Accelerating Defense Innovation Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3014
Sponsor: Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13]
Introduced: 2019-05-23 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Small Business Administration
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: 

Accelerating Defense Innovation Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DOD) to grant money to certain small businesses and modifies provisions related to DOD funding of small businesses through Small Business Administration programs.
 
Specifically, the bill creates the Domestic Investment Pilot Program, which allows DOD and service acquisition executives for each military department to make a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program award to small businesses that are majority-owned by multiple domestic venture investors. However, no more than 15% of DOD SBIR funds may be awarded to such small businesses. In addition, the bill doubles funding for the Defense Research and Development Rapid Innovation Program, which is a competitive, merit-based program designed to accelerate the deployment of technologies developed through SBIR projects.
 
The bill also allows DOD to award Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program funds to accelerate the creation of small businesses and the commercialization of research innovations. Further, the bill authorizes discretionary technical and business assistance through the SBIR and STTR programs for the purpose of aiding small businesses with cybersecurity decision-making, problem-solving, and development and commercialization of new products and processes.
 
Lastly, DOD, in consultation with the military departments, must establish at least three joint reserve detachments at locations of the Defense Innovation Unit to (1) support engagement and collaboration with commercial innovation hubs, and (2) accelerate the transition and adoption of commercial technologies for national security purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-05-23
text: Introduced in House