Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This legislation overhauls how the Department of Defense purchases technology and military hardware by cutting regulatory hurdles and easing contracting rules. It substantially raises the dollar limits before contracts require full competition or detailed contractor pricing disclosures, making it easier for commercial tech firms to sell off-the-shelf products and software subscriptions to the military. Defense program managers also gain broader legal authority to quickly cancel underperforming programs, reallocate funds within specific project groups, and require contractors to share technical data so military personnel can repair their own equipment.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Commercial and defense technology contractorsBenefits from streamlined Cost Accounting Standards (Sec. 301), substantially higher thresholds for simplified acquisitions and certified cost or pricing data requirements raised to $10 million (Sec. 303), capability-based pricing alternatives to cost breakdowns (Sec. 304), removal of advance payment restrictions on technology subscriptions (Sec. 305), and removal of statutory prerequisites and cost-sharing rules for other transaction agreements (Sec. 402).
Who it burdens
- Defense weapon system and component contractorsRequires weapon systems and covered defense platforms to be designed using modular open system architectures and grants the federal government perpetual government-purpose rights to interface data, form, fit, and function data, and operation or maintenance information (Sec. 404).
- Product support managers for defense acquisition programsImposes mandatory life-cycle logistics training and certification requirements, written agreements, and minimum experience thresholds (six to eight years) before assignment, while requiring them to create, update, and manage formal life-cycle sustainment plans and cost baselines (Sec. 104, 105).
- Department of Defense acquisition leadership and military departmentsMust restructure acquisition directives within 30 days (Sec. 101), reorganize programs around major capability activity areas (Sec. 103), create and staff the Requirements, Acquisition, and Programming Integration Directorate (RAPID) and the Mission Engineering and Integration Activity (Sec. 202, 203), and adhere to strict 30-day deadlines for acting on joint capability recommendations (Sec. 202).
- Navy Senior Technical AuthoritiesTransfers reporting lines directly to program executive officers and bars them from approving vessel design requirements that do not directly relate to key performance parameters or key system attributes (Sec. 106).
Who backs it
- Defense Innovation Unit research and development appropriationsAuthorizes research, development, test, and evaluation appropriations for the Defense Innovation Unit to fund the BOOST program through 2030 to transition commercial technologies into programs of record (Sec. 408).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 25 provisions
Directs the Department of Defense to update acquisition regulations to prioritize speed, cost-effectiveness, iterative development, risk-taking, non-prescriptive requirements, and terminating underperforming programs.
Directs the Department of Defense to organize programs around major capability areas and designate at least two Pathfinder offices with authority to transfer up to 40 percent of authorized funds internally.
Renames and restructures the Joint Requirements Council to identify joint operational challenges, write flexible requirement statements, and recommend capability solutions within 30 to 60 days.
Establishes the Requirements, Acquisition, and Programming Integration Directorate (RAPID) to harmonize military requirements with acquisition budgets and requires leadership decisions on recommendations within 30 days.
Substantially increases procurement dollar thresholds, raising the micro-purchase limit to $100,000, the simplified acquisition threshold to $10 million, and the certified cost or pricing data requirement to $10 million.
Authorizes defense agencies to evaluate whether commercial solution prices are fair and reasonable based on operational value, mission benefits, and cost avoidance rather than traditional cost breakdowns.
Streamlines the use of other transaction authority agreements for prototype and follow-on production projects by removing specific statutory prerequisites and cost-sharing constraints.
Requires the Department of Defense to negotiate for access to weapon system data and software through data-as-a-service models instead of requiring delivery and physical custody of proprietary technical data.
Requires defense systems to be developed using modular open system architectures, securing perpetual government purpose rights for system interfaces while protecting commercial software rights.
Authorizes the Defense Innovation Unit to run the BOOST program through 2030 to help military acquisition programs evaluate, test, and transition commercial technologies into programs of record.
Defines the duties of program executive officers, granting them explicit authority to adjust non-critical requirements and cancel underperforming or misaligned projects.
Establishes formal responsibilities, life-cycle logistics training requirements, and minimum experience thresholds for product support managers on major defense programs.
Requires each covered defense system to operate under an approved life-cycle sustainment plan covering maintenance strategies, cost baselines, intellectual property rights, and public-private depot partnerships.
Requires Navy Senior Technical Authorities to report directly to program executive officers and reject any vessel design requirements that do not directly support key performance parameters.
Establishes the Mission Engineering and Integration Activity to lead cross-service technology analysis, joint prototyping, and engineering support for capability integration.
Directs the Department of Defense to streamline contractor compliance with Cost Accounting Standards and develop a plan to transition toward standard commercial accounting principles.
Requires the Department of Defense to review and correct internal policies, oversight rules, and unnecessary military specifications that hinder the purchase of commercial products and services.
Clarifies that payments for commercial consumption-based services and technology subscription models, such as satellite data access, are not restricted advance payments.
Establishes the Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium to bring together government, industry, and academia to address supply chain weaknesses and expand domestic manufacturing capacity.
Directs the establishment of a working group to update defense qualification, acceptance, and supply chain rules for components made using advanced manufacturing techniques.
Expands the Procurement Technical Assistance Program to reduce barrier costs for commercial tech businesses and authorizes funding for technical assistance centers of excellence.
Requires defense officials to submit a report on federal regulations and accounting rules that discourage defense contractors from investing in emergency surge manufacturing capacity.
Requires an independent assessment of the Defense Acquisition University to update its training programs and curriculum to align with rapid acquisition priorities.
Directs the Comptroller General to review acquisition workforce staffing, skills gaps, recruiting and retention authorities, and training barriers.
Directs the Comptroller General to review career development programs and the potential benefits of establishing minimum four-year assignments for critical acquisition leadership roles.
Directs the Department of Defense to update acquisition regulations to prioritize speed, cost-effectiveness, iterative development, risk-taking, non-prescriptive requirements, and terminating underperforming programs.
Directs the Department of Defense to organize programs around major capability areas and designate at least two Pathfinder offices with authority to transfer up to 40 percent of authorized funds internally.
Renames and restructures the Joint Requirements Council to identify joint operational challenges, write flexible requirement statements, and recommend capability solutions within 30 to 60 days.
Establishes the Requirements, Acquisition, and Programming Integration Directorate (RAPID) to harmonize military requirements with acquisition budgets and requires leadership decisions on recommendations within 30 days.
Substantially increases procurement dollar thresholds, raising the micro-purchase limit to $100,000, the simplified acquisition threshold to $10 million, and the certified cost or pricing data requirement to $10 million.
Authorizes defense agencies to evaluate whether commercial solution prices are fair and reasonable based on operational value, mission benefits, and cost avoidance rather than traditional cost breakdowns.
Streamlines the use of other transaction authority agreements for prototype and follow-on production projects by removing specific statutory prerequisites and cost-sharing constraints.
Requires the Department of Defense to negotiate for access to weapon system data and software through data-as-a-service models instead of requiring delivery and physical custody of proprietary technical data.
Requires defense systems to be developed using modular open system architectures, securing perpetual government purpose rights for system interfaces while protecting commercial software rights.
Authorizes the Defense Innovation Unit to run the BOOST program through 2030 to help military acquisition programs evaluate, test, and transition commercial technologies into programs of record.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 75 actions
- Received in the Senate.
- The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3838.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 196 (Roll no. 262).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 196 (Roll no. 262).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 219 (Roll no. 261).
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. Houlahan moved to recommit to the Committee on Armed Services. (CR H4211)
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3838.
- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4125-4128)
- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3838 as unfinished business.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mr. Rogers (AL) moved that the committee rise.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4213-4214)
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment en bloc No. 5.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rose amendment No. 253, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rose demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rose amendment No. 253.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Meeks amendment No. 34, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Mast demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meeks amendment No. 34.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rouzer amendment No. 33.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Biggs (AZ) amendment No. 29, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Elfreth demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Biggs (AZ) amendment No. 29.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the McCormick amendment No. 25, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCormick amendment No. 25.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 24, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Greene (GA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 24.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 23, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 23.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 22, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 22.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Austin Scott amendment No. 21.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 20, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Brownley demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Greene (GA) amendment No. 20.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mills amendment No. 18, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mills amendment No. 18.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mace amendment No. 17, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Jacobs demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mace amendment No. 17.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mace amendment No. 16, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mace amendment No. 16.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mace amendment No. 15, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Stansbury demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mace amendment No. 15.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mace amendment No. 14, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mace amendment No. 14.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Norman amendment No. 13, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Norman amendment No. 13.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4176-4213)
- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3838 as unfinished business.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mr. Rogers (AL) moved that the committee rise.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment en bloc No. 4.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment en bloc No. 3.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment en bloc No. 2.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Wilson (SC) amendment No. 11, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wilson (SC) amendment No. 11.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment No. 10.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Patronis amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Beyer demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Patronis amendment No. 9.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Smith amendment No. 7, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Courtney demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (NJ) amendment No. 7.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 682, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment en bloc No. 1.
- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3838.
- The Speaker designated the Honorable Michelle Fischbach to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 682 and Rule XVIII.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 and H.R. 3486. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 under a structured rule and H.R. 3486 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 682. (consideration: CR H3915-4158)
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 682 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 and H.R. 3486. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 under a structured rule and H.R. 3486 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 189.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Armed Services. H. Rept. 119-231.
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 55 - 2.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 196 (Roll no. 262).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 196 (Roll no. 262).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 219 (Roll no. 261).
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 682 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 and H.R. 3486. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3838 under a structured rule and H.R. 3486 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Armed Services. H. Rept. 119-231.
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 55 - 2.
- Introduced in House
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Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (H.R. 3838, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-3838. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.