This legislation mandates the establishment of a five-year Arsenal Workload Sustainment Pilot Program within the Department of Defense, to be initiated within 90 days of enactment. The program's core purpose is to strategically utilize the organic industrial base, specifically Department of the Army arsenals, to maintain competitive military advantage and ensure sufficient workload for cost efficiency and technical competence. Under this pilot program, the Secretary of Defense must give preference in procurement actions or solicitations to non-public partners who collaborate with Army arsenals through public-private partnerships. This preference is implemented by adding 20 percent to the price of bids from non-public partners who do not utilize an Army arsenal in their proposal for the same procurement action. This mechanism is designed to incentivize the use of government-owned and operated facilities. Further preferences are extended to non-public partners who utilize the Army's Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and ensure that at least 25 percent of the partnership activities are performed by Department of Defense employees. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense is required to submit a report within one year, detailing the program's activities, identified operational challenges, and an assessment of how arsenals can meet future procurement needs, including required capital investments.
This legislation mandates the establishment of a five-year Arsenal Workload Sustainment Pilot Program within the Department of Defense, to be initiated within 90 days of enactment. The program's core purpose is to strategically utilize the organic industrial base, specifically Department of the Army arsenals, to maintain competitive military advantage and ensure sufficient workload for cost efficiency and technical competence. Under this pilot program, the Secretary of Defense must give preference in procurement actions or solicitations to non-public partners who collaborate with Army arsenals through public-private partnerships. This preference is implemented by adding 20 percent to the price of bids from non-public partners who do not utilize an Army arsenal in their proposal for the same procurement action. This mechanism is designed to incentivize the use of government-owned and operated facilities. Further preferences are extended to non-public partners who utilize the Army's Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and ensure that at least 25 percent of the partnership activities are performed by Department of Defense employees. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense is required to submit a report within one year, detailing the program's activities, identified operational challenges, and an assessment of how arsenals can meet future procurement needs, including required capital investments.