Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Modernize U.S. Defense Acquisition

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy introduced legislation to modernize the Department of Defense’s acquisition system and revive the United States’ defense industrial base.

The five bills introduced by Senator Sheehy will provide the Pentagon with new tools and flexibilities to quickly procure innovative new systems, provide for quicker testing of new capabilities, and make permanent commonsense contracting reforms. This package is in line with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker’s efforts to reform defense acquisition.

“Our defense acquisition paradigm has become brittle, sclerotic, and unable to respond to a growing array of asymmetric threats. The result has been late, overbudget programs that fail to deliver the bullets, bombs, planes, and other critical equipment we need to maintain our national security. It’s past time we prioritize excellence, speed, and efficiency and align incentives between industry and government to produce the most lethal force on the planet. We owe our warfighters the best possible industrial base in the world, and I aim to help deliver that to secure America’s future,” said Senator Sheehy.

Background:

This package of bills will provide the Pentagon with new tools and flexibilities to procure innovative new systems, provide for quicker testing of new capabilities and follow-on purchases, and make commonsense contracting reforms permanent. Read more on each bill below.

Prototype to Production Act – Expands the types of programs that non-traditional contractors and research institutes can develop and creates an expedited acquisition route for critical warfighter needs. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Buy to Budget Flexibility Act – Allows the Pentagon to purchase items in greater quantity than authorized if cost-reductions enable it. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Expedited Delivery Act – Allows the Pentagon to rapidly acquire property or services based on differentiated capabilities, accelerated delivery schedules, or continuous improvements. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Smart Pricing Practices Permanence Act – Makes permanent a pilot program to streamline pricing determinations for identical or similar items. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

Procurement Reform for Immediate Military Equipment (PRIME) Act – Ensures that industry has access to government systems for experimental purposes and provides a pathway to follow-on production contracts for products deemed successful by commanders on the ground. Read the full text of the bill HERE.