Investigated
by Inspectors General in the Semiannual Report........... 221
Section 1065--Annual Report on Joint Military Information
Support Operations Web Operations Center................. 221
Section 1066--Mobility Capability Requirement Study........ 222
Section 1067--Assessment of Special Operations Force
Structure................................................ 222
Section 1068--Army Aviation Strategic Plan and
Modernization Roadmap.................................... 222
Section 1069--Report on Ground-Based Long-Range Artillery
to Counter Land and Maritime Threats..................... 222
Section 1070--Independent Review of Transportation Working-
Capital Fund............................................. 222
Section 1071--Geographic Command Risk Assessment of
Proposed Use of Certain Aircraft Capabilities............ 223
Section 1072--Annual Report on Strikes Undertaken by the
United States Against Terrorist Targets Outside Areas of
Active Hostilities....................................... 223
Section 1073--Termination of Requirement for Submittal to
Congress of Certain Recurring Reports.................... 223
Subtitle H--Other Matters.................................... 223
Section 1081--Technical, Conforming, and Clerical
Amendments............................................... 223
Section 1082--Submission to Congress of Department of
Defense Execute Orders................................... 223
Section 1083--Extension of National Security Commission on
Artificial Intelligence.................................. 224
Section 1084--National Commission on Military Aviation
Safety................................................... 224
Section 1085--Extension of Postage Stamp for Breast Cancer
Research................................................. 224
Section 1086--Processes and Procedures for Notifications
regarding Special Operations Forces...................... 224
Section 1087--Assessment of Standards, Processes,
Procedures, and Policy Relating to Civilian Casualties... 225
Section 1088--Disposal of IPv4 Addresses................... 225
Section 1089--Securing American Science and Technology..... 225
Section 1090--Standardized Policy Guidance for Calculating
Aircraft Operation and Sustainment Costs................. 225
Section 1091--Special Federal Aviation Regulation Working
Group.................................................... 225
TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MATTERS............................. 226
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 226
Civilian Sexual Assault Study.............................. 226
Department of Defense Report on Reduction in Force......... 226
Direct Hire Authority Clarification for Support Defense
Activities............................................... 227
Optimizing Total Force Management.......................... 227
Readiness and Borrowed Military Manpower................... 228
The Department of Defense's Use of Term and Temporary
Hiring Authorities....................................... 228
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 229
Section 1101--Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Personnel Management Authority........................... 229
Section 1102--Modification of Probationary Period for
Certain Department of Defense Employees.................. 229
Section 1103--Civilian Personnel Management................ 229
Section 1104--One-Year Extension of Temporary Authority to
Grant Allowances, Benefits, and Gratuities to Civilian
Personnel on Official Duty in a Combat Zone.............. 229
Section 1105--One-Year Extension of Authority to Waive
Annual Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitation
on Pay for Federal Civilian Employees Working Overseas... 229
Section 1106--Performance of Civilian Functions by Military
Personnel................................................ 229
Section 1107--Extension of Direct Hire Authority for
Domestic Industrial Base Facilities and Major Range and
Test Facilities Base..................................... 230
Section 1108--Authority to Provide Additional Allowances
and Benefits for Certain Defense Clandestine Service
Employees................................................ 230
Section 1109--Prohibited Personnel Practices............... 230
Section 1110--Enhancement of Antidiscrimination Protections
for Federal Employees.................................... 230
Section 1111--Modification of Direct Hire Authorities for
the Department of Defense................................ 230
Section 1112--Permitted Disclosures by Whistleblowers...... 231
TITLE XII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS................... 231
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 231
Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation Resources........... 231
Briefing on Afghanistan Reconciliation..................... 231
Briefing on Defense Department Plans for the European
Deterrence Initiative.................................... 232
Comptroller General Review of Posture to Counter Russian
Aggression............................................... 233
Implementation of Taiwan's Defense Strategy................ 233
Insufficiency of the United States Strategy for Syria...... 234
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative Cyber
Defense Center of Excellence............................. 234
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Strategic Communications
Center of Excellence..................................... 235
Political Inclusion and the Safe Return of Iraqi Internally
Displaced Persons to Their Homes......................... 236
Report on Chinese Efforts Targeting Democratic Elections
and U.S. Alliances and Partnerships and Strategy to
Counter Chinese Election Interference.................... 236
Report on Effective Security Sector Assistance Tools....... 237
Report on Russian Efforts Targeting Democratic Elections
and U.S. Alliances and Partnerships and Strategy to
Counter Russian Election Interference.................... 238
Report on U.S. Central Command's Accounting For and
Management of Funds Received from Foreign Partners for
Services................................................. 239
Report on U.S. Military Activity in Syria.................. 239
Report on U.S. Military Training with the Republic of Korea 239
Report on U.S. Strategy to Respond to Russian Threats in
the Black Sea............................................ 240
Security Cooperation Programs and Activities............... 241
Security Cooperation with the Pacific Island Countries..... 242
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 242
Subtitle A--Assistance and Training.......................... 242
Section 1201--Modification of Authority to Build Capacity
of Foreign Security Forces............................... 242
Section 1202--Modification and Extension of Cross Servicing
Agreements for Loan of Personnel Protection and Personnel
Survivability Equipment in Coalition Operations.......... 242
Section 1203--Modification of Quarterly Report on
Obligation and Expenditure of Funds for Security
Cooperation Programs and Activities...................... 242
Section 1204--Integration of Gender Perspectives and
Meaningful Participation by Women in Security Cooperation
Authorities.............................................. 243
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to Afghanistan and Pakistan..... 243
Section 1211--Extension and Modification of Authority for
Reimbursement of Certain Coalition Nations for Support
Provided to United States Military Operations............ 243
Section 1212--Modification and Extension of Afghan Special
Immigrant Visa Program................................... 243
Section 1213--Extension of Authority to Transfer Defense
Articles and Provide Defense Services to the Military and
Security Forces of Afghanistan........................... 243
Section 1214--Extension and Modification of Authority to
Acquire Products and Services Produced in Countries along
a Major Route of Supply to Afghanistan................... 243
Section 1215--Authority for Certain Payments to Redress
Injury and Loss in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia,
Libya, and Yemen......................................... 244
Section 1216--Extension of Semiannual Report on Enhancing
Security and Stability in Afghanistan.................... 244
Subtitle C--Matters Relating to Syria, Iraq, and Iran........ 244
Section 1221--Modification of Authority to Provide
Assistance to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria 244
Section 1222--Extension and Modification of Authority to
Provide Assistance to the Vetted Syrian Opposition....... 244
Section 1223--Extension and Modification of Authority to
Support Operations and Activities of the Office of
Security Cooperation in Iraq............................. 244
Section 1224--Prohibition on Provision of Weapons and Other
Forms of Support to Certain Organizations................ 245
Section 1225--Rule of Construction Relating to Use of
Military Force Against Iran.............................. 245
Section 1226--Sense of Congress on Support for Ministry of
Peshmerga Forces of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq......... 245
Subtitle D--Matters Relating to Russia....................... 245
Section 1231--Prohibition on the Use of Funds to Suspend,
Terminate, or Withdraw the United States from the Open
Skies Treaty............................................. 245
Section 1232--Extension of Limitation on Military
Cooperation between the United States and Russia......... 245
Section 1233--Prohibition on Availability of Funds Relating
to Sovereignty of Russia over Crimea..................... 246
Section 1234--Modification and Extension of Ukraine
Security Assistance Initiative........................... 246
Section 1235--Report on Treaties Relating to Nuclear Arms
Control.................................................. 246
Section 1236--Sense of Congress on Updating and Modernizing
Existing Agreements to Avert Miscalculation between the
United States and Russia................................. 247
Section 1237--Sense of Congress on Support for Georgia..... 247
Section 1238--Sense of Congress on Support for Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania.................................... 247
Subtitle E--Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region...... 247
Section 1241--Modification of Indo-Pacific Maritime
Security Initiative...................................... 247
Section 1242--Extension and Modification of Report on
Military and Security Developments Involving North Korea. 247
Section 1243--Limitation on Use of Funds to Reduce the
Total Number of Members of the Armed Forces Serving on
Active Duty Who Are Deployed to South Korea.............. 247
Section 1244--Report on Direct, Indirect, and Burden-
Sharing Contributions of Japan and South Korea........... 248
Section 1245--Report on Strategy on the Philippines........ 248
Section 1246--Modification of Annual Report on Military and
Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of
China.................................................... 248
Section 1247--Modification of Annual Report on Military and
Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of
China.................................................... 249
Section 1248--Sense of Congress on Taiwan.................. 249
Section 1249--Enhancing Defense Cooperation with Singapore. 249
Subtitle F--Matters Relating to Europe and NATO.............. 249
Section 1251--Extension and Modification of NATO Special
Operations Headquarters.................................. 249
Section 1252--Modification and Extension of Future Years
Plan and Planning Transparency for the European
Deterrence Initiative.................................... 249
Section 1253--Protection of European Deterrence Initiative
Funds from Diversion for Other Purposes.................. 250
Section 1254--Statement of Policy on United States Military
Investment in Europe..................................... 250
Section 1255--Limitation on Transfer of F-35 Aircraft to
Turkey................................................... 250
Section 1256--Report on Value of Investments in Dual Use
Infrastructure Projects by NATO Member States............ 250
Section 1257--Sense of Congress on Support for Poland...... 250
Subtitle G--Other Matters.................................... 251
Section 1261--Sense of Congress on United States Partners
and Allies............................................... 251
Section 1262--Modification to Report on Legal and Policy
Frameworks for the Use of Military Force................. 251
Section 1263--Limitation on Availability of Certain Funds
until Report Submitted on Department of Defense Awards
and Disciplinary Action as a Result of the 2017 Incident
in Niger................................................. 251
Section 1264--Independent Assessment of Sufficiency of
Resources Available to United States Southern Command and
United States Africa Command............................. 251
Section 1265--Rule of Construction Relating to Use of
Military Force........................................... 251
Section 1266--Rule of Construction Relating to Use of
Military Force against Venezuela......................... 251
Section 1267--Sense of Congress on Acquisition by Turkey of
Patriot System........................................... 251
Subtitle H--Baltic Reassurance Act........................... 252
Section 1271--Findings..................................... 252
Section 1272--Sense of Congress............................ 252
Section 1273--Defense Assessment........................... 252
Section 1274--Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined. 252
TITLE XIII--COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION......................... 252
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 252
Section 1301--Funding Allocations.......................... 252
Section 1302--Specification of Cooperative Threat Reduction
Funds.................................................... 252
TITLE XIV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS.................................. 252
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 252
Subtitle A--Military Programs................................ 252
Section 1401--Working Capital Funds........................ 252
Section 1402--Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction,
Defense.................................................. 253
Section 1403--Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug
Activities, Defense-Wide................................. 253
Section 1404--Defense Inspector General.................... 253
Section 1405--Defense Health Program....................... 253
Section 1406--National Defense Sealift Fund................ 253
Subtitle B--Other Matters.................................... 253
Section 1411--Authority for Transfer of Funds to Joint
Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for Captain James A.
Lovell Health Care Center, Illinois...................... 253
Section 1412--Authorization of Appropriations for Armed
Forces Retirement Home................................... 253
TITLE XV--AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR OVERSEAS
CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS....................................... 254
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 254
National Guard and Reserve Equipment....................... 254
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 254
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations.................. 254
Section 1501--Purpose...................................... 254
Section 1502--Procurement.................................. 254
Section 1503--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation.. 254
Section 1504--Operation and Maintenance.................... 255
Section 1505--Military Personnel........................... 255
Section 1506--Working Capital Funds........................ 255
Section 1507--Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug
Activities, Defense-Wide................................. 255
Section 1508--Defense Inspector General.................... 255
Section 1509--Defense Health Program....................... 255
Subtitle B--Financial Matters................................ 255
Section 1511--Treatment as Additional Authorizations....... 255
Section 1512--Special Transfer Authority................... 255
Subtitle C--Other Matters.................................... 255
Section 1521--Afghanistan Security Forces Fund............. 255
TITLE XVI--STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, CYBER, AND INTELLIGENCE MATTERS... 256
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 256
Space Activities............................................. 256
Centers of Innovation for Space Operational Testing........ 256
Department of Defense Resource-Sharing to Assist with
Natural Disasters........................................ 256
Efficient Acquisition of Commercial Satellite
Communications........................................... 257
Global Enhanced Geospatial-Intelligence Delivery........... 257
Global Positioning System III Satellite Acquisition........ 258
Improving Resilience of Space Architectures................ 258
Increasing Resilience by Leveraging Proliferated
Constellations in Low Earth Orbit........................ 258
Leveraging Commercial Satellite Remote Sensing............. 259
Leveraging Reusable Spacecraft............................. 259
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Aviation Mapping
Capability............................................... 260
Next-Generation LEO-Based Satellite Technology............. 260
Next-Generation Synthetic Aperture Radar................... 260
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally Launch Services.... 261
Report on Commercial and Space-Based Radio Frequency
Mapping.................................................. 261
Report on Commercial or Non-Commercial Security Launch
Sustainability........................................... 261
Rocket Systems Launch Program.............................. 262
Small Satellite Science, Security Applications, and
Evolutionary Concepts.................................... 262
Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting System............... 262
Telemetry Extension Satellite Communications Relay......... 263
U.S. Reliance on Foreign In-Space Propulsion Systems....... 263
Venture Class Launch Services.............................. 263
Missile Defense Programs..................................... 264
Airborne Tracking and Targeting System..................... 264
Boost-Phase Ballistic Missile Defense Analysis of
Alternatives............................................. 264
Cybersecurity of Missile Defense Programs.................. 264
Hypersonic Carbon-Carbon Composites........................ 265
Low-Cost Patriot Interceptor............................... 265
Missile Defense Agency Undefinitized Contract Actions...... 266
Multi-Agency Sensors for Ballistic Missile Defense......... 266
On-Board Vehicle Power Technology.......................... 267
Review of Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Contract Structure 267
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Future Deployment...... 268
Nuclear Forces............................................... 268
Air Force Global Strike Command Enterprise Analysis Center. 268
Climate Change and the Nuclear Enterprise.................. 269
Comptroller General Review of Implications of 2018 Nuclear
Posture Review........................................... 269
Delayed Life Extension Programs............................ 270
Domestic Production of Large Solid Rocket Motors........... 271
Managing Risks of Nuclear Escalation....................... 271
Nuclear Arms Control....................................... 272
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act........................ 272
Report on Assessing China's ``No-First-Use'' of Nuclear
Weapons Policy........................................... 273
Report on the Adequacy of the New START Treaty to Restrain
Current Threats.......................................... 273
Report on the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile.... 275
Cyber-Related Matters........................................ 275
Air Combat Training System and Spectrum Allocation......... 275
Allied 5G Network Security................................. 275
Briefing on the Integration of Cyber Planning at Unified
Combatant Commands....................................... 276
Comptroller General Report to Study the Department of
Defense's Current Inventory of Internet Protocol Version
4 Addresses.............................................. 276
Cyber Capability Development, Acquisition, and Sustainment. 277
Cybersecurity of Army Space and Missile Defense Assets..... 277
Cybersecurity of Biosecurity and Pathogen Threat Data...... 277
Cybersecurity of the Supply Chain.......................... 278
Department of Defense Cloud Strategy....................... 279
Department of Defense Cyber Red Team Alternatives.......... 279
Efforts to Leverage Education Programs for the Department
of Defense Cyber Workforce............................... 279
Military Cyber Operations and Activities with Allies and
Partners................................................. 280
Persistent Cyber Training Environment...................... 281
Pilot Program Authority to Enhance Cybersecurity and
Resiliency of Critical Infrastructure.................... 281
Report on Information Security and Endpoint Accounting..... 282
Report on Principal Cyber Advisor Resources and Manning.... 282
Shared Cybersecurity Services Program for the Department of
Defense.................................................. 283
Support for the Cyber Excepted Service..................... 283
Synchronizing the Department of Defense Emergency
Operations Management Systems............................ 284
Utility Resilience Planning to Support Cybersecurity
Threats.................................................. 284
Intelligence Matters......................................... 285
Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Operational Assessment................................... 285
China's Biological Weapons Program......................... 286
Comprehensive Assessment of the Roles, Responsibilities,
and Organization of the Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Intelligence................................. 286
Congressional Intelligence Notifications................... 287
Current and Future Staffing Requirements of the Joint
Intelligence Operations Centers.......................... 288
Cyber Intrusions of the Defense Industrial Base and
Academic Institutions Affiliated with the Department of
Defense.................................................. 288
Development and Integration of Project Maven Services into
Department of Defense Activities......................... 289
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Intelligence................... 289
Governance of Data and Service Acquisitions Supporting
Defense Intelligence Requirements........................ 290
Information-Sharing Arrangements with India, Japan, and the
Republic of Korea........................................ 291
Intelligence Support to Defense Operations in the
Information Environment.................................. 291
Investments in Scientific and Technological Intelligence... 292
List of Foreign Entities That Pose a Threat to Critical
Technologies............................................. 292
Maturation of Defense Clandestine Service Capabilities..... 293
Qualitative Analysis of Adversary Development of Emergent
Technologies............................................. 293
Reviewing the Integrated Defense Intelligence Priorities... 294
Strengthening the Integrity of the Military Intelligence
Program.................................................. 294
Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Program..... 294
Transitioning the Function of Background Investigations to
the Department of Defense................................ 295
Unified Air Force Airborne Signals Intelligence Enterprise. 295
Other Matters................................................ 296
Next Generation Inertial Measurement Unit.................. 296
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 297
Subtitle A--Space Activities................................. 297
Section 1601--National Security Space Launch Program....... 297
Section 1602--Preparation to Implement Plan for Use of
Allied Launch Vehicles................................... 297
Section 1603--Annual Determination on Plan on Full
Integration and Exploitation of Overhead Persistent
Infrared Capability...................................... 297
Section 1604--Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Mission
Requirements............................................. 297
Section 1605--Prototype Program for Multi-Global Navigation
Satellite System Receiver Development.................... 298
Section 1606--Commercial Space Situational Awareness
Capabilities............................................. 298
Section 1607--Independent Study on Plan for Deterrence in
Space.................................................... 299
Section 1608--Resilient Enterprise Ground Architecture..... 299
Subtitle B--Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related
Activities............................................... 299
Section 1611--Modifications to ISR Integration Council and
Annual Briefing Requirements............................. 299
Section 1612--Survey and Report on Alignment of
Intelligence Collections Capabilities and Activities with
Department of Defense Requirements....................... 299
Section 1613--Modification of Annual Authorization of
Appropriations for National Flagship Language Initiative. 300
Subtitle C--Cyberspace-related Matters....................... 300
Section 1621--Notification Requirements for Sensitive
Military Cyber Operations................................ 300
Section 1622--Quarterly Cyber Operations Briefings......... 300
Section 1623--Cyber Posture Review......................... 300
Section 1624--Tier 1 Exercise of Support to Civil
Authorities for a Cyber Incident......................... 300
Section 1625--Evaluation of Cyber Vulnerabilities of Major
Weapon Systems of the Department of Defense.............. 301
Section 1626--Extension of the Cyberspace Solarium
Commission............................................... 301
Section 1627--Authority to Use Operation and Maintenance
Funds for Cyber Operations-Peculiar Capability
Development Projects..................................... 302
Section 1628--Notification of Delegation of Authorities to
the Secretary of Defense for Military Operations in
Cyberspace............................................... 302
Section 1629--Limitation of Funding for Consolidated Afloat
Networks and Enterprise Services......................... 302
Section 1630--Annual Military Cyberspace Operations Report. 302
Section 1631--Report on Synchronization of Efforts Relating
to Cybersecurity in the Defense Industrial Base.......... 303
Section 1632--Briefings on the Status of the National
Security Agency and United States Cyber Command
Partnership.............................................. 303
Subtitle D--Nuclear Forces................................... 303
Section 1641--Improvement to Annual Report on the
Modernization of the Nuclear Weapons Enterprise.......... 303
Section 1642--Briefings on Meetings Held by the Nuclear
Weapons Council.......................................... 304
Section 1643--Elimination of Conventional Requirement for
Long-Range Standoff Weapon............................... 304
Section 1644--Extension of Annual Briefing on the Costs of
Forward-Deploying Nuclear Weapons in Europe.............. 304
Section 1645--Ten-Year Extension of Prohibition on
Availability of Funds for Mobile Variant of Ground-Based
Strategic Deterrent Missile.............................. 304
Section 1646--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for
Deployment of Low-Yield Ballistic Missile Warhead........ 304
Section 1647--Report on Military-to-Military Dialogue to
Reduce the Risk of Miscalculation Leading to Nuclear War. 304
Section 1648--Plan on Nuclear Command, Control, and
Communications Systems................................... 305
Section 1649--Independent Study on Policy of No-First-Use
of Nuclear Weapons....................................... 305
Section 1650--Independent Study on Risks of Nuclear
Terrorism and Nuclear War................................ 305
Subtitle E--Missile Defense Programs......................... 305
Section 1661--National Missile Defense Policy.............. 305
Section 1662--Development of Hypersonic and Ballistic
Missile Tracking Space Sensor Payload.................... 305
Section 1663--Requirement for Testing of Redesigned Kill
Vehicle Prior to Production.............................. 306
Section 1664--Development of Space-Based Ballistic Missile
Intercept Layer.......................................... 306
Section 1665--Organization, Authorities, and Billets of the
Missile Defense Agency................................... 306
Section 1666--Missile Defense Interceptor Site in
Contiguous United States................................. 306
Section 1667--Missile Defense Radar in Hawaii.............. 306
Section 1668--Limitation on Availability of Funds for Lower
Tier Air and Missile Sensor.............................. 306
Section 1669--Command and Control, Battle Management, and
Communications Program................................... 307
Section 1670--Annual Assessment of Ballistic Missile
Defense System........................................... 307
Subtitle F--Other Matters.................................... 307
Section 1681--Modification to Reports on Certain Solid
Rocket Motors............................................ 307
Section 1682--Repeal of Review Requirement for Ammonium
Perchlorate Report....................................... 307
Section 1683--Repeal of Requirement for Commission on
Electromagnetic Pulse Attacks and Similar Events......... 307
Section 1684--Conventional Prompt Global Strike Weapon
System................................................... 307
DIVISION B--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS................. 308
PURPOSE........................................................ 308
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW.......... 308
Section 2001--Short Title.................................. 308
Section 2002--Expiration of Authorizations and Amounts
Required to Be Specified by Law.......................... 308
Section 2003--Effective Date............................... 309
TITLE XXI--ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION............................ 309
SUMMARY........................................................ 309
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 309
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 309
Army Test and Demonstration Program........................ 310
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 311
Section 2101--Authorized Army Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 311
Section 2102--Family Housing............................... 311
Section 2103--Authorization of Appropriations, Army........ 311
Section 2104--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2019 Projects........................ 311
TITLE XXII--NAVY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION........................... 311
SUMMARY........................................................ 311
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 311
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 311
Naval Public Shipyards..................................... 314
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 315
Section 2201--Authorized Navy Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 315
Section 2202--Family Housing............................... 315
Section 2203--Improvements to Military Family Housing Units 315
Section 2204--Authorization of Appropriations, Navy........ 315
Section 2205--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2017 Project......................... 315
TITLE XXIII--AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION..................... 315
SUMMARY........................................................ 315
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 316
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 316
Airspace at the Utah Test and Training Range............... 318
Long-Term Modernization of Lincoln Laboratory.............. 318
Tyndall Air Force Base Recovery............................ 319
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 319
Section 2301--Authorized Air Force Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 319
Section 2302--Family Housing............................... 320
Section 2303--Improvements to Military Family Housing Units 320
Section 2304--Authorization of Appropriations, Air Force... 320
Section 2305--Modification of Authorities to Carry Out
Phased Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex Consolidation. 320
Section 2306--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2016 Project......................... 320
Section 2307--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2017 Project......................... 320
Section 2308--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2018 Projects........................ 320
Section 2309--Modification of Authority to Carry Out
Certain Fiscal Year 2019 Projects........................ 321
TITLE XXIV--DEFENSE AGENCIES MILITARY CONSTRUCTION............... 321
SUMMARY........................................................ 321
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 321
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 321
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 323
Section 2401--Authorized Defense Agencies Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects................................ 323
Section 2402--Authorized Energy Resiliency and Energy
Conservation Projects.................................... 323
Section 2403--Authorization of Appropriations, Defense
Agencies................................................. 323
TITLE XXV--INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS................................ 323
SUMMARY........................................................ 323
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 323
Subtitle A--North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security
Investment Program....................................... 323
Section 2501--Authorized NATO Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 323
Section 2502--Authorization of Appropriations, NATO........ 323
Subtitle B--Host Country In-Kind Contributions............... 323
Section 2511--Republic of Korea Funded Construction
Projects................................................. 323
TITLE XXVI--GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES FACILITIES.................. 324
SUMMARY........................................................ 324
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 324
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 324
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 325
Section 2601--Authorized Army National Guard Construction
and Land Acquisition Projects............................ 325
Section 2602--Authorized Army Reserve Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 325
Section 2603--Authorized Navy Reserve and Marine Corps
Reserve Construction and Land Acquisition Projects....... 325
Section 2604--Authorized Air National Guard Construction
and Land Acquisition Projects............................ 325
Section 2605--Authorized Air Force Reserve Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects................................ 325
Section 2606--Authorization of Appropriations, National
Guard and Reserve........................................ 325
TITLE XXVII--BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES............. 326
SUMMARY........................................................ 326
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 326
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 326
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 326
Section 2701--Authorization of Appropriations for Base
Realignment and Closure Activities Funded through
Department of Defense Base Closure Account............... 326
TITLE XXVIII--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS........... 326
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 326
Child Play Areas at Exceptional Family Member Program
Installations............................................ 326
Defense Access Road Projects............................... 327
Department of Defense Consultations with Native Hawaiians.. 327
Feasibility of Transitioning from 100-Year Floodplain to
Sea-Level Rise Modeling at Coastal Installations as a
Planning Assumption for Military Construction Projects... 328
Mold Assessment, Mitigation, and Remediation Efforts in
Military Housing Report.................................. 328
Report on Integration of Information Regarding
Environmental Health Hazards into Defense Occupational
and Environmental Health Readiness System................ 328
Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan...................... 329
Status of the Utilities Privatization Program.............. 329
U.S. Air Force Strategic Basing Process.................... 330
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 330
Subtitle A--Military Construction Program Changes............ 330
Section 2801--Prohibition on Use of Military Construction
Funds for Construction of a Wall, Fence, or Other
Physical Barrier along the Southern Border of the United
States................................................... 330
Section 2802--Modification and Clarification of
Construction Authority in the Event of a Declaration of
War or National Emergency................................ 330
Section 2803--Inclusion of Information regarding Military
Installation Resilience in Master Plans for Major
Military Installations................................... 330
Section 2804--Improved Consultation with Tribal Governments
when Proposed Military Construction Projects Potentially
Impact Indian Tribes..................................... 331
Section 2805--Amendment of Unified Facilities Criteria to
Promote Military Installation Resilience, Energy
Resilience, Energy and Climate Resiliency, and Cyber
Resilience............................................... 331
Section 2806--Modification to Department of Defense Form
1391 regarding Consideration of Potential Long-Term
Adverse Environmental Effects............................ 331
Subtitle B--Military Family Housing Reforms.................. 331
Section 2811--Enhanced Protections for Members of the Armed
Forces and Their Dependents Residing in Privatized
Military Housing Units................................... 331
Section 2812--Prohibition on Use of Nondisclosure
Agreements in Connection with Leases of Military Housing
Constructed or Acquired Using Alternative Authority for
Acquisition and Improvement of Military Housing.......... 332
Section 2813--Authority to Furnish Certain Services in
Connection with Use of Alternative Authority for
Acquisition and Improvement of Military Housing.......... 332
Section 2814--Modification to Requirements for Window Fall
Prevention Devices in Military Family Housing Units...... 332
Section 2815--Assessment of Hazards in Department of
Defense Housing.......................................... 332
Section 2816--Development of Process to Identify and
Address Environmental Health Hazards in Department of
Defense Housing.......................................... 332
Section 2817--Report on Civilian Personnel Shortages for
Appropriate Oversight of Management of Military Housing
Constructed or Acquired Using Alternative Authority for
Acquisition and Improvement of Military Housing.......... 333
Section 2818-- Inspector General Review of Department of
Defense Oversight of Privatized Military Housing......... 333
Section 2819--Department of Defense Inspection Authority
regarding Privatized Military Housing.................... 333
Section 2820--Improvement of Privatized Military Housing... 334
Subtitle C--Real Property and Facilities Administration...... 334
Section 2831--Improved Energy Security for Main Operating
Bases in Europe.......................................... 334
Section 2832--Access to Department of Defense Facilities
for Credentialed Transportation Workers.................. 334
Subtitle D--Land Conveyances................................. 334
Section 2841--Land Conveyance, Hill Air Force Base, Utah... 334
Section 2842--Release of Conditions and Reversionary
Interest, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas.............. 334
Section 2843--Modification of Authorized Uses of Certain
Property Conveyed by the United States in Los Angeles,
California............................................... 334
Subtitle E--Military Land Withdrawals........................ 334
Section 2851--Public Notice regarding Upcoming Periods of
Secretary of the Navy Management of Shared Use Area of
the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area... 334
Subtitle F--White Sands National Park and White Sands Missile
Range.................................................... 335
Section 2861--Short Title.................................. 335
Section 2862--Definitions.................................. 335
Section 2863--Findings..................................... 335
Section 2864--Establishment of White Sands National Park in
the State of New Mexico.................................. 335
Section 2865--Transfers of Administrative Jurisdiction
Related to the National Park and White Sands Missile
Range.................................................... 335
Section 2866--Boundary Modifications Related to the
National Park and Missile Range.......................... 335
Subtitle G--Other Matters.................................... 335
Section 2871--Installation and Maintenance of Fire
Extinguishers in Department of Defense Facilities........ 335
Section 2872--Definition of Community Infrastructure for
Purposes of Military Base Reuse Studies and Community
Planning Assistance...................................... 335
Section 2873--Report on Vulnerabilities from Sea Level Rise
to Certain Military Installations Located Outside the
Continental United States................................ 336
Section 2874--Black Start Exercises at Joint Bases......... 336
TITLE XXIX--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS MILITARY CONSTRUCTION 336
SUMMARY........................................................ 336
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 336
Explanation of Funding Adjustments......................... 336
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 337
Section 2901--Authorized Army Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 337
Section 2902--Authorized Navy Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 338
Section 2903--Authorized Air Force Construction and Land
Acquisition Projects..................................... 338
Section 2904--Authorized Defense Agencies Construction and
Land Acquisition Projects................................ 338
Section 2905--Authorization of Appropriations.............. 338
TITLE XXX--AUTHORIZATION OF EMERGENCY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION...... 338
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 338
Section 3001--Authorization of Emergency Navy Construction
and Land Acquisition Projects............................ 338
Section 3002--Authorization of Emergency Air Force
Construction and Land Acquisition Projects............... 339
Section 3003--Authorization of Emergency Army National
Guard and Army Reserve Construction and Land Acquisition
Projects................................................. 339
DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATIONS
AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS....................................... 339
TITLE XXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS...... 339
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST......................................000339
National Nuclear Security Administration..................... 339
Weapons Activities......................................... 339
Nuclear warhead life extension program briefings......... 339
Report on unobligated enriched uranium and domestic
uranium requirements................................... 339
Reports of sexual assault in the protective force........ 340
Risks and sustainment plan for Plutonium Facility at Los
Alamos National Laboratory............................. 341
Stockpile Stewardship 2.0................................ 341
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation........................... 342
Excess Plutonium Disposition............................. 342
Nuclear Verification Plan................................ 342
Naval Reactors............................................. 343
Low-Enriched Uranium Fuel for Naval Reactors............. 343
Environmental and Other Defense Activities................... 344
Defense Environmental Cleanup.............................. 344
Savannah River Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative...... 344
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 344
Subtitle A--National Security Programs and Authorizations.... 344
Section 3101--National Nuclear Security Administration..... 344
Section 3102--Defense Environmental Cleanup................ 344
Section 3103--Other Defense Activities..................... 344
Section 3104--Nuclear Energy............................... 344
Subtitle B--Program Authorizations, Restrictions,
Limitations, and Other Matters........................... 345
Section 3111--Personnel Levels of the Office of the
Administrator for Nuclear Security....................... 345
Section 3112--Office of Cost Estimating and Program
Evaluation............................................... 345
Section 3113--Clarification of Certain Stockpile
Responsiveness Program Objectives........................ 345
Section 3114--Modification to Plutonium Pit Production
Capacity................................................. 345
Section 3115--Annual Certification of Shipments to Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant.................................... 345
Section 3116--Repeal of Limitation on Availability of Funds
for Acceleration of Nuclear Weapons Dismantlement........ 345
Section 3117--Elimination of Limitation on Availability of
Funds Relating to Submission of Annual Report on Unfunded
Priorities............................................... 345
Section 3118--Program for Research and Development of
Advanced Naval Nuclear Fuel System Based on Low-Enriched
Uranium.................................................. 346
Section 3119--Replacement of W78 Warhead................... 346
Section 3120--National Laboratory Jobs Access Program...... 346
TITLE XXXII--DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD............. 346
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 346
Section 3201--Authorization................................ 346
Section 3202--Improvements to the Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board.................................. 346
TITLE XXXIV--NAVAL PETROLEUM RESERVES............................ 346
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 346
Section 3401--Authorization of Appropriations.............. 346
TITLE XXXV--MARITIME MATTERS..................................... 346
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST...................................... 347
Reducing Reliance on Foreign Flagged Vessels............... 347
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS......................................... 347
Subtitle A--Maritime Administration.......................... 347
Section 3501--Authorization of the Maritime Administration. 347
Section 3502--Reauthorization of Maritime Security Program. 347
Section 3503--Maritime Occupational Safety and Health
Advisory Committee....................................... 347
Subtitle B--Tanker Security Fleet............................ 347
Section 3511--Tanker Security Fleet........................ 347
DIVISION D--FUNDING TABLES....................................... 348
Section 4001--Authorization of Amounts in Funding Tables... 348
Summary of National Defense Authorizations for Fiscal Year
2020..................................................... 349
National Defense Budget Authority Implication.............. 355
TITLE XLI--PROCUREMENT........................................... 357
Section 4101--Procurement.................................. 357
Section 4102--Procurement for Overseas Contingency
Operations............................................... 404
TITLE XLII--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION.......... 416
Section 4201--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation.. 416
Section 4202--Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
for Overseas Contingency Operations...................... 459
TITLE XLIII--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE........................... 463
Section 4301--Operation and Maintenance.................... 463
Section 4302--Operation and Maintenance for Overseas
Contingency Operations................................... 485
TITLE XLIV--MILITARY PERSONNEL................................... 496
Section 4401--Military Personnel........................... 496
Section 4402--Military Personnel for Overseas Contingency
Operations............................................... 497
TITLE XLV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS.................................. 498
Section 4501--Other Authorizations......................... 498
Section 4502--Other Authorizations for Overseas Contingency
Operations............................................... 502
TITLE XLVI--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION................................ 503
Section 4601--Military Construction........................ 503
Section 4602--Military Construction for Overseas
Contingency Operations................................... 513
TITLE XLVII--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS..... 515
Section 4701--Department of Energy National Security
Programs................................................. 515
Department of Defense Authorization Request...................... 528
Communications from Other Committees............................. 531
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 547
Statement Required by the Congressional Budget Act............... 549
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 550
Advisory of Earmarks............................................. 550
Oversight Findings............................................... 550
General Performance Goals and Objectives......................... 550
Statement of Federal Mandates.................................... 551
Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................. 551
Applicability to the Legislative Branch.......................... 551
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 551
Committee Votes.................................................. 551
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 578
Additional Views................................................. 579
Dissenting Views................................................. 581
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-120
======================================================================
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
_______
June 19, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Smith of Washington, from the Committee on Armed Services,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL AND DISSENTING VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2500]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Armed Services, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 2500) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense and
for military construction, to prescribe military personnel
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments
and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
The amendment strikes all after the enacting clause of the
bill and inserts a new text which appears in italic type in the
reported bill.
The title of the bill is amended to reflect the amendment
to the text of the bill.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
The bill would: (1) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2020 for procurement and for research, development, test,
and evaluation (RDT&E); (2) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2020 for operation and maintenance (O&M) and for working
capital funds; (3) authorize for fiscal year 2020 the personnel
strength for each Active Duty component of the military
departments, and the personnel strength for the Selected
Reserve for each Reserve Component of the Armed Forces; (4)
modify various elements of compensation for military personnel
and impose certain requirements and limitations on personnel
actions in the defense establishment; (5) authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2020 for military construction
and family housing; (6) authorize appropriations for Overseas
Contingency Operations; (7) authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2020 for the Department of Energy national security
programs; and (8) authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2020
for the Maritime Administration.
RATIONALE FOR THE COMMITTEE BILL
H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2020, is the primary vehicle through which Congress
fulfills its responsibility as mandated in Article I, Section
8, of the Constitution of the United States, which grants
Congress the power to provide for the common defense, to raise
and support an Army, to provide and maintain a Navy, and to
make rules for the government and regulation of the land and
naval forces. Rule X of the House of Representatives provides
the House Committee on Armed Services with jurisdiction over
the Department of Defense generally and over the military
application of nuclear energy. The committee bill includes
findings and recommendations resulting from its oversight
activities, conducted through hearings and briefings with
Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian and
military officials, intelligence analysts, outside experts, and
industry representatives, and it is informed by institutional
experience. H.R. 2500 provides the Department of Defense and
the Department of Energy with important policy authorities to
speed decision making and improve agility, while improving
readiness and increasing capabilities and capacities.
H.R. 2500 addresses our country's greatest military threats
by authorizing a defense enterprise that is inclusive,
accountable, and responsible in the management of its
resources. H.R. 2500 focuses on improving the lives of our men
and women in uniform, including implementing reforms to improve
the quality of military housing and addressing contamination
from perfluorinated chemicals in drinking water on or near
military bases. The committee believes our service members
confront unique, complex challenges and deserve our support.
The committee further believes that a challenging global
security environment requires new ways to more affordably
manage strategic risk by prioritizing the relevant military
capabilities and capacities necessary to meet our greatest
threats, adequately resource those priorities by accepting some
risk with well-considered and agreed upon tradeoffs, and, at
the same time, realize cost savings through oversight and
control of unjustified costs. H.R. 2500 ensures America's
military maintains its competitive edge on the global stage by
executing crucial oversight focused on not only defense
programs themselves, but also on how those programs are
budgeted against a prioritized strategy, rather than arbitrary
budgetary goals.
H.R. 2500 increases accountability over how defense
resources are allocated and spent. Funding allocated for
defense programs should be spent on defense programs. Building
and modernizing military capabilities and overall military
readiness without diverting fiscal support away from
congressionally authorized and appropriated projects, and
critical training and maintenance functions.
H.R. 2500 meets the committee's goal of facilitating a
strong national defense apparatus that is resourced properly,
accountable for its actions, and cognizant of the essential and
direct oversight role of Congress. H.R. 2500 is consistent with
the overall national defense spending level of $733 billion
projected in the fiscal year 2019 Future Years Defense Program,
and therefore would authorize approximately $724.9 billion in
discretionary spending for the national defense programs within
the committee's jurisdiction, including approximately $69.0
billion of Overseas Contingency Operations funding. This
authorization level allows our military to improve readiness,
expand capabilities, and invest in the new software and
technologies required to secure our country and protect us
against our adversaries.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H.Res. 6 of the 116th
Congress--
(1) the following hearings were used to develop or consider
H.R. 2500:
The committee held a hearing ``National Security Challenges
and U.S. Military Activities in the Greater Middle East and
Africa'' on March 7, 2019. The committee received testimony
from General Joseph Votel, Commander of U.S. Central Command,
General Thomas Waldhauser, Commander of U.S. Africa Command,
and Ms. Kathyrn Wheelbarger, Acting Assistant Secretary of
Defense for International Security Affairs.
The committee held a hearing ``National Security Challenges
and U.S. Military Activities in Europe'' on March 13, 2019. The
committee received testimony from General Curtis M.
Scaparrotti, Commander of U.S. European Command and Ms. Kathryn
Wheelbarger, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs.
The committee held a hearing ``The Fiscal Year 2020
National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the
Department of Defense'' on March 26, 2019. The committee
received testimony from the Honorable Patrick Shanahan, Acting
Secretary of Defense and General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The committee held a hearing ``National Security Challenges
and U.S. Military Activities in the Indo-Pacific'' on March 27,
2019. The committee received testimony from Admiral Phillip
Davidson, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, General
Robert Abrams, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, and the
Honorable Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
The committee held a hearing ``The Fiscal Year 2020
National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the
Department of Army and the Department of the Air Force'' on
April 2, 2019. The committee received testimony from the
Honorable Mark Esper, Secretary of the Army, the Honorable
Heather Wilson, Secretary of the Air Force, General Mark
Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, and General David Goldfein,
Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
The committee held a hearing ``Member Day'' on April 3,
2019. The committee received testimony from Members of Congress
on their priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2020.
The committee held a hearing ``The Fiscal Year 2020
National Defense Authorization Budget Request for the
Department of Navy'' on April 10, 2019. The committee received
testimony from the Honorable Richard Spencer, Secretary of the
Navy, Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, and
General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The committee held a hearing ``National Security Challenges
and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America'' on May
1, 2019. The committee received testimony from Admiral Craig
Faller, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, General Terrence
O'Shaughnessy, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, the
Honorable Kenneth Rapuano, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Homeland Defense and Global Security, and Ms. Kathryn
Wheelbarger, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs
In addition, the six subcommittees of the committee
conducted 15 hearings and 6 markups to develop and consider
H.R. 2500.
COMMITTEE POSITION
On June 12, 2019, the Committee on Armed Services held a
markup session to consider H.R. 2500. The committee ordered the
bill H.R. 2500, as amended, favorably reported to the House of
Representatives by a recorded vote of 33-24, a quorum being
present.
EXPLANATION OF THE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a
substitute during the consideration of H.R. 2500. The title of
the bill is amended to reflect the amendment to the text of the
bill. The remainder of the report discusses the bill, as
amended.
RELATIONSHIP OF AUTHORIZATION TO APPROPRIATIONS
The bill does not provide budget authority. This bill
authorizes appropriations; subsequent appropriations acts will
provide budget authority. However, the committee strives to
adhere to the recommendations as issued by the Committee on the
Budget as it relates to the jurisdiction of this committee.
The bill addresses the following categories in the
Department of Defense budget: procurement; research,
development, test, and evaluation; operation and maintenance;
military personnel; working capital funds; and military
construction and family housing. The bill also addresses the
Armed Forces Retirement Home, Department of Energy National
Security Programs, the Naval Petroleum Reserve, and the
Maritime Administration.
Active Duty and Reserve personnel strengths authorized in
this bill and legislation affecting compensation for military
personnel determine the remaining appropriation requirements of
the Department of Defense. However, this bill does not provide
authorization of specific dollar amounts for military
personnel.
SUMMARY OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORIZATIONS IN THE BILL
The President requested discretionary budget authority of
$741.9 billion for programs within the jurisdiction of the
committee for fiscal year 2020. Of this amount, $642.5 billion
was requested for ``base'' Department of Defense programs,
$66.7 billion was requested for Overseas Contingency Operations
requirements covering the entire fiscal year, $23.2 billion was
requested for Department of Energy national security programs
and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, and $0.3
billion was requested for defense-related activities associated
with the Maritime Administration.
The committee recommends an overall discretionary
authorization of $724.9 billion in fiscal year 2020. The
committee authorization is a $16.8 billion increase above the
levels provided for in the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232).
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in
division D of this report summarizes the committee's
recommended discretionary authorizations by appropriation
account for fiscal year 2020 and compares these amounts to the
President's request.
BUDGET AUTHORITY IMPLICATION
The President's total request for the national defense
budget function (050) in fiscal year 2020 is $750.0 billion, as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. In addition to
funding for programs addressed in this bill, the total 050
request includes discretionary funding for national defense
programs not in the committee's jurisdiction, discretionary
funding for programs that do not require additional
authorization in fiscal year 2020, and mandatory programs.
The table preceding the detailed program adjustments in
division D of this report details changes to the budget request
for all aspects of the national defense budget function.
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Aircraft Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
CH-47F Chinook Block II
The budget request contained $18.2 million in advanced
procurement for the CH-47F Block II program. The CH-47F Block
II program is designed to upgrade the current CH-47F Block I
heavy-lift rotorcraft to improve readiness and commonality,
extend the useful life of the Block I version, and restore
additional payload capacity for the airframe. The committee
understands the budget request fully funds the completion of
the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of
the Block II program, and that subject to successful completion
of the EMD phase, the Army plans to conduct a Milestone C low-
rate production decision beginning in fiscal year 2021.
However, the committee notes the current Future Years Defense
Program (FYDP) provides no follow-on procurement funding for
the CH-47 Block II program. Further, the committee notes that
the formal analysis of alternatives for the CH-47 Block II
indicated the Army must begin to remanufacture or recapitalize
CH-47 Block I rotorcraft between fiscal years 2024 and 2028 and
sustain full-rate production of 12 aircraft per year by fiscal
year 2030 in order to maintain fleet readiness. Given the lack
of programmed funding in the FYDP for CH-47 Block II
production, the committee is concerned about potential impacts
this could have on the heavy-lift rotorcraft industrial base,
as well as the effects this could have on the Army's long-term
plans to maintain fleet readiness beyond the FYDP.
Therefore, the committee recommends $46.2 million, an
increase of $28.0 million, in CH-47 Helicopter advanced
procurement for the CH-47F Block II aircraft.
Further, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
September 2, 2019, on the potential readiness impacts to the
current CH-47F fleet should Block II production be delayed
post-FYDP, a cost-benefit analysis comparing CH-47 Block II
upgrade program to CH-47F remanufacture and recapitalization
efforts, the impacts to current MH-47G aircraft production
given the delay of Block II production, analysis used to assess
the strategic risk to the industrial base including the
supplier base, and the current strategy for modernizing the
heavy-lift rotorcraft fleet.
UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter
The committee understands the UH-72A Lakota helicopter
provides general aviation support for aviation units in the
Active and Reserve Components. The committee supports the
requirement to conduct mid-life sustainment and product
improvement activities for the UH-72A, and supports funding to
conduct the analysis, engineering, certification, and risk
reduction activities necessary to update the UH-72A Life Cycle
Support Plan. The committee also recognizes that the UH-72A was
initially fielded without aircraft survivability equipment,
which could potentially limit the Active Component and Army
National Guard utilization of the UH-72A platform. As reflected
in division D of this Act, the committee recommends additional
funding for the National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment
Account (NGREA). The committee understands that while no
requirements have been formally identified for UH-72A Lakota
ballistic armor or aircraft survivability equipment by the
National Guard Bureau, should a requirement be put forth, the
committee expects the Army National Guard to utilize NGREA
funds.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2020, on the Army's long-term sustainment strategy for the
UH-72A Lakota helicopter fleet.
Missile Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 system of systems
The committee understands that the Indirect Fire Protection
Capability Increment 2 system of systems (IFPC Inc 2) is a
mobile, ground-based weapon system intended to defend fixed and
semi-fixed sites and address numerous capability gaps for
cruise missile defense (CMD), counter-unmanned aerial systems
(C-UAS), and counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM). The
committee notes that since March 2018, the Army has evaluated
existing air defense systems in order to rapidly acquire and
field an interim capability while concurrently evaluating
solutions for an enduring IFPC Inc 2 system to meet the full
spectrum of requirements and threats. The committee understands
that based on the Army's analysis of cost, schedule, and
performance, as well as the fielding requirements for an
interim CMD capability required by section 112 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232), the Army will field two interim IFPC
batteries of Iron Dome in fiscal year 2020, while concurrently
developing and evaluating a complete system solution--radar,
launcher, and interceptor--for an enduring IFPC capability.
The committee supports the Army's IFPC system acquisition
strategy, including the immediate procurement of two Iron Dome
batteries to meet the statutory schedule requirements for an
interim capability, however, the committee requires additional
fidelity into the acquisition strategy and plan for the
enduring IFPC requirement. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by November 1, 2019, on the
progress of fielding an Iron Dome interim IFPC system for CMD,
as well as an update on the status of development of an
enduring capability for IFPC Inc 2 to include the acquisition
strategy for the enduring requirement with the associated
funding profiles required to remain in compliance with section
112 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2019 (Public Law 115-232).
M240 medium machine gun industrial base
The committee remains concerned with the stability of the
M240 medium machine gun small arms industrial base. The budget
request included $0.9 million for M240 production, however no
additional funds are projected in the Future Years Defense
Program (FYDP). The committee understands that this lack of
funding beyond 2020 may result in a shutdown of the M240
production line, resulting in a significant negative impact on
the U.S. small arms industrial base. The committee encourages
the Army to develop and implement a long-term investment and
sustainment plan for the family of M240 medium machine guns
that ensures appropriate support for fielded weapons and
mitigates risk to the small arms industrial base. As a part of
this investment and sustainment plan, the committee encourages
the Army to establish a recapitalization program, wherein
legacy M240B models would be replaced by the modern, lighter-
weight, and more reliable M240L model.
TOW 2B missile system
The committee is aware that the Army is developing the next
version of its TOW 2B tactical missile system that will serve
as the primary anti-armor weapon for the Optionally Manned
Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program. The committee also understands
that the Army wants to accelerate development and fielding of
the OMFV, but it is not clear that the development and fielding
schedule for the new TOW 2B missile is aligned with the
schedule for OMFV.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 3, 2020, on the current plans for
development and fielding of the TOW 2B missile, including how
the Army will synchronize the availability of a new TOW 2B
missile with fielding of the OMFV.
Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army
Items of Special Interest
Vehicle active protection systems
The committee understands the Army is working quickly to
procure and field non-developmental item (NDI) vehicle active
protection systems (V-APS) for combat and tactical vehicles to
address immediate operational needs. The committee notes for
example the Army will procure equipment sets of Trophy APS for
installation on the M1 Abrams tanks of four armored brigades,
including a brigade set for U.S. European Command's
prepositioned stocks. While the committee supports the Army's
NDI V-APS efforts and is encouraged by the successful testing,
integration, and operational effectiveness of Trophy on Abrams
tanks, the committee is concerned that the Army has no strategy
to develop or acquire training devices related to Trophy or
other V-APS systems under consideration for the Bradley and
Stryker armored vehicles.
The committee also understands the Army is concurrently
developing an objective, long-term V-APS solution that would
field an open architecture compliant V-APS system with other
vehicle protection capabilities, and that current NDI V-APS
systems, such as Trophy, are potential candidates for further
development and integration. The committee expects the Army to
benefit from the data collected during this expedited NDI V-APS
effort to better inform their long-term strategy as well as
look for ways to accelerate development and procurement.
Additionally, the Committee needs to better understand if the
Army is considering ``hybrid'' solutions that would include
fielding an advanced APS, that would work in concert with
passive protection technologies, such as improved armor, to
deliver substantial survivability enhancements.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than November 29, 2019, on the requirements and
acquisition strategy for both near-term and long-term V-APS
efforts, including technology, schedule, and funding profiles
associated with development and acquisition of training devices
for the various V-APS being developed, installed, or planned
for installation on combat and tactical vehicles. The briefing
should also include courses of action for accelerating the
development of the objective V-APS long-term solution and
options for expanding the fielding of NDI APS solutions to
additional current or future combat vehicles, a detailed
summary of recent Stryker APS testing to date, and an analysis
of the relative merits of hybrid protection technologies.
Procurement of Ammunition, Army
Items of Special Interest
Army vertical lift munitions
The committee expects that the Army's future vertical lift
systems will be equipped to operate successfully against peer
and near-peer adversaries. Such systems will need new weapon
capabilities and munitions that can effectively engage
adversary targets from standoff ranges that are beyond line-of-
sight or over-the-horizon. To be successful, these munitions
must operate despite adversary technologies for jamming,
spoofing, and GPS denial.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives by February 1, 2020, on
Army vertical lift munition range and operating environment
capabilities gaps, if any, and potential developmental and off-
the-shelf solutions associated with those gaps. The report
shall include the following:
(1) an identification and assessment of current U.S.
vertical lift munition capabilities and capabilities gaps, if
any, against near-peer adversaries;
(2) an identification and assessment of U.S. and allied
off-the-shelf and developmental solutions to meet these
capability gaps, if any, including munitions that the United
States has tested or will test;
(3) an identification and assessment of any completed or
planned testing of developmental munitions in calendar years
2019 and 2020, including: an assessment of the effectiveness
and suitability of the tested munitions; an assessment of
whether the tested munitions could replace, supplement, or
duplicate current capabilities; a comparison of the tested
munitions capabilities to relevant currently fielded munitions;
and plans, if any, to do a near-term fielding or operational
evaluation of the tested munitions; and
(4) an estimate of the cost and schedule for the Army to
develop and produce new capabilities, and acquire and field as
an interim solution any existing capabilities that have been
tested and would provide an acceptable solution for capability
gaps.
M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge
The committee encourages the Army to accelerate
modifications and upgrades to the M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge
(MICLIC) system. The committee notes the current fielded MCLIC
system has been operational since the 1970s and continues to be
employed by the Army and Marine Corps. Furthermore, according
to the report submitted to the committee by the Army, as
required in the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rept. 115-
676), the MICLIC's system operational readiness rate is 73
percent, which is below the requirement of 78 percent. The
committee also notes that employment success rates are only 50
percent based on data from units rotating through Combat
Training Centers. The committee notes with concern that the
MICLIC has not seen any significant upgrade in capability since
its introduction, and does not meet the mission readiness and
employment requirements.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by November
1, 2019, on the Army's plan for upgrading or replacing the M58
MICLIC system. The briefing should include:
(1) the updated capability requirements for a solution that
addresses the readiness and reliability concerns of the current
MICLIC;
(2) a plan and timeline to upgrade the current system or
field a newer variant; and
(3) a funding profile over time for costs associated with
the research, development, test, and production of a new
system.
Self-propelled 155mm and 105mm artillery systems
The committee understands the Army continues to examine the
operational benefits of procuring a self-propelled 105mm and
155mm howitzer mounted on the High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) in order to address existing capability
gaps for infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs) indirect fires
capabilities. The committee understands that recent
demonstrations at Fort Sill as part of the Army's Maneuver and
Fires Integration Experiment produced positive results. In the
report to accompany the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rept. 115-676) the committee directed the
Army to assess the advisability and feasibility of accelerating
the technology development and procurement of potential HMMWV-
mounted self-propelled 105mm and 155mm howitzers. The committee
notes the Army indicated in this report that developing such a
capability is both advisable and feasible and that the Fires
Center of Excellence at Fort Sill is exploring options for
rapid prototyping and operational assessments of a HMWWV-
mounted 155mm howitzer to address IBCT capability gaps. The
committee supports these ongoing efforts and encourages the
Army to continue further study and development of HMWWV-mounted
self-propelled 105mm and 155mm howitzers.
Other Procurement, Army
Items of Special Interest
Advanced medium mobile power sources
The budget request contained $58.5 million for generators
and associated equipment of which $44.2 million was included
for advanced medium mobile power sources (AMMPS). AMMPS is a
modernization program to provide 5-60 kilowatt (kW) generators
in either a skid, trailer mounted, or microgrid configuration.
The committee notes AMMPS replaces legacy generators and will
provide the Department of Defense with an upgraded standard
fleet of tactical electric power. The committee understands
AMMPS has improved fuel efficiency by an average of 21 percent
with a return on investment in the range of 10 to 31 months
from fuel savings. The committee also notes that AMMPS
significantly reduces the logistics footprint and burden
through utilization of 52 percent commonality of parts across
all models as well as demonstrating improved reliability. The
committee is encouraged by Department of Defense efforts to
increase fuel efficiency, improve combat capability, decrease
tactical risk, and reduce overall cost of generators. For
example, the committee is aware the Army and Marine Corps are
incorporating microgrid control capability on all current 30kW
to 60kW generator set models that automatically starts and
stops generators based on load demand. The committee encourages
the military services to incorporate an energy storage module
with generator sets to provide even more energy-efficient
power.
AN/PEQ-15 Pointer, Illuminator, Aiming Laser capability enhancement/
upgrade strategy
The committee is aware of the Army's Soldier Lethality
Cross-Functional Team's efforts to enhance the capability of
the AN/PEQ-15 Pointer, Illuminator, Aiming Laser. The committee
is concerned, however, that the AN/PEQ-15 is approaching
obsolescence, is no longer under a formal sustainment program
of record, and is not optimized for use with the Army's new
ENVG-B night vision device. A solution is needed that will
provide a capability bridge until a new family of weapons
sights is developed, tested, produced, and fielded. The
committee is aware that the Army has tested a possible AN/PEQ-
15 replacement through a limited user evaluation that
distributed 700 test items to selected brigade combat teams.
The committee supports the Army's rapid development and
acquisition approach for such a bridge capability and directs
the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics,
and Technology to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than November 1, 2019, on the strategy
for development and replacement of the AN/PEQ-15.
Global Positioning System denied environments
The committee recognizes the need to improve the capability
of U.S. forces to operate in denied environments where access
to the Global Positioning System (GPS) is not assured.
Potential adversaries are using advanced air defense systems
and GPS-jamming and spoofing systems to deny or disrupt U.S.
forces access, information gathering, precision strike, and
navigation.
The committee notes that section 1239 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) required the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to
counter this specific threat. The committee recognizes that the
Department of Defense has made progress with GPS satellite-
related GPS III and M-Code development. The committee is
concerned, however, that U.S. forces should avoid becoming
reliant on a single solution or technology, especially with
increasing ground-based threats to satellites.
The committee is also concerned about an apparent
capability gap in which current air-to-ground weapon programs
do not provide adequate range or precision-strike capabilities
needed for operating environments in which access to GPS is not
assured. The committee encourages the Department of Defense to
consider available off-the-shelf systems to meet this
capability gap quickly.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
November 1, 2019, on efforts, including developmental and non-
developmental item acquisition programs, to address U.S.
munition capability gaps for longer range systems operating in
GPS-denied or -degraded environment.
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle recapitalization
The committee encourages the Secretary of the Army to use
the funds made available for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled
Vehicle (HMMWV) modernization or recapitalization to procure
new HMMWVs or fully restore HMMWVs to a ``like-new'' zero-
hours, zero-miles condition through the installation of a new,
modernized powertrain. The committee believes that modernizing
or recapitalizing HMMWVs with a more capable powertrain could
better support future advanced technology insertions as well as
other capability upgrades to the HMMWV fleet, which in turn
should reduce sustainment costs and logistics challenges
associated with obsolete, expensive, or less-suitable parts.
Requirements and Capabilities for Military Shelter Systems Ballistic
Protection
The committee notes that in forward deployed environments,
service members must often work, eat, and rest in military
shelter systems. The committee further notes the importance of
providing service members with military shelter systems that,
under certain threat conditions, offer protection against small
arms fire and fragmentation. Under such operational conditions,
military shelter systems may require ballistic protection that
can be quickly transported, assembled, and disassembled as
required to meet mission requirements.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to provide
the House Committee on Armed Services, no later than December
1, 2019, with a briefing on the requirements for and
capabilities of the Army's expeditionary military shelter
systems. The briefing shall include an analysis of the
ballistic protection capabilities and transportation
requirements of such military shelter systems.
Tactical Communications and Protective System
The committee is aware that the Tactical Communications and
Protective System (TCAPS) and TCAPS-Lite programs provide
active hearing protection simultaneously protecting service
members' hearing while enabling situational awareness and
mission command. The Army notes in their budget justification
documents that these hearing protection systems are also
intended to limit lost in-service time related to hearing
injuries as well as reduce post-service disability
compensation. The committee understands that the TCAPS and
TCAPS-Lite programs have been cancelled and that combat
earplugs will be relied upon to meet hearing protection
requirements. The committee is concerned that combat earplugs
have had significant issues related to performance and quality
control in the past that likely resulted in hearing loss to
military personnel.
Considering the Army's decision to discontinue the TCAPS
and TCAPS-Lite programs, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Army to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than September 1, 2019, on the Army's plan to
provide advanced, active hearing protection with an appropriate
noise reduction rating that simultaneously enables situational
awareness and mission command and control. This briefing should
also address the level of protection and functionality combat
earplugs provide for service members and how those levels of
protection and functionality compare to a TCAPS headset and
TCAPS-Lite active hearing devices. The committee encourages the
Department of Defense to develop a list of evaluated, off-the-
shelf active hearing protection devices authorized for service
and review this list as part of the required briefing.
Transportable Tactical Command Communications
The committee recognizes that the Transportable Tactical
Command Communications (T2C2) system provides satellite
communications to early entry ground forces and provides
increased capability in mission command, as well as significant
advancements in situational awareness. The committee
understands that T2C2 expeditionary satellite antennas provide
increased operational flexibility and speed of maneuver while
supporting forces in austere locations with high bandwidth
requirements. Continued investment in the basic technology
comprising the T2C2 system could enable immediate enhancements
to the capability and allow the Army to standardize its
expeditionary satellite system. The committee encourages the
Army to consider the operational benefits of a common
expeditionary terminal, based on T2C2, that would meet relevant
tactical satellite communication requirements and potentially
extend the operational footprint well beyond current
technology, support intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance and mission command systems, and reduce demand
on satellite resources. The committee believes the Army could
realize significant advantages from developing a consistent and
interoperable satellite communications capability across
multiple programs and encourages further acceleration of those
efforts in light of potential and considerable life-cycle cost
savings.
Aircraft Procurement, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Carrier strike group anti-submarine warfare capabilities
The committee is increasingly concerned with the aircraft
carrier's organic anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
The carrier strike group's (CSG) primary ASW sensor continues
to have a high component failure rate that has depleted the
spares inventory, impacting deployed and non-deployed
readiness. The Navy also recently canceled the Surface Ship
Torpedo Defense (SSTD) program that would have provided a much-
needed defensive capability for the aircraft carrier. The
budget request acknowledged the reliability issues of the
Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) system and is requesting
funds for a variety of improvement initiatives to increase
reliability. Rather than continuing to fund legacy systems, the
committee believes that advances in anti-submarine warfare
systems, manufactured in the United States and in use
worldwide, could provide a better alternative. The committee is
encouraged by advances in dipping sonar utilizing low frequency
detection and beam-forming technologies, allowing multiple
boundary interactions, and interoperability with shipboard
sonars and sonobuoys. Moreover, these advances in technology
are derived from U.S. sources.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary of the
Navy to consider procuring one helicopter-mounted and one
unmanned surface vessel-mounted low frequency (less than 2KHz)
active sonar system to demonstrate other viable alternative
technologies currently available for a CSG ASW risk reduction
effort.
The committee recommends $2.5 million for MH-60
modifications and $2.5 million for the Littoral Combat Ship
Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Module to support a technology
demonstration of alternative low frequency active sonars.
F/A-18 infrared search and track
The budget request contained $1.2 billion for F-18
aircraft, of which $85.8 million is for the infrared search and
track (IRST) technology procurement.
The committee notes that IRST is an evolutionary program
that will provide the F/A-18E/F (Lot 26 and up) with an
alternative fire control system to detect and track objects
from a significant distance while operating in a contested
environment involving high-electronic attack and radar-denied
capabilities employed by adversaries. According to the
Government Accountability Office, the IRST program entered low-
rate production in December 2018, with an unstable design and
undemonstrated critical manufacturing processes, but despite
those shortfalls, the Secretary of the Navy awarded contracts
to procure 24 IRST systems to date, or 14 percent of the 170
total planned systems. The committee notes the Navy did not
conduct a production readiness review to assess design
stability and manufacturing readiness that could have informed
the decision whether or not to award low-rate production
contracts. As a result, the Secretary may need to retrofit up
to 18 early production IRST systems at a cost of $2.0 million
each. The committee assesses that the Navy could reduce
procurement of IRST systems in the near term without negatively
affecting IRST production, and notes that the production
readiness review is scheduled to occur at least 6 months prior
to the IRST system deliveries associated with the December 2018
contract award.
Therefore, the committee recommends $1.1 billion, a
decrease of $67.4 million, for F-18 aircraft and the associated
IRST technology procurement.
MH-53E modernization and sustainment strategy
The committee is concerned with the readiness and
modernization trajectory of the Navy MH-53E fleet. Without
sufficient resources and attention, MH-53E readiness levels
will continue to decline. The committee notes that the Marine
Corps CH-53E reset program has improved readiness levels and
that the Army has achieved similar success using similar reset
programs for a variety of rotorcraft platforms. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than September 1, 2019, on the MH-53E fleet modernization and
sustainment strategy. This briefing shall include an assessment
of the feasibility and cost of reversing MH-53 readiness
declines through a reset program similar to the Marine CH-53E
reset program.
Navy Reserve F/A-18 aircraft
The committee remains concerned over the health and
readiness of the Navy Reserve combat aircraft fleet, a
strategic reserve available to the U.S. Navy. The Reserve fleet
provides critical adversary support and strike fighter weapons
training to Active Duty forces and must maintain a high
mobilization readiness level for deployment in the event of war
or national emergency. The aging aircraft the Reserve squadrons
fly are no longer compatible with today's carrier air wing and
these aircraft are increasingly less capable than the F/A-18E/F
Super Hornets. The committee believes this could impact the
ability of Navy Reserve squadrons in meeting requirements for
advanced strike employment, as well as simulating current
advanced threat aircraft. Recapitalizing and modernizing the
Reserve squadrons with newer platforms would enable the Navy
Reserve units to maintain dedicated advanced adversary
squadrons with next generation capability in order to provide
realistic threat-representative training for naval aviators and
to maintain operational readiness that provides a relevant and
deployable force multiplier to the Active Duty air wings.
The committee encourages the Secretary of the Navy, in
coordination with the Chief of the Navy Reserve, to continue to
recapitalize the squadrons to maintain the Navy Reserve combat
aircraft fleet.
Recapitalization of Navy Reserve P-3C squadrons
The budget request contained $1.2 billion for six P-8A
Poseidon aircraft. The budget request for fiscal year 2020 did
not take into account the increased warfighter requirement of
21 additional P-8A aircraft. This increase is driven by the
proliferation of adversarial submarine fleets and their
increasingly active operational tempo. The new requirement
includes 12 aircraft to recapitalize the two maritime patrol
and reconnaissance squadrons assigned to the Navy Reserve.
These squadrons currently operate legacy P-3C Orion aircraft
and the Chief of Navy Reserve estimates they will decommission
by 2023 unless they are outfitted with new aircraft. The
committee is encouraged by the Navy's recognition of the Navy
Reserve force and the contribution they can provide to the
increased requirement for the P-8A. However, the committee was
discouraged that the Navy failed to budget for the additional
aircraft to meet the warfighting requirement.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2020, that outlines a plan to recapitalize the two
Navy Reserve squadrons with P-8A aircraft prior to 2023. The
briefing should include estimated acquisition costs,
acquisition timelines, aircraft fielding schedules, and
manpower impacts to the Navy Reserve. The committee also notes
that this information should have been briefed at the beginning
of the budget cycle.
The committee recommends $1.75 billion for P-8A
procurement, an increase of $541.2 million, to procure three
additional aircraft in fiscal year 2020.
Weapons Procurement, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Advanced Low-Cost Munitions Ordnance
The committee continues to support the accelerated
development and deployment of the Advanced Low-Cost Munitions
Ordnance (ALaMO), a guided 57mm projectile, with fire-and-
forget capability. This projectile is designed to counter the
growing threats posed by small boat swarms, unmanned aerial
systems, and other emerging threats. Furthermore, the committee
supports expanding the testing to fully establish the ALaMO
capabilities in additional tactical scenarios, including
against both surface and air targets, and informing the
operational utility across the threat spectrum.
Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Amphibious Forces Modernization
While the Secretary of the Navy has been taking certain
steps to modernize forces to operate in a contested
environment, the committee believes that the Department of the
Navy needs to aggressively assess and optimize future forces.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to submit a brief to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2020 as to options to improve procurement protocols
with legacy and future forces force structure requirements.
Such briefing shall include each of the following: amphibious
warfare concepts and requirements as they relate to
shipbuilding and modernization; options to garner efficiencies
into amphibious ship acquisition; an assessment to optimize the
current and projected aviation and surface connectors strategy;
options to expand aviation projection from amphibious vessels;
options to expand command and control networks; options to
incorporate vertical launch systems; and a fiscal assessment of
these options.
AN/SPY-6(V) on DDG-51 Flight IIA
The committee notes the President's budget request for the
Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) stated that fiscal year
2020 funds ``are required to scale AMDR to backfit Active
Electronically-Steered Array and digital beamforming technology
on a Flight IIA DDG and to complete development of Advanced
Distributed Radar (ADR) capability for integration into AMDR.''
The committee fully supports the funding of these efforts in
fiscal year 2020 and encourages the Navy to accelerate the
procurement of AN/SPY-6 radars for the modernization of DDG 51
Flight IIA ships into fiscal year 2021. As such, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2020, on the cost
and technical feasibility of an accelerated plan for
modernizing DDG 51 Flight IIA ships with AN/SPY-6 radars.
Classified Briefing on Funding Requirements for Strategic Weapons
Systems
The committee notes the Navy provides the most survivable
leg of the triad with Ohio Class SSBNs and the Trident II (D5)
strategic weapon systems (SWS) they carry. SSBNs are
responsible for a significant majority of the United States'
operationally deployed nuclear warheads. The Chief of Naval
Operations has made clear the priority the Navy places on the
sustainment and modernization of the undersea leg of the triad,
directing the Navy to ``be ready to deploy USS Columbia (SSBN
826) as quickly as possible-beating the current schedule-in
order to preserve our ability to defeat the threat.''
If critical and necessary programs such as Increment 8 are
further delayed due to funding issues, the Columbia class will
be without critical subsystems such as a navigator and the
United States will fail to meet international commitments to
the United Kingdom under the Polaris Sales Agreement by not
delivering inertial navigation equipment to the United Kingdom
Shipyard in 2025.
If critical and necessary programs such as Increment 15 are
further delayed due to funding issues, future integration on
the Columbia and Dreadnought systems and delivery of a required
network cross-domain solution capability to meet DOD cyber
requirements will not be met in time. Elimination of this
funding will result in significant obsolescence-related risk to
the Ohio fire control system in addition to increasing
cybersecurity-related risk.
Proposed reductions in Navy Strategic Systems Programs
(SSP) support equipment impacts include additional maintenance
costs on the current support equipment and an increase in the
risk of being able to support missile processing and disposal
requirements at the strategic weapon facilities. This, in turn,
increases the risk of being unable to support SSBN onload/
offload requirements.
If the Life Extension 2 funding cuts are sustained, the
Navy's ability to field the next life extended missile on the
Columbia Class is at significant risk. Additionally, the delay
in schedule could impact international agreements with the
United Kingdom as that government will procure the TRIDENT II
D5LE2 SWS missiles for their Dreadnought platform.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide
a classified briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than December 1, 2019, on the ramifications of failing
to adequately fund its strategic weapons system.
Composite materials
The committee notes that composite materials may offer
superior capabilities over legacy steel applications both in
terms of long-term maintenance and increased operational
availability. The committee believes that the Secretary of the
Navy should assess composite options in the analysis of
alternatives as they consider complex naval components and
elements. Specifically, the committee believes that an
assessment of composite shafting and deckhouse modules should
be included in any future naval vessel acquisition to include
the development of the Large Surface Combatant, the next block
of Virginia-class submarines, and the development of the next
generation attack submarine.
DDG Aegis modernization
The committee recognizes the need and importance to deliver
increased warfighting capability to the over seven dozen ships
that comprise the existing fleet of Aegis destroyers via the
ongoing destroyer modernization program as well as through new
construction of the Flight III Arleigh Burke Aegis destroyers.
Together, these efforts will provide our nation with the most
powerful frontline warships, which will include robust
integrated air and missile defense capabilities. However, the
committee is concerned that there is an excessive amount of
variance of Aegis baselines within the current fleet, and that
the Navy should consider potential ways to accelerate
modernization efforts that will reduce combat system variances.
The committee also understands that there are new initiatives
which leverage advances in digital technology, solid-state
hardware, small and modular virtualization techniques, and
other innovative hardware and software upgrades that can better
sustain the in-service destroyers to the end of their extended
service lives.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2020, on initiatives that support a
complementary approach to provide more rapid fielding of
improvements for Aegis fleet readiness, lethality, and
survivability.
Frigate requirements review
The committee supports the Navy's efforts to leverage
mature technologies and systems for the new Frigate class
(FFG(X)), and continues to encourage the Secretary of the Navy
to emphasize risk reduction efforts, commonality, and reduced
life-cycle sustainment costs in developing a best-value
solution. The committee also believes that the Navy should not
trade warfighting capabilities for other considerations,
particularly in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Given ongoing
efforts by adversarial nations to increase the capability,
lethality, and size of their respective submarine fleets, the
committee recognizes the projected role the FFG(X) will play in
performing ASW missions. As such, it is imperative that the
platform be deployed with the most capable ASW technology
available.
Future Fleet Architecture
The committee notes that the National Defense Strategy
indicates that the United States is in a great powers
competition to include the Russian Federation and the People's
Republic of China. The committee also believes that this great
powers competition will heavily rely on our naval force
structure to optimally address Russia and China in both the
Pacific and the Arctic, as well as impending tensions with the
Iranian regime in the Persian Gulf. The committee believes that
it is imperative to include a larger long-term force structure
to address these global challenges. The committee also believes
that to ensure a continued projection of naval power around the
world, the Navy should include in their forthcoming 2019 Force
Structure Assessment necessary vessels to address sufficient
operations in the Arctic. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to brief the House Committee on Armed
Services by December 31, 2019 regarding the force structure
plan to compete with adversaries in the Pacific and Arctic
Oceans and the Persian Gulf. This briefing should also address
the defense industrial base and any associated maritime sector
weaknesses that need to be addressed to support the expanded
force structure.
John Lewis fleet oiler replenishment ships
The budget request included $1.1 billion for procurement of
the John Lewis (T-AO) class fleet replenishment oiler. The
committee continues to be supportive of the Navy's plan to
procure the T-AO oilers. This ship will operate as the primary
fuel pipeline from resupply ports to station ships, providing
replenishment of bulk petroleum products, dry stores/packaged
cargo, fleet freight, mail, and personnel to combatants and
support forces underway. As a secondary mission, the T-AO will
accompany and stay on-station with the carrier strike group to
provide replenishment as required to customer ships. This ship
will be a critical leg of the Navy's logistical framework. The
committee understands that the Navy chose to accelerate the
procurement of one T-AO from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year
2020 but due to long lead procurement items, this ship will not
start construction until 2021.
Therefore, the committee recommends $607.2 million, a
reduction of $447.0 million, for the T-AO program.
MK 18 unmanned underwater vehicle
The committee is encouraged by the Navy's ongoing efforts
to explore, demonstrate, and prove the utility of unmanned
underwater vehicles (UUVs) across multiple concepts of
operation. The committee recognizes that the MK 18 program is a
scalable and modular, open system architecture vehicle that is
currently conducting operations and being equipped with the
sensors that could allow it to perform additional U.S. Navy
mine countermeasures UUV missions. Furthermore, the MK 18 could
be adapted via the engineering change proposal process to meet
numerous emerging technical needs that could satisfy cross-
domain requirements. The Navy is strongly encouraged to assure
consideration of cross-domain employment of UUVs in this
critical mission area.
Naval Oceanographic Office vessel requirements
The committee notes that the Naval Oceanographic Office
(NAVOCEANO) operates seven oceanographic ships. These seven
ships are designated the T-AGS 60 class and are designed to
provide multipurpose oceanographic capabilities in coastal and
deep-ocean areas for NAVOCEANO. The committee is aware of
existing commercial advances in autonomous survey vessel
technology and notes that there are unmanned vessels currently
being used to support surveying and other important commercial
hydrography and oceanography missions. The committee is
concerned that the Navy is not taking advantage of commercially
available autonomous vessel technologies to facilitate its
charting and mapping missions. The committee believes
employment of an autonomous survey ship by the Navy
Oceanographic Office would result in dramatic savings in both
procurement and operation and maintenance costs while
increasing the rate at which uncharted portions of the ocean
floor become accurately mapped. The use of existing unmanned
surface vessel (USV) designs and technology for an autonomous
survey vessel would also allow the Navy to rapidly gain
valuable experience in the operational use of USVs in a low
threat environment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by March 1, 2020, that includes NAVOCEANO's ship requirements
and an assessment of the opportunities to modernize this fleet
to support autonomous operations.
Navy Cyclone-class patrol craft replacement
The committee notes that the legacy Cyclone-class patrol
vessels located in Bahrain are being decommissioned and
eventually replaced with the littoral combat ship. The
committee is aware that the U.S. Coast Guard's Sentinel-class
fast response cutter is in serial production and that the U.S.
Coast Guard is pursuing a 64-vessel program of record. The
committee believes that there is merit in reviewing all
available options to replace the Cyclone-class patrol vessels.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than February 1, 2020, that assesses options for the
replacement of the Cyclone-class patrol vessels. Specifically,
this report shall include a comparison of the Cyclone-class
patrol vessels, Independence variant littoral combat ship,
Freedom-class variant littoral combat ship, the Sentinel-class
fast response cutter, and larger surface combatants in terms of
one-time procurement costs, annual recurring personnel costs,
and annual recurring maintenance costs. Additionally, this
report shall assess the ability to meet the mission
requirements of the current patrol craft. This report may
include a classified annex.
Navy study on lethality of surface combatant ships against swarm
technology
The committee is concerned that the Navy may be assuming
too much risk with respect to the development of swarm tactics
by adversaries. The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to conduct a study on the lethality of surface combatant ships,
both large and small against swarm technology, and deliver a
report to Congress not later than January 1, 2021. Such study
shall include each of the following at a minimum:
(1) a threat analysis of current threat capabilities from
foreign adversaries regarding swarm tactics using manned or
unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, and
unmanned surface vehicles within ten nautical miles of coast
line, sea ports and adversary ships;
(2) a description of the current capabilities used by the
Navy that have the capability or are designed specifically to
counter swarm technology through kinetic means; electronic
warfare; or directed energy; and
(3) a description of future requirements for large and
small surface combatant ships, including the capability of
defending against swarm tactics and advancing technology; the
capability of engaging swarm targets from port and starboard
sides with the same effects as the bow; the capability of
adding additional systems onto the hull of a surface combatant
ship, both large and small, to enhance lethality against swarm
and other threats; and a comparison between directly manned
weapon systems and remote weapon stations.
Report on operational energy planning assumptions for the future
surface combatant
The committee understands that hybrid electric drive (HED)
propulsion systems provide both greater efficiency and extended
range. Equally important, such drives provide the power needed
for future weapons systems that will be used on U.S. Navy
vessels, and often come with lower life-cycle costs than
conventional propulsion systems. Given these benefits, the
committee believes the Navy should be pursuing HED propulsion
systems more aggressively, to include consideration on the
future large surface combatant.
The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide
a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2020, on the propulsion systems being
considered for the future surface combatant. In addition to
describing the type of system, for example, integrated
propulsion and hybrid electric drive, the report shall include
initial cost, life-cycle cost, range, and the system's ability
to provide adequate power for future weapons systems including
directed energy and rail gun. The report should also include
potential opportunities to prototype new propulsion systems in
order to accelerate the technology, and field a more mature
system that can be integrated into a ship.
Virginia-class submarine
The committee has heard consistent testimony from combatant
commanders about the important role that the attack submarine
fleet plays in persistent operations around the world and in
potential conflict scenarios against near-peer competitors. The
committee has also repeatedly expressed concern about the
current and looming shortfall in the Navy's attack submarine
fleet. The 2016 Force Structure Assessment increased the
required force structure of attack submarines from 48 to 66,
the largest increase of any ship type in the assessment. At the
same time, the fiscal year 2020 30-year shipbuilding plan shows
that the attack submarine force will experience the largest and
most persistent gap below its required level between fiscal
year 2020 and fiscal year 2049, reaching a low of 42 submarines
in 2027.
The committee has heard testimony from Department of the
Navy leadership on the benefits that increasing Virginia-class
submarine production would have on the submarine industrial
base. Navy leadership has testified that the industrial base
has existing capacity to handle the increased workload as
indicated in the fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020 30-year
shipbuilding plans. Navy leadership has testified that
strengthening the submarine industrial base through increasing
Virginia-class submarine procurement above the two-per-year
build rate will be beneficial for the Columbia-class submarine
program through increased capacity in advance of serial
production beginning in the mid-2020s and addressing potential
workload and workforce gaps in early procurement years. Navy
leaders have also testified that the Virginia-class submarine
program is among the best-performing acquisition programs in
the Department of Defense. Therefore, the committee highly
supports the addition of a third submarine in fiscal year 2020
and believes there are additional savings that can be achieved
across the class due to the increase in economic order
quantity.
Procurement, Marine Corps
Items of Special Interest
Rapid acquisition of Rifle Integrated Controller
The committee understands the Marine Corps is currently
evaluating a rifle accessory control unit (RACU) using a two-
phase process through the Marine Corps Foreign Comparative Test
(FCT) program that should result in fielding capability
improvements in the operational performance and close-combat
lethality of individual marines. The committee understands the
phase 2 evaluation should conclude by the end of fiscal year
2019 and that the Marine Corps will use the information and
data gathered during the FCT program to inform future
requirements. The committee recognizes the challenges that
exist for an individual marine to operate separate situational
awareness, communications, target designators, thermal sights,
and other battle management devices and notes a RACU system
would consolidate these disparate capabilities into one unified
capability.
The committee expects the Marine Corps to expeditiously
complete the phase 2 evaluation and, subject to a successful
evaluation, expects the capability to result in a validated
requirement. The committee encourages the Commandant of the
Marine Corps to consider a rapid acquisition strategy to
accelerate the operational testing, procurement, and fielding
of a RACU utilizing existing acquisition reform authorities.
Aircraft Procurement, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
A-10 aircraft
The budget request contained $168.9 million for A-10
aircraft modifications and upgrades, of which $100.0 million
was included for the new A-10 wing replacement program to begin
procurement of 112 sets of additional wings. This procurement
would retrofit the remaining A-10 fleet giving the Air Force a
total of 281 A-10 aircraft to 2030 and beyond.
The committee continues to believe that sustainment of the
281-aircraft A-10 fleet provides the Air Force a cost- and
mission-effective close air support capacity and capability
that will meet joint force requirements. The committee
recognizes that A-10 fleet modernization requires future
display system upgrades for better identification of friendly
and enemy forces. Additional modernization also requires
updates to weapon delivery and management systems, along with
an upgraded electronic warfare suite, that will keep pace with
advancements in threat surface-to-air technology and provide
better protection for pilots. Finally, the committee encourages
the Air Force to explore upgraded communications systems with
improved interconnectivity and security to support data-
gathering enhancements for aircraft and engine structural
integrity monitoring.
The committee looks forward to receiving the test and
evaluation report from the Director, Operational Test and
Evaluation regarding the F-35A and A-10C test comparison
required by section 134 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328). The committee
recalls that the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rept. 115-
676) required the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services on the cost of the
additional 112 A-10 replacement wings using a second contract
compared to the cost of exercising the option to procure the
112 A-10 replacement wings on the original contract. The
committee understands that this report will be made available
after the new contract for A-10 wings is awarded later in
fiscal year 2019. Finally, the committee encourages the
Secretary of the Air Force to consider a multiyear contracting
strategy for the next wing replacement program that could
achieve significant cost savings for the A-10 wing replacement
program.
Air National Guard F-16 Radar Upgrades
The committee recognizes that F-16s will remain a critical
component of the Air National Guard (ANG) inventory through the
2040s making it essential to maintain the operational viability
of these aircraft. The committee further recognizes that Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar upgrades for the F-16
make the aircraft more survivable and lethal in a combat
environment when deployed, provides increased capability for
homeland defense and aerospace control alert missions, as well
as reduces maintenance and logistics challenges.
The committee strongly supports continuing the F-16 AESA
radar upgrades for both the Air Force and ANG, including the
use of National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account funding
referenced elsewhere in this Act. Furthermore, the committee
directs the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, in coordination
with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to provide a
report to the House Armed Services Committee not later than
February 1, 2020, that details an operational risk assessment,
requirements determination, and acquisition and fielding
strategy with associated funding profiles for upgrading the
ANG's F-16s with AESA radars.
B-1 readiness recovery plan
The committee notes that the nation's ability to meet its
long-range precision strike requirements may be placed at
increased risk by aging structural problems with the B-1 bomber
aircraft. The committee is concerned B-1 readiness does not
have the priority and resources to improve B-1 mission capable
rates. This is evidenced by fully mission capable aircraft
currently in single digits and aircrew being rerouted from
flying the B-1 to other aircraft due to lack of B-1 aircraft
for training.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than March 1, 2020, on the Air Force's
current plans to increase the readiness of the B-1 that shall
include the following elements:
(1) aircraft structural issues;
(2) plan for continued structural deficiency data analysis
and testing;
(3) projected repair timelines; and
(4) future mitigation strategies.
Additionally, this briefing shall include the following
information during any B-1 degradation period:
(1) pilot and maintainer training plan; and
(2) recovery timeline to meet future deployment tasking.
B-2 Spirit Defensive Management System
The committee continues to support the B-2 Defensive
Management System Modernization (DMS-M) program and notes the
importance of this program to ensuring that our nation's only
operational stealth bomber remains mission effective. DMS-M is
the largest upgrade in the B-2's history and is essential to
maintaining the aircraft's survivability by ensuring the fleet
remains effective against modern integrated air defense
systems. This upgrade is critically needed to guarantee that
the nation's premier strike platform can hold at risk the most
heavily defended targets and deter aggression anywhere in the
world.
The committee is concerned, however, about the significant
DMS-M schedule delays and many substantial challenges
highlighted in a recent Defense Digital Service Discovery
Sprint report. Unless the B-2 DMS-M program makes significant
changes there may continue to be delays that will impact the
success of the program. During testimony at a Seapower and
Projection Forces subcommittee hearing on March 14, 2019, the
Air Force confirmed its commitment to the DMS-M program, and
the committee agrees that the program is necessary to ensure
the B-2 can operate in all future environments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 28, 2020, on its efforts to address the
major areas of concern across the DMS-M program identified by
the Defense Digital Service. Such brief shall include the
associated schedule and closure plan to address the following
items: sufficient government software development expertise;
contract definitization schedule; delivery schedule;
determination of software baseline; and assessment of related
program support of DMS-M.
C-130H aircraft propellers and engines
The committee notes that the C-130H aircraft that are flown
primarily by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve
continue to provide critical tactical airlift capabilities and
will continue to support this mission for years to come. The
committee is disappointed with the amount of time it has taken
for the Air Force to address a safety of flight issue with the
legacy propeller system of the C-130H. The inherent danger
associated with legacy propellers came to light in the mishap
report from the KC-130T Hercules aircraft of the United States
Marine Corps Reserve that crashed in Leflore County,
Mississippi, killing 17 service members. The Air Force convened
an additional review board which identified a potential hazard
with propellers that were produced before 1971. This review
appears arbitrary considering that the failed blade on the
Marine Corps mishap C-130T was manufactured in 1983.
Procurement of new composite propeller blades is the
obvious solution to this serious safety of flight and readiness
issue. The Air Force has moved slowly in addressing the issue
and still refers to the propeller upgrade as a performance
enhancement and not a safety requirement. A new composite blade
would also decrease maintenance time and improve logistics
support, which will result in increased readiness. Delays are
unacceptable considering the inherent safety of flight and
readiness risks surrounding this issue.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by October 31, 2019, on the long-awaited acquisition
strategy for procuring new blades. This plan should include
estimated costs, timelines, and a unit upgrade schedule, as
well as a plan to expedite procurement for squadrons scheduled
to deploy in CY2020. The briefing should also include the Air
Force plan to incorporate C-130H T-56 Series 3.5 Engine
Enhancement Packages. Congress has repeatedly added additional
funds for these upgrades and the Air Force has yet to budget
for them despite the demonstrated performance benefits and fuel
efficiencies.
E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-engining program
The budget request included $28.7 million for the E-8C
Joint Surveillance Target and Attack Radar System (JSTARS) but
no funding to address re-engining.
The committee understands that recently-completed analyses
of the E-8C JSTARS platform updated and extended the service
life projection concluding that the JSTARS fleet can operate
well into the 2030s and potentially beyond. As such, the
committee supports the requested funding for E-8C JSTARS
modernization and sustainment as necessary to ensure that the
platform remains operational and capable for the remainder of
its service life. However, the committee is concerned that the
funding requested in the fiscal year 2020 Air Force budget
fails to address the E-8C propulsion system, which the
committee understands is the number one issue driving excessive
non-mission capable maintenance metrics for the fleet. The
committee is concerned that, without a substantive solution,
issues associated with the propulsion system will continue to
drive up costs and hinder availability.
The committee recommends $56.7 million, an increase of
$28.0 million, in Aircraft Procurement, Air Force, for JSTARS
re-engining.
F-15C/F-15EX
The budget request contained $1.1 billion for development
and procurement of eight F-15EX aircraft.
Air Force officials testified before the Subcommittee on
Tactical Air and Land Forces on May 2, 2019, about their
concerns with the current tactical aircraft inventory capacity
and capability to fully execute and support the air superiority
mission as required by the 2018 National Defense Strategy. The
committee notes that the Air Force's capacity and capability
concerns are based on the combination of having procured only
187 F-22 aircraft compounded by the earlier than expected
deterioration of the current fleet of F-15C aircraft, which the
F-22 was intended to replace. The Air Force testified that two-
thirds of the F-15C fleet is past its certified service life
and that 13 percent of the combat-coded aircraft are grounded
due to failed aircraft structural integrity inspections. The
committee understands that the Air Force considered a range of
options to mitigate the identified capability and capacity gaps
for the air superiority mission, to include extending the
service life of the F-15C fleet and increasing the production
rate of F-35A aircraft.
The committee notes that analysis by the Department of
Defense determined that a service life extension on the F-15C
fleet would provide a limited return on investment for the
amount of financial and other resources required to complete a
successful life extension program to address the known
structural integrity and mission systems issues or the cost and
schedule risk associated with emergent fleet issues that are
unknown but may be identified as each aircraft enters the
service life inspection and extension program. The committee
notes that the Navy realized unexpected and excessive cost and
schedule growth during the service life extension program for
the legacy fleet of F/A-18A/B/C/D aircraft.
The committee understands that the Department's analysis
evaluated increasing F-35A production quantities but determined
that although the F-35A and F-15EX aircraft have similar
procurement costs, the difference in operations and sustainment
costs between the two aircraft is notable. Furthermore, the
committee notes that the Department's analysis evaluated other
aspects of current performance related to the F-35A program
outlined by the committee elsewhere in this title and that the
Department decided to forego this option due to affordability
concerns.
Therefore, the committee supports the Department's decision
to procure the F-15EX aircraft to mitigate warfighter risk and
to fill current and projected air superiority mission gaps.
Additionally, the committee includes a provision elsewhere in
this title that would require the Secretary of Defense to
designate the F-15EX program as a major program within the F-15
program element, and would require the Secretary to provide
additional acquisition documentation to the congressional
defense committees before proceeding apace with procurement of
F-15EX aircraft.
MQ-9 Reaper funding profile
The committee notes that the procurement profile for the
MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial system includes inconsistent
quantities from year to year. The committee understands that
uneven, unpredictable procurement quantities create production
inefficiencies and increase program costs. For example, the
fiscal year 2020 budget request shows MQ-9 unit cost rising
from $15.8 million in fiscal year 2019 to over $22.0 million in
fiscal year 2020. The committee is concerned by these
inefficiencies and encourages the Air Force to budget
appropriately in the Future Years Defense Program for stable,
predictable procurement quantities for the MQ-9 Reaper.
Tanker force structure and modernization
The committee notes that the Department of Defense
Mobility Capability Requirement Study identified a tanker force
structure inventory requirement of 479 aircraft. Integral to
this capability is the delivery of mission capable KC-46A
aircraft and the continued development of additional tanker
aircraft after the expiration of the current KC-46A contract
with lot 13 in 2027. The committee notes that the Secretary of
the Air Force has completed a capability-based assessment and
signed out the initial capability document for the requirements
associated with the next-generation tanker, but has not started
an analysis of alternatives. The committee believes that the
Secretary of the Air Force has several viable options to ensure
future tanker capability, to include acquiring a non-
developmental commercial derivative tanker while ``bridging''
from the end of the KC-46A production to the new developmental
tanker.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees by September 30, 2020, on a 30-year vision for the
tanker force structure. The report shall include the following:
(1) the current KC-46A tanker acquisition timeline through
lot 13;
(2) future tanker production options to include an
acquisition timeline comparison of a ``bridging'' non-
developmental commercial derivative tanker and new tanker
development; and
(3) modernization options for the entire tanker force
structure through the 30-year vision timeline.
Additionally, the committee continues to support the fixed-
price development and production of the KC-46A contract. The
committee believes that there have been several lessons learned
with unique fixed-price type contracts that were employed in
this contract. Therefore, in accordance with a recommendation
included in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report
entitled ``KC-46 Tanker Modernization: Aircraft Delivery Has
Begun, but Deficiencies Could Affect Operations and Will Take
Time to Correct'' (GAO-19-480), the committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees by March 1, 2020, on the
lessons learned regarding the utilization of a fixed-price
contract for development.
Procurement, Defense-Wide
Items of Special Interest
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program
The budget request contained $10.3 billion for the
procurement of 78 F-35 aircraft, and associated spares,
modifications, depot activations, and advanced procurement for
fiscal year 2021 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine
Corps. The budget request contained $1.6 billion for research
and development related to the conclusion of system design and
development, deployability and suitability initiatives, Block 4
and Continuous Capability Development and Delivery (C2D2), and
dual-capable aircraft efforts. The committee notes that the
unfunded priority lists for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine
Corps contained 12 F-35A, 2 F-35C, and 2 F-35B/2 F-35C
aircraft, respectively.
The committee supports the F-35 program and believes it is
a necessary and essential capability within the tactical
aircraft portfolio for the United States and its foreign
partners and allies. The committee is concerned, however, that
many substantial challenges are unresolved across the F-35
system enterprise as was highlighted in two recent Government
Accountability Office reports (GAO-19-321 and GAO-19-341) as
well as during testimony at the May 2, 2019, Subcommittee on
Tactical Air and Land Forces hearing on Air Force acquisition
and modernization programs. It is clear that unless the F-35
program can demonstrate measurable progress in reducing costs
and inefficiencies associated with the production line,
concurrency with new parts procurement and fielded parts
repairs, global supply chain management and distribution
activities, operations and sustainment costs, the Autonomic
Logistics Information System, and Block 4 development and
subsequent fielding utilizing the C2D2 construct, the
Department of Defense and other F-35 partners and customers may
not be able to achieve total inventory objective requirements.
The committee is also concerned about the F-35 program's
readiness to achieve a favorable full-rate production review
scheduled at the end of 2019. The program may not be
demonstrating satisfactory control of manufacturing processes
and production line efficiencies, acceptable performance and
reliability related to post-production activities and validated
requirements, and adequate and effective sustainment and
support systems in place to meet demands of all F-35 customers.
Consequently, the committee includes three provisions
elsewhere in this title that would authorize the F-35 program
to procure economic quantities of production material to reduce
costs; increase congressional oversight and program
transparency related to costs for capability development and
fielding; and ensure that the F-35 program has established
suitable, measurable, and achievable performance metrics across
various elements of the program.
Mitigation of military aviation physiological incidents
The budget request for the Department of the Navy contained
$278.0 million to address physiological episode (PE) mitigation
and repairs for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, and the total
funding included in the 2020 to 2024 Future Years Defense
Program for the Department of the Navy is $788.4 million. The
budget request for the Department of the Air Force contained
$6.9 million in PE64706F for life support systems to address
physiological episode mitigation for the Air Force aviation
enterprise. The committee understands the Air Force plans to
request reprogramming authority during fiscal year 2019 to
realign $87.1 million for procurement of the Enhanced On-Board
Oxygen Generation System for 445 T-6 training aircraft.
The committee commends the ongoing efforts of the
Department of the Navy to address modifications to F/A-18
aircraft to mitigate PEs and notes that it has been designated
as the number one safety priority to resolve within the Naval
Aviation Enterprise. The committee notes these efforts include
replacement of the F/A-18 cockpit altimeter; upgrade of the F/
A-18 On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS); redesign of the
F/A-18 aircraft life support systems required to meet OBOGS
input specifications; and installation of equipment associated
with improved F/A-18 physiological monitoring and alert
systems.
The committee is aware that since approximately 2010, the
Air Force has experienced increases in the rate of
physiological episodes affecting aircrew in the F-22, F-15C, F-
35A, and T-6A aircraft. The committee notes the Air Force
Physiological Episodes Action Team assessed that for more than
a decade, the Air Force has underinvested in basic aerospace
physiology science, research, and development. While the Air
Force has made progress in some areas of human-machine-
environment interface during that time period, other areas were
not as well studied, which left gaps in Air Force data
resulting in limited understanding of aircrew life support
requirements related to PE for aircrew flying high-performance
tactical aircraft.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2020, that determines the availability and
feasibility of procuring PE sensor devices in pilot helmets
that warn of imminent incapacitation and can also collect and
report data on human performance during flight.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 101--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for procurement
at the levels identified in section 4101 of division D of this
Act.
Subtitle B--Navy Programs
Section 111--Modification of Annual Report on Cost Targets for Certain
Aircraft Carriers
This section would amend section 126(c) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328), that requires an annual report on cost reduction efforts
for CVN-79 and CVN-80. This section would amend Public Law 114-
328 to include CVN-81, and reflect changes made to the cost cap
language.
Section 112--Repeal of Requirement to Adhere to Navy Cost Estimates for
Certain Aircraft Carriers
This section would repeal section 122 of the John Warner
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public
Law 109-364), as amended by section 121 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66),
section 122 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92), and section 121(a) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public
Law 115-91).
Section 113--Ford Class Aircraft Carrier Support for F-35C Aircraft
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
ensure that the aircraft carrier to be designated CVN-79 is
capable of deploying with the F-35 prior to accepting delivery.
Section 114--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Reduction of Aircraft
Carrier Force Structure
This section would limit the Secretary of Defense from
reducing the aircraft carrier force structure below the level
required by section 5062 of title 10, United States Code.
The committee continues to believe that the nation's
preeminent power projection capability is embodied with the
aircraft carrier strike group. The ability to rapidly relocate
a strategic asset and launch long-range, deep penetrating
strike from a location that is not hampered by sovereign
limitations represents the linchpin in our nation's national
security. The committee concurs with the Navy's assessment that
the aircraft carrier is more survivable today than at any point
in the last 75 years.
The committee continues to support an expansion of the
aircraft carrier force structure to obtain the Navy's
requirement of 12 aircraft carriers. The committee is
supportive of the two-carrier procurement authorized in section
121 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) and is supportive of
further efforts to reduce the span between aircraft carrier
construction.
Additionally, the budget request contained no funds for the
Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) of the USS Harry S.
Truman. The committee is encouraged that the administration
reversed its recommendation to retire the USS Harry S. Truman
before the planned RCOH and agrees with the overwhelming view
within Congress that maintaining this strategic asset for
another 25 years is crucial to national security. Therefore,
the committee recommends $17.0 million to begin procurement of
the long lead items associated with the USS Harry S. Truman
RCOH.
Section 115--Design and Construction of Amphibious Transport Dock
Designated LPD-31
This section would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to
enter into a contract for the amphibious transport dock ship
designated LPD-31. Additionally, the Secretary would be
authorized to use incremental funding authority to complete the
construction.
Section 116--Limitation on Availability of Funds Pending Quarterly
Updates on the CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Program
This section would limit obligation or expenditure of 50
percent of the procurement funds for the CH-53K King Stallion
helicopter until 30 days after the Secretary of the Navy
provides the House Committee on Armed Services the first
required quarterly briefing on program status and resolution of
technical deficiencies as compared to the CH-53K joint
integrated program schedule. This section does not apply to any
funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act for the
development of the CH-53K.
Section 117--Limitation on Availability of Funds for VH-92A Helicopter
This section would limit the fiscal year 2020 available
funding for the VH-92A helicopter to no more than 75 percent
until the Secretary of the Navy provides the House Committee on
Armed Services a report on the program's status. This report
must include the estimated impact of relocating the aircraft
manufacturing process on the manufacturing readiness level,
cost, schedule, and sustainment of the program.
Section 118--National Defense Reserve Fleet Vessel
This section would direct the Secretary of the Navy to
enter into a contract for one sealift vessel, subject to
certain requirements.
Subtitle C--Air Force Programs
Section 121--Modification of Requirement to Preserve Certain C-5
Aircraft
This section would amend section 141(d) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-
239) to reinstate the requirement for the Secretary of the Air
Force to continue to preserve certain C-5 aircraft in a storage
condition that would allow a recall of retired aircraft to
future service in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, or
Active Force structure.
Section 122--Modification of Limitation on Use of Funds for KC-46A
Aircraft
This section would amend section 146 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232), to limit the use of funds for KC-46A aircraft
pending submittal of certification, to include a military
flight release.
Section 123--F-15EX Aircraft Program
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
designate the F-15EX program as a major subprogram and subject
it to relevant reporting requirements and criteria pertinent to
a major subprogram. The section would allow the Secretary of
the Air Force to procure two F-15EX aircraft for prototype
development but would prohibit the procurement of any
additional aircraft until 30 days after the Secretary submits
F-15EX program plans for development, acquisition, and fielding
to the congressional defense committees.
Section 124--Prohibition on Availability of Funds for Reduction in KC-
10 Primary Mission Aircraft Inventory
This section would prohibit the retirement of any primary
inventory KC-10 aircraft in fiscal year 2020.
Section 125--Limitation on Availability of Funds for VC-25B Aircraft
This section would prohibit the Secretary of the Air Force
from obligating or expending any funds to exercise the over-
and-above clause of the VC-25B contract until the Secretary
submits a certification to the congressional defense
committees.
Section 126--Limitation on Availability of Funds for Retirement of RC-
135 Aircraft
This section would prohibit any use of funds authorized to
be appropriated in fiscal year 2020 for the Air Force to
retire, or prepare to retire, any RC-135 aircraft until 60 days
after the date on which the Secretary of Defense certifies to
the congressional defense committees that equivalent RC-135
capacity and capability exists to meet combatant commander
requirements for indications and warning, intelligence
preparation of the operational environment, and direct support
to kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
Section 127--Report on Aircraft Fleet of the Civil Air Patrol
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
on the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) that identifies and assesses the
suitability of the current CAP aircraft fleet size, types of
aircraft, and operating locations to meet mission requirements.
Subtitle D--Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
Section 131--Economic Order Quantity Contracting and Buy-to-Budget
Acquisition for F-35 Aircraft Program
This section would authorize the Secretary of Defense to
procure economic order quantities of material and equipment for
the F-35 program. This section would also authorize the
Secretary to procure F-35 aircraft exceeding the quantity
otherwise authorized by this Act if procurement of additional
aircraft would not require additional funds to be authorized or
appropriated.
Section 132--Program Requirements for the F-35 Aircraft Program
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
designate Block 4 capability as a major subprogram of the F-35
program and subject Block 4 to relevant reporting requirements
and criteria pertinent to a major subprogram. This section
would require the Secretaries of the Air Force and the Navy to
develop a joint service cost position for F-35 life-cycle
costs, and require the Director, Cost Assessment and Program
Evaluation to develop an independent life-cycle cost estimate
for comparison. This section would also require the Secretary
of Defense to revise the Department of Defense's program
element structure for F-35 beginning with the fiscal year 2021
President's budget request and subsequent budget requests to
provide sufficient transparency regarding future F-35 costs.
Finally, this section would require the Comptroller General of
the United States to provide an annual report for five
consecutive years, submitted each year not later than 30 days
after the President's annual budget submission to Congress,
that reviews the F-35 program.
Section 133--Reports on F-35 Aircraft Program
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide reports to the congressional defense committees on F-35
reliability and maintainability metrics, Block 4 capability
development and fielding activities, and modernization and
upgrade plans for the F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information
System.
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army
Items of Special Interest
3-D Printed Electronics Army Innovation
The committee understands additive manufacturing (AM) is
making innovative technological improvements that could yield
major advances in Army indirect fire weapons' range and lethal
effects. This technology can combine existing and new materials
into 3-D printed circuit architectures producing smarter,
lighter, and denser projectiles to double current ranges and
achieve higher precision. The flexibility inherent in AM allows
for ready incorporation of new materials into complex
structural designs that cannot be produced by any other method.
As the technology matures, AM can also be used in other Army
priorities such as technology for new and lighter smart armor
and other purposes.
The committee notes that the Army continues to invest in AM
technology to rapidly design, prototype, and manufacture
critical novel printed armaments components. The goal is to
demonstrate the ability to print munitions completely on a
single production line and assess this capability for potential
implementation in an ammunition plant. This demonstration will
also allow for an assessment of the potential to print
replacement parts, customizable grenades, printed electronics
and antennas. The committee supports the Army's investment in
additive manufacturing technology and will continue to monitor
its potential for industrial application as well as practical
in-field use.
Accelerated integration to counter emerging threats
The committee supports the accelerated integration
capability to counter emerging threats being initiated by the
Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space. The Army is
developing a government-owned capability to provide cyber-
robust, networked new missile capabilities into the Army
Integrated Air and Missile Defense systems designed to operate
within rapidly evolving threat environments and timelines. The
committee understands this is being accomplished through a
unique approach to adapt and respond to real-time threats,
dramatically accelerating the timeline to employ resilience in
networked weapon systems. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives by March 2,
2020, on the status of progress being made through this
accelerated program.
Advanced development of asset protection technologies
The committee notes the Army's progress in developing
advanced technologies for asset protection, such as Thermal
Indicating Paints, Active Sensor Systems, Novel Power
Solutions, Printed and Embedded Sensors for Army Weapons
systems, Flexible Electronics, and others to support the
warfighter. The committee directs the Secretary of the Army to
provide a briefing to the committee not later than December 1,
2019 on the Army's plans and programs, if any, to develop,
demonstrate, manufacture and deploy advanced multi-functional
materials and technologies that can be combined for
customizable asset protection systems and increased weapon
system capabilities.
Advanced lightweight small arms and medium caliber ammunitions
The committee is encouraged by the Navy's progress on
design, development and testing of advanced lightweight small
arms and medium caliber ammunitions. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to report to the committee by December 1,
2019 what efforts are underway to continue to explore and
refine the use of advanced lightweight polymer cased ammunition
technology to reduce the weight burden, enhance operational
reliability, improve mobility and enhance survivability of the
warfighter.
Advanced materials and components
The budget request contained $35.1 million in PE 62144A for
ground technology.
The committee is aware that research conducted under this
program is developing materials and manufacturing processes
that combine multiple classes of materials for innovative and
pioneering use cases. As a result, advanced hybrid materials
and novel manufacturing methods, including high entropy alloys,
are being developed for critical programs including the Army's
Long Range Precision Fires and Next Generation Combat Vehicles
modernization efforts.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 62144A for ground technology advanced materials
and manufacturing research technology.
Advanced technology for cold regions
Over several years, the Department of Defense has
identified the need to operate in the Arctic and other cold
region environments is critical to our national security and
homeland security interests. To realize a successful National
Defense Strategy, a number of engineering challenges must be
solved to evolve the Department's ability to construct,
maintain, and retrofit horizontal and vertical infrastructure
in cold regions. Once developed, these novel approaches to
designing, building, and maintaining rapid, cost effective,
small-footprint infrastructure will enable U.S. forces to
better defend the homeland and exercise sovereignty by rapidly
projecting capabilities to remote cold regions when needed.
Therefore, the committee supports innovative construction
materials for cold regions by further developing and testing
initial prototypes of mapping systems and construction
materials under austere conditions, and developing,
calibrating, and verifying performance prediction models.
Army unfunded requirement for munitions storage
The committee recognizes the important work the Armaments
Center, a science and technology reinvention laboratory at
Picatinny Arsenal, plays in the ammunition life cycle to ensure
our warfighters are appropriately equipped to complete their
missions. The committee notes that the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering's February 2019 Report to
Congress on Unfunded Requirements for Laboratory Military
Construction Projects included for this center an unfunded
laboratory minor science and technology military construction
project for an Igloo Storage Installation. The committee
directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than November 30,
2019, on what the Army's plans are to ensure that the required
construction and maintenance is implemented to support this
mission.
Briefing on secure communications with remote-piloted and unmanned
ground vehicles
The committee is aware that the Army is developing new
ground combat vehicles that can be operated remotely or
unmanned. At the same time, potential adversaries continue to
develop capabilities that may compromise control of these
remotely operated systems, as well as other components of the
Army's communications networks.
The committee notes the Army is researching technologies
that will protect and harden communication networks in
contested environments, but is concerned about the integration
of these systems relative to the maturity of remotely-piloted
vehicles like the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle and the
Robotic Combat Vehicle.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
by September 30, 2019, on the Army's efforts to develop
technologies that will protect control of remotely-piloted or
unmanned vehicles, as well as other communications
technologies, while operating in contested environments.
Carbon fiber wheels and graphitic foam for Army vehicles
The committee notes the evolution of the Army's testing and
evaluation of Lightweight Metal Matrix Composite Technology as
outlined in the report by the Assistant Secretary of the Army
for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology submitted to the
congressional defense committees in accordance with the
committee report accompanying the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (S. Rept. 115-
262). The Army's report makes clear that its interest with
respect to new materials for lightweight wheels and associated
brake systems has transitioned to a more viable dual-use carbon
fiber and graphite byproduct suitable for brake pads and liners
throughout the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet.
The committee encourages the Army to continue to develop,
prototype, and test affordable mesophase pitch carbon fiber and
graphitic carbon foam components for the Next Generation Combat
Vehicle and the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet to confirm their
potential to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel consumption
and payload capacity over standard aluminum and steel designs.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to provide
a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than November 29, 2019, on the progress of the Army's
development and testing efforts related to mesophase pitch
carbon fiber and graphitic carbon foam vehicle components.
Composite warhead technology
The committee is aware of the Army's effort to facilitate
rapid prototyping and demonstrations of composite ordinance
packages consisting of composite warheads with multiple lethal
effects payloads. The committee supports the Army's research
and development efforts that study how composite and carbon-
fiber warhead technologies are applicable to new hypersonic
strike missiles. The committee encourages the Army to continue
to explore the durability and weight benefits that composite
warhead technology provides, thereby extending the range of the
Army's long range precision fires.
Defense Innovation and the Automotive Industry
The committee commends universities and industry for their
work in maturing technologies and producing materiel solutions
to ensure our military maintains its technological edge. The
commercial market driving the development of technologies is
dynamic, and our military benefits greatly from the innovations
that come from partnerships with small businesses and
universities. As there are many lessons to be learned from
independent research and the commercial market like the
automotive industry, Science and Technology Reinvention
Laboratories (STRLs) carry out a significant portion of basic
and developmental research in collaboration with academia and
the private sector. Government-funded research efforts to
address military threats are critical to reducing technology
development risk. If successful, they can attract private
sector partners that lead to manufacturing and
commercialization or production of defense systems. The
committee encourages the Department to work with industry, and
in particular the automotive industry, to establish public/
public and public/private (P4) Innovation Centers focused on
the defense and automotive industries. The Innovation Centers
could also serve as ``learning labs'' for Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM) based programs. The committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering and the Secretary of the Army, with support from
the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, by March 31, 2020
to provide a briefing to the armed services committees on how
the Department is working with the automotive industry to
identify innovative technologies and learn lessons applicable
to the development and production of defense systems. The
briefing should include discussion of any plans to establish
Innovation Centers as described above, including in or around
the Detroit Arsenal or the Ground Vehicle Support Center in
Warren, MI.
Expeditionary Maneuver Support Technologies
The committee supports the development of Expeditionary
Maneuver Support Technologies (EMST) for the next generation of
command posts and supporting technologies, allowing combatant
commanders to meet their increased operational requirements.
This is necessary research for concealment, camouflage,
deception, shielding, secure communications and other non-
logistics based technologies above the individual soldier
level, in order to support large scale maneuver operations. The
committee encourages the Department to continue the development
of advanced intelligent materials will be used as the
pathfinder component for production of these new EMST systems,
provide a logistical cost savings to the Department of Defense,
and enhanced protection for the units in the field.
Expeditionary mobile base camp technology
The committee understands that the Army has a need for
rapidly deployable expeditionary structures that offer
protection from battlefield threats. The committee therefore
recommends that the Department of Defense examine:
(1) next-generation rapidly deployable shelter systems
which utilize thermoplastics-based design concepts;
(2) the feasibility of 3-D printing shelter components
using small and large scale printing technologies and bio-
filled materials; and
(3) applications for expeditionary smart materials
including photovoltaics, smart textile materials, and
thermoplastic multifilament and monofilament yarns.
Foamable celluloid material
The committee is aware that the Army has made investments
and achieved progress in developing modern ammunition material
and manufacturing technologies that have the potential to
improve ammunition performance and reduce life-cycle costs.
Given this progress, the committee encourages the Army to
rapidly transition technologies when ready from development to
production for operational use availability. For example, the
committee understands there could be substantial performance
improvement and cost savings derived from advanced technologies
such as foamable celluloid combustible propellant cases for
tank, artillery, and mortar ammunition. The committee,
therefore, encourages the Army to complete the development and
qualification of this new capability in order to make a timely
production and fielding decision. Further, the committee
directs the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition,
Logistics, and Technology to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than August 15, 2019, on
plans for the continued development and potential for
production and fielding of new ammunition technology, such as
foamable celluloid combustible propellant cases, for tanks,
artillery, and mortars.
Future Vertical Lift
The budget request included $459.0 million in PE 63801A for
Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platform research and development.
Of this amount, $427.0 million was requested for development of
the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), a new scout
helicopter, while $30.2 million was requested for the Future
Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the planned replacement
for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Future Vertical Lift (FVL) is the Army's initiative to
develop and field next-generation rotary wing aviation
technologies and platforms through rapid prototyping and
streamlined acquisition processes. The committee supports FVL's
near-term goals and objectives of developing modern
capabilities to replace the OH-58 Kiowa scout reconnaissance
helicopter and the UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter.
The committee understands the Army awarded five Other
Transaction Authority contracts in April 2019 for FARA
prototypes and intends to down-select to two competitors in
March 2020. However, the Army failed to include funds to bridge
the gap between the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstration
(JMR-TD) for transformational vertical lift capabilities and
the planned start of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.
Instead, the Army included $75.0 million in its unfunded
priority list to accelerate FLRAA through an extension of the
JMR-TD program. The committee believes additional details are
required in order to make an informed evaluation of the Army's
near and long term objectives for the Army aviation enterprise.
The committee expects the aviation modernization strategy
required elsewhere in this Act to help clarify these questions.
Heavy Equipment Transporter System trailer development
The committee encourages the Army to continue development
and procurement of a Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) trailer
solution for current and future combat vehicles. The committee
notes that the Army's current trailer is rated for 70 tons, but
modernized M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks will weigh in excess
of 80 tons. Given the gross vehicle weight limitations on
current trailer systems, the committee is concerned that these
trailers cannot transport the most modern version of the Abrams
tank. The committee believes the Army requires a new, more
capable trailer and therefore encourages the Army immediately
to begin to plan, program, and fund the accelerated
modification of fielded HET trailers. The committee directs the
Secretary of the Army to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by November 1, 2019, that details
courses of action to accelerate needed modernization of current
HET trailers.
HEROES program
The budget request contained $115.2 million in PE 62143A
for Soldier Lethality Technology.
The committee is aware of the work being done by the U.S.
Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier
Center in improving the protection, survivability, mobility,
and combat effectiveness of the Army. The committee is also
aware that the Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to
Empower Soldiers (HEROES) program is an ongoing joint research
and development initiative involving both academia and industry
that accelerates research and innovation through integration of
intellectual assets and research facilities. The committee
believes programs like HEROES provide benefit to research in
areas of advanced ballistic polymers for body armor, fibers to
make uniforms more fire resistant, and lightweight structures
for advanced shelters that provide tangible benefits to the
warfighter. To ensure the Army remains at the cutting edge of
technology in these critical areas, the committee recommends an
increase of $5.0 million in PE 62143A for the HEROES program.
High performance advanced polymers
The committee is aware of Army work being done to improve
the protection, survivability, mobility, and combat
effectiveness of its vehicles, specifically in extreme
temperatures. The committee is also aware of the efforts to
develop advanced polymers for ground vehicles including the
Stryker, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, and the medium tactical
vehicles. The committee believes additional research in
advanced ballistic polymers that improves upon current resin
systems to: maintain ballistic performance in hot and humid
environments; keep fibers in uniforms more fire resistant; and
create lightweight structures for advanced shelters all
provides tangible benefits to the warfighter. Therefore, the
committee encourages the Army to continue its support of such
programs.
Humanitarian de-mining research and development
The budget request contained $10.8 million in PE 63920D8Z
for humanitarian de-mining research and development.
The committee supports the humanitarian de-mining research
and development program overseen by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs. This program
develops and tests systems to detect and clear landmines,
unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosives devices. The
committee understands this research and development improves
technology used by the military, informs military equipment
procurement decisions, and supports stabilization and
humanitarian projects funded by the Department of State while
also fostering a collaborative relationship with host nation
governments. The committee is aware of the value of this
program.
Therefore, the committee recommends $15.8 million, an
increase of $5.0 million, in PE 63920D8Z for humanitarian de-
mining research and development.
Improved Turbine Engine Program
The budget request included $206.4 million in PE 67139A for
the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP)
The committee continues to support development of the
Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program. ITEP was initiated as a
competitive development and acquisition program to provide a
more fuel efficient and powerful helicopter engine enhancing
the performance and operational readiness of the Army's UH-60
Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache fleets. The committee has supported
significant Army investments into competitive technology
development programs for turbine engines over the past decade
and is encouraged by the significant progress the Army has made
in maturing technologies that would lower ITEP programmatic
risks. The committee also notes that ITEP will benefit the
Army's future vertical lift development efforts, in particular,
the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program.
The committee understands that the engineering and
manufacturing development phase of ITEP is fully funded through
fiscal year 2024 and that maintaining schedule to meet both the
current and future platform integration timelines is crucial to
the Army's aviation modernization enterprise. The committee
expects the Army to maintain the current ITEP schedule as any
delays will affect the planned delivery of new capability and
Army aviation future readiness.
The committee recommends $206.4 million, the full amount
requested, in PE 67139A for ITEP.
Improvement of combat helmet suspension systems
The budget request contained $118.5 million in PE 63118A
for Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology, including $14.8
million for body armor and integrated head borne advanced
technology projects.
The committee supports continued efforts to improve the
performance of personal protective capabilities to increase
warfighter performance and safety. The committee understands
that recent technology development in helmet pad suspension
systems, like microlattice technology, may result in next-
generation helmet suspension systems capable of absorbing
impacts more effectively while maintaining user comfort and
sustaining performance requirements.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 63118A for body armor and integrated head borne
advanced technology projects to improve helmet suspension pad
systems using microlattice technology.
Instrumentable Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
The committee is aware of the important role that the
Instrumentable Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System has
in training Army and Marine Corps elements on force-on-force
training at the National Training Center and other training
centers worldwide. The committee is also aware of the
criticality of this training to force readiness levels,
particularly as the military services pivot towards peer
adversaries. The committee supports the Army's efforts to
develop innovative technologies, such as the Synthetic Training
Environment program, and is interested in the Army's plan to
continue to improve the Instrumentable Multiple Integrated
Laser Engagement System through the relevancy program and serve
as a bridge to future virtual training solutions. Therefore,
the committee encourages the Army to continue to support the
Instrumentable Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Relevancy
Program as a cost-effective and capable bridge to future
virtual training solutions.
Modeling and Simulation for Ground Vehicle Development
The committee notes that modeling and simulation (M&S) has
demonstrated its utility as a tool for vehicle technology
development by providing program managers with necessary
information related to reliability and performance challenges
in advance of making significant investment decisions for
future development. The committee also notes that M&S is
particularly relevant in the development of unmanned vehicle
systems that could use artificial intelligence. As the Army
continues to modernize its ground combat and tactical vehicle
systems, the committee encourages maximization of M&S to
realize potential savings in experimentation and prototyping,
predict and control program costs and, where possible,
accelerate the speed of development and fielding of new ground
vehicle capabilities. Therefore, the committee directs the
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and
Technology to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services no later than December 1, 2019 on how M&S is
being incorporated into the development of next generation
combat vehicles to include the Optionally-Manned Fighting
Vehicle and Robotic Combat Vehicle programs, as well as
identify any barriers and challenges that may exist regarding
the full utilization of M&S for ground combat and tactical
vehicle development.
Modern mobile sheltering systems
The committee encourages the Department of the Army to
explore the utilization of modern sheltering systems.
Investment in rapidly deployable, hard-walled systems with
integrated technologies and the use of modern and modular
materials could advance the development of a modernized shelter
that meets current and future operational requirements.
Additionally, investment in new technologies for sheltering
systems that are agile, durable, modular, customizable, and
scalable could create new opportunities for shelter systems
suitable not only for multi-domain combat operations, but also
easily adaptable for use in disaster response and humanitarian
relief operations.
Multi-mission Medium Range Railgun Weapon System and Integrated Power
and Thermal Management System
The committee recognizes progress made by the Army to
mature the multi-mission medium range railgun weapon system
(MMRRWS) and the Integrated Power and Thermal Management System
(IPTMS). The committee understands that MMRRWS, if successful,
would support integrated air missile defense, mobile short-
range air defense, and indirect and direct fires applications.
This capability would launch a guided projectile significantly
farther and with more lethality than traditional systems, and
will address critical gaps in U.S. air defense against growing
threats from peer and near-peer competitors. The committee
further understands IPTMS was developed specifically to support
the Army's Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD)
requirement. Adopting IPTMS could potentially accelerate
development of a directed energy capable M-SHORAD capability as
early as 2021. The committee encourages the Army to continue to
leverage internal investments in developing MMRRWS and IPTMS in
order to fully evaluate the potential of railgun technology on
mobile platforms.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 1, 2020, on the current capability of
MMRRWS and IPTMS, ongoing development and technology maturation
of these systems, the results of any technology demonstrations
of these capabilities, and the integration of MMRWS and IPTMS
and their components with existing or planned M-SHORAD systems.
Multi-spectral thermal mitigation technologies
The budget request contained $118.5 million in PE 63118A
for soldier lethality advanced technologies.
The committee is aware that the military services have
established baseline standards for flame resistant uniforms
that provide near-infrared thermal sensor protection for
service members who are deployed in hostile areas. The
committee understands that recent technical developments in
sensor technologies and sensor mitigation are advancing at a
pace well ahead of the current research, development, and
procurement efforts. As a result, long-range detection and
identification of our service members from hostile near-peer as
well non-state actors is an emerging force protection threat.
As such, the committee encourages the military services to
explore multi-spectral sensor mitigation technologies, and to
incorporate them into current and future uniform requirements
and testing in use by the armed services.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
in coordination with the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air
Force, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by March 1, 2020, on the infra-red protection of
current uniform standards against emerging sensor technologies,
including an analysis of the feasibility, availability, and
cost of material solutions that could mitigate these emerging
thermal sensor technologies.
Further, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 63118A for soldier lethality advanced
technologies.
National Academies review of technologies related to Army Strategic
Long-Range Cannon
The committee notes that modernization of long-range
precision fires is the Army's highest priority for meeting the
requirements of the National Defense Strategy and the
operational challenges associated with peer and near-peer
potential adversaries. One of the technologies the Army is
pursuing is a Strategic Long-Range Cannon capable of firing a
projectile at hypersonic speed up to 1,000 miles. The committee
is interested to learn more about this imaginative concept and
the technical challenges associated with development of such a
capability especially with respect to propellant, projectiles,
and cannon. Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of
the Army to enter into an arrangement with the Board on Army
Research and Development of the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study that identifies
and evaluates the technology approaches, policies, and concepts
of operations of the Strategic Long-Range Cannon (SLRC)
program. The study shall include:
(1) an identification and evaluation of attributes of
potential peer or near-peer adversaries operating environments
and concepts that would enhance or reduce the effectiveness of
SLRC;
(2) an identification and evaluation of limitations and
vulnerabilities of current ground-based capabilities for long-
range fires as well as existing and proposed countermeasures;
(3) an identification and evaluation of key and essential
technologies needed to achieve documented goals and
capabilities of SLRC along with associated technologies
required to support manufacturability and sustainability; and
(4) provide a technology maturation roadmap, including an
estimated funding profile over time, needed to achieve an
effective operational SLRC that describes both the critical and
associated supporting technologies, systems integration,
prototyping and experimentation, and test and evaluation.
The Secretary shall submit the study to the congressional
defense committees not later than August 31, 2020. The study
submitted shall be classified at levels appropriate to and
sufficient for access to data necessary for a comprehensive
review of the subject and related technologies but must include
an unclassified summary of findings and recommendations. The
Secretary may submit comments, if any, to accompany the study's
classified or unclassified findings and recommendations.
Real time transmission of weapons usage data
The committee recognizes the importance of the Next
Generation Squad Weapon program and notes the potential of new
technology involving smart weapons capable of real time
transmission of weapons usage data. The committee directs the
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
November 1, 2019 on the utility of real time transmission of
squad level weapons usage data for training and combat
operations, logistics, and maintenance, to include potential or
existing technology.
Women in Army science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers
The committee is aware of the important role the Picatinny
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Education Office has in providing assistance to schools,
support for students and leadership in developing activities to
insure preparedness through education. As part of a continuing
effort to encourage young women to pursue technical careers, in
2019 Picatinny Arsenal hosted its sixth year of ``Introduce a
Girl to Engineering,'' which attracted 100 students from 28
schools. Women comprise only 16 percent of the scientists and
engineering workforce of the Combat Capabilities Development
Command. Therefore, the committee encourages the Army to
continue efforts to promote STEM education at Army labs and
urges the Secretary of the Army to further utilize the
Manufacturing Engineering Education program to promote women in
STEM Army careers with awards under the selection criteria
provided by section 2196 (g)8 of title 10, United States Code.
The committee encourages the Secretary to use the
Department of Defense's Science, Mathematics, and Research for
Transformation Program to further encourage women to enter the
Army's science and engineering workforce.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy
Items of Special Interest
Academic partnerships for undersea vehicle research
The budget request contained $57.1 million in PE 62747N for
undersea warfare applied research. The committee encourages the
Department of the Navy to focus investments in research
projects that are relevant to specific engineering and
manufacturing needs, as well as defined systems capabilities.
The committee also supports partnerships with industry and
academia that are focused on well-defined short- and long-term
submarine and autonomous undersea vehicle research needs,
accelerated technology transition, and strong workforce
development to develop a healthy industrial base with capacity
needed to develop and build the Navy's next generation of
advanced nuclear submarines and other undersea vehicles and
systems. Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of
$10.0 million in PE 62747N for innovative research and
manufacturing partnerships between academia and industry.
Advanced Manufacturing of Critical Scale Materials
To ensure the next generation of submarines incorporates
the most cutting edge technologies, the Navy must advance the
qualification and certification of Advanced Manufacturing (AM)
processes, materials, and components to allow the Navy to
integrate AM capabilities into current and future systems and
platforms. The committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
report to the committee by December 1, 2019 on what efforts are
underway to integrate AM. Further, as part of this report, the
committee directs the Navy to include specific information
about the testing and qualification of processes, materials,
and components required to meet Columbia Class requirements and
milestones.
Advanced precision materials research
The committee is aware that research conducted under this
program is developing critical components and combining
multiple classes of materials for innovative and pioneering use
cases, including the use of metal powders and substrates for
military specifications. As a result, advanced hybrid materials
and novel manufacturing methods, including wire-arc
manufacturing and lightweight materials are being developed for
critical programs including the Navy's Cross Platform System
Development Program.
Advanced radar research
The committee notes there have been major advances in the
field of radar development with respect to phased array radar
technology in a digital design. The development of this
technology is a critical enabler for the Navy in the
development of tools to increase target detection as well as
improve electronic warfare and adaptive sensing capabilities.
The committee directs the Chief of Naval Research to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
April 30, 2020, on its support of partnerships with laboratory-
based antenna test facilities that help the Navy understand,
characterize, and calibrate advanced all-digital radars that
are under development.
Autonomous vehicle collaboration across maritime domains
The budget request contained $119.5 million in PE 62123N
for applied research into autonomous vehicle collaboration
across maritime domains.
The committee supports the Navy's investment in unmanned
systems, such as autonomous underwater and surface vehicles.
While autonomous systems are part of a strategy to maintain
military technological advantage, there are lingering gaps in
the performance of maritime autonomous vehicles intended to
serve key Navy missions.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $10.0
million in PE 62123N for applied research into autonomous
vehicle collaboration across maritime domains, particularly for
rapid prototyping and experimentation enabling coordination
between unmanned underwater and surface vehicles.
Critical bandwidth gaps for Navy deployments
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense
requires the capability to utilize in real time the massive
amount of data compiled from technically advanced weapons
systems. Current limitations in bandwidth and geographically
challenging environments hinder the Department's ability to
securely share in real time large volumes of data between
warfighting units at the network's edge and command-and-control
facilities. Nowhere is this problem more acute than for naval
ships operating at sea. To address one specific gap, the Navy
has established the Maritime Dynamic Over the Horizon Targeting
System (MDOTS). MDOTS will utilize advanced commercially
integrated technologies to generate a secure high-bandwidth
network for a new over-the-horizon weapons system. The Navy has
plans to test this system in 2019 and the committee is aware
that other programs in the Department could also benefit from
this capability.
One other example of a critical gap is in operational
support to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 generates
massive amounts of data that must be shared in real-time with
the pilot and command-and-control facilities to maximize
effectiveness, intelligence, and readiness. The Navy's
communications infrastructure currently lacks the high-
bandwidth capabilities to enable the sharing of this volume of
data.
Therefore, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition to explore
the potential for using the MDOTS for a pilot project to
establish a high-bandwidth networking capability to support
Dynamic Over the Horizon Targeting at sea and on land. In
addition, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary to
review the Navy's existing networking capabilities, and
identify critical gaps in support for deployments across the
Navy and Marine Corps portfolio of programs. The committee
further directs the Assistant Secretary to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2020, that
identifies priority gaps to be addressed.
Defense University Research Initiatives
The budget request contained $116.8 million in PE 601103N
for University Research Initiatives.
Through a competitive grant process managed by the Office
of Naval Research, the Defense University Research
Instrumentation Program (DURIP) funds the purchase and
development of research equipment and infrastructure by
academic institutions necessary for high-quality Navy relevant
science. This instrumentation plays a vital role in allowing
defense-critical research projects to acquire needed technical
resources specifically engineered to meet their requirements
and is critical in accelerating the development of operational
capabilities for the warfighter. The technologies developed and
acquired through the DURIP process ensure that the next
generation of scientists and engineers are trained with
cutting-edge capabilities for the military National Security
Innovation Base workforce.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 601103N to support the Navy's cutting-edge DURIP
research.
Energy resilience
The budget request contained $119.5 million in PE 62123N
for Force Protection Applied Research.
The committee recognizes the need for additional research
to assist the Navy in its efforts to create a more robust
energy infrastructure. To achieve military energy resiliency,
these challenges can be best met by leveraging experienced
energy university researchers working in concert with industry
partners and the Navy. Specific areas of interest include:
addressing electrical power intermittency, integrating
renewable energy sources into the grid, energy storage,
improved micro-grids, grid security, local generation of zero-
carbon fuels, and the inspection and structural health
monitoring of critical energy infrastructure.
The committee recommends an increase of $5.0 million in PE
62123N for energy resilience applied research.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli research
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the most
prevalent pathogens responsible for diarrheal disease. Among
U.S. warfighters deployed in the Middle East, ETEC has been the
leading pathogen contributing to bacterial diarrhea. The Naval
Medical Research Center (NMRC) Infectious Diseases Directorate
(IDD) has established an Enteric Diseases Department to develop
effective countermeasures to prevent or abate bacterial
diarrhea. Infectious diarrhea historically has been a
substantial cause of morbidity for deployed U.S. warfighters
and continues to impact those currently serving overseas in the
global war on terror. Similar pathogens also are responsible
for travelers' diarrhea in civilian populations and endemic
diarrheal diseases in young children in resource limited
regions around the world. According to NMRC, acute infections
often resolve on their own in 3 to 5 days but half of the
service members infected report a decrease in job performance
and 1-in-10 will go on to develop post-infectious irritable
bowel syndrome. The Navy, Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency and academia have been working together to develop a
platform for the delivery of immune molecules, mostly
antibodies, which are safe and effective in rapidly
establishing immune protection from ETEC diarrhea.
The committee supports continued preclinical studies needed
to facilitate an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission, to
include:
(1) process Development (formulation, stability) and
Quality (assay development) studies;
(2) manufacture of preclinical materials sufficient for all
IND-enabling pharmacology, toxicology and efficacy tests;
(3) IND-enabling safety studies including pharmacology and
toxicology;
(4) IND-enabling animal efficacy studies to determine
optimum dose and robustness of response; and
(5) development of protocols in preparation of First-in-
Human studies.
Hearing loss and prevention treatment
The budget request contained $63.8 million in PE 62236N for
Warfighter Sustainment Applied Research, which includes funding
to address noise induced hearing loss. The committee recognizes
members of the Armed Forces often experience hearing loss at
higher rates and that tinnitus is one of the most prominent
disabilities amongst veterans. Therefore, the committee
recommends $63.8 million, the amount requested, in PE 62236N
for Warfighter Sustainment Applied Research and urges the
Department of the Navy to develop hearing loss drug therapies
and related clinical applications.
High Energy Laser system integration
The committee is encouraged by the Navy's rapid
demonstration of Laser Weapon Systems (LaWSs) on surface ships.
In a short period of time, the Navy has deployed the 30
kilowatts (kW) LaWS on the USS Ponce (Afloat Forward Staging
Base (Interim)-15) followed by the 150 kW Laser Weapon System
Demonstrator (LWSD) on the USS Portland (Landing Platform/Dock-
27) in 2019. The improvements in power and beam quality make
this a near 100 fold improvement in lethality. The committee is
also encouraged by the 60 kW HELIOS program for integration on
Destroyer Designated Guided ships by 2020. However, there
appears to be more opportunity to integrate High Energy Laser
(HEL) systems on large capital ships including aircraft
carrier, fixed wing, nuclear powered (CVNs) and large
amphibious ships to increase defensive capability and lethality
of our expeditionary forces as evidenced by the deployment of
LWSD on the USS Portland. The committee directs the Secretary
of the Navy to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees not later than April 1, 2020, describing a path
forward for integration of HEL Systems 150-300 kW on large
capital warships, including CVNs and large amphibious ships.
Navigation channel clearance for nuclear powered ballistic missile
submarines
The committee recognizes that 70 percent of the United
States nuclear deterrent is committed to ballistic missile
submarines (SSBNs) concentrated at just two Navy bases in
Bangor, Washington, and Kings Bay, Georgia. Each time an SSBN
departs or returns to its respective home port, it must travel
through shallow, restricted waterways that are open to
commercial and private traffic. The committee is aware that
U.S. Strategic Command has a requirement to survey these
waterways in order to monitor for threats and obstructions
which could damage transiting submarines and is interested in
steps being taken by the Navy to meet this requirement to
protect critical strategic assets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy
to submit a report to the congressional defense committees by
October 1, 2019, on measures instituted to ensure the safety
and security of ballistic missile nuclear submarines operating
in the approaches to Navy bases in Bangor, Washington, and
Kings Bay, Georgia. The report should include:
(1) security measures mandated by the Department of Defense
related to the operation of ballistic missile submarines
entering and leaving the ports of Bangor, Washington, and Kings
Bay, Georgia;
(2) current operational posture and capabilities employed
to meet the mandated security requirements and any requirements
not currently met; and
(3) specific measures to ensure the navigation channels for
these ports are free of obstructions and other threats to
transiting ballistic missile submarines.
Office of Naval Research Manufacturing Technology Program
The budget request contained $60.1 million in PE 63680N for
the Navy's Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program.
The Office of Naval Research's (ONR) ManTech program
supports the productivity and responsiveness of the U.S.
Defense Industrial Base by funding development, optimization,
and transition of enabling manufacturing technologies to key
naval suppliers. Submarine and undersea vehicle industries are
a key part of this industrial base. The contribution of
subsurface vehicles to continued undersea dominance are
measured in decades of service life and are based on the
creation and implementation of near- and long-term
technological advances. However, global access to technology,
accelerated rate of technology development, and implementation
and budget constraints threaten to undermine our dominance in
this crucial area.
ManTech fosters partnerships between academia, industry,
and government research and development communities in support
of undersea vehicles and technologies, with the goal of
creating and rapidly transitioning innovative technologies and
specially trained personnel to enable continued U.S. dominance
in undersea warfare and weapon systems.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $20.0
million in PE 63680N for ONR's ManTech program to enhance joint
private and academic partnerships and performance and reduce
costs of the shipbuilding process while ensuring that advanced
technologies are incorporated into the next-generation of
undersea vehicles.
Warfighter safety and performance
The budget request contained $63.8 million in PE 62236N for
Warfighting Sustainment Applied Research.
The committee is aware that this program funds critical
technology efforts to improve warfighter safety and enhance
individual performance under adverse conditions. The program
also funds ongoing research efforts to prevent occupational
injury in hazardous, deployed environments, including studies
on decompression sickness, oxygen toxicity, optimization of
diver performance, and assessment of the impact of thermal
stress on operational performance. The committee encourages the
Navy to continue studies and research into new technologies
that improve care for sailors in extreme environments and
mitigate the effects of undersea stresses on human safety,
performance, and resilience.
Therefore, the committee recommends $68.8 million, an
increase of $5.0 million, in PE 62236N for warfighter safety
and performance.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force
Items of Special Interest
Advanced composites for large structures
The committee is aware of the current constraints on large-
scale space and hypersonic vehicle fabrication, material
process equipment, and composites. The committee is also aware
of the demand for new epoxy resins and composite materials that
can expand the process envelope for aerospace composite
structures and operate in extreme temperatures, including space
environments. Developing advanced, on-demand composite fabrics
can reduce material waste, shorten production lead times, and
provide additional manufacturing flexibility for large vehicle
sections. The committee believes additional research is needed
on epoxy and composite fabric formulas and equipment to
understand the material properties and effects to meet space
and hypersonic vehicle system requirements.
Aerospace Career Training Expansion Report
The committee recognizes the important role depots provide
in achieving the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win in
air, space and cyberspace, and believes in the value of
ensuring that the depot feeder communities have strong science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational and
workforce development opportunities. Critical investments in
workforce are necessary to be better prepared to meet the
future needs of the aerospace and defense industry sector.
Diverse aerospace training programs and stackable credentials
can also provide a clear sequenced pathway to ensure success
and goal-oriented outcomes.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, with support from the
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics, to provide a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than February 28,
2020 on the Department's innovation, acquisition, and STEM
programs that could be extended to the communities supporting
Air Force depots. The report should include, but not be limited
to, programs such as: Hacking4Defense within the National
Security Innovation Network; the program on enhancement of
preparation of dependents of members of armed forces for
careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as
laid out in Chapter 111 of title 10 United States Code; small
business programs such as Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) as defined
under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638);
university research programs; public/public and public/private
programs under the authority of the Air Force Research
Laboratory; and Defense Acquisition University virtual or
regional campuses.
Aerospace Composites Manufacturing
The budget request contained $43.1 million in PE 63680F for
the Manufacturing Technology Program, including funds to
initiate the program on Transforming Aerospace Composites
Manufacturing.
Transforming Aerospace Composites Manufacturing enables key
cost reductions, low cost tooling, and agile rapid response
requirements identified as a critical need for new unmanned
aerial systems and other future vehicles without sacrificing
high performance requirements. The committee believes this
investment is critical for maintaining the United States'
technological edge by allowing for rapid innovation and reduced
lead time as well as reduced procurement cost of these high
performance systems.
Therefore, the committee recommends $53.1 million, an
increase of $10.0 million, in PE 63680F for cost reduction for
aerospace composite structures.
Briefing on Surface to Air Electronic Warfare Threats
The committee recognizes that advanced enemy threat systems
continue to evolve and modernize and as a result could be
immune to current U.S. defensive systems, including Air Force
electronic warfare (EW) jamming systems. The committee further
recognizes that existing radar guided surface-to-air systems
can detect and identify legacy jamming signals, which could
significantly increase U.S. military aircraft vulnerabilities
for deployed military air crews. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct an
advisability and feasibility analysis of developing open
standards compliant advanced threat system exploitation
techniques that could rapidly defeat advanced threat systems
within an open system framework. The committee believes this
technology could provide increased protection to U.S. military
aircraft, resulting in increased mission effectiveness and air
crew survivability. The committee further directs the Secretary
of the Air Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee
on Armed Services by February 1, 2020 on the results of this
analysis, as well as update the committee on current actions
being taken to improve current EW jamming systems.
Digital twinning
The committee notes that ``digital twin'' technology has
the ability to combine numerous technologies within a weapon
system, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, to create a
full-scale digital replica of the original weapon system. This
digital replica could assist the Department of Defense in
conducting predictive analyses to determine and more fully
comprehend performance, reliability, and maintenance
requirements before issues impact a weapon system's performance
during development and manufacturing, or after the system is
fielded.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2020, that explains how the F-35
program is implementing the use of digital twinning technology
across the F-35 system enterprise.
Distributed Common Ground System and 10 U.S.C. 2377
The committee notes the significant progress that the Army
has made in deploying the distributed common ground system of
the Army. The transition to ``Capability Drops''' and the
increased use of readily available technology integration have
improved program outcomes and accelerated deployment timelines.
The committee encourages the other military services and
agencies of the Department of Defense to review the Army's
approach to determine whether that approach would improve
outcomes for their own distributed common ground system
programs. In particular, the committee urges program managers
for the other distributed common ground system programs to
learn more about the Army's approach to the requirements of 10
U.S.C. 2377 and directs the Secretary of the Air Force to brief
the committee on the acquisition strategy for the distributed
common ground system of the Air Force, with particular
attention to the process used to determine whether commercial
technologies can meet requirements pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2377,
not later than September 30, 2019.
Educational partnership agreements for aerospace propulsion
The budget request contained $198.8 million in PE 62203F
for aerospace propulsion research and development.
The committee recognizes that confronting emerging threats
to vital U.S. assets in space is critical to the national
security of the United States. The committee further
understands the U.S. Air Force is pursuing advanced science and
technology research to maintain secure operations to and in
space and that effort will require additional rocket and space
focused engineers over the next decade.
The committee commends the Air Force for its ongoing effort
to accelerate its strategic capabilities in space operations
through next generation access to space and maneuverability
through the use of Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
(10 U.S.C. 2194). The committee supports the use of EPAs, which
are a vital resource that provides authorized funding directed
to academic institutions to stimulate growth in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics education. EPAs play a
critical role in encouraging and enhancing study in scientific
disciplines at all levels of education and in generating future
generations of scientists and engineers within the United
States.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $10.0
million in PE 62203F to accelerate Educational Partnership
Agreements that advance the mission of the Air Force Research
Laboratory to pioneer transformative aerospace technologies and
accelerate its long-term strategic objectives in key areas such
as energy security, energy optimization, reusability,
maneuverability, and multi-mission mobility.
Kessel Run Commercial Outreach
The committee notes the Air Force's continued use of agile
development methods in the Kessel Run program. The committee
encourages continued commercial outreach and commercial market
research by the Kessel Run program in order to ensure that
innovative commercial solutions are available to meet Air Force
needs, while focusing on national security-unique challenges
with in-house development teams.
The committee directs the Air Force to provide a briefing
on Kessel Run plans not later than September 1, 2019. Such a
briefing should include:
(1) an update on current priorities for Kessel Run;
(2) measures to ensure compliance with section 2377 of
title 10, United States code, section 855 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Pub. L. 114-92,
129 Stat. 919), and other attempts to ensure the use of
innovative commercial technologies;
(3) plans to transition Kessel Run technologies into
established programs of record.
Light attack and armed reconnaissance experimentation
The budget request contained $35.0 million in PE27100F for
continuation of Light-Attack Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR)
experimentation.
The committee notes that the Air Force plans to apply
$100.0 million in fiscal year 2018 appropriated funding, and
plans to request reprogramming authority to realign $25.0
million in fiscal year 2019 appropriated funding, to purchase
six test article LAAR platforms (three AT-6 and three A-29
aircraft) to continue Phase 3 experimentation activities.
The committee notes that the Air Force is not ready to make
a decision on a potential procurement for LAAR without
completing additional analyses on all potential solutions in
order to find a solution that fits tactical, operational, and
strategic requirements for a wide variety of allies and
partners. The Air Force determined after the conclusion of
Phase 2 experimentation that the results gained thus far have
not provided enough information, nor has the LAAR experiment
strategy explored other platforms that could fill lesser
contingency and international partner mission requirements. The
committee further notes that the Air Force believes continued
experimentation during Phase 3 will allow for additional
consideration of current and emerging unmanned, rotorcraft, and
turbojet technologies to assess cost-effectiveness and
capability sufficiency to ensure that a future LAAR platform or
platforms will maximize meeting a diverse set of mission
requirements and capability gaps.
The committee appreciates the deliberate and methodical
approach the Secretary of the Air Force is taking through
experimentation and data analysis to fully inform a future
procurement decision for LAAR capabilities and this new mission
area. However, prior to entering Phase 3 experimentation
activities, the committee expects the Secretary to establish
and document the Phase 3 experimentation strategy, design,
goals, objectives, and metrics. The committee also expects the
Secretary to consult with the Commander, Special Operations
Command to assess how both general purpose forces and special
operations forces can leverage experimentation activities. The
committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than September 1, 2019, on the scope and plans for Phase 3
experimentation.
Low-cost attritable aircraft technology
The committee supports the intent of the Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics to accelerate the Air Force Research Laboratory's
Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) program for
collaborative pairing with manned platforms, potentially
including the 35. The committee views the combined application
of commercial technology, autonomy, and artificial intelligence
as imperative for solving current military challenges. Teams of
low-cost collaborative systems provide new mechanisms to ensure
survivability and mission success without leveraging exquisite
technology and the associated high cost and long development
timelines.
Integration and technology demonstrations reduce the risk
and time required to transition technologies into operational
systems. Accordingly, further prototyping and technology
enhancements are necessary to transition the LCAAT demonstrator
aircraft system into a fully operational capability. Continued
testing and the development and integration of technology is
required to provide a runway takeoff capability; airborne
weapons deployment capability (in support of manned platforms);
human machine interface enhancements; development and
integration of a secure Common Data Link-based network system;
and development of operation and maintenance systems,
processes, and tests to operationalize the evolving Manned-
Unmanned Teaming capability.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Assistant Secretary
of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than April 1, 2020, on the Air Force's efforts for the
design, test, and integration of these air vehicles.
Major test range and facility enhancements
The budget request contained $717.9 million in PE 65807F
for Department of the Air Force test and evaluation support.
The committee notes that this amount is $25.1 million, or
approximately 3 percent, higher than the budget for fiscal year
2019.
In the committee report accompanying the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (H. Rept. 115-200), the
committee reported on a briefing it received on a comprehensive
assessment of Major Range and Test Facility Base needs and
investments to meet the testing required for advanced
generation aircraft and air armaments, including offensive
hypersonic weapons, autonomous systems, and advanced sub-
surface systems. The committee noted that among its findings
were that advanced generation aircraft and weapons introduce
test and evaluation profile and data gathering gaps, and that
greater research and development, operations and support
investments are required to fill those gaps. The committee is
further concerned that with a growing volume of test and
training requirements, more instrumentation throughout test
ranges, especially open-water test ranges, that support testing
activities is required for efficient use of air, surface, and
subsurface test areas to reduce the competition for range space
between operational readiness priorities and fielding new
system capabilities. The committee assesses that technologies
such as Telemetry Extension Satellite Communications Relay
projects could assist range safety, testing and evaluation
personnel executing over water missions supporting test events
of long-range weapons, aircraft, and sea-surface platforms. The
committee notes these technologies focus on prototype
integration and modification of wave gliders by using an array
of sensors, antennas, receivers, and transmitters to gather and
transmit secure data. The committee is further concerned that
the potential development of open-water energy projects has the
potential to encroach and negatively impact military test and
training operations, and expects the Secretary of the Air Force
to thoroughly evaluate impacts of such projects on Air Force
test missions.
Therefore, the committee recommends $743.4 million, an
increase of $25.5 million, in PE 65807F for Air Force test and
evaluation support to enhance open-air range test capabilities
in the development of next-generation platforms and air
armaments and to mitigate growing open-water test range
challenges and risks.
Metals Affordability Initiative
The budget requested contained $36.6 million in PE 63112F
for Advanced Materials for Weapons System.
The committee recognizes the importance of this program in
providing affordable materials and manufacturing technologies
across the entire life-cycle of aerospace materials.
Specifically, the Air Force Research Lab-managed Metals
Affordability Initiative has reduced metallic aircraft
component costs and accelerated the implementation and transfer
of technologies across a wide range of aircraft platforms. The
committee notes the value of this public-private partnership
and the risk sharing model that has directly led to a nearly
$2.4 billion return on the U.S. Government's investment. The
committee recommends the Secretary of the Air Force create a
dedicated funding line for the Metals Affordability Initiative
to show the Air Force's clear commitment to this program.
The committee recommends $41.6 million, an increase of $5.0
million, in PE 63112F for Advanced Materials for Weapons
System.
Modular Open Systems Architecture Intelligence Sensor Readiness
Initiative
The committee is pleased by the recent memorandum from the
Secretaries of the military departments supporting a move to
Modular Open Systems Architectures (MOSA). Many of today's Air
Force Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) gathering systems are
built by single vendors who have a lock on future enhancements
and capability drops. Obsolescence and vendor-lock lower the
Air Force's capability and increase its operation and
maintenance costs. Platform agnostic MOSA standards have the
ability to enable airborne C4ISR systems to be fielded at a
quicker pace while lowering logistics and procurement costs.
The committee believes that the Department should endeavor to
move away from stove piped systems and reduce dependence on
single vendors and that MOSA would enable the Air Force to swap
out capabilities and take advantage quickly of new innovations.
The committee encourages the Air Force to establish a 3- to 5-
year technical refresh cycle, versus the current 10-plus year
cycles, and work to reduce its logistical overhead by taking
advantage of common hardware and software, reduced maintenance,
enhancement, and upgrade costs.
OC-135B Open Skies Treaty aircraft recapitalization
The committee notes that the current fleet of OC-135B
aircraft conducting the Open Skies Treaty flights are over 55
years old and experience significant sustainment and
reliability issues, resulting in an average mission completion
rate of 65 percent between 2007 and 2017. Further, the range of
the legacy OC-135 aircraft is insufficient to fully execute
mission options within the treaty's 96-hour in-country
observation period. In addition to maintenance and range
limitations, the current wet-film imaging used to collect data
will become obsolete sometime around 2022. To avoid any gap in
Open Skies Treaty collection capability, the committee supports
the Air Force's plan to upgrade the fleet with digital visual
imaging systems (DVIS) for the near-term, and ultimately
replace the OC-135 Open Skies aircraft with two commercially-
available small airliner class aircraft with integrated DVIS
sensors.
The committee supports recapitalization of the OC-135 but
remains concerned about the Air Force's ability to stay on
schedule and meet the fiscal year 2022 aircraft certification
and treaty compliance date. Unanticipated technical challenges
with the DVIS sensors have already affected the schedule and
could cause additional delays if not remedied soon.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services by October 1, 2019, on the Open Skies Treaty aircraft
recapitalization. The report shall include:
(1) an assessment of the DVIS data technical package
maturity and the cost and feasibility of integrating it onto
the replacement commercial aircraft;
(2) the plan for and status of developing or acquiring
associated ground processing systems;
(3) the plan for management of programmatic risk and an
assessment of the ability to meet the fiscal year 2022 deadline
for an upgraded, treaty-compliant system;
(4) existing or planned mitigation options should the Air
Force not be able to achieve current DVIS and treaty compliance
milestones, and should there be any future delay to the upgrade
or replacement of the OC-135; and
(5) a copy of any assessment conducted by an independent
organization employed by the program for technical assistance.
Open mission systems
The committee supports the Department of Defense and each
of the military services in their commitment to open-systems
standards and the inclusion of those standards to the maximum
extent possible in requirements, programming, and development
activities for future weapon system modifications and new start
development programs as agreed to in the January 2019
memorandum of understanding.
However, the committee notes that the military services are
independently pursuing open-standards that are unique to each
service, as the Air Force has focused efforts on the Open
Mission Systems/Universal Command and Control Interface
standard, the Army has focused on the VICTORY standard, and the
Navy has focused on the Future Airborne Capability Environment
standard. The committee further notes the open-standards as
currently defined may not be interoperable and do not
explicitly include requirements to ensure interoperability
across services, thereby coupling warfighting capability to a
specific standard and a specific service.
To accelerate and simplify the incremental delivery of new
capabilities into systems across all military services, the
committee recommends that the Department consider a cross-
service interoperability requirement in future releases of
their open standards and create a plan for identifying and
managing compatibility across releases of the standards. The
committee further recommends that the Department identify
current and future programs that would benefit from cross-
service interoperability, such as the Air Force's Common Range
Integrated Instrumentation System and the Navy's Tactical
Combat Training System Increment II, and utilize these programs
for experimentation, demonstration, and deployment of cross-
service interoperable open standards.
Persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
The committee remains concerned about the worldwide
shortage of available intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) assets to support combatant commander
requirements. While the committee is encouraged by the
Department of Defense's renewed prioritization in acquiring and
fielding ISR assets, the committee also notes that the
Department and each of the military services are developing and
fielding programs to provide joint persistent ISR to the
warfighter. The committee understands that one of the pathways
identified in the Air Force's recently released Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Flight Plan is the use of
multi-role and cross-domain ISR collection capability to
increase readiness and lethality. The committee notes that
these include high altitude assets and penetrating, persistent,
multi-role capabilities. Therefore, the committee encourages
the continued prioritization and funding for research and
development of advanced ISR assets to include high-altitude,
multi-day capable unmanned platforms, to fill existing
persistent ISR capability gaps.
Thermal management and robust power generation systems
The budget request contained $198.8 million in PE 62203F,
and $128.9 million in 62102F for the development and
demonstration of electrical power, thermal management, and
distribution for aerospace applications and materials.
The committee recognizes the Air Force is highly focused on
developing next generation weapon systems, both for aircraft
self-protection and to provide offensive capability for future
aircraft. In order to meet these goals, the Air Force will need
a power generation system that can meet these new power demands
in addition to other electrical and avionic subsystems power
requirements and will also need an efficient modular cooling
system capable of handling increased thermal loads,
specifically for hypersonic vehicles. The committee encourages
the Air Force to focus developmental work on the aerospace
electrical power and modular cooling technologies required for
future aircraft concepts and cost-effective upgrades to current
aircraft.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 62203F to accelerate design, fabrication, and
testing to support robust electrical power and thermal
management systems for future aircraft needs, and an increase
of $10.0 million in PE 62102F for advanced thermal protections
systems.
Unmanned aerial systems cyber operations research
The committee recognizes the critical importance of
developing new technologies to detect and counter adversarial
unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and UAS swarms. The committee
notes that countering UAS operations presents a special series
of unmet communications, command and control, cyber,
computation, and intelligence challenges at the tactical edge.
Due to this emerging threat, the committee directs the Director
of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
October 30, 2019, on their continued research and development
into the countering of unmanned aerial systems using advanced
technologies to facilitate UAS detection and geolocation,
determination of individual and swarm behavior, dissection of
swarms to identify critical nodes, situational awareness,
elucidation of threats and mission intent, and counter UAS
capabilities.
Vertical lift demonstration
The budget request contained $102.9 million in PE 63211F
for aerospace technology development.
The committee is aware of the Air Force's requirement for
advanced technologies that provide the capability to operate
from forward bases in highly contest environments with
unimproved landing zones and limited maintenance facilities. A
new class of runway independent aircraft could greatly enhance
speed, range, and agility to support operations within these
highly contested areas. The committee encourages the Air Force
to continue research, development, and demonstration of next
generation aircraft that are scalable, autonomous, and capable
of vertical lift flight with high speed cruise performance.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 63211F for aerospace technology vertical lift
demonstrations.
Wide area motion imagery
The committee notes that the Gorgon Stare wide area
surveillance capability continues to support daily operations
in both Afghanistan and Iraq with critical intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and that other
combatant commands have requested the Gorgon Stare capability.
The committee is concerned that, despite daily operational
tasking and despite the Air Force's designation of Gorgon Stare
as a program of record in 2014, there is still no formal budget
request for this combat-proven ISR system. The committee notes
that prior year congressional funding has resulted in the
system developing beyond line-of-sight communications and
multi-intelligence capabilities.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by November 1, 2019, on the plan
for apportionment of Gorgon Stare into the Department's ISR
forces and the full extent of combatant command requirements
for Gorgon Stare ISR wide-area support to worldwide operations.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-Wide
Items of Special Interest
Additive manufacturing
Defense-wide Manufacturing Science and Technology (DMS&T)
is the joint, defense-wide component of the Department of
Defense's Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program directed
by section 2521 of title 10, United States Code. Investments in
ManTech provide for a healthy industrial base necessary for
national security. The committee is aware that eight Department
Manufacturing Innovative Institutes are funded under DMS&T,
including an institute focused on additive manufacturing. The
committee believes that additive manufacturing supports
improved life-cycle maintenance and readiness, especially when
capabilities are provided in-theater. Therefore, the committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than October 1, 2019, on the DMS&T
program investments in additive manufacturing and the value and
efficiencies such investments may have, especially when
capabilities are provided in-theater.
Advanced composites and manufacturing technologies
The budget request contained $10.1 million in PE 67210D8Z
for industrial base analysis and sustainment.
The committee believes that advances in structural
materials, composites, metals, ceramics, thermoplastics,
nanomaterials, metamaterials, hybrid composites, and cellulose
nanocomposites have the potential to transform manufacturing
requirements for military weapon systems. These materials can
be low-cost, low-weight, low-logistics, recyclable, corrosion
resistant, and strong enough to have the potential to be used
as a substitute in many military vehicles' primary structural
applications and maintenance to maximize force projection
through speed, range, enhanced mobility, and payload.
Additionally, the Department of Defense, through the
Manufacturing Technology program, has worked in recent years to
advance technology development for defense-essential
manufacturing capabilities, cutting across all of the military
services. Specifically, the Department has identified
manufacturing technology requirements that would have the
largest cost-effective impact on warfighter capability
improvements.
These technologies potentially could enable the strategic
goals of timely, affordable delivery of revolutionary
technologies to the warfighter. Therefore, the committee
recommends that the Department perform research, development,
and testing on these advanced materials in order to demonstrate
shorter development and manufacturing cycle times, more
reliable joining methods, and optimization for desired
performance and economical manufacturing.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $5.0
million in PE 67210D8Z for industrial base analysis and
sustainment for smart digital manufacturing.
AI-enabled Robotics in CBRN and Complex Environments
The committee supports Department of Defense efforts to
advance artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
technologies in support of the National Defense Strategy and
notes its commitment to rapid innovation and delivery of
emerging capabilities to achieve military superiority over
near-peer competitors. However, the committee also observes
with interest the emerging application of AI enabled
technologies to facilitate human-machine teaming for special
operations forces operating in dangerous and non-permissive
environments. For this reason, the committee encourages the
Department to pursue collaborative partnerships with small
businesses, industry, and academia to aggressively develop and
field AI enabled robotics to enable safer and more effective
maneuver operations. The goal of these efforts should be to put
revolutionary technology in the hands of warfighters to speed
decision-making, increase lethality, and better enable complex
tactical operations in contested or denied environments,
especially those where chemical, biological, radiological or
nuclear (CBRN) threats are present or where positioning,
navigation and timing (PNT) services are degraded. Therefore,
the committee directs the Undersecretary pf Defense for
Research and Engineering, in coordination with the Commander of
U.S. Special Operations Command, to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by November 1, 2019, on its
strategy to leverage AI-enabled robotics in support of special
operations forces and CBRN environments.
Analysis of Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense's
organic science and technology (S&T), research, development,
and test ecosystem, to include the test centers and
laboratories, struggles to compete with the tech sector in
attracting and maintaining a talented workforce. These entities
also face challenges in obtaining resources for military
construction projects and other improvements as the Department
has not prioritized investment in organic institutions. In
fact, the Defense Science Board reported in 2017 that most
Department laboratory directors feel they are unable to
maintain their facilities and infrastructure at a reasonable
standard.
The committee believes that the Department's in-house
ecosystem is vital to maintaining a technological advantage for
our warfighters, sustaining a healthy industrial base, and
protecting the research and development of critical
technologies. Many prior years' National Defense Authorization
Acts have granted the Directors of the Science and Technology
Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs) authorities to promote
modernization and allow for hiring of technical talent. The
committee understands most of these authorities have not been
fully implemented by the Department and elsewhere in this Act,
the committee includes two legislative provisions that would
require the Secretary of Defense to establish plans for
implementation.
The committee believes that comprehensive data and analysis
relating to the STRLs available to senior leaders will promote
better decision making and resource allocation to ensure these
entities remain viable. Therefore, the committee directs the
Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation to conduct
an independent analysis of the Department's STRL
infrastructure, modernization, and workforce. The analysis
shall include the components that comprise total costs at each
facility; accounting practices with regards to direct and
indirect costs as compared to other typical S&T entities;
effects of labor cost-rate growth; the use of research and
development funding for military construction projects; the
loss of buying power on spending for materials, equipment and
other non-labor resources; and any other matters deemed
appropriate by the Director to maintain high-quality
institutions. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering shall provide the Director with the information and
resources necessary. The Director shall provide the analysis to
the House Committee on Armed Services by September 1, 2021.
Artificial intelligence in force protection activities
The committee is encouraged by the ongoing rapid fielding
of commercially-available technologies that utilize artificial
intelligence (AI) and sensor fusion to deliver enhanced force
protection for Department of Defense personnel and
installations. Recent advances in commercially available
technology, including artificial intelligence, computer vision,
and sensor technology, have made it possible to develop,
manufacture, and deploy more effective and cost-efficient
Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition
technologies. Accordingly, the committee believes that AI can
significantly improve situational awareness and security for
Department of Defense personnel through faster and better
processing and exploitation of sensor data, recognition and
classification of potential threats, and dissemination of that
information to human operators for the purposes of enhanced
self-defense. The committee further believes that AI-based
technologies for personnel security and base defense can
provide more effective capability and will improve operators'
ability to detect, classify, and respond to threats. The
committee believes that the application of AI to improve the
safety of Department of Defense personnel and installations is
central to improving the security of military personnel and
encourages the Department to consider these technologies in the
continuous effort to enhance force protection.
Autonomous distribution for critical supplies
The committee is aware that the 2015 Joint Concept for
Logistics 2.0 highlighted the growing gap between increasing
logistics requirements and constrained logistics resources in
the context of globally integrated operations. To close this
gap, the Department of Defense is investigating advanced
technologies suitable for distributed logistics. The committee
understands that the Defense Innovation Unit has been
prototyping commercial, autonomous drone services to deliver
critical, life-saving supplies like blood and medical products
to military units in combat zones. The committee supports the
continued development and expansion of autonomous distribution
systems for these efforts to move faster, reduce costs, and
ultimately save lives. Therefore, the committee directs the
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to
provide a report to the congressional defense committees by
February 15, 2020, on efforts to modernize logistical
operations since the publication of the 2015 Joint Concept for
Logistics 2.0. The report shall include a summary of any
prototyping efforts and an assessment of all missions and
requirements that could be met through autonomous distribution
technologies.
Battery Development and Safety Enterprise
The committee recognizes the importance of battery research
and development as a readiness enabler. The committee notes
that the military departments must be able to provide rapid,
safe, and effective deployment of batteries and battery systems
to support and enhance modern systems ranging from directed
energy weapons to microgrids. The committee further notes that
research to develop advanced energy storage including safe
storage and transport, facilitates the ability to field systems
in austere environments. The committee commends the Navy for
establishing the Battery Development and Safety Enterprise
Office to address these issues in a systematic way with the
added benefit of reducing life-cycle costs of battery usage
enterprise-wide.
The committee recommends an additional $13.0 million in PE
63724N for the Navy's Battery Development and Safety Enterprise
Office. The committee encourages the Department of Defense to
consider establishing a Battery Center of Excellence to benefit
all services, encourage information sharing, and leverage
efficiencies using the Navy's Battery Development and Safety
Enterprise Office as its foundation.
Chemical and Biological Decontamination Solutions
The committee is aware of the Department of Defense's
continuing interest in chemical and biological decontamination
technologies. The Department has invested significantly in
research and development efforts in academia, Department of
Defense laboratories, and commercial industry. The committee
understands there are a number of different domestic and
foreign providers of chemical and biological decontamination
solutions for the Department. The committee is interested in
understanding the costs, benefits, and variances of these
different solutions, including any impact on the domestic
industrial base. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary
of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services by February 1, 2020, on the evaluation criteria
for chemical and biological decontamination solutions procured
by the Department, including an assessment of the cost,
benefits, and any impact to domestic suppliers.
Commercializing defense technologies
The committee recognizes the value of defense research to
the technological advancement and its history of ground
breaking innovations that includes global positioning system
navigation, the precursor of the Internet, and radar. These
technologies that originated in the Department of Defense have
had wide ranging impacts on society through their
commercialization. The committee further recognizes that while
significant effort has recently been made to streamline the use
of commercial technology within the Department and in each of
the military services, less attention has been given to
commercializing defense technologies and continuing the
Department's long record of successful innovation. The
committee encourages the Department to create initiatives for
commercialization of defense research, to include using public
and private means and leverage the authorities provided in
section 2359 of title 10, United States Code.
Counterterrorism detection technology
The budget request contained $70.5 million in 63122D8Z for
the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office.
The committee recognizes the importance of identifying and
developing capabilities to combat terrorism, particularly in
the global fight against terrorism and protecting Americans at
home and abroad. The committee believes it is imperative that
the Department of Defense continue to advance technological
solutions to improve counterterrorism measures and deliver
these capabilities to Department of Defense components and
interagency partners. The committee is especially interested in
the use of artificial intelligence enabled capabilities,
including national language processing, phonetic identification
across languages, and financial data tracking, that would
provide the interagency real-time indications and warnings of
possible threats or sanction violations.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $3.0
million in PE 63122D8Z for Combating Terrorism Technical
Support Office detection technologies.
Cyber institutes at senior military colleges
The budget request included no funds for cyber institutes.
Section 1640 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
authorized the Secretary of Defense to establish cyber
institutes at each of the senior military colleges for purposes
of accelerating and focusing the development of foundational
expertise in critical cyber operational skills for future
military and civilian senior leaders. The committee understands
that the cyber institutes have not yet been established, but
that the senior military colleges, as defined by section 1640,
have a formal proposal for establishment.
The committee notes that women and minorities remain
underrepresented in the cyber security sector in both military
and civilian settings. To increase diversity and opportunity,
the committee expects the Department to use the cyber
institutes to conduct effective outreach, recruiting, and
retention programs focused on increasing matriculation in and
completion of cyber security programs by women and
underrepresented minorities. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to House Committee
on Armed Services not later than 180 days after the designation
of cyber institutes on the strategy of each cyber institute to
achieve diversity in the cyber security sector.
The committee recommends an increase of $12.0 million in PE
303140D8Z for such institutes in order to facilitate
development of critical cyber operational skills for future
civilian and military leaders.
Cyber-physical research
The budget request contained $121.5 million for applied
research.
The 2018 Department of Defense Cyber Strategy highlights
the Department's plan to strengthen the security and resilience
of networks and systems that contribute to current and future
U.S. military advantages and to support the development of the
U.S. cyber workforce. As no system can be completely isolated
from all cyber-attacks, which continue to occur at
unprecedented levels, there is also an evolving national
requirement for cyber-physical security. Cyber-physical
security is a combination of cybersecurity and systems
engineering designed to ensure that critical cyber-physical
systems, such as marine vessels, submarines, unmanned vehicles,
and power grids, become more resilient to avoid or survive
damage if they are attacked. Failure to protect these systems
against inherent communication and control issues (e.g.,
network congestion and real-time computing constraints) as well
as malicious acts (e.g., cyberattacks) can have catastrophic
consequences.
Therefore, the committee recommends $129.5 million, an
increase of $8.0 million, in PE 0602123N for applied research
into cyber-physical security.
Directed energy test range workloads
The committee remains concerned that U.S. Major Range and
Test Facility Bases (MRTFBs) have inadequate infrastructure to
support next generation weapon systems. The committee also
recognizes the need to transition new and game-changing
directed energy technologies to the warfighter. The Department
of Defense established the Nation's first High Energy Laser
System Test Facility (HELSTF) in 1975, but the technology has
seen significant advancements over the course of four decades.
As directed energy weapon systems mature, the need to validate
their performance becomes increasingly important. The workload
and number of directed energy demonstrations and exercises have
increased significantly since 1975 and the projected workload
for fiscal years 2018-22 for HELSTF is large and growing, and
has expanded to include High Power Microwave (HPM) testing.
Additionally, there are currently no available enduring
frequency agile and tunable HPM assets for evolving doctrine or
HPM Directed Energy Concept of Operations development any at
MRTFBs.
The committee directs the Assistant Director for Directed
Energy in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than September 30, 2019,
on the test and evaluation infrastructure and test asset needs
to meet directed energy requirements over the next 5 years.
Included in this briefing should be the plans for HELSTF and
other service MRTFB test sites, to include HPM testing,
required for directed energy experimentation in order to
develop the tactics, techniques, and procedures required to
incorporate the emerging capabilities into the Department's
inventory. This presentation should also include mitigation
procedures for operations in the national aerospace system
against above-the-horizon targets.
Electronic warfare planning for near-peer adversaries
The Department of Defense's 2013 Electromagnetic Spectrum
Strategy recognizes that Department operations in all domains
are fundamentally dependent on our use and control of the
electromagnetic spectrum. All joint functions such as movement
and maneuver, fires, command and control, intelligence,
protection, sustainment, and information are accomplished with
systems that use the spectrum. The safety and security of U.S.
citizens, the effectiveness of U.S. combat forces, and the
lives of U.S. military members, our allies, and non-combatants
depend on spectrum access. More recently, in December 2018, the
Government Accountability Office issued an Emerging Threats
report that similarly echoed that adversaries are developing
electronic attack weapons to target U.S. systems with sensitive
electronic components, such as military sensors, communication,
navigation, and information systems. These weapons are intended
to degrade U.S. capabilities and could restrict situational
awareness or may affect military operations. The committee is
concerned about the extent to which the Department is planning
and preparing to defend itself and operate in an environment
where peer and near-peer adversaries could use existing and
emerging capabilities that degrade use of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the Department's electronic warfare
and electromagnetic spectrum operations strategy and
implementation efforts. The assessment should include the
current electronic warfare threat from peer or near-peer
adversaries and actions the Department has taken in response to
include the protection of critical warfighting capabilities;
the extent to which the Department has incorporated current and
emerging electromagnetic spectrum risks into service and
combatant command operational planning efforts and exercises;
the status and effectiveness of the Electronic Warfare
Executive Committee established by the Secretary of Defense in
2015; the Department's implementation of the 2013
Electromagnetic Spectrum Strategy; and any other matters the
Comptroller General determines to be relevant.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2020, on preliminary findings, and to
present final results in a format and timeframe agreed to at
the time of the briefing.
Energy systems for forward and remote operating bases
The committee is aware of the Defense Science Board Study
examining energy systems for forward and remote operating bases
and encourages the Department of Defense to continue to invest
in alternatives to improve the energy effectiveness of
expeditionary forces. The committee is also aware of the
Defense Science Board conclusion to explore the use of micro-
nuclear reactors as an expeditionary energy source. The
Department's Strategic Capabilities Office has released a
Request for Information as to the feasibility of small nuclear
reactor prototype demands that could meet the increasing energy
demands of expeditionary operational units. The committee
recognizes the urgent need to provide energy to remote
operating locations to minimize the use of fuel and resupply
land transport missions, as well as provide a rapidly
deployable energy source during humanitarian relief operations,
and urges the Department to consider options to meet this
demand, including benefits, risks, operational requirements,
safety and costs.
Hacking for Defense
The budget request contained $25.0 million in PE 63950D8Z
for the Hacking for Defense (H4D) National Security Technology
Accelerator within the National Security Innovation Network
program.
The committee believes that the H4D program is an
innovative, educational, low cost, and exciting introduction to
challenging national security problems for college students.
H4D is a university course developed by U.S. military combat
veterans and taught at 22 universities around the country, in
which students apply cutting edge research and problem solving
techniques to real-world security problems. Currently in its
third year, the requested funding will make it possible to
scale up H4D training and ensure that courses are available
year-round in every State.
Therefore, the committee recommends $30.0 million, an
increase of $5.0 million, in PE 63950D8Z for the H4D National
Security Technology Accelerator within the National Security
Innovation Network program.
Hacking for Defense Support to Defense Innovation
The committee notes that Hacking for Defense (H4D) is
authorized as a National Security Innovation and
Entrepreneurial Education Program in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law No. 115-91)
to enable Department of Defense innovation. H4D is a university
course developed by U.S. military combat veterans and private
sector entrepreneurs taught at universities across the United
States in which students apply cutting-edge problem solving
techniques to real-world national security and defense
problems. The committee believes that H4D also enhances
innovation education at military universities, including the
United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States
Air Force Academy, the National Defense University, the Defense
Acquisition University, and other professional military
education programs. The committee finds that H4D supports
solution development directly for the warfighter, improves U.S.
military readiness, and stimulates growth within the National
Security Innovation Base, consistent with the 2018 National
Defense Strategy. Further, the committee believes H4D fosters
the growth of an emerging generation of national security
leaders and mission-driven entrepreneurs by improving and
expanding the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
skill sets within the United States workforce.
The committee believes that the Department of Defense
should fully resource H4D and its growing ecosystem of national
security innovators and entrepreneurs through the provision of
the annual funding required to enhance existing H4D university
courses. The committee notes that the National Security
Innovation Network (formerly the MD5 National Security
Technology Accelerator) plans to deliver H4D at up to 25
universities in Academic Year 2020-2021, as described in the
President's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020, and which the
committee supports. Further, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the congressional
defense committees by December 1, 2019 on the plan to expand
H4D as described in the President's Budget Request for Fiscal
Year 2020, and on the funding and other resources required to
expand Hacking for Defense to at least 25 additional
universities by Academic Year 2025-2026.
Historically black colleges and universities and minority serving
institutions
The budget request contained $30.7 million in PE 61228D8Z
for research work with historically black colleges and
universities and minority serving institutions (HBCU/MI).
The committee recognizes the important role this program
plays in bolstering the research capabilities at HBCU/MIs. Not
only is such work important in meeting the research needs of
the Department of Defense, the committee also believes it
provides an added benefit by diversifying the Department's
supply of scientists, engineers, and researchers working on the
its most challenging problems.
The committee also acknowledges the ongoing efforts of the
Department to increase the participation of women from
underserved populations in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) related areas of research. The committee
urges the Department to continue funding for Center of
Excellence efforts at historically black colleges and
universities that support training and education of minority
women in STEM fields of interest to the military, particularly
through research funding, fellowships and internships, and
cooperative work experiences at the Defense Laboratories. The
committee recommends that the Department consider increasing
investments in these kinds of activities in future budgets to
support Administration initiatives on HBCU/MIs.
The committee additionally recommends that the Department
strengthen its engagement and investments via the quantity and
value of grants, studies, technical support contracts, and
subcontracts with HBCU/MIs with a goal of elevating the quality
of research and scientific activity at those institutions to
the R1 and R2 level of the Carnegie Classification of
Institutions of Higher Education. Therefore, the committee
directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees by March 1, 2020, on how the Department can expose
HBCU/MIs to new levels of research and scientific problems for
the benefit of the Department.
In addition, the committee recommends $50.7 million, an
increase of $20.0 million, in PE 61228D8Z for additional
research between HBCU/MIs, and increased teaming opportunities
between these institutions and other research universities with
experience supporting the Department's unique requirements.
This amount is above the enacted budget of fiscal year 2019.
Human simulation and human factors modeling
Section 227 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
required the Secretary of Defense to develop and provide for
the carrying out of human factors modeling and simulation
activities with the purpose of accelerating research and
development to enhance capabilities for human performance,
human-systems integration, and training for the warfighter. The
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than January 30, 2020, on the status of this requirement.
Specifically, the committee would like to know the extent of
the activities implemented, the effects as yet of these
activities with respect to their purpose, which activity
participants, locations of the activities, and the plan to
sustain these activities going forward.
Hybrid and electric air vehicle power and propulsion systems
The committee understands that hybrid and electric power
and propulsion systems and vehicles hold the potential to
significantly increase range and endurance for military
aviation. The committee believes such aviation capabilities
could support the National Defense Strategy. The Department of
Defense requires a process to certify airworthiness to allow
flight testing of these systems. However, the committee notes
that the Department lacks adequate design, test, and
certification procedures and facilities for aviation-purposed
electric motors, motor controllers, traction bus systems, and
large primary power battery systems. The committee is concerned
that without a certification process in place, the military may
miss the opportunity to capitalize on these advanced systems to
reduce logistical requirements and costs.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2020, on establishing procedures and facilities for
airworthiness certification of hybrid and electric power and
propulsion aviation systems. The report should include
estimated cost and schedule to implement a certification
process.
Hypersonic test infrastructure and workforce
The committee acknowledges the joint-effort to expand and
develop conventional prompt strike capabilities (CPS), which
was codified in a memorandum of agreement between the
Department of Defense, military services, and the Missile
Defense Agency to deliver hypersonic boost glide technology. To
achieve success in the multiple service efforts to deliver CPS
capabilities, the committee recognizes the importance of state-
of-the-art facilities and infrastructure to support research,
development, prototyping, testing, and deployment.
The committee notes that recent advances have been made in
high temperature manufacturing, hypersonic wind tunnel
capability and material testing technology. Specifically, the
committee is encouraged by the Department's efforts to expand
the number of hypersonic wind tunnel and testing facilities,
specifically at Arnold Air Force Base Engineering Development
Center and the joint-investment at several universities,
including Purdue, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M. However, even with
these increases, current facilities will be stressed to provide
the level of testing needed across the joint-efforts.
In addition to the high demand for testing infrastructure,
the U.S. currently lacks the workforce with sufficient
knowledge and experience in hypersonic materials manufacturing
and testing to develop these next generation systems.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering, in coordination with the military
services and Missile Defense Agency, to provide a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31,
2019, on the health of hypersonic testing technologies and
workforce. The report should include an analysis of current
capacity to meet existing requirements, options to improve
testing facilities, with cost, schedule, and operational
considerations, and efforts that are being taken to address
workforce gaps.
The committee also acknowledges that System Integration
Labs are necessary to support testing of hypersonic weapon
systems, specifically for the U.S. Army as it proceeds with the
long range hypersonic weapon. Therefore, the committee directs
the Commander of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 31, 2019, on capability and capacity
assessments to support future ground testing. The briefing
should include an analysis of integrated hardware and software
processes and system integration and development.
Implementation of existing authorities for the science and technology
reinvention laboratories
The committee understands that the Department of Defense's
in-house science and technology (S&T) ecosystem, to include the
science and technology reinvention laboratories (STRLs),
suffers from the common struggle to compete with the tech
sector in attracting talented Innovation, Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math (iSTEM) trained researchers and scientists.
Yet the committee is frustrated that the military services have
yet to use many of the authorities and responsibilities granted
in previous National Defense Authorization Acts, such as:
(1) personnel hiring authorities, including the authorities
provided under: section 1599h, 2358a, and 2360 of title 10,
United States Code; section 1109 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92;);
and section 1124 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328);
(2) the authority to enter into partnerships with
institutions of higher education, including the authorities
provided under section 2194 of title 10, United States Code;
section 236 of Public Law 114-328;
(3) the authority to reengineer management and business
processes, including the authorities provided under section
2368 of title 10, United States Code; sections 211 and 233 of
Public Law 114-328;
(4) the authority to carry out prize competitions,
including the authority provided under section 2374a of title
10, United States Code;
(5) the authority to make technology transfers, including
the authority provided under section 233 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91); and
(6) defense-wide authorities, including the authorities
provided under sections 217 and 232 of Public Law 115-91.
Therefore, elsewhere in this title, the committee includes
a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop a master plan for using current authorities and
responsibilities to strengthen and modernize the workforce and
capabilities of the Department's STRLs to enhance the ability
of the laboratories to execute missions in the most efficient
and effective manner. The provision would require the Under
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to submit the
master plan for using these authorities and a report on the
Department's progress in implementing these authorities to the
congressional defense committees not later than October 30,
2020.
Integrated Silicon-Based Lasers
The committee is aware that the Department of Defense's
weapons platforms, such as aircraft and radars, are still
largely burdened with difficult to install and maintain, slow,
expensive, and heavy copper wire cabling. The Department's
initial investments in Integrated Silicon-Based Lasers have
identified opportunities for transforming the state-of-the-art
in the manufacture of integrated photonics devices. Integrated
Photonics, the use of light for applications traditionally
addressed through electronics, is used in a wide range of areas
including telecommunications; 5G cell towers; cell phones;
military laser-based radars; data communications; sensing; and
could be used to replace heavy coaxial cabling in aircraft with
fiber optic cables that are significantly smaller and lighter.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by April 30, 2020, on how future
military and commercial applications could use integrated
photonics to benefit from higher bandwidth of data transfer,
faster data transmission, and lower energy loss due to optical
fiber being more energy efficient and lower weight than copper.
Investments in Science and Technology
The Department of Defense's Science and Technology (S&T)
ecosystem is complex and is comprised of agencies, offices,
laboratories, federally funded research and development
centers, university affiliated research centers, academic
partnerships, test and evaluation entities, and partnerships
with the private sector to include small businesses. The
Department's S&T ecosystem is charged with delivering the best
capabilities to the warfighter in the near-, mid-, and long-
term.
However, Defense Planning Guidance issued by the Under
Secretary of Defense for Policy has for many years mandated
only a base of zero percent real growth in the annual S&T
budget. The fiscal year 2020 budget request for S&T was only
2.7 percent of the Department of Defense's base budget request
and only 3.2 percent above the fiscal year 2019 requested
funding level. Adjusted for inflation, the fiscal year 2020
request was only 1 percent higher than the fiscal year 2019
budget request.
The committee is concerned that the lack of growth
negatively impacts the ability of the Department to keep pace
with the real-world cost increases in the S&T ecosystem, such
as the ability to attract highly specialized technical labor
like scientists and engineers with advanced degrees and PhDs,
and maintain a technological edge.
The committee is disappointed that this year's Defense
Planning Guidance removed the base requirement of zero percent
real growth. The committee is concerned that future budgets
will show negative real growth and the Department's investments
in its future technological edge will be even more dire.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director, Cost Assessment
and Program Evaluation, with analytical and resource support
from the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering, to conduct a study and provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than September 1,
2021, on the effects of the Department submitting future budget
requests with negative real growth in the Department's funding
for S&T efforts.
Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO) include
all activities in military operations to successfully plan and
execute joint or multinational operations to control the
electromagnetic operational environment. Electronic warfare
planning and management tools can be customized for different
services and fielded in almost any deployment environment.
Joint electronic warfare planning and management tool
technology demonstrations are good initial steps towards
managing technologies across a broader integrated electronic
warfare system, which have the potential to neutralize and
exploit enemy signals and equip combat forces with essential
electronic warfare mission-planning capabilities. The committee
therefore recommends expeditiously establishing joint
electromagnetic spectrum operations cells at the combatant
commands and ensuring they are equipped with the right
resources and technology to successfully meet mission needs.
Joint Threat Warning System
The committee recognizes that the Joint Threat Warning
System (JTWS) provides credible threat warning and intelligence
information to special operations forces (SOF). The committee
notes that this program has been critical to enhancing the
situational awareness of SOF elements by alerting them to
threats to the force and illuminating targeting opportunities.
The committee is concerned that the program does not include an
air-variant precision high frequency band capability. This gap
in coverage exposes SOF operators to unknown threats and
decreases their situational awareness. Therefore, the committee
directs the Commander, U.S. Special Operation Command to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2019, on efforts to address this
critical air-variant high frequency gap in coverage.
Lithium-ion batteries
The budget request contained $10.0 million in 67210D8Z for
industrial base analysis and sustainment support.
The committee understands that a viable, domestic source of
lithium-ion batteries is critical to national security and
Department of Defense manufacturing. Advances in battery cell
manufacturing using modern equipment has the potential to
increase the readiness and performance of essential Department
of Defense warfighting capability that relies on safe, high-
performance portable power. The committee notes that the
advances in modern manufacturing equipment will ensure the
supply of domestically produced lithium-ion batteries and
secure a competitive domestic industrial base. Additionally,
the committee understands that the military services have an
important role communicating that rapid, safe, and effective
deployment of batteries and battery systems is essential to
support and enhance the lethality of weapons systems. The
committee further notes that development of advanced energy
storage systems that facilitate safe storage and transport of
these batteries is a critical element of this effort. The
committee understands that energy storage and thermal
management are essential to both future weapon systems and
microgrids. The committee applauds the Navy's effort to address
these issues through the establishment of a battery office
dedicated to addressing these issues and reducing the cost of
battery usage enterprise-wide through the development and
implementation of batteries and battery storage systems.
Therefore, the committee recommends an increase of $4.0
million in PE 67210D8Z for industrial base analysis and
sustainment support related to lithium-ion battery
manufacturing.
Microelectronics
The committee recognizes that microelectronics technology
provides critical capabilities to Department of Defense, other
government organizations' systems, and the commercial
marketplace. With China's declared policy and commitment of
dominating microelectronics market by 2025, the committee
remains concerned with the Department of Defense's long-term
strategy to maintain supply chain integrity and assurance
against counterfeit parts and ensure continued access to
trusted microelectronics. The committee is also concerned about
the Department of Defense's lack of a robust industrial base
and domestic supply chain for radiation-hardened
microelectronics. The Department relies extensively on weapon
and communications systems that must operate in high ambient
radiation levels for national security, surveillance,
battlefield communications, and missile defense. While there
have been a number of attempts to address the challenges
associated with the domestic microelectronics industry, the
onset of 5G and the national security concerns associated with
use of commercial microelectronics devices in military and
other sensitive national security systems have increased the
immediacy and level of concern. The committee supported the
requirement in section 231 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328)
requiring the development of a microelectronics strategy.
However, with the introduction and proliferation of 5G
technologies, the strategy must be updated.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than February 15, 2020, on the Department's Trusted
Microelectronics strategy. The briefing should include the
original elements of the strategy including supplier base
capacity and need for trusted, radiation-hardened and anti-
tamper microelectronics, and also address how the onset of 5G
technologies is changing the national security and commercial
marketplace for trusted microelectronics.
Military rotorcraft safety
The committee recognizes that military rotorcraft operate
in hazardous conditions using special tactics, techniques, and
procedures that can lead to increased risk for pilots and their
crews. The committee is aware of the significant risk that
uncharted wires and obstacles pose to military rotorcraft,
especially those flown by special operations forces and combat
search and rescue elements. The committee also notes that
military rotorcraft face safety and readiness challenges
stemming from excessive aircraft vibration. The committee
further understands that current vibration mitigation efforts
often seek to mask or absorb vibrations without resulting in an
actual decrease in vibration. The committee is concerned that
there is insufficient focus on developing and fielding
effective technology for detecting uncharted wires and
obstacles, as well as insufficient focus on developing materiel
solutions to help mitigate excessive vibration in legacy
rotorcraft platforms.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by February 1, 2020, on Department-wide efforts to
identify, develop, and procure capabilities related to the
detection and avoidance of uncharted wires and obstacles, as
well as efforts to mitigate excessive vibration in rotorcraft.
The briefing should include to the maximum extent practicable
an evaluation of current commercially available systems for
obstacle detection and analysis of any tools, processes,
software, or methodologies currently being evaluated towards
mitigating vibration levels.
Moving Target Defense
The budget request contained $81.8 million in PE 603563N
for Ship Concept Advanced Design.
The committee supports the Department's efforts to explore
alternatives to traditional cyber defense architectures and
approaches to mitigate cyber vulnerabilities. The committee
encourages the Secretary of Defense to continue to explore and
invest in cyber technology that provides multi-tiered defensive
capabilities, such as moving target defense.
The committee recommends an increase of $5.0 million, in PE
603563N, for Moving Target Defense technology.
National Academies Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable
The budget request contained $16.9 million in PE 65798D8Z
for Defense Technology Analysis.
Intellectual property theft and counterintelligence threats
pose significant challenges to maintaining a United States
technological edge. To that end, the committee mandated the
Department of Defense establish an initiative to support
protection of national security academic researchers from undue
influence and other security threats in section 1286 of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232). The committee is aware that
implementation of this initiative, specifically gathering
information on persons performing Department of Defense
research at universities and participants of foreign talent
programs, has presented policy challenges relating to privacy
and civil liberties, and sharing of data between federal
agencies. The committee is also aware that sharing of threat
information by the Federal Government to academia has not
increased through this initiative and believes that efforts
under this initiative would be more effectively executed with
the inclusion of appropriate domestic law enforcement agencies
and entities, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Therefore, the committee supports the Secretary of Defense
convening a National Science, Technology, and Security
Roundtable through the National Academies of Science,
Engineering and Medicine in order to facilitate dialogue and
formulate solutions related to protecting U.S. critical
technology and national security information while
simultaneously preserving civil liberties and an open science
and technology research environment. The committee believes
that key stakeholders from the interagency and scientific and
academic communities, as well as foreign partner and allies
should be part of this roundtable.
The committee therefore recommends $19.9 million, an
increase of $3.0 million, in PE 65798D8Z for the Secretary to
convene the National Science, Technology, and Security
Roundtable through NASEM.
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to
Terrorism
One of the key tenants specified in the 2018 National
Defense Strategy (NDS) is reforming the Department of Defense
for greater performance and affordability. In the NDS, the
Department acknowledged that an increasingly complex security
environment, coupled with the need to modernize and improve
readiness, are among the factors that will require difficult
and informed prioritization decisions. Machine learning and
related concepts offer promise to deliver data driven decision
making tools where the potential consequences and risk of
selected actions can be evaluated in real time based on a wide
variety of input sources and emerging conditions.
The committee is aware the Department has been investing in
the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and
Responses to Terrorism (START) and is the largest consumer of
data from this program. START is a university-based research
and education center that provides an effective resource that
has informed current counterterrorism policies and strategy.
Aligning with the objectives specified in the National Defense
Strategy, this funding has supported a robust and versatile
decision matrix created by leading social scientists from more
than 50 academic and research institutions across the country
and around the globe.
For example, one of the effective elements within START is
the Leadership of the Extreme and Dangerous for Innovative
Results Dataset and Collection, developed to assess and better
understand the motivations and maneuvering of the leadership of
current and emerging Violent Extremist Organizations, such as
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The research provides
an analytical framework and risk based consequence management
prediction capability that has been tested and proven effective
on battlefields around the globe.
The committee believes that because of the success and
maturation of START's analytical framework, as well as its
multi-disciplinary approach, there may be alignment with other
Department funded priorities. The committee notes that there
could be benefit in using the program as a prototype for other
applications that require a mission focused capability that
crosses functional domains and enhances warfighter lethality,
technical superiority, adaptability, and resilience. Therefore,
the committee encourages the Department to evaluate and fully
fund a prototype using the START database foundation as a
consequence management counterterrorism decision support
application.
National Defense Education Program
The budget request contained $92.1 million in PE 61120D8Z
for the National Defense Education Program (NDEP).
NDEP fosters and enhances the Department of Defense's
ability to access high-quality science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics personnel vital to national
defense now and in the future. This is accomplished through
initiatives such as the Science Mathematics and Research for
Transformation program, a scholarship-for-service program, as
well as the Military Child Pilot Program formally established
by section 233 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291). The committee believes
that investments in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education to develop a future technical workforce
are critical to maintaining a technological edge.
Therefore, the committee recommends $112.1 million, an
increase of $20.0 million, in PE 61120D8Z for NDEP.
Optical fiber in next generation information infrastructure
The committee is aware of the significant wired and
wireless information infrastructure deployments that will be
required to operate a robust, secure next generation 5G
network. As the Department of Defense increases investments in
next generation information technology research and
development, it will be critical that the Department also
understand the strategic industries that will be required to
grow and sustain this technology modernization. One of these
critical technologies is the optical fiber industry, which will
form the backbone of the wired 5G infrastructure for national
security applications. The committee encourages the Department
of Defense to consider the security implications of foreign
optical fiber on 5G modernization and the importance of
maintaining a secure, domestic industrial base for optical
fiber.
Pilot Program for Supply Chain Awareness and Cybersecurity in the
Defense Industrial Base
The budget request contained $40.1 million in PE 64771D8Z,
for the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, which
includes funds for cybersecurity support to the Defense
Industrial Base.
The committee recognizes the thoughtful approach that the
Department of Defense has taken on its pilot program, Cyber
Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This program managed by
the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
has brought together experts from academia and the private
sector to create a framework for evaluating a defense
contractor's cybersecurity posture. The program recognizes the
challenges of robust cybersecurity programs for small and
medium-sized businesses seeking opportunities with the
Department of Defense, while ensuring that cyber risk to
Department equities is managed appropriately. As this program
continues to evolve in its development, the committee expects
the Department to provide regular briefings on the program's
status.
The committee recommends $43.1 million, an increase of $3.0
million, in PE 64771D8Z to support the Department's program.
Protecting Critical Technologies Task Force
According to a memorandum issued by the Secretary of
Defense on October 24, 2018, ``each year, it is estimated that
American industry loses more than $600 billion to theft and
expropriation. Far worse, the loss of classified and controlled
unclassified information is putting the Department's
investments at risk and eroding the lethality and survivability
of our forces.'' Protection of classified and controlled
unclassified information, and intellectual property, when
appropriate, is necessary for the U.S. to maintain a
warfighting advantage.
The committee believes that effective protection of
appropriately designated information requires a comprehensive,
data-based understanding of theft and exportation and that
impacted entities, such as academia and the Defense Industrial
Base, must be part of the Department's efforts to develop
solutions. The committee further believes that privacy and
civil liberties, as well as an open research environment, must
not be compromised by efforts to protect information.
For example, the Department funds basic research that
benefits greatly from the global science and technology
ecosystem. National Security Decision Directive 189 on the
National Policy on the Transfer of Scientific, Technical and
Engineering Information from President Reagan's administration
outlined that the products of ``fundamental research,'' defined
as ``basic and applied research in science and engineering, the
results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly
within the scientific community,'' should remain unrestricted.
The committee is aware the Protecting Critical Technologies
Task Force (PCTTF), established by former Secretary of Defense
James Mattis, is one of the entities in the Department leading
the effort to mitigate the loss of classified and controlled
unclassified information. The committee supports the PCTTF and
expects to be continually updated on its efforts. Additionally,
the committee directs the Director of the PCTTF to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than October 30, 2019, on efforts and progress to date.
Protection of National Security Research
The committee believes that institutes of higher learning,
laboratories, and other entities and organizations play
critical roles in advancing national security within the U.S.
science and technology ecosystem that is charged with
delivering the best capabilities to the warfighter in the near,
mid, and long-term. The committee understands that near-peer
competitors such as China and Russia attempt to exploit and
benefit from the open and collaborative global research
environment created by the Reagan Administration's National
Security Decision Directive 189 on the National Policy on the
Transfer of Scientific, Technical and Engineering Information,
which established that the products of ``fundamental
research''--defined as ``basic and applied research in science
and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published
and shared''--should remain unrestricted.
The committee is also aware that academia is not always
kept apprised by the interagency of a complete picture of
potential activities and threats in the research community,
such as improper technology transfer, intellectual property
theft, and cyber-attacks directly affiliated with nation-state
governments. Elsewhere in this bill and report, the committee
includes measures to promote increased information sharing
across the interagency and with academia.
The Committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
House of Representatives, not later than January 1, 2020, a
report listing Chinese and Russian academic institutions that
have a history of improper technology transfer, intellectual
property theft, cyber espionage, or operate under the direction
of their respective armed forces or intelligence agencies. The
report should be in unclassified form, though it may contain a
classified annex.
Provision of Analysis to U.S. Humanitarian Demining Organizations
The committee recognizes the prevalence and growing use of
improvised threats in war and the work being conducted by
humanitarian demining organizations, with support from the U.S.
government, to alleviate the lasting impacts of such threats on
civilian populations. The committee also recognizes the
expertise of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Joint
Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization Directorate (JD), which
has conducted extensive research on these improvised threats.
Therefore, the committee directs the Director, JD, to
submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than October 1, 2020 cataloguing previous JD research
that could be released to U.S. humanitarian demining
organizations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
humanitarian demining efforts.
Radio frequency countermeasures for rotary wing aircraft
The committee supports the Department's commitment to
modernizing the vertical lift and rotary-wing capabilities
across the services. The committee also notes with concern the
rapid development and proliferation of advanced radio frequency
threat systems that would possess the ability to engage rotary-
wing aircraft currently operated by the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps and Air Force. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Armed
Services Committee, no later than January 31, 2020, that
includes: a near and long-term acquisition and development
strategy to provide radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM)
protection for current and future rotary wing aircraft for each
of the military services. The briefing should also include all
current rotary-wing RFCM production programs and address any
additional applicable programs with mature technology readiness
levels.
Report on Designation of a National Center of Excellence for Pathogen
and Microbiome Analysis
The Committee is concerned that the Department has no
central research center dedicated to dangerous pathogen and
microbiome research; therapeutics and vaccine development;
workforce education and training; and advanced computational
analysis. The lack of a central laboratory that can handle and
ship highly dangerous pathogens while employing the most
advanced genomic, immunology, and computational analyses has
resulted in a suboptimal effort to research, develop, test, and
evaluate (RDT&E) some of the most lethal threats to the
warfighter. The Committee believes that the lack of a central
RDT&E Institute to coordinate nationwide efforts results in
higher costs to the taxpayer.
The Committee believes that it is critical that the next
generation of pathogen and microbiome researchers are educated
through university partnerships, as neither the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA) nor federal contractors have the tools
for such training. Formally designating a university-housed
Center of Excellence within DTRA would enable a central entity
staffed with experts in different research disciplines to
include immunology; vaccines; therapeutics; genomics;
bioinformatics; disease models; and artificial intelligence to
coordinate these many efforts without the need to create
another entity within DTRA.
The Committee therefore directs the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs,
with support from the Director of DTRA, to submit a report by
December 31, 2019 to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and House of Representatives on the benefits and
feasibility of designating and funding an existing operational
entity which has a proven record of zero violations for safety,
shipping, and compliance as the National Institute for Pathogen
and Microbiome Analysis under DTRA to coordinate, focus, and
assist DTRA's RDT&E efforts to protect warfighters from
biological threats.
Role of universities in rapid prototyping
The committee recognizes that the ability to rapidly
prototype services, technologies, and systems is critical to
expanding warfighting capabilities by reducing time and cost to
field systems. While the Department of Defense engages with the
university community in support of basic research and workforce
development, the committee believes universities can also
contribute to rapidly integrating existing and new technologies
into the Department's systems. The committee encourages the
Department to explore the establishment of partnerships with
academia under a university consortium, cooperative agreement,
or multi-institution task order contract model, as authorized
in section 217(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), to rapidly prototype
services, technologies, and systems with national security
applications into Department of Defense command, control,
communications, computers, cyber, and intelligence systems and
infrastructure.
Tactical data links
The committee remains concerned with the lack of a
Department of Defense-wide, comprehensive effort to achieve a
resilient and survivable network for 5th and 4th generation
systems data sharing in a highly contested operational
environment. Section 234 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) directed the then-
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics to coordinate with the Secretary of the Navy and the
Secretary of the Air Force to develop a competitive acquisition
plan for low probability of detection/low probability of
intercept (LPD/LPI) datalink network capability. The committee
notes, however, that the Department's plan was not sufficient
or comprehensive.
The National Defense Strategy's shift to peer and near-peer
threats requires joint force capabilities for operations in
highly contested environments. The F-22 and the F-35 aircraft
possess LPD/LPI datalinks, but their two systems, the Intra-
Flight Data Link and the Multifunction Advanced Data Link
(MADL), cannot share information between aircraft. The
Department identified F-35's MADL as the preferred airborne
datalink to meet the requirement, but the associated form, fit,
and function changes required rendered this unaffordable and
the effort was cancelled. Additionally, the Air Force's concept
for an Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) for battle
management and command and control (BMC2) also depends upon
LPD/LPI datalinks to exchange intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) and BMC2 information between current and
future sensor network nodes.
The committee believes LPD/LPI networked communications
must be a priority, and therefore, directs the Under Secretary
of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination
with the Secretaries of the Air Force and Navy, to provide a
report to the congressional defense committees by December 1,
2019, on plans to ensure LPD/LPI communications among and
between 5th and 4th generation airborne platforms as well as
other network nodes for command, control, communications, and
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The report
shall include:
(1) all current and planned LPD/LPI data link developments,
with requirements, technology specifications and readiness
levels, and applicability to specific platforms and network-
enabled weapon systems;
(2) a plan and schedule for flight testing the data links
in operationally relevant environments; and,
(3) estimated cost and schedule to implement each solution.
University and industry research centers
The budget request contained $86.2 million in PE 61104A for
University and Industry Research Centers.
The committee is concerned that although many valuable
innovations, such as combat gauze and tourniquets, have derived
from lessons learned on the battlefield and are now
commercially available, many more get lost in institutions,
laboratories, and the ``Valley of Death''. Key components of
accessing capital, sharing information on current military
medical gaps and private-sector capabilities to address them,
forming synergistic collaborations across academic
institutions, businesses and government, and providing guidance
to entrepreneurs and start-ups all remain essential to enable
innovations to transition for Military Medical Innovations.
Additionally, university and industry research centers of
excellence conduct a wide range of research to advance
technology in support of the Army's modernization priorities.
The committee recommends $91.2 million, an increase of $5.0
million, in PE 61104A for University and Industry Research
Centers to help address the challenges to expand the
entrepreneurial ecosystem to address unmet needs for the
Department of Defense and produce dual-use innovations.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 201--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for research,
development, test, and evaluation at the levels identified in
section 4201 of division D of this Act.
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
Section 211--Program on Enhancement of Preparation of Dependents of
Members of Armed Forces for Careers in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics
This section would make section 233 of the Carl Levin and
Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291) permanent. Section
233 created a pilot program on enhancement of preparation of
dependents of members of Armed Forces for careers in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program
improves STEM learning and performance for children; helps
retain service members; provides STEM education opportunities
to children in lower socioeconomic communities from which the
U.S. military recruits heavily; and is a national level
curriculum that works well for families that move around the
country.
The committee expects the Secretary of Defense to continue
to coordinate with other government organizations and
departments as appropriate, to include the Secretary of
Education, the National Science Foundation, and the heads of
such other Federal, State, and local government and private
sector organizations as the 0Secretary of Defense considers
appropriate. Additionally, the committee expects the Secretary
to continue, to the maximum extent practicable, to make use of
the authorities under chapter 111 and sections 2601, 2605, and
2374a of title 10, United States Code, section 219 of the
Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2009 (10 U.S.C. 2358), and such other authorities as the
Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.
Section 212--Temporary Inclusion of Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center of the Department of Defense in Personnel Management Authority
to Attract Experts in Science and Engineering
This section would extend personnel management authorities
to the Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center to
facilitate recruitment of eminent experts in science or
engineering through December 31, 2024.
Section 213--Joint Hypersonics Transition Office
This section would amend section 218 of the John Warner
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public
Law 109-364) by directing the Department of Defense to
establish a coordinating office that standardizes the technical
priorities across the Department and provides discretionary
authorization of funding of new technologies for expeditious
transition to the service weapons systems.
Section 214--Modification of Proof of Concept Commercialization Program
This section would amend section 1603(g) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-
66) by extending the Proof of Concept Commercialization Pilot
Program through 2024 and amending the title of the section
heading by inserting ``of Dual-Use Technology'' after
``Commercialization.''
Section 215--Contract for National Security Research Studies
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment, to seek to enter into a contract to support the
JASON scientific advisory group, and would require notification
to the congressional defense committees 90 days before
termination of such contract. The committee also expects the
Department of Defense to provide notification to the
congressional defense committees if the contract expires
without renewal.
Section 216--JASON Scientific Advisory Group
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to seek
to engage the members of the private scientific advisory group
known as ``JASON'' as advisory personnel to provide advice, on
an ongoing basis, on matters involving science, technology and
national security.
Section 217--Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology
Program
This section would authorize a program for carbon capture
from the sea to support energy security and increase the
efficiency of forward deployed units.
Section 218--Foreign Malign Influence Operations Research Program
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering to carry out a research program on
foreign malign influence operations research as part of the
university and other basic research programs of the Department
of Defense, such as the Minerva Research Initiative.
Section 219--Sensor Data Integration for Fifth Generation Aircraft
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
ensure fifth generation aircraft such as the F-35, F-22, and B-
21 can share and disseminate data collected by on-board sensors
with other joint service users and platforms. This section
would further require the Comptroller General of the United
States to assess and provide an interim briefing to the
congressional defense committees within 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Department's doctrinal,
organizational, and technological methods of managing sensor
data collected by fifth generation aircraft and the ability of
fifth generation aircraft to share information collected in
real-time with other joint service users and platforms.
Section 220--Documentation Relating to Advanced Battle Management
System
This section would require the Secretary of the Air Force
to provide program documentation for the Advanced Battle
Management System (ABMS) family of systems.
The fiscal year 2019 budget request for the Air Force
cancelled the long-planned Joint Surveillance Target Attack
Radar System recapitalization and included a small amount of
funding in existing programs as a bridge to a new concept for
comprehensive battle management command and control. The
committee notes that this concept, the Advanced Battle
Management System, envisions several existing airborne and
ground intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and
command and control systems connected by resilient, protected
communications and data links.
The budget request provided limited programmatic details on
ABMS. The committee is concerned with the lack of discernible
benchmarks to assess and measure progress. The committee
understands that the ABMS Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) will
conclude in 2019. At that time, the committee expects the Air
Force to complete the documentation requested by this section
and submit it to the congressional defense committees not later
than 180 days after completion of the AOA.
The committee also notes that Air Force modernization plans
rely on introducing artificial intelligence and machine
learning into a range of major weapon systems. Given the
intended capability of ABMS, the committee believes the Air
Force should consider prototyping and demonstrating the utility
of artificial intelligence and automated sensor fusion as part
of the ABMS concept.
Section 221--Documentation Relating to B-52 Commercial Engine
Replacement Program
This section would limit funds for the B-52 commercial
engine replacement program until the Secretary of the Air Force
submits a capability development document and a signed test and
evaluation master plan.
Section 222--Diversification of the Science, Technology, Research, and
Engineering Workforce of the Department of Defense
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
assess critical skillsets required in the Department of
Defense's science, technology, research, and engineering
workforce to support emerging and future warfighter
technologies, to include an analysis of the recruiting,
retention and representation of minorities and women in the
current workforce, and geographic diversity.
Additionally, this section would require the Secretary of
Defense to develop and implement a plan to diversify and
strengthen the Department's science, technology, research, and
engineering workforce using existing programs and authorities
to include authorities granted in sections 2304d, 2371, and
2358 of title 10, United States Code.
Finally, this section would require the Secretary to submit
a report to the congressional defense committees within 1 year
from the date of the enactment of this Act with the plan to
diversify the workforce.
Section 223--Policy on the Talent Management of Digital Expertise and
Software Professionals
This section would create a Chief Digital Engineering
Recruitment and Management Officer at the Department of Defense
responsible for promoting and maintaining digital expertise and
software development as core competencies for civilian and
military employees at the Department of Defense.
Section 224--Development and Implementation of Digital Engineering
Capability and Automated Software Testing and Evaluation
This section would direct the Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering and the Director, Operational Test
and Evaluation, in consultation with Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment, the military service
acquisition executives, the service testing commands, and
Defense Digital Service, to design, develop, and implement
digital engineering capability and infrastructure to provide
technically accurate digital models to the acquisition process
that serve as the foundation for automated approaches to
software testing and evaluation.
Additionally, this section would direct the Under Secretary
and Director to carry out pilot programs to demonstrate whether
it is possible for automated testing to satisfy developmental
and operational test requirements to enable the Department to
find and prevent defects in software earlier and deliver new
capability to the field faster and on an iterative basis. This
section would also direct the Under Secretary and Director to
implement policies and guidance for both efforts and would
require an initial report be submitted to the congressional
defense committees outlining details on the selected pilot
programs.
Section 225--Process to Align Policy Formulation and Emerging
Technology Development
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish a process to ensure that the policies of the
Department of Defense relating to emerging technology are
formulated and updated continuously as such technology is
developed by the Department not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act. This section would also
require the Secretary to submit a report on the process to the
congressional defense committees.
The committee notes that technology development often
outpaces policy formulation. For example, the Department is
investing significantly in hypersonics, artificial
intelligence, directed energy, and other cutting-edge
technologies without a cohesive policy regarding development
and employment of such capabilities, including the use of these
technologies for offensive purposes. The committee believes the
Department should better align policy formulation with
technology development in order to promote responsible
capability development and facilitate rapid and appropriate
deployment to the warfighter.
Section 226--Limitation on Transition of Strategic Capabilities Office
of the Department of Defense
This section would limit the ability of the Secretary of
Defense to transfer the functions of the Strategic Capabilities
Office to another organization or element of the Department
unless certain conditions are met.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
Section 231--Master Plan for Implementation of Authorities Relating to
Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering (USD(R&E)), to provide a master plan to the
congressional defense committees by October 30, 2020, on how
the Department of Defense will use its current authorities and
responsibilities granted in previous National Defense
Authorization Acts to modernize the workforce and capabilities
of its science and technology reinvention laboratories.
Further, this provision would require an initial report from
USD(R&E) to be submitted to the congressional defense
committees within 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act on the barriers that prevent each military service
from fully implementing currently available authorities and
responsibilities. This section would direct the USD(R&E) to
create the plan and report in consultation with the Secretary
of each military department, the Service Acquisition
Executives, and the affected commanders of each military
command with responsibilities relating to research and
engineering.
Section 232--Master Plan for Infrastructure Required to Support
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Missions
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments,
to develop and implement a master plan that addresses the
research, development, test, and evaluation infrastructure and
modernization requirements of the Department of Defense, to
include the science and technology reinvention laboratories and
the Major Range and Test Facility Bases. This section would
require the master plan be provided to the congressional
defense committees by October 30, 2020.
The committee is aware that the laboratories and test
facilities do not compete well across the military departments
for military construction and other infrastructure funding and
that authorities provided to promote and allow for
infrastructure investment remain underutilized by the
Department. The committee expects the Department to utilize
authorities provided by Congress to ensure the in-house
infrastructure of the Department remains viable in order to
continue to support warfighter requirements.
In developing the master plan, the committee expects the
Secretary to enlist the expertise of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering, the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and the Director of
Operational Test and Evaluation. Finally, the committee expects
the Secretaries of the military departments to enlist the
expertise of their Service Acquisition Executives and civilian
research leadership as well as the relevant commanders of each
military command with responsibility for research and
engineering.
Section 233--Strategy and Implementation Plan for Fifth Generation
Information and Communications Technologies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement a strategy for fifth generation
information and communications technologies not later than 270
days after the date of the enactment of this Act and to provide
a briefing to the congressional defense committees not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act on
progress in developing the strategy.
Section 234--Department-Wide Software Science and Technology Strategy
This section would require that the Secretary of Defense,
acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and
Engineering, designate a senior official with principal
responsibility for guiding the direction of research and
development of next generation software and software intensive
systems for the Department of Defense. Further, this section
would require that the designated senior official develop a
strategy for research and development of the next generation
software and software intensive systems and submit the strategy
to the congressional defense committees not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 235--Artificial Intelligence Education Strategy
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop a strategy which identifies the key aspects,
applications, and challenges associated with artificial
intelligence that can be developed into an educational
curriculum for military service members who utilize the
technology in the execution of responsibilities. This section
would also require the development of an implementation plan
for the educational curriculum, and mandates that the
Department of Defense provide the Artificial Intelligence
Education Strategy and the associated implementation plan to
the congressional defense committees not later than 270 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 236--Biannual Report on the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center
This section would require a biannual report by the
Secretary of Defense on the Joint Artificial Intelligence
Center (JAIC) and its efforts to harmonize the Department's
work on artificial intelligence (AI) issues. The report would
require the Department to detail the status of the JAIC, its
current staffing, hiring efforts, and investment priorities.
The report would specify how the JAIC is working with the
military services, academia, industry, and international
partners to develop and operationalize AI.
The committee supports the work of the Department of
Defense on matters related to AI, as evident in section 238 of
the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), which directed the
establishment of a set of activities within the Department of
Defense to coordinate the efforts of the Department to develop,
mature, and transition artificial intelligence technologies
into operational use. The committee will ensure that the
Department approaches issues involving AI, such as workforce
development and ethical use, in a substantive and comprehensive
manner.
Section 237--Quarterly Updates on the Optionally Manned Fighting
Vehicle Program
This section would require the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology to provide
quarterly briefings, beginning October 1, 2019, to the
congressional defense committees on the status and progress of
the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program.
Section 238--Grants for Civics Education Programs
This section would require that the Secretary of Defense
carry out a program under which the Secretary makes grants to
eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to support the
development and evaluation of civics education programs.
Section 239--Technology and National Security Fellowship
This section would establish a Technology and National
Security Fellowship program within the Department of Defense to
increase national security professionals with science,
technology, engineering, and math degrees.
Section 240--National Security Commission on Defense Research at
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority
Institutions
This section would establish an independent Federal
commission to advance the research capability of Historically
Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority
Institutions.
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Energy Issues
Energy Efficiency Improvements for Shelters and Hard Containers
The committee notes that Department of Defense use of
shelters, hard containers, and mobile units plays an integral
role in overseas deployment. Many of these units are climate
controlled in diverse and austere environments across the world
in support of our Armed Services, often at great financial
cost. The committee notes that use of shelters and hard
containers requires cost avoidance, energy efficiency and
sustainability.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2020, on the development of energy efficient
shelters and hard containers. At a minimum, the report shall
contain the following:
(1) A discussion of the utility, viability, cost-
effectiveness, and environmental benefit of energy efficiency
improvements for shelters;
(2) The viability of including mobile insulation systems to
standard Department of Defense shelters and hard containers
with heating or cooling systems;
(3) A discussion of other cost-saving, efficiency enhancing
technologies;
(4) The potential for cost savings through reduced
environmental control system costs; and
(5) Energy consumption and energy loss data from field
tests of current shelters.
Enhancing Installation Energy Resiliency through Renewable Energy
The committee notes that the Department of Defense has a
goal of 25 percent renewable energy for military facilities and
institutions by 2025. The committee further notes that
renewable energy can be an important element of ensuring energy
resiliency and mission assurance at Department of Defense
installations, and to that end some services have already
exceeded the 25 percent goal in pursuit of enhanced energy
resiliency. The committee encourages the Secretary of Defense
to procure, construct, operate, maintain, test, and upgrade
independent energy resilient systems for critical energy
requirements on its military installations.
Additionally, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report to the Senate Committee on Armed
Services and the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2020, on the following:
(1) the Department's progress towards meeting the 25
percent goal by military service, the feasibility of increasing
this goal as a means of enhancing energy resiliency, and the
resources that would be required to accomplish a higher goal;
(2) the extent the services share best practices in
achieving energy resiliency through renewable energy sources;
and
(3) the Department's plans for achieving 100 percent energy
resilience for its critical energy loads and the feasibility of
achieving this goal by fiscal year 2030. If 2030 is not
attainable, the report shall include a projection for when this
goal will be attainable.
Fuel Resiliency Issues within the Department of Defense
The committee notes that the Federal Aviation
Administration and commercial aviation industry are assessing
sustainable alternative fuel options as a means to address fuel
cost and energy security challenges. The committee understands
that a commercial airline achieved enhanced performance and
lower fuel consumption through use of a sustainable fuel blend.
If these results can be replicated, sustainable fuel usage will
likely increase in commercial aviation. The committee further
notes that as these fuel options come into commercial use,
military aircraft may encounter them when using commercial
airfields either in the course of normal operations or as an
emergency divert location. An assessment of sustainable fuel
blends for military aviation use will contribute to operational
resiliency.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 1, 2019, on fuel resiliency and availability
worldwide. The report shall include an assessment of the range
of fuel formulations in use worldwide, particularly at divert
locations where commercially available fuels may differ from
military specifications; trends in the commercial aviation fuel
market and how they may impact fuel resiliency; and what the
Department is doing to ensure that it retains the maximum
flexibility to refuel military aircraft worldwide.
Geothermal Revenue Sharing Process Improvements
The committee notes that section 313 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) amended section 2916 of title 10, United States
Code, to require that half of the revenue generated by sale of
geothermal energy resources be set aside for the installation
that is the source of the geothermal energy to use on local
energy, water, or military construction projects.
The committee is concerned that the process used by the
Navy to distribute these funds to eligible installations is
unwieldy and slow. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2019, describing the
current process for distributing these funds, a plan to improve
the process so that local commanders can rapidly address base-
level needs, and the timeline for implementing process
improvements.
Maintenance Availability for Destroyers for Hybrid Electric Drive
Retrofit
The committee understands that hybrid electric drive (HED)
propulsion systems operate with greater efficiency and
facilitate greater range and on-station time. Given these
benefits, the committee believes the Navy should make maximum
use of the HED technology currently in its inventory.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
September 30, 2019, on the availability of Flight II Arleigh
Burke-class destroyers for retrofit with previously procured
hybrid electric drive systems. The report shall include a
description of upcoming maintenance availability periods that
would be of adequate duration to allow for installation of the
HED, any additional barriers to installation, and any plans the
Department of the Navy has for use of the remaining HED systems
that would not involve installation on a naval vessel.
Medium Power Mobile Transformer Substations
The committee is aware of the Department of Defense's
continuing interest in grid resiliency as it pertains to
military installations. The committee is interested in
understanding and determining the military installations with
the greatest critical energy requirements and exhibiting the
most significant energy resilience vulnerabilities. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2020, on the ten military installations with the greatest
critical energy requirements and their top five installation
critical energy vulnerabilities and appropriate mitigation
strategies, strategies to ensure resilience, and mature
technologies that enhance capabilities.
Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Vehicles on Department of Defense
Installations
The committee believes that military installations could
improve resiliency through a network of microgrids supporting
hybrid or fully electric administrative vehicles. Further, the
committee notes that the majority of government administrative
vehicles do not transit large distances, and are therefore
ideally suited for plug-in hybrid or fully electric technology.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
September 30, 2019, on the feasibility of requiring Department
of Defense installations to procure plug-in hybrids or fully
electric vehicles for the government vehicle fleet and install
appropriate microgrids to support charging infrastructure to
charge the vehicles.
Report on Department of Defense and NATO Cooperation on Energy
Infrastructure
The committee recognizes that energy security in Europe is
a critical enabler to United States military readiness in the
region. The committee further appreciates that the United
States has economic and national security interests in
assisting Central and Eastern European countries in achieving
energy security through diversification of energy sources and
supply routes. To that end, the committee encourages the
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of
State, to work with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) allies and partners to study vulnerabilities from energy
instability in Europe and develop ways to mitigate these
vulnerabilities. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, that provides the results of this study. The
report shall include at least the following:
(1) identify and list energy vulnerabilities that impact
the military readiness of the United States and its allies in
Central and Eastern Europe;
(2) identify and list vulnerabilities to supply routes that
impact the military readiness of the United States and its
allies in Central and Eastern Europe;
(3) assess the Department of Defense's current ability to
mitigate and respond to these vulnerabilities;
(4) identify ways in which the Department can enhance
integration and mitigate these vulnerabilities in the future;
and
(5) results of coordination with the Department of State on
ways in which diplomatic relationships can be leveraged to
provide energy security.
Review of Offshore Energy Development Projects
The committee understands that the Department of Defense
has streamlined its process for evaluating energy development
projects to include both onshore and offshore energy
development under the Military Aviation and Installation
Assurance Siting Clearinghouse (Siting Clearinghouse). The
committee applauds this consolidation and believes it will
ensure a consistent process for evaluating energy development
projects for their potential impacts to military activities.
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than September 30, 2019,
on the consolidation of these functions under the Siting
Clearinghouse. The briefing should address how offshore
projects will be evaluated under the Siting Clearinghouse
process, how the Siting Clearinghouse will interact with the
Department of Interior when evaluating offshore projects, and
whether any legislative changes to section 183a of title 10,
United States Code, are required in order to support the Siting
Clearinghouse review of offshore projects.
Siting Clearinghouse Process for Wind Energy
The development of wind energy off the Central California
coast would provide a reliable renewable energy resource that
would enhance energy independence and grid stability. The
committee notes that the Department of Defense has
traditionally used the Siting Clearinghouse process to provide
a timely, transparent, technical, mission-specific and science-
based analysis of potential impacts to military operations from
proposed domestic energy development. Through this process, the
Clearinghouse traditionally looks for impacts on military
testing and training operations. However, given the
proliferation of offshore wind turbines in the Indo-Pacific
theater, wind energy development off the Central California
coast could also provide an area to develop tactics,
techniques, and procedures for military operations in the
vicinity of offshore wind turbines. Therefore, the committee
directs the Executive Director of the Department of Defense
Siting Clearinghouse to provide an analysis to the House
Committee on Armed Services, not later than September 1, 2019,
which outlines how the Clearinghouse process will evaluate
real-world environments in which the military may need to
operate to determine whether offshore wind development is
compatible with or may enhance military testing and training
operations. The Executive Director shall provide the House
Committee on Armed Services with a detailed briefing that
includes analysis of the existing California call areas
identified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), a
summary of Department concerns, alternatives being evaluated,
and how real-world environments are being considered in the
evaluations. In the interim, the Committee directs the
Department not to communicate a final position of opposition to
offshore wind leasing in any of the three California call areas
identified by BOEM.
Logistics and Sustainment Issues
B-52 Stratofortress power plant sustainment
The Committee understands that technologies exist to
achieve increased performance on aircraft engines using an
advanced foam wash. Recent tests on military aircraft with the
same or similar engines as B-52s using foam cleaning technology
have demonstrated the ability to reduce engine temperatures,
increase engine performance, reduce engine maintenance costs,
increase visual inspection for maintainers, and save fuel. The
Committee strongly encourages the Air Force to evaluate the
benefits that can be achieved with advanced engine wash
technologies. The Committee also directs the Secretary of the
Air Force to provide a brief to the Committee outlining the
interim B-52 power plant sustainment program while each
aircraft awaits engine replacement.
C-17 Sustainment
The committee recognizes the critical capability of the C-
17 Globemaster 111, which provides strategic and tactical
airlift, medical evacuation and aerial deliveries in support of
combat and humanitarian missions around the world. The
committee further recognizes that the existing sustainment C-17
Globemaster Ill strategy, which is a performance-based
logistics contract, has resulted in consistent mission
readiness rates that exceed 80% and fully conforms with the
percentage limitations on performance of depot-level
maintenance (50/50 requirements) of Section 2466 of Title 10,
United States Code.
The committee is aware that at a time when aviation
readiness rates on other fleets have been lagging, the Air
Force is considering changing the sustainment strategy for C-
17. The committee notes that Section 2337 of Title 10, United
States Code, requires a periodic review product support
arrangement to ensure the arrangements are consistent with the
overall product support strategy. The committee understands
that the Air Force contracted PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to
conduct an independent Product Support Business Case Analysis
of the C-17 sustainment strategy and that analysis has been
completed and delivered to the Air Force. The committee directs
the Secretary of the Air Force to provide the PWC business case
analysis on C-17 sustainment to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than June 30, 2019.
The committee further directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than July 31, 2019, detailing the Air Force's
analysis and decision-making related to changes to C-17
sustainment
Commercial Best Practices for Maintenance and Logistics
The committee notes that commercial industries, such as
passenger and cargo airlines, maritime fleets, and retail
merchants, must manage international maintenance and supply
chain to stay competitive. As a result, private industry seeks
to reduce sustainment costs and increase operational
availability by implementing innovative solutions to areas such
as supply chain management, inventory accountability, workload
forecasting, and maintenance practices and procedures. The
committee believes many of these industry best practices can
and should be leveraged by the Department of Defense to reduce
sustainment costs and increase readiness. Therefore, the
committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Sustainment, in coordination with the Secretaries of the
military departments, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2020, on
initiatives to incorporate commercial best practices into
weapon system maintenance, inventory accountability, workload
forecasting, and supply chain management. The briefing should
address specific examples of commercial partnerships or best
practices that have been adopted by the Department of Defense,
areas of focus the Department of Defense is looking to industry
for lessons learned or best practices, and barriers to
implementing commercial best practices in areas of maintenance,
inventory management, workload forecasting, and supply chain
management.
Comptroller General Report on F-35 Sustainment
The committee recognizes the importance of the F-35
Lightning II program to U.S. national defense and cooperation
with foreign allies and partners. The F-35 is replacing a
variety of aircraft in the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps,
representing the future of tactical air for the Department of
Defense. The F-35 program is the most ambitious and expensive
weapon system in the Department's history, with total life-
cycle costs estimated by the Department to be in excess of $1.0
trillion. While the F-35 brings advanced, fifth-generation
aviation capabilities to our military, the program faces
sustainment challenges in areas including repair capacity,
global spare parts availability and capability, mission
capability, and functionality of its Autonomic Logistics
Information System. In addition, affordability concerns have
led the military services to identify a need to reduce total
operation and support costs per aircraft by 43 percent for the
Air Force, 24 percent for the Marine Corps, and 5 percent for
the Navy.
Given the significance of the F-35 program to the future of
tactical air for the military, the Department's need to operate
and deploy the F-35 on a widespread basis in the coming years,
the involvement of international partners and foreign military
sales customers, and the importance of maintaining
affordability, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to review the Department's sustainment
efforts related to the F-35 to include issues such as:
(1) the status of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program
sustainment strategy.
(2) Department oversight and prime contractor management of
key sustainment functions.
(3) the Department's ability to reduce costs or maintain
affordability for F-35 fleet sustainment.
(4) other matters regarding F-35 sustainment and
affordability that the Comptroller General determines of
critical importance to the long-term viability of the program.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2020, with the preliminary findings of the
Comptroller General's review, with successive reports to follow
on March 1, 2021, and March 1, 2022, respectively.
Comptroller General Report on Homeport of U.S. Aircraft Carriers
The committee notes that the Navy's 2018 Strategic Laydown
and Dispersal Plan reversed a previous Navy decision to return
an aircraft carrier to Naval Station Everett in fiscal year
2019. The Secretary of the Navy has stated the decision was
made due to maintenance efficiencies and to minimize the impact
to personnel. However, the committee is concerned that the Navy
did not make this decision by fully considering operational
impacts, installation capacity, or State and local plans that
could mitigate impacts to the maintenance of, and personnel
assigned to, the ship.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services on recent changes to the Navy's west coast
aircraft carrier homeporting. The review should address the
following:
(1) a description of recent changes to west coast aircraft
carrier homeporting plans and the process used to make those
changes;
(2) the extent to which the Navy considered fleet
dispersal, access to deep water and dredging requirements, man-
made or natural restrictions to deployability, encroachment,
installation capacity, and previous analyses of west coast
aircraft carrier homeporting conducted pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321);
(3) the degree to which State and local governments were
consulted about alterations to previous homeporting plans and
potential cost-sharing arrangements; and
(4) any other matter the Comptroller General determines
appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2020, on the Comptroller General's
preliminary findings and present final results in a format and
timeframe agreed to at the time of the briefing.
Comptroller General Report on Littoral Combat Ship Operations and
Sustainment
The committee notes that 16 of 33 planned littoral combat
ships (LCS) have been delivered to the Navy, with at least 15
more under construction or in the pre-production phase. The LCS
comprises a growing proportion of the surface fleet, yet the
ship has limited operational experience and its mission
packages remain behind schedule. In response to program
challenges with executing the ships' unique operational and
sustainment concepts, the Navy conducted an LCS program review
in 2016 and announced fundamental changes to the ships'
crewing, maintenance, and other operational concepts. As the
Navy implemented these changes, it canceled planned 2018 LCS
deployments but has announced three planned LCS deployments for
2019. These deployments will be another opportunity for the
Navy to test the feasibility of revisions to its operational
and sustainment concepts, even as more LCS enter the fleet.
Given these issues and the vital importance of affordably
operating and sustaining the LCS, the committee directs the
Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of
the following topics:
(1) to what extent has the Navy implemented the LCS program
changes announced in 2016;
(2) to what extent has the Navy demonstrated that revised
LCS operational concepts and sustainment plans are executable;
and what, if any, challenges did the Navy have on its initial
deployments using this revised concept;
(3) how has the Navy prepared to support and maintain LCS
while they are deployed overseas;
(4) what have been the operating and sustainment costs of
the LCS program to date, how have these deviated from cost
estimates, and to what extent has the Navy updated the LCS cost
estimate to include the new operation and support strategy;
(5) what are LCS long-term contracting strategies for ship
repair and maintenance and to what extent do they address
challenges related to the cost of maintaining the vessels; and
(6) any other related matters the Comptroller General
considers appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2020, on preliminary findings of the
Comptroller General's review, and to present final results in a
format and timeframe agreed to at the time of briefing.
Comptroller General Report on Ship Repair Capabilities and Capacity
The committee notes the Navy will seek to increase from 289
to 355 ships in order to meet the new National Defense
Strategy. However, the committee is concerned that the current
configuration and capacity of the U.S. industrial base, as well
as maintenance capabilities overseas, may not be well-
positioned to support the ship repair capabilities necessary to
support a peacetime 355-ship Navy or to be successful in a
protracted near-peer naval conflict. Of note, the Navy has
consistently struggled to execute regularly scheduled
maintenance on time with the size of the fleet it operates
today. For example, over two-thirds of all aircraft carrier,
submarine, and surface ship maintenance availabilities were
completed late in the past 7 years. The Navy has also faced
challenges in responding to emergent, unplanned ship
maintenance work due to capability and capacity issues. The
Navy's Long-Range Plan for the Maintenance and Modernization of
Naval Vessels for Fiscal Year 2020 states that maintaining a
355-ship Navy will require a significant increase and upgrade
of public and private industrial capability and capacity to
meet the Navy's future ship repair needs.
Given these issues, and the critical importance ship repair
plays in sustaining Navy readiness during both peacetime and
conflict, the committee directs the Comptroller General of the
United States to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees that addresses the following:
(1) to what extent has the Navy identified the resources
and investments necessary to maintain and modernize a 355-ship
Navy and ensure sufficient ship repair capabilities and
capacity during a near-peer conflict;
(2) to what extent has the Navy identified or assessed
challenges or risks in the U.S. ship repair industrial base
and/or overseas Navy capacity as part of its planning to
maintain a 355-ship Navy and respond to battle-damaged ships
during a conflict;
(3) to what extent has the Navy developed plans to mitigate
or address those challenges to ensure effective and efficient
ship maintenance of a larger fleet and during conflict with a
near-peer; and
(4) any other related matters the Comptroller General
considers appropriate.
The Comptroller General shall provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2020,
on preliminary findings of the Comptroller General's review and
shall present final results in a format and timeframe agreed to
at the time of the briefing.
Conditions Based Maintenance Plus
The committee is aware the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and
Air Force are each conducting, to differing degrees, pilot
initiatives to assess the benefits of using a conditions based
maintenance plus (CBM+) maintenance model on weapon systems.
With CBM+, maintenance personnel can use algorithms that
analyze data collected from onboard sensors or from historic
data and maintenance trends to make informed decisions before a
part fails. The committee believes that a CBM+ maintenance
system can help reduce maintenance workloads, minimize the
maintenance downtime of a weapon system, improve the management
and response of the supply chain, reduce maintenance costs, and
increase overall military readiness. The committee believes
CBM+ has potential applications on both legacy weapon systems
and new acquisition programs. Therefore, the committee directs
the military service chiefs to each provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services not later than November 1,
2019, on the use of conditions based maintenance systems and
processes. The briefings should address specific weapon systems
that are currently utilizing CBM+ approaches, observations on
the impact CBM+ practices have had on the readiness of these
weapon systems, plans to expand CBM+ to additional weapon
systems, and any barriers to the expansion of CBM+.
Contracted Aerial Refueling Aircraft
The committee is aware that the Department of the Navy
utilizes the contracted air services program to provide
contractor-owned, contractor-operated aerial refueling in
support of Navy pilot initial qualification, recurring pilot
training, operational test and evaluation, and cross-country
and overwater refueling services. The Commander of U.S.
Transportation Command testified that the Air Force's aerial
refueling fleet is ``the most stressed capability in terms of
sufficiency.'' The committee is also aware that as many as
30,000 hours of aerial refueling missions are not being
supported annually. Given the current demands placed on the Air
Force's aerial refueling fleet, as well as the readiness rates
associated with those aircraft, the committee believes the
options to complement the Air Force's current and planned
organic aerial refueling fleet should be assessed.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in coordination with the Commander of U.S.
Transportation Command, to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than March 1, 2020,
assessing the feasibility, affordability, and advisability of
expanding the use of contractor-operated aerial refueling
aircraft to support Air Force receiver requirements. The
assessment should consider the types of refueling missions that
would be appropriate for support by a contractor-operated
aircraft.
Corrosion Control and Prevention
The committee recognizes that corrosion negatively affects
military equipment and infrastructure, can lead to the reduced
availability or capability of weapon systems, and creates
safety hazards for military personnel. According to a study
conducted for the Department of Defense, the estimated annual
cost of the impact of corrosion is $20.6 billion on the
Department of Defense. To help prevent corrosion, the military
services have invested in the research and development of
innovative coatings that can be applied to weapon systems to
increase the durability and operational capability of the
weapon system while reducing the cost and amount of time
required to maintain these weapon systems. In addition to
developing and utilizing innovative coatings, the committee
believes the military services should ensure that sufficient
training on the application of such coatings is available for
military and civilian personnel involved in weapon systems
sustainment at the installation and depot level. Therefore, the
committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Sustainment to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than November 1, 2019 that assesses the
current capability and capacity of its workforce to perform
corrosion prevention and control, to include the application of
preventative coatings. The report should address any identified
training shortfalls, to include whether there is a need to
establish a center focused on training and research related to
the development and application of paint and coatings.
Optimized Fleet Response Plan
The committee notes that the Navy began a multi-year
process of implementing the Optimized Fleet Response Plan
(OFRP) in November 2014. The stated goal of OFRP was to
maximize the availability of Navy ships for operations while
ensuring adequate time for maintenance and training while
providing an appropriate and predictable operational tempo for
Navy personnel. As directed in the committee report
accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2016 (H. Rept. 114-102), the Comptroller General reviewed
matters related to OFRP and, while noting it was too early to
assess the overall effectiveness, did note that there were
signs of challenges with implementation and execution of OFRP.
Since the Comptroller General's report in 2016, the committee
notes the Navy has experienced delays in the schedule of ship
maintenance availabilities, implemented a number of changes
following the release of the Navy's Comprehensive Review of
Surface Force Incidents and the Navy's Strategic Readiness
Review, and is responding to the Dynamic Force Employment
requirements of the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Therefore,
the committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to conduct an updated assessment of the Navy's Optimized
Fleet Response Plan (OFRP), to include:
(1) an analysis of the extent to which the Navy has been
successful in achieving the goals it established under OFRP in
terms of maintenance completion and timeliness, training
certifications, personnel fit/fill rates, operational
availability, and others;
(2) the impact that the performance of OFRP on ship
maintenance and training have had on the carrier air wings
maintenance, training, and readiness;
(3) how assumptions about operational availability and
costs under OFRP are affecting the Navy's force structure
assessment; and
(4) any other matter the Comptroller General determines
appropriate.
The committee directs the Comptroller General to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than March 1, 2020, with the preliminary findings of the
Comptroller General's review, with the report to follow at a
date to be determined at the time of the briefing.
Planning, Programming, and Budgeting for Sustainment
After several years of civilian and military leaders of the
Department of Defense raising concerns about the readiness of
the Armed Forces, the Congress passed a 2-year budget agreement
that provided additional resources for the Department of
Defense. Despite the readiness challenges raised, and
additional resources provided, the committee is concerned that
the Department failed to sufficiently plan, program, or budget
for key readiness-enabling accounts that provide for the
sustainment of weapon systems and equipment. For example, the
budget request for fiscal year 2020 provides for only 82
percent of the Marine Corps ground depot requirement, 92
percent of the Navy ship depot maintenance requirement, and 90
percent of the Air Force weapon systems sustainment
requirement. The committee is concerned that the military
departments frequently state the accounts are funded to their
``maximum executable rate'' without being able to provide
supporting analysis or describe what actions need to be taken
to increase the execution rates. While the committee recognizes
the need to invest in modernization and new weapon systems in
support of long-term readiness, such investments must be
appropriately balanced with the sustainment accounts that
maintain and improve the materiel condition of today's weapon
systems and equipment. Without sufficient investment in the
sustainment accounts, the near-term readiness of the Department
will continue to be challenged.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the
military departments to each provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than February 1, 2020,
that provides a detailed plan for the planning, programming,
budgeting, and execution of funding that support the
sustainment of weapon systems and equipment. The reports should
describe how the military departments calculate their
sustainment requirements, how the maximum executable
sustainment funding level is calculated, barriers to increasing
sustainment execution, and actions being taken to improve the
planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of accounts
that support the sustainment of weapon systems and equipment.
Report on the National Guard's Equipment Reimbursement Policies
In accordance with National Guard Regulations, State
Adjutant General have the authority to use federal equipment
during State Active Duty (SAD) missions, and the United States
Property and Fiscal Officers have the responsibility to seek
reimbursement for the use of that equipment. Comptrollers who
have received these reimbursements from the states had been
depositing them in three different ways: to current fiscal year
operation and maintenance accounts of the National Guard, to
the operation and maintenance accounts of the National Guard
for the fiscal year during which the SAD mission took place,
and to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury. The committee is
aware of a recent legal interpretation and updated policy
guidance that requires all reimbursements to be deposited in
the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury. The committee is
concerned that this new policy may adversely impact maintenance
and sustainment of equipment used for SAD missions.
The committee understands that the Chief of the National
Guard Bureau has been working with the State Adjutant Generals
to identify potential legislative changes that may be necessary
to allow reimbursements to be retained and utilized by the
National Guard. Therefore, the committee directs the Chief of
the National Guard Bureau to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services, not later than March 1, 2020. At
minimum, the report should provide details on the amount of
reimbursements for SAD missions deposited to the U.S. Treasury
in fiscal year 2019 and, if required, a legislative proposal
that would ensure reimbursed funds could be utilized for the
maintenance and sustainment of equipment utilized in SAD
missions.
Readiness Issues
Allocation of Excess Property for Wildfire Fighting
The Committee is supportive of Department of Defense
programs that transfer surplus and excess military equipment to
federal, state, and local agencies with responsibilities for
combating wildfires and emergency services. As the threat of
wildfires increases, the Firefighter Property Program (FFP) and
the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) provide
first responders with critical firefighting and emergency
service resources.
Wildfire risks are not evenly distributed, and the
Committee is supportive of ensuring that communities with the
greatest need and threat of wildfire have equitable access to
Department of Defense surplus property.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
acting through the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, in
coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through
the Chief of the United States Forest Service, to develop an
assessment of FFP and FEPP implementation, training, best
practices, and equipment distribution taking into account need
and risk. Further, the Secretary of Defense acting through the
Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shall provide a
report on its findings and any recommendations to more
efficiently increase firefighting and emergency service
capabilities to the Committees on Armed Services and
Agriculture of the U.S. House of Representatives, no later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Army Urban Training
The committee remains concerned that the Department of
Defense is not prepared to operate in complex, densely
populated urban cities which are the likely terrain of future
major conflict. The committee supports the Department's ongoing
efforts, but questions whether the Army has prioritized this
challenge. Specifically, the committee believes the Army should
establish two entities to address this gap. First, the Army
should establish an Army urban warfare center dedicated to the
study and research of urbanization, mega-cities, urban warfare,
and military operations in dense urban environments.
Second, the Army should construct an urban warfare training
center that focuses on advanced skills to fight, survive, and
win in urban operating environments at the brigade level and
higher. This training facility would address the challenges
associated with vertical, subterranean, and dense urban
terrain, and the inclusion and integration of joint and
interagency enablers.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than December 1, 2019, on the Army's plan to prepare
and train for high-intensity conflicts in dense urban warfare.
The briefing should include:
(1) how the Army plans and prepares doctrine for urban
warfare, including any plans to establish an urban warfare
center;
(2) an updated overview of a plan and timeline to construct
an urban warfare training center for dense urban warfare at the
brigade level and higher; and
(3) an identification of costs associated with the
construction of an urban warfare training center.
Assessment of Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation and Collision
Awareness Systems
The committee understands that despite numerous safety
procedures designed for safe, effective training--such as
assignment of different block altitudes, low altitude training
rules, and dive recovery rules--the majority of midair
collisions and terrain crashes involving combat aircraft occur
during training exercises, not combat operations. These mishaps
have repeatedly and tragically resulted in losses of life and
aircraft. To mitigate the current risk for midair collision and
controlled flight into terrain during air combat training, the
committee encourages the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps
officials to consider a collision awareness system that can
leverage existing infrastructure and systems that would allow
range training officers and pilots to receive notifications in
the event a potential midair or terrain crash is assessed.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the Air
Force and Navy, not later than November 29, 2019, to provide to
the congressional defense committees a report of the
utilization of air combat maneuvering instrumentation systems
for these purposes. This report shall include detailed analyses
on the costs, benefits, and feasibility of building out this
capability on air combat maneuver instrumentation equipment on
all combat aircraft as the basis for a collision awareness
system at all relevant training ranges.
Cold Weather Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment
The committee commends the Army for taking necessary steps
to improve and modernize cold weather organizational clothing
and individual equipment (OCIE) such as glove systems and
handwear to provide soldiers with a distinct combat advantage.
The committee is concerned that current procurement timelines
are too lengthy and will prevent cold weather units from
receiving the most effective cold weather items in a timely
manner. Such delay could negatively impact both the readiness
and lethality of the Army's cold weather combat units.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary of the Army
to review these acquisition timelines and take steps to make
cold weather OCIE items, including handwear, available to all
eligible soldiers as soon as possible through the programs of
record. Further, the committee supports efforts by the services
to support a strong domestic industrial base to ensure that
innovative and cost-effective cold weather OCIE items are
available now and in the future.
Comptroller General Assessment of Surface Fleet Manning, Workload, and
Training
The committee notes the Navy has taken steps to improve
shipboard manning and decrease sailor fatigue and workload
after the loss of life from ship collisions in 2017. The Navy
has reevaluated shipboard and in-port workload, updated surface
fleet manpower requirements, established minimum thresholds for
filling billets with sailors (``fill'') possessing the
appropriate skills (``fit''), and directed the implementation
of watchbills and shipboard routines to combat fatigue.
However, the committee is concerned that manning difficulties
and cultural resistance may hinder full implementation of these
initiatives. While the Navy is attempting to improve manning
and fatigue management, it is simultaneously implementing the
Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) initiative, meant to provide
sailors with more timely and targeted training. The committee
remains concerned about RRL's implementation across the fleet
and its efficacy in preparing sailors to execute their
workload, especially as the Navy grows the size of the surface
fleet.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 1, 2020, and to provide
a briefing on preliminary findings not later than April 1,
2020, addressing the following:
(1) to what extent is the Navy meeting manning fit and fill
goals for sea duty;
(2) actions the Navy is taking to mitigate any manning fit
and fill shortfalls and when shortfalls are projected to be
addressed;
(3) how manning guidance and implementation in the surface
community differs from that of the aviation and submarine
communities and from Federal guidelines for other professions;
(4) whether the Navy is positioned for a significant
manpower increase based on an increase to a 355-ship Navy and
to what extent the Navy's training pipelines are being
resourced to accommodate the increased demand;
(5) to what extent circadian rhythm watchbills and
shipboard routines have been implemented in the surface fleet,
factors that impede full implementation, and actions the Navy
has taken to mitigate these factors;
(6) the measures of effectiveness for RRL training and the
effect the RRL approach has on fleet readiness; and
(7) how RRL is affecting the qualifications of sailors when
they arrive at their first duty assignment as part of the
Forward Deployed Naval Forces, and how ship manning affects the
successful implementation of this training approach.
Comptroller General Report on Army Rail Capability
The committee notes that in 2012, the Army proposed a force
design update that would provide the rail capabilities required
for the contemporary operational environment. This force design
was approved by the Army Training and Doctrine Command's Army
Capabilities Integration Center and thereby created the Army
Reserve Expeditionary Railway Center.
The committee notes that the Expeditionary Railway Center's
mission is to provide rail network capability and
infrastructure assessments; perform rail mode feasibility
studies; provide advice on the employment of rail capabilities;
perform and track railway rolling stock capability assessments;
and perform and assist with rail planning in support of
military strategic and operational requirements.
In order to determine whether these actions have resulted
in an improvement to the Department of Defense's rail
capabilities, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives by
December 1, 2020, explaining to what extent the Army, through
the Expeditionary Railway Center, has assessed current rail
capabilities and addressed any identified gaps; if the Army's
2012 force design update and the Expeditionary Railway Center
have been successful in meeting combatant command requirements;
and how existing mechanisms inform Army and Department decision
makers about the ability of the Department's rail system to
meet combatant command needs.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, on the Comptroller General's preliminary
findings.
Comptroller General Report on Navy Collective Training for High-End
Combat Missions
The committee notes that the 2018 National Defense Strategy
stated that, in order to prepare for long-term strategic
competition, the U.S. military must train to ``high-end combat
missions'' alongside allies in bilateral and multinational
exercises. However, as the Government Accountability Office
testified in 2018, the Navy has focused recent efforts on
training up to existing standards and certifications in order
to rebuild readiness. Meanwhile, foreign militaries have been
improving the scope, complexity, and realism of their training.
As a result, the committee recognizes that U.S. Navy training
and exercises need sufficient realism in order to match our
near-peer competitors and provide the readiness and
capabilities needed to succeed in a high-end fight.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to conduct a study addressing:
(1) the extent to which the Navy's training standards have
been updated or changed to portray realistic scenarios, as
based on current intelligence;
(2) the extent to which Navy training and exercises
incorporate current and future threats, including cyber
attacks, electronic warfare, new acoustic sensors, and unmanned
underwater vehicles;
(3) the extent to which current warfare certifications and
training readiness data provide an accurate portrayal of the
Navy's readiness to perform in high-end combat missions; and
(4) any other related matters the Comptroller General
considers appropriate.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 1, 2020, on preliminary findings of the
Comptroller General's review, with the report to follow at a
date to be determined at the time of the briefing.
Comptroller General's Report on the Army's Use of Global Combat Support
System
The committee notes that logistics is a key combat support
area and a critical enabler underpinning U.S. military power.
The Army manages tactical logistics with the Global Combat
Support System-Army (GCSS-Army), which replaces several
separate legacy information systems used to manage logistics
support activities at the Army tactical unit level. Once fully
fielded, GCSS-Army will manage billions of dollars in assets on
an annual basis and will have more than 150,000 users. In April
2015, the Government Accountability Office reviewed the early
implementation of GCSS-Army at selected units and found that it
was generally meeting their logistics requirements. At that
time, however, very few tactical units had the full system
capability and the units were not deployed when using the
system. The Army was expecting to fully field GCSS-Army to its
tactical units by September 2017, but this did not occur.
Given this limited field experience to date, the committee
directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit
a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by June 1,
2020, explaining the following:
(1) how tactical units manage and track logistics support
activities using GCSS-Army when deployed in a military
operation,
(2) to what extent the Army has tested and evaluated the
use of GCSS-Army for logistics support during military
operations, and
(3) to what extent is GCSS-Army able to provide geographic
combatant commanders and other military leaders a common
operating picture of logistics support during military
operations.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, on the Comptroller General's preliminary
findings.
Corrosion Mitigation for Tactical Aircraft
While the U.S. military updated aircraft cleaning and
corrosion control requirements to mitigate corrosion and
maintain aircraft readiness, the committee understands that the
U.S. Army may not be currently performing recommended rinsing
procedures at certain locations due to lack of appropriate
equipment at those locations. The committee also notes that
lack of rinse equipment can present greater challenges in
austere environments where sand, dirt, and salt can cause
significant damage to aircraft and components and where the
lack of infrastructure and water resources also poses
challenges. Noting the significant costs associated with
airframe corrosion, the committee believes the use of
commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) tactical rise systems may
provide a quick return on investment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
no later than September 27, 2019, on the potential for wider
fielding of COTS tactical rinse systems for taxi-through fixed
and rotary wing aircraft. This briefing shall include a
detailed description of evaluations of such rinse systems to
date, a list of locations that currently lack such rinse
systems, whether there is a plan for using fielding additional
capabilities to address corrosion prevention and control for
taxi-through aircraft, and the potential for a program of
record for this capability.
Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Reductions
The committee commends the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Sustainment for its efforts to achieve
cost savings and provide military installations with the
necessary services in the event of an emergency. However, the
committee is concerned that the planned reductions in fire and
emergency services go too far in its reduction of appropriate
response personnel. As the reductions in services proceed, the
committee encourages the Office of the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Sustainment to ensure that there is an appropriate
number of fire and emergency personnel to provide adequate
response protection at military installations. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2019 on
the effects of currently planned reductions to fire and
emergency services as it pertains to providing adequate fire
and emergency response protection at military installations.
Hearing Protection Measures
The committee notes that despite the widespread
availability of ear protection equipment across the Department
of Defense, service members continue to experience hearing loss
attributed to their military service. The committee believes
that the Department of Defense should adopt a more innovative
approach to prevent hearing loss.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
January 1, 2020, on current hearing protection measures in use
during combat and training and the effectiveness of these
devices for a range of combat, combat support, and
administrative specialties. The report should also compare
hearing for service members upon entry into the military
services to the end of the first term of service and compare
discharged members receiving service-connected benefits for
hearing loss. This report should also include recommendations
for innovative safe technologies that could be used to deter
hearing loss or improve hearing through training and combat.
Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training
The committee continues to recognize the important role
that Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) and game-based (LVC-
G) systems can play to improve military capabilities and
readiness for missions in contested environments. While the
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force each have various
programs and initiatives to leverage LVC and LVC-G systems, the
committee is concerned the services lack clear investment
strategies or plans to scale the use of LVC and LVC-G systems
to improve and sustain military readiness. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretaries of the military departments
to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than November 1, 2019, on the military services'
investment strategies and plans to scale the use of LVC and
LVC-G systems. In addition, the briefing should address efforts
to use LVC and LVC-G systems to enhance joint and multinational
training and readiness and how LVC and LVC-G training will be
assessed within the Defense Readiness Reporting System.
Minimal-Notice Examinations of Naval Vessels and Associated Manpower
Requirements
The committee notes that naval vessel examinations are
critical for assessing the material readiness of the U.S. Navy
fleet. In order to provide a more accurate representation of
the material condition of each vessel without the benefit of
dedicated inspection preparation, section 322 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) required that examinations of naval
vessels be conducted on a minimal-notice basis. The committee
is aware that the Navy is undertaking a phased implementation
of this requirement that aims to achieve 100 percent minimal
notice by late 2019. The committee therefore directs the
President of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, on the results and lessons learned from its
implementation of minimal-notice examinations. In addition, the
committee is aware of a potential shortfall in the number of
inspectors available to meet the Navy's new examination
requirements and directs the President of the Board of
Inspection and Survey to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2020, on the results of
its upcoming Shore Manpower Requirements Determination.
Mission Capability Rating Assessment
On September 17, 2018, the Secretary of Defense issued a
memorandum to the Secretaries of the military departments
directing they achieve a minimum of 80 percent mission
capability rates and reduce operating and sustainment costs for
F-35, F-22, F-16, and F-18 aircraft by the end of fiscal year
2019. In addition, the memorandum directed the military
departments to ``set and pursue aggressive targets for other
enduring fixed- and rotary-wing aviation assets.'' The
committee supports the military departments' efforts to improve
the mission capability rates of aviation assets and reduce the
operating and sustainment costs of such assets. The committee
seeks to understand the lessons learned from this initiative
and how the improved readiness levels can be sustained and
applied to other components of the Armed Forces.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretaries of the
military departments to each provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services, not later than November 1, 2019,
on the results of their efforts to meet the directive outlined
in the September 2018 memorandum. The briefing should address
specific actions taken to meet the 80 percent mission
capability objective for each of the aircraft identified, the
framework for sustaining an appropriate mission capability
rating for each of the aircraft going forward, and plans to
expand the mission capability initiative to other weapons
systems that operate in the air, land, and sea domains.
Navy Readiness Assessment Teams
The committee is aware that the Navy leverages Engineering
Readiness Assessment Teams (ERATs) and Combat Systems Readiness
Assessment Teams (CSRATs) to provide periodic material
condition assessments and training assistance to the Navy's
surface forces in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Conducting
approximately 150 ship visits per year, ERATs help improve
technical knowledge, operational understanding, and operational
performance of the crews aboard Navy surface ships. The Navy
has identified ERATs as an integral component of the Optimized
Fleet Response Plan training cycle and the committee believes
ERATs help enhance unit readiness.
The committee is concerned about differences in the
contracting process for the ERAT and CSRAT programs. Of
particular concern is the lack of a uniform, standard, and
consistent funding source and the lack of an integrated program
management construct to unify the ERAT and CSRAT requirements,
management, and execution across both the Atlantic and Pacific
Fleets. This, coupled with the use of a non-Navy contract
vehicle, has further contributed to decline in execution of
both ERAT and CSRAT requirements. The committee believes the
Navy should seek ways to improve the coordination,
administration, and execution of these programs.
The committee is aware that Navy Surface Forces Atlantic is
in the process of adjusting its acquisition strategy for the
delivery of ERAT services. As these adjustments are made, the
committee will continue to closely monitor these changes, as
well as the management and funding of the ERAT and CSRAT
programs, to ensure the ERAT and CSRAT programs continue to
efficiently and effectively support the readiness of the Navy's
surface ships.
Northern Strike Exercise Funding
The committee notes that the Northern Strike exercise is
one of the largest Reserve Component exercises supported by the
Department of Defense. This annual event develops full-spectrum
combat readiness of National Guard, Active Component, and
coalition partner units through realistic, joint live-fire
training with an emphasis on joint and coalition force
cooperation. The committee recognizes that the Northern Strike
exercise has over 5,000 participants from all military services
and military units from the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland,
Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. However, the committee
is concerned that the Department of Defense has inconsistently
programmed funding for this annual event. Accordingly, the
committee directs the Chief, National Guard Bureau to submit a
report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives by December 1, 2019, that provides
the following:
(1) the annual cost of the Northern Strike exercise broken
out by account over the last 5 years;
(2) the number and countries of foreign partner
participants over the last 5 years;
(3) the number of military personnel by service and
component over 5 years broken out by service; and
(4) the anticipated funding for future exercises in the
Future Years Defense Program.
Report on Security Clearance Processing
The Committee is concerned with the persistent backlog of
security clearance applications and the impact that has on our
national security apparatus' ability to effectively recruit and
retain high-quality professionals. In 2018, the Government
Accountability Office added the government-wide personnel
security clearance process to their High-Risk List, which
identifies federal areas in need of urgent reforms to address
significant challenges. Pursuant to Executive Order 13869, the
responsibility for background investigations functions has been
transferred to the DoD, which combines the Defense Security
Service, the Consolidated Adjudication Facility, the National
Background Investigative Bureau, and several other components
under the newly renamed Defense Counterintelligence and
Security Agency. Consistent with this transfer of authority,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees not later than
180 days after the enactment of this Act detailing the scope of
both the investigative and adjudicative backlog, how cases are
disposed of (whether adjudicated or otherwise disposed of some
other way), current staffing levels at DSCA, and what reforms
are being put in place to reduce these backlogs while ensuring
a high-quality security clearance process.
Use of Funds Provided for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program
The committee believes the Defense Community Infrastructure
Pilot Program (DCIP) authorized by section 2861 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) can be a powerful tool for the long-term
sustainment and resiliency of defense installations. However,
the committee is concerned that the Department of Defense has
yet to issue a policy, guidance, or other documents regarding
the use of this new authority.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, in coordination with
the Director of the Office of Economic Adjustment, to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
February 1, 2020, on the Department's implementation of DCIP.
The report should address how the DCIP program will be
structured, policy guidance that has been issued for the
management of the program, how projects will compete and be
selected for funding, a description of projects that have been
selected, and a timeline for the award and completion of such
projects.
Utilization of Recycled Products in Military Clothing Items
The committee commends the Department of Defense on its
most recent update to its internal instruction on the
implementation of a sustainable procurement program for
recycled content products. In line with the Department's
internal instruction, and in the committee report accompanying
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S.
Rept. 112-26), the Secretary of Defense was required to submit
a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives on the utilization of recycled
products in military clothing items. That report cited four
military clothing items made from recycled materials at the
time, including the Protective Combat Uniform for the Special
Forces, the Third Generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing
System, Underwear, and the Army Fleece Jacket. Given the amount
of clothing items in the Department of Defense and prevalence
of recycled content products, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services by March 1, 2020, on the feasibility of
incorporating additional recycled content products into these
clothing items and other environmental protection clothing
items currently being utilized by service members.
Value of Energy and Logistics Informed Exercises
The committee notes that logistics play a critical role in
the success of military operations. Unfortunately, logistics,
specifically fuel and energy resource availability, are
routinely ``assumed out'' of military exercises, diminishing
the value of those opportunities to identify critical gaps in
our logistics plan. Additionally, the Department of Defense can
do more to protect logistics information from adversaries.
Therefore the committee encourages the Department of Defense to
conduct realistic war games and exercises that accurately
reflect the potential threats and limitations of the joint
logistics enterprise and encourages continued investment in its
logistics enterprise as an enabler of power projection and
sustainment operations against strategic competitors.
Women, Peace and Security Strategy in Military Training
The committee recognizes that the Women, Peace and Security
Strategy Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68) required that relevant
personnel receive training, as appropriate, in conflict
prevention, peace processes, mitigation, resolution, and
security initiatives that specifically addresses the importance
of meaningful participation by women, gender considerations and
meaningful participation by women, and effective strategies and
best practices for ensuring meaningful participation by women.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services, not
later than March 1, 2020, on how the Department is complying
with the requirements of Public Law 115-68 and how the required
training is incorporated into pre-deployment training for units
and military personnel deploying overseas.
Other Matters
Aircraft Noise Mitigation
The committee is concerned that decisions made by the
military departments with respect to basing and operating
military aircraft may have adverse noise impacts on the private
property and municipal properties such as schools that are
located in close proximity to military installations and
auxiliary military airfields at which tactical aircraft are
based and train. The committee is concerned that, while these
impacts are considered during required environmental reviews
and consultations, the military departments may not be taking
sufficient action to mitigate the impacts identified during
these reviews and consultations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services
not later than March 1, 2020, on the available programs and
authorities to mitigate the effects of military aircraft noise
on private residences, schools, and hospitals. The report
should address specific programs and authorities that are
available for such mitigations, the process used to provide for
such mitigations, a list of military installations where such
mitigations have been made to private residences or other
entities outside the installation within the last 5 years, and
a list of military installations where there are currently
private residences or other entities being considered for such
mitigations in the future.
Alternatives to Burn Pits
The Committee notes the Department's efforts to phase out
the use of open burn pits for disposal of waste in contingency
locations, unless there is no feasible alternative, and the May
31, 2019 report to Congress that indicated that ``no technology
or equipment solution has been devised that could eliminate all
waste burning requirements for every contingency location.''
The Committee encourages the Department to accelerate RDT&E for
technology or equipment solutions to eliminate the need for
open burn pits and to establish a safe, cost-effective, long
term solution for toxic waste disposal that can be used in any
contingency environment. The Committee directs the
Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2020, on the Department's assessment of available
alternatives to open burn pits, including any commercially
available solutions, RDT&E efforts to develop a feasible
alternative for use in contingency environments, any resource
constraints for acquisition of a technology or equipment
solution to eliminate the need for open burn pits, and a plan
of action and timeline for the projected transition to a new
technology or equipment solution.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam Training
The committee notes that while there has been significant
policy guidance issued from headquarters related to
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA), it is unclear whether there is adequate training of
individuals who are in regular contact with aqueous film
forming foam (AFFF) about the potential dangers associated with
PFOS and PFOA. The committee encourages the military services
to ensure that service members are aware of the potential
hazards related to AFFF and are aware of best practices for its
use, maintenance, and disposal.
Authorities Available to the Department of Defense for Tribal
Mitigation
The committee notes that there are many situations in which
military training or construction activities impact tribal
lands, cultural properties, or tribal treaty rights. The
committee further observes that consultation between the
service action proponent and the impacted tribe is required by
law. While consultation on these impacts often occurs in
parallel to environmental planning under the National
Environmental Policy Act (Public Law 91-190), impacts to tribes
and the potential mitigation of those impacts goes beyond the
scope of environmental mitigation. The committee notes that
environmental authorities and funding mechanisms such as the
Sikes Act (Public Law 86-797) are one tool for addressing these
impacts, but should not limit the Department of Defense from
using other authorities or mechanism to mitigate impacts.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services by January 31,
2020, on the authorities available to the Department and
military services to address tribal mitigation and funding
mechanisms for those mitigations. The report shall include
analysis on whether the existence of a treaty with the United
States changes the authorities available, and if so describe
the differences.
Best Practices for Cleanup and Disposal of PFOS- and PFOA-Contaminated
Groundwater, Soils, and Filters and Gaps That Require Further Study
The committee notes that the class of man-made chemicals
known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have presented
particular challenges with respect to cleanup and disposal. The
committee further notes that as the Department of Defense
transitions from cutting off exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to cleanup actions
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act, the Department must conduct these actions in
a manner that is effective in protecting human health and the
environment.
The committee understands that further research and study
are required to develop disposal methodologies beyond high-heat
incineration, which is the only known way to dispose of PFOS-
and PFOA-contaminated materials. The committee notes that this
method of disposal presents concerns about whether the
chemicals are adequately broken down and about the production
of hydrogen fluorine gas as a by-product of that incineration.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing
to the House Committee on Armed Services by November 1, 2019,
on the Department's understanding of best practices for the
cleanup and disposal of PFOS- and PFOA-contaminated soils, and
disposal of spent filters and Aqueous Film Forming Foam. The
briefing should include a discussion of current research on
these chemicals being conducted by the Strategic Environmental
Research and Development Program or Environmental Security
Technology Certification Program and what areas require
additional research.
Chase Aircraft at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
The Committee is increasingly concerned about the
availability of chase aircraft at NASA Armstrong Flight
Research Center, which provides total flight safety during
developmental and operational tests of various experimental
aircraft, to include the new generation of highly maneuverable
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). As a regular provider of direct
support to Air Force and Navy test missions, the Committee
believes the Center is critical to helping the U.S. military
maintain its technological superiority. The Committee
understands the Navy is unable to provide F/A-18F models to the
Center due to fleet requirements, but remains concerned that
without replacement chase planes, the Center will lose all
capability to support the high transonic and supersonic
research required by the majority of current and projected
Department of Defense projects dedicated to maintaining
national security. Accordingly, the Committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to submit a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services, not later than 90 days after enactment of
this Act, on the feasibility of transferring two low-time
serviceable F/A-18, either D, E, or F models, to the NASA
Armstrong Flight Research Center that do not jeopardize the
operational needs of the Navy, nor are reaching the end of
their useful life based on logistics supportability criteria
and flying hours. The report should include:
(1) The feasibility of transferring two F/A-18 aircraft to
NASA;
(2) The proposed timeline for delivery;
(3) The minimum number of remaining flight :hours of each
aircraft to be transferred and their sustainability
requirements; and,
(4) The radar capabilities, centerline and wing station
stores management system, and advanced targeting forward
looking infrared equipment of such aircraft.
Climate Impacts on Installation Resiliency
The committee notes that section 335 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) required the Department of Defense to report on the impacts
of climate change to the Department. The committee notes that
this report was spurred by multiple statements by senior
Department of Defense officials characterizing climate as a
national security issue that would increase instability around
the world. The committee further notes that the report was
focused on facilitating effective preparation and planning to
enhance military installation climate resiliency. To that end,
the Department was required to submit a report that included
the following:
(1) a list of the 10 most vulnerable military installations
within each service based on the effects of sea-level rise,
flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, and thawing
permafrost;
(2) an overview of the mitigations that may be necessary to
increase installation resiliency; and
(3) an estimate of the cost of these mitigations.
The committee notes that in January 2019, the Department
submitted the report. While the committee commends the
Department for unequivocally stating that the majority of its
installations assessed in the report are vulnerable to climate
and weather impacts, the committee is disappointed that the
Department failed to adequately respond to the three
requirements above. The deficiencies of this report are
particularly acute in light of the extreme weather events that
caused billions of dollars in damage to military installations
in 2018. The committee notes that data suggests that new and
renovated buildings that included extreme weather mitigation
measures generally fared better during Hurricanes Florence and
Michael, providing an unfortunate real-world illustration of
the benefits of planning for military installation climate
resiliency. These events have also provided data from which
services can extrapolate an estimated cost for mitigation and
create more accurate methodologies for setting facility
standards.
To that end, the committee directs the Secretaries of the
military departments each to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by December 1, 2020, that shall
include the following:
(1) the total plant replacement value of each installation
in the service's inventory;
(2) the plant replacement value of buildings in the 100-
year floodplain that have not been mitigated to address flood
risk, by installation and State;
(3) the plant replacement value of buildings with roofs
that do not meet current building codes listed by installation
and State;
(4) the plant replacement value of buildings in coastal and
hurricane-prone areas that are currently in a poor or failing
condition, listed by installation and State;
(5) a description of how the extreme weather events of 2018
have impacted the decision to continue to defer facility
sustainment projects;
(6) if the service's methodology has changed, a description
of how it has changed; and
(7) any additional investment as a percentage of plant
replacement value that would be required to adequately address
climate resiliency. If the Department has failed to meet the
industry standard for investment in facilities of 2 percent of
plant replacement value, the calculation shall include both the
investment to achieve the industry standard, and any additional
that would be required to address climate resiliency.
Defense Personal Property Program
The committee is aware that many military families have
experienced poor service in the movement of their household
goods during recent moving seasons. The movement of military
families is a complex system, administered by U.S.
Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) in coordination with the
military services. The committee believes the Department of
Defense's management of this system must improve and recognizes
that TRANSCOM's proposed solution relies on the pending Global
Household Goods Contract (GHC). Given the importance of the GHC
and the large share of military moves in the domestic market,
the committee believes that stakeholders must have adequate
time to thoughtfully review and comment on the draft request
for proposals (RFP). Accordingly, the committee encourages the
commander of TRANSCOM to extend the comment period for the
draft GHC RFP to allow at least 60 days for comments and delay
the release of the final RFP until August 15, 2019. Finally,
the committee directs the Secretaries of the military
departments to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services by December 1, 2019, on the Secretaries' plans to
improve installation-level relocation services to military
families.
Feasibility of Using Non-Fluorinated Fire Fighting Foam in Training
The committee is aware of the adverse health impacts
related to perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid
and believes the Department of Defense should minimize the use
of these chemicals wherever possible. While the committee
understands that certain emergency situations may still require
use of these foams, the committee is concerned about the
continued use of fluorinated firefighting foams for non-
emergency purposes such as training. The committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services by February 1, 2020, on the feasibility of
using non-fluorinated foam for firefighter training. The report
shall include cost estimates related to instituting the use of
fluorine-free foams for training.
Health Impact to Service Members from Live-Fire Small Arms Training
Ranges
The committee remains concerned that short- and long-term
health impacts to service members are not adequately assessed
when the Department of Defense considers technologies that
would mitigate operational safety, environmental, and health
concerns on live-fire small arms training ranges. These hazards
include bullet ricochets, toxins from bullets and projectiles
leeching into the natural water system, and hearing loss from
excessive noise.
The committee remains concerned that the Department of
Defense focuses too heavily on initial investment costs, which
fails to recognize the long-term health impact to service
members. The committee urges the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretaries of the military departments to consider the
totality of human, environmental, and equipment costs when
assessing the best technologies available to mitigate
environmental impacts and health impacts generated at live-fire
small arms training ranges.
Information Processing Efficiency
The committee observes that the Department of Defense is
inconsistent in application of modern web-based tools and urges
all departmental organizations to migrate to more user-friendly
systems. For that reason, the committee supports the Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA) efforts to modernize its internal and
external digital services. The committee believes the
modernization effort with regard to forms and workflow will
enable the DLA to improve its service and internal workflows.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Department of Defense
to expand this program, focusing on those requirements that
have the most significant impact on mission enhancement and
that most effectively modernize Department of Defense services.
This effort should include modernizing forms, an overlooked
ubiquitous inefficiency in information processing.
Kirtland Air Force Base Fuel Spill Remediation
The committee is aware of the efforts of the Air Force to
clean up the extensive, years-long fuel spill at Kirtland Air
Force Base, New Mexico, but the committee is concerned that the
Air Force has not adequately engaged with local stakeholders on
their plans and progress for remediation of the spill.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed
Services by December 1, 2019, on the environmental remediation
of the fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base. The report shall
contain a section on the progress made to remediate
contaminated soil and groundwater, and detail the Air Force
plans for fiscal year 2020 remediation actions. In addition,
the report shall contain an engagement plan for coordination
with the local water utility authority, applicable State
environmental agencies, and surrounding communities on Air
Force remediation activities.
Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP)
The committee notes that in 2014, DOD established goals to
implement Interim Risk Management (IRM) at Formerly Used
Defense Sites (FUDS) Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP)
sites but the program has struggled to reach its goals. The
committee further notes that the management challenges facing
MMRP have been longstanding dating back to at least 2010, when
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report
which found that the Department had not established clear
criteria for prioritizing its work or established clear
performance goals for work done at FUDS. Most concerning, the
GAO expressed concern about DOD recording sites as ``complete''
in cases where the Department took no action at the site, which
could be misleading to the Committee and the public. Therefore,
the committee directs the Comptroller General to conduct a
review and provide a report to the House Armed Services
Committee by June 1, 2020 that examines the following:
(1) the management of the MMRP program including its
staffing arid funding levels,
(2) progress DOD has made in cleaning up munitions response
sites,
(3) resources allocation across MMRP sites in the last 5
years;
(4) program priorities for the next five years, and
(5) MMRP protocols for communicating with stakeholders and
the public.
National Guard Unit Equipped Flying Squadrons
The committee recognizes that the Air National Guard
enterprise is based on established Capstone Principles that
notionally set the foundational framework for mission
allocation in the 54 states and territories. One of those
Capstone Principles is to allocate at least one unit-equipped
wing and flying squadron to each state. New Mexico is one of
three states--New Mexico, Virginia, and Washington--that have
an operational flying mission, but due to the classic associate
construct they lack ownership of aircraft. The committee
therefore directs the Secretary of the Air Force, in
consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to
report back to the committee by December 15, 2019 to present
additional options for achieving an operational flying mission
in each state.
Reducing Costs Associated with Single-use Plastics
The Committee notes the growing costs associated with the
recycling and disposal of single-use plastics, and particularly
single-use plastic water bottles. The Committee directs the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2020, on efforts and opportunities to reduce expenditures
on, and waste from, single-use plastics, with a focus on
single-use plastic water bottles. The briefing should address--
(1) Costs associated with the procurement and disposal of
single-use plastics;
(2) Current and planned efforts to reduce procurement and
disposal of single-use plastics, and estimated cost and waste
savings from such efforts, to include any public information
campaigns; and
(3) Additional opportunities to avoid costs and waste from
single-use plastics, and estimated cost and waste savings from
such efforts.
Removal of Unexploded Ordnance on Tribal Lands
The committee is concerned that unexploded ordnance
endangers Indian Reservations. There are millions of acres of
land previously used by Department of Defense that still
contain unexploded ordnance. In many cases, these lands are on
current Indian Reservations. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by February 1, 2020, on the state
of unexploded ordnance on Indian Reservations, including:
(1) a catalogue of lands on Indian Reservations which
contain unexploded ordnance,
(2) historical and current efforts to remove unexploded
ordnance from these lands,
(3) the estimated cost of finishing the removal of
unexploded ordnance from Indian Reservations, and
(4) the feasibility of entering into agreements with non-
government entities through the Indian Incentive Program
through the Department of Defense to remove unexploded ordnance
on Indian Reservations.
Report on Fiscal Impacts of Intergovernmental Service Agreements
The committee is aware that many military instillations
have entered into Intergovernmental Service Agreements (IGSA).
These IGSAs allow the Department of Defense and State or Local
Governments to provide, receive, or share installation support
services. The committee is also aware that many of these ISGAs
have resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings to DoD.
The savings realized by these agreements are not returned to
the installation that has used them to reduce costs. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Service by December 31,
2019, on the actual cost savings realized by IGSAs, the
feasibility of returning a portion of the savings realized from
IGSAs back to the installations, and the overall fiscal impact
to the services of IGSAs.
Report on Phytoremediation to Clear Heavy Metal Contaminants
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to Congress before May 1, 2020 on the use of plants that
have hyperaccumulatory and phytoremediation capabilities to
clear contaminants from or related to heavy metal
contamination, including but not limited to arsenic, lead,
mercury, copper, chromium, and nickel, and other related toxic
areas, including for contaminants in soil, water, and air.
Report on the Feasibility and Cost of Net-Zero Greenhouse Emissions and
Implementing H. Res. 109, the Green New Deal
The Committee acknowledges that renewable energy sources
only account for approximately 17 percent of domestic energy
production, with wind accounting for less than 7 percent and
solar accounting for less than 2 percent. The Committee also
notes the Green New Deal, H. Res. 109 in 116th Congress,
purports to require the United States to achieve net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions through a ten-year national
mobilization. Some who support this course of action, namely
the Green Party, recommend achieving the goals of the Green New
Deal by cutting the military budget in half, returning all
members of the Armed Forces who are deployed or stationed
overseas to the United States, and closing all of the more than
800 United States military installations around the world. The
Committee believes implementing the Green New Deal would be
devastating to the military readiness of the United States and
the ability of the Government of the United States to protect
the homeland.
The Committee affirms energy security and diversity are
vital to national security, and that it is in the Nation's best
interest for the Department of Defense to maximize the use of
renewable energy sources, and that an effort to achieve net-
zero greenhouse gas emissions would have a negative effect on
the preparedness of the Armed Forces.
The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives within 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act which provides the following: an
assessment of the technical feasibility of the Department of
Defense achieving net-zero greenhouse emissions by the date
that is ten years after the date of the enactment of this Act;
the cost of the Department of Defense achieving net-zero
greenhouse emissions by the date that is ten years after the
date of the enactment of this Act; an assessment of the effects
the effort to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions by the date
that is ten years after the date of the enactment of this Act
would have on the requirements for major service acquisition
programs an assessment of the ability of the Department to
implement the national defense strategy if required to achieve
net-zero greenhouse emissions by the date that is ten years
after the date of the enactment of this Act; how the
implementation of the proposed Green New Deal would affect
military readiness; the cost of closing all of the more than
800 overseas military installations; and how complying with the
Green New Deal would affect the current threat environment and
the ability of the Department of Defense to protect the
homeland.
Survey to Locate and Identify the Remains of Native American Children
Buried at Carlisle Barracks
The committee commends the Department of the Army for its
work to identify, exhume, and return to their respective
families the remains of Native American children buried at
Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. However, the committee notes
that given the tragic legacy of Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, more work is required. Accordingly, the committee
directs the Secretary of the Army to provide a report to the
House Committee on Armed Services by January 1, 2020, that
provides a plan for conducting a comprehensive survey of the
land at Carlisle Barracks for remains of Native American
children and the repatriation of those children. The report
shall include at a minimum information on how the Department
can achieve the following:
(1) conducting a comprehensive survey of the cemetery and
surrounding land at Carlisle Barracks to identify the number of
whole sets of remains; the number of partial sets of remains;
the location of the remains, including how the sets of remains
match with existing headstones; and groups of remains
containing two or more individuals;
(2) establishing a process to facilitate coordination with
other relevant Federal agencies and tribes to ensure that the
survey, exhumation, identification of remains and repatriation
of remains, as appropriate and desired, to the family is
handled in a culturally appropriate manner;
(3) establishing a process to work with tribes to determine
the appropriate measures to be taken for remains of children
whose family or relatives have not been found, including
options for repatriating those remains to the appropriate
tribe;
(4) establishing a process to work with tribes to determine
what, if any, actions should be taken for remains that are
unidentifiable; and
(5) working with tribes and relevant Federal agencies to
establish other actions that can be taken to recognize the
tragic history of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School at
Carlisle Barracks.
Tijuana Sewage Runoff Impact to Readiness
The committee notes that sewage runoff from Tijuana can
cause unhealthy conditions off the coast of southern California
whose waters are routinely used for military training. When
scheduled training corresponds with sewage spills or
discharges, military personnel may be exposed to untreated
sewage with consequences to their health. Accordingly, the
committee directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by February
1, 2020, on the readiness impacts of Tijuana sewage runoff in
waters adjacent to military installations. The briefing shall
address whether spills, discharges, and debris in the Tijuana
River have any impact on the national security interests of the
United States. The briefing must also address what steps should
be taken to resolve or mitigate the impacts from these
releases. Further, the Secretary of the Navy shall make every
effort to coordinate the briefing with the Department of State,
the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland
Security (to include U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the
U.S. Coast Guard), the International Boundary and Water
Commission, the Department of the Interior, San Diego County,
and the San Diego Association of Governments.
Water Security under Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
The committee notes that the State of California enacted
the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. This
California law requires communities whose groundwater resources
are challenged to prepare and provide a Groundwater
Sustainability Plan (GSP) by January 2020, for basins defined
as medium- or high-priority. Under the law, medium- and high-
priority basins must be managed consistently with their
sustainable yield by 2040, though an extension is possible. The
committee notes that three Navy installations are located in
high-priority basins and that one Navy and three Air Force
installations are located in medium-priority basins. These
seven Department of Defense installations must work with their
local communities in developing sustainable groundwater plans
for their respective basins. The committee is concerned that
the Department does not have a coordinated approach to meeting
these new water sustainability requirements.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
October 1, 2019, that provides the Department's plan to address
its response to the requirements of SGMA; a description of how
the Navy and Air Force bases in California are working with
local communities to achieve compliance with this law in a
manner that does not impact the installation missions; the
Department of Defense, Navy, and Air Force offices responsible
for ensuring compliance; and the estimated cost of complying
with the SGMA.
Water Usage Related to Landscaping
The committee understands that a significant percentage of
the Department of Defense's water usage on installations goes
to landscaping. Particularly in water constrained or arid
environments, the Department should endeavor to mitigate its
water use through practices such as use of non-potable or
recycled water, use of native or drought-resistant plants, and
ground cover substitutes. The committee further notes that
sustainable landscaping practices can provide significant cost
avoidance through diminished water consumption.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, on sustainable landscaping practices currently
in use, practices that can be implemented to cut water
consumption, a list of installations where 30 percent or more
of water usage is for landscaping, and a plan for decreasing
the percentage of water used for landscaping at these
installations and other installations in water constrained
geographical locations.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 301--Authorization of Appropriations
This section would authorize appropriations for operation
and maintenance activities at the levels identified in section
4301 of division D of this Act.
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment
Section 311--Timeline for Clearinghouse Review of Applications for
Energy Projects That May Have an Adverse Impact on Military Operations
and Readiness
This section would amend section 183a of title 10, United
States Code, to allow the Military Aviation and Installation
Assurance Clearinghouse 90 days to conduct its preliminary
review of applications for an energy project.
Section 312--Authority to Make Final Finding on Designation of
Geographic Area of Concern for Purposes of Energy Projects with Adverse
Impacts on Military Operations and Readiness
This section would amend section 183a of title 10, United
States Code, by changing the list of Department of Defense
personnel who can make a final finding on the designation of a
geographic area of concern.
Section 313--Authority to Accept Contributions of Funds from Applicants
for Energy Projects for Mitigation of Impacts on Military Operations
and Readiness
This section would amend section 183a of title 10, United
States Code, to accept a voluntary contribution of funds from
an applicant for an energy project.
Section 314--Department of Defense Improvement of Previously Conveyed
Utility Systems Serving Military Installations
This section would amend section 2688 of title 10, United
States Code, by authorizing the use of military construction
funding to support improvements to the reliability, resiliency,
efficiency, physical security, or cybersecurity of the conveyed
utility system.
Section 315--Five-Year Authority for National Guard Environmental
Restoration Projects for Environmental Responses
This section would amend section 2707 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to
access Defense Environmental Remediation Account funds for the
limited purpose of addressing perfluorooctanoic acid and
perfluorooctane sulfonate exposure and contamination resulting
from National Guard activities in and around National Guard
bases. This authority would sunset 5 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
Section 316--Sale of Electricity from Alternate Energy and Cogeneration
Production Facilities
This section would amend section 2916(b)(3) of title 10,
United States Code, to narrow the scope of recipients of funds
generated from a geothermal energy resource located on a
military installation.
Section 317--Transfer Authority for Funding of Study and Assessment on
Health Implications of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Contamination in Drinking Water by Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry
This section would amend the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) by extending the
transfer authority for funding the study and assessment on
health implications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
contamination in drinking water by the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry.
Section 318--Replacement of Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam with
Fluorine-Free Fire-Fighting Agent
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
complete a military specification for a fluorine-free fire
fighting agent to be used at all Department of Defense
installations not later than January 2025. This provision would
ban use of fluorinated foams on military installations by
September 2029 or before such date, if possible.
Section 319--Prohibition of Uncontrolled Release of Fluorinated Aqueous
Film-Forming Foam at Military Installations
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
prohibit uncontrolled release of fluorinated Aqueous Film
Forming Foam (AFFF) at military installations except in cases
of emergency response and limited non-emergency use for
training or testing of equipment where complete containment,
capture, and proper disposal mechanisms are in place to ensure
no AFFF is released into the environment.
Section 320--Prohibition on Use of Fluorinated Aqueous Film Forming
Foam for Training Exercises
This section would prohibit the use of fluorinated aqueous
film forming foam for training exercises at military
installations.
Section 321--Real-Time Noise-Monitoring Study at Navy and Air Force
Installations where Tactical Fighter Aircraft Operate
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy and
Secretary of the Air Force to conduct real-time noise
monitoring at no fewer than three installations per military
department where tactical fighter aircraft operate regularly
and noise contours have been developed through noise modeling.
The purpose of this monitoring would be to assess the validity
of the noise contours developed through virtual analysis and
modeling at those installations. In addition, this section
would require the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of
the Air Force to submit a report to the House Committee on
Armed Services on the results of the noise monitoring study.
Section 322--Development of Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Tool
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
develop a climate vulnerability and risk assessment tool to
assist in providing standardized risk calculations of climate-
related impacts to military facilities and capabilities.
Section 323--Provision of Uncontaminated Water for Agricultural Use on
Land Contaminated by PFOS and PFOA Used on Military Installations
This section would authorize the Department of Defense to
provide water or water treatment for perfluorooctanesulfonic
acid (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contaminated
agricultural water.
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment
Section 331--Material Readiness Metrics and Objectives
This section would add a new section to chapter 2 of title
10, United States Code, and would require the Secretary of
Defense to develop material readiness metrics that would
support the National Defense Strategy by requiring product
support managers to develop product support strategies to meet
material readiness objectives for major weapon systems.
Section 332--Clarification of Authority regarding Use of Working
Capital Funds for Unspecified Minor Military Construction Projects
Related to Revitalization and Recapitalization of Defense Industrial
Base Facilities
This section would amend section 2208(u)(2) of title 10,
United States Code, to clarify authority regarding use of
working capital funds for unspecified minor military
construction projects related to defense industrial base
facilities.
Section 333--F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Sustainment
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment to submit a report on steps
being taken to improve the availability and accountability of
F-35 parts within the supply chain. In addition, this section
would limit funds available to the Under Secretary until such
time as the report is delivered.
Section 334--Report on Strategic Policy for Prepositioned Materiel and
Equipment
This section would require the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Sustainment, in coordination with the Joint Staff,
to submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives by March 1, 2020, on
the implementation plan for prepositioned materiel and
equipment as required by section 321 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66).
Section 335--Limitation on Use of Funds for Implementation of Elements
of Master Plan for Redevelopment of Former Ship Repair Facility in Guam
This section would continue the limitations established by
section 325 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) on
expending Department of the Navy funds to modify the Former
Ship Repair Facility in Guam except in certain circumstances
through fiscal year 2020.
Subtitle D--Reports
Section 341--Readiness Reporting
This section would amend sections 117 and 482 of title 10,
United States Code, to modify the delivery method, timeline,
and required elements of the Quarterly Readiness Report to
Congress and the Joint Forces Readiness Review.
Section 342--Extension of Deadline for Transition from Service-Specific
Defense Readiness Reporting Systems
This section would amend section 358 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) to allow the military services to complete the
transition to the Defense Readiness Reporting Systems-Strategic
by October 1, 2020.
Section 343--Report on Navy Ship Depot Maintenance Budget
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
submit reports for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023 that
provide additional information related to ship and submarine
depot maintenance.
Section 344--Report on Runit Dome
This section would require the Secretary of Energy, in
coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency and Secretary of Defense, to submit a report
on the status of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
Section 351--Inclusion of Over-the-Horizon Radars in Early Outreach
Procedures
This section would amend section 183a(c)(6) of title 10,
United States Code, to include over-the-horizon radar in the
coverage of early outreach procedures issues by the Military
Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse.
Section 352--Extension of Authority for Secretary of Defense to Use
Department of Defense Reimbursement Rate for Transportation Services
Provided to Certain Non-Department of Defense Entities
This section would amend section 2642 of title 10, United
States Code, to extend the date that the Secretary of Defense
may use the Department of Defense reimbursement rate for
military transportation services provided to certain non-
Department of Defense entities until October 1, 2024.
Section 353--Expanded Transfer and Adoption of Military Animals
This section would amend section 2583 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow for the transfer and adoption of
Department of Defense-owned mules and donkeys and provide
consistency for use of the word ``transfer.''
Section 354--Extension of Authority of Secretary of Transportation to
Issue Non-Premium Aviation Insurance
This section would amend section 44310 of title 49, United
States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of
Transportation to issue non-premium aviation insurance until
September 30, 2023.
Section 355--Defense Personal Property Program
This section would require the Commander of U.S.
Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) to prepare a business case
analysis for the proposed award of a Global Household Goods
Contract (GHC) for the Defense Personal Property Program. In
addition, this section would require that the Secretary of
Defense establish an advisory council of outside stakeholders
to provide feedback throughout contract execution and advice on
recommended modifications to the contract, and would require
the council to submit quarterly reports to the congressional
defense committees on its activities. This section would also
withhold funding for the single move manager contract until 30
days after the Commander of TRANSCOM has provided a briefing to
the congressional defense committees on the business case
analysis and proposed advisory council.
Section 356--Public Events about Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
This section would require the Department of the Navy to
hold quarterly events open to the public which provide
information and updates on the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage
Facility.
Section 357--Sense of Congress regarding Innovative Readiness Training
Program
This section would express the sense of Congress on the
importance of Innovative Readiness Training, particularly to
non-contiguous States and territories.
Section 358--Pilot Program on Reduction of Effects of Military Aviation
Noise on Private Residences
This section would create a pilot program that allows the
Secretary of Defense to provide funds for the purpose of
installing noise insulation on private residences impacted by
aviation noise from military installations.
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Active Forces
Section 401--End Strengths for Active Forces
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces as of September
30, 2020:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 Change from
FY 2019 ------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2020 FY 2019
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army........................................ 487,500 480,000 480,000 0 -7,500
Navy........................................ 335,400 340,500 340,500 0 5,100
USMC........................................ 186,100 186,200 186,200 0 100
Air Force................................... 329,100 332,800 332,800 0 3,700
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................................. 1,338,100 1,339,500 1,339,500 0 1,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The committee is aware the Army will not meet the Active
end strength of 487,500 required by section 402 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) and is expected to attain an end strength
of only 478,000, 9,500 less than required. The President's
budget request for the Army Active end strength for fiscal year
2020 is 480,000. This is 7,500 below the Public Law 115-232
requirement. The committee notes that although the Army
recently determined it could only increase the Active end
strength by 2,000 per year, Army leadership has stated that,
based on requirements, the Army intends to grow to
approximately 500,000 soldiers.
Section 402--Revisions in Permanent Active Duty End Strength Minimum
Levels
This section would establish new minimum Active Duty end
strengths for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force as of
September 30, 2020. The committee recommends 480,000 as the
minimum Active Duty end strength for the Army, 340,500 as the
minimum Active Duty end strength for the Navy, 186,200 as the
minimum Active Duty end strength for the Marine Corps, and
332,800 as the minimum Active Duty end strength for the Air
Force.
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces
Section 411--End Strengths for Selected Reserve
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Selected Reserve personnel, including the end strength for
Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves, as of
September 30, 2020:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 Change from
FY 2019 ------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2020 FY 2019
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard......................... 343,500 336,000 336,000 0 -7,500
Army Reserve................................ 199,500 189,500 189,500 0 -10,000
Navy Reserve................................ 59,100 59,000 59,000 0 -100
Marine Corps Reserve........................ 38,500 38,500 38,500 0 0
Air National Guard.......................... 107,100 107,700 107,700 0 600
Air Force Reserve........................... 70,000 70,100 70,100 0 100
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................................. 817,700 800,800 800,800 0 -16,900
Coast Guard Reserve......................... 7,000 7,000 7,000 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 412--End Strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in Support of
the Reserves
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves as of
September 30, 2020:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 Change from
FY 2019 ------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2020 FY 2019
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard......................... 30,595 30,595 30,595 0 0
Army Reserve................................ 16,386 16,511 16,511 0 125
Navy Reserve................................ 10,110 10,155 10,155 0 45
Marine Corps Reserve........................ 2,261 2,386 2,386 0 125
Air National Guard.......................... 19,861 22,637 22,637 0 2,776
Air Force Reserve........................... 3,849 4,431 4,431 0 582
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................................. 83,062 86,715 86,715 0 3,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 413--End Strengths for Military Technicians (Dual Status)
This section would authorize the following end strengths
for military technicians (dual status) as of September 30,
2020:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 Change from
FY 2019 ------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2020 FY 2019
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard......................... 22,294 22,294 22,294 0 0
Army Reserve................................ 6,492 6,492 6,492 0 0
Air National Guard.......................... 15,861 13,573 13,573 0 -2,288
Air Force Reserve........................... 8,880 8,848 8,848 0 -32
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................................. 53,527 51,207 51,207 0 -2,320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 414--Maximum Number of Reserve Personnel Authorized To Be on
Active Duty for Operational Support
This section would authorize, as required by section 115(b)
of title 10, United States Code, the maximum number of Reserve
Component personnel who may be on Active Duty or full-time
National Guard duty during fiscal year 2020 to provide
operational support. The personnel authorized here do not count
against the end strengths authorized by section 401 or section
412 of this Act unless the duration on Active Duty exceeds the
limitations in section 115(b)(2) of title 10, United States
Code.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 Change from
FY 2019 ------------------------------------------------------
Service Authorized Committee FY 2020 FY 2019
Request Recommendation Request Authorized
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army National Guard......................... 17,000 17,000 17,000 0 0
Army Reserve................................ 13,000 13,000 13,000 0 0
Navy Reserve................................ 6,200 6,200 6,200 0 0
Marine Corps Reserve........................ 3,000 3,000 3,000 0 0
Air National Guard.......................... 16,000 16,000 16,000 0 0
Air Force Reserve........................... 14,000 14,000 14,000 0 0
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Total................................. 69,200 69,200 69,200 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations
Section 421--Military Personnel
This section would authorize appropriations for military
personnel at the levels identified in the funding table in
section 4401 of division D of this Act.
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Appointment of Guardian ad Litem for Minor Victims
The committee is concerned for the welfare of minor,
military dependents who are victims of an alleged sex-related
offense. The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
continued efforts to implement services in support of service
members who are victims of sexual assault and further, to
expand some of these services to dependents who are victims.
However, the committee remains concerned that there is not an
adequate mechanism within the military court-martial process to
represent the best interests of minor victims following an
alleged sex-related offense.
Therefore, not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Defense Advisory Committee on
Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in
the Armed Forces shall submit to the Committees on the Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a
report that evaluates the need for, and the feasibility of,
establishing a process under which a guardian ad litem may be
appointed to represent the interests of a victim of an alleged
sex-related offense (as that term is defined in section
1044e(g) of title 10, United States Code) who has not attained
the age of 18 years.
Army Special Forces Officer Education
The committee notes the that Army Special Forces Officers
may have different Professional Military Education (PME)
requirements than the conventional force officer, particularly
with respect to irregular warfare. The committee is concerned
that any reduction in opportunities to attend PME that can
tailor the curriculum to irregular warfare could hinder the
future development of these officers. Therefore the committee
encourages the Secretary of the Army to continue to fund Army
Special Forces officer attendance at the Naval Post Graduate
School.
Briefing on Bystander Intervention in Cases of Sexual Misconduct
The committee acknowledges that the Department of Defense's
annual reports on sexual assault in the military have
consistently reported that sexual assaults are more likely to
occur in units that have a command climate that tolerates
sexual harassment. Further, the committee notes that
servicemembers are less likely to intervene in situations where
they are a bystander to sexual misconduct than in other
situations where servicemembers are bystanders to dangerous
behavior, including situations related to suicide and alcohol
abuse. A 2018 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, titled
``Prevalence of Bystander Intervention Opportunities and
Behaviors Among U.S. Army Soldiers,'' found that 87.9 percent
of soldiers who witnessed an event relating to suicide and 74.4
percent of soldiers who witnessed an event relating to alcohol
misuse reported consistently intervening, while 49.2 percent of
soldiers who witnessed events relating to sexual harassment or
assault reported consistently intervening.
The committee believes that servicemembers should be
empowered to intervene when they witness sexual misconduct or
retaliation for reporting this conduct. Further, the committee
is concerned that the available data indicates that bystander
intervention education efforts may not be effective in
increasing the likelihood of intervention in incidents of
sexual misconduct versus other dangerous scenarios.
Accordingly, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and of the House of Representatives not later than
January 1, 2020 on the feasibility of establishing any legal
requirements for bystanders that witness sexual misconduct. The
briefing should include an analysis on the likelihood of a
servicemember to intervene in a situation where they are a
bystander to sexual misconduct based on age, gender, rank,
command climate, understanding of what constitutes sexual
misconduct, understanding of their rights, as well as the
victim's rights, and obligations, and correlation metrics based
on the indicators listed here.
Briefing on Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment Program
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, on
the use of the DoD College Loan Repayment Program (10 USC
2171). The briefing shall include the following elements:
(1) The number of Service members who are eligible to
receive this benefit, by Service;
(2) The number of Service members who have received or are
currently receiving this benefit, by Service, over the past 5
years;
(3) The average length of service required in order to
receive the benefit;
(4) The cost to the Department of Defense, by service, of
providing this benefit for the past 5 years;
(5) The overall impact the benefit has on recruitment and
retention of highly qualified individuals.
Cell Phone Use in Correction Facilities
The committee is aware of the potential use of contraband
cellular phones and devices in corrections facilities,
including in military corrections institutions. The committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services no later than January 1, 2020
on the use of contraband cellular devices in military prisons,
an evaluation of the use of managed access technology to detect
and prevent such use, and the military facilities which would
benefit from the deployment of such technology.
Comptroller General Report on Domestic Violence
The committee is concerned about the Department of Defense
and military services' domestic violence response and
prevention programs. The committee notes that Department of
Defense Instruction 6400.06 ``Domestic Abuse Involving DoD
Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel'' clearly establishes
detailed procedures for responding to domestic violence and
directs the military departments to establish policies and
programs to implement the instruction. The committee
understands there are variances in response and prevention
programs based on military service guidance and local
jurisdictions, but is concerned by the April 19, 2019,
Department of Defense Inspector General Report ``Evaluation of
Military Services Law Enforcement Responses to Domestic
Violence'' findings that military service law enforcement
organizations did not consistently comply with Department of
Defense policies.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to provide preliminary observations to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives by February 1, 2020, with a report to follow by
an agreed upon time, on the military services' efforts to
prevent and respond to domestic violence. The report should
address the following elements:
(1) the extent to which each military service policy
conforms to the Department of Defense Instruction;
(2) the actions service secretaries took to address the
Department of Defense Inspector General recommendations;
(3) the extent to which the military services are meeting
training requirements listed in Department of Defense
Instruction 6400.06, the objectives of those training
requirements, and whether the training is effective to meet
those objectives;
(4) the extent to which each military service has
established memorandums of understanding with local law
enforcement and jurisdictions to enhance the coordinated
community response to domestic violence;
(5) the extent to which commanders have played a role in
the coordinated community response to domestic abuse consistent
with Department of Defense Instruction 6400.06;
(6) an assessment of how the military services respond to
domestic violence from initial reports to military law
enforcement through final adjudication, to include victim
assistance and early intervention; and
(7) any recommendations the Comptroller General may have
with respect to implementation of the military services'
domestic violence prevention and response programs.
Comptroller General Report on Hazing
The committee is concerned about the results of the
Department of Defense 2018 Annual Summary Report on Hazing
Prevention and Response in the Armed Forces. The committee
notes the disparity in the number of incidents and reports
between the services. Of the 291 reported complaints of hazing,
256 complaints were from the Marine Corps. This disparity in
the number of complaints was similar to the results of the 2017
report with a total of 415 complaints, 314 of those from the
Marine Corps. The committee is aware the Department issued
Department of Defense Instruction 1020.03, Harassment
Prevention and Response in the Armed Forces, on February 8,
2018, and the military services are updating their policies to
align with the Department's changes. However, the committee is
concerned there is not a consistent emphasis across the
services with respect to hazing. Further, the committee notes
that in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report ``DOD
and Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Increase Oversight and
Management Information on Hazing Incidents Involving Service
members'' (GAO-16-226), GAO found that the Department had not
conducted oversight through regular monitoring of policy
implementation and recommended that the Department of Defense
do so.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to provide preliminary observations to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives by February 1, 2020, on the status of the
military services' efforts to prevent and respond to hazing
with a report to follow on an agreed upon date. The report
should address the following elements:
(1) the extent to which each military service's policy and
definition of hazing conforms to the Department of Defense
Instruction;
(2) the extent to which each military service provides
harassment prevention and response training using best
practices with a targeted approach to the demographics the
report indicates are involved with hazing;
(3) the extent to which the military services are meeting
the standardized data reporting requirements;
(4) the extent to which each military service's specific
implementation meets the requirements of Department of Defense
Instruction 1020.03; and
(5) any recommendations the Comptroller General may have
with respect to implementation of the military services' hazing
prevention and response programs.
Comptroller General Study on Military Adoptive and Foster Families
The committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to conduct a study on the challenges faced by military
adoptive and foster families and the support services available
to help address these challenges and promote permanency. The
Comptroller General shall submit a report on the study not
later than 18 months from the date of enactment to the
Congressional defense committees. The study shall include the
following elements:
(1) Describe what is known about the number of military
foster and adoptive families and permanency of placements;
(2) Describe challenges faced by military families related
to fostering and adopting, including any effects these
challenges have on the youth and families;
(3) Describe mental health and other support services
available to military foster and adoptive families, including
services provided by Military and Family Support Centers and
Military and Family Life Counselors, and whether such services
and providers are foster- and adoption-competent; and
(4) Identify any actions federal agencies can take to
better prepare and support military foster and adoptive
families, promote the permanency of placements, and reduce
barriers, such as improving pre- and post-foster and adoption
mental health and other support services for youth and
families.
Cultural Sensitivity Training
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense and the
military services have multiple cultural sensitivity training
programs for military personnel. The committee also believes in
the importance of protecting servicemembers' rights regarding
religious exercise and ethnic heritage. As such, the committee
supports efforts to identify resource and personnel gaps that
may exist in the Office of Diversity Management and Equal
Opportunity of the Department of Defense as well as efforts to
identify existing gaps in protections for new and prospective
servicemembers.
Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense, through
implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017
(Public Law 115-68), to ensure gender advisor support, building
partner capacity activities, and research on gender
considerations across the conflict spectrum is addressed in
professional military education.
Inspector General Whistleblower Improvement Plan
The committee remains concerned about the ability of the
Department of Defense and the military service Inspectors
General (IG) to meet timeliness goals for handling
whistleblower complaints. Responding promptly and thoroughly is
essential to instilling trust and confidence in the system. The
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report ``Whistleblower
Protection, Analysis of DOD's Actions to Improve Case
Timeliness and Safeguard Confidentiality'' (GAO-19-198) found
that Department of Defense and military service Inspectors
General met some, but not all, of the timelines and quality
goals. The GAO made 12 recommendations to the Department of
Defense Inspector General and the military service IGs with
concurrence by all organizations for all recommendations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives by December 2, 2019,
detailing the implementation of the 12 GAO recommendations. The
Secretary's report shall also include actions taken by the
Secretary to improve the timeliness of completing whistleblower
complaints, as well as efforts to protect the confidentiality
of the complainant.
Marine Corps Integration of Recruit Basic Training
The committee notes the United States Marine Corps
graduated its first-ever mixed-gender company from recruit
training at Parris Island, South Carolina, in March 2019.
Although the Marine Corps has combined over 90 percent of
training, they have not fully integrated basic recruit
training. The report required by the committee report
accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2018 (H. Rept. 115-200) clearly identified the steps
needed to fully integrate basic training, including identifying
military construction costs associated with additional
barracks. The report also emphasized the platoon as the
building block for transforming recruits into the United States
Marine Corps. Therefore, the committee encourages the
Commandant of the Marine Corps to develop a plan to achieve
fully integrated basic recruit training at the platoon level
within 5 years.
Measure Officer Accountability
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
efforts to address low and stagnant reporting rates for sexual
assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. military. The
committee also acknowledges commanders' responsibilities to
cultivate positive and safe command climates and maintain trust
from junior and mid-level service members. The committee is
aware that fear of retaliation is consistently cited as a
contributing factor to the underreporting of sexual assault and
sexual harassment crimes across military installations. The
committee is also aware that measures are currently in place to
enable victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment to
formally report perceived instances of retaliation to their
respective commanders, law enforcement, special victims'
counsel, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators. The
committee is concerned that, despite the aforementioned
safeguards, perceived instances of retaliation remain high.
Therefore, the committee directs the Department of Defense
Inspector General to submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives not
later than March 1, 2020, containing data from fiscal year 2018
on the following:
(1) the total number of substantiated cases of ostracism;
(2) the total number of substantiated cases of
maltreatment;
(3) the total number of substantiated cases of retaliation
that would meet the elements of Article 132 of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice;
(4) the total number of commanders, across military
services, who have been formally accused of mishandling reports
of sexual harassment and sexual assault;
(5) the total number of commanders, across military
services, who have been formally reprimanded for mishandling
reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault and what, if
any, related disciplinary action was taken;
(6) the total number of commanders, across military
services, who have been formally accused of mishandling reports
of victim retaliation related to sexual harassment and sexual
assault;
(7) the total number of commanders, across military
services, who have been formally reprimanded for mishandling
reports of victim retaliation related to sexual harassment and
sexual assault and what, if any, related disciplinary action
was taken; and
(8) the total number of commanders, across military
services, who have received negative command climate reports
related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender
discrimination.
Prioritization of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and
Response Resources
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
continued efforts to adequately respond to and prevent
instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the United
States military. However, the committee remains concerned about
the growing rates and underreporting of sexual assault and
sexual harassment across all military services. The committee
is aware that in 2014, the Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Office, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense,
selected the RAND Corporation to conduct an independent study
evaluating sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender
discrimination across the United States military. The committee
is also aware that the study focused on the prevalence of
sexual assault and sexual harassment at specific U.S. military
installations and commands, for the purpose of identifying
additional resources, educating leaders on command climate
issues, and gaining a better understanding of environmental and
organizational risk factors. Based on the results of the study,
military installations were labeled ``high-risk'' and ``low-
risk'' according to the number of individuals who were sexually
assaulted or sexually harassed at the respective facilities.
Therefore, the committee encourages the Secretary of
Defense and the military service secretaries to prioritize
funding for sexual assault and sexual harassment response and
prevention programs and training to military installations that
have been identified as ``high-risk,'' based on the results of
the 2014 RAND Corporation study. The committee recommends the
Secretary of Defense and the service secretaries conduct
further analysis to identify the environmental and
organizational features of ``high-risk'' installations in order
to effectively tailor response and prevention efforts.
Report on Access to Court Filings and Materials for Victims
The committee remains concerned that, under the current
military justice procedure, prosecutors and military courts
apply different and inconsistent approaches with respect to
military sexual assault victims' access to court filings and
nonprivileged information derived directly from and pertaining
directly to the victim. The committee is also concerned that
recent changes in military law addressing access to court
filings and investigation information have not resulted in
timely, consistent and widespread access to relevant
information for victims. The committee recognizes that victims
benefit from access to pre-trial investigation materials that
directly relate to them because it allows them and their
counsel to prepare for trial. Therefore, the committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives by March 1,
2020, addressing the following questions with regards to
establishing a clear standard through law for victims and
victims' counsel to have access to all nonprivileged court
filings and related materials derived directly from and
pertaining directly to the victim:
(1) Does such a standard impact victims' privacy and make
it harder to gain a conviction? If so, how, and what mitigating
measures can be put into place?
(2) Does such a standard impact the ability to execute and
conclude a fair trial? If so, how, and what mitigating measures
can be put into place?
(3) What types of filings and materials would be covered
under such a standard?
(4) How does access to all nonprivileged court filings and
related materials derived directly from and pertaining directly
to the victim impact the case for the prosecution and defense?
(5) Can the victim receive adequate legal representation
and protection of his or her rights without access to all
nonprivileged court filings and related materials derived
directly from and pertaining directly to the victim?
Report on Air National Guard Control Grades
The committee recognizes the challenges the Air National
Guard (ANG) faces in recruiting and retaining qualified airmen
for full-time positions due to the statutory control grade cap.
To alleviate this limitation, the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) increased the control grade cap for O-4 through O-6, E-8s,
and E-9s. While units across the country felt the positive
impact of this cap increase, they continue to face personnel
challenges. With the current numbers and distribution, there
are fewer control grades than the unit manning document
positions. Therefore, organizations are unable to place service
members of the correct rank into the corresponding positions.
The committee directs the Director of the Air National Guard to
perform a by-unit audit to determine the true number of control
grade deficiencies and necessary increases and provide a report
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than June 1,
2020, with audit results.
Report on Army Active Component Support of the Reserve Component
The Committee notes that efforts to achieve Army active and
reserve component integration have made significant progress.
However, both Congressionally mandated and Department of
Defense-led efforts to provide active component support for
Army reserve components have failed. Uniformed full-time
personnel assigned to Army reserve component units should bring
relevant, operational experience from the active component and
return to the active force with a greater understanding of the
reserve component. The current Army Active Guard and Reserve
(AGR) program does not integrate components at the unit level
and does not capitalize on the potential benefits of personnel
exchange. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of the
Army to report to the House Armed Services Committee no later
than January 1, 2020 on the current force structure of AGR
personnel, the impact of increased active component support to
the reserve component, ways to incentivize active service in
the reserve components, and any recommended changes to the
Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program.
Report on Cyber Education Integration in Professional Military
Education
The committee remains concerned about the Department of
Defense's ongoing efforts to integrate cyber domain education
into officer, warrant officer, and non-commissioned officer
professional military education. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives,
not later than March 1, 2020, on the Department's efforts to
integrate cyber domain education in professional military
education courses to further the understanding of the cyber
domain among senior leaders. The briefing will also include an
assessment of efforts to recruit and develop career tracks with
promotion potential for cyber professionals.
Report on Implementation of Transition Assistance Program Content
The committee remains interested in the effective and
efficient transition of service members to civilian life and
the programs in place to assist in this transition. Section 552
of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) required a comprehensive
reform of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance
Program. The committee therefore directs the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services
of the House of Representatives, not later than April 1, 2020,
containing the plan for implementation of reforms to the
Transition Assistance Program directed by section 552 of Public
Law 115-232. The report shall also include:
(1) an analysis of how many service members each year,
since the beginning of fiscal year 2015, have met the Career
Readiness Standards (CRS) at least 90 days before separation.
(2) how many required additional assistance because the
service member did not meet the CRS standards and/or does not
have a viable transition plan, and how many service members
affirmatively received this assistance.
(3) what steps the Department will take to increase the
number of service members that will meet CRS standards at least
90 days before separation.
(4) what organizations are receiving the service members in
a ``warm handover'' and how many are handed over to each.
(5) a status update on the establishment of the pathways
for individualized counseling, including a description of each
of the pathways and their objective.
Report on Integration of Women into Previously Closed Special
Operations Forces Career Fields and the 75th Ranger Regiment
On January 13, 2016, U.S. Special Operations Command
(SOCOM) Commander Joseph Votel issued a memo entitled ``US
Special Operations Command Implementation Plan for the
Integration of Women.'' This memo detailed SOCOM's plan for the
integration of women into the 75th Ranger Regiment and the
eight special operations career fields previously closed to
women, in accordance with former Secretary of Defense Ash
Carter's decision to fully integrate women in the Armed Forces.
The committee understands that the four lines of effort
outlined in the SOCOM implementation plan, including Accession,
Talent Management, Communication, and the Longitudinal
Implementation Plan Assessment, remain in effect. However, the
committee has yet to receive substantive information regarding
the efforts relating to and progress towards integration of
women into previously closed special operations career fields
and the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Therefore, the committee directs the Commander of SOCOM to
submit a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than January 31, 2020, detailing efforts relating to and
progress towards integration of women into the eight previously
closed special operations career fields and the 75th Ranger
Regiment since the issuance of the memorandum. The report shall
include, but not be limited to, a description of efforts by
SOCOM and its service component commands to recruit qualified
female candidates; the number of qualified female candidates,
by component command, that were selected to participate in
initial selection, assessment, and qualification programs since
2016; the number of female candidates, by component command,
that qualified for subsequent phases of training; the number of
females in operational units; a description of the status of
the four lines of effort; and any other matters the Commander
of SOCOM deems relevant.
Report on Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Community Service
The committee notes that the purpose of the Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program is to instill in
students in U.S. secondary educational institutions the values
of citizenship, service to the United States, personal
responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. The committee
believes that community service of all types supports and
enhances this purpose. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives by March 1,
2020, on the feasibility and advisability of a community
service requirement as part of the JROTC program in order for a
unit to earn an ``Honor Unit with Distinction'' designation.
Report on Passport Guidance for Emergency Contacts
The committee notes that families of service members
deployed outside the continental United States often may not
have a valid passport for overseas travel in the event the
service member has a medical emergency and a family member's
presence is needed. While the services have policies in place
for obtaining short-notice passports, the committee is
concerned that information on these procedures is not being
adequately disseminated to unit commanders and service casualty
offices. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to provide a report not later than April 1, 2020,
addressing the following questions:
(1) what information is provided to service members'
families prior to deployment regarding family travel policies?
(2) how are the instructions for obtaining a short-notice
passport relayed to unit commanders and the service casualty
office?
(3) what improvements can be made to the passport process?
(4) how can the Department of Defense and the services
improve their dissemination of information related to emergency
travel procedures for families of overseas service members?
Report on Program on Enhancement of Preparation of Dependents of
Members of Armed Forces for Careers in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics
The committee recognizes that military base communities are
often underserved by STEM education outreach efforts and that
Congress created the National Defense Education Program to
improve the effectiveness of education in STEM fields and
maintain the United States' role as the world leader in
technological development. As such, the committee also directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide a report no later than 180
days from the enactment of this act to the House Committee on
Armed Services on how the Department may carry out a program
under which the Secretary makes grants, on a competitive basis,
to eligible entities to carry out STEM educational events for
military communities across the United States.
Report on Senior Officer Outside Employment
The committee is interested in senior officer outside
employment while still on Active Duty. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not
later than May 1, 2020, on requests from senior officers for
approval of outside employment. The report period will be
inclusive of the fiscal years from 2017 through 2019 and cover
Active Duty officers in the grade of O-6 or above. The elements
of the report shall include:
(1) the number of such requests made in each fiscal year;
(2) the number of such requests approved in each fiscal
year;
(3) the types of positions for which senior personnel made
such requests;
(4) the range and average of the time commitment for such
positions; and
(5) any ethical lapses or abuses by senior personnel in the
course of employment pursuant to approved requests.
Report on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The committee notes that according to the Department of
Defense 71 percent of Americans ages 17 to 24 are not eligible
for military service. Approximately 24 percent of this same
population who take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude
Battery (ASVAB) do not receive a score that qualifies them for
enlistment in the Armed Forces without a waiver. The committee
believes the Department of Defense's data on the ASVAB could be
useful in identifying the kinds of test takers who struggle to
meet the minimum educational standards for enlistment and
identifying the educational needs of local education agencies.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the
House of Representatives, not later than March 1, 2020, a
report on those deemed ineligible for service due to inadequate
test scores on the ASVAB and the impact this population has on
recruitment and military readiness. The report shall include:
(1) Detailed information on the most recent 10 years of
data available for all candidates who took the ASVAB by mean
and median Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score,
including a breakdown by section of the test and category the
test takers' overall scores falls into, for: (a) ethnicity; (b)
race; (c) gender; (d) age at time of test; (e) state of
residency at time of test; (f) county of residency at time of
test; (g) zip code at time of test; (h) highest level of
education attained at time of test; and (i) if available: (a)
type of secondary educational institution attended; (b) school
and/or school district enrolled in at time of test; (c)
percentage of students in school district attended qualifying
for free and reduced-priced lunch at time of test, (d) National
Center for Education Statistics school identification number
for secondary educational institution; (e) free and reduced-
price lunch status at time of test; (f) Individual Education
Plan or 504 Plan status; and (g) English Language Learner
status;
(2) Correlation metrics between ASVAB scores and
demographic indicators;
(3) A list of the counties and school districts scoring in
the bottom five percent on the ASVAB nationally over the past
10 years;
(4) Number of test takers deemed ineligible for service
based on their Category V ASVAB score each year over the past
10 years;
(5) Number of test takers who were granted a waiver for
enlistment who received a Category IV score each year over the
past 10 years; and
(6) The feasibility of sharing the information required in
the report with the Secretary of Education to assist in
improving the education of young American.
Report to the Defense Committees on the National Guard's Role in
Current and Future Space Strategy
The committee recognizes that National Guardsmen and women
across the country provide a unique skillset that accommodates
the role of space in modern defense, and the needs of the
overall force in the years ahead. While the National Guard has
served and will continue to serve a role in space operations,
the Department has yet to adequately define the role of the
National Guard in future DoD space strategy. Therefore, the
committee directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense to provide a
detailed report to the Defense Congressional Committees on the
Guard's role in space, and the departments intentions for the
guard in future space planning.
Reserve Component Duty Status Reform
The committee notes that the Office of the Secretary of
Defense continues to refine and coordinate legislative language
to fulfill the requirement of section 513 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) to reduce the number of statutory authorities by which
members of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces may be
ordered to Active Duty. The committee continues to support the
completion of the required legislative provision and encourages
the Secretary of Defense to continue the necessary coordination
with all stakeholders, to include the States' Adjutants
General, to complete this legislative proposal for inclusion in
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
Special Education Services for Military Families
The Committee notes the purpose of the Exceptional Family
Member Program (EFMP) is to provide comprehensive and
coordinated community support, housing, educational, medical,
and personnel services worldwide to U.S. military families with
children with special needs. The Committee is concerned that
many families participating in the EFMP program are not
provided with consistent educational opportunities throughout
each Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The Committee is
concerned that each PCS is disruptive to the educational plans
for the child, as the services provided to special needs
children can vastly differ between states and school systems,
and that each PCS is disproportionately more difficult for EFMP
families, who may need more time to make better educational
choices. The Committee is also concerned the Department of
Defense and Services lack the common performance measures and
metrics to assess assignment coordination and family support.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives not later than February 1, 2020
describing the needs of military families with children with
special education needs and evaluating options to enhance the
benefits available to such families and children under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et
seq.) in meeting such needs. The report should include
assessing the feasibility of establishing an expedited process
for resolution of complaints by military parents with a child
with special education needs about a lack of access to
education and related services otherwise specified in the
individualized education program of the child; as well as
assess the feasibility of allowing the Department of Defense to
contact the State to which a military family with a child with
special education needs will relocate pursuant to a permanent
change of station with the orders for such change of station
are issued, but before the family takes residence in such
State, for the purpose of commencing preparation for education
and related services specified in the individualized education
program of the child.
Standardizing Training for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
Practitioners
The committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's
continued efforts to ensure that sexual assault prevention and
response training remains effective, adequate, and up-to-date.
In response to the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rept. 115-
676), the Department submitted a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services on the feasibility of developing and
incorporating standardized best practices for sexual assault
prevention and response training across services. The report
suggests that standardized implementation is essential to
achieving decreases in rates of sexual assault.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in consultation with the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services not later than November 1, 2019, on the Department's
efforts to standardize sexual assault prevention training,
across services, and to ensure that such training incorporates
innovative training methodologies based on identified
competencies for prevention and response practitioners.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Officer Personnel Policy
Section 501--Management Policies for Joint Qualified Officers
This section would amend section 661 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
to delegate the approval authority for non-Joint Qualified
Officers to fill critical joint duty assignments, thus allowing
the Chairman's designee to approve or disapprove waivers.
Section 502--Grade of Chief of the Veterinary Corps of the Army
This section would require that the grade of the Chief of
the Veterinary Corps of the Army be a brigadier general.
Section 503--Authority of Promotion Boards to Recommend that Officers
of Particular Merit Be Placed Higher on Promotion List
This section would amend sections 14108, 14109, and 14308
of title 10, United States Code, to allow for Reserve Component
promotion selection boards to recommend placing an officer on
the reserve active-status list higher on a promotion list based
on particular merit, if at least a majority of the promotion
selection board members so recommend.
Section 504--Availability on the Internet of Certain Information about
Officers Serving in General or Flag Officer Grades
This section would require the Secretary of each military
department to publish general and flag officer biographies and
assignment information on a publicly available website on the
internet.
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management
Section 511--Grade of Certain Chiefs of Reserve Components
This section would ensure grade parity among the Chiefs of
the Reserve Components.
Section 512--Authority to Defer Mandatory Separation at Age 68 of
Officers in Medical Specialties in the Reserve Components
This section would amend section 14703 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary concerned to retain
Reserve Component medical specialty officers beyond the age of
68.
Section 513--Repeal of Requirement for Review of Certain Army Reserve
Officer Unit Vacancy Promotions by Commanders of Associated Active Duty
Units
This section would repeal section 1113 of the Army National
Guard Combat Readiness Reform Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 10105
note) to repeal the requirement for the commander of an Active
Duty unit associated with an Army Selected Reserve unit to
review promotion recommendations for unit vacancy promotions.
Section 514--Guidance for Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by the
National Guard
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
issue new guidance, within 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, regarding the use of unmanned aircraft
systems that is comparable to other aircraft for certain
activities.
Section 515--Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
This section would amend section 2031 of title 10, United
States Code, to add science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics to Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
curriculum.
Section 516--JROTC Computer Science and Cybersecurity Program
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to carry
out a program to enhance the preparation of students in Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corps for careers in computer
science and cybersecurity.
Section 517--Programs of Scholarships for Members of Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps Units toward Obtaining Private Pilot's
Certificates
This section would authorize the Department of Defense to
create a program to award scholarships to qualified members of
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps units to pursue a
private pilot's certification.
Section 518--Sense of Congress regarding Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps
This section would express the sense of Congress regarding
support for 3,700 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps units
nationwide.
Section 519--Sense of Congress regarding the National Guard Youth
Challenge Program
This section would express the sense of Congress that the
National Guard Youth Challenge Program provides a vital service
to at-risk youth and would encourage the Secretary of Defense
to use the authority provided in section 519 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232) to use equipment and facilities of the
Department of Defense in this program.
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Correction of Military
Records
Section 521--Establishment of Board of Appeals regarding Denied
Requests for Upgraded Discharges and Dismissals
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a board of discharge appeals to hear appeals of
request for upgraded discharges and dismissals that are denied
by the service review agencies. This section would also require
the Secretary to submit a report not later than April 1, 2021,
on data based on the appeals heard by the board, and to publish
the information online annually beginning on October 1, 2022.
Section 522--Prohibition on Reduction in the Number of Personnel
Assigned to Duty with a Service Review Agency
This section would amend section 1559(a) of title 10,
United States Code, by extending the date on prohibition on
reducing the number of personnel assigned to duty with a
service review agency from December 31, 2019, to December 31,
2025. This section would also require a report by each
Secretary of each military department that details a plan to
reduce the backlog of applications and maintain resources
required to meet timelines under section 1557 of title 10,
United States Code.
Section 523--Advisory Committee on Record and Service Review Boards
This section would establish a Defense Advisory Committee
on Record and Upgrade Review Boards to advise the Secretary of
Defense on the best structure, practice, and procedures to
ensure consistency of the boards for correction of military
records and service review boards.
Section 524--Time Requirements for Certification of Honorable Service
This section would require the Secretary of a military
department or a designated commissioned officer serving in the
pay grade of O-6 or higher to, upon submission of a completed
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form N-426
in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who has served
honorably on active duty, provide certification not later than
5 days, and in the case of a member of the Armed Forces who has
served honorably in the Reserve Component provide certification
not later than 3 weeks.
Section 525--Prohibition on Implementation of Military Service
Suitability Determinations for Foreign Nationals Who Are Lawful
Permanent Residents
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
taking any action to implement the memorandum titled ``Military
Service Suitability Determinations for Foreign Nationals Who
Are Lawful Permanent Residents'' until the Secretary submits a
report on the justification for the policy changes.
Section 526--Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
update and implement the Department of Defense Diversity and
Inclusion Strategic Plan. The plan will cover a 5-year period
beginning January 1, 2020.
Section 527--Independent Study on Barriers to Entry into the Armed
Forces for English Learners
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to seek
to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and
development center to study barriers to entry into the Armed
Forces for English learners.
Section 528--Reenlistment Waivers for Persons Separated from the Armed
Forces Who Commit One Misdemeanor Cannabis Offense
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
prescribe regulations that permit any Secretary of a military
department to grant a reenlistment waiver to a covered person
who has separated from the Armed Forces and has admitted to or
been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of a single
violation relating to the use or possession of cannabis.
Section 529--Sense of Congress regarding Accession Physicals
This section would express the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of Defense should explore alternatives to centralized
accession physicals at United States Military Entrance
Processing Command stations, including conducting physicals in
the local community, in order to reduce transportation costs
and improve efficiency in processing times and free up
recruiters to allow them to focus on their core recruiting
mission.
Subtitle D--Military Justice
Section 531--Command Influence
This section would amend section 837 of title 10, United
States Code (article 37 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice), to prohibit convening authorities and commanding
officers from interfering with access and influencing
witnesses, and would expressly allow convening authorities and
commanding officers to engage in communications with
subordinates that do not jeopardize the fairness of military
judicial proceedings.
Section 532--Statute of Limitations for Certain Offenses
This section would amend section 843 of title 10, United
States Code (article 43 of the Uniform Code of Military
Justice), to eliminate the statute of limitations for the
offenses of maiming and kidnapping of a child.
Section 533--Guidelines on Sentences for Offenses Committed under the
Uniform Code of Military Justice
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish non-binding sentencing guidelines for offenses under
the Uniform Code of Military Justice, taking into account
sentencing data collected by the Military Justice Review Panel.
Section 534--Expansion of Responsibilities of Commanders for Victims of
Sexual Assault Committed by Another Member of the Armed Forces
This section would require commanders to notify an alleged
victim of sexual assault of significant events in the military
justice process in connection with the investigation,
prosecution, and confinement of the accused, when the accused
is a member of the Armed Forces, and to document such
notification. This section would also require commanders to
create and maintain documentation of an alleged sexual assault
victim's expressed preference for prosecution jurisdiction.
Section 535--Increase in Investigative Personnel and Victim Witness
Assistance Program Liaisons
This section would require military service secretaries to
ensure personnel authorizations for criminal investigators
allow for the completion of investigations of sex-related
offenses in no more than 6 months, to the extent practicable.
This section would require service secretaries to issue
guidance requiring criminal investigators to submit a status
report to their direct supervisor in the event an investigation
exceeds 90 days. This section would also require military
service secretaries to increase the number of personnel serving
as Victim Witness Assistance Program liaisons to address
personnel shortages.
Section 536--Increase in Number of Digital Forensic Examiners for the
Military Criminal Investigation Organizations
This section would increase the number of digital forensic
examiners in each military criminal investigation organization
by not fewer than 10 from the authorized number as of September
30, 2019, and would require that funding for additional digital
forensic examiners be derived from amounts authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2020 for the Armed Force concerned
for operation and maintenance.
Section 537--Pilot Programs on Defense Investigators in the Military
Justice System
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
implement a pilot program on defense investigators within the
military justice system.
Section 538--Pilot Program on Prosecution of Special Victim Offenses
Committed by Attendees of Military Service Academies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
create and carry out a pilot program establishing an
independent authority to review certain special victim offenses
and determine whether such offenses shall be referred to trial
by court-martial convening authority. This section would also
require the Secretary of Defense to establish an Office of the
Chief Prosecutor within the Office of the Secretary of Defense,
as part of the pilot program.
Section 539--Timely Disposition of Nonprosecutable Sex-Related Offenses
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
develop and implement a policy to ensure the timely disposition
of nonprosecutable sex-related offenses.
Section 540--Training for Sexual Assault Initial Disposition
Authorities on Exercise of Disposition Authority for Sexual Assault and
Collateral Offenses
This section would require specified training for sexual
assault initial disposition authorities on the exercise of
disposition authority for sexual assault and collateral
offenses.
Subtitle E--Other Legal Matters
Section 541--Standard of Evidence Applicable to Investigations and
Reviews Related to Protected Communications of Members of the Armed
Forces and Prohibited Retaliatory Actions
This section would amend section 1034 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow a finding or other determination made
under subsections (c), (d), (g), or (h) to be based on the
standards of evidence specified in section 1221(e) of title 5.
Section 542--Expansion of Special Victims' Counsel for Victims of Sex-
Related or Domestic Violence Offenses
This section would expand the Special Victims' Counsel
program to cover eligible domestic violence victims and
designate Special Victims' Counsel Paralegals. This section
would also require expansion of the Special Victims' Counsel
program not later than 2 years post-enactment and would require
a report, due not later than December 1, 2022, on how the
military services are meeting Special Victims' Counsel program
requirements.
Section 543--Notification of Issuance of Military Protective Order to
Civilian Law Enforcement
This section would amend section 1567a of title 10, United
States Code, to require unit commanders to notify civilian
authorities of the issuance of a military protective order
against a member of the Armed Forces, and would require unit
commanders to notify a receiving unit of the issuance of a
military protective order in the event a member is transferred
to another unit. This section would also require the Secretary
of Defense, not later than March 1, 2020, and each year
thereafter through 2024, to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees identifying the number of
military protective orders issued and the number of military
protective orders reported to the appropriate civilian
authorities in the preceding calendar year in which the report
was submitted.
Section 544--Clarifications regarding Scope of Employment and
Reemployment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services
This section would amend section 4303 of title 38, United
States Code, to protect service members from forced arbitration
in Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
cases.
Section 545--Military Orders Required for Termination of Leases
Pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
This section would amend section 3955 of title 50, United
States Code, to clarify that, in the context of terminating
residential or motor vehicle leases, military orders for a
permanent change of station include separation or retirement
orders.
Section 546--Consultation regarding Victim's Preference in Prosecution
Jurisdiction
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, to issue guidance to ensure that sexual assault
victims' preference for prosecution jurisdiction is recorded.
Section 547--Extension and Expansion of Defense Advisory Committee on
Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed
Forces
This section would extend the Defense Advisory Committee on
Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault (DAC-
IPAD) for an additional 5 years past its original expiration
date. This section would also expand DAC-IPAD's scope of review
to cover restorative justice models and interpretation of the
Rules for Courts-Martial 1001(c).
Section 548--Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual
Misconduct
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish an advisory committee, known as the Defense Advisory
Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct, which shall
advise the Secretary on the prevention of sexual assault and on
the policies, programs, and practices of each military
department, Armed Force, and military service academy for the
prevention of sexual assault.
Section 549--Safe to Report Policy Applicable across the Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the service secretaries and the Secretary of
Homeland Security, to prescribe regulations for a safe to
report policy that would allow alleged victims of sexual
assault, who may have committed minor collateral misconduct, to
report sexual assault without fear or receipt of discipline for
such collateral misconduct.
Section 550--Availability of Special Victims' Counsel and Special
Victim Prosecutors at Military Installations
This section would ensure Special Victims' Counsel or
Special Victim Prosecutors are available to requesting
individuals not later than 48 hours after a request is made.
This section would also require a report to the Committees on
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives
which sets forth the feasibility and advisability of
maintaining civilian positions that would provide support to
Special Victims' Counsel and ensure continuity and preservation
of knowledge during transition between service of Special
Victims' Counsels.
Section 550a--Notice to Victims of Alleged Sexual Assault of Pendency
of Further Administrative Action Following a Determination Not to Refer
to Trial by Court-Martial
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish regulations requiring a commander who decides not to
refer a case of alleged sexual assault to court-martial to
periodically notify the victim of further action on such case.
Section 550b--Training for Special Victims' Counsel on Civilian
Criminal Justice Matters in the States of the Military Installations to
Which Assigned
This section would require Special Victims' Counsel and
Victim Legal Counsel to receive training on the law and
policies, for certain criminal justice matters, of the State or
States in which the military installation is located in order
to provide victims of alleged sex-related offenses with
information to make informed decisions regarding preference for
prosecution jurisdiction.
Subtitle F--Member Education
Section 551--Authority for Detail of Certain Enlisted Members of the
Armed Forces as Students at Law Schools
This section would require service secretaries to detail
enlisted members of the Armed Forces as students at accredited
law schools leading to the degree of bachelor of law or juris
doctor.
Section 552--Education of Members of the Armed Forces on Career
Readiness and Professional Development
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
carry out a program to provide education on career readiness
and professional development to members of the Armed Forces.
Section 553--Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
This section would amend section 2168 of title 10, United
States Code, to permit the Defense Language Institute to confer
Bachelor degrees, in addition to Associate degrees, to
graduates that meet the appropriate requirements for that
degree.
Section 554--Expansion of Department of Defense Starbase Program
This section would amend section 2193b of title 10, United
States Code, by inserting science, technology, engineering, art
and design, and mathematics.
Section 555--Degree Granting Authority for United States Army Armament
Graduate School
This section would amend chapter 751 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the United States Army Armament
Graduate School to confer appropriate degrees upon graduates
who meet the degree requirements.
Section 556--Congressional Nominations for Senior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps Scholarships
This section would allow the Secretary of the Army to
consider any candidate nominated but not selected for
appointment to the United States Military Academy by Members of
Congress or officials from U.S. Territories to be considered
for appointment as a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
cadet under section 2107 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 557--Consideration of Application for Transfer for a Student of
a Military Service Academy Who Is the Victim of a Sexual Assault or
Related Offense
This section would amend sections 7461, 8480, and 9461 of
title 10 United States Code, and would direct the military
service secretaries to establish regulations, based on
guidelines provided by the Secretary of Defense, for the timely
consideration of an application for transfer of a military
service academy student who is the victim of a sexual assault
or related offense.
Section 558--Redesignation of the Commandant of the United States Air
Force Institute of Technology as the Director and Chancellor of Such
Institute
This section would amend section 9414b of title 10, United
States Code, to redesignate the Commandant of the United States
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) as the Director and
Chancellor of AFIT.
Section 559--Eligibility of Additional Enlisted Members for Associate
Degree Programs of the Community College of the Air Force
This section would amend section 9415 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the Community College of the Air
Force (CCAF) to award associate degrees to enlisted members of
services other than the Air Force who are participating in CCAF
affiliated joint-service training and education courses.
Section 560--Safe-to-Report Policy Applicable to Military Service
Academies
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
prescribe regulations for the implementation of a safe-to-
report policy which would allow alleged sexual assault victims
at the United States Military Academy, United States Naval
Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States
Coast Guard Academy, who may have committed minor collateral
misconduct, an opportunity to report an occurrence of sexual
assault without fear of discipline.
Section 560a--Recoupment of Funds from Cadets and Midshipmen Separated
for Criminal Misconduct
This section would direct each Secretary of a military
department to develop regulations that would require monetary
recoupment from a service academy cadet or midshipman convicted
of criminal misconduct, regardless of academic year.
Subtitle G--Member Training and Transition
Section 561--Prohibition on Gender-Segregated Training at Marine Corps
Recruit Depots
This section would prohibit the Commandant of the Marine
Corps from segregating training at the Marine Corps Recruit
Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, not later than 5 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act and at Marine Corps
Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, not later than 8 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 562--Medical Personnel at Marine Corps Recruit Depots
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
assign the appropriate medical personnel to Marine Corps
Recruit Depots.
Section 563--Assessment of Deaths of Recruits under the Jurisdiction of
the Secretary of the Navy
This section would require the Department of Defense
Inspector General to conduct an assessment of the deaths of
recruits and medical protocols at recruit training facilities
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy.
Section 564--Inclusion of Specific Email Address Block on Certificate
of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214)
This section would modify the certificate of release or
discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) by adding an email
address block.
Section 565--Machine Readability and Electronic Transferability of
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214)
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
modify the DD Form 214 to make it machine readable and
electronically transferable.
Section 566--Records of Service for Reserves
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish and implement a standard record of service for
members of the Reserve Component that summarizes the record of
service of the service member including dates of Active Duty
service.
Subtitle H--Military Family Readiness and Dependents' Education
Section 571--Authorizing Members to Take Leave for a Birth or Adoption
in More Than One Increment
This section would amend section 701 of title 10, United
States Code, removing the statutory requirement that parental
leave be taken in one increment.
Section 572--Deferred Deployment for Members Who Give Birth
This section would amend section 701 of title 10, United
States Code, to standardize new mother deployment deferral
policy across the military services, to include the Coast
Guard.
Section 573--Authority of the Secretary Concerned to Transport Remains
of a Covered Decedent to No More Than Two Places Selected by the Person
Designated to Direct Disposition of the Remains
This section would amend section 1482 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense to
reimburse surviving family members of service members killed in
action for costs associated with transporting their remains to
a national cemetery.
Section 574--Clarification regarding Eligibility to Transfer
Entitlement under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program
This section would amend section 3319 of title 38, United
States Code, to prevent the Secretary of Defense from imposing
a limit on transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits based
on maximum number of years of service.
Section 575--Absentee Ballot Tracking Program
This section would amend section 20302 of title 52, United
States Code, to require State election officials to establish
and operate an absentee ballot tracking program for absentee
uniformed voters and overseas citizen voters.
Section 576--Annual State Report Card
This section would amend section 1111 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include children with a
parent(s) in the National Guard or Reserve Component in the
Military Student Identifier definition of the Every Student
Succeeds Act.
Section 577--Transportation of Remains of Casualties; Travel Expenses
for Next of Kin
This section would authorize transportation expenses to
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for next of kin of service
members killed overseas.
Section 578--Meetings of Officials of the Department of Defense with
Survivors of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish procedures to ensure that each of the military
departments identify surviving family members of fallen service
members to meet periodically with their respective military
service chiefs to provide feedback on surviving family member
issues and concerns. In addition, the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall meet periodically
with surviving family members to help inform Department of
Defense casualty and Gold Star Family policy. This section
would also require the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness to provide a briefing to the Committee on Armed
Services of the House of Representatives not later than April
1, 2020, on procedures established and the results of the
meetings with the family members.
Section 579--Direct Employment Pilot Program for Members of the
National Guard and Reserve, Veterans, Their Spouses and Dependents, and
Members of Gold Star Families
This section would enable the Secretary of Defense to
create a pilot program that would allow States to establish or
expand job placement programs, and related employment services,
for unemployed guardsmen, reservists, military spouses, and
veterans.
Section 580--Continued Assistance to Schools with Significant Numbers
of Military Dependent Students
This section would authorize $40.0 million for the purpose
of providing assistance to local educational agencies with
military dependent students, and $10.0 million for local
educational agencies eligible to receive a payment for children
with severe disabilities.
Subtitle I--Decorations and Awards
Section 581--Expansion of Gold Star Lapel Button Eligibility to
Stepsiblings; Free Replacement
This section would amend section 1126 of title 10, United
States Code, to extend the authority for the Secretary of
Defense to provide a gold star lapel button to stepsiblings of
deceased military service members. Additionally, it would allow
the Department of Defense to replace the lapel button upon
application and without cost to an eligible family member.
Section 582--Establishment of the Atomic Veterans Service Medal
This section would authorize the creation of the Atomic
Veterans Service Medal, to be awarded to radiation-exposed
veterans.
Section 583--Review of World War I Valor Medals
This section would direct the Department of Defense to
review the service records of certain African American, Asian
American, Hispanic American, Jewish American, and Native
American war veterans to ensure that minority service members
are appropriately recognized for their valorous service.
Subtitle J--Miscellaneous Reports and Other Matters
Section 591--Repeal of Quarterly Report on End Strengths
This section would repeal paragraph (3) of section 115(e)
of title 10, United States Code, to remove the requirement for
the Secretary of Defense to notify the Committee on Armed
Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of
the House of Representatives whenever the Secretary establishes
an end-of-quarter strength level pursuant to section
115(e)(2)(A) or modifies a strength level pursuant to section
115(e)(2)(B).
Section 592--Revision of Workplace and Gender Relations Surveys
This section would amend section 481 of title 10, United
States Code, to update the Armed Forces Workplace and Gender
Relations Surveys and the Department of Defense Civilian
Employee Workplace and Gender Relations Survey to require
solicitation of information of the types and frequency of
unwanted sexual contact that have occurred during the preceding
year.
Section 593--Modification of Elements of Reports on the Improved
Transition Assistance Program
This section would modify the required reports to Congress
concerning the improved Transition Assistance Program.
Section 594--Questions in Workplace Surveys regarding Supremacist,
Extremist, and Racist Activity
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
include in the workplace and equal opportunity, command
climate, and workplace and gender relations surveys whether
respondents have ever experienced supremacist activity,
extremist activity, or racism.
Section 595--Command Matters in Connection with Transition Assistance
Programs
This section would require the inclusion of commander
support for transition assistance programs as a criteria in
command climate assessments.
Section 596--Expressing Support for the Designation of a ``Gold Star
Families Remembrance Day''
This section would express the Congress's support for
``Gold Star Families Remembrance Day.''
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Commissaries during Shutdowns
The committee notes that service members rely on the
commissary for their daily need for groceries, and service
member surveys consistently rate commissaries as one of their
most valued benefits. If commissaries are closed during
government shutdown, there will be an immediate pressure on in-
store inventory and the working capital funds as products begin
to spoil and reach their expiration dates. It is important that
the commissary remain open during government shutdowns to meet
the needs of service members. The committee therefore urges the
Department of Defense and the Defense Commissary Agency to keep
the commissaries open during any government shutdown because of
the vital need of military men and women for groceries on a
daily basis.
Department of Defense SkillBridge Program Applicability to Service
Member Spouses
The committee commends the Department of Defense for its
development of the Department of Defense SkillBridge program,
which offers training programs in the form of internships and
apprenticeships through participating private companies for
service members transitioning to civilian life. The committee
remains concerned by the persistent issue of unemployment and
underemployment of military spouses. Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not
later than April 1, 2020, on the feasibility and advisability
of providing a similar program for service member spouses that
would apply at any time during a spouse's career. The report
shall include:
(1) the extent to which private companies currently
participating in SkillBridge are interested in extending
internships and apprenticeships to service member spouses;
(2) the extent to which the potential expansion of the
program would affect the ability to effectively administer the
current SkillBridge program;
(3) the costs to the Department of Defense of administering
such a program;
(4) any other issues the Secretary of Defense deems
relevant.
Educational Opportunities for Service Member Dependents
The committee recognizes that the quality and availability
of educational resources at and around military installations
can vary greatly, causing challenges for service members with
school-aged children. Children of service members are often
subject to local educational conditions and frequent moves can
pose additional stresses on the continuity of learning
standards. These challenges may impact recruitment and
retention. The committee recognizes providing quality
educational options is necessary for ensuring our national
security. Therefore, the committee encourages the Department of
Defense to fully consider the quality of education available on
and off military installations and whether additional
educational options should be made available at certain
geographically isolated installations.
Maternity Leave Parity for National Guard and Reserve Components
The committee notes that the Department of Defense
established policies for maternity leave in 2016, authorizing
12 weeks fully paid maternity leave after normal pregnancy and
childbirth. The committee further notes that such paid leave is
not given to female services members in inactive duty status
within the National Guard and reserve components, and that
these service members are still required to attend unit
training assemblies to receive military service pay and
retirement points. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services by May 1, 2020, on the barriers, benefits,
and feasibility of providing compensation and credit for
retired pay to members of the National Guard and reserve
components in inactive duty status.
Report Assessing the Advisability of Permitting Military Personnel to
use Education Benefits for Nontraditional Cyber-Related Education
Programs
The committee understands that new and innovative
educational opportunities exist for service members through
non-traditional forms of schooling such as technology boot
camps or massive online open courses (MOOC's). Such courses are
particularly useful for service members in geographically
remote areas who are hoping to continue their education. While
the committee understands and appreciates the need for
verification and certification of educational programs prior to
approving government funds, such as tuition assistance, to pay
for such programs, the committee believes that such standards
should be mindful of the rapidly evolving nature of modern
educational services.
Therefore, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a
briefing to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives no later than February 1, 2020, outlining the
Department of Defense's procedures for determining the
educational institutions and resources eligible for tuition
assistance. The report should include:
(1) Standards the educational resource or institution must
meet for military personnel to receive assistance from DoD.
(2) A description of the steps taken to ensure a broad
variety of STEM-focused programs are eligible for tuition
assistance, including non-traditional cyber-related learning
alternatives.
(3) Steps that have been taken to account for the changes
in modern learning platforms.
(4) Recommendations for expanding the educational
opportunities available to military personnel.
Report on Feasibility of Loan or Grant Program to Offset the Cost of
Child Care Center Accreditation in Areas with Long Waitlists to Access
On-Base Child Development Centers
The committee notes that there is a shortage of available
and affordable child care on military installations and that
many military families utilize private child care options due
to this shortage. Further, the committee notes that in order to
use the child care stipend made available to servicemembers
whose children have been on a wait list for on-base child care
for an extended period of time, the private child care center
must be accredited. Data suggests that approximately half of
the United States has too few licensed child care options. The
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House
of Representatives not later than June 1, 2020 regarding the
feasibility of the creation of a grant or loan program to
defray the initial cost of meeting state licensure requirements
for child care facilities in areas where there is a shortage of
licensed child care options for military families. The report
shall include:
(1) An assessment of areas with the longest waitlists for
on-base Child Development Centers;
(2) An assessment of the availability of licensed, off-base
child care facilities in those areas;
(3) The feasibility of creating a grant or loan program to
defray up to half the cost of meeting state licensure
requirements;
(4) Recommendations for legislative or administrative
action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the
report, including recommendations for a pilot grant or loan
program.
Report on TSP Default Contribution Rate
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense's
default contribution rate of 3% to the Thrift Savings Plan
(TSP) will have long term negative impacts on service
members'--specifically junior enlisted service members''--
financial readiness and wellbeing. Civilian studies show that
the average default automatic enrollment for civilian employer
matching has increased in recent years to 4.6%, and that a
contribution of at least 4% is required to achieve the same
undiscounted lifetime income under the BRS as under the current
system.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than March 1, 2020, on the potential
effects of automatically enrolling new service members into the
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) at the maximum government matching
rate of 5% of the service member's base pay compared to the
existing automatic enrollment of 3% of the servicemember's base
pay. The elements of the report shall include:
(1) The analysis and rationale for the current 3% default
enrollment contribution.
(2) A comparison of the estimated undiscounted lifetime
income of an enlisted service member under the Blended
Retirement System with a 3% matching contribution, a 5%
matching contribution and the legacy retirement system. The
comparison shall include analysis of different amounts of time
in service as well as differentials between the active and
reserve component.
(3) A comparison of the estimated undiscounted lifetime
income of an officer under the Blended Retirement System with a
3% matching contribution, a 5% matching contribution and the
legacy retirement system. The comparison shall include analysis
of different amounts of time in service as well as
differentials between the active and reserve component.
(4) Analysis on enrollees who changed their contribution
allocation from the default percentage and their rationale to
do so.
(5) The average TSP contribution percentage among
servicemembers who elect to change from their default
contribution once enrolled in the blended retirement system.
(6) What programs or initiatives have been shown to be
effective in increasing the percentage of servicemembers opting
for the full 5% contribution?
(7) Recommendations to enhance the future earnings and
retirement savings of servicemembers.
Review and Assessment of Transitional Compensation Program
The committee notes the importance of all members of the
Armed Forces and their families to feel safe and secure. The
committee acknowledges the Department of Defense's continuous
efforts to provide resources and programs, such as the Family
Advocacy Program, to benefit the safety and quality of life for
members of the Armed Forces and their families. In instances of
domestic violence or abuse, victims should feel empowered and
resourced to seek assistance. The committee is concerned that
reports of domestic violence, intimate partner violence and
sexual assault, or child abuse may go unreported by family
members out of fear for losing access to military pay and
allowances and benefits. The committee directs the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide a
briefing to the House Armed Services Committee not later than
March 1, 2020, on a comprehensive review and assessment of the
Transitional Compensation program. The report shall include the
following:
(1) a review of requests for Transitional Compensation;
(2) a review of approved requests for Transitional
Compensation;
(3) an analysis of the discrepancies between (1) and (2);
(4) an assessment of current Transitional Compensation as
written in statute in Section 1059, title 10, United States
Code, and its alignment with other legal definitions of
domestic violence, intimate partner violence or sexual assault,
or child abuse; and
(5) any recommendations for modifying Transitional
Compensation to improve supportive outcomes for victims.
Service Member Separation Survey Methodology
The committee is concerned that valuable military personnel
data currently collected by the Department of Defense is not
being effectively organized, analyzed, and applied to better
understand service members' motivations for staying in or
leaving the military. Data on service members' reasons for
separation from service, that could be used to adjust
recruiting and retention policies of the armed services and the
Department of Defense, is not being collected in an effective
or timely manner. The committee notes that the requirement for
individual exit surveys and interviews with separating or
retiring service members has not been uniformly established
across the Department of Defense. In addition, the committee is
concerned that the exit surveys may not be valid survey
instruments.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Department of Defense Office of People
Analytics, to determine the best methodology and timing to
conduct and require exit interviews or surveys with individuals
leaving Active Duty to establish, at a minimum:
(1) what personal or professional factors are causing the
service member to leave the military service.
(2) what specific opportunities, programs, or benefits
could have influenced their retention decisions.
(3) service member satisfaction with benefits,
compensation, and service leadership.
(4) service member suggestions for improving benefits,
career management, or work-life balance.
Furthermore, the Secretary, in coordination with the Office
of People Analytics, shall review currently existing military
personnel databases that may be used to assist the services in
further establishing service member behaviors regarding
accession and retention in the military.
The committee directs the Secretary to provide a briefing
to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than April 1, 2020, on the efforts to
establish enhanced military personnel data analytics and an
effective exit survey program as described above.
Servicemember Statement of Benefits
Section 522 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
amended chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, by adding a
new ``Statement of Benefits'', that would provide
servicemembers, with a current and individualized statement of
benefits that provides a comprehensive and complete listing of
all benefits to the servicemember is entitled. To date, the
Department of Defense has not yet complied with section 522.
The committee reaffirms that Active Duty servicemembers and
members of a Reserve Component shall be provided with an
individualized, comprehensive, and complete statement of
benefits listing all benefits to which they are entitled. It is
imperative that those who have served in our Nation's Armed
Forces be afforded with clear guidance as to the benefits to
which they are entitled after serving their country to assist
them with a successful transition to civilian life. Provision
of such a statement of benefits individualized to each
servicemember, including an authoritative estimate of benefits
provided by other departments, will assist in that member's
awareness of and ability to access services to which that
member is entitled.
Spouse Employment Programs
The committee is aware of the extensive network of
resources that the Department of Defense has established to
assist spouses of members of the Armed Forces in seeking
employment. The committee understands the need to provide both
online and in-person career counseling and employment
information to ensure the unique needs of military spouses are
met. However, the committee remains concerned that some of the
resources available may not adequately target the professions
most sought-after by spouses. Therefore, the committee directs
the Comptroller General of the United States to provide a
briefing to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than April 1, 2020, with a report to
follow at a later date, containing the following components:
(1) an analysis of whether military spouses with certain
professional certifications or licenses have higher rates of
unemployment and underemployment than other military spouses;
(2) an analysis of whether military spouses with certain
professional certifications or licenses have higher rates of
unemployment and underemployment when compared to their
civilian counterparts;
(3) an analysis of whether military spouses married to
service members of certain ranks have higher rates of
unemployment and underemployment than other military spouses;
(4) an analysis of whether the Department of Defense has a
system of measurement for evaluating the effectiveness of
States' laws in easing licensing burdens on military spouses
and whether occupational licensing requirements are considered
when evaluating service member assignment decisions; and
(5) marketing efforts by the Department of Defense to
ensure military spouses are aware of the available resources.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Pay and Allowances
Section 601--Clarification of Continuation of Pays During
Hospitalization and Rehabilitation Resulting From Wounds, Injury, or
Illness Incurred while on Duty in a Hostile Fire Area or Exposed to an
Event of Hostile Fire or Other Hostile Action
This section would amend section 372 of title 37, United
States Code, to authorize, in the case of a member under the
jurisdiction of a Secretary of a military department, the
continuation of special pays until the date on which the member
is determined fit for duty.
Section 602--Basic Needs Allowance for Low-Income Regular Members
This section would amend section 402 of title 37, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to pay a
basic needs allowance to a qualified service member.
Section 603--Temporary Increase of Rates of Basic Allowance for Housing
Following Determination That Local Civilian Housing Costs Significantly
Exceed Such Rates
This section would amend section 403(b) of title 37, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to prescribe
a temporary adjustment of the basic allowance for housing rates
for a housing area where the actual costs of adequate housing
differ from the calculated rates of housing for that area as
determined by the Secretary.
Section 604--Basic Allowance for Housing for a Member Without
Dependents When Relocation Would Financially Disadvantage the Member
This section would allow the Secretaries of the military
departments discretionary authority to authorize a housing
allowance based on the old homeport or permanent duty station
for single members disadvantaged as a result of a unit's change
of homeport or permanent duty station, as long as the member
had orders returning to the previous homeport or duty station.
Section 605--Partial Dislocation Allowance
This section would amend sections 452 and 477 of title 37,
United States Code, to allow service members to receive a
partial dislocation allowance if they are ordered to vacate
dormitories.
Subtitle B--Bonuses and Special Incentive Pays
Section 611--One-Year Extension of Certain Expiring Bonus and Special
Pay Authorities
This section would extend, through December 31, 2020,
income replacement payments for Reserve Component members
experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for Active Duty
service; would extend two critical recruitment and retention
incentive programs for Reserve Component health care
professionals; would extend accession and retention incentives
for nuclear-qualified officers; and would extend the
consolidated special and incentive pay authorities.
Subtitle C--Family and Survivor Benefits
Section 621--Payment of Transitional Compensation for Certain
Dependents
This section would amend section 1059 of title 10, United
States Code, to close an inequitable gap that delays
commencement of transitional compensation to a small subset of
dependents or former dependents who request the Secretary
concerned to authorize exceptional eligibility for transitional
compensation.
Section 622--Death Gratuity for ROTC Graduates
This section would amend section 1475 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize a death gratuity to the family of a
graduate of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps who dies
before receiving a first duty assignment.
Section 623--Continued Eligibility for Education and Training
Opportunities for Spouses of Promoted Members
This section would extend the eligibility for any spouse
who is eligible for the My Career Advancement Account program
and begins a course of study leading toward a qualifying
degree, license, or certification, and would ensure they will
not be subsequently made ineligible to complete their studies
solely because the sponsoring service member has been promoted
to a higher grade.
Section 624--Occupational Improvements for Relocated Spouses of Members
of the Uniformed Services
This section would amend section 1784 of title 10, United
States Code, to provide occupational support to military
spouses by improving the portability of occupational licenses
through interstate compacts and amending residency laws
pertaining to registering a business.
Section 625--Expansion of Authority To Provide Financial Assistance to
Civilian Providers of Child Care Services or Youth Program Services Who
Provide Such Services to Survivors of Members of the Armed Forces Who
Die in Line of Duty
This section would amend section 1798 of title 10, United
States Code, to authorize financial assistance to civilian
providers of child care services or youth program services to
survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of
duty.
Section 626--Space-Available Travel on Military Aircraft for Children
and Surviving Spouses of Members Who Die of Hostile Action or Training
Duty
This section would amend section 2641 of title 10, United
States Code, to allow children meeting certain requirements and
surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die as a
result of hostile action or training duty to use Space-
Available (Space-A) travel.
Section 627--Consideration of Service on Active Duty To Reduce Age of
Eligibility for Retired Pay for Non-Regular Service
This section would amend section 12731(f)(2)(B)(i) of title
10, United States Code, to authorize credit for a service
member who as a member of the Ready Reserve serves on Active
Duty or performs Active service under section 12304(b) of title
10, United States Code. The eligibility age will be reduced
below 60 years of age by 3 months for each aggregate of 90 days
on which such person serves on such Active Duty or performs
such Active service in any fiscal year after January 28, 2008,
or in any two consecutive fiscal years after September 30,
2014.
Section 628--Modification to Authority To Reimburse for State Licensure
and Certification Costs of a Spouse of a Member Arising From Relocation
This section would require the Secretary concerned to
increase the maximum reimbursement amount to $1,000 and to do
an analysis to determine if the maximum reimbursement amount
for State licensure and certifications of a spouse is
sufficient to cover the average costs of relicensing.
Section 629--Improvements to Child Care for Members of the Armed Forces
This section would amend section 1798(a) of title 10,
United States Code, to authorize financial assistance to
civilian child care providers who care for the children of
survivors of members who die in the line of duty and to expand
direct hiring authority for child care providers. Additionally,
this section would direct the Secretary of Defense to assess
and report on:
(1) the financial assistance provided service members for
child care,
(2) the child care capacity on military installations to
ensure access of service members, and
(3) the accessibility of Department of Defense websites
related to child care and spousal employment.
The Secretary of Defense shall also ensure the portability
to another Department of Defense facility of background
investigations and training certifications for childcare
providers.
Section 630--Casualty Assistance for Survivors of Deceased ROTC
Graduates
This section would provide a casualty assistance officer to
the family of Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets who have
taken the oath but have not yet reported to their first duty
station, in the event of their death.
Subtitle D--Defense Resale Matters
Section 631--GAO Review of Defense Resale Optimization Study
This section would require the Comptroller General of the
United States to conduct a review and submit a report to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives regarding the business case analysis performed
as part of the defense resale optimization report titled
``Study to Determine the Feasibility of Consolidation of the
Defense Resale Entities,'' dated December 4, 2018. The
consolidation of defense resale entities would be delayed until
the report is received and accepted.
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
The committee commends the research and work being
conducted by the Department of Defense on traumatic brain
injury (TBI). However, the committee is seeking to understand
the proportion of TBI research being dedicated to chronic
traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Therefore, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives not
later than March 1, 2020, on the following:
(1) the proportion and amount of the Department of Defense
medical research budget being dedicated to CTE;
(2) the projected number of service members potentially
afflicted with CTE;
(3) the plan and methodologies used for the detection of
CTE in service members and covered beneficiaries;
(4) the number of Department of Defense Graduate Medical
Education programs that incorporate CTE into curricula;
(5) the therapeutics being developed for covered
beneficiaries afflicted with CTE; and
(6) potential gaps in CTE research and detection
methodologies.
Civilian Astronaut TRICARE
The committee is aware of the sacrifices and risks
associated with serving as an astronaut or payload specialist
with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This
select population is exposed to hazardous environments that can
result in injury and death. Currently, two-thirds of the
currently living former astronauts were members of the military
who are covered by TRICARE. The remaining one-third, however,
are not eligible for this valuable benefit after years of
dangerous and important service to their Nation. Therefore, the
Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the Committee
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives no later than
July 1, 2020, on the advisability and feasibility of providing
TRICARE coverage to former astronauts and payload specialists.
Co-Location of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facilities
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense
and Department of Veterans Affairs have not fully considered
the potential benefits of co-locating military treatment
facilities in geographic locations in close proximity to
Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities in areas like
William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Naval Medical Center San
Diego, Travis Air Force Base, and other similar locations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services of the House
of Representatives by February 1, 2020, on the following:
(1) a list of facilities where co-location may be possible;
(2) a cost-benefit analysis that highlights efficiencies
that could be gained by shared services, personal services
contracts, equipment, and other resources; and
(3) a list of facilities that could benefit from a joint
planning, design, and construction process for Department of
Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities.
Defense Health Command Organizational Structure
The committee recognizes the Department of Defense is
undertaking the most significant reform in the history of the
Military Health System (MHS). Congressional action over the
last 3 years has sought to ensure the MHS standardizes business
process, reduces unnecessary duplication of organizational
structures while enhancing the readiness of service members,
and ensures a robust TRICARE health benefit. However, it
remains unclear whether the Defense Health Agency is the
transformational organizational structure needed to move the
MHS into the future. Section 711 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) required the Department of Defense to study potential
Defense Health Command organizational structures, but that
report has not yet been completed. The committee encourages the
Department of Defense to consider the most efficient structure
that meets the congressional requirements to transform the
Military Health System as it determines the feasibility of
developing a Defense Health Command organization structure.
Food Allergies in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
The committee recognizes the critical contribution that the
Department of Defense research and development portfolio makes
in protecting service members and their families from chronic,
life-threatening conditions. The committee recognizes the need
to sustain and support these efforts by fully funding research
and development programs that carry out this work within the
Department of Defense Health Program and the Peer Reviewed
Medical Research Program. A recent study in the Journal of the
American Medical Association indicated that more than 10
percent of the civilian population of the United States suffers
from food allergies. If these figures were adjusted to the
TRICARE population, it may translate into at least 400,000
beneficiaries that could be affected. Also important is that
more than two-thirds of young adults do not qualify for
military service due to poor physical fitness or other issues
where the diagnosis of food allergy may adversely affect
military recruiting and retention. The committee recognizes
that the rapidly increasing rate of food allergy prevalence
over the past two decades can have detrimental effects on
readiness and can increase defense-related health care costs.
The committee encourages investment in research on the causes,
treatments, and cures for food allergies.
Government Accountability Office Review on Health Care Quality in the
Military Health System
The committee understands the Military Health System
strives to offer quality health care to service members and
covered beneficiaries. However, the committee is concerned
there may be some gaps in different quality metrics that assess
the provision of health care services. Therefore, the committee
directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct
a review and submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services
of the House of Representatives not later than February 1,
2020, that includes the following:
(1) the timeliness of urgent health care referrals to be
appropriately referred in both the direct care system and
purchased care system;
(2) an assessment of whether patients in the Military
Health System are receiving the right amount of care when
needed;
(3) an assessment of whether the Department of Defense is
utilizing work conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality and the Institute of Medicine in developing
standardized health care quality metrics;
(4) an assessment on how many medical providers in the
direct care system and purchased care system lost eligibility
for malpractice insurance prior to working for the Department
of Defense or would not be eligible for insurance were they not
working for the Department of Defense; and
(5) any changes in patient safety metrics related to the
implementation of the Genesis electronic health record.
Implementation Plan To Address the Impacts of Obesity on the Defense
Enterprise
The committee remains concerned that persistent high rates
of excessive weight and body fat pose long-term risks for
national security to the extent they prevent the Department of
Defense from its mission to recruit, retain and sustain an
effective joint force. The committee recognizes the efforts of
the Department of Defense in acknowledging these mission
readiness challenges and observes the findings of numerous
studies on excessive weight and body fat in the military
population. The committee notes that the Department of the
Defense is the largest public healthcare provider in the United
States and is aware of estimates that the Department spends
more than $1 billion annually in treating obesity-related
illnesses for servicemembers and dependents. The committee also
observes that despite multiple studies acknowledging the costs
and systemic readiness challenges of obesity-induced illnesses
in the military community, actions taken to date have been
fragmented, uncoordinated, and generally ineffective in
reversing the detrimental impacts this condition has on
readiness and rising health care costs. The committee believes
the Department must urgently address the challenges that
obesity poses to mission readiness and the military healthcare
system's capacity to provide care to servicemembers, dependents
and retirees.
The committee therefore directs that the Undersecretary for
Personnel and Readiness provide a briefing to the congressional
defense committees by January 15, 2020 on the Department's
implementation plan to address weight and obesity impacts on
military servicemembers and dependents in the active and
reserve component. This plan will include a
(1) a description of the Department's goals, and how it
will measure progress toward these goals;
(2) how it will incorporate cross-functional strategies to
align efforts across the services, commands, agencies, and the
broader defense health enterprise;
(3) how it will expand access to healthy food and fitness
facilities in military communities;
(4) how it will implement nutritional standards for food
offered in military dining facilities, defense resale entities,
and contract vendors; and
(5) how it will use existing acquisition authorities to
catalyze innovative partnerships to rapidly prototype scalable
technology-enabled solutions that improve health and wellness
for servicemembers and dependents across their daily lives.
Innovative Traumatic Brain Injuries Preventative Device Research
The committee commends the Department for its ongoing
efforts to combat Traumatic Brain Injuries (TEI). With over
380,000 TBIs documented within the services since 2000, the
committee remains concerned about service members sustaining
TBIs in training and in combat, particularly within the US
Army.
The committee understands that to date there has been
limited focus and funding aimed at research for preventative
solutions (other than helmets and training) to mitigate the
severity of, or prevent entirely, TBI events despite the fact
that such solutions are currently being developed in the
commercial sector. For example, the committee is aware of
collar-based technology that when worn around the neck has been
shown to reduce the frequency and severity of TBIs. The
committee believes it would be prudent for the Army to
prioritize and initiate active research on protective devices
such as these to determine their benefit and applicability to
the force.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of
the Senate and House of Representatives, not later than January
1, 2020, on the Army's efforts in the area of TBI mitigation.
The briefing shall include a description of the Army's current
and past research on TBI preventative devices, the Army's plan
to incorporate new innovate TEI preventative devices into their
research efforts, and possible paths for the rapid fielding of
such devices.
Malaria and Malaria Vaccine Development
The committee recognizes the critical contribution that the
Department of Defense research and development portfolio makes
in protecting service members from infectious diseases they may
encounter on missions around the world. The committee
recognizes the need to sustain and support this work by fully
funding research and development programs that carry out these
activities within the Department of Defense Health Program and
Department of the Army and Department of the Navy Research,
Development, Test and Evaluation budgets, including the
Military Infectious Diseases Research Program, the Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, and the Navy Medical Research and
Development Center. The committee in particular commends the
research on malaria and malaria vaccines conducted by the
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the Navy Medical
Research and Development Center and encourages sustained
investment in these areas.
Military Wellness Information Synthesis
The committee is concerned that gaps between disparate
health databases may pose a risk to the readiness of service
members in the Armed Forces. The committee also understands the
need to harness the power of data and transform it into
meaningful information, requires tools like algorithms,
artificial intelligence and agile information system
architecture. Therefore, the committee encourages the
Department of Defense to continue seeking ways to partner with
industry and develop internal processes that can leverage big
data for strategic decision making that also has the power to
make important contributions to individual service member
readiness.
Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton Disorientation Research Device
The committee notes the importance of the work being
conducted on spatial disorientation at the Naval Aerospace
Medical Research Lab at Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton on
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Spatial disorientation
represents one of the most significant non-combat causes of
aviation mishaps. A new Navy research tool, the Disorientation
Research Device, known as the ``Kraken,'' has the ability to
provide unprecedented research capability to address the
persistent threat of spatial disorientation. The committee
encourages the Secretary of Defense to make effective use of
this valuable research capability to reduce the risk of spatial
disorientation and to evaluate human factors like operational
effectiveness, performance, and safety in range of moving
vehicles.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Drug Therapy
The committee is encouraged by recent medical advancements
in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This
emphasis on treatment is essential given that the Veterans
Administration estimates that between 11 and 20 percent of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans
have PTSD in a given year. As a part of these advances, both
the Department of Defense and private companies have worked to
develop new drug therapy, some of which are in the Phase 3
clinical trial stage. The committee encourages the Department
to continue partnerships with private drug developers and to
fund Phase 3 clinical trials for PTSD drugs when appropriate.
However, there are concerns that additional emphasis should be
placed on the advanced development of pharmaceuticals that show
increasing effectiveness throughout clinical trials. Therefore,
the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by January 1,
2020, on the current efforts underway to develop effective PTSD
drug therapy, along with a description of existing partnerships
with private drug developers, and the amount of Federal funding
they receive.
Report on Access to Health Care Services for Reserve and National Guard
Who Disclose Sexual Assault
The Committee is concerned that if a Reserve Component (RC)
service member is sexually assaulted while not in an active
status, they are ineligible for DoD medical care (to include
psychological health care) to treat symptoms from the trauma.
Sexual assault, regardless when it occurs, is likely to impact
duty performance and degrade mission effectiveness, and RC
service members often execute military missions alongside their
active duty counterparts. Medical treatment, to include
psychological health treatment, can assist in recovery and
enhance mission effectiveness and should be available
regardless of service member's duty status. The Committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the House
Committee on Armed Services by January 1, 2020 on the
feasibility of providing medical care, to include psychological
care, to members of the RC who are sexually assaulted while not
in an active status.
Report on Expanding TRICARE Benefits To Include Coverage To Allow for
Medical Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction Related to Sexual Assault or
Harassment
The Committee is concerned that service members who have
been sexually assaulted or harassed do not have access to
treatment for sexual dysfunction related to sexual assault or
harassment through TRICARE. Service members who experience
sexual assault or sexual harassment often struggle with
subsequent sexual dysfunction, and may benefit from mental
health treatment by an expert provider who treats sexual
dysfunction, either as a stand-alone treatment, or in
combination with medication. The Committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to brief the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than January 1, 2020 on the feasibility of
providing treatment for sexual dysfunction related to sexual
assault or harassment.
Report on Pre-Hospital Tactical Combat Trauma Training
The committee is interested in the continued development of
tactical combat casualty care and notes the pivotal role it has
played in saving the lives of wounded service members. However,
the committee is concerned about the wide variation and lack of
a standardized teaching methodology for pre-hospital tactical
combat casualty care that could result in adverse casualty
outcomes in the operational environment. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report
to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than May 1, 2020, on the development
of a comprehensive strategy that addresses the standardization
of pre-hospital tactical combat casualty care, as well as
hospital and pre-hospital partnerships that include the
American College of Surgeons, the National Association of
Emergency Medical Technicians, and other organizations that may
provide vital training, standards, and best practices that help
improve the continuum of battlefield care. The report shall
also include analysis of preventative medicine partnership
programs, such as orthopedic surgery, that contribute to the
medical readiness of military medical providers as they relate
to tactical combat casualty care.
Report on Service Member Discharges Related to Human Immunodeficiency
Virus or Hepatitis B
The committee remains concerned about the implementation of
the Department of Defense Retention Policy for Non-Deployable
Service Members as it relates to service members with Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B. Therefore, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report
to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than February 1, 2020, that includes:
(1) the number of service members discharged over the
previous year as part of the Department of Defense Retention
Policy for Non-Deployable Service Members;
(2) the number of service members discharged because of
non-deployability associated with HIV;
(3) the number of service members discharged because of
non-deployability associated with Hepatitis B; and
(4) an explanation of any updates to personnel policies
made by the Department of Defense for individuals living with
HIV or Hepatitis B, or other diseases who are, as a result of
their disease, impacted by this policy.
Research to Reduce Deaths Due to Hemorrhaging
The committee remains concerned that a platelet shortage
for hemorrhage control continues to impact battlefield
casualties. With challenges in logistics and limitations on
current platelet products, the committee believes further
research of freeze-dried blood products would reduce the loss
of life. The committee encourages the Department of Defense to
rapidly advance the research and development of freeze-dried
hemostatic products, especially platelet-derived products,
beyond their current stage. Therefore, the committee recommends
that freeze-dried platelet derived hemostatic agents be
included in the Army's top medical priorities and directs the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to instruct
the Defense Health Agency to further investigate the value of a
freeze-dried, platelet-derived hemostatic agent. The committee
further directs that the Secretary of the Army shall
investigate the potential long-term use as a component in
support of any incident that occurs under the Emergency Use
Authorization Act.
Service Member Diet and Nutrition
The committee notes that between 2001 and 2011, almost a
million service members or former service members were
diagnosed with at least one psychological disorder either
during or after deployment. A 2009 Department of Defense and
National Institutes of Health conference (``Nutritional Armor
for the Warfighter'') identified that excessive Omega-6 and
inadequate Omega-3 in the food military personnel eat has a
negative effect on physical and mental health. In October 2013,
the Defense Science Board reported that ``restoring Omega-3
fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin-D or other nutrients to optimal
levels may not only improve performance, but may restore
impaired personnel to healthy and fit status . . . These and
similar strategies are designed to provide the warfighter with
a range of benefits to maintain peak physical and cognitive
abilities both during the mission and over the long term.'' The
Department's Combat Feeding Program is designed to optimize
rations for performance fueling of the warfighter, conducting
multiple studies on ration enhancements, including rebalancing
Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids ratio. Moreover, service member
diet and nutrition is a critical preventive component of
military readiness. The committee encourages the Secretary of
Defense to complete efforts to develop a holistic program
integrating effective dietary strategies to sustain health and
performance by fiscal year 2020 and move rapidly to implement a
long-term enterprise-wide nutrition policy that considers a
science-based approach to service member diets geared toward
enhancing service member performance and maximizing combat
effectiveness.
Translational Application of Mental Health Evidence Base
The committee is concerned by the pace of translating
research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain
management, major depressive disorders (MDDs), and substance
abuse into practical application that can be disseminated into
clinical practice guidelines across the Department of Defense.
Building on the committee report accompanying the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (H. Rept. 115-
676), the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide
a briefing to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives not later than February 1, 2020, on the
following:
(1) the tracking of patients who receive their care in
primary care clinics (which frequently occurs, particularly for
depression), those seen by embedded providers on operational
platforms, and those who use purchased care for some or all of
their care;
(2) the process that ensures a formalized methodology for
translating and tracking evidence-based research and treatments
for PTSD, MDD, pain management, and substance abuse across the
Department of Defense; and
(3) the mechanism for the Defense Health Agency to track
and assess substance abuse programs that may reside in the
military departments.
TRICARE Reserve Select Study
The committee remains concerned about Reserve Component
service members using limited training time to address required
health evaluations. The consumption of training time for
purposes like medical preparedness that is not directly related
to military readiness training may inhibit unit lethality. The
lack of a TRICARE Reserve Select option for dual-status
technicians impacts Reserve Component recruiting and retention
efforts. The committee therefore directs the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services
of the House of Representatives not later than April 1, 2020,
that includes the following:
(1) administrative, policy, statutory, and technical
changes that could reduce the administrative burden on the
military;
(2) the program cost associated with providing TRICARE
Reserve Select for medical, dental, and vision care to dual-
status technicians;
(3) the out-of-pocket costs involved with providing TRICARE
Reserve Select for medical, dental, and vision care to dual-
status technicians compared to the Federal Employees Health
Benefits Program;
(4) the amount of funding currently budgeted for Reserve
Component health care;
(5) the readiness and quality of life impacts associated
with providing Reserve Component service members with TRICARE
Reserve Select; and
(6) an economic analysis of whether the cost of providing
TRICARE Reserve Select for dual-status technicians is feasible
when considering the readiness and time constraints of Reserve
Component service members.
TRICARE Specialty Drug Network Accessibility
The Committee is concerned that the Pharmacy Benefits
Manager (PBM) acting on behalf of TRICARE under the Office of
Defense Health Affairs is restricting access for additional
accredited pharmacies to the TRICARE specialty drug network
without consideration or evaluation. The Committee is concerned
that these actions by the PBM limits the maximum pricing
competition possible, as well as reduces the widest degree of
beneficiary access to drug therapies within TRICARE's specialty
drug network.
The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the defense authorization committees by February 1,
2020 that: evaluates TRICARE's pharmacy benefits management
responsibilities and requirements; outlines the clear process
for consideration, evaluation, and admission of additional and
new accredited pharmacies to the TRICARE specialty drug
network; and provides a cost analysis for adding new entrants
into the specialty drug network.
Unhealthy Alcohol Use Report
The committee is concerned that harmful alcohol use
persists among Active Duty personnel and that trends have
remained unchanged for years based on the 2015 Department of
Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey results published in
2018. In the report, one-third of service members reported
binge drinking in the past 30 days and 35 percent engaged in
hazardous or disordered drinking. High levels of alcohol misuse
have translated into significant increases in mental health and
health care utilization within the military. Finally, alcohol
abuse is also associated with increased rates of suicide,
alcohol-related misconduct, family problems, and increased
medical costs. Taken together, these factors can significantly
impair and diminish force readiness among Active Duty
personnel.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report to the Committee on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives by January 1, 2020, that contains the
following:
(1) the current Department-wide and service efforts to
decrease the deleterious effects of alcohol on Active Duty
personnel;
(2) the implementation of current, effective, evidence- and
population-based interventions to curb harmful alcohol use;
(3) the incidence rate of sexual assaults and domestic
violence involving alcohol-related events;
(4) the feasibility of efforts taken to streamline the
effective evidence-based alcohol abuse prevention programs
employed by the services so that common elements are more
standardized and jointly managed; and
(5) the feasibility of adapting a National Institute of
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse-endorsed, effective web-based
intervention developed by academia for the collegiate
population to prevent and reduce harmful alcohol consumption,
for a similarly aged military cohort pilot study.
University Affiliated Research Center
The committee notes the important relationship between the
Department of Defense and the Department-sponsored University
Affiliated Research Center (UARC) laboratories in providing
critical science, technology, and engineering research that
support the warfighter. The committee encourages the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to establish a UARC to
focus on the unique challenges wounded servicemembers
experience. Emphasis should be placed on research that reduces
dependency on opioids, develops novel pain management and
mental health strategies, and leverages partnerships with
industry and medical device manufacturers to advance promising
technologies for wounded servicemembers.
Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program
The committee is aware that Congress has appropriated funds
for a competitive grants program to qualified non-profit
organizations to provide assistance dogs to service members
and/or veterans with disabilities across diverse geographic
regions and population demographics. The program has received
appropriations under the authority of the Defense Health
Program, Operation and Maintenance, ``therapeutic service dog
training program.'' The Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences has solicited grant applications from non-
profit institutions committed to connecting trained service
dogs with service members and veterans. The committee
encourages the Secretary of Defense to fund this program and
continue efforts to research the effectiveness of these
treatments in support of service members recovering from post-
traumatic stress disorder and other post-deployment mental
health conditions.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Tricare and Other Health Care Benefits
Section 701--Contraception Coverage Parity under the TRICARE Program
This section would amend section 1074d of title 10, United
States Code, to allow members and former members of the
uniformed services access to care related to the prevention of
pregnancy with no cost sharing.
Section 702--Pregnancy Prevention Assistance at Military Medical
Treatment Facilities for Sexual Assault Survivors
This section would amend section 1074 of title 10, United
States Code, to provide information and assistance to sexual
assault survivors at military medical treatment facilities.
Section 703--Modification of Eligibility for TRICARE Reserve Select for
Certain Members of the Selected Reserve
This section would amend section 1076 of title 10, United
States Code, by removing the restriction of Federal employees
who are National Guard or Reserve Component service members
from purchasing TRICARE Reserve Select beginning in the year
2030.
Section 704--Lead Level Screenings and Testings for Children
This section would amend section 1077 of title 10, United
States Code, by including lead level testing in the TRICARE
program for children meeting specific criteria, and would
require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than January 1,
2021, detailing de-identified information regarding lead level
screening in children. This section would also require the
Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to
the congressional defense committees by January 1, 2022, on the
effectiveness of the Department of Defense lead screening
program for children.
Section 705--Exposure to Open Burn Pits and Toxic Airborne Chemicals or
Other Airborne Contaminants as Part of Periodic Health Assessments and
Other Physical Examinations
This section would ensure periodic health assessments and
physical examinations provided by the Department of Defense
include specific information related to exposure to burn pits,
toxic airborne chemicals, and other airborne contaminants. This
information would also be shared between the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Section 706--Enhancement of Recordkeeping and Postdeployment Medical
Assessment Requirements Related to Occupational and Environmental
Hazard Exposure during Deployment
This section would amend section 1074 of title 10, United
States Code, by requiring the Secretary of Defense to record
occupational and environmental health risks for service members
and ensure the electronic health record is updated with
information from the Department of Veterans Affairs Airborne
Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.
Section 707--Modifications to Post-Deployment Mental Health Assessments
for Members of the Armed Forces Deployed in Support of a Contingency
Operation
This section would amend section 1074 of title 10, United
States Code, by requiring a mental health assessment for
members of the Armed Forces within 14 days after redeployment
from a contingency operation.
Section 708--Provision of Blood Testing for Firefighters of Department
of Defense to Determine Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide blood testing for each Department of Defense
firefighter during the annual physical exam to determine and
document potential exposure to perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration
Section 711--Requirements for Certain Prescription Drug Labels
This section would amend section 1074g of title 10, United
States Code, to clarify that drugs made available through
military treatment facilities include labels that are printed
with specific directions for the purposes for which the drug is
intended.
Section 712--Officers Authorized to Command Army Dental Units
This section would amend section 7081(d) of title 10,
United States Code, to remove the requirement of having a
Dental Corps Officer command dental units.
Section 713--Improvements to Leadership of Interagency Program Office
of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs
This section would amend section 1071 of title 10, United
States Code, by revising the personnel qualifications and
appointment requirements for the Director and Deputy Director
of the Joint Department of Defense and Department of Veterans
Affairs Interagency Program Office.
Section 714--Inclusion of Blast Exposure History in Medical Records of
Members of the Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments,
to ensure blast pressure exposure history is included in the
military medical records of members of the Armed Forces, and
submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
House of Representatives a report on the data requirements
regarding blast pressure exposure information included in the
military medical records of members of the Armed Forces.
Section 715--Comprehensive Policy for Provision of Mental Health Care
to Members of the Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, acting
through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, to develop and implement a comprehensive policy for
the provision of mental health care to members of the Armed
Forces. This section would also require the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services
of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than
18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act on
implementation of the policy.
Section 716--Limitation on the Realignment or Reduction of Military
Medical Manning End Strength
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretaries of the military departments from realigning or
reducing military medical end strength until the Secretary of
Defense submits a report to the Committees on Armed Services of
the Senate and the House of Representatives on whether specific
conditions and analyses related to the provision of health care
services have been completed.
Section 717--Strategy to Recruit and Retain Mental Health Providers
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report on the shortage of mental health providers in
the Department of Defense and develop a strategy to recruit
mental health professionals.
Section 718--Monitoring Medication Prescribing Practices for the
Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives on post-traumatic
stress disorder medication prescribing practices and establish
a monitoring program for the Armed Forces.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
Section 721--Establishment of Military Dental Research Program
This section would amend section 2116 of title 10, United
States Code, by authorizing the creation of a TriService Dental
Research Program at the Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences.
Section 722--Pilot Program on Cryopreservation and Storage
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
establish a pilot program on cryopreservation and storage for
not more than 1000 members of the Armed Forces serving on
Active Duty and deploying to a combat zone.
Section 723--Encouragement of Participation in Women's Health
Transition Training Pilot Program
This section would require the Secretaries of the military
departments to encourage participation in the Women's Health
Transition Training pilot program administered by the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and would require the Secretary
of Defense to submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives by
September 30, 2020, assessing the pilot program.
Section 724--National Guard Suicide Prevention Pilot Program
This section would authorize the Chief of the National
Guard Bureau to carry out a pilot program to expand suicide
prevention and intervention efforts at the community level
through the utilization of smartphone and other handheld
applications to provide in-the-moment support to service
members.
Section 725--Reports on Suicide among Members of the Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a review and submit a report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on
suicide among members of the Armed Forces and provide specific
metrics related to the effectiveness of suicide prevention
initiatives.
Section 726--Study on Military-Civilian Integrated Health Delivery
Systems
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study on the use of local military-civilian
integrated health delivery systems in specific geographic areas
where military medical treatment facilities have existing
contractual relationships with local civilian health care
networks.
Section 727--Study on Case Management at Military Medical Treatment
Facilities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study on the effectiveness of case management
practices at military medical treatment facilities and to
provide a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
Section 728--Study on Infertility among Members of the Armed Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study on infertility among service members of the
Armed Forces and provide a report on the study to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED
MATTERS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Assessment of Defense Sustainment Enterprise
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a comprehensive report
to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 31, 2019, assessing the defense sustainment enterprise
in order to identify the capability of that enterprise to
support the National Defense Strategy and alternatives to
improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability of the
overall defense sustainment enterprise. The report shall
include:
(1) the appropriate balance of leadership attention to
acquisition and sustainment;
(2) organizational structures;
(3) the national industrial base (including both
organizations organic to the Department of Defense and
commercial organizations), including the right size and
composition of the industrial base regarding organic and
commercial technology to take best advantage of all
capabilities in view of the National Defense Strategy, and
depot determinations within the industrial base (organic and
commercial), focused on warfighting requirements;
(4) accountability of the Defense Materiel Enterprise for
outcomes tied to readiness requirements;
(5) such other matters as are needed to provide a full and
accurate assessment of the defense sustainment enterprise; and
(6) the Secretary's plan for any steps to be taken to
address the cases identified above within the Department of
Defense and such recommendations for legislative action as the
Secretary considers appropriate as a result of the review.
The committee notes that sustainment currently lacks equal
footing with development and procurement during the acquisition
phase of a program. The committee further notes that while the
Department of Defense must be able to immediately counter
multipronged, prolonged threats, the current logistics and
sustainment system lacks the agility needed to do so. The
committee agrees with the acquisition advisory panel
established under section 809 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92),
which highlighted in its final report, dated January 15, 2019,
a number of concerns related to lack of product support and
sustainment management which has led to degraded weapon system
readiness, rising sustainment costs, and insufficient supply
support.
Assessment of Program Management Structure and Improvements
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than
December 31, 2019, assessing the acquisition training of
program managers. The report shall include a comprehensive plan
to improve program management capacity and workforce
competency, to include:
(1) appropriate subject matter experience, education, years
of experience, certifications, and other qualifications set
forth separately for current Department of Defense employees
and personnel in program management positions;
(2) a plan for career training, including training in
leadership, program management, engineering, finance and
budgeting, market research, business management, contracting,
supplier management, requirement setting and tradeoffs,
intellectual property matters, and software;
(3) a description of benefits using existing human capital
flexibility to retain qualified employees, such as student loan
repayments, bonuses, or pay banding;
(4) a description of use of the Defense Acquisition
Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF) established under section
1705 of title 10, United States Code, to train personnel in
program management positions; and
(5) a description of how the program will be administered
and overseen by the Secretaries of each military department,
acting through the service acquisition executive for the
department concerned and integrated with existing program
manager development efforts.
The committee notes that this review and plan should
facilitate implementation of the portfolio management structure
the Department has already undertaken. As the Department works
to streamline and improve the defense acquisition system,
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited
standards should be a main source for policy updates and
guidance around program management. The committee encourages
working toward closing any gaps between current Department
policy and the ANSI-accredited standards to streamline
disparate delivery methods into a common delivery platform that
drives consistent performance across the Department and its
industrial base while ensuring compliance with Office of
Management and Budget Circulars A-11 and A-119 and Public Law
114-264. The committee also notes that DAWDF is a primary
funding source for program and project manager training and
development, but inconsistent access across the Department that
prevents many professionals from accessing this support should
be addressed.
Assessment of the Use of Tantalum
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31, 2019,
assessing the current use of the critical material tantalum in
Department of Defense acquisition programs. The report shall
include an assessment of the current levels of tantalum in the
National Defense Stockpile and the source countries involved in
the purchase of the raw material. The report shall also include
information on domestic and foreign sources for both procuring
and processing tantalum that the Department has identified. The
report submitted shall be classified at levels appropriate to
and sufficient for access to data necessary for a comprehensive
review of the subject and related information but must include
an unclassified summary of findings and recommendations. The
Under Secretary may submit comments, if any, to accompany the
report's classified or unclassified findings and
recommendations.
Assessment of Training Needs for Non-Acquisition Workforce Personnel
The committee recognizes the importance of non-acquisition
workforce personnel who work on acquisitions at the Department
of Defense, especially personnel who play a significant role in
defining requirements, conducting market research,
participating in source selection and contract negotiation
efforts, and overseeing contract performance. However, the
committee is concerned that the Department has limited
visibility into the non-acquisition workforce, including
personnel who may not be receiving acquisition training that
would enhance their contributions.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services by February 1,
2020, that assesses the unmet demand for courses and modules
offered by the Defense Acquisition University. The report shall
include an assessment of the fiscal year 2019 courses and
modules offered by Defense Acquisition University, the extent
that non-acquisition workforce are taking acquisition training,
and the courses and modules that have wait lists by the start
of the course or module. The report shall also address the
number of courses and modules with wait lists as well as the
number and type of non-acquisition personnel on the wait lists,
including staff who support foreign military sales processes.
Further, the report should include plans for how the
Department will meet the training needs for non-acquisition
workforce personnel. The report should address how the
Department will identify and track non-acquisition workforce
personnel who play a significant role in the acquisition
process. Lastly, the report should also address the extent to
which additional acquisition training is needed for non-
acquisition workforce personnel, including the types of
training needed, the positions that need the training, and any
challenges to delivering necessary additional training.
Briefing on Sustainment Plan for Maintaining Access to MIL-PRF-19500
Parts
The committee recognizes the important role that military
specification semiconductor devices perform in a broad array of
space, satellite, and strategic defense applications. These
components form the backbone of critical defense and space
designs by providing power and control to satellite, aircraft,
and missiles and must be able to withstand environmental stress
such as extreme temperature, radiation, shock, and vibration.
The committee is aware of possible disruptions to the supply of
over three thousand critical components that meet MIL-PRF-19500
specifications as production ceases or domestic fabrication is
relocated outside of the United States. Therefore, the
committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by January 15, 2020, on the status
of the domestic supply chain for MIL-PRF-19500 qualified
discrete parts and the sustainment plan for maintaining access
to these qualified parts.
Communication with the Marketplace
The committee notes that despite attempts to increase
industry interaction by government-wide and Department of
Defense acquisition leaders since Congress enacted the Federal
Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-355),
Department of Defense acquisition personnel and individuals in
the marketplace have expressed concern about communicating with
each other openly and frequently, believing it is either
prohibited or fraught with risk, fearing possible legal
violations or being challenged by oversight functions in
government and through the protest processes. The committee
further notes, however, that this fear is not rooted in law;
there are very few restrictions that apply to communications
with the marketplace.
The committee recognizes that communications with the
marketplace on an ongoing basis are essential to acquiring
intelligence in terms of what the marketplace has to offer and
acquiring and maintaining technological superiority that might
be employed by Department of Defense to counter threats. More
importantly, such communications would allow the Department to
get inside the turn of near-peer competitors and non-state
actors in terms of delivering lethality to our warfighter in a
timely and cost-efficient manner.
The committee wants to make it clear that, with very
limited exceptions, communication is not only encouraged and
authorized, but essential when engaged in an acquisition
function.
Comptroller General Report on Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
The committee notes that little is known about the
effectiveness of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program
and its centers, known as Procurement Technical Assistance
Centers (PTAC), in helping businesses pursue and perform under
contracts with the Department of Defense, other Federal
agencies, State and local governments, and government prime
contractors. The committee is concerned that these centers have
not been utilized to their fullest capacity to expand the
number of businesses capable of participating in government
contracts and whether they duplicate services available
elsewhere.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the services that PTACs provide to
businesses seeking participation in Federal procurement. The
review shall address:
(1) the number of PTACs and their geographic distribution;
(2) what is known about the number of businesses that are
assisted annually by PTACs;
(3) how businesses obtain access to PTAC services,
including through procurement events sponsored by other
agencies (for example, matchmaking events), classroom
instruction, and counseling;
(4) training requirements and their implementation for PTAC
staff members providing services to businesses;
(5) the mechanism used to determine PTAC funding;
(6) what statistics are collected to measure the
performance and effectiveness of PTACs; and
(7) any other matters deemed important by the Comptroller
General.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than March 2, 2020, on the Comptroller General's
preliminary findings, and to submit a final report to the
congressional defense committees on a date agreed to at the
time of the briefing.
Comptroller General Report on the Joint Capabilities Integration and
Development System Timelines
The committee notes that there have been longstanding
concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of the Joint
Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)
process. In 2008, the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
found that most of the capability proposals that had gone
through the process were approved, and that the process was not
effective in identifying and prioritizing warfighting needs
from a joint, department-wide perspective at the Department of
Defense (DOD). Since that time, GAO has made numerous
recommendations to improve DOD's ability to prioritize joint
capability needs.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
(Public Law 114-328) modified the responsibilities of the Joint
Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), which oversees the JCIDS
process, to focus on critical joint military capabilities. The
Act also generally designated non-joint performance
requirements as the responsibility of the Chief of Staff of the
military service concerned and stated that these performance
requirements were not required to be validated by the JROC. The
committee is aware that the Joint Staff began implementing
revised procedures for the JCIDS process effective in November
2018 to address these modifications.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess the effects of the recent revisions
to the JCIDS process. At a minimum, the review shall address:
(1) how the JCIDS process has been revised to address the
modifications to the requirements process subsequent to the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017;
(2) the extent to which joint performance requirements have
been established and validated by the JROC since revised
procedures were implemented and the timeframes associated with
validating those requirements;
(3) the extent to which the recent revisions to the process
met anticipated goals and created challenges; and
(4) the extent to which the military services have assessed
whether they have effective processes and sufficient qualified
workforces to perform their requirements development and
validation responsibilities.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than December 1, 2020, on the Comptroller General's
preliminary findings, and to submit a final report to the
congressional defense committees on a date agreed to at the
time of the briefing.
Comptroller General Report on the Use of Fixed-Price Incentive
Contracts
The committee notes that the Department of Defense has
increasingly favored the use of fixed-price incentive (FPI)
type contracts, particularly for the development and initial
production of major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs). In
response to guidance issued by the Department, the military
services have generally incorporated FPI type contracts into
requests for proposals for both the development and early
production of their major weapons systems.
The committee is concerned by the lack of information on
the relative benefits and costs associated with the
Department's increased reliance on FPI contracts, including for
Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Therefore, the committee directs
the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report
to the congressional defense committees not later than July 31,
2020, on the use of FPI type contracts for major systems within
the Department since 2010. The report shall address, but not be
limited to, the following elements:
(1) the number of FPI and firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts
awarded by the Department since 2010;
(2) a comparison of the average length of time for the
Department to negotiate FPI and FFP contracts;
(3) a comparison of the average length of time for the
Department to close out FPI and FFP contracts;
(4) a comparison of the average costs to the Department and
contractor to close out FPI and FFP contracts; and
(5) the number of times the Department has transitioned to
FFP contracts when actual costs on prior related contracts were
within 3-4 percent of negotiated costs.
The report shall also address certain elements unique to
contracting in support of FMS cases, including:
(1) the number of times the Department used a waiver or
exception to use a contract type other than FFP to award an FMS
contract;
(2) the number of FMS contracts or contracts with FMS-
specific contract line item numbers (CLINs) issued by the
Department on an FPI versus FFP basis;
(3) the number of the above FMS FPI contracts and CLINs
that have been closed out;
(4) the procedure for closing out the above FMS FPI
contracts and CLINs; and
(5) how the Department addresses cost underruns or overruns
on FMS FPI and FFP contracts and CLINs.
The committee further directs the Comptroller General to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than February 3, 2020, on the Comptroller General's
preliminary findings.
Defense Production Act Title III Funding
The committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment to submit a report to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than December 31, 2019,
on any legal or resource barriers to the expeditious investment
of appropriated Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds,
including the requirement for a non-delegable Presidential
determination. The report shall identify methods to invest in
new technologies consistent with Department of Defense
modernization priorities. The committee recognizes the value of
the DPA Title III program in investing in domestic production
capabilities critical to our national defense and urges the DPA
Title III office to explore investment in innovative
technologies consistent with the military services'
modernization priorities, including for operating in contested
environments.
Expansion of the GSA Pilot Authorized under FY18 NDAA Section 846
The committee notes the value of the online procurement
models being piloted by the GSA's Online Marketplace, and
appreciates the benefits of the Defense Department's ability to
utilize e-commerce acquisitions processes for certain
commercial items.
However, numerous constituents have brought to light
significant concerns with respect to data protections under the
current pilot system. The committee notes that participating
small businesses are particularly vulnerable to harms resulting
from the revelation of pricing or other sensitive business
information if a sufficient data protection regime is not in
place. The committee is concerned that entities with both
online marketplace portal administrator access and seller
access may reap an unfair advantage over entities who are only
sellers.
Therefore the committee directs the Administrator of the
General Services Administration to conduct a pilot on all three
models to include the e-commerce model, the e-marketplace
model, and the e-procurement model. The Administrator of the
General Services Administration is directed to provide the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the plan and
schedule of the pilot programs by December 15, 2019.
Innovative Construction Materials and Design Process for Military
Engineering in Cold Regions
The committee is aware that the Arctic region presents
significant economic, defense, homeland security, and
diplomatic challenges and opportunities for the United States.
In order to meet the nation's strategic goals, the Department
of Defense is well positioned to develop a combination of
infrastructure and remote sensing strategies to monitor
changing conditions and increasing international activities in
the Arctic, maintain the region's general atmosphere of peace
and stability, execute search and rescue missions, preserve
unique ecosystems, and ensure economic and homeland
sovereignty.
Related to these strategic goals, the committee is
concerned that the Department of Defense may face challenges
when operating in the Arctic, sub-Arctic, and other extreme
cold environments. The committee is aware that the Department
of Defense has developed an implementation plan for the
National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The committee notes
that implementation of the plan entails engineering challenges
such as the ability to construct, maintain, and retrofit
horizontal and vertical infrastructure in cold regions.
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to require
an assessment based on both laboratory and full-scale
accelerated testing of advanced construction techniques and
materials needed to address the challenges of changing physical
environments, that will enable the Department of Defense to
rapidly project force and maintain position in austere cold
regions. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by
March 1, 2020, on its plans for performing lab and full-scale
tests of advanced construction techniques and materials for
extreme cold environments. The committee further directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the House Committee
on Armed Services by March 1, 2021, on the results of this
assessment and the requirements for adaptive construction
techniques and innovative materials for extreme cold
environments.
Insight regarding Use of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Source
Selection Criteria
The committee recognizes that there is a continued need for
insight and transparency regarding the extent to which lowest
price technically acceptable (LPTA) source selection criteria
are used by executive agencies. The committee also notes that
the Department of Defense has not revised the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) nor has the Office
of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) revised the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to reflect the revised LPTA source
selection criteria specified in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328) and
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), respectively. The committee
remains interested in the Department's and the OFPP's efforts
to verify that the use of LPTA source selection criteria is
appropriate.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees
by March 1, 2020, on the status of Department efforts to revise
the DFARS, issue related guidance to implement the statutory
criteria, and ensure that its contracting officers are
considering these criteria.
The committee also directs the Administrator of the U.S.
General Services Administration (GSA) to provide a briefing to
the congressional defense committees, the House Committee on
Oversight Reform, and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs by March 1, 2020, on the status of
efforts to update the Federal Procurement Data System, or any
successor systems, to collect data on source selection
procedures used in awarding contracts. In addition, the
committee directs the Administrator of GSA to provide a
briefing to these committees by June 30, 2020, on the status of
its efforts to revise the FAR and ensure that contracting
officers in civilian agencies are considering the statutory
criteria applicable to them.
Maintain Commercial Supply Stores
The committee expects the Department of Defense to compete
through fair and open competition all requirements for the
operation of civil engineering and industrial supply stores and
not sole- or direct-source any such requirements unless allowed
under the Small Business Act (Public Law 85-536).
The committee notes that several private companies have
operated supply stores on military installations with the
purpose of providing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts and
supplies, much like commercial hardware stores, to military
customers. In fact, because these storefronts serve a function
that is not inherently governmental, Congress recognized the
private sector's preferred role in managing and operating them,
in the committee report accompanying the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (H. Rept. 105-132).
The committee expects the Department to reverse a trend
which has seen the Department enter into agreements with the
General Services Administration (GSA) to replace existing
competitively awarded supply stores on military bases with
stores administered through GSA's fourth-party logistics
program. This trend runs counter to the Competition in
Contracting Act of 1984 (41 U.S.C. 253) as it has been
conducted without the competition that underpins Federal
procurement policy, and results in less small business
participation in government contracting. Therefore, the
committee urges the Department to restore competitive
acquisition practices and afford small business prime
contractor opportunities through the award of contracts to
administer these important stores at the nation's military
facilities.
Modernizing Department of Defense Forms
The committee notes the changing ways in which
organizations, members of the Armed Forces and their families,
and federal agencies communicate using digital technology. The
committee is concerned that current websites and key Department
of Defense forms are not accessible on all digital and mobile
devices. The committee commends the Department on its efforts
to modernize forms and workflow processes to an extent of
compliance with the 21st Century IDEA Act (PL 115-336).
The committee supports the Defense Logistics Agency's
effort to modernize its internal and external digital services
consistent with the Department policies. The committee believes
the modernization effort with regard to forms and workflow will
enable the Defense Logistics Agency to improve service delivery
military personnel and internal workflows. Therefore, the
committee directs the Department of Defense Chief Information
Officer, in consultation with military departments and
agencies, to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services
Committee not later than September 30, 2020, on the feasibility
and requirements for modernizing Department forms and
workflows. The briefing shall include two parts, at minimum:
(1) analysis of feasibility, associated costs, and timeline
required to modernize critical personnel forms, such as the
Department of Defense Form 214 Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty; and
(2) analysis of feasibility, associated costs, and timeline
required to modernize service processes and forms used by the
Defense Logistics Agency.
Pacific Telecommunications Security
The committee notes the strong interest in securing U.S.
telecommunications from foreign interference, especially in
Asia and the Pacific. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the committee not
later than December 31, 2019 on the Department's effort to--(1)
Identify any joint ventures, technology-sharing agreements,
interconnection agreements, and other agreements with Huawei
and Subsidiaries, ZTE and subsidiaries, and other Chinese-owned
companies and subsidiaries operating on U.S. territories in the
Pacific; and (2) ensure that telecommunications services and
telecommunications infrastructure contacts do not compromise
operational security of U.S. military operations or
telecommunications security on military installations.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Training Standards
The committee supports the efforts of the Department of
Defense to provide individualized, tailored training to meet
the needs of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
nationwide. The committee is aware of and encourages the
Defense Logistics Agency's work in consultation with the
Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and its
members to support and enable effective training for the
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, but believes that
formal, regularly updated standards would further advance these
efforts.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Training Standards
The committee directs the Director of the Defense Logistics
Agency to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed
Services by December 1, 2019, on training standards required
for staff who work at Procurement Technical Assistance Centers,
including training offered by the Defense Acquisition
University. The briefing should identify the training
curriculum to meet those standards, training curriculum that
needs to be developed, and the plan to deliver the training.
Finally, the briefing should include the Defense Logistics
Agency method to track training completion for the Procurement
Technical Assistance Center staff.
Report on Domestic Nonavailability Waiver Process
The committee directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services not later than December 31, 2019, on the
domestic nonavailability waiver process currently used by the
Department of Defense. Such a briefing shall include:
(1) the Department's process to inform existing suppliers
about the waiver process and guide applicants through the
process;
(2) the Department's process to find domestic suppliers
after a waiver has been requested;
(3) the Department's process to review previously granted
waivers to determine if domestic options not previously
available for supply are now available;
(4) the Department's efforts to get feedback from private
industry on the waiver process, both from suppliers submitting
an application for a waiver and from domestic suppliers who
believe that they can provide an item deemed domestically
nonavailable; and
(5) a list of all domestic nonavailability determinations
and national security waivers granted under sections 2533a and
2533b of title 10, United States Code, since January 1, 2014.
Report on Ownership or Trading of Stocks in Certain Companies by
Department of Defense Officers and Employees
The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report to the House Committee on Armed Services no later than
June 1, 2020 detailing how many senior officials own or trade
publicly-traded stock of a company that during the preceding
calendar year received more than $1.0 billion in revenue from
the Department of Defense, including through one or more
contracts with the Department. The report shall include what
publicly-traded companies qualify for the $1.0 billion
threshold and the number of Department senior officials who
have reported owning such stock through financial disclosure.
The report shall not consider widely-held investment funds as
described in section 102(f)(8) of the Ethics in Government Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) as qualifying publicly-traded stock.
Report on Plan to Expand and Strengthen the Military Radar Industrial
Base
The Committee recognizes the critical defense need for
competitive radar development and production in an open and
modular architecture to meet current and future military
requirements and to increase the capability of the defense
industrial base to support a low cost and modular radar
components and prototype. This is best accomplished by
expansion of traditional and nontraditional U.S. based
suppliers via open competition at the module level. With this
in mind, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a report to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives within 120 days on a plan to strengthen the
defense radar industrial base leveraging authorities already
granted in the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program
and the Manufacturing Technology Program.
Report on the Department's Market Research Practices for IT Acquisition
The committee is concerned that the Department of Defense
continues to struggle with implementation of effective market
research practices as part of the acquisition cycle for
information technology goods and services. Effective
implementation of information technology is particularly
dependent on high quality market research. Unless the
Department improves capabilities in this area, it will continue
to lag the private sector in deploying innovative technologies.
The committee is also concerned that the Department has yet to
issue regulations clarifying that market research may be
acquired from commercial companies as well as conducted by
government personnel in accordance with section 882 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law No: 115-232).
Therefore, the committee directs the Chief Management
Officer of the Department of Defense to deliver a briefing to
the Committees on Armed Services of the House and Senate on the
Department's efforts to improve its market research practices,
and compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2377, with respect to information
technology goods and services by December 15, 2019. At a
minimum, the briefing shall include the following elements:
(1) a discussion of current Department of Defense market
research guidelines compared to private sector best practices
(2) any challenges faced by the Department in accessing
independent, third-party market research, particularly in the
source selection process, due to incorrect perceptions that
such research is an Inherently Governmental Function
(3) any concerns of the Department related to potential
conflict of interest or bias found in vendor-provided data,
particularly as it relates to Requests for Information or
Sources Sought Notices; and
(4) an update on the status of regulations related to the
use of independent, third-party market research and its status
as a non-inherently government function.
Report on the Procurement of Military Free Fall Parachutes
The committee is concerned that the Army and Marine Corps
have converted firm fixed price contracts for procurement of
military free fall parachutes into technology development
contracts. The committee notes that the advantages of procuring
a parachute system, such as the Army's Advanced Ram-Air
Parachute System (RA-1) and the Marine Corps' Enhanced Multi-
Mission Parachute System (E-MMPS) as a commercial item or at a
firm fixed price may be undermined if the selected parachutes
undergo significant redesign and technological changes,
possibly incurring additional cost, post contract award.
The committee directs the Comptroller General of the United
States to provide a report, no later than February 1, 2020,
examining the Army and Marine Corps' parachute research,
development, and acquisition strategies. The report shall
include observations and assessments on:
(1) The development and execution of current parachute
acquisition strategies including, but not limited to: (a)
performance and adequacy related to production and fielding
schedules; (b) cost growth on a per unit or contract basis and
explanation for such growth; (c) costs associated with the
design and testing of parachute systems; (d) funding obligated
or budgeted for development or product improvements to the
systems, as well as the source of the funds used for such
development or improvements; and (e) a review of the plans and
results of tests and evaluations associated with such systems.
(2) Whether contracts are being executed consistent with
the report provided by the Secretary of the Navy pursuant to
Section 128 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91; 131 Stat. 1313);
(3) Whether the Army and Marine Corps parachute acquisition
strategies support a competitive parachute manufacturer
industrial base;
(4) Whether the Army and Marine Corps have considered
interoperability with joint, allied, and coalition forces in
the parachute requirements development process to include
addressing the glide ratios of the various fielded systems;
(5) Whether there are any intellectual property or
technology risks associated with such parachute procurements;
(6) An assessment of the service life of such parachute
systems; and
(7) Any other items or issues the Comptroller General
determines are relevant or useful to this report.
Review of Conflicts of Interest in Organizational Analysis of the
Department of Defense
The committee recognizes the importance of assessing the
effectiveness of organizations across the Department of Defense
to validate their missions and functions, identify metrics to
measure performance, and determine areas for improvement. The
committee notes that any assessments should examine the risks
and legal and ethical considerations associated with combining
functions or using commercial providers to carry out certain
functions. The committee is also aware that the Secretary of
Defense is required to conduct joint reviews and submit reports
regarding the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Defense Contract
Management Agency, and Defense Finance and Accounting Service
pursuant sections 925 and 926 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232).
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
acting through the Chief Management Officer of the Department
of Defense, to submit risk assessments to the congressional
defense committees not later than March 1, 2020, to supplement
the reports required by sections 925 and 926 of Public Law 115-
232. The risk assessments should reflect the Department's
analysis of potential combination of functions with each other
or the use of commercial providers, as applicable. The risk
assessments should include analysis of the legal and ethical
implications of:
(1) conflict of interest considerations;
(2) the risks posed to governmental interests and the
public when ``closely associated with inherently governmental''
functions as defined in section 2383 of title 10, United States
Code, are performed by commercial providers;
(3) the risks to mission failure when ``critical''
functions as defined in section 2461 of title 10, United States
Code, are performed by commercial providers;
(4) the risks of creating an ``employer-employee
relationship'' through the use of ``personal services
contracts,'' whether authorized by statutory exception (e.g.,
section 129b of title 10, United States Code) or otherwise
prohibited; and
(5) the application of each of the general ethical
principles in 5 Code of Federal Regulation section 2635.101(b).
Security of Department of Defense Telecommunication Services
In awarding contracts for telecommunication services or
installation of telecommunication infrastructure on military
installations located in the United States or its territories,
the committee urges the Secretary of Defense to give preference
to American-owned and -operated companies.
Small Business Procurement Specialists at Military Installations
The committee recognizes the vital service that small
business procurement specialists provide to small businesses
seeking to do business with the Department of Defense. Further,
the committee notes that small business procurement specialists
located on installations are best equipped to understand the
products and services that local communities can provide to the
U.S. Government. However, the committee is concerned that the
Department of the Army is considering the realignment and
potential consolidation of small business procurement resources
without assessing and articulating the tradeoffs, such as the
impact on minority-owned small businesses.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army
to submit a report to the House Committee on Armed Services by
February 1, 2020, on the Army's strategy for managing and
allocating its small business procurement specialists. The
report shall:
(1) reflect alternate staffing models that the Army is
considering or implementing, such as regional or national plans
to centralize resources at a single site instead of maintaining
the on-installation specialist model;
(2) explain, where applicable, how the Army serves or plans
to serve communities where there is no local small business
procurement specialist; and
(3) specify the metrics used to measure the Army's
effectiveness in reaching small businesses, including in areas
where there is no local small business procurement specialist.
Sourcing of Domestic Components for U.S. Navy Ships
The committee is concerned with the sourcing of non-
domestic components on U.S. Navy ships. The committee directs
the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to the
congressional defense committees by December 1, 2019, on the
feasibility of sourcing domestic components such as: auxiliary
equipment, including pumps; propulsion system components,
including engines, reduction gears, and propellers; shipboard
cranes and spreaders for shipboard cranes; and other components
on all Navy ships.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management
Section 801--Establishment of Acquisition Pathways for Software
Applications and Software Upgrades
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
establish a new software acquisition pathway to procure,
develop, deploy, and continuously improve software for
applications in the Department of Defense. It would utilize
innovation ecosystems already in existence inside the
Department. This section would require a report on the
implementation not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
The committee notes that the security of the United States
increasingly relies on software to execute missions, integrate
and collaborate with allies, and manage the defense enterprise.
The ability to develop, procure, assure, deploy, and
continuously improve software is thus central to national
defense. Software should enable a more effective joint force,
strengthen our ability to work with allies, and improve the
business processes of the Department enterprise.
Section 802--Software Development and Software Acquisition Training and
Management Programs
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
implement software development and acquisition training and
management programs for all software acquisition professionals,
developers, and associated functions to provide software
practitioners access to modern engagement and collaboration
platforms to connect, share their skills and knowledge, and
develop solutions leveraging the full defense enterprise.
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense
requires a workforce capable of acquiring, building, and
delivering software and technology in real time. As threats and
demands emerge, providing a strong training and management
program ensures the Department has talented and skilled leaders
at the helm. The committee is aware there is no comprehensive
training or development program that prepares the software
acquisition and technical workforce managers to adequately
support and lead teams to deploy modern development tools and
methodologies for continuous capability development and
deployment within the Department's dynamic environments. The
committee encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with
institutions of higher education or private sector
organizations, to the extent practicable, to incorporate
existing training and management programs that are helpful in
the software realm.
Section 803--Modifications to Cost or Pricing Data for Certain
Procurements
This section would modify section 2306a(b)(4) of title 10,
United States Code, and allow the head of contracting activity
to obtain cost or pricing data for commercial items that may be
procured under sole source authority based on market research.
Section 804--Modifications to Cost or Pricing Data on Below-Threshold
Contracts
This section would modify section 2306a(c) of title 10,
United States Code, and section 3504 of title 41, United States
Code, to allow contracting officers to request certified cost
or pricing data when necessary to determine price
reasonableness and removes the commercial item exception.
Section 805--Comptroller General Report on Price Reasonableness
This section would require the Comptroller General of the
United States to submit a report by March 31, 2021, to the
congressional defense committees, the House Committee on
Oversight and Reform, and the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs regarding the efforts of the
Department of Defense to obtain cost and pricing data for sole
source contracts for spare parts.
Section 806--Requirement That Certain Ship Components Be Manufactured
in the National Technology and Industrial Base
This section would amend section 2534 of title 10, United
States Code, and would require certain auxiliary ship
components to be procured from a manufacturer in the national
technology and industrial base.
Section 807--Acquisition and Disposal of Certain Rare Earth Materials
This section would require the Department of Defense to
promulgate guidance on streamlined acquisition of items with
rare earth materials and allows exceptions to the Joint
Capabilities Integration and Development System Manual and
Department of Defense Directive 5000.01. This section would
require a report on such guidance and the efforts of the
Secretary of Defense to create and maintain secure supply
chains for these materials within the United States and covered
foreign sources 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act. This section also would provide authority for the
disposal of tungsten ores and concentrates contained in the
National Defense Stockpile and acquisition of other critical
materials. This section would amend section 2533b of title 10,
United States Code, by prohibiting acquisition of tantalum from
non-allied foreign nations. This section would amend section
2533c(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, by striking
``covered'' before ``material''.
Section 808--Prohibition on Acquisition of Tantalum from Non-Allied
Foreign Nations
This section would amend section 2533c of title 10, United
States Code, by prohibiting acquisition of tantalum from non-
allied foreign nations.
Section 809--Application of Miscellaneous Technology Base Policies and
Programs to the Columbia-Class Submarine Program
This section would amend the application of miscellaneous
technology base policies and programs to the Columbia-class
submarine program.
Section 810--Application of Limitation on Procurement of Goods other
than United States Goods to the FFG-Frigate Program
This section would allow funds authorized for the FFG-
Frigate program to be used to award a contract that does not
domestically source propulsion or certain auxiliary equipment.
Section 811--Consideration of Price in Procurement of the FFG(X)
Frigate
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
ensure cost is a critical factor in the procurement of the
FFG(X) Frigate.
Section 812--Repeal of Continuation of Data Rights during Challenges
This section would repeal section 866 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232). Section 866 provided authority, in addition to
existing authority, for the government to use non-commercial
technical data during a period of challenge in an agency Board
of Contract Appeals or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims under
certain circumstances.
Section 813--Repeal of Authority to Waive Acquisition Laws to Acquire
Vital National Security Capabilities
This section would repeal section 806 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-
92), which allowed the Secretary of Defense to waive any
provision of acquisition law or regulation in certain
circumstances.
Section 814--Repeal of Transfer of Funds Related to Cost Overruns and
Cost Underruns
This section would repeal an annual requirement for the
Secretary of each military department to pay a penalty for cost
overruns on covered major defense acquisition programs of the
military department. Under the requirement, the Secretary of
each military department was required to reduce research,
development, test and evaluation, or procurement accounts up to
$50.0 million at each military department every fiscal year.
The funds were then credited to the Rapid Prototyping Fund
established pursuant to section 804 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92).
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures,
and Limitations
Section 821--Modifications to the Middle Tier of Acquisition Programs
This section would amend section 804 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-
92) by directing the Secretary of Defense to develop a process
to provide the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, the
Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, and the
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering access
to all technical data, records, and information necessary to
evaluate the technical maturity of acquisitions carried out
under the rapid prototyping and rapid fielding authority. This
section would also clarify that no program under this authority
shall be the same size or exceed the dollar value of a major
defense acquisition program, unless a waiver is granted from
the Secretary of Defense.
Section 822--Briefing Relating to the ``Middle Tier'' of Acquisition
Programs
This section would modify section 804 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (10 U.S.C. 2302
note) to direct the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing
to the committee on the lessons learned and best practices
identified through the use of the ``middle tier'' of
acquisition programs.
Section 823--Rates for Progress Payments or Performance-Based Payments
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide congressional defense committees with a notice of
determination and to notify the public through the Federal
Register before initiating changes to contract finance rates
for progress payments or performance-based payments. This
section would also require that the Secretary of Defense not
use rates that are lower than the rates provided by the
Secretaries of the Federal agencies listed in section 2302 of
title 10, United States Code.
Section 824--Additional Requirements for Negotiations for Noncommercial
Computer Software
This section would amend section 2322a of title 10, United
States Code, and codify existing Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulations on noncommercial software rights as well as
mandate, to the maximum extent practicable, that specially
negotiated licenses be used for weapon systems noncommercial
software.
Section 825--Responsibility for Data Analysis and Requirements
Validation for Services Contracts
This section would amend section 2329 of title 10, United
States Code, to specify that the Secretary of Defense act
through the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and
Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation to collect
data and information annually on the amount contracted for
services procured by the Department of Defense, which would be
included in the Future Years Defense Program submitted to
Congress.
Section 826--Annual Reports on Authority to Carry Out Certain Prototype
Projects
This section would amend section 2371b of title 10, United
States Code, by adding a new section requiring the Secretary of
Defense to annually submit a report to the congressional
defense committees on the activity carried out under the
authority to use other transaction authorities for prototype
projects and any deviations from implementing guidance.
Section 827--Competition Requirements for Purchases from Federal Prison
Industries
This section would amend section 2410n of title 10, United
States Code, by removing ``for which Federal Prison Industries
does not have a significant market share''.
This section would create a requirement for conducting
market research before purchasing a product listed in the
Federal Prison Industries (FPI) catalog. This section would
require the Department of Defense to:
(1) conduct market research to determine if the product is
comparable to products in the private sector and meets the
Department's needs (price, quality, or time of delivery) prior
to purchasing a product from FPI.
(2) use competitive procedures or purchase under a multiple
award contract if the product is not comparable and does not
meet the Department's needs.
Section 828--Enhanced Post-Award Debriefing Rights
This section would amend section 818 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91), which required post-award debriefings of the Department of
Defense rating for each evaluation criteria and overall award
decision, by reducing the award threshold for comprehensive
debriefings from $100.0 million to $50.0 million.
Section 829--Standardizing Data Collection and Reporting on Use of
Source Selection Procedures by Federal Agencies
This section would repeal portions of section 2305 note of
title 10, United States Code, and section 3701 note of title
41, United States Code, which required the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) to provide an annual report on the
use of lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) source
selection procedures by the Department of Defense and civilian
agencies, respectively. These provisions presumed that the
Department and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)
would revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations
Supplement or the Federal Acquisition Regulation within the
timeframes established in the enabling legislation. GAO has
twice reported that the Department has not yet implemented the
source selection criteria provided by Congress. The committee
also understands that the OFPP is just beginning the process to
draft implementing regulations for civilian agencies despite
the mandate to do so within 120 days of the enactment of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232). The committee notes that until
the Department and OFPP issue implementing regulations, GAO
will not have new information regarding agencies' use of LPTA
and whether contracting officers are using LPTA appropriately.
This section would also require revisions to the Federal
Procurement Data System (FPDS), or any successor systems, to
facilitate the collection of data on source selection
procedures used in awarding contracts and other relevant
contract actions, such as task and delivery orders issued under
indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contracts. Under this
section, the Administrator of General Services, in coordination
with the OFPP would determine appropriate revisions to the FPDS
within the 180 days provided for under this section. The
committee notes that this revision should be feasible, as the
FPDS already collects information on whether contracts were
awarded using the sealed bidding process, which accounts for a
relatively small percentage of the total contracts awarded each
year. The committee expects that the new information to be
collected would include, at a minimum, whether the contract
awarded or order issued was made using LPTA or best value
contracting methods, or some other procedure.
Section 830--Modification of Justification and Approval Requirement for
Certain Department of Defense Contracts
This section would modify the justification and approval
threshold to $100.0 million for Department of Defense sole
source contracts awarded to certain Native communities. The
threshold was established in section 811 of the National
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010.
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Acquisition Workforce
Section 841--Defense Acquisition Workforce Certification and Education
Requirements
This section would amend section 1701a of title 10, United
States Code. The committee notes that the Department of Defense
could better prepare its acquisition workforce by modernizing
its certification process to emphasize professional skills that
are transferable across the workforce and industry. The
Secretary of Defense is authorized to implement the program
based on third-party accredited, nationally or internationally
recognized standards, where they exist, or through entities
outside the Department, if the Secretary determines that to be
the best approach.
This section also would amend section 1724 of title 10,
United States Code, and strike the requirement for contracting
officers to have completed at least 24 semester credit hours
(or the equivalent) of study from an accredited institution of
higher education, and make conforming amendments to section
1732 of title 10, United States Code. The committee notes that
the Department has raised the professionalism of its
acquisition workforce since enactment of the Defense
Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act in 1990 and the
amendments would allow the Department the flexibility to
establish the specific educational requirements that should be
applied to a particular workforce career field.
This section would also amend title 10, United States Code,
by modifying several sections of chapter 87 to institutionalize
career paths for all acquisition workforce career fields, and
by inserting a new section 1765 to develop competencies for
every acquisition career field. The committee is aware that
while chapter 87 had general career path requirements, none
specifically applied to all acquisition career fields or
mandated recommended attributes, such as key work experience.
Section 1721, as amended would be a key factor in the success
of this implementation and would require the Department to
identify which specific career fields represent the acquisition
workforce in order to better institutionalize career paths
throughout all acquisition career fields. The committee
recognizes the scope of the new section 1765 is designed to
establish proficiency standards throughout the acquisition
workforce in an effort to qualify and assess the technical and
nontechnical competencies for all acquisition career fields.
Lastly, this section would amend section 1721 of title 10,
United States Code, to include foreign military sales personnel
as part of the acquisition workforce.
Section 842--Public-Private Exchange Program for the Acquisition
Workforce
This section would create a two-way exchange program
between the Department of Defense acquisition workforce and
private sector companies. The committee recognizes that
exchange programs between the public sector and the private
sector could benefit the Federal Government and private sector
companies alike, as evinced by the creation of a public-private
talent exchange in the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328). The committee recognizes
that the Department's willingness to support those employees
who participate in the exchange program and promote the further
development of their careers would be essential to the success
of the program.
The committee is aware that the Department's previous
efforts to implement such exchange programs were undermined by
structural disincentives for key stakeholders. The committee
notes that the new statute would eliminate these disincentives,
thereby paving the way for greater participation among the
acquisition workforce. In particular, the committee notes that
the new statute would preclude the use of a private sector
employee's participation in the exchange program, in and of
itself, as the basis of an organizational conflict-of-interest
complaint.
This section would make conforming amendments to section
1705 of title 10, United States Code, to permit the use of the
Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund for the exchange
program, and to section 1599g of title 10, United States Code,
to exclude members of the acquisition workforce from the
Department-wide talent exchange.
Section 843--Incentives and Consideration for Qualified Training
Programs
This section would amend chapter 141 of title 10, United
States Code, by adding a new section to incentivize contractors
to invest in workforce development programs to address the
workforce needs of the Department of Defense, as determined by
the Secretary. This section would also require the Secretary of
Defense to include an evaluation of contractor workforce
development programs in the contract past performance system.
Section 844--Certification by Prospective Military Construction
Contractors of Good Faith Effort to Utilize Qualified Apprentices
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
revise the Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition
Regulation to require a system be used to monitor or record
contractor past performance of the contractor making a good
faith effort to meet or exceed the apprenticeship employment
goal of 20 percent. This section would also require the
Secretary of Defense to develop an apprenticeship workforce
incentive program to encourage contractors to meet the 20
percent goal of employing certified and skilled workers who
have completed State-mandated, federally funded programs in the
relative career fields and certify to good faith effort to
achieve the goal. This section would also require the Secretary
of Defense to include an evaluation of whether the contractor
meets this goal in the contractor past performance rating
system.
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Acquisition Security
Section 851--Supply Chain Security of Certain Telecommunications and
Video Surveillance Services or Equipment
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a comprehensive assessment of Department of Defense
policies relating to telecommunications and video surveillance
services and equipment from foreign contractors and
subcontractors, and identify means to mitigate threats through
the debarment and suspension process. This section would also
require the Secretary of Defense to write regulations and
internal Department policies and expectations for contractor
cooperation based on findings of the assessment, not later than
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. This
section would strengthen the detection, avoidance,
notification, and remediation of suspect covered equipment and
services in the Department's supply chain.
Section 852--Assured Security against Intrusion on United States
Military Networks
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
awarding contracts for the procurement of telecommunications
services or installations of telecommunications infrastructure
on national security installations located on territories of
the United States in the Pacific Ocean unless the contractor is
American-owned or American-operated. This section includes an
exception for contracts for telecommunications services or
telecommunications infrastructure that do not process or carry
information concerning the national security of the United
States. The Secretary of Defense may waive this prohibition
upon written determination that such a waiver is in the
national security interest of the United States.
Section 853--Revised Authorities to Defeat Adversary Efforts to
Compromise United States Defense Capabilities
This section would strengthen defense supply chains by
including security as a primary purpose for Department of
Defense acquisition.
Section 854--Prohibition on Operation or Procurement of Foreign-Made
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
operating or entering into a contract for the procurement of
certain unmanned aircraft systems.
Section 855--Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Policies to Be Implemented
through Requirements Generation Process
This section would amend section 807 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91) to require the Secretary of Defense to develop tools for
supply chain risk mitigation policies during the requirements
generation process.
The committee notes that supply chain risk issues have
grown in importance as the U.S. defense acquisition supply base
has become increasingly global. The committee further
recognizes that supply chain risk mitigation is requirements-
specific and should be addressed early in the acquisition
process to allow for tailoring where appropriate.
Subtitle E--Provisions Relating to the Acquisition System
Section 861--Modifications to the Defense Acquisition System
This section would enforce acquisition reforms already
enacted by Congress, enact new policy on the recommendations of
congressionally chartered panels, and lay the foundation for a
continued culture of reform in acquisition.
Subtitle F--Industrial Base Matters
Section 871--Consideration of Subcontracting to Minority Institutions
This section would require the Department of Defense to
ensure that the system used by the Federal Government to
monitor or record contractor past performance for a grant or
contract awarded to an institution of higher education includes
incentives for the award of a sub-grant or subcontract to
minority institutions.
Section 872--Size Standard Calculations for Certain Small Business
Concerns
This section would clarify that section 3(a)(2)(C) of the
Small Business Act undoubtedly applies to the Small Business
Administration (SBA). The section would align the size
standards based on data to the Small Business Runway Extension
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-324) by changing the calculation
from 3 years to 5 years. This section also would require the
SBA to develop a transition plan for small businesses and
Federal agencies to help them successfully navigate the
transition from the previous 3-year calculation to the new 5-
year calculation as mandated and would require that the System
for Award Management be updated accordingly.
Section 873--Modifications to Small Business Subcontracting
This section would ensure greater accountability for prime
contractors electing to receive subcontracting credit for
subcontracting with small businesses at lower tiers, and would
provide small businesses with an alternative avenue for
nonpayment issues with the prime contractor. This section would
clarify that large prime contractors have the ability to
receive subcontracting credit for small businesses at lower
tiers; would strengthen the agency's ability to collect and
review data regarding prime contractors' achievement of their
subcontracting plans; would require the prime contractor to
keep and maintain records to demonstrate subcontracting credit
claimed; and would implement a new dispute process allowing
small subcontractors to bring nonpayment issues to the agency
small business advocate.
Section 874--Inclusion of Best in Class Designations in Annual Report
on Small Business Goals
This section would allow Congress to obtain critical
information regarding the participation of small businesses in
specially designated multiple award contracts known as ``best
in class'' contracts. It would require the Small Business
Administration (SBA) to report Federal spending made through
designated ``best in class'' vehicles, and to report on the
dollars awarded through these vehicles to small businesses.
Additionally, this section would require the SBA to report the
dollar amount of contracts awarded to HUBZone, women-owned,
service-disabled veteran-owned, and socially and economically
disadvantaged (also known as 8(a)) small businesses. This
section would become effective on the date on which this
information becomes available on the appropriate government-run
procurement tracking system.
Section 875--Small Business Administration Cybersecurity Reports
This section would require the Small Business
Administration to issue reports that assess its cybersecurity
infrastructure, including determining the country of origin of
its information technology components, and report cyber
threats, breaches, and cyber attacks.
Section 876--Cyber Counseling Certification Program for Lead Small
Business Development Centers
This section would amend section 21(a) of the Small
Business Act by adding Cyber Strategy Training for Small
Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and require the Small
Business Administrator to establish, or certify, an existing
cyber counseling certification program to certify employees at
small business development centers (that have directly received
a grant from the Administration) to provide assistance to small
businesses for planning cybersecurity practices and strategies
to respond to cyber attacks. The Small Business Administration
would be authorized to reimburse SBDCs for employee
certification costs up to $350,000 per fiscal year.
Section 877--Exemption of Certain Contracts from the Periodic Inflation
Adjustments to the Acquisition-Related Dollar Threshold
This section would amend subparagraph (B) of section
1908(b)(2) of title 41, United States Code, to exempt certain
contracts from the periodic inflation adjustments to the
acquisition-related dollar threshold.
Section 878--Improvements to Certain Defense Innovation Programs
This section would create a pilot program within the
Department of Defense to encourage engagement with commercial
technology companies through the Small Business Innovation
Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer
Program, and would modify other elements of the innovation
architecture within the Department.
Section 879--Pilot Program for Development of Technology-Enhanced
Capabilities with Partnership Intermediaries
This section would authorize the Commander of U.S. Special
Operations Command to use not more than 5 percent of funds
required to be expended by the Department of Defense relating
to small businesses for a pilot program to increase
participation by small business concerns in the development of
technology-enhanced capabilities for special operations forces.
The authority would terminate on September 30, 2021.
Section 880--Authorized Official to Carry Out the Procurement Technical
Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program
This section would move the management and oversight of the
Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative (PTAC) Agreement
Program from the Defense Logistics Agency to the Office of the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The
committee recognizes that PTACs are a critical part of efforts
at the Department of Defense to reach new businesses and expand
the defense industrial base. As such, the PTAC program should
be placed in the Department's Office of Industrial Policy
(formerly known as the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial
Base Policy), where it would align with their activities.
Section 881--Permanent Authorization and Improvement of Department of
Defense Mentor-Protege Program
This section would make the Department of Defense Mentor-
Protege pilot program permanent. This section also would add
additional reporting requirements to better track the
businesses that are benefiting both as mentors and proteges.
Subtitle G--Other Matters
Section 891--Requirement to Use Models of Commercial E-Commerce Portal
Program
This section would amend section 846 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (41 U.S.C. 1901
note) to require the Administrator of the General Services
Administration to establish a 5-year program to pilot three
models for commercial e-commerce portals to include an e-
commerce model, an e-marketplace model, and an e-procurement
model as identified in section 4.1 of ``Procurement Through
Commercial E-Commerce Portals Phase II Report: Market Research
and Consultation'' issued by the Administrator in April 2019.
Section 892--Report and Database on Items Manufactured in the United
States for Major Defense Acquisition Programs
This section would amend chapter 144 of title 10, United
States Code, by inserting a new section requiring the Secretary
of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees assessing the domestic source content of
procurements carried out in connection with major defense
acquisition programs. This section would also require the
Secretary of Defense to establish an information repository for
the collection of domestic source content information to be
used for continuous data analysis and program management
activities. The section would express the sense of Congress
that any entity of the Department of Defense should purchase
only American-made equipment and products where possible.
The committee is interested in ensuring the Department's
acquisition processes are in line with, at a minimum, the
standards of the Buy American Act of 1933 (Public Law 72-428)
and believes the Department should be setting a goal to acquire
and procure purely American-made equipment and products to
ensure a strong national industrial base to support our
warfighters in time of need.
Section 893--Requirements Relating to Selected Acquisition Reports
This section would reestablish the requirement for Selected
Acquisition Reports, which summarize key cost and schedule
information for major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs) at
the Department of Defense.
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit a proposal for an alternative reporting methodology for
MDAPs with the budget request for fiscal year 2021. The
proposal shall also include other programs, such as rapid
prototyping or rapid fielding programs, carried out under the
authority of section 804 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92) and how the
Department plans to report cybersecurity and software
development metrics.
Section 894--Contractor Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Programs
This section would amend section 862 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-
81) by requiring that activities conducted under the authority
provided in section 862 be considered as allowable community
service activities for the purposes of determining allowability
of cost on a government contract. The committee is aware that
current cost accounting practices provide that the costs
associated with certain community service activities be
considered as allowable costs on a government contract. The
Federal Acquisition Regulation specifically lists blood drives,
savings bond drives, and disaster assistance as examples of
such allowable community service activities. The committee
believes that contractor investments in the science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs covered under
section 862 are of service to our communities, increase the
health of the defense industrial base, and develop the STEM
workforce of the Department of Defense. This section would also
make technical corrections and conform the provision to the
current organizational structure of the Department of Defense.
Section 895--Extension of Sunset Relating to Federal Data Center
Consolidation Initiative
This section would extend the sunset date of the Federal
Data Center Consolidation Initiative established in section 834
of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-
291) from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2022.
Section 896--Requirements Relating to Certain Rail Rolling Stock
Procurements and Operations
This section would prevent financial assistance,
specifically Federal transit dollars, from being used to award
a contract or subcontract for the procurement of passenger
railcars to priority foreign state-owned, -controlled, or -
subsidized enterprises (as identified by the Trade Act of
1974). This section would create a certification process for
transit agencies to ensure their funds are not being used to
purchase rolling stock from a covered manufacturer, with a
narrow exception for transportation agencies with a preexisting
contract or subcontract with a covered rail rolling stock
manufacturer executed prior to the date of the enactment of
this Act.
This section also would require that any rail transit
service operator develop and execute a plan for identifying and
reducing cybersecurity risks. Recipients of Federal transit
assistance would be required to review best practices and
identify any hardware and software components of new rolling
stock assets that should undergo third-party testing.
Section 897--Prohibition on Contracting with Persons That Have Business
Operations with the Maduro Regime
This section would prohibit the Department of Defense from
entering into a contract for the procurement of goods or
services with any person that has business operations with an
authority of the Government of Venezuela that is not recognized
by the United States as the legitimate Government of Venezuela.
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters
Section 901--Update of Authorities Relating to Nuclear Command,
Control, and Communications
This section would realign authorities related to nuclear
command and control from the Chief Information Officer to the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
Subtitle B--Other Department of Defense Organization and Management
Matters
Section 911--Codification of Assistant Secretaries for Environment,
Installations, and Energy of the Army, Navy and Air Force
This section would amend sections 7016, 8016, and 9016 of
title 10, United States Code, to require an Assistant Secretary
with cognizance over environment, installations, and energy for
each military department.
Section 912--Limitation on Availability of Funds for Consolidation of
Defense Media Activity
This section would prohibit funds authorized or
appropriated for the Department of Defense may be used to
consolidate the Defense Media Activity until 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
Section 913--Modernization of Certain Forms and Surveys
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
conduct a study to identify each form and survey that contains
a term or classification that the Secretary determines may be
considered racially or ethnically insensitive and provide a
plan to modernize the forms.
Subtitle C--Space Matters
Part I--United States Space Corps
Section 921--Establishment of United States Space Corps in the
Department of the Air Force
This section would amend title 10, United States Code, to
establish the United States Space Corps within the Department
of the Air Force.
Section 922--Transfer of Personnel, Functions, and Assets to the Space
Corps
This section would provide for the transfer of personnel,
functions, assets, and obligations from the space elements of
the Air Force to the Space Corps over a specified transition
period.
Section 923--Reports on Space Corps
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
submit to the congressional defense committees a series of
reports on the organizational structure of the Space Corps, the
military personnel requirements of the Space Corps, the
civilian personnel requirements of the Space Corps, and the
transfer of assets to the Space Corps.
Section 924--Space National Guard
This section would prohibit the Secretary of Defense from
transferring any personnel or resources from any reserve
components, including the National Guard, to the United States
Space Corps until the date on which a Space National Guard of
the United States has been established by law.
Section 925--Effects on Military Installations
This section would clarify that nothing in this part shall
be construed to authorize or require the relocation of any
facility, infrastructure, or military installation in the Air
Force.
Part II--Other Space Matters
Section 931--United States Space Command
This section would repeal section 169 of title 10, United
States Code, that mandated a sub-unified command for space.
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Other Matters
Assessment of Special Operations Force Structure
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has seen
considerable growth since 2001, doubling its civilian and
military manpower, more than tripling its budget, and
quadrupling its overseas deployments. Despite increases in
funding and growth over time, maintaining the readiness of
special operations forces (SOF) continues to be a challenge due
to a high operational tempo and global demand for forces.
The committee recognizes the unique capabilities SOF offer
to combatant commanders to achieve objectives in their assigned
area of operations and acknowledges the value of SOF in
carrying out missions which the general purpose forces (GPF)
are not trained or equipped to meet. However, the committee
notes that SOF are increasingly assigned to missions more
appropriate for GPF, such as security cooperation in permissive
environments, and that the theater special operations commands
continue to self-generate requirements without limitation or
validation.
The committee remains concerned that the ever-increasing
demand for SOF and continued over-employment may further
degrade the readiness of the force for current and future
contingencies, result in decreased proficiency in SOF
activities, and negatively impact the well-being of the SOF
enterprise.
The committee also notes that SOF have been oriented to
counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations and
contingencies for almost two decades and that alignment to the
National Defense Strategy (NDS) will require SOF proficiency in
different languages, cultures, and skill sets. Further, the
committee believes that alignment to the NDS requires SOCOM to
take advantage of emerging technologies to equip SOF operators
and enablers to operate in new and challenging environments and
that current organizational constructs may need to be modified
to meet the objectives of the National Military Strategy.
Finally, the committee recognizes that all military
operational units are pressed to meet current demands and
maintain readiness, but believes SOF should be preserved for
SOF specific missions as an elite, highly specialized, and
small force.
Therefore, elsewhere in this title, the committee includes
a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to
enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and
development center for the conduct of an independent assessment
of the force structure and roles and responsibilities of
special operations forces and submit the assessment to the
congressional defense committees not later than July 1, 2020.
Audit Leadership and Accountability
The committee believes that clear leadership and
accountability across the Department of Defense is a central
factor enabling progress on audit readiness and remediation.
The committee is encouraged by the steps taken by the
Department to ensure that senior leaders are responsible for
leading the transformations of business processes and financial
systems that are required in order to achieve an unmodified
audit opinion. The committee continues to encourage the
Department to pursue this policy across the Department,
agencies, and services.
Briefing on Improving Ground Combat Vehicle Assured Mobility in
Northern Regions
The committee continues to have concerns regarding the cold
weather capabilities and readiness of the military services.
Specifically, the committee has concerns regarding the training
and equipment limitations that may exist that could effectively
limit operations and ground combat maneuver against peer
competitors in northern and arctic regions. The committee also
notes that near-peer and peer competitors such as North Korea,
Russia, and China have well-known ground mobility capabilities
in northern and arctic regions. The committee encourages the
Army to consider the advisability and feasibility of
implementing a task force to assess the current status of
assured mobility in northern regions utilizing Army and
civilian subject matter experts in northern military ground
maneuver operations to assist in identifying science and
technology gaps, as well as inform any modeling and simulation
efforts required for the improvements to legacy and next
generation ground combat vehicles.
Therefore, the committee directs the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, in consultation with the Chiefs of Staffs of
the military services to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2020 that includes
current plans and potential opportunities to improve ground
combat vehicle assured mobility in extreme cold weather
conditions and regions.
The briefing should also include:
(1) A description and evaluation of current joint force
requirements and capabilities for ground mobility to support
military operations in extreme cold climates;
(2) A description and evaluation of requirements for
extreme cold weather ground mobility in the Arctic, Northeast
Asia, and Northern and Eastern Europe;
(3) A description and evaluation of the current joint force
ground mobility readiness and training, and any equipment,
infrastructure, personnel, or resource limitations or gaps that
may exist;
(4) An analysis of opportunities to expand tactical ground
mobility development and testing for extreme cold weather and
the resources or infrastructure required for such expansion;
and
(5) A description and evaluation of manned and unmanned
ground systems for operations in extreme cold weather
environments.
Briefing on National Guard Readiness and Ability To Meet Modern Threats
From Area Disasters and Weapons of Mass Destruction
The Committee is aware that since the 1998 report on the
National Guard's ability to respond to threats from Weapons of
Mass Destruction (WMDs) there has been a significant evolution
of threats emanating from technological revolutions, asymmetric
threats, new chemical and biological threats, cyber threats,
electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threats, UAV and drone technology,
and security at the border and at ports of entry.
Further, as the Committee observed in response to
Hurricanes Maria, Harvey, and Michael, the recent California
wildfires, and other wide-area natural disasters, synchronizing
the flow of forces and resources in disaster response and
recovery operations requires seamless planning and operations
on behalf of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the National
Guard, including all six phases of shaping, anticipating,
responding, operating, stabilizing, and transitioning afflicted
areas and populations.
In light of these evolving threats, it is appropriate to
re-examine the National Guard Homeland Defense and Security
enterprise. The Committee believes it is important that each
State and Territory be given the opportunity to develop
detailed plans relating to their own special circumstances,
under the guidance of the National Guard Bureau.
The Committee directs the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau, and the Commander of NORTHCOM, to provide a briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services, no later than April 15,
2020, detailing the following:
(1) a clarification of the roles and missions, structure,
capabilities, and training of the National Guard and NORTHCOM
and identification of emerging gaps and shortfalls in light of
current homeland security threats to our country;
(2) an overview of the resources that each State and
Territory National Guard has at its disposal that are available
to respond to a homeland defense or security incident;
(3) the readiness and resourcing status of the resources
listed in (2);
(4) the current strengths and areas of improvement in
working with State and Federal interagency partners;
(5) the current assessments in place that address Guard
readiness and resourcing of NORTHCOM Title 10 forces postured
to respond to homeland defense and security incidents, and;
(6) a roadmap that addresses readiness across the spectrum
of long-range emerging threats facing the United States.
Briefing on Support to Civil Authorities in Support of Natural
Disasters and Law Enforcement with Aerial Platforms and Satellites
The committee recognizes that the Department of Defense
provides resources at the request of States, territories, and
other Federal agencies in support of natural disasters and
matters of law enforcement. Some of this support comes in the
form of unmanned and manned aerial systems supporting search
and rescue operations, natural disasters (to include preemptive
measures), and through collaboration between the Department and
other Federal agencies. The committee also recognizes that the
Department utilizes some of its space-based resources to assist
in wildfire support (to include detection) and other natural
disasters. The committee is concerned that there is a lack of
understanding of the policy, procedures, and overall
availability of Department resources.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense,
in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and
the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, to
provide an unclassified briefing to the House Committee on
Armed Services and, as appropriate, the Committee on Homeland
Security, not later than September 30, 2019, on the
availability of Department resources, focusing on aerial and
satellite platforms in support of natural disasters and law
enforcement, the assets that are currently available, and how
States, territories, and Federal agencies request or access
these resources.
The briefing should provide:
(1) an explanation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS),
piloted platforms, and satellite support the Department
provides or can provide to States and other Federal agencies,
including examples of support provided, length of time to
approve requests, whether any requests were disapproved and the
reason that such requests were disapproved, during calendar
year 2018.
(2) an overview of programs, including satellite systems,
that provide wildfire support to States and Federal agencies,
including how long such programs have been in operation, the
processes by which States access such programs, and whether
such programs provide detection and early warning as well as
support during wildfires. The overview shall include examples
of the support the Department provided in calendar year 2018 to
wildfire suppression and wildfire detection.
(3) an overview of current policies regarding the use of
such systems and platforms by States and Federal agencies and
the procedures a State or Federal agency must follow to obtain
Department support for natural disasters and search and rescue
operations, including whether UAS require additional approvals,
and the amount of time to obtain additional approvals. Further,
a discussion of whether such procedures can be streamlined, and
whether different authorities exist when requesting use of
unmanned systems versus manned systems.
(4) a description of the different categories of the
Department's UAS, how the different categories are managed, and
if certain UAS categories affect the Department's ability to
provide support to a State or Federal agency.
(5) a description of how the Department shares imagery
collected by manned aircraft and UAS with Federal, State, and
local disaster responders, including whether such imagery is
shared in real time.
(6) an explanation of any restrictions on the use of UAS
under the ``Guidance for the Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Systems in U.S. National Airspace,'' August 18, 2018, and
Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 3025.18 ``Defense
Support to Civil Authorities,'' or other relevant Department of
Defense guidance.
(7) a description of how the Department (Active Duty,
National Guard, and the Reserves) supports other Federal
agencies with UAS assets, specifically the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) and Custom and Border Protection (CBP),
including examples of requests that were supported or not
supported and an explanation for such determinations.
(8) a description of policies and laws that facilitate or
restrict Department support to DHS or CBP, and a description of
any systems in place that enable long-range planning to support
DHS and CBP support requests.
(9) an analysis of how the Department of Defense can
improve access and knowledge of resources to States,
territories, and other Federal agencies and whether there are
plans to make more assets available in the future.
(10) any other matters the Secretary determines
appropriate.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response Enterprise
The committee recognizes that a robust Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Response
Enterprise is critical to the Nation's security. U.S. Northern
Command plays an integral role in domestic CBRN response, and
the committee applauds the role of the National Guard in the
planning and response. The committee also notes the importance
of coordinated combined training and operations between the
Department of Defense and civilian first responders and
agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the
Department of Health and Human Services. To further enhance
this collaboration, the committee believes the Department of
Defense and other Federal and State agencies that sponsor first
responder training should coordinate CBRN training
opportunities to maximize the effectiveness of such events. As
the Department of Defense continues to execute unit-level and
enterprise-wide training events, including exercises in major
metropolitan cities, the Department of Defense should consider
including State and local first responders on a space-available
basis. As noted in the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense
report released in October 2018, this would better integrate
the Department of Defense response to a CBRN event with the
overall Federal response. The committee encourages the
Department of Defense, in coordination with Department of
Homeland Security and Department of Health and Human Services,
to increase engagement with State and local emergency first
responders related to training and expert advice on CBRN
emergency response activities, technology, and exercises.
Commercial Technology Support to Audit Efforts
The committee notes the rapid progress of commercial
digital technologies such as robotic process automation,
cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence, and
encourages the Department of Defense to leverage such
advancements in order to improve the quality and richness of
financial data, reduce or eliminate manual processes and
complex financial reconciliations, and accelerate the
Department's achievement of an unmodified audit opinion. The
committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller),
in coordination with the Chief Management Officer, to provide a
briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later
than February 1, 2020, on the initiatives the Department has
undertaken to incorporate commercial digital technologies into
the Department's business processes.
Designation of Gender Advisors
The committee notes the importance of gender perspectives
and meaningful participation by women in peace and security
processes. The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
designate a gender advisor for each of the geographic and
functional combatant commands, the Office of the Secretary of
Defense, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and the Joint
Staff.
DOD Efforts to Improve Friendly Force Identification in Close Air
Support
The committee notes that the tragic loss of military
personnel to friendly-fire is a historical and unfortunate
reality of military operations. While the Department of Defense
has applied lesson learned and made marked progress in
coordination processes between friendly forces, and has
developed technologies to mitigate risk for distinguishing
friendly and adversary forces, incidents of friendly-fire have
not been eliminated.
The committee recognizes that tactical air controllers
employ a variety of friendly force identification systems in
close air support operations and that the Department continues
to seek improvements in its ability to identify friendly forces
during military operations. However, the committee is concerned
that ongoing efforts to upgrade critical identification
capabilities are no sufficiently coordinated or synchronized
within the Department to ensure expeditious integration and
interoperability of advanced technologies as systems are
developed, tested, and fielded.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to provide a report not later than September
30, 2020, that assesses the following issues:
(1) What actions has the Department taken to ensure a
common understanding of requirements and challenges related to
friendly force identification by close air support aircraft,
including visibility of ongoing efforts to meet requirements;
(2) What efforts does the Department have underway to
enhance friendly force identification capabilities, to include
efforts to identity, evaluate, and incorporate new technologies
in rapid and effective manner;
(3) To what extent does the Department coordinate and
communicate friendly force identification requirements and
evaluations across the Department to ensure that military
services are developing complimentary requirements and
interoperable technologies for ground combat personnel and
aircraft platforms;
(4) To what extent the Department has reviewed close air
support training curriculum to determine sufficiency and
effectiveness for those forces assigned to provide close air
support capabilities; and,
(5) Any other issues the Comptroller General determines
appropriate with respect to efforts improve the Department's
ability to identity friendly forces and minimize friendly fire
incidents.
Evaluation of Integration of a Geographic Combatant Command and Theater
Special Operations Command
Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) are subunified
commands of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) that are
operationally controlled by geographic combatant commanders
(GCC). The TSOC plans and conducts campaigns in support of the
GCC across the spectrum of military operations.
The committee is concerned that GCC and TSOC organizational
structures may not be optimal for managing, integrating, and
synchronizing special operations forces (SOF) operations across
an area of responsibility (AOR). For example, GCC and TSOC
mission, planning, and operational control misalignment was
highlighted in the investigation of the October 2017 incident
in Niger in which four U.S. service members were killed.
Additionally, U.S. Africa Command recently completed an effort
directed by the Secretary of Defense to review the SOF
footprint in the AOR referred to as ``optimization.'' The
committee understands this effort was to decrease the reliance
on SOF and more appropriately align SOF activities with GCC
objectives. However, the committee believes that
synchronization and alignment of SOF activities and operations
to clear and concise GCC missions, goals, and objectives should
be an ongoing priority for all GCCs, not directed by the
Secretary of Defense.
Furthermore, according to recent work conducted by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding SOF readiness,
the operational tempo for SOF continues to be high due to an
ever-increasing demand for forces by GCCs. A significant
percentage of the demand is generated directly by the TSOCs,
which set forth requirements for SOF in a relatively
unconstrained manner. The committee notes this demand impacts
the sustainability of current missions and SOF preparedness for
future crises and conflicts.
The committee understands that as the Department of Defense
focuses on near-peer competition, SOF will play a key role in
such efforts, including in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM)
AOR to address Russian malign influence. The committee notes
that the percentage of SOF personnel deployed to Europe has
grown significantly over the last several years and believes
that the alignment of the GCC and TSOC is imperative for
effective operations as well as to managing geopolitical and
force protection risk related to any operations.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2020, containing an assessment
of the following: the sufficiency of EUCOM and U.S. Special
Operations Command-Europe command structures to manage,
integrate, and synchronize SOF operations in Europe; EUCOM's
defined missions, goals, and objectives for SOF units operating
in Europe and what challenges, if any, do units face measuring
progress against those goals and objectives; SOCOM's ability to
provide SOF required to support EUCOM and what impact, if any,
has such resourcing had on the ability of SOF to carry out
other ongoing or future operations; and any other issues the
Comptroller General determines appropriate with respect to SOF
operations in Europe.
Feasibility of Providing Dedicated Security Contingency Support for
Non-Governmental Organizations
The committee notes that development is a critical
component to address the root causes of violent extremism and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide essential support
to relevant agencies. The committee seeks to evaluate the
challenges and benefits associated with Department of Defense
support to U.S. development programs designed to prevent and
address the underlying causes of violent extremism in fragile
states that require personnel to operate in environments with
poor security conditions.
Therefore, not later than March 31, 2020, the committee
directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing on the
feasibility of providing dedicated security contingency support
from the Department of Defense for NGOs meeting specified
criteria in the case of a security incident in a fragile state,
including medical evacuation, quick reaction force support, and
personnel recovery. The report should include:
(1) An assessment of the potential legal implications of
providing such support;
(2) An assessment of implications to U.S. policy regarding
providing such support, including locations where direct
engagement with foreign forces is expected;
(3) Implementation steps required for such support;
(4) Identification of any potential limitations due to
geographic location of such security incident;
(5) Identification of any potential limitations due to the
security situation at such geographic location;
(6) An assessment of resources required to perform such
support functions;
(7) An assessment of prioritization of such support in
relation to other military missions;
(8) An assessment of risk to military operations;
(9) An assessment of operational risk to members of the
military that may be involved in providing such support;
(10) Authorities, capabilities, and resources currently
available, including capacity and assets available to
geographic combatant commands;
(11) Whether such ground force commanders currently have
the authority to provide such assistance;
(12) Identification of potential criteria that would be
necessary for a security incident to necessitate support;
(13) Identification of potential criteria that may be
required for NGOs to receive such support; and
(14) Any other matters the Secretary determines
appropriate.
Incorporation of Cleared U.S.-Flag Commercial Ship Operators in
Wargames and Exercises
Given the critical role that U.S.-flag commercial ship
operators play in the combat logistics force and in strategic
sealift, as well as the increasing threat environment outlined
in the National Defense Strategy, the committee is concerned
about vulnerabilities arising from potential capacity
shortfalls and attrition. The committee therefore directs the
Secretary of the Navy to brief the House Committee on Armed
Services no later than October 1, 2019, on any plans to include
cleared U.S.-flag commercial ship operators in wargames and
exercises, including but not limited to Large Scale Exercise
2020.
Independent Study on Detainee Medical Care at United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
The committee notes the important value of an independent
assessment of detainee medical care at United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Therefore, the committee directs
the Comptroller General of the United States to provide a
report to the congressional defense committees not later than
September 1, 2020, on the quality of medical care provided to
detainees at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The report shall include the following:
(1) a review of the medical care, including specialty care,
provided to detainees at Guantanamo after January 10, 2002;
(2) an assessment of the health care requirements of the
detainees at Guantanamo;
(3) an assessment of relevant standards of care for
comparison to the quality of medical care provided for
detainees at Guantanamo;
(4) whether there are specific professional or training
requirements for providers at Guantanamo, and how this may
affect the provision of medical care for detainees;
(5) whether there are specific challenges to providing
health care, including specialty care, to detainees at
Guantanamo, such as policy, practice, and organizational
factors; access to detainee medical records; and security
clearance policy and the need for security clearances; and
(6) an assessment of policies at Guantanamo related to
detainee medical records and their interaction with the
Military Commissions process, including any impacts on medical
care.
As appropriate, the report shall provide recommendations
for policy changes, including any recommendations that would
require legislative action. The report shall be unclassified
without dissemination control, but may include a classified
annex.
Management of the Ammunition Industrial Base
The committee recognizes the critically important
responsibility and authority of the Joint Program Executive
Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) for
comprehensive life-cycle assessment, planning, and management
of our ammunition industrial base ensuring that our warfighters
are appropriately equipped and supplied to meet ammunition
readiness and mission requirements.
The committee is concerned, however, that potential changes
to the existing distribution of responsibility and authority
for the life-cycle management of our ammunition enterprise,
including the government-owned and contractor-operated
industrial base, risks unnecessarily undermining unity of
command and effort, complicating command and support
relationships, contributing to inefficiency, and increasing
cost.
The committee is aware that the recent report, ``DoD
Ammunition Enterprise Organizational Assessment'' dated March
7, 2019, evaluated various options for realignment of
responsibility and authority for management of the ammunition
industrial base. Included in that report was a recommendation
for a ``thorough legal review'' of statutory and regulatory
changes that could impact readiness responsibilities for all
agencies considered.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Army,
prior to deciding on any changes currently under consideration,
to conduct an audit of all laws, policies and procedures
related to proposed changes and, if needed, identify
legislative or regulatory changes required to implement such
management changes. The committee further directs the Secretary
of the Army to provide to the House Committee on Armed Services
a briefing on the results of this audit, as well as plans to
mitigate risk to the industrial base, risk to unity of command
and effort, complications between command and support
relationships, inefficiencies, or increased costs, not less
than 60 days prior to implementing any changes to the
distribution of authority or responsibility for the management
of the ammunition industrial base.
Navy Cost Savings Initiative
The committee is aware of the significant time and effort
invested in audit readiness and remediation on the part of
individual units and commands, and notes in particular the
efforts of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet to enhance internal
controls over the obligation management process. These efforts
have to date resulted in sufficient freed purchasing power to
enable the reinvestment of $4.4 million into ship repair costs
for the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60). The committee directs the
Secretary of the Navy to brief the committee by December 1,
2019 on lessons learned from this initiative that can be
applied across the broader Navy enterprise, as well as what the
Navy plans to do to incentivize similar efficiencies, while
enabling mission success, in the future.
Office of the Chief Management Officer Human Capital Analysis
The committee notes that the Office of the Chief Management
Officer (CMO), which establishes policy and guidance for
business system investments, has not demonstrated that it has
conducted a human capital analysis, as recommended by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) in May 2013. The
committee is concerned that without the insights provided by
such an analysis, the Office of the CMO will be limited in its
ability to plan strategically to address skill gaps, likewise
limiting its ability to lead improvement initiatives across the
Department of Defense. Given the importance of defense business
system investments to key Department initiatives such as
Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation, the committee
believes it important that the CMO perform such an analysis at
the earliest possible date. Accordingly, the committee directs
the Chief Management Officer to provide an interim briefing to
the House Committee on Armed Services not later than September
30, 2019, outlining a plan to conduct a human capital analysis
pursuant to the GAO recommendation, as well as a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than January 15,
2020, detailing the results of the human capital analysis.
Operational Use of Publicly Available Information
Violent extremist organizations and state-actors continue
to conduct influence, command and control, and other overt
operations in the information environment (IE), including on
social media platforms, to achieve objectives that undermine
U.S. national security. As such, the demand for the operational
use of Publicly Available Information (PAI) for traditional
military activities such as military information support
operations, battlespace awareness, and force protection
continues to increase. In fact, the 2016 Department of Defense
Strategy for Operations in the IE correlates information
operations and cyberspace operations with the operational use
of PAI.
The committee is aware that the collection, exploitation,
understanding, and use of PAI may serve operational or
intelligence operations or activities of the Department. The
committee acknowledges that obtaining, understanding, and
utilizing PAI for operational purposes presents significant and
unique policy challenges. For example, the committee believes
that protection of privacy and civil liberties of U.S. persons
must remain a priority when setting forth guidance on
accessing, acquiring, requesting, storing, analyzing, or
otherwise using PAI for operational means, and that operational
use of PAI should not serve as a replacement for Open Source
Intelligence or other intelligence sources and tradecraft, or
operational methods, for verifying military targets.
The committee notes that the Department has not yet
established, but is formulating, a policy and governance
structure for PAI. The committee is concerned that the lack of
policy and governance structure is hindering the Department
from maintaining an edge in and outside of the IE. The
committee also notes that cover requirements and resources for
administering cover may not be conducive to responsible and
expedient operational use of PAI.
Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of
Defense for Policy, in coordination with the Under Secretary of
Defense for Intelligence, to provide a briefing to the House
Committee on Armed Services not later than October 1, 2019, on
the operational use of PAI. The briefing shall include a
description of the traditional military activities that may be
enabled or enhanced using PAI, an update on policy formulation
and considerations, frameworks for oversight and governance,
cover requirements and guidance, and protection of U.S. persons
privacy and civil liberties.
Report on Egypt's Counterterrorism Campaign in the Sinai
The Committee is concerned with the lack of verifiable
access to the Egyptian Sinai to monitor compliance with end-use
monitoring requirements. Therefore, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of
State, to provide a report to the House Armed Services
Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate
Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee not later than November 1, 2019 detailing whether the
Government of Egypt is readily providing information to the
Government of the United States to facilitate a comprehensive
vetting process; a detailed description of the internal
protocol, evidentiary standards, and decision making process
followed by the Department of Defense and the Department of
State in investigating reports of human rights violations
committed by Egyptian security forces; and an assessment of
whether the Egyptian security forces are adequately complying
with obligations under the ``Golden Sentry'' and ``Blue
Lantern'' programs. The Committee directs the report to be
provided in unclassified form, including a classified annex if
necessary.
Report on Supporting Requirements for the Air Force's Proposed Increase
in Force Structure
The committee is concerned that the current size and
structure of the Air Force does not support the National
Defense Strategy. The committee acknowledges the Air Force's
recent force structure assessment, called ``The Air Force We
Need'', which provides a case and framework that would, if
adopted and resourced, grow the Air Force from 312 to 386
operational squadrons. While the committee understands the
assessment's analysis and conclusions and the case it makes to
grow the size of the Air Force, it also notes the limitations
associated with an analysis of operational squadrons only.
Further, the committee is concerned that the requirement for
386 operational squadrons as illustrated in the assessment will
only be realized through the alignment of resources to these
requirements through future Air Force budgets and encourages
the Air Force to develop a more comprehensive analysis that
would fully integrate planning for 386 operational squadrons
into future budgets.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air
Force, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the secretaries of the other
military departments to provide a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than March 1, 2020, that builds on
the analysis completed in the ``Air Force We Need'' assessment,
and details the supporting resources and support personnel
requirements necessary to execute a force sized at 386
operational squadrons. This analysis and report should include
associated, realigned, or additional infrastructure
requirements, maintenance and other supporting personnel
requirements, depot production, industrial base support, and
additional details the Secretary feels necessary to fully
identify, evaluate, and estimate the costs of the changes
required within the larger Air Force enterprise to meet the
requirements of the National Defense Strategy.
Report on the Process for Repatriation of Individuals Who Have Been
Cleared for Transfer out of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba
The committee is concerned that the process for
transferring individuals detained at U.S. Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to third countries once they have been
cleared for transfer by a periodic review board or the
Guantanamo Review Task Force has ceased to make headway. A
number of individuals detained at U.S. Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, have been cleared for transfer to third
countries, yet no such cleared individual has been transferred
since January 20, 2017.
In addition, an envoy in charge of detainee repatriation
has not been appointed, and although periodic review boards
(PRBs) continue to operate, the status and the future of the
transfer process is unclear.
In light of these concerns, the committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees not later than September 30, 2019, on the
state of the repatriation process. The report shall be
unclassified without dissemination control, but may include a
classified annex. At a minimum, the report should address the
following issues:
(1) the status of and current plans for the repatriation
process;
(2) an explanation of the reasons why there has not been a
transfer of an individual who has been cleared for transfer by
a periodic review board or the Guantanamo Review Task Force
since January 20, 2017, including any policy reviews or changes
that have occurred to the PRB process;
(3) the current state of each individual's case who has
been cleared for transfer, but has not been transferred,
including any actions taken to facilitate their transfer, any
obstacles to their transfer, the current state of any planning
for transfer;
(4) an explanation of the reasons why a repatriation envoy
for the Department of Defense has not been appointed, the
impact that the lack of a repatriation envoy has on the
repatriation process, whether there have been any efforts in
the absence of a repatriation envoy, and an assessment of those
efforts if applicable;
(5) an assessment of who in the administration is currently
in charge of arranging transfers for cleared detainees,
monitoring former detainees' safety after repatriation or
resettlement, and monitoring country compliance with transfer
agreements;
(6) the status of and current plans for the periodic review
board process; and
(7) an assessment of any collateral impacts to the
detention process and proceedings at Guantanamo that have
occurred as a result of the lack of transfers.
Special Operations Forces Professionalism and Ethics
In the committee report accompanying the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (H. Rept. 115-200), the
committee required the Department of Defense to provide a
briefing containing an assessment of the culture and
accountability of special operations forces (SOF) due to
allegations of serious misconduct. Further, section 1066 of the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) required the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict to
conduct a review of ethics and professionalism programs
available to SOF. This report was provided to the congressional
defense committees on February 26, 2019, and reiterated the
finding of a ``disordered value system'' that was identified by
the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) after
an internal survey of allegations of serious misconduct across
the SOF enterprise in December 2018.
As a result of the survey findings, the former Commander of
U.S. Special Operations Command, General Tony Thomas, outlined
steps SOCOM would take over 90 days. This included a review of
command climate surveys, reviewing programs of instruction,
conducting research between trauma and behavioral health, and
command level engagement with the force, to address the
``disordered value system'' focused on the individual and team
rather than a commitment to serve.
The committee recognizes the efforts of senior SOF
leadership to maintain and strengthen SOF ethos and urges the
Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity
Conflict to continue such efforts. However, the committee has
not been briefed on the results or continuing effort of the 90-
day review and expects to be continually updated. Therefore,
the committee directs the Commander of U.S. Special Operations
Command, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than July 9, 2019, on the 90-day review and provide an
update on other efforts relating to professionalism and ethics
of the force.
Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment
Operations in the information environment (IE) by state and
non-state actors, such as Russian cyber intrusions to undermine
democratic institutions, ISIS's recruitment through
dissemination of propaganda, or exfiltration of controlled
unclassified information from the defense industrial base by
cyber actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China,
pose a dynamic challenge to U.S. national security. The
Department of Defense, when appropriate and in concert with the
interagency, must be prepared to address, defend, and respond
to actions in the IE that undermine national security across
the spectrum of warfare and in all types of conflict.
In June 2016 the Department of Defense issued a strategy
for operations in the IE to align Departmental actions and
ensure effective integration of actions across all information
domains. Section 1637 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) directed the
Department to develop an implementation plan to support the
2016 Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the
Information Environment and establish processes and procedures
to better integrate strategic information operations and cyber-
enabled information operations across the relevant elements of
the Department, including those responsible for military
deception, public affairs, electronic warfare, and cyber
operations. Section 1637 of Public Law 115-91 also directed the
Department of Defense to coordinate regional information
strategies and interagency coordination plans of the combatant
commands with the appropriate Department of State officials and
the Global Engagement Center. Further, this section required
periodic status reports to the congressional defense committees
every 90 days on the date the implementation plan required was
submitted.
The committee recognizes the efforts of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity
Conflict as well as the Department's Information Operations
Steering Group, charted in August 2016, relating to the
requirements of section 1637 of Public Law 115-91 and
acknowledges the periodic status updates provided to the
congressional defense committees to date. The committee
understands the Information Operations Steering Group has
recommended the 2016 Strategy for Operations in the IE be
updated and that the Department will issue the new strategy
sometime this year. The committee expects to be apprised of the
new strategy and expects the Department to apply the direction
and requirements of section 1637 of the NDAA for FY 2018 to the
new strategy. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to brief the House Committee on Armed Services not
later than September 1, 2019, on the status of the existing
Strategy for Operations in the IE, status of the implementation
plan and other elements of section 1637 of Public Law 115-91,
plan for continuing to provide the congressional defense
committees continuous periodic updates relating to operations
in the IE, and provide detailed information on existing
authorities, policies, and doctrine relating to operations in
the IE.
Trafficking of Wildlife and Wildlife Products
The committee is concerned about the financing of terrorism
and empowerment of transnational organized crime organizations
through illicit trafficking. One potential source of financing
includes trafficking in wildlife and wildlife products. The
illegal trade of endangered and threatened wildlife and their
parts generates billions of dollars annually. The committee
notes that profits from the illegal wildlife trade have been
reported to finance groups such as the Lord's Resistance Army,
Janjaweed militias, and Boko Haram. The committee, therefore,
directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the
Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of State, to
provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services no
later than March 1, 2020, on the Department's support to United
States' efforts to combat illicit trafficking that includes
wildlife and wildlife products.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Financial Matters
Section 1001--General Transfer Authority
This section would allow the Secretary of Defense, with
certain limitations, to make transfers between amounts
authorized for fiscal year 2020 in division A of this Act. This
section would limit the total amount transferred under this
authority to $1.0 billion. This section would also require
prompt notification to Congress of each transfer made.
Section 1002--Additional Requirements for Annual Report and Briefing on
Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan
This section would amend the annual reporting and
semiannual briefing requirements contained in section 240b of
title 10, United States Code, to include a current accounting
of the defense business systems of the Department of Defense
that will be introduced, replaced, updated, modified, or
retired in connection with the audit of the full financial
statements of the Department, including a comprehensive roadmap
displaying in-service, retirement, and other pertinent dates
for affected defense business systems, as well as current cost-
to-complete estimates for each effort.
Section 1003--Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation Plan
This section would amend section 240b of title 10, United
States Code, by updating the elements of annual reports,
semiannual briefs, and audit remediation services of financial
improvements and audit remediation plans.
Section 1004--Reporting Requirements Relating to Department of Defense
Audits
This section would require an annual report ranking each of
the military departments and Defense Agencies in order of how
advanced they are in achieving auditable financial statements
as required by law. This report would include, for the bottom
quartile of departments and agencies ranked in the report, an
additional report describing the material weaknesses of the
reporting entity, underlying causes of the material weaknesses,
and a plan for remediation. This section would also require a
report presenting a plan for achieving an unmodified audit
opinion on the Department of Defense-wide consolidated audit
within 5 years.
Section 1005--Annual Budget Justification Display for Service-Common
and Other Support and Enabling Capabilities for Special Operations
Forces
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide a consolidated budget display to Congress annually as
part of the President's budget request showing service-common
and other support and enabling capabilities for special
operations forces (SOF) requested by a military service or
defense agency.
The committee appreciates the level of fidelity provided in
the budget request for Major Force Program (MFP)-11
administered by U.S. Special Operations Command for SOF-
peculiar and command-specific programs, activities, and
services. The budget request contained $13.8 billion in MFP-11
which accounts for 2 percent of the total budget request for
the Department. According to the Department, service-common
support and enabling capabilities requested by the military
departments for SOF contained in the budget request is
approximately $8.0 billion, bringing the total amount requested
for SOF to more than $21.0 billion. However, the committee is
aware that other elements of the Department, such as the
Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Combating Terrorism and
Technical Support Office, and Defense Innovation Unit also
request and expend funds to support SOF that may not be
reflected in the service-common total. Therefore, the committee
requires a better understanding of the total amounts requested
for SOF across the Department and greater consolidated detail
on such service-common and other enabling capabilities and
support requested each fiscal year.
Section 1006--Determination of Budgetary Effects
This section would state the budgetary effects of this Act
for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go
Act of 2010.
Section 1007--Independent Public Accountant Audit of Financial Systems
of the Department of Defense
This section would direct the Secretary of Defense to
ensure financial systems of the Department of Defense are
reviewed by an independent public accountant to validate the
financial system will meet applicable Federal requirements.
Subtitle B--Counterdrug Activities
Section 1011--Modification of Authority to Provide Support to Other
Agencies for Counterdrug Activities and Activities to Counter
Transnational Organized Crime
This section would modify the authority to provide support
to other agencies for counterdrug activities and activities to
counter transnational organized crime and clarify notification
requirements for support provided under subsection (b).
Section 1012--Technical Correction and Extension of Reporting
Requirement regarding Enhancement of Information Sharing and
Coordination of Military Training between Department of Homeland
Security and Department of Defense
This section would provide a technical correction and
extend until December 31, 2022, to a report required by section
1014 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2017 (Public Law 114-328).
Section 1013--Repeal of Secretary of Defense Review of Curricula and
Program Structures of National Guard Counterdrug Schools
This section would repeal the Secretary of Defense's review
of National Guard counterdrug school curricula and program
structures.
Subtitle C--Naval Vessels and Shipyards
Section 1021--Transportation by Sea of Supplies for the Armed Forces
and Defense Agencies
This section would modify section 2631 of title 10, United
States Code, to expand application of cargo transported by the
Department of Defense to include defense agencies.
Additionally, this section would require additional latitude in
the transportation of fuel products to better expand
opportunities for U.S. flagged resources.
Section 1022--Use of National Defense Sealift Fund for Procurement of
Two Used Vessels
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
seek to enter into a contract for two used vessels for
mobilization purposes.
Section 1023--Formal Schoolhouse Training for Shipboard System Programs
of Record
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
ensure there is a formal schoolhouse for all shipboard systems
that are current programs of record in the fleet.
Section 1024--Report on Shipbuilder Training and the Defense Industrial
Base
This section would require the Secretary of the Navy to
submit a report on how the Navy plans to manage the need to
grow the shipbuilding workforce as it builds to a 355-ship
Navy.
Subtitle D--Counterterrorism
Section 1031--Extension of Authority for Joint Task Forces to Provide
Support to Law Enforcement Agencies Conducting Counter-Terrorism
Activities
This section would extend section 1022 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-
136) from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2022, and make
technical corrections.
Section 1032--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer or Release of
Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, to Certain Countries
This section would prohibit the use of funding authorized
to be appropriated or otherwise made available for the
Department of Defense during the period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2020,
to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release of
any individual detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, to Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Cuba, Iran, Russia,
North Korea, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and
Venezuela.
Section 1033--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Transfer to and Detention
of Additional Individuals, Including United States Citizens, at United
States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
This section would prohibit the use of funding authorized
to be appropriated or otherwise made available for the
Department of Defense during the period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2020,
to detain any additional individuals, including United States
citizens, at the detention facility at the United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
This section would prohibit detention of additional
individuals under the law of war or pursuant to a military
commission proceeding, and defines additional individuals as
individuals to be detained at Guantanamo following the most
recent release of a detainee, pursuant to a plea agreement, in
May 2018.
This section would also require a plan identifying a
disposition other than continued law of war detention at United
States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for each individual
currently detained at Guantanamo.
Section 1034--Sense of Congress regarding the Provision of Medical Care
to Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba
This section would express the sense of Congress that the
increasing age of detainees at the U.S. Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, poses challenges for the provision of
medical care and that the United States has an ongoing
obligation to provide medical care to detainees at Guantanamo
that meets appropriate standards of care.
This section would also express the sense of Congress that
the Secretary of Defense should take into account the standards
of care provided at other relevant facilities, including those
administered by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, when determining
the policies regarding medical care for detainees at
Guantanamo.
Section 1035--Independent Assessment on Gender and Countering Violent
Extremism
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity or a federally
funded research and development center independent of the
Department of Defense to conduct research and analysis on the
intersection of gender and violent extremism and terrorism and
provide a report to the congressional defense committees on the
result of the research not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
Subtitle E--MIscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
Section 1041--Scheduling of Department of Defense Executive Aircraft
Controlled by Secretaries of Military Departments
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
ensure there is a common scheduler for the scheduling and
prioritization of executive airlift across the entire
Department of Defense.
Section 1042--Explosive Ordnance Defense Disposal Program
This section would amend section 2284 of title 10, United
States Code, to make technical changes regarding the
responsibilities of the executive agent for the explosive
ordnance disposal training and technology program. This section
would also eliminate the requirement to designate a combat
support agency to manage a defense-wide program element for
certain explosive ordnance disposal activities.
Section 1043--Notification on the Provision of Defense Sensitive
Support
This section would modify section 1055 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328) to provide additional Defense Sensitive Support reporting
requirements.
Section 1044--Modification and Technical Correction of Authority for
Deployment of Members of the Armed Forces to the Southern Land Border
of the United States
This section would modify the authority under section 1059
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
(Public Law 114-92) to require the Secretary of Defense to
fully consider readiness, mission and task alignment to
requested support, and ensure that support requirements are
inherently governmental when determining the Department of
Defense's ability to provide assistance to secure the U.S.
southern land border. Additionally, this section would add
reporting requirements.
Section 1045--Limitation on Use of Funds for the Inactivation of Army
Watercraft Units
This section would prohibit the use of any funds for fiscal
year 2020 for the inactivation of an Army watercraft unit until
the Secretary of Defense has completed a review and the
findings have been validated by a federally funded research and
development corporation.
Section 1046--Prohibition on Use of Funds for Construction of a Wall,
Fence, or Other Physical Barrier along the Southern Border of the
United States
This section would prohibit the obligation, expense, or use
of funds, that have been authorized to be appropriated for
national defense in fiscal years 2015 through 2020, to design
or carry out a project to construct, replace, or modify a wall,
fence or other physical barrier along the international border
between the United States and Mexico.
Section 1047--Expenditure of Funds for Department of Defense
Intelligence and Counterintelligence Activities
This section would authorize the expenditure of no more
than 5 percent of Military Intelligence Program funds for
Department of Defense recurring or anticipated intelligence and
counterintelligence activities for each of the fiscal years
2020 through 2025. Further, this section would require the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report of the expenditures
covered by this authorization for each of the fiscal years 2020
through 2025.
This section would provide additional authorization in
response to section 1041 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), which required
the Secretary of Defense to clarify use of emergency and
extraordinary expenses (EEE) for intelligence and
counterintelligence (CI) activities that were determined not to
be of an emergent or extraordinary nature. This modification of
section 423 of title 10, United States Code, attempts to
normalize limited, controlled spending for the Department's
intelligence and CI activities while preserving the EEE
construct for those intelligence and CI expenses that are truly
emergent and extraordinary, and cannot be classified with an
established Department of Defense funding program.
Section 1048--Limitation on Use of Funds to House Children Separated
from Parents
This section would prohibit amounts made available to the
Department of Defense for fiscal year 2020 from being used to
house children separated from their parent or legal guardian by
Customs and Border Protection near a port of entry or within
100 miles of the border of the United States.
Section 1049--Limitation on Use of Funds for Providing Housing for
Unaccompanied Alien Children
This section would require the Department of Defense to
submit a congressional certification that any housing provided
to unaccompanied alien children meets the standards of the
Department of Health and Human Services, including those
provided in the Flores settlement agreement, any waivers or
exceptions to those standards, and identifies any environmental
hazards and actions to mitigate those hazards.
Subtitle F--National Defense Strategy Implementation
Section 1051--Short Title
This section would establish that this subtitle may be
cited as ``the National Defense Strategy Implementation Act''.
Section 1052--Report on Operational Concepts and Plans Regarding
Strategic Competitors
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide to the congressional defense committees, not later than
February 1, 2020, and biannually thereafter, a report on
Department of Defense operational concepts and plans regarding
strategic competitors.
Section 1053--Actions to Increase Analytic Support
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Director
of the Joint Staff, and the Director of Cost Assessment and
Program Evaluation, in consultation with the head of each
military service, to jointly develop and implement a plan to
strengthen necessary analytic capabilities, expertise, and
processes for meeting the National Defense Strategy.
Section 1054--Definitions
This section would define the terms ``operational
challenges'' and ``strategic competitors'' for the purposes of
this subtitle.
Subtitle G--Studies and Reports
Section 1061--Report on Transfers of Equipment to Prohibited Entities
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretary of State, to submit an annual
report on the transfer of defense articles to any unit
committing a gross violation of human rights or any group or
organization prohibited from receiving assistance from the
United States during the preceding year. This section would
also require a one time report on transfers during the period
beginning on January, 1, 2015 and ending on the date of
enactment of this Act.
Section 1062--Elimination of Requirement to Submit Reports to Congress
in Paper Format
This section would enable the Department of Defense to
provide reports required by the Congress in an electronic
format rather than a paper format. By eliminating the
requirement of the delivery of congressional reports in paper
format, the Department of Defense would be able to streamline
the reporting process both within the Department and in
delivery of its reports to the Congress.
Section 1063--Modification of Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in
Connection with United States Military Operations
This section would modify section 1057 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-
91), as most recently amended by section 1062 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(Public Law 115-232), by adding additional elements and
extending the reporting requirement.
Section 1064--Inclusion of Certain Individuals Investigated by
Inspectors General in the Semiannual Report
This section would require the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense to include the already-public names of
senior officials who commit misconduct in quarterly reports.
Section 1065--Annual Report on Joint Military Information Support
Operations Web Operations Center
This section would require the Commander of U.S. Special
Operations Command (SOCOM) to provide an annual report to the
congressional defense committees not later than December 1 of
each year on the Joint Military Information Support Operations
(MISO) Web Operations Center (JMWC). The report shall include a
description of MISO activities hosted by the JMWC, activities
conducted to achieve initial operating capability and full
operational capability, measures of effectiveness,
infrastructure, leveraging lessons learned across the platform,
number of personnel, and synchronization of efforts across the
interagency and with international partners, as appropriate.
The committee supports efforts to improve the effectiveness
and efficiency of MISO programs. However, the committee is
concerned the current plan for establishment of the JMWC is
focused on consolidation rather than efficiencies and lacks
focus on efforts to leverage lessons learned and implement
measures of effectiveness across the geographic combatant
commands.
Section 1066--Mobility Capability Requirement Study
This section would require the Commander, U.S.
Transportation Command to submit a report and a briefing to the
House Committee on Armed Services by January 1, 2021, with an
interim update by June 1, 2020, assessing the operational risk
for meeting the mobility requirements of the geographic
combatant commanders.
Section 1067--Assessment of Special Operations Force Structure
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and
development center for the conduct of an independent assessment
of the force structure and roles and responsibilities of
special operations forces and to submit the assessment to the
congressional defense committees not later than July 1, 2020.
Section 1068--Army Aviation Strategic Plan and Modernization Roadmap
This section would require the Secretary of the Army to
provide a comprehensive strategy to the congressional defense
committees by March 30, 2020, for Army aviation to ensure
alignment between requirements, future Army budget submissions,
and authorization of appropriations. The required strategy
would cover both current and future multi-domain operations for
Army aviation.
The fiscal year 2020 budget request for the Army included
several significant changes to aviation modernization programs.
While these changes may align with the long-term Army aviation
strategy, the committee is concerned with the absence of such a
strategy that incorporates both current and future
capabilities.
Section 1069--Report on Ground-Based Long-Range Artillery to Counter
Land and Maritime Threats
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
provide a report to the congressional defense committees not
later than March 1, 2020, on the integration of emerging long
range ground-based fires to counter land and maritime threats,
particularly those in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S.
European Command areas of responsibility.
Section 1070--Independent Review of Transportation Working-Capital Fund
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments,
to contract with an independent federally funded research and
development center to conduct a review of the Transportation
Working Capital-Fund (TWCF) of the U.S. Transportation Command.
The committee is disappointed to learn that U.S.
Transportation Command has delayed the implementation of the
changes that were mandated by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) as
it pertains to the management of the channel system. The
channel system was designed to be a revenue generator for the
TWCF but has consistently failed to meet this objective. The
U.S. Transportation Command has done a poor job of projecting
overhead costs and cargo as it relates to the channel system
which has resulted in the military services budgeting
incorrectly for the costs associated with using the channel
system. The committee believes that rather than having the
military services budget for the cost of using the channel
system which then flow to the TWCF, U.S. Transportation Command
should improve their cost projections and budget directly for
them. The committee is also concerned that there has not been
adequate oversight of where excess TWCF funds have been
allocated. The committee expects U.S. Transportation Command to
better disclose where excess TWCF funds are being allocated in
the future.
Section 1071--Geographic Command Risk Assessment of Proposed Use of
Certain Aircraft Capabilities
This section would require selected commanders of
geographic combatant commands to provide a report to the
congressional defense committees not later than March 31, 2020,
that assesses the level of operational risk posed by the plans
of the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the
Navy to provide a mix of fifth generation and advanced fourth
generation tactical aircraft capabilities to meet each
commanders' contingency and steady-state operational
requirements.
Section 1072--Annual Report on Strikes Undertaken by the United States
Against Terrorist Targets Outside Areas of Active Hostilities
This section would require an annual report to Congress not
later than May 1 of each year on the number of strikes
undertaken by the United States against terrorist targets
outside areas of active hostilities during the preceding
calendar year, as well as assessments of combatant and non-
combatant deaths resulting from those strikes.
Section 1073--Termination of Requirement for Submittal to Congress of
Certain Recurring Reports
This section would terminate certain recurring reports
effective December 30, 2021.
Subtitle H--Other Matters
Section 1081--Technical, Conforming, and Clerical Amendments
This section would make a number of technical, conforming,
and clerical amendments of a non-substantive nature to existing
law.
Section 1082--Submission to Congress of Department of Defense Execute
Orders
This section would add a new section in chapter 2 of title
10, United States Code, that would require the Secretary of
Defense to provide to the chairman and ranking member of each
of the congressional defense committees, and their designated
staff with the appropriate security clearance, copies of each
execute order issued by the Secretary or by a commander of a
combatant command before the date of the enactment of this Act,
and within 30 days of issuing an execute order after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
Section 1083--Extension of National Security Commission on Artificial
Intelligence
This section would modify reporting requirements for the
National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, as
established in section 1051 of the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-
232) by 180 days and extend the termination date to March 1,
2021.
Section 1084--National Commission on Military Aviation Safety
This section would amend section 1087 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) to extend the deadline to December 1, 2020, for
the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety to submit
its final report. In addition, this section would require the
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of
the military departments, to provide a report that assesses the
commission's findings and conclusions, as well as details any
plans for implementing recommendations made by the commission
and any other actions being taken to improve military aviation
safety. Finally, this section would authorize $3.0 million in
fiscal year 2020 for the commission's operations.
Section 1085--Extension of Postage Stamp for Breast Cancer Research
This section would amend section 414 of title 39, United
States Code, by authorizing the extension of the postage stamp
for breast cancer research until 2027.
Section 1086--Processes and Procedures for Notifications regarding
Special Operations Forces
This section would mandate the Secretary of Defense
establish and submit processes and procedures for providing
notifications to the congressional defense committees regarding
members of special operations forces. This section would also
mandate that the processes and procedures include clarification
of the roles and responsibilities of the Secretaries of the
military departments, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, and the
Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command in providing such
notifications to Congress.
The Secretaries of the military departments provide
notification to the congressional defense committees regarding
members of the Armed Forces who receive awards of valor,
demonstrate acts of heroism, are killed or wounded in action or
while on duty, are alleged to have committed serious offenses
punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, are
involved in high-profile incidents, and for other matters of
interest.
However, the committee notes that ambiguity regarding the
roles and responsibilities of the Secretaries of the military
departments, the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command,
and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations
and Low Intensity Conflict relating to notifications involving
special operations forces have resulted in inconsistent, or
lack of, notifications. For example, the congressional defense
committees were not provided notifications of reprimands issued
as a result of the investigation into the incident in Niger in
2017.
The committee expects processes and procedures established
under this provision to be consistent with the processes for
notifications involving the conventional forces and to account
for the privacy of members of the Armed Forces.
Section 1087--Assessment of Standards, Processes, Procedures, and
Policy Relating to Civilian Casualties
This section would require the Secretary of Defense to
enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and
development center for conduct of an independent assessment of
the sufficiency of Department of Defense standards, processes,
procedures, and policy relating to civilian casualties
resulting from United States military operations.
Section 1088--Disposal of IPv4 Addresses
This section would require the Department of Defense to
sell certain IPv4 addresses at fair market value. This section
would also require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report
to the congressional defense committees not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act on the disposal of
certain IPv4 addresses, an accounting of the total number of
IPv4 address holdings of the Department of Defense, and the
plan of the Secretary to transition all Department addresses to
IPv6. Finally, this section would limit the obligation or
expenditure of funds for fiscal year 2020 to 70 percent of
funds for the Office of the Secretary of Defense for travel
until the Secretary submits this report.
Section 1089--Securing American Science and Technology
This section would establish an interagency working group
to coordinate activities for the protection of federally funded
research and development from foreign interference while
accounting for an exchange of ideas and for the international
talent required for scientific progress and American leadership
in science.
Section 1090--Standardized Policy Guidance for Calculating Aircraft
Operation and Sustainment Costs
This section would require the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment to develop and implement
standardized policy guidance for calculating aircraft operation
and sustainment costs for the Department of Defense.
Section 1091--Special Federal Aviation Regulation Working Group
This section would require the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of State to
establish a Special Federal Aviation Regulation interagency
working group to review the current options for the Department
of Defense to use contracted U.S. civil aviation to provide
support for Department of Defense missions in areas where a
Federal Aviation Administration Special Federal Aviation
Regulation is in effect.
TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Civilian Sexual Assault Study
The committee is concerned about sexual harassment and
assault prevention and response procedures within the civilian
workforce of the Department of Defense. The committee notes
that civilian employees report harassment and assault at higher
rates than their uniformed counterparts, and in some instances
express dissatisfaction with their management's handling of
these complaints.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1, 2020, on the Department of
Defense sexual assault and harassment prevention and response
system for civilian employees. This report shall include, but
is not limited to, the following elements:
(1) the utilization rate of the sexual assault services by
civilian employees;
(2) an assessment of the quality and timing of preventive
training;
(3) the staffing level of the prevention and response
systems, Department of Defense counselors, victim advocates,
and special victims counsels for civilian employee sexual
assault victims; and
(4) a comparison of the resources to those available for
military personnel.
Department of Defense Report on Reduction in Force
The committee notes that section 1101 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-
92) required the Secretary of Defense to establish procedures
to require that any reduction in force for civilian positions
for the competitive service or the excepted service be
conducted primarily on the basis of performance under any
applicable performance management system. The committee also
notes that the ``New Beginnings'' performance management and
workforce incentive system was authorized by section 1113 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
(Public Law 111-84) in conjunction with the repeal of the
National Security Personnel System.
The committee believes the impacts of these significant
changes to civilian workforce policy in the Department of
Defense should be identified and reviewed for any necessary
modification. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense
committees by March 1, 2020, concerning all involuntary
civilian reductions in force conducted on or after January 1,
2016, broken out by Department of Defense component. The report
should illustrate the number of employees separated, the number
of employees separated because of less favorable performance
evaluations, and the demographics of each group.
Direct Hire Authority Clarification for Support Defense Activities
The committee notes that Subsection (a) of section 1125 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
granted temporary direct hire authority for domestic defense
industrial base facilities and major range and test facilities
bases. Furthermore, section 1101 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, implemented direct hire
authority across the Department. These changes have sped up
hiring, brought employees on faster, and increased productivity
at Air Force Depots.
The committee notes that these changes to section 1125 and
1101 intended to cover positions that work on and support
defense activities for the defense industrial base or the major
range and test facilities bases. Positions that support the
Depots themselves, for example, plumbers, electricians,
exterior maintenance, finance, etc., are currently not covered
by the changes in section 1125 and section 1101. These types of
employees, although not doing direct depot work, directly
support and enable the operation of the depot.
Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense
to submit a report on the effects of the current interpretation
of section 1125, specifically the challenges faced by the Air
Force due to inadequate direct hire authority for positions
that support defense activities for the defense industrial base
or the major range and test facilities bases.
Optimizing Total Force Management
The Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2020 budget request
explains that the size and composition of its civilian
workforce is shaped to reflect changes commensurate with the
Department's military force structure and its civilian
workforce is key to warfighter readiness. However, when the
committee examined the workforce projections of the Department
of Defense, it found the civilian workforce increases by 0.7
percent from fiscal year 2019 to 2020, while Active Component
End Strength increases by 6.2 percent and Reserve Component End
Strength by 1.5 percent.
Therefore, given these workforce mix decisions, the
committee directs the Secretary of Defense to contract with a
federal funded research and development center to review the
Department's force structure decision-making processes in the
Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff and in each of the
Military Departments to verify the Department is planning,
programing and budgeting for a force structure that optimizes
lethality by using military for warfighting functions and
ensures that planned operational capabilities are fully
executable and sustainable.
This review should include recommendations, and, as a
minimum, include:
(1) an identification of best practices as well as
impediments to the optimum sizing of each component of the
Total Force of active military, reserve component military,
civilian workforce, host nation support, and contract support;
(2) recommendations on how to leverage the Military
Department's modeling efforts in order to achieve a more
balanced Total Force mix, and;
(3) the effects of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) caps and
associated business processes resulting from either legislation
or Departmental policy or practice that would impede the use of
more holistic analytical tools for linking the enabling
civilian to supported force structure.
The report should be provided and briefed to the Armed
Services Committees not later than February 1, 2021.
Readiness and Borrowed Military Manpower
The committee notes that the Report of the Defense Science
Board Task Force on Readiness concluded that in order to
achieve and sustain readiness it was essential to consider, not
just the amount of hardware but key manpower issues such as the
active-reserve mix, retention, training, and the sufficiency of
supporting government civilians. The task force also concluded
borrowed military manpower results in a loss of unit
cohesiveness, reduced training efficiency, and lowered
readiness.
The committee questions whether the Department of Defense
continues to divert service members from their unit assignments
to perform nonmilitary functions which could be performed by
civilian employees.
Therefore, the committee directs the United States
Comptroller General to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by April 1st, 2020 assessing the level and
impacts of borrowed military manpower.
This report should include the following elements:
(1) An analysis of the diversions of Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen or Marines from their unit assignments and or their
military occupational specialties, to perform non-military
essential functions which could be performed by civilian
employees.
(2) A review the Department's tracking of borrowed military
manpower in its readiness reporting systems and an assessment
of the impact this is having on both the Department's ability
to manage the Total Force, and the readiness effects of
``missing'', but unreported manpower.
The Department of Defense's Use of Term and Temporary Hiring
Authorities
The Committee questions if the Department of Defense's
Congressionally appropriated overseas contingency operations
funds, exempt from The Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-
25), are funding enduring missions in support of the National
Defense Strategy which is resulting in inappropriate use of
term and temporary hiring authorities for enduring missions.
Furthermore, the Committee questions whether there are
cases where term and temporary hiring authorities are being
misused in cases when the funding for the program directly
supports the National Defense Strategy and is funded over the
Future Year Defense Program with an enduring funding line.
Lastly, the Committee is concerned that this creates a
scenario for the Department of Defense to inappropriately
circumvent title 5 due process and whistleblower protections
and extend probationary periods.
Therefore, the committee directs the Comptroller General of
the United States to submit a report to the congressional
defense committees by March 1st, 2020 reviewing the
Department's use of term and temporary hiring authorities for
enduring missions and analyzing the degree to which this is
resulting from the misuse of overseas contingency operations
funding or efforts to inappropriately extend probationary
periods.
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS
Section 1101--Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Personnel
Management Authority
This section would amend section 1599(h) of title 10,
United States Code, to allow the Director of the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency to appoint additional
employees to the agency using the personnel management
authority codified in section 1599(h) of title 10, United
States Code.
Section 1102--Modification of Probationary Period for Certain
Department of Defense Employees
This section would amend section 1599e of title 10, United
States Code, to change the probationary period for Department
of Defense civilian employees from 2 years to 1 year.
Section 1103--Civilian Personnel Management
This section would amend section 129 of title 10, United
States Code, to clarify that civilian personnel of the
Department of Defense may not be managed on the basis of man-
years, end strength, or full-time equivalent positions, or
maximum number of employees, and instead will be managed based
on the total force management policies and procedures
established under section 129a of title 10, United States Code,
the workload required to carry out the functions and activities
of the Department, and the funds made available to the
Department for each fiscal year.
Section 1104--One-Year Extension of Temporary Authority to Grant
Allowances, Benefits, and Gratuities to Civilian Personnel on Official
Duty in a Combat Zone
This section would amend section 1115 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public
Law 115-232) by extending until 2021 the temporary authority
granting allowances, benefits, and gratuities to civilian
personnel on official duty in a combat zone.
Section 1105--One-Year Extension of Authority to Waive Annual
Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitation on Pay for Federal
Civilian Employees Working Overseas
This section would amend section 1101 of the Duncan Hunter
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public
Law 110-417) by extending premium pay for Federal civilian
employees working overseas until the end of 2020.
Section 1106--Performance of Civilian Functions by Military Personnel
This section would amend section 129a of title 10, United
States Code, to ensure that before the Secretary of a military
department directs military personnel to perform the functions
of civilian personnel, the military department concerned is in
compliance with section 129 of title 10, United States Code.
Section 1107--Extension of Direct Hire Authority for Domestic
Industrial Base Facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities Base
This section would amend section 1125 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-
328) to extend the authority of the Secretary of Defense to use
direct hire procedures for civilian personnel at domestic
defense industrial base facilities and the Major Range and Test
Facilities Base until 2025.
Section 1108--Authority to Provide Additional Allowances and Benefits
for Certain Defense Clandestine Service Employees
This section would authorize the provision of additional
allowances and benefits for certain Defense Intelligence
Agency, Defense Clandestine Service employees located in the
United States, limited to 125 covered employees per year for
locations with living costs determined by the Secretary of
Defense to be equal to or higher than the District of Columbia.
Further, the provision stipulates that the authorization is
co
