H.R. 9091: Defense Industrial Base Advanced Manufacturing Enhancement Act

This bill, known as the Defense Industrial Base Advanced Manufacturing Enhancement Act, aims to enhance the United States' defense manufacturing capabilities, particularly for critical items necessary for military readiness. It includes several key provisions and processes:

Report Submission

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment will be required to submit a comprehensive plan to improve advanced manufacturing for specific items that are considered essential for maintaining military readiness. This report must be provided within 180 days following the enactment of the bill.

Plan Implementation

After the report is submitted, members of a collaborative forum will create a working group or other suitable organization. This group will focus on implementing the plan by identifying or developing advanced manufacturing solutions. The aim is to boost production of the critical items identified in the report so that production can begin within 24 months of establishing the working group.

Defense Logistics Agency Updates

As part of the implementation process, the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency is mandated to update a specific list known as the No Bid Solicitation List. This list tracks solicitations for which no bids have been received. The update must include notations for the critical readiness items identified in the report within 60 days of receiving the plan.

Definitions

The bill also establishes important definitions, such as:

• No Bid Solicitation List: A list maintained by the Defense Logistics Agency that includes solicitations that did not receive any bids or responsive offers in the required timeframe.
• Covered system: A term defined in section 4324 of title 10 of the United States Code that pertains to specific categories of military systems.

Purpose

The overarching goal of this legislation is to ensure that the Department of Defense can secure advanced manufacturing capabilities for crucial items needed for combat readiness, thus enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of the defense supply chain.

Relevant Companies

None found.