S.2139 - Procurement Reform for Immediate Military Equipment Act; PRIME Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.2139, the PRIME Act, aims to expedite the procurement process for experimental military equipment. It amends Section 4023 of Title 10, United States Code, to broaden the types of items eligible for expedited procurement and allow for follow-on production contracts without further competitive procedures under certain conditions. The bill seeks to streamline the acquisition of defense-related articles for experimental purposes.
Expected Effects
The PRIME Act is likely to accelerate the development and deployment of new military technologies. It could reduce bureaucratic delays in acquiring equipment for experimentation. It may also lead to increased sole-source contracts, potentially limiting competition.
Potential Benefits
- Faster deployment of innovative military technologies.
- Increased efficiency in the procurement process.
- Potential for quicker adaptation to emerging threats.
- Encourages experimentation and development of new defense solutions.
- Streamlined transition from experimentation to fielding of successful items.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced competition in procurement, potentially leading to higher costs.
- Risk of less rigorous evaluation of experimental equipment.
- Potential for abuse of the follow-on production contract provision.
- Limited transparency in the procurement process.
- Possibility of fielding equipment that has not been thoroughly vetted.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill primarily concerns the powers of Congress related to national defense, as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and raise and support armies. The act appears to fall within these enumerated powers. However, the reduction of competitive bidding could raise concerns about efficient use of taxpayer money, though the Constitution does not explicitly mandate competitive bidding.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).