Sec. 215. Science and technology activities to support business systems information technology acquisition programs
519 words·~2 min read·
/bill/114/hr/1735/eas/section-215A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Undersecretary of Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, the Deputy Chief Management Officer, and the Chief Information Officer shall establish a set of science, technology, and innovation activities to improve the acquisition outcomes of major automated information systems through improved performance and reduced developmental and life cycle costs. The activities established under subsection
(a)shall be carried out by such military departments and defense agencies as the Under Secretary and the Deputy Chief Management Officer consider appropriate. The set of activities established under subsection
(a)may include the following: Development of capabilities in Department of Defense laboratories, test centers, and Federally-funded research and development centers to provide technical support for acquisition program management and business process re-engineering activities. Funding of intramural and extramural research and development activities as described in subsection (d). In carrying out the set of activities required by subsection (a), the Secretary may award grants or contracts to eligible entities to carry out intramural or extramural research and development in areas of interest described in paragraph (3). For purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity includes the following: Entities in the defense industry. Institutions of higher education. Small businesses. Nontraditional defense contractors (as defined in section 2302 of title 10, United States Code). Federally-funded research and development centers, primarily for the purpose of improving technical expertise to support acquisition efforts. Nonprofit research institutions. Government laboratories and test centers, primarily for the purpose of improving technical expertise to support acquisition efforts. The areas of interest described in this paragraph are the following: Management innovation, including personnel and financial management policy innovation. Business process re-engineering. Systems engineering of information technology business systems. Cloud computing to support business systems and business processes. Software development, including systems and techniques to limit unique interfaces and simplify processes to customize commercial software to meet the needs of the Department of Defense. Hardware development, including systems and techniques to limit unique interfaces and simplify processes to customize commercial hardware to meet the needs of the Department of Defense. Development of methodologies and tools to support development and operational test of large and complex business systems. Analysis tools to allow decision makers to balance between requirements, costs, technical risks, and schedule in major automated information system acquisition programs Information security in major automated information system systems. Innovative acquisition policies and practices to streamline acquisition of information technology systems. Such other areas as the Secretary considers appropriate. In carrying out the set of activities required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to— projects that— address the innovation and technology needs of the Department of Defense; and support activities of initiatives, programs and offices identified by the Under Secretary and Deputy Chief Management Officer; and the projects and programs identified in paragraph (2). The projects and programs identified in this paragraph are the following: Major automated information system programs. Projects and programs under the oversight of the Deputy Chief Management Officer. Projects and programs relating to defense procurement acquisition policy. Projects and programs of the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Military and civilian personnel policy development for information technology workforce.