To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide rapid acquisition authority to the Secretary of Defense to respond to combat emergencies.

Bill: 108-hr-4323
Sponsor: Rep. Hunter, Duncan [R-CA-52]
Introduced: 2004-05-11 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense contracts
Defense procurement
Department of Defense
Government Operations and Politics
Iraq compilation
Law
Military and naval supplies
Military operations
War
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2004-05-11
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to rapidly acquire, as specified herein, equipment needed by a combatant commander to eliminate a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities.
 
Requires the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to develop a process for such rapid acquisition authority and submit to Congress a detailed explanation of the process, including procedures to be followed in carrying out the process.
 
Requires the process to provide for the following: (1) a requirement that the process be used only to acquire the minimum amount of equipment needed until the needs of the combatant commander can be fulfilled under existing acquisition policies; (2) a goal of awarding a contract for the equipment within 15 days after receipt of a request from a commander; and (3) in a case in which the equipment cannot be acquired without an extensive delay, a requirement for an interim solution to minimize the combat capability deficiency and combat fatalities until the equipment can be acquired.
 
Requires the process to provide for the waiver of the applicability of laws, policies, directives, and regulations related to: (1) the establishment of the requirement for the equipment; (2) the research, development, test, and evaluation of the equipment; and (3) the solicitation and selection of sources, and the award of the contract, for procurement of the equipment.
 
Permits the use of such authority only: (1) after the Secretary of Defense, without delegation, determines in writing that there exists a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities; and (2) to acquire equipment in an amount aggregating not more than $100,000,000 during a fiscal year.

action_date: 2004-06-14
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to rapidly acquire, as specified herein, equipment needed by a combatant commander to eliminate a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities.
 
Requires the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to develop a process for such rapid acquisition authority and submit to Congress a detailed explanation of the process, including procedures to be followed in carrying out the process.
 
Requires the process to provide for the following: (1) a requirement that the process be used only to acquire the minimum amount of equipment needed until the needs of the combatant commander can be fulfilled under existing acquisition policies; (2) a goal of awarding a contract for the equipment within 15 days after receipt of a request from a commander; and (3) in a case in which the equipment cannot be acquired without an extensive delay, a requirement for an interim solution to minimize the combat capability deficiency and combat fatalities until the equipment can be acquired.
 
Requires the process to provide for the waiver of the applicability of laws, policies, directives, and regulations related to: (1) the establishment of the requirement for the equipment; (2) the research, development, test, and evaluation of the equipment; and (3) the solicitation and selection of sources, and the award of the contract, for procurement of the equipment.
 
Permits the use of such authority only: (1) after the Secretary of Defense, without delegation, determines in writing that there exists a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities; and (2) to acquire equipment in an amount aggregating not more than $100,000,000 during a fiscal year.
 
Directs the Secretary to notify the congressional defense committees within 15 days after each use of the acquisition authority provided in this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-06-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 285 - 97 (Roll no. 234). (text: CR H3900)
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 285 - 97 (Roll no. 234).(text: CR H3900)
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3926-3927)
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4323.
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3900-3901)
action_date: 2004-06-14
text: Mr. Hunter moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2004-05-13
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-12
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-05-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2004-05-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-05-11
text: Introduced in House