Feasibility of original equipment manufacturer designation of sources of supply for ground support equipment parts

(a) Briefing required Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees on the feasibility of implementing a process under which an original equipment manufacturer may designate one or more of its current suppliers as a source of supply for parts produced by such supplier. (b) Elements The briefing required under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the feasibility of establishing a process by which a supplier designated by an original equipment manufacturer as a source of supply for a part may be recognized within Department of Defense supply systems as a vendor for such part not later than 30 days after such designation. (2) An assessment of the potential benefits of such a process with respect to— (A) improving direct oversight and supervision of suppliers by original equipment manufacturers; (B) increasing efficiency within the defense acquisition and sustainment process; (C) expanding the availability of qualified sources of supply for parts and materials; (D) reducing administrative burdens associated with supplier qualification and procurement activities; and (E) improving readiness outcomes through more timely access to critical parts and materials. (3) An assessment of the feasibility and benefits of ensuring that all suppliers of ground support equipment parts and materials are subject to— (A) the certificate revocation requirements under section 44726 of title 49, United States Code; and (B) the penalties under section 38 of title 18, United States Code, for purposes of preventing the acquisition of counterfeit ground support equipment parts and materials. (4) Recommendations for any legislative, regulatory, policy, contracting, or information technology systems changes necessary to implement the process described in paragraph (1). (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term ground support equipment means equipment, parts, and materials used to support the operation, maintenance, servicing, or sustainment of military aircraft and related systems. (2) The term original equipment manufacturer means a manufacturer that designs, develops, produces, or maintains equipment or components acquired by the Department of Defense. (3) The term source of supply means a supplier designated by an original equipment manufacturer as authorized to manufacture, produce, or provide a part for use in support of equipment produced or supported by such manufacturer.