Highlights:
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 authorizes FY2018 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding the military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).
The bill authorizes appropriations, but does not provide appropriations, which are considered in subsequent appropriations legislation.
Among other things, the bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for
This bill also authorizes FY2018 appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which are exempt from limits on discretionary spending. OCO appropriations authorized in the bill support base budget requirements as well as OCO activities.
The bill authorizes the FY2018 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel; compensation and other personnel benefits; health care; acquisition policy and management; DOD organization and management; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; strategic programs; and cyber and intelligence matters.
The bill authorizes FY2018 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding military construction for the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, defense agencies, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program, and Guard and Reserve Forces facilities.
The bill authorizes FY2018 appropriations for base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities.
The bill also authorizes FY2018 appropriations and sets forth policies for DOE national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Full Summary:
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Sec. 3) This bill defines "congressional defense committees" as the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees.
(Sec. 4) The bill specifies procedures for determining the budgetary effects of this bill for compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 101) The bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for procurement at the levels identified in section 4101 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Army Programs
(Sec. 111) The Army may expedite the procurement of not more than 7,000 7.62mm rifles.
(Sec. 112) The bill limits funding for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical program until the Army reports on its strategy for modernizing air-land ad-hoc, mobile tactical communications and data networks.
(Sec. 113) The bill limits funding for the upgrade of M113 vehicles until the Army reports on its strategy for the upgrade.
Subtitle C--Navy Programs
(Sec. 121) The bill amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to revise the cost limits for the CVN-79 aircraft carrier and future CVN-78 class aircraft carriers.
(Sec. 122) The U.S. Coast Guard may procure one polar-class heavy icebreaker vessel.
(Sec. 123) The Navy may enter into one or more contracts beginning in FY2018 for the procurement of not more than 15 Arleigh Burke class destroyers.
(Sec. 124) The Navy may enter into one or more contracts beginning in FY2018 for the procurement of not more than 13 Virginia class submarines.
(Sec. 125) The Navy may enter into a contract beginning in FY2018 for the design and construction of the (1) lead ship of the amphibious ship replacement class designated LX(R), or (2) amphibious transport dock designated LPD-30.
(Sec. 126) The Navy may enter into one or more contracts beginning in FY2018 for the procurement of a V-22 Osprey aircraft, and readiness and modernization upgrades for the V-22 Osprey aircraft. Limits the contract period to no more than seven years.
(Sec. 127) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to extend through FY2018 the prohibition on funds being used to enter into or prepare to enter into sole source contracts for one or more joint high speed vessels or expeditionary fast transports unless the Navy submits a certification and report to Congress.
(Sec. 128) The bill limits the funds that may be used for the enhanced multi-mission parachute system until the Navy submits to Congress a certification that states whether (1) the multi-mission parachute system fielded by the Marine Corps meets Marine Corps requirements, (2) the RA-1 parachute system of the Army meets Marine Corps requirements, (3) the PARIS, Special Application Parachute of the Marine Corps meets Marine Corps requirements, (4) the testing plan for the enhanced multi-mission parachute system meets all applicable regulatory requirements, and (5) the Navy has determined that a high glide canopy parachute system is as safe and effective as the fielded free fall parachute systems.
(Sec. 129) The Navy must submit to Congress a report that describes and assesses the capacity of the Navy to increase production of anti-submarine warfare rotary wing aircraft and search and rescue rotary wing aircraft.
Subtitle D--Air Force Programs
(Sec. 131) The Air Force must maintain a total aircraft inventory of fighter aircraft of not less than 1,970 aircraft and a total primary mission aircraft inventory of not less than 1,145 fighter aircraft.
(Sec. 132) The bill prohibits the retirement of any E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft except aircraft that the Air Force determines to be non-operational because of mishaps, other damage, or being uneconomical to repair.
(Sec. 133) If a DOD budget request includes a request by the Air Force to cancel or modify the JSTARS aircraft recapitalization program, the budget request must also include a report on the implications of the cancellation or modification.
(Sec. 134)The bill prohibits the Air Force from selecting a single contractor to carry out increment 2 of the C-130H avionics modernization program until it submits to Congress a written certification that (1) commercially available off-the-shelf items are used under the program, and (2) excessively restrictive military specification standards will not be used to restrict or eliminate full and open competition in the selection process.
(Sec. 135) The bill limits the availability of funds for the EC-130H Compass Call recapitalization program until DOD submits to Congress a written certification that (1) an independent review of the acquisition process for the program has been conducted; and (2) it has been determined that the acquisition process for such program complies with all applicable laws, guidelines, and best practices.
(Sec. 136) The bill limits the retirement of the U-2 aircraft and RQ-4 aircraft until DOD submits to Congress a written certification that the costs of the replacements for the aircraft are less than the costs of the current aircraft. DOD must certify that the capability to be fielded at the same time or before the retirement of the U-2 aircraft or RQ-4 aircraft would result in equal or greater capability available to the commanders of the combatant commands.
(Sec. 137) DOD must conduct an analysis that compares the costs and benefits of (1) upgrading fielded MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to a Block 5 configuration, and (2) proceeding with the procurement of MQ-9B aircraft instead of upgrading fielded MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to a Block 5 configuration.
(Sec. 138) The Air Force must develop a plan to modernize the radars of F-16 fighter aircraft of the National Guard by replacing legacy mechanically-scanned radars for such aircraft with active electronically scanned array radars.
(Sec. 139) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a review of the Air Force fielding plan for the HH-60 replacement programs.
Subtitle E--Defense-Wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
(Sec. 141) DOD may enter into one or more contracts beginning in FY2018 for the procurement of economic order quantities of material and equipment that has completed formal hardware qualification testing for the F-35 aircraft program.
(Sec. 142) DOD may provide to an explosive ordnance disposal unit the authority to acquire new or emerging technologies and capabilities that are not specifically provided for in the authorized equipment allowance for the unit.
(Sec. 143) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to require DOD to notify Congress not later than 15 days after issuing a solicitation for a Common Data Link to be sunset (CDL-TBS) waveform.
(Sec. 144) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to require the Air Force to preserve eight retired C-5 aircraft until 30 days after DOD submits its briefing to Congress.
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 201) The bill authorizes appropriations for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation at the levels identified in section 4201 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
(Sec. 211) The bill requires aircraft procured under the presidential aircraft recapitalization (PAR) program of the Air Force to meet specified capability requirements. The Air Force may adjust the capability requirements after it submits to Congress a written determination that such an adjustment is necessary.
(Sec. 212) The bill increases the threshold for capital assets that may be procured in advance of the availability of funds in the working-capital fund.
(Sec. 213) The bill limits the award of a solely nonmonetary prize with a fair market value of more than $10,000 without the approval of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
(Sec. 214) The bill amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to redesignate the joint technology office on hypersonics in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office.
(Sec. 215) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to designate the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering as the official with principal responsibility for development and demonstration of directed energy weapons. The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering must establish a program on the prototyping and demonstration of directed energy weapon systems to build and maintain the military superiority of the United States.
(Sec. 216) The bill modifies requirements for certain prototype projects to allow projects to include a nonprofit research institution instead of a nontraditional defense contractor.
(Sec. 217) DOD may establish one or more multi-institution task order contracts, consortia, cooperative agreements, or other arrangements to facilitate expedited access to university technical expertise, including faculty, staff, and students, in support of its missions
(Sec. 218) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to modify the DOD Laboratory Quality Enhancement Program, including to require issuance of regulations regarding the meaning, scope, implementation, and applicability of statutes relating to a science and technology reinvention laboratory.
(Sec. 219) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to modify the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, including to increase the number of university researchers in eligible states capable of performing science and engineering research responsive to the needs of DOD.
(Sec. 220) DOD must establish mechanisms under which the director of a defense laboratory may use 2%-4% of funds available to the defense laboratory to fund (1) innovative basic and applied research that is conducted at the defense laboratory and supports military missions, (2) development programs that support the transition of technologies developed by the defense laboratory into operational use, (3) workforce development activities that improve the capacity of the defense laboratory to recruit and retain personnel with necessary scientific and engineering expertise that support military missions, and (4) the repair or minor military construction of the laboratory infrastructure and equipment.
(Sec. 221) The bill expands the definition of competitive procedures, for purposes of procurement, to include competitive selection for award of science and technology proposals.
(Sec. 222) The bill requires the strategic plan for DOD test and evaluation resources to include modeling and simulation capabilities. The proposed budgets of military departments and defense agencies with test and evaluation responsibilities must include modeling and simulation activities.
(Sec. 223) The bill limits funding for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Follow-On Modernization until DOD provides to Congress the final report that contains the basic elements of an acquisition program baseline for Block 4 modernization.
(Sec. 224) DOD must improve the process used to update the mission data files used in advanced combat aircraft so that such updates can occur more quickly.
(Sec. 225) DOD may support national security innovation and entrepreneurial education programs.
(Sec. 226) The bill limits the cancellation of the designation of the Air Force as the DOD executive agent of certain Defense Production Act programs until DOD conducts a review and assessment of the programs and submits a briefing to Congress on its findings.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
(Sec. 231) The Navy must submit to Congress and the GAO a matrix that identifies, in six-month increments, key milestones, development events, and specific performance goals for the design and construction of the Columbia-class submarine.
(Sec. 232) DOD must review directives, rules, regulations, and other policies that adversely affect the ability of the innovation, research, and engineering enterprise of DOD to effectively and efficiently execute its missions.
(Sec. 233) DOD must establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of distributing to a DOD laboratory the royalties and other payments received from licensing and assignment of the laboratory's inventions.
(Sec. 234) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must jointly develop a plan to procure a secure, low probability of detection data link network capability with the ability to effectively operate in hostile jamming environments while preserving the low observable characteristics of the relevant platforms.
(Sec. 235) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to revise the selection dates for the pilot program for the enhancement of the research, development, test, and evaluation centers of DOD.
(Sec. 236) The Army must submit to Congress a plan to build a prototype for a new ground combat vehicle for the Army.
(Sec. 237) The Army must submit to Congress a plan to successfully field a suitable, survivable, and effective Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System program.
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 301) The bill authorizes appropriations for Operation and Maintenance activities at the levels identified in section 4301 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment
(Sec. 311) DOD must establish a Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse to coordinate review of applications for energy projects that may have an adverse impact on military operations and readiness.
(Sec. 312) DOD must consider for the purpose of developing and implementing the energy performance goals and energy performance master plan: (1) opportunities to enhance energy resilience, and (2) opportunities to leverage financing provided by a non-DOD entity to address installation energy needs.
(Sec. 313) The Army may transfer not more than $125,000 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund for the purpose of satisfying a stipulated penalty assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against the Umatilla Chemical Depot, Oregon.
(Sec. 314) The Army may transfer not more than $1,185,000 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund for the purpose of satisfying a stipulated penalty assessed by the EPA against the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant, Texas.
(Sec. 315) The Army may use funds for the removal and cleanup of petroleum, oil, and lubricants associated with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen.
(Sec. 316) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must commence a study on the human health implications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in drinking water, ground water, and any other sources of water and relevant exposure pathways.
(Sec. 317) DOD may establish and carry out a program to preserve sentinel landscapes, which are areas that include a military or National Guard installation and support the rural economy, the natural environment, outdoor recreation, and national defense test and training missions.
(Sec. 318) DOD must submit to Congress an addendum to the report titled "2017 Annual Report For Groundwater Impacts at Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Bethpage, New York" that details any releases by DOD of radium or radioactive material into the groundwater within a 75-mile radius of the industrial reserve plant in Bethpage, New York.
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment
(Sec. 321) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 to reauthorize the multi-trades demonstration project under which workers who are certified at the journey level as able to perform multiple trades must be promoted by one grade level.
(Sec. 322) DOD may authorize an installation commander to realign up to 7.5% of an installation's sustainment funds to restoration and modernization.
(Sec. 323) The Army must establish clear and prescriptive guidance on the process for conducting make-or-buy analyses for its requirements.
Subtitle D--Reports
(Sec. 331) The bill revises quarterly report requirements for DOD on personnel and unit readiness.
(Sec. 332) The bill revises biennial core report requirements for DOD on maintenance and repair capability.
(Sec. 333) The National Guard Bureau must submit an annual report that identifies the personnel, training, and equipment required by the nonfederalized National Guard.
(Sec. 334) The bill establishes requirements for the military working dogs program, including that the program report on the procurement and retirement of military working dogs.
(Sec. 335) DOD must submit to Congress a report on vulnerabilities to military installations and combatant commander requirements resulting from climate change over the next 20 years.
(Sec. 336) The Bases, Ranges, and Airspace Directorate of the Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must submit to Congress a report on optimization of training in and management of special use airspace.
(Sec. 337) The Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps must develop a plan to establish a modernized, dedicated adversary air training enterprise for the Navy.
(Sec. 338) DOD must direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to require future biennial core reports to include instructions to the reporting agencies on how to report certain workload information.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
(Sec. 341) The bill modifies the Ammunition Storage Board, including by renaming it to the Explosive Safety Board.
(Sec. 342) DOD may provide up to $5 million in financial support for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of exhibits, facilities, historical displays, and programs at military service memorials and museums that highlight the role of women in the military.
(Sec. 343) The bill prohibits the use of funds for the enhancement of the advanced skills management software system of the Navy until 60 days after the Navy submits to Congress a written certification that it solicited information on commercially available off-the-shelf software solutions and has considered using such solutions.
(Sec. 344) DOD must conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the uniform specification for the Afghan military or security forces uniform each time it enters into a contract for the provision of such uniforms.
(Sec. 345) The Army may authorize up to 10 leases and contracts for a military manufacturing arsenal, depot, or plant each fiscal year through FY2020.
(Sec. 346) DOD must submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for the sharing of best practices for depot-level maintenance among the military services.
(Sec. 347) DOD and the military departments must submit to Congress a budget annex regarding certain operation and maintenance sub-activity groups in the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force.
(Sec. 348) The Army must transfer to a suitable organic facility all excess firearms, related spare parts and components, small arms ammunition, and ammunition components currently stored at Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, Alabama, that are no longer actively issued for military service and that are otherwise prohibited from commercial sale, or distribution.
(Sec. 349) The Navy may transfer to the Civilian Marksmanship Program M-1 Garand and caliber .22 rimfire rifles that are held within the inventories of the Navy and the Marine Corps, and stored at Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, Alabama, or Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana.
(Sec. 350) The Air Force may enter into one or more contracts with appropriate civilian entities in order to provide flying or operating training for Air National Guard pilots and sensor operator aircrew members in the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle.
(Sec. 351) The Army and the Air Force may provide support for training of appropriate personnel of the National Guard on wildfire response and prevention.
(Sec. 352) The bill permits the Second Indianhead Division Association, Inc., Scholarship and Memorials Foundation to place additional commemorative elements or engravings on the raised platform or stone work of the existing Second Division Memorial located in President's Park, between 17th Street Northwest and Constitution Avenue in the District of Columbia.
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
Subtitle A--Active Forces
(Sec. 401) The bill authorizes specified end strengths for active duty personnel of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 402) The bill establishes new minimum active duty end strengths for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces
(Sec. 411) The bill authorizes specified end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel.
(Sec. 412) The bill authorizes specified end strengths for reserves on active duty in support of the reserves.
(Sec. 413) The bill authorizes specified end strengths for military technicians (dual status).
(Sec. 414) The bill establishes the maximum end strengths for non-dual status technicians in the reserve of the Army and Air Force.
(Sec. 415) The bill authorizes the maximum number of reserve personnel who may be on active duty or full-time National Guard duty to provide operational support during FY2018.
(Sec. 416) The bill limits the number of members of the National Guard within the National Guard Bureau on full-time duty in support of the reserves.
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 421) The bill authorizes appropriations for military personnel at the levels identified in section 4401 of this bill.
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
Subtitle A--Officer Personnel Policy
(Sec. 501) The bill modifies the deadline for submittal by officers of written communications to selection boards on matters of importance to their selection.
(Sec. 502) The bill revises the exception for removal of officers from list of officers recommended for promotion after 18 months.
(Sec. 503) The bill modifies the specification of the number of officers who may be recommended for early retirement by a selective early retirement board.
(Sec. 504) The bill extends through 2025 the service-in-grade waiver authority for voluntary retirement for brigadier generals, major generals, and rear admirals.
(Sec. 505) The bill removes the requirement that the Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics be a lieutenant general.
(Sec. 506) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to state that officers retain their grade as long as the officer remains in continuous service after the date of repeal of the statutory specification of officer grade.
(Sec. 507) The bill repeals the statutory specification of general officer grade for the Dean of the Academic Board of the U.S. Military Academy.
(Sec. 508) The bill allows flexibility in promotion of officers to positions of Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy or the Air Force.
(Sec. 509) The bill allows an officer selected to hold a position of Assistant Judge Advocate General in the Navy as of December 23, 2016, to retire in the grade of rear admiral (lower half) or brigadier general.
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management
(Sec. 511) The bill expands the circumstances under which members of the reserves are eligible for health care when they are ordered to active duty.
(Sec. 512) Each military department may credit any person receiving an original appointment as a reserve commissioned officer with a period of constructive service for experience, training, or advanced education in a cyberspace-related field related to the operational needs of the armed force concerned.
(Sec. 513) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to extend the deadline by which DOD must submit to Congress an alternate approach regarding consolidation of statutory authorities by which members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces may be ordered to perform duty.
(Sec. 514) The Army may carry out a pilot program for the Army National Guard under which retired senior enlisted members of the Army National Guard serve as contract recruiters for the Army National Guard.
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities
Part I--Matters Relating to Discharge and Correction of Military Records
(Sec. 520) The bill requires boards for the correction of military records to review medical evidence related to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury for certain claims regarding a discharge or dismissal.
(Sec. 521) Boards for the correction of military records and discharge review boards must publish the number and disposition of claims in which sexual assault is alleged to have contributed to the discharge or release of the former member.
(Sec. 522) The bill expands the requirement for confidential review of characterization terms regarding discharge of members of the Armed Forces who are victims of sex-related offenses to include individuals who allege they are victims of a sex-related offense and apply the requirement to all boards.
(Sec. 523) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to revise the training requirements for members of boards and personnel who investigate claims of retaliation, including to require training regarding guidelines for consideration of evidence substantiating sex-related allegations.
(Sec. 524) DOD may carry out a pilot program on use of video teleconferencing technology by boards for the correction of military records and discharge review boards.
Part II--Other General Service Authorities
(Sec. 526) DOD or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may extend the period for enlistment in the Armed Forces under the delayed entry program.
(Sec. 527) The bill reauthorizes the authority of a military department to order retired members to active duty in high-demand, low-density assignments.
(Sec. 528) The bill requires written notification to a member of the Armed Forces who receives an administrative separation or mandatory discharge under conditions other than honorable that the member may petition to receive certain veterans' benefits.
(Sec. 529) The bill extends the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for the conduct of examinations with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for benefits by contract physicians.
(Sec. 530) DOD must ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps are informed of the availability of naturalization through service in the Armed Forces.
Subtitle D--Military Justice and Other Legal Issues
(Sec. 531) The bill amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including to specify that certain appeals by the government are subject to regulation.
(Sec. 532) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to ensure effective prosecution and defense in court-martial matters.
(Sec. 533) The bill prohibits wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images or visual images of sexually explicit conduct under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
(Sec. 534) Each military department must garnish the retired pay of a member to satisfy judgment rendered for physically, sexually, or emotionally abusing a child.
(Sec. 535) Each military department must provide training on sexual assault prevention and response for all individuals enlisted in the Armed Forces under a delayed entry program.
(Sec. 536) The Special Victims' Counsel training must include training to recognize and deal with the unique challenges often faced by male victims of sexual assault.
(Sec. 537) The bill amends the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to require each military department to include information regarding military sexual harassment and incidents involving nonconsensual distribution of private sexual images in its annual report on sexual assault.
(Sec. 538) The bill requires the annual Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office report to include information regarding a sexual assault committed by a member of the Armed Forces against the spouse or intimate partner of the member or another dependent of the member.
Subtitle E--Member Education, Training, Resilience, and Transition
(Sec. 541) DOD and DHS must develop an element in preseparation counseling for members of the Armed Forces regarding assistance and support services for caregivers. The bill requires each military department to allow members undergoing preseparation counseling who have identified an individual to provide them with caregiver services after separation to permit the individual to participate in the preseparation counseling.
(Sec. 542) DOD must (1) establish a database to record all training performed by members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps that may have application to employment in the civilian sector, and (2) make unclassified information regarding such information available to states and other potential employers.
(Sec. 543) The bill limits the release of military service academy graduates to participate in professional athletics.
(Sec. 544) The bill extends the Suicide Prevention and Resilience Program for members of the National Guard and reserves and their families.
(Sec. 545) The Navy must submit to Congress a certification on the status of implementing the Ready, Relevant Learning initiative for each applicable enlisted rating.
(Sec. 546) DOD may expand eligibility for the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program to include any member of the uniformed services.
(Sec. 547) The bill limits the availability of funds for attendance of Air Force enlisted personnel at Air Force officer professional military education in-residence courses until the Air Force and GAO report on the attendance of such personnel at the courses.
(Sec. 548) The Army must designate a number of scholarships under the Army Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program as Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper Leadership Scholarships.
(Sec. 549) Each military department may carry out a pilot program under which medically disqualified former cadets or midshipmen may be appointed in the excepted service.
Subtitle F--Defense Dependents' Education and Military Family Readiness Matters
Part I--Defense Dependents' Education Matters
(Sec. 551) The bill authorizes funds for assistance to local educational agencies educating military children with severe disabilities and additional funding for such agencies that have higher concentrations of military children with severe disabilities.
(Sec. 552) The bill amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to make permanent the authority of the DOD to work collaboratively with the Department of Education to ease transitions of military dependent students from DOD dependent schools to local educational agencies.
(Sec. 553) DOD must submit to Congress a report on DOD activities to improve educational opportunities and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for military dependent students.
Part II--Military Family Readiness Matters
(Sec. 555) The bill requires the U.S. Special Operations Command to report on family support programs.
(Sec. 556) Each military department may reimburse a member of the Armed Forces for licensure and certification costs of the member's spouse arising from relocation to another state.
(Sec. 557) The bill extends protections for members of uniformed services relating to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and eviction.
(Sec. 558) Each military department must ensure that the hours of operation of each childcare development center under its jurisdiction are established and maintained in manner that takes into account the demands and circumstances of members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, who use such center in facilitation of the performance of their military duties.
(Sec. 559) DOD may appoint qualified childcare services providers in the competitive service if it determines (1) there is a critical hiring need for childcare services providers for DOD child development centers, and (2) there is a shortage of childcare services providers.
(Sec. 560) DOD must carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing telework facilities for military spouses on military installations outside the United States.
Subtitle G--Decorations and Awards
(Sec. 561) The President may award the Medal of Honor to Garlin M. Conner for acts of valor during World War II.
(Sec. 562) The President may award the Distinguished-Service Cross to Specialist Frank M. Crary for acts of valor in Vietnam.
Subtitle H--Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements
(Sec. 571) DOD must conduct a comparative analysis of accompanied tours of duty and unaccompanied tours of duty of members of the Armed Forces in remote locations with high family support costs.
(Sec. 572) DOD must conduct a review and report of its policies for the career management of regular and reserve officers of the Armed Forces pursuant to the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act and the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act.
(Sec. 573) DOD must undertake a review and report of the effects of the personnel requirements and limitations on the availability of members of the National Guard for the performance of funeral honors for veterans.
(Sec. 574) DOD must conduct a review and report on the authority for the employment, use, and status of National Guard and Reserve technicians.
(Sec. 575) DOD must conduct an assessment of the feasibility and advisability changing certain policies regarding childcare services.
(Sec. 576) DOD must review and report on compensation provided for childcare services providers within DOD.
(Sec. 577) The GAO must assess the purpose, structure, and effectiveness of the Office of Complex Investigations within the National Guard Bureau.
(Sec. 578) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to modify the date the GAO is required to submit to Congress a report setting forth a review of the integrity of the DOD whistle-blower program.
Subtitle I--Other Matters
(Sec. 581) The bill expands eligibility of private sector employees for enrollment in the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology.
(Sec. 582) The bill makes the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Corps a basic branch of the Army if the Army does not take certain actions regarding explosive ordinance disposal.
(Sec. 583) DOD must designate an office or official within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to oversee use of food assistance programs by members of the Armed Forces on active duty.
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS
Subtitle A--Pay and Allowances
(Sec. 601) The bill requires the annual adjustment of basic monthly pay to take effect on January 1, 2018, notwithstanding any determination made by the President.
(Sec. 602) The bill prohibits an entity from imposing fees in addition to rent on Armed Forces members in Military Housing Privatization Initiative housing.
(Sec. 603) The bill requires the DOD to pay 1% of the basic allowance for housing to lessors of certain Military Housing Privatization Initiative housing.
(Sec. 604) DOD must permit a member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing a permanent change of station within the United States to request a certain period of continued housing in the current location or advance housing in the future location to accommodate a spouse or dependent.
(Sec. 605) The bill extends the authority of DOD to provide an increase in the rates of basic allowance for housing under certain circumstances.
(Sec. 606) DOD must reevaluate the basic housing allowance for the military housing area that includes Staten Island, New York.
Subtitle B--Bonus and Special and Incentive Pays
(Sec. 611) The bill extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for Reserve Forces.
(Sec. 612) The bill extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for health care professionals.
(Sec. 613) The bill extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for nuclear officers.
(Sec. 614) The bill extends specified special pay, incentive pay, and bonus authorities.
(Sec. 615) The bill extends specified bonus and special pay authorities.
(Sec. 616) The GAO must submit to Congress a report regarding the extent of the national pilot shortage and the impact that such shortage has on the ability of DOD to retain pilots.
(Sec. 617) The bill authorizes special aviation incentive pay and bonuses, including for pilots of remotely piloted aircraft. The bill authorizes a maximum aviation bonus of $35,000 for each 12-month period of obligated service, and requires specified details regarding the bonuses in budget justification documents.
(Sec. 618) The bill makes technical and clerical amendments related to the 2008 consolidation of certain special pay authorities.
Subtitle C--Disability Pay, Retired Pay, and Survivor Benefits
(Sec. 621) The bill extends permanently the special survivor indemnity allowance.
(Sec. 622) The bill makes adjustments to the survivor benefit plan for members electing lump sum payments under the retirement system for members of the uniformed services.
(Sec. 623) The bill makes a technical correction regarding election to participate in a modernized retirement system for reserve component members after a break in service.
(Sec. 624) The bill makes technical corrections regarding retired pay in the case of a division of property as part of a final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation that becomes final prior to the date of a member's retirement.
(Sec. 625) The bill authorizes continuation pay for the Coast Guard.
Subtitle D--Other Matters
(Sec. 631) The Army and the Air Force may convey a specified property in Dallas, Texas that was purchased using nonappropriated funds of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
(Sec. 632) Each military department may pay the necessary expenses of those who die on active duty and are interred in a foreign cemetery.
(Sec. 633) The bill eliminates the requirement for DOD to buy athletic shoes for new service members from U.S. companies if there is only one certified source of supply. DOD must purchase the shoes using firm fixed price contracts.
(Sec. 634) DOD must ensure that its regulations comply with Federal consumer protection laws with respect to the collection of debt.
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits
(Sec. 701) The bill provides continued access to medical care at facilities of the uniformed service for certain members of the reserve components.
(Sec. 702) The bill sets the cost sharing requirements for the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program and revises treatment of certain pharmaceutical agents under the program.
(Sec. 703) DOD may furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy available at a military medical treatment facility to a covered member if such therapy is prescribed by a physician to treat post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
(Sec. 704) The bill specifies that individuals under the age of 21 are eligible for concurrent hospice care and health care services for the same condition.
(Sec. 705) Each military department must provide a physical examination for members of the reserve component who are separating from the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 706) The bill requires a mental health assessment before a member separates from the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 707) The bill expands sexual trauma counseling and treatment to include trauma suffered during inactive duty training.
(Sec. 708) DOD must implement processes and procedures to ensure that a covered beneficiary under the TRICARE program whose pregnancy is complicated with (or suspected of complication with) a fetal condition may elect to receive expedited evaluation, nondirective counseling, and medical treatment from a perinatal or pediatric specialist capable of providing surgical management and intervention in utero.
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration
(Sec. 711) DOD must ensure that each military medical treatment facility located outside the United States maintains inpatient capabilities.
(Sec. 712) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to allow DOD to prioritize at military treatment facilities the evaluation and treatment of individuals severely injured by acts of terror.
(Sec. 713) DOD may allow a military director (or any other senior military officer or officers) of a military treatment facility to be a commanding officer.
(Sec. 714) DOD must ensure that a contract entered into with a TRICARE pharmacy program contractor includes requirements to regularly update the pricing standard for prescription drugs.
(Sec. 715) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to modify contracting responsibility for the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment for managed care support services under TRICARE.
(Sec. 716) DOD may authorize an emergency use outside the United States of medical products to reduce the number of deaths or the severity of harm to members of the Armed Forces caused by a risk or agent of war.
(Sec. 717) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to require DOD's determination of average wait times at urgent care clinics and pharmacies at military medical treatment facilities to use a formula derived from best practices.
(Sec. 718) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to make it a requirement for DOD to reimburse entities carrying out state vaccination programs for costs of vaccines to covered beneficiaries.
(Sec. 719) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to extend the authority of the joint DOD-VA medical facility demonstration fund.
(Sec. 720) DOD must ensure that to serve as a podiatrist in the Armed Forces, an individual must have successfully completed a three-year podiatric medicine and surgical residency.
(Sec. 721) DOD must add physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants to the list of individual professional providers of care who are authorized to provide services to beneficiaries under the TRICARE program.
(Sec. 722) DOD must establish the common qualifications and core competencies required for an individual to serve as a military commander or director of a military medical treatment facility.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
(Sec. 731) DOD must carry out a pilot program to provide a health care assistance service to certain covered beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Select using purchased care to improve the health outcomes and patient experience for covered beneficiaries with complex medical conditions.
(Sec. 732) DOD must conduct a feasibility study and cost estimate for a pilot program that uses predictive analytics and screening to identify mental health risk and provide early targeted intervention for part-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces to improve readiness and mission success.
(Sec. 733) DOD must submit to Congress a report setting forth its plan to improve pediatric care and related services for children of members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 734) DOD must conduct a longitudinal medical study on blast pressure exposure of members of the Armed Forces during combat and training.
(Sec. 735) DOD must conduct a study on the effectiveness of the training provided to military health care providers regarding opioid prescribing practices, initiatives in opioid safety, the use of the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain, and other related training.
(Sec. 736) DOD must submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the GAO recommendations regarding post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
(Sec. 737) DOD must conduct a declassification review of documents related to any known incident in which no fewer than 100 members of the Armed Forces were intentionally exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability that a member of the medical profession has determined to be associated with that toxic substance.
(Sec. 738) The Office of Public Health of the Veterans Health Administration must coordinate efforts related to furthering understanding of burn pits, the effect of burn pits on veterans, and effective treatments relating to such effects, including with respect to research efforts and training of clinical staff on related matters.
(Sec. 739) The bill makes technical amendments to TRICARE.
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management
(Sec. 801) DOD must revise the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to include specified statements of purpose.
(Sec. 802) The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment must develop policy on the acquisition or licensing of intellectual property. The office must also establish a cadre of personnel who are experts in intellectual property matters.
(Sec. 803) DOD must comply with commercially accepted standards of risk and materiality in the performance of each incurred cost audit of costs associated with its contracts.
(Sec. 804) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to eliminate the requirement that the Defense Contract Audit Agency accept certain commercial audits.
(Sec. 805) The bill increases the simplified acquisition threshold from $100,000 to $250,000.
(Sec. 806) The bill increases the micro-purchase threshold amount from $3,000 to $10,000 and limits the amount that may be paid by a convenience check.
(Sec. 807) DOD must establish a process for enhancing scrutiny of acquisition decisions in order to improve the integration of supply chain risk management into the overall acquisition decision cycle.
(Sec. 808) DOD must form a committee of senior executives from the national technology and industrial base to exchange information on technology threats to national security and on emerging technologies that may become available to counter such threats in a timely manner.
(Sec. 809) DOD must carry out a review of the authorities available to each military department for the development, acquisition, and sustainment of technology, equipment, and services in order to determine the feasibility and advisability of providing such authorities to the U.S. Special Operations Command.
(Sec. 810) The bill makes technical amendments related to program management.
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations
(Sec. 811) The bill modifies certifications of cost and pricing data and requires the GAO to report on the implementation and effect of the modifications.
(Sec. 812) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to modify the pilot program for accelerating foreign military sales to allow price reasonableness to be determined based on a similar product instead of only on the same product.
(Sec. 813) The bill eliminates the requirement for DOD to acquire chemical weapons antidote and photovoltaic devices from United States sources.
(Sec. 814) The GAO must submit to DOD and to Congress a report on the safety and health records of DOD contractors.
(Sec. 815) The bill limits contracting officers from unilaterally definitizing contract specifications or price.
(Sec. 816) Each military department must make the memorandum and supporting documentation for each sustainment review available to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment within 30 days after the review is completed.
(Sec. 817) The bill allows an entity with a procurement technical assistance program to use program income to carry out a future procurement technical assistance program.
(Sec. 818) DOD must revise the DOD Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to include additional requirements for post-award briefings.
(Sec. 819) The bill eliminates certain sunset dates related to information technology and amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 to extend the federal data center consolidation initiative.
(Sec. 820) The bill modifies the definition of subcontract to state the term does not include agreements entered into by a contractor for the supply of commodities that are intended for use in the performance of multiple contracts with the federal government and other parties and are not identifiable to any particular contract.
(Sec. 821) The bill applies inflation adjustments to procurement or services contracts and subcontracts.
(Sec. 822) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to add situations where DOD may use the lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.
(Sec. 823) The bill revises design-build selection procedures to exempt indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contracts from the limit on phase-two proposals.
(Sec. 824) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to expand DOD contract closeout authority to allow DOD to close out contracts over 17 fiscal years old.
(Sec. 825) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to eliminate cost underruns as a factor in calculation of penalties for cost overruns.
(Sec. 826) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 to modify annual meeting requirements for the Configuration Steering Board of a major defense acquisition program.
(Sec. 827) DOD must carry out a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of requiring contractors to reimburse DOD for costs incurred in processing certain bid protests that were denied by the GAO.
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Major Defense Acquisition Programs
(Sec. 831) The bill revises the definition of "major defense acquisition program" to exclude acquisition programs for defense business systems.
(Sec. 832) The bill prohibits DOD from using a lowest price technically acceptable source selection process for the engineering and manufacturing development contract of a major defense acquisition program.
(Sec. 833) The bill requires the Chiefs of the Armed Forces to concur in material development decisions and milestone approvals.
(Sec. 834) DOD must ensure that the defense acquisition system gives ample emphasis to sustainment factors, such as reliability and maintainability, in the development of a weapon system.
(Sec. 835) DOD must negotiate a price for technical data to be delivered under a contract before it selects a contractor for a major weapon system.
(Sec. 836) The bill provides statutory authority for requirements pertaining to the assessment, management, and control of operating and support costs for major weapon systems.
(Sec. 837) DOD must amend the Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to incorporate certain elements into the should-cost review process of a major weapon system.
(Sec. 838) DOD must: (1) assess the sufficiency of developmental testing and evaluation that is part of major defense acquisition programs, and (2) evaluate its strategy for developing and expanding the use of tools designed to facilitate developmental testing.
(Sec. 839) The bill authorizes reports: (1) comparing items evaluated for a major defense acquisition program to legacy items, or (2) addressing concerns related to the annual report. The bill requires development of policies and procedures to collect data on testing costs for major defense acquisition programs.
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Acquisition Workforce
(Sec. 841) DOD must implement a program manager development program to provide for the professional development of high-potential, experienced civilian personnel.
(Sec. 842) The bill authorizes DOD to adjust the amount it credits to its Acquisition Workforce Development Fund.
(Sec. 843) The bill authorizes the Acquisition Workforce Development Fund to be used to pay the salaries of personnel who manage the fund. The GAO must submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of hiring and retention flexibility for the acquisition workforce.
(Sec. 844) The bill extends and modifies the acquisition demonstration project. DOD must develop an implementation strategy to address areas for improvement in the demonstration project.
Subtitle E--Provisions Relating to Commercial Items
(Sec. 846) The General Services Administration (GSA) must establish a program to procure commercial products through commercial e-commerce portals for purposes of enhancing competition, expediting procurement, enabling market research, and ensuring reasonable pricing of commercial products.
(Sec. 847) The bill makes a revision to the definition of commercial item to include certain items sold to multiple foreign governments.
(Sec. 848) The bill allows items previously acquired as commercial items to be acquired as commercial items in the future, with exceptions.
(Sec. 849) DOD must review and propose revisions to regulations related to commercial items.
(Sec. 850) The Defense Acquisition University must establish a comprehensive training program in commercial items procurement.
Subtitle F--Provisions Relating to Services Contracting
(Sec. 851) The bill sets forth requirements for services contracts, including that the DOD collect and analyze data to support the validation of requirements for services contracts and inform its planning, programming, budgeting, and execution process.
(Sec. 852) DOD must encourage the use of standard guidelines for the evaluation of requirements for services contracts.
(Sec. 853) DOD must submit to Congress a report on the merits of using outcome-based services contracts.
(Sec. 854) DOD must carry out a pilot program under which it may enter multiyear services contracts for periods of up to 10 years.
Subtitle G--Provisions Relating to Other Transaction Authority and Prototyping
(Sec. 861) The bill allows contracts awarded from the competitive selection of science and technology proposals to include an option for the advanced development, prototyping, initial production, or additional production of technology developed under the contract.
(Sec. 862) DOD or the military departments may engage in research and development by transactions or purchases for experimental purposes.
(Sec. 863) DOD must (1) ensure that its management, technical, and contracting personnel involved in the award or administration of research project transactions are afforded opportunities for adequate education and training; and (2) establish minimum levels and requirements for continuous and experiential learning for such personnel, including levels and requirements for acquisition certification programs.
(Sec. 864) The bill modifies the cost ranges that determine who authorizes a transaction for a prototype project.
(Sec. 865) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to authorize demonstrations of unmanned ground logistics and unmanned air logistics capabilities enhancement under a pilot program for nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses.
(Sec. 866) The bill amends National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to eliminate a cost sharing requirement for rapid prototyping in the middle tier of acquisition programs.
(Sec. 867) For science and technology and prototyping programs, DOD must establish a preference for using its authority for procurement for experimental purposes and transactions other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.
(Sec. 868) The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering must develop prototypes to digitize defense acquisition regulations, policies, and guidance and to develop a digital decision support tool that facilitates the ability of users to tailor programs in accordance with existing laws, regulations, and guidance.
Subtitle H--Provisions Relating to Software Acquisition
(Sec. 871) DOD must ensure that negotiations for the acquisition of noncommercial computer software consider certain matters.
(Sec. 872) The Defense Innovation Board must study streamlining software development and acquisition regulations.
(Sec. 873) DOD must establish a pilot program to tailor and simplify software development requirements and methods for major software-intensive warfighting systems and defense business systems.
(Sec. 874) DOD must identify software development activities to be developed in a pilot program using agile acquisition methods.
(Sec. 875) DOD must initiate the open software pilot program established by the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-16-21 titled "Federal Source Code Policy: Achieving Efficiency, Transparency, and Innovation through Reusable and Open Source Software" and dated August 8, 2016.
Subtitle I--Other Matters
(Sec. 881) The bill extends the maximum duration of contracts for liquid fuels and natural gas storage, handling, or distribution.
(Sec. 882) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to prohibit the use by DOD of reverse auctions or lowest price technically acceptable contracting methods for the procurement of aviation critical safety items.
(Sec. 883) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 to make modifications to the advisory panel on streamlining acquisition regulations.
(Sec. 884) The bill repeals an expired pilot program that authorized the Army to lease commercial utility cargo vehicles.
(Sec. 885) The bill provides an exception from the requirement to accept $1 coins for certain business operations.
(Sec. 886) DOD must define Procurement Administrative Lead Time, which describes the amount of time from the issuance of a solicitation to the award of a contract or task order.
(Sec. 887) DOD must establish specific notional milestones and standard timelines for processing a foreign military sale.
(Sec. 888) DOD must conduct an assessment of trade between China and North Korea, including elements important to United States national security and defense.
(Sec. 889) DOD must submit to Congress a report on defense contracting fraud.
(Sec. 890) The GAO must submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of the program for the improvement of contractor business systems.
(Sec. 891) DOD must establish a training course at the Defense Acquisition University on agile or iterative development methods to provide training for personnel implementing and supporting the pilot programs for major software-intensive warfighting systems and defense business systems.
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Defense and Related Matters
(Sec. 901) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to repeal a provision that makes the incumbent Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering when that position comes into effect.
(Sec. 902) The bill changes the authority of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment over certain service acquisition programs from supervisory to advisory.
(Sec. 903) The bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to make the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment an Executive Schedule Level III position instead of a Level II position.
(Sec. 904) The bill mandates that a person may not be appointed as an Under Secretary within seven years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 905) The bill modifies the required qualifications and duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).
(Sec. 906) The bill redesignates the Principal Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense as Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense. The bill replaces the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
(Sec. 907) The bill reduces the number of Assistant Secretaries of Defense from 14 to 13 and eliminates certain designations of Assistant Secretaries of Defense.
(Sec. 908) The bill limits the number of Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense to 48.
(Sec. 909)