ACQUISITION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING CAPABILITIES BY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

SEC. 3138. ACQUISITION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING CAPABILITIES BY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. (a) Roadmap for Acquisition.— (1) In general.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator for Nuclear Security shall submit to the congressional defense committees a roadmap for the acquisition by the Administration of high-performance computing capabilities during the 10-year period following submission of the roadmap. (2) Elements.—The roadmap required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the high-performance computing capabilities required to support the mission of the Administration as of the date on which the roadmap is submitted under paragraph (1). (B) An identification of any existing or anticipated gaps in such capabilities. (C) A description of the high-performance computing capabilities anticipated to be required by the Administration during the 10-year period following submission of the roadmap, including computational performance and other requirements, as appropriate. (D) A description of the strategy of the Administration for acquiring such capabilities. (E) An assessment of the ability of the industrial base to support that strategy. (F) Such other matters the Administrator considers appropriate. (3) Consultation and considerations.—In developing the roadmap required by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— (A) consult with the Secretary of Energy; and (B) take into consideration the findings of the review of the future of computing beyond exascale computing conducted by the National Academy of Sciences under section 3172 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283). (b) Independent Assessment of High-performance Computing Acquisitions.— (1) In general.—The Administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the first acquisition of high-performance computing capabilities by the Administration after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Elements.—The assessment required by paragraph (1) of the acquisition of high-performance computing capabilities described in that paragraph shall include an assessment of the following: (A) The mission needs of the Administration met by the acquisition. (B) The evidence used to support the acquisition decision, such as an analysis of alternatives or business case analyses. (C) Market research performed by the Advanced Simulation and Computing Program related to the acquisition. (3) Report required.— (A) In general.—Not later than 90 days after entering into the arrangement under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the assessment conducted under paragraph (1). (B) Form of report.—The report required by subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.