I bring a Defense Science Board report to your attention: The Roles and Authorities of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering.
The report, called for by the FY05 Defense Authorization Act, directed the DSB to study matters including "the relationship of the director to a range of functions, including planning and programming for research and engineering programs, managing the laboratories, promoting rapid technology transition and technology transfer, coordinating research and engineering activities with those outside the DOD, technical review of acquisition programs, training and education of the technical workforce, maintaining the national technology and industrial base, and development of new technologies."
According to the accompanying memo from the DSB Chairman:
This report underscores the important contributions of technology in meeting the objectives of the nation's military strategy and calls for science and technology considerations to again play a more central role in influencing defense strategy, policy, programs, and resources.
The task force does not argue for new organizations or new authorities. However, it does call for active participation of the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense, along with AT&L [Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics] Leadership, to champion a robust science and technology effort in DOD.
The entire report can be found at:
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/2005-10-DDRE_Final.pdf
Additionally, "Inside the Pentagon" has a good article about the report. Information and a link to the article can be found at the following link:
http://defense.iwpnewsstand.com/insider.asp?issue=11102005
Last evening, the Senate agreed to a version of the Kennedy-Collins Amendment by Unanimous Consent. Again, thank you to everyone who helped round up support for this effort.
This solid showing of support for the SMART/NDEP program and defense basic research from the Senate is an important signal as the DoD makes tough choices in a difficult budgetary environment. This should give us a firm foundation as we look to continue this effort next year in the Senate and gain a stronger foothold in the House.
It was Senate Amendment 2492, sponsored by Senator Kennedy with the following 12 cosponsors:
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 11/9/2005
Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] - 11/9/2005
Sen Santorum, Rick [PA] - 11/9/2005
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 11/9/2005
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] - 11/9/2005
Sen Alexander, Lamar [TN] - 11/9/2005
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 11/9/2005
Sen Dole, Elizabeth [NC] - 11/9/2005
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] - 11/9/2005
Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] - 11/9/2005
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] - 11/9/2005
Sen Sessions, Jeff [AL] - 11/9/2005
The text of the amendment (found in the CR on page 12624) follows:
SA 2492. Mr. WARNER (for Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SANTORUM, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mrs. CLINTON, Mrs. DOLE, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. REED, and Mr. SESSIONS)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1042, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of subtitle B of title II, add the following:
SEC. 213. DEFENSE BASIC RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
(a) ARMY PROGRAMS.--(1) The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(1) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Army is hereby increased by $10,000,000.
(2) Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(1) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Army, as increased by paragraph (1), $10,000,000 may be available for Program Element 0601103A for University Research Initiatives.
(b) NAVY PROGRAMS.--(1) The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(2) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Navy is hereby increased by $5,000,000.
(2) Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(2) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Navy, as increased by paragraph (1), $5,000,000 may be available for Program Element 0601103N for University Research Initiatives.
(c) AIR FORCE PROGRAMS.--(1) The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(3) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Air Force is hereby increased by $10,000,000.
(2) Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(3) for research, development, test, and evaluation for the Air Force, as increased by paragraph (1), $10,000,000 may be available for Program Element 0601103F for University Research Initiatives.
(d) DEFENSE-WIDE ACTIVITIES.--(1) The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(4) for research, development, test, and evaluation for Defense-wide activities is hereby increased by $15,000,000.
(2) Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by section 201(4) for research, development, test, and evaluation for Defense-wide activities, as increased by paragraph (1)--
(A) $10,000,000 may be available for Program Element 0601120D8Z for the SMART National Defense Education Program; and
(B) $5,000,000 may be available for Program Element 0601101E for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency University Research Program in Computer Science and Cybersecurity.
(e) OFFSETS.--(1) The amount authorized to be appropriated by section 301(4), operation and maintenance, Navy, is hereby reduced by $40,000,000.
House Conferees have still yet to be officially named for resolving the FY06 Defense Appropriations bill, although staff negotiations have been ongoing for some time. Latest word is that Conferees could meet next week (November 7th) or that the bill could be held open longer to be used as a must-pass vehicle for other matters.
Additionally, it is expected that debate will resume in the Senate on the FY06 Defense Authorization Bill on November 4th. No votes are expected on that Friday.