MODIFICATIONS TO PILOT PROGRAM FOR STREAMLINING AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS.

SEC. 896. MODIFICATIONS TO PILOT PROGRAM FOR STREAMLINING AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS. Section 873 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92; 10 U.S.C. 2306a note) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting “or Small Business Technology Transfer Program” after “Small Business Innovation Research Program”; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by inserting “subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 2313(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, and” before “subsection (b) of section 2313”; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting “, and if such performance audit is initiated within 18 months of the contract completion” before the period at the end; (3) [15 U.S.C. 638] by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsections: “(c) Treatment as Competitive Procedures. Use of a technical, merit-based selection procedure or the Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program for the pilot program under this section shall be considered to be use of competitive procedures for purposes of chapter 137 of title 10, United States Code. “(d) Discretion To Use Non-certified Accounting Systems. In executing programs under this pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall establish procedures under which a small business or nontraditional contractor may engage an independent certified public accountant for the review and certification of its accounting system for the purposes of any audits required by regulation, unless the head of the agency determines that this is not appropriate based on past performance of the specific small business or nontraditional defense contractor, or based on analysis of other information specific to the award. “(e) Guidance and Training. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that acquisition and auditing officials are provided guidance and training on the flexible use and tailoring of authorities under the pilot program to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.” .