§4128 Laboratory Quality Enhancement Program

Summary

The Secretary of Defense must run a program, through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, called the Laboratory Quality Enhancement Program. The program must set up panels to review and recommend changes to policies and practices, back new lab initiatives, and check how well lab authorities work using assessments and data analysis. There must be four panels: one on personnel and workforce, one on facilities and equipment, one on research strategy and partnerships, and one on governance and oversight. The first three panels can include experts from service labs, defense agencies, and the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering. The governance panel must include at least one member from each designated reinvention lab. Each panel picks its own chair. Panels must share findings with the Department’s Science and Technology Executive Committee. The Under Secretary must write rules that explain how laws affecting these labs work, aim to give lab directors flexibility, consult relevant military leaders and others, and get advice from the governance panel. “Science and technology reinvention laboratory” means a DoD laboratory designated under section 4121.