I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5186 
To authorize the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to support 
the defense biotechnology supply chain, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 
Mr. KHANNA (for himself, Mr. GARAMENDI, and Mr. DAVIS of North Caro-
lina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pro-
gram to support the defense biotechnology supply chain, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. BIOTECHNOLOGY SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in 
coordination with the Secretaries of the military de-
partments and the heads of relevant Defense Agen-
cies, may establish and implement a program (re-
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ferred to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’) to de-
velop, scale, and transition biotechnology research 
from the military service laboratories, including bio-
technology-based chemicals, materials, fuels, and 
other products relevant to the mission of the Depart-
ment of Defense that support the resilience, sustain-
ability, and responsiveness of the defense supply 
chain. 
(2) ACTIVITIES.—Under the Program, the Sec-
retary of Defense may carry out the following activi-
ties: 
(A) Conduct an assessment of supply chain 
vulnerabilities in the Department of Defense. 
(B) Direct the military service laboratories 
to establish mechanisms to collaboratively— 
(i) conduct applied research, including 
experimentation, 
advanced 
technological 
development, advanced component develop-
ment, 
and 
rapid 
prototyping 
in 
bioindustrials, biomanufacturing, and re-
lated disciplines to support defense mis-
sions; 
(ii) develop, prototype, test, and tran-
sition biologically derived materials and 
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products to reduce reliance on foreign sup-
ply chains and vulnerable supply chains; 
(iii) upgrade, expand, or construct 
physical and digital infrastructure, includ-
ing laboratory facilities, of the Department 
and its partners to support bioindustrial 
research, 
development, 
testing, 
proto-
typing, and production; 
(iv) as needed, enter into contracts, 
cooperative agreements, grants, or other 
transactions with relevant Federal entities 
and non-Federal entities such as commer-
cial entities, research institutions, and aca-
demic organizations to execute the activi-
ties under this paragraph; and 
(v) support education, training, and 
workforce development initiatives to build 
and sustain a skilled bioindustrial and bio-
manufacturing workforce. 
(C) Collaborate across the military depart-
ments, Defense Agencies, and other Federal en-
tities to ensure alignment with national bio-
industrial and supply chain strategies. 
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(D) Promote the development and utiliza-
tion of next-generation feedstocks and processes 
in ways that support local economic growth. 
(E) Modernize infrastructure through in-
vestment in facilities that enable rapid proto-
typing and advanced materials testing. 
(F) Establish performance metrics and 
benchmarks to measure progress toward oper-
ational integration and transition to programs 
of record. 
(3) OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.—In the event the 
Secretary carries out the Program, the Secretary of 
Defense shall— 
(A) prioritize technologies and capabilities 
that address critical defense supply chain 
vulnerabilities and enhance military readiness, 
including technologies and capabilities necessary 
to— 
(i) reduce logistics through field-en-
abled manufacturing of materials such as 
construction-grade 
bio-cement 
and 
deployable infrastructure components; 
(ii) enhance performance through de-
velopment of novel materials including pro-
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tective coatings and biologically derived 
composites; or 
(iii) improve cost efficiency of manu-
facturing and reduce dependency on for-
eign supply chains; 
(B) consult with representatives of indus-
try, academia, and other Federal agencies with 
relevant expertise, to accelerate development 
and transitions; and 
(C) ensure the Program supports the de-
velopment and fielding of emerging technologies 
such as biotechnologies that provide operational 
and strategic advantages to the Armed Forces, 
including through— 
(i) cross-service and public-private 
partnerships; and 
(ii) applied research, pilot-scale pro-
duction, and technology transition efforts 
focused on biomanufacturing and materials 
innovation. 
(b) PLAN AND REPORTS.— 
(1) INITIAL
PLAN.—Not later than 90 days 
after electing to commence the Program, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
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resentatives a plan for the allocation of appropria-
tions to fund the Program. 
(2) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—Not later than one 
year after commencing the Program, and annually 
thereafter until the Program terminates under sub-
section (c), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives a report detailing 
all activities carried out under the program. Each 
report shall include, to the extent applicable, the fol-
lowing: 
(A) A summary of key research, develop-
ment, and prototyping efforts initiated or con-
tinued during the year covered by the report, 
including technical objectives, anticipated de-
fense applications, and funding. 
(B) A list of significant partnerships or 
agreements executed with industry, academic 
institutions, and other Federal agencies, includ-
ing the purpose, national security nexus, and 
funding level of each such partnership or agree-
ment. 
(C) An assessment of infrastructure en-
hancements undertaken to support bioindustrial 
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development and scale-up, including facility 
modernization and equipment acquisition. 
(D) An evaluation of program performance 
against established milestones or metrics, in-
cluding progress toward the transition of tech-
nologies to operational use or acquisition pro-
grams. 
(E) An identification of major technical, 
logistical, or policy challenges encountered, and 
actions taken to mitigate such challenges. 
(F) Any recommendations for additional 
authorities, funding mechanisms, or interagency 
coordination necessary to enhance the effective-
ness of the Program. 
(3) FORM.—Each report under this subsection 
shall be submitted in unclassified form but may con-
tain a classified annex. 
(c) SUNSET.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the authority to carry out the Program 
shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) EXTENSION.—The Program may be contin-
ued after the termination date specified in para-
graph (1) if, before such date, the President— 
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(A) determines that continuation of the 
Program is necessary to meet national economic 
or national security needs; and 
(B) submits notice of such determination 
to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives. 
Æ 
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