DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BENEFIT.

SEC. 344. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BENEFIT. (a) Provision of Prepaid Phone Cards.—As soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide, wherever practicable, prepaid phone cards, or an equivalent telecommunications benefit which includes access to telephone service, to members of the Armed Forces stationed outside the United States who (as determined by the Secretary) are eligible for combat zone tax exclusion benefits due to their service in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to enable those members to make telephone calls without cost to the member.(b) Monthly Benefit.—The value of the benefit provided under subsection (a) to any member in any month, to the extent the 117 STAT. 1449 benefit is provided from amounts available to the Department of Defense, may not exceed—(1) $40; or(2) 120 calling minutes, if the cost to the Department of Defense of providing such number of calling minutes is less than the amount specified in paragraph (1).(c) End of Program.—The program established by subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2004.(d) Funding.—(1)(A) In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall maximize the use of existing Department of Defense telecommunications programs and capabilities, free or reduced-cost services of private sector entities, and programs to enhance morale and welfare.(B) The Secretary may not award a contract to a commercial firm for the purposes of subparagraph (A) other than through the use of competitive procedures.(2) The Secretary may accept gifts and donations in order to defray the costs of the program under this section. Such gifts and donations may be accepted from—(A) any foreign government;(B) any foundation or other charitable organization, including any that is organized or operates under the laws of a foreign country; and (C) any source in the private sector of the United States or a foreign country.(e) Deployment of Additional Telephone Equipment.—If the Secretary of Defense determines that, in order to implement this section as quickly as practicable, it is necessary to provide additional telephones in any area to facilitate telephone calling for which benefits are provided under this section, the Secretary may, consistent with the availability of resources, award competitively bid contracts to one or more commercial entities for the provision and installation of telephones in that area. (f) No Compromise of Military Mission.—The Secretary of Defense should not take any action under this section that would compromise the military objectives or mission of the Department of Defense.