Program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense

(a) Making permanent and improving pilot program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense Chapter 305 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 4145. Program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of the Department of Defense (a) In general The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments shall jointly carry out a program to demonstrate methods for the more effective development of technology and management of functions at eligible centers. (b) Eligible centers For purposes of the program, the eligible centers are— (1) the science and technology reinvention laboratories, as designated by section 4121(b) of this title; (2) the test and evaluation centers which are activities specified as part of the Major Range and Test Facility Base in Department of Defense Directive 3200.11; (3) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; (4) the Defense Innovation Unit; (5) the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO); and (6) the Office of Strategic Capital. (c) Participation in program (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the head of each eligible center shall submit to the Assistant Secretary concerned a proposal on, and implement, alternative and innovative methods of effective management and operations of eligible centers, rapid project delivery, support, experimentation, prototyping, and partnership with universities and private sector entities— (A) to generate greater value and efficiencies in research and development activities; (B) to enable more efficient and effective operations of supporting activities, such as— (i) facility management, construction, and repair; (ii) business operations; (iii) personnel management policies and practices; and (iv) intramural and public outreach; and (C) to enable more rapid deployment of warfighter capabilities. (2) Implementation (A) The head of an eligible center described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) shall implement each method proposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection unless such method is disapproved in writing by the Assistant Secretary concerned within 60 days of receiving a proposal from an eligible center. (B) The Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Strategic Capabilities Office and the Office of Strategic Capital shall implement each method proposed under paragraph (1) unless such method is disapproved in writing by the Deputy Secretary of Defense within 60 days of receiving a proposal from the Director. (C) In this paragraph, the term Assistant Secretary concerned means— (i) the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, with respect to matters concerning the Air Force; (ii) the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, with respect to matters concerning the Army; and (iii) the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, with respect to matters concerning the Navy. (d) Waiver authority for demonstration and implementation The head of an eligible center may waive any regulation, restriction, requirement, guidance, policy, procedure, or departmental instruction that would affect the implementation of a method proposed under subsection (c)(1), unless such implementation would be prohibited by a provision of a Federal statute or common law.. (b) Conforming repeal Section 233 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 10 U.S.C. 4141 note prec.) is repealed.