To direct the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to issue guidance for private entities on demonstrating how biobased products meet Department of Defense requirements, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5191, introduced by Rep. Khanna with co-sponsors, directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to help private entities prove that biobased products meet DoD requirements. Within one year of enactment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (in coordination with the military departments) must publish publicly available guidance on how private entities can demonstrate that their biobased products provide capabilities that satisfy DoD needs. The bill also requires the Comptroller General to analyze whether DoD requirements development processes exclude biobased products—intentionally or unintentionally—and to report findings with recommendations to reduce any exclusion within one year. A biobased product is defined as a product produced or developed through applications of living organisms to alter materials.
Key Points
- 1Within one year after enactment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering must publish guidance for private entities on demonstrating that biobased products meet DoD requirements, coordinating with the military departments.
- 2The Comptroller General must analyze the DoD process for developing requirements to determine if biobased products are being excluded, either intentionally or unintentionally.
- 3The Comptroller General must deliver a report to the congressional defense committees within one year, detailing findings and, if exclusion is found, recommendations to reduce it.
- 4The bill defines “biobased product” as a product manufactured, produced, or developed through the application of living organisms to alter living or non-living materials.
- 5The bill is currently introduced and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services; it outlines both guidance development and independent oversight.