SUBCHAPTER IV—ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SPECIFICALLY TO MAJOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS
4271.
Program cost, fielding, and performance goals in planning major defense acquisition programs.
4272.
Independent technical risk assessments.
4273.
Performance assessments and root cause analyses.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(1)(A), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149, amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII. §1847(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4253, which added this analysis, by substituting "[Reserved]" for "Acquisition-related functions of chiefs: adherence to requirements in major defense acquisition programs" in item 4274.
§4271. Program cost, fielding, and performance goals in planning major defense acquisition programs
(a) Program Cost and Fielding Targets.—(1) Before funds are obligated for technology development, systems development, or production of a major defense acquisition program, the designated milestone decision authority for the program shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the program will—
(A) be affordable;
(B) incorporate program planning that anticipates the evolution of capabilities to meet changing threats, technology insertion, and interoperability; and
(C) be fielded when needed.
(2) The goals described in this paragraph are goals for—
(A) the procurement unit cost and sustainment cost (referred to in this section as the "program cost targets");
(B) the date for initial operational capability (referred to in this section as the "fielding target"); and
(C) technology maturation, prototyping, and a modular open system approach to evolve system capabilities and improve interoperability.
(b) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term "procurement unit cost" has the meaning provided in section 4351(a)(2) of this title.
(2) The term "initial capabilities document" has the meaning provided in section 4251(d)(1) of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2260, §2448a; amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §831(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1857; renumbered §4271 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(o)(6)(C)(iv), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2147.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1), renumbered section 2448a of this title as the section.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(o)(6)(C)(iv), substituted "section 4351(a)(2)" for "section 2432(a)(2)".
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(1)(B), substituted "section 4251(d)(1)" for "section 2366a(d)(2)".
2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(a)(1), (2), in introductory provisions, substituted "designated milestone decision authority for the program shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the program" for "Secretary of Defense shall ensure, by establishing the goals described in paragraph (2), that the milestone decision authority for the major defense acquisition program approves a program that".
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 115–232, §831(a)(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (b) read as follows: "The responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense in subsection (a) may be delegated only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2261, provided that: "[Former] Subchapter III of chapter 144B of title 10, United States Code [see 10 U.S.C. 4271, 4272], as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to major defense acquisition programs that reach Milestone A after October 1, 2017."
Program Cost and Field Targets
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §925(b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2361, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §831(b)(4), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1857, which required the establishment of a process to develop program cost and fielding targets pursuant to section 4271 of this title, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VIII, §811(b)(7), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 948.
Configuration Steering Boards for Cost Control Under Major Defense Acquisition Programs
Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §814, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4528, as amended by Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §830, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 912; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §826, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1467; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(67), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1550, which required each Secretary of a military department to establish one or more Configuration Steering Boards for the major defense acquisition programs of such department, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VIII, §811(b)(14)(D), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 949.
§4272. Independent technical risk assessments
(a) In General.—With respect to a major defense acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct or approve independent technical risk assessments before any decision to grant Milestone B approval for the program pursuant to section 4252 of this title, any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production, or at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary, that includes the identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.
(b) Guidance.—The Secretary shall issue guidance and a framework for the conduct, execution, and approval of independent technical risk assessments.
(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2261, §2448b; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(73), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1552; renumbered §4272 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VIII, §806(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1974.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–159 struck out dash after "risk assessments" and par. (2) designation before "before any decision" and struck out par. (1) which read as follows: "before any decision to grant Milestone A approval for the program pursuant to section 4251 of this title, that identifies critical technologies and manufacturing processes that need to be matured; and".
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2), renumbered section 2448b of this title as this section.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2)(A), substituted "section 4251" for "section 2366a".
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(2)(B), substituted "section 4252" for "section 2366b".
2019—Pub. L. 116–92 added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which read as follows:
"(a) In General.—With respect to a major defense acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that an independent technical risk assessment is conducted—
"(1) before any decision to grant Milestone A approval for the program pursuant to section 2366a of this title, that identifies critical technologies and manufacturing processes that need to be matured; and
"(2) before any decision to grant Milestone B approval for the program pursuant to section 2366b of this title, any decision to enter into low-rate initial production or full-rate production, or at any other time considered appropriate by the Secretary, that includes the identification of any critical technologies or manufacturing processes that have not been successfully demonstrated in a relevant environment.
"(b) Categorization of Technical Risk Levels.—The Secretary shall issue guidance and a framework for categorizing the degree of technical and manufacturing risk in a major defense acquisition program."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to major defense acquisition programs that reach Milestone A after Oct. 1, 2017, see section 807(a)(2) of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 4271 of this title.
§4273. Performance assessments and root cause analyses
(a) Designation of Senior Official Responsibility for Performance Assessments and Root Cause Analyses.—
(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall designate a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the principal official of the Department of Defense responsible for conducting and overseeing performance assessments and root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs.
(2) No program execution responsibility.—The Secretary shall ensure that the senior official designated under paragraph (1) is not responsible for program execution.
(3) Staff and resources.—The Secretary shall assign to the senior official designated under paragraph (1) appropriate staff and resources necessary to carry out the senior official's function under this section.
(b) Responsibilities.—The senior official designated under subsection (a) shall be responsible for the following:
(1) Carrying out performance assessments of major defense acquisition programs in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) periodically or when requested by the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Secretary of a military department, or the head of a Defense Agency.
(2) Conducting root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs in accordance with the requirements of subsection (d) when required by section 4376(a)(1) of this title, or when requested by the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Secretary of a military department, or the head of a Defense Agency.
(3) Issuing policies, procedures, and guidance governing the conduct of performance assessments and root cause analyses by the military departments and the Defense Agencies.
(4) Evaluating the utility of performance metrics used to measure the cost, schedule, and performance of major defense acquisition programs, and making such recommendations to the Secretary of Defense as the official considers appropriate to improve such metrics.
(5) Advising acquisition officials on performance issues regarding a major defense acquisition program that may arise—
(A) before certification under sections 4376 and 4377 of this title;
(B) before entry into full-rate production; or
(C) in the course of consideration of any decision to request authorization of a multiyear procurement contract for the program.
(c) Performance Assessments.—For purposes of this section, a performance assessment with respect to a major defense acquisition program is an evaluation of the following:
(1) The cost, schedule, and performance of the program, relative to current metrics, including performance requirements and baseline descriptions.
(2) The extent to which the level of program cost, schedule, and performance predicted relative to such metrics is likely to result in the timely delivery of a level of capability to the warfighter that is consistent with the level of resources to be expended and provides superior value to alternative approaches that may be available to meet the same military requirement.
(d) Root Cause Analyses.—For purposes of this section and sections 4376 and 4377 of this title, a root cause analysis with respect to a major defense acquisition program is an assessment of the underlying cause or causes of shortcomings in cost, schedule, or performance of the program, including the role, if any, of—
(1) unrealistic performance expectations;
(2) unrealistic baseline estimates for cost or schedule;
(3) immature technologies or excessive manufacturing or integration risk;
(4) unanticipated design, engineering, manufacturing, or technology integration issues arising during program performance;
(5) changes in procurement quantities;
(6) inadequate program funding or funding instability;
(7) poor performance by government or contractor personnel responsible for program management; or
(8) any other matters.
(e) Support of Applicable Capabilities and Expertise.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the senior official designated under subsection (a) has the support of other Department of Defense officials with relevant capabilities and expertise needed to carry out the requirements of this section.
(Added and amended Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, §901(d), (k)(1)(F), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4321, 4325, §2438; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(f)(27), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1953; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, §1077(b), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, §902(72), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1551; renumbered §4273 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(b)(16)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, §1801(a)(34), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XVII, §1701(a)(44), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2206.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23, formerly set out as a note under section 2430 of this title, which was transferred to chapter 144 of this title, renumbered as section 2438, and amended by Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d), (k)(1)(F), and subsequently renumbered as this section and amended by Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3), was based on Pub. L. 111–23, title I, §103, May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1715.
Amendments
2024—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted "4376" for "4736".
2023—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "sections 4376" for "sections 4736".
2021—Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3), renumbered section 2438 of this title as this section.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(b)(16)(B), substituted "section 4376(a)(1)" for "section 2433a(a)(1)".
Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(B), substituted "sections 4736 and 4377" for "section 2433a".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(3)(B), substituted "sections 4736 and 4377" for "section 2433a" in introductory provisions.
2019—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment" for "Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics".
2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–92 struck out subsec. (f) which related to annual report.
2013—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–239 inserted "the senior" before "official's".
2011—Pub. L. 111–383, §901(k)(1)(F), substituted "Performance assessments and root cause analyses" for "performance assessments and root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs" in section catchline.
Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d), transferred section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23 to this chapter and renumbered it as this section. See Codification note above.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(1), substituted "section 2433a(a)(1) of this title" for "section 2433a(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 206(a) of this Act)".
Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(2), substituted "before" for "prior to" and "section 2433a of this title" for "section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)".
Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(2)(B), substituted "before" for "prior to".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(3), substituted "section 2433a of this title" for "section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–383, §901(d)(4), struck out "beginning in 2010," after "each year,".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–383 effective Jan. 1, 2011, see section 901(p) of Pub. L. 111–383, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment note under section 131 of this title.
[§4274. Omitted]
Editorial Notes
Codification
Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(4), (5), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256, 4257, enacted this section, transferred subsec. (b) of section 2547 of this title to this section, and made additional amendments, which were all to become effective Jan. 1, 2022. Subsequently, Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(1)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149, repealed section 1847(e)(4), (5) of Pub. L. 116–283, effective as if included therein, thereby omitting this section and eliminating the amendments before they took effect.