Report on Department of Defense market research of critical technology and capabilities

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Acquisition and Sustainment, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that— (1) reviews and assesses the ability of the Department of Defense to conduct effective and thorough market research on critical existing and emerging defense technologies; and (2) makes recommendations for the improvement of such market research capabilities. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the strategic market evaluation practices across developmental innovation and acquisition offices, including practices that are aligned for purposes of investigating existing commercial technology capabilities in critical technologies and capabilities. (2) Recommendations on ways to improve market research and commercial sector due diligence within key Department of Defense innovation and acquisition offices, with a particular focus on deeper engagement with existing private sector entities. (3) An assessment of the current status of development maturity and growth in critical technological market areas. (4) An assessment of regulatory, legal, and administrative barriers in testing and evaluation of such critical technologies that may delay their maturation and development, such as— (A) a lack of authority to operate new technologies domestically; and (B) barriers to direct commercial sales and foreign military sales for such critical technologies. (5) An assessment of how the barriers described in paragraph (4) may be addressed to direct additional investment and speed development. (6) An assessment of current practices of accumulating and storing market research data across the Department of Defense enterprise, from early-stage research and development efforts to mature commercial solutions. (7) Recommendations, with respect to each critical technology sector, for enhancing private sector participation, lowering barriers to entry for commercial sector entities, decreasing capital costs required for development, and shortening internal Department of Defense timelines for major acquisition decisions. (8) Recommendations for the creation of standardized best practices for market research and commercial sector due diligence within key innovation and acquisition organizations in the Department of Defense. (c) Consultation In preparing the report under subsection (a) the Secretary shall seek input from relevant individuals and organizations in commercial industry and the venture capital sector.

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under Secretary of Acquisition and Sustainment, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that— (1) reviews and assesses the ability of the Department of Defense to conduct effective and thorough market research on critical existing and emerging defense technologies; and (2) makes recommendations for the improvement of such market research capabilities. (b) Contents The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the strategic market evaluation practices across developmental innovation and acquisition offices, including practices that are aligned for purposes of investigating existing commercial technology capabilities in critical technologies and capabilities. (2) Recommendations on ways to improve market research and commercial sector due diligence within key Department of Defense innovation and acquisition offices, with a particular focus on deeper engagement with existing private sector entities. (3) An assessment of the current status of development maturity and growth in critical technological market areas. (4) An assessment of regulatory, legal, and administrative barriers in testing and evaluation of such critical technologies that may delay their maturation and development, such as— (A) a lack of authority to operate new technologies domestically; and (B) barriers to direct commercial sales and foreign military sales for such critical technologies. (5) An assessment of how the barriers described in paragraph (4) may be addressed to direct additional investment and speed development. (6) An assessment of current practices of accumulating and storing market research data across the Department of Defense enterprise, from early-stage research and development efforts to mature commercial solutions. (7) Recommendations, with respect to each critical technology sector, for enhancing private sector participation, lowering barriers to entry for commercial sector entities, decreasing capital costs required for development, and shortening internal Department of Defense timelines for major acquisition decisions. (8) Recommendations for the creation of standardized best practices for market research and commercial sector due diligence within key innovation and acquisition organizations in the Department of Defense. (c) Consultation In preparing the report under subsection (a) the Secretary shall seek input from relevant individuals and organizations in commercial industry and the venture capital sector.