Expand and Strengthen Defense Network of Partners Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1515
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2017-06-29
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Computer security and identity theft

Energy research

Higher education

Military facilities and property

Military operations and strategy

Military procurement, research, weapons development

Public-private cooperation
Latest action: action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-06-29
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Expand and Strengthen Defense Network of Partners Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish one or more multi-institution task order arrangements to facilitate expedited access to university technical expertise in support of DOD missions in specified areas, including cybersecurity, shipbuilding, undersea warfare, drones, and energy. Such arrangements may not be used to fund research programs that can be executed through other DOD basic research activities.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1515 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 29, 2017 Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Tester ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To facilitate access to university technical expertise in support of Department of Defense missions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expand and Strengthen Defense Network of Partners Act of 2017 . 2. Mechanisms for expedited access to technical talent and expertise at academic institutions to support Department of Defense missions (a) In general The Secretary of Defense shall establish one or more multi-institution task order contracts, consortia, cooperative agreements, or other arrangements to facilitate expedited access to university technical expertise in support of Department of Defense missions in the areas specified in subsection (e). The Secretary may use this arrangement to fund technical analyses and other engineering support as required to address acquisition and operational challenges, including support for classified programs and activities. The Secretary shall ensure that work under task orders awarded through the arrangement is performed primarily by the designated university performer. (b) Limitation The arrangement established under subsection (a) may not be used to fund research programs that can be executed through other Department of Defense basic research activities. (c) Coordination with other Department of Defense activities The arrangement may be made in coordination with other Department of Defense activities, including federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), university affiliated research centers (UARCs), and Defense laboratories and test centers, for purposes of providing technical expertise and reducing costs and duplicative efforts. (d) Policies and procedures The Secretary shall establish and implement policies and procedures to govern— (1) selection of participants in the arrangement; (2) the awarding of task orders under the arrangement; (3) maximum award size for tasks under the arrangement; (4) the appropriate use of competitive awards and sole source awards under the arrangement; and (5) technical areas under the arrangement. (e) Mission areas The Secretary may establish the arrangement in any of the following technical areas: (1) Cybersecurity. (2) Air and ground vehicles. (3) Shipbuilding. (4) Explosives detection. (5) Modeling and simulation. (6) Undersea warfare. (7) Trusted microelectronics. (8) Unmanned systems. (9) Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance (ISR) photonics and sensors. (10) Directed energy. (11) Energy, power, and propulsion. (12) Advanced materials. (13) Other areas as designated by the Secretary.