To establish in the Department of Defense a program to support the expansion of domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capacity.
This bill would create a new program within the Department of Defense (DoD) to expand domestic bioindustrial manufacturing capacity for critical biomanufactured products. Through competitive awards to private entities, it would fund the establishment, upgrading, or retooling of U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing facilities to produce these products at a commercial scale. Awards are awarded based on criteria designed to strengthen supply chain resilience, meet future warfighter needs, and encourage geographic distribution and proximity to input materials. The bill also requires DoD-wide reporting to Congress on award plans, recipients, and how funded facilities align with national security priorities. The program would terminate 10 years after enactment unless extended by the President for national economic and security reasons.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and purpose: Creates a DoD program to expand U.S. capacity for bioindustrial manufacturing of critical biomanufactured products, funded by awards to eligible private entities for building/upgrading/retooling facilities.
- 2Eligible participants and process: Private entities can apply for competitive awards; the Secretary of Defense determines eligibility and grant timing and process.
- 3Award criteria: Selection considers (A) potential to improve domestic resilience and supply chains, (B) ability to support next-generation warfighter capabilities, (C) flexibility to repurpose facilities and broaden product output, (D) geographic distribution of facilities, (E) proximity to input materials or regions with existing biomanufacturing capabilities, and (F) any other relevant factors the Secretary deems appropriate.
- 4Use of funds and oversight: Funds may be used to establish, upgrade, or retool facilities and to develop related business/technical plans; the Secretary will set reporting requirements on progress, timelines, produced products, and DoD contracting activities.
- 5Reporting to Congress: Requires an initial plan within 90 days after enactment and annual reports detailing awarded entities, facility locations, award amounts, criteria justifications, funding availability, communications, and alignment with DoD/national security priorities.
- 6Sunset and potential extension: The program automatically terminates 10 years after enactment unless extended by the President if continued operation is necessary for national economic or national security reasons.