S-4882 : Still Just a Bill

S. 4882: This bill aims to establish a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DoD) to track awards made through "other transaction authority" (OTA). OTA allows the DoD to bypass traditional contracting regulations in certain circumstances, often to engage with innovative companies, including small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors.

Key Provisions:

• Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to establish a pilot program within one year of the bill's enactment.
• The pilot program will track the number and amount of OTA awards to small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors.
• Seeks to minimize reporting burdens on businesses and maximize the use of existing data reporting structures.
• Mandates briefings to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, including:
• An initial briefing on the process to carry out the pilot program within 180 days of enactment.
• Regular briefings on the awards data collected.
• A final briefing by September 30, 2029, with recommendations for making data collection permanent.
• The pilot program authority expires on December 31, 2029.

Definitions:

• Nontraditional Defense Contractor: Defined as in Title 10, United States Code, Section 3014.
• Other Transaction Authority: Defined as the authority provided under Title 10, United States Code, Sections 4021 and 4022.
• Small Business: Defined as "small business concern" in Section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)).