10 U.S.C. § 4841 (ARMED FORCES)
§ 4841. Manufacturing Technology Program
(a) Establishment.—
The Secretary of Defense shall establish a Manufacturing Technology Program to further the national security objectives of section 4811(a) of this title through the development and application of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes that will reduce the acquisition and supportability costs of defense weapon systems and reduce manufacturing and repair cycle times across the life cycles of such systems. The Secretary shall use the joint planning process of the directors of the Department of Defense laboratories in establishing the program. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall administer the program.
(b) Purpose of Program.—
The Secretary of Defense shall use the program—
(1) to provide centralized guidance and direction (including goals, milestones, and priorities) to the military departments and the Defense Agencies on all matters relating to manufacturing technology;
(2) to direct the development and implementation of Department of Defense plans, programs, projects, activities, and policies that promote the development and application of advanced technologies to manufacturing processes, tools, and equipment;
(3) to improve the manufacturing quality, productivity, technology, and practices of businesses and workers providing goods and services to the Department of Defense;
(4) to focus Department of Defense support for the development and application of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes for use to meet manufacturing requirements that are essential to the national defense, as well as for repair and remanufacturing in support of the operations of systems commands, depots, air logistics centers, and shipyards;
(5) to disseminate information concerning improved manufacturing improvement concepts, including information on such matters as best manufacturing practices, product data exchange specifications, computer-aided acquisition and logistics support, and rapid acquisition of manufactured parts;
(6) to sustain and enhance the skills and capabilities of the manufacturing work force;
(7) to promote high-performance work systems (with development and dissemination of production technologies that build upon the skills and capabilities of the work force), high levels of worker education and training; and
(8) to ensure appropriate coordination between the manufacturing technology programs and industrial preparedness programs of the Department of Defense and similar programs undertaken by other departments and agencies of the Federal Government or by the private sector.
(c) Execution.—
(1) The Secretary may carry out projects under the program through the Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of the Defense Agencies.
(2) In the establishment and review of requirements for an advanced manufacturing technology or process, the Secretary shall ensure the participation of those prospective technology users that are expected to be the users of that technology or process.
(3) The Secretary shall ensure that each project under the program for the development of an advanced manufacturing technology or process includes an implementation plan for the transition of that technology or process to the prospective technology users that will be the users of that technology or process.
(4) In the periodic review of a project under the program, the Secretary shall ensure participation by those prospective technology users that are the expected users for the technology or process being developed under the project.
(5) In order to promote increased dissemination and use of manufacturing technology throughout the national defense technology and industrial base, the Secretary shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, the participation of manufacturers of manufacturing equipment in the projects under the program.
(6) In this subsection, the term “prospective technology users” means the following officials and elements of the Department of Defense:
(A) Program and project managers for defense weapon systems.
(B) Systems commands.
(C) Depots.
(D) Air logistics centers.
(E) Shipyards.
(d) Competition and Cost Sharing.—
(1) In accordance with the policy stated in section 4008 of this title, competitive procedures shall be used for awarding all grants and entering into all contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions under the program.
(2) Under the competitive procedures used, the factors to be considered in the evaluation of each proposed grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction for a project under the program shall include the extent to which that proposed transaction provides for the proposed recipient to share in the cost of the project. For a project for which the Government receives an offer from only one offeror, the contracting officer shall negotiate the ratio of contract recipient cost to Government cost that represents the best value to the Government.
(e) Five-Year Strategic Plan.—
(1) The Secretary shall develop a plan for the program that includes the following:
(A) The overall manufacturing technology goals, milestones, priorities, and investment strategy for the program.
(B) The objectives of, and funding for, the program for each military department and each Defense Agency that shall participate in the program during the period of the plan.
(2) The Secretary shall include in the plan mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the program under the plan.
(3) The Secretary shall update the plan not less frequently than once every four years.
(4) Each plan, and each update to the plan, shall cover a period of five fiscal years.
(f) Advanced Manufacturing Defined.—
In this section, the term “advanced manufacturing” means manufacturing through the use of interconnected, advanced technologies throughout the design and manufacturing process that enables modular, adaptable, and efficient manufacturing, including software-controlled subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion manufacturing, and other similar manufacturing techniques.
(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, § 801(a)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1700, § 2525; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title II, § 256(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2704; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title II, § 276(a), title X, § 1081(e), title XV, § 1503(a)(28), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 241, 454, 512; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title II, § 211(a), (b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1657; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title II, § 213, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 1947; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title II, § 216, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 543; renumbered § 2521, Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title III, § 344(c)(1)(A)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–71; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(b)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1225; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title II, § 213, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2481; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1031(a)(24), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1598; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title II, § 238(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title II, § 212, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2225; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(c)(2)(A)(i), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1949; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title II, § 212, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3325; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 902(76), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1552; renumbered § 4841 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1869(b), (c)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4283; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1841(f)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1257.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Section 4008 of this title, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), probably should be a reference to section 4024 of this title. Section 4008 was originally enacted by transferring section 2374 of this title to that section by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1841(c), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4243, effective Jan. 1, 2022. However, Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(u)(2)(B), (D), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151, amended Pub. L. 116–283, effective as if included therein, so as to eliminate that transfer, thereby omitting section 4008 before it took effect, and instead transferred section 2374 of this title to section 4024 of this title. See Codification note set out under section 4008 of this title.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 4841 was renumbered section 7841 of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025–Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 119–60 added subsec. (f).
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, § 1869(b)(1), renumbered section 2521 of this title as this section.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1869(b)(2)(A), substituted “section 4811(a)” for “section 2501(a)”.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1869(b)(2)(B), substituted “section 4008” for “section 2374”.
Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1869(c)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e), transferred it to appear after subsec. (d) and transferred subsec. (e), related to Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel, to section 4842 of this title.
2019—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92, § 902(76)(A), substituted “The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering” for “The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics”.
Subsec. (e)(4)(D). Pub. L. 116–92, § 902(76)(B), substituted “Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering” for “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics”.
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 116–92, § 902(76)(C), substituted “Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering” for “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics”.
2014—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 113–291, § 212(a), substituted “one or more individuals designated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics for purposes of this paragraph” for “the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering”.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 113–291, § 212(b), substituted “not less frequently than once every four years” for “on a biennial basis”.
2013—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering” for “Director of Defense Research and Engineering”.
2009—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 111–84 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).
2008—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–181 added subsec. (e).
2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–136 struck out heading and text of subsec. (e) which related to preparation and maintenance of a five-year plan for the Manufacturing Technology Program by the Secretary of Defense.
2002—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 107–314, § 213(a), substituted “prepare and maintain a five-year plan for the program.” for “prepare a five-year plan for the program which establishes—
“(A) the overall manufacturing technology goals, milestones, priorities, and investment strategy for the program; and
“(B) for each of the five fiscal years covered by the plan, the objectives of, and funding for the program by, each military department and each Defense Agency participating in the program.”
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 107–314, § 213(a), substituted “establish” for “include” in introductory provisions and amended subpars. (A) and (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(A) An assessment of the effectiveness of the program, including a description of all completed projects and status of implementation.
“(B) An assessment of the extent to which the costs of projects are being shared by the following:
“(i) Commercial enterprises in the private sector.
“(ii) Department of Defense program offices, including weapon system program offices.
“(iii) Departments and agencies of the Federal Government outside the Department of Defense.
“(iv) Institutions of higher education.
“(v) Other institutions not operated for profit.
“(vi) Other sources.”
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 107–314, § 213(b), substituted “biennially” for “annually” and “for each even-numbered fiscal year” for “for a fiscal year”.
2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics” for “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology”.
2000—Pub. L. 106–398 renumbered section 2525 of this title as section 2521.
1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(a), in first sentence, inserted “through the development and application of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes that will reduce the acquisition and supportability costs of defense weapon systems and reduce manufacturing and repair cycle times across the life cycles of such systems” after “title”.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(b), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: “to promote dual-use manufacturing processes;”.
Subsec. (c)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(c), added pars. (2) to (4), redesignated former par. (2) as (5), and added par. (6).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(d), struck out “(A)” before “In accordance with” in par. (1), redesignated par. (1)(B) as par. (2), substituted “Under the competitive procedures used, the factors to be considered in the evaluation of each proposed grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction for a project under the program shall include the extent to which that proposed transaction provides for the proposed recipient to share in the cost of the project.” for “For each grant awarded and each contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction entered into on a cost-share basis under the program, the ratio of contract recipient cost to Government cost shall be determined by competitive procedures.”, and struck out former pars. (2) and (3) which required grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions to be awarded or entered into on a cost-sharing basis unless the Secretary of Defense made certain determinations and specified as a goal that at least 25 percent of the funds available for the program for each fiscal year be used for grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions on a cost-share basis under which the ratio of recipient cost to Government cost was two to one.
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(e)(1), inserted “, including a description of all completed projects and status of implementation” before period at end.
Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 106–65, § 216(e)(2), added subpar. (C).
1998—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–261, § 213(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “In accordance with the policy stated in section 2374 of this title, competitive” for “Competitive”, and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 105–261, § 213(b), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), redesignated former subpars. (A) to (C) as cls. (i) to (iii), respectively, and added subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–261, § 213(c)(2), substituted “As a goal, at least” for “At least” and “should” for “shall” and inserted at end “The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments and upon recommendation of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, shall establish annual objectives to meet such goal.”
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 105–261, § 213(c)(1), struck out par. (4) which read as follows: “If the requirement of paragraph (3) cannot be met by July 15 of a fiscal year, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology may waive the requirement and obligate the balance of the funds available for the program for that fiscal year on a cost-share basis under which the ratio of recipient cost to Government cost is less than two to one. Before implementing any such waiver, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives the reasons for the waiver.”
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 105–261, § 213(d), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The plan shall include an assessment of the effectiveness of the program.”
1997—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–85, § 211(a), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The Secretary shall seek, to the extent practicable, the participation of manufacturers of manufacturing equipment in the projects under the program.”
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–85, § 211(b), added subsec. (e).
1996—Pub. L. 104–106, § 276(a)(1), amended section catchline, as amended by Pub. L. 104–106, §§ 1503(a)(28), 1506, by striking out “Science and” after “Manufacturing”.
Pub. L. 104–106, § 1503(a)(28), substituted “Science and Technology Program” for “science and technology program” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–106, § 276(a)(2), struck out “Science and” after “Manufacturing” and inserted after first sentence “The Secretary shall use the joint planning process of the directors of the Department of Defense laboratories in establishing the program.”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–106, § 1081(e), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “Purpose.—The purpose of the program is to enhance the capability of industry to meet the manufacturing needs of the Department of Defense.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–106, § 276(a)(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 104–106, § 276(a)(4)(A), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 104–106, § 276(a)(4)(B), added pars. (3) and (4).
1994—Pub. L. 103–337 substituted “Manufacturing science and technology program” for “Industrial Preparedness Manufacturing Technology Program” as section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of Defense shall establish an Industrial Preparedness Manufacturing Technology program to enhance the capability of industry to meet the manufacturing needs of the Department of Defense.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
heading: Advanced Robotic Automation for Munitions Manufacturing
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title II, § 225, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 784, provided that:
“(a) Program Required.—
The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a program to support the maturation and expansion of robotic automation capabilities for munitions manufacturing at government-owned, contractor-operated production facilities.
“(b) Objectives.—
The objectives of the program under subsection (a) shall include the following:
“(1) The design and integration of inherently safe, scalable robotic load, assemble, and pack (LAP) systems for munitions production.
“(2) The demonstration of increased throughput and production capacity, while reducing manual handling of energetic materials.
“(3) The development of cyber-hardened data infrastructure for secure integration of factory-floor operations with enterprise systems.
“(4) Support for workforce upskilling and training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
“(5) The evaluation of applicability across multiple munition types and organic industrial base sites.
“(c) Coordination.—
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall coordinate with the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition and other relevant components of the Department of the Army.
“(d) Briefing.—
Not later than March 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Army shall provide the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing on the program carried out under subsection (a). Such briefing shall cover—
“(1) the progress made under the program;
“(2) lessons learned; and
“(3) recommendations for the wider adoption of robotic automation technologies within the defense industrial base.”
heading: Bioindustrial Commercialization Program
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title II, § 243, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 791, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the Secretary of Defense may establish a program to support the expansion of the domestic capacity for bioindustrial manufacturing of critical biomanufactured products at a commercial level through awards to entities for establishing, upgrading, and retooling of bioindustrial manufacturing facilities.
“(b) Awards.—
“(1) In general.—
An entity seeking an award under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
“(2) Competitive awards.—
The Secretary shall make each award under the program to an entity in a competitive manner.
“(3) Award criteria.—
In selecting entities to receive awards under the program, the Secretary shall consider the following criteria:
“(A) The potential of the technology of such entity to improve domestic resilience and protect critical supply chains with biomanufactured products.
“(B) How the technology of such entity could help meet the demand for the capabilities required by the next generation of warfighters.
“(C) The ability of the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such entity is seeking such award to be repurposed and the range of products that such bioindustrial manufacturing facility is capable of producing.
“(D) Whether the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such entity is seeking such award supports the goal of wide geographic distribution of bioindustrial manufacturing facilities across the United States.
“(E) Whether the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such entity is seeking such award is located in geographic proximity to sources of input materials for the production of critical biomanufactured products or areas with established biomanfuacturing capabilities.
“(F) Such additional considerations that the Secretary deems appropriate.
“(4) Use of award funds.—
A recipient of an award under the program may use funds received under such award for the establishment, upgrading, or retooling of one or more bioindustrial manufacturing facilities to produce critical biomanufactured products, including the development of business or technical plans related to such establishment, upgrading, or retooling.
“(c) Oversight.—
If the Secretary establishes the program, the Secretary shall establish reporting requirements for recipients of awards under the program which shall include requirements for periodic reports on the following:
“(1) The progress of the recipient in establishing, upgrading, or retooling the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such recipient received such award.
“(2) The estimated timeline and funding requirements for the recipient to begin biomanufacturing at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1).
“(3) The products, including the critical biomanufactured products, that are or will be produced at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1).
“(4) The progress of the recipient in entering into an agreement with the Department of Defense or an element thereof to provide critical biomanufactured products that are or will be produced at the bioindustrial manufacturing facility described in paragraph (1) once such bioindustrial manufacturing facility begins biomanufacturing.
“(d) Reports to Congress.—
“(1) Initial report.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the plan of the Secretary for allocating amounts appropriated to the Department of Defense to fund the program.
“(2) Annual reports.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the activities under the program, including the following:
“(A) A list of the awards made under the program as of the date on which the report is submitted, including, for each such award—
“(i) the name of the entity that received the award;
“(ii) the location of the bioindustrial manufacturing facility with respect to which such entity received the award;
“(iii) the amount of the award, disaggregated by the initial amount of the award and any additional amounts provided under the award;
“(iv) an explanation of the criteria supporting making the award to such entity, including a description of any notable technologies of such entity relevant to the award;
“(v) if applicable, an explanation of the rationale for providing additional amounts under the award; and
“(vi) to the extent practicable, an explanation of the effects of the award.
“(B) An identification of amounts available to the Department of Defense for making awards under the program as of the date on which the report is submitted and an explanation of any plans for the use of such amounts.
“(C) An explanation of the communication between the Secretary and entities seeking an award under the program regarding requirements and timelines for such awards.
“(D) An explanation of how the establishment, upgrading, or retooling of the bioindustrial manufacturing facilities for which awards were made under the program aligns with priorities and needs of the Department of Defense and national security.
“(e) Sunset.—
“(1) In general.—
Except as provided by paragraph (2), this section shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
“(2) Extension.—
The Secretary may change the date on which this section terminates to a date that is later than the date on which this section would terminate under paragraph (1) if the President determines that the continuation of the program is necessary to meet national economic and national security needs and transmits that determination, and that later date, to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives].
“(f) Definition of Biomanufacturing.—
In this section, the term ‘biomanufacturing’ means the utilization of biological systems to develop new and advance existing products, tools, and processes at commercial scale.”
heading: Transition to Advanced Manufacturing for Certain Critical Readiness Items of Supply
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1842, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1258, provided that:
“(a) Plan Required.—
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2025], the product support manager for each covered system shall—
“(1) conduct an assessment of critical readiness items of supply that could be produced by advanced manufacturing within the 24-month period following the date of the enactment of this Act for the purposes of—
“(A) increasing the amount of such items of supply to meet readiness rates;
“(B) reducing manufacturing time or costs of such items of supply; and
“(C) increasing the ability to scale production of such items of supply rapidly;
“(2) identify any research, development, engineering, or testing conducted by the original equipment manufacturer, a contractor, or the Federal Government required to transition production of such items of supply to production by advanced manufacturing; and
“(3) submit to the appropriate program manager and portfolio acquisition executive a plan to transition production described in paragraph (1) to the maximum extent practicable, along with an estimate of non-recurring costs to complete such transition and a recommendation whether such costs should be paid by the appropriate contractor or the Federal Government.
“(b) Use of Existing Authorities.—
The product support manager described in subsection (a) shall initiate and coordinate qualification and acceptance of parts produced using advanced manufacturing to address critical readiness items of supply using the expedited qualification process established in section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 [Pub. L. 119–60] (10 U.S.C. 4811 note).
“(e) [sic] Definitions.—
In this section:
“(1) The term ‘critical readiness items of supply’ has the meaning given in section 1733 of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 1803 of this Act.
“(2) The term ‘advanced manufacturing’ has the meaning given in section 4841(f) of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 1841 of this Act.”
heading: Improvements Relating to Advanced Manufacturing
text: Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1846, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1261, provided that:
“(a) Leadership Changes.—
“(1) Joint defense manufacturing technology panel.—
[Amended section 4842(b)(1) of this title.]
“(2) Joint additive manufacturing working group.—
The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Joint Additive Manufacturing Working Group shall be cochaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
“(3) Consortium on additive manufacturing for defense capability development.—
[Amended section 223 of Pub. L. 118–31, set out as a note below.]
“(b) Advanced Manufacturing Policy Review and Guidance.—
“(1) Policy review.—
Not later than September 30, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with each Secretary of a military department, shall—
“(A) review the policies and procedures of the Department of Defense to identify policies and procedures for the qualification, acceptance, and management of the supply chains of products that are insufficient for or not applicable to products manufactured using advanced manufacturing;
“(B) identify any changes to the policies and procedures of the Department required for the Department to benefit fully from access to and use of products manufactured using advanced manufacturing; and
“(C) updated such policies as required.
“(2) Guidance.—
Not later than September 30, 2027, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with each Secretary of a military department, shall issue guidance on the use of advanced manufacturing capabilities to improve the ability of the Department of Defense to execute missions. Such guidance shall include, at a minimum—
“(A) a methodology for qualifying advanced manufacturing processes of the Department of Defense, including on a machine-by-machine basis, rather than qualifying individual parts produced using advanced manufacturing;
“(B) a methodology for standardizing technical production specifications, testing processes, and data reciprocity to share and accept test results of the same parts produced using advanced manufacturing across military departments;
“(C) test and evaluation procedures which utilize expedited qualification and testing procedures established in section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 [Pub. L. 119–60] (10 U.S.C. 4811 note);
“(D) a methodology for streamlined qualification and acceptance of contractor-provided parts where the contractor uses advanced manufacturing processes to produce such parts;
“(E) processes for management of the supply chains of the Department of Defense that are comprised of similar or identical parts that were manufactured using different manufacturing techniques;
“(F) processes to allow for streamlined incremental qualification of an advanced manufacturing process, rather than complete requalification of such process if changes are made to the design process or the manufacturing process; and
“(G) processes to explore the option for third-party, external certification of entities using advanced manufacturing processes that—
“(i) can supply technology that meets the requirements of the Department of Defense; and
“(ii) cannot afford, or do not have in-house expertise, to provide such certification.
“(3) Advanced manufacturing defined.—
In this subsection, the term ‘advanced manufacturing’ has the meaning given in section 4841(f) of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 1841 of this Act.”
heading: Program for Advanced Manufacturing in the Indo-Pacific Region
text: Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title III, § 356, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1860, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024], the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Secretary of the Navy and in consultation with the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, shall carry out a program under which the Secretary shall establish an advanced manufacturing facility on or near a military installation within the area of responsibility of the United States Indo-Pacific Command for the purpose of—
“(1) meeting flexible manufacturing requirements to support the submarine, shipbuilding, and other defense activity industrial bases;
“(2) fostering partnerships between industry, local universities, and workforce training programs to develop a local workforce in the vicinity of such facility capable of meeting advanced manufacturing demands;
“(3) coordinating responses to requirements of the Submarine Industrial Base Task Force, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the Innovation Capability and Modernization Office of the Department of Defense, the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program of the Department, and other relevant defense organizations;
“(4) providing for the manufacturing of unmanned vehicles, including surface and underwater vehicles, and develops ship maintenance capabilities; and
“(5) responding to needs across the uniformed services and the defense industrial base.
“(b) Elements.—
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
“(1) ensure that the advanced manufacturing facility under such subsection is capable of—
“(A) applying advanced manufacturing to small and large metal and composite structures;
“(B) manufacturing systems and components that—
“(i) use appropriate advanced manufacturing methods including hybrid and additive (for example, additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion manufacturing, cold spray manufacturing, or other similar manufacturing capabilities); and
“(ii) maintain a set of modern local machining systems with at least five-axis capability sufficient to support requirements;
“(C) maintaining a production capability across critical materials of the Navy in order to respond to emerging repair and production requirements during conflict; and
“(2) ensure broad workforce participation by establishing the facility either outside of a military installation (but very close to a military installation) or onboard a military installation with readily available access to a civilian trainee workforce.
“(c) Report.—
Not later than December 1 of the year after the year during which a facility is established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report summarizing the actions taken under the program established under such subsection, including information on how the program is supporting initiatives of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
“(d) Advanced Manufacturing Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘advanced manufacturing’ means a manufacturing process using the following techniques:
“(1) Additive manufacturing.
“(2) Wire-arc additive manufacturing.
“(3) Powder bed fusion manufacturing.
“(4) Other similar manufacturing capabilities.”
heading: Consortium on Use of Additive Manufacturing for Defense Capability Development
text: Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title II, § 223, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 191, as amended by Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title II, § 218, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1827, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1846(a)(3), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1262, provided that:
“(a) Establishment.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall establish a consortium to facilitate the use of additive manufacturing for the development of capabilities for the Department of Defense. The consortium shall be known as the ‘Consortium on Additive Manufacturing for Defense Capability Development’ (referred to in this section as the ‘Consortium’).
“(b) Composition.—
The Consortium shall be composed of qualified organizations, selected by the Secretary of Defense, that have functions and expertise relevant to additive manufacturing. At a minimum, the Consortium shall include the following:
“(1) Representation from one or more science and technology reinvention laboratories (as designated under section 4121 of title 10, United States Code) from each of the military departments, which may include—
“(A) from the Department of the Army—
“(i) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Army Research Laboratory;
“(ii) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Aviation and Missile Center;
“(iii) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Armaments Center;
“(iv) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Ground Vehicle Systems Center;
“(v) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Soldier Center;
“(vi) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center;
“(vii) the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center; and [sic]
“(viii) the Space and Missile Defense Command, Technical Center;
“(ix) the Engineer Research and Development Center;
“(x) the Medical Research and Development Command; and
“(xi) the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences;
“(B) from the Department of the Navy—
“(i) the Naval Research Laboratory;
“(ii) the Office of Naval Research;
“(iii) the Naval Air Systems Command Warfare Centers;
“(iv) the Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers;
“(v) the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center;
“(vi) the Naval Medical Research Center; and
“(vii) the Naval Information Warfare Centers, Atlantic and Pacific; and
“(C) from the Department of the Air Force—
“(i) the Air Force Research Laboratory; and
“(ii) the Joint Warfighting Analysis Center.
“(2) Representation from one or more maintenance, logistics, or sustainment organizations from each of the military departments.
“(3) One or more organizations from private sector industry.
“(4) One or more institutions of higher education or other research institutions.
“(c) Cochairs.—
The Consortium shall be cochaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
“(d) Activities.—
The Consortium shall—
“(1) facilitate the use of additive manufacturing—
“(A) to significantly reduce logistic footprints, material costs, and delivery lead-times; and
“(B) to extended [sic] logistical supply chain dependencies that often challenge weapon system readiness for forward deployed warfighters;
“(2) develop standards and a certification process for the use of additive manufacturing in safety-critical applications, including additive material and part certification requirements for additive manufactured items intended for use in military vehicles;
“(3) evaluate, adapt, or apply the standards developed in the commercial sector, or new process approaches for additive manufacturing that may be of use to the Department of Defense;
“(4) as directed by an organization of the Department of Defense included in the Consortium, conduct reverse engineering (including testing and certification) for critical parts which may have limited sources of supply;
“(5) use data standards, common repositories, and information security to track, store, and secure technical data relating to additive manufacturing and ensure the interoperability of such data;
“(6) conduct comparative cost analyses for new and emerging additive manufacturing approaches, including assessments of life-cycle costs for tooling, training, and intellectual property needed to sustain such approaches; and
“(7) develop a process to certify new materials and processes for fabricating flight critical parts and initiate planning for a rapidly deployable additive manufacturing system that is capable of fabricating replacement safety-critical parts for military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles in environments where access to traditionally manufactured replacement parts is severely restricted.”
heading: Support for Research and Development of Bioindustrial Manufacturing Processes
text: Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title II, § 215, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2472, as amended by Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title II, § 216, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 185; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title II, § 241, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 790, provided that:
“(a) Authorization.—
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Defense shall provide support for the development of a network of bioindustrial manufacturing facilities to conduct research and development to improve the ability of the industrial base to assess, validate, and scale new, innovative bioindustrial manufacturing processes for the production of chemicals, materials, and other products necessary to support national security or secure fragile supply chains.
“(b) Form of Support.—
The support provided under subsection (a) may consist of—
“(1) providing funding to one or more existing facilities or the establishment of new facilities—
“(A) to support the research and development of bioindustrial manufacturing processes; or
“(B) to otherwise expand the bioindustrial manufacturing capabilities of such facilities;
“(2) the establishment of dedicated facilities within one or more bioindustrial manufacturing facilities to serve as regional hubs for the research, development, and the scaling of bioindustrial manufacturing processes and products to higher levels of production; or
“(3) designating a bioindustrial manufacturing facility to serve as the lead entity responsible for integrating a network of pilot and intermediate scale bioindustrial manufacturing facilities.
“(c) Activities.—
A facility that receives support under subsection (a) shall carry out activities relating to the research, development, test, and evaluation of innovative bioindustrial manufacturing processes and the scaling of bioindustrial manufacturing products to higher levels of production, which may include—
“(1) research on the use of bioindustrial manufacturing to create materials such as polymers, coatings, resins, commodity chemicals, pharmaceutical biologics and associated precursor materials, and other materials with fragile supply chains;
“(2) demonstration projects to evaluate bioindustrial manufacturing processes and technologies;
“(3) activities to scale bioindustrial manufacuring [sic] processes and products to higher levels of production;
“(4) strategic planning for infrastructure and equipment investments for bioindustrial manufacturing of defense-related materials;
“(5) analyses of bioindustrial manufactured products and validation of the application of biological material used as input to new and existing processes to aid in future investment strategies and the security of critical supply chains;
“(6) the selection, construction, and operation of pilot and intermediate scale bioindustrial manufacturing facilities;
“(7) development and management of a network of facilities to scale production of bioindustrial products;
“(8) activities to address workforce needs in bioindustrial manufacturing;
“(9) establishing an interoperable, secure, digital infrastructure for collaborative data exchange across entities in the bioindustrial manufacturing community, including government agencies, industry, and academia;
“(10) developing and implementing digital tools, process security and assurance capabilities, cybersecurity protocols, and best practices for data storage, sharing and analysis; and
“(11) such other activities as the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate.
“(d) Funding.—
Funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation may be used to carry out the activities described in subsection (c), including the design and construction activities described in subsection (c).
“(e) Considerations.—
In determining the number, type, and location of facilities to support under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consider—
“(1) how the facilities may complement each other or increase production levels by functioning together as a network;
“(2) how to geographically distribute support to such facilities—
“(A) to maximize access to biological material needed as an input to bioindustrial manufacturing processes;
“(B) to leverage available industrial and academic expertise, including workforce and human capital;
“(C) to leverage relevant domestic infrastructure required to secure supply chains for chemicals and other materials;
“(D) to leverage access to venture capital and private sector finance expertise and funding instruments; and
“(E) to complement the capabilities of similar facilities; and
“(3) how the activities supported under this section can be coordinated with relevant activities of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
“(f) Initial Concept Plan Required.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology an initial concept plan for the implementation of this section that includes—
“(A) an assessment of capacity scaling needs to determine if, and what type of, additional bioindustrial manufacturing facilities may be needed to meet the needs of the Department of Defense;
“(B) a description of types, relative sizes, and locations of the facilities the Secretary intends to establish or support under this section;
“(C) a general description of the focus of each facility, including the types of bioindustrial manufacturing equipment, if any, that are expected to be procured for each such facility;
“(D) a general description of how the facilities will work as a network to maximize the diversity of bioindustrial products available to be produced by the network;
“(E) an explanation of how the network will support the establishment and maintenance of the bioindustrial manufacturing industrial base; and
“(F) an explanation of how the Secretary intends to ensure that bioindustrial manufacturing activities conducted under this section are modernized digitally, including through—
“(i) the use of data automation to represent processes and products as models and simulations; and
“(ii) the implementation of measures to address cybersecurity and process assurance concerns.
“(2) Briefings.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the submittal of the plan under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the Secretary’s progress in implementing the plan.
“(g) Bioindustrial Manufacturing Defined.—
In this section, the term ‘bioindustrial manufacturing’ means the use of living organisms, cells, tissues, enzymes, or cell-free systems to produce materials and products for non-pharmaceutical applications.”
heading: Administration of Manufacturing Innovation Institutes Funded by the Department of Defense
text: Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title II, § 227, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1270, provided that:
“(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Defense shall make such changes to the administration of covered institutes so as—
“(1) to encourage covered institutes to leverage existing workforce development programs across the Federal Government and State governments in order to build successful workforce development programs;
“(2) to develop metrics to evaluate the workforce development performed by the covered institutes, including metrics on job quality, career pathways, wages and benefits, and efforts to support veterans, and progress in aligning workforce skillsets with the current and long-term needs of the Department of Defense and the defense industrial base;
“(3) to allow metrics to vary between covered institutes and be updated and evaluated continuously in order to more accurately evaluate covered institutes with different goals and missions;
“(4) to encourage covered institutes to consider developing technologies that were previously funded by Federal Government investment for early-stage research and development and expand cross-government coordination and collaboration to achieve this goal;
“(5) to provide an opportunity for increased Department of Defense input and oversight from senior-level military and civilian personnel on future technology roadmaps produced by covered institutes;
“(6) to reduce the barriers to collaboration between and among multiple covered institutes;
“(7) to use contracting vehicles that can increase flexibility, reduce barriers for contracting with subject-matter experts and small and medium enterprises, enhance partnerships between covered institutes, and reduce the time to award contracts at covered institutes; and
“(8) to overcome barriers to the adoption of manufacturing processes and technologies developed by the covered institutes by the defense and commercial industrial base, particularly small and medium enterprises, by engaging with public and private sector partnerships and appropriate government programs and activities, including the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
“(b) Coordination With Other Activities.—
The Secretary shall carry out this section in coordination with activities undertaken under—
“(1) the Manufacturing Technology Program established under section 2521 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4841, 4842];
“(2) the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program established under section 2196 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4843];
“(3) the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program established under section 846 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232) [10 U.S.C. 4811 note];
“(4) manufacturing initiatives of the Secretary of Commerce, the head of the National Office of the Manufacturing USA Network, the Secretary of Energy, and such other government and private sector organizations as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate; and
“(5) such other activities as the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(c) Definition of Covered Institute.—
In this section, the term ‘covered institute’ means a manufacturing innovation institute that is funded by the Department of Defense.”
heading: Advanced Manufacturing Activities
text: Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title II, § 229, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1688, provided that:
“(a) Designation.—
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall jointly, in coordination with Secretaries of the military departments, establish at least one activity per military service to demonstrate advanced manufacturing techniques and capabilities at depot-level activities or military arsenal facilities of the military departments.
“(b) Purposes.—
The activities established pursuant to subsection (a) shall—
“(1) support efforts to implement advanced manufacturing techniques and capabilities;
“(2) identify improvements to sustainment methods for component parts and other logistics needs;
“(3) identify and implement appropriate information security protections to ensure security of advanced manufacturing;
“(4) aid in the procurement of advanced manufacturing equipment and support services;
“(5) enhance partnerships between the defense industrial base and Department of Defense laboratories, academic institutions, and industry; and
“(6) to the degree practicable, include an educational or training component to build an advanced manufacturing workforce.
“(c) Cooperative Agreements and Partnerships.—
“(1) In general.—
The Under Secretaries may enter into a cooperative agreement and use public-private and public-public partnerships to facilitate development of advanced manufacturing techniques in support of the defense industrial base.
“(2) Requirements.—
A cooperative agreement entered into under paragraph (1) and a partnership used under such paragraph shall facilitate—
“(A) development and implementation of advanced manufacturing techniques and capabilities;
“(B) appropriate sharing of information in the adaptation of advanced manufacturing, including technical data rights;
“(C) implementation of appropriate information security protections into advanced manufacturing tools and techniques; and
“(D) support of necessary workforce development.
“(d) Authorities.—
In carrying out this section, the Under Secretaries may use the following authorities:
“(1) Section 2196 of title 10, United States Code [now 10 U.S.C. 4843], relating to the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program.
“(2) Section 2368 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4124], relating to centers for science, technology, and engineering partnership.
“(3) Section 2374a of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4025], relating to prizes for advanced technology achievements.
“(4) Section 2474 of such title, relating to centers of industrial and technical excellence.
“(5) Section 2521 of such title [now 10 U.S.C. 4841, 4842], relating to the Manufacturing Technology Program.
“(6) Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) and section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, relating to cooperative research and development agreements.
“(7) Such other authorities as the Under Secretaries considers appropriate.”
heading: Limitation on Use of Funds for Defense-Wide Manufacturing Science and Technology Program
text: Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title II, § 214, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 36, as amended by Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, § 901(l)(2), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4326; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(c)(2)(F), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1950, which limited funds available to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the defense-wide manufacturing science and technology program, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VIII, § 811(b)(15)(A), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 949.
heading: Initial Development and Submission of Plan
text: Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title II, § 238(b), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 48, which directed the Secretary of Defense to develop the strategic plan required by 10 U.S.C. 4841(e) to go into effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2009 and submit the plan to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VIII, § 811(b)(15)(B), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 949.
heading: High-Performance Defense Manufacturing Technology Research and Development
text: Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title II, subtitle D, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3175, as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(c)(2)(A)(ii), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1949, which directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to conduct a pilot program under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4841 to identify and transition advanced manufacturing processes and technologies to improve productivity and efficiency in the defense manufacturing base and submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VIII, § 811(b)(17)(A), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 949.
heading: Participation in Manufacturing Extension Program
text: Pub. L. 108–87, title VIII, § 8062, Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1086, provided that: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Naval shipyards of the United States shall be eligible to participate in any manufacturing extension program financed by funds appropriated in this or any other Act or hereafter in any other Act.”
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 107–248, title VIII, § 8063, Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1550.
Pub. L. 107–117, div. A, title VIII, § 8068, Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2262.
Pub. L. 106–259, title VIII, § 8067, Aug. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 689.
Pub. L. 106–79, title VIII, § 8070, Oct. 25, 1999, 113 Stat. 1245.
Pub. L. 105–262, title VIII, § 8070, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2312.
Pub. L. 105–56, title VIII, § 8076, Oct. 8, 1997, 111 Stat. 1236.
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(b) [title VIII, § 8085], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–71, 3009–105.
Pub. L. 104–61, title VIII, § 8064, Dec. 1, 1995, 109 Stat. 664.
Pub. L. 103–335, title VIII, § 8071, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2635.
Pub. L. 103–139, title VIII, § 8083A, Nov. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 1459.
Pub. L. 102–396, title IX, § 9112, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1929.