FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ASSESSMENT OF THE DEFENSE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH.

SEC. 241. FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ASSESSMENT OF THE DEFENSE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH.(a) Assessment Required.—The Secretary of Defense shall—(1) utilize a defense federally funded research and development center to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; and(2) not later than nine months after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on that assessment.(b) Matters Assessed.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:(1) A description and assessment of the tangible results and progress toward the objectives of the program, including—122 STAT. 51(A) an identification of any past program activities that led to, or were fundamental to, applications used by, or supportive of, operational users; and(B) an assessment of whether the program has expanded the national research infrastructure.(2) An assessment whether the activities undertaken under the program are consistent with the statute authorizing the program.(3) An assessment whether the various elements of the program, such as structure, funding, staffing, project solicitation and selection, and administration, are working effectively and efficiently to support the effective execution of the program.(4) A description and assessment of past and ongoing activities of State planning committees under the program in supporting the achievement of the objectives of the program.(5) An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of having an institution-based formula for qualification to participate in the program when compared with the advantages and disadvantages of having a State-based formula for qualification to participate in supporting defense missions and the objective of expanding the Nation’s defense research infrastructure.(6) An identification of mechanisms for improving the management and implementation of the program, including modification of the statute authorizing the program, Department regulations, program structure, funding levels, funding strategy, or the activities of the State committees.(7) Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.