§4424 Mechanisms to Speed Deployment of Successful Weapon System Component or Technology Prototypes

Summary

A military service can pick a prototype for follow-on production and fast fielding without using the usual competitive rules if four things are true: the follow-on work meets a high-priority combat need or cuts weapon costs, the original prototype competition was fair, the prototype team finished the project successfully, and the prototype was shown to work in a relevant setting. The service secretary may move available procurement money (as allowed by appropriations) to pay for low-rate initial production until full funding is approved. That special transfer can last no more than two years, be no more than $50,000,000, and be used only once for a given system. The acquisition leader must notify the congressional defense committees within 30 days and give a short description of the project.