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Software accountability improvements over lifecycles

Division A · Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters · Subtitle D: Intellectual Property Matters

Plain-language summaryAI

The section requires the Department of Defense to establish a framework for tracking software maintenance metrics like patch updates and vulnerabilities, with regular reviews. It directs managers to plan for software solutions that minimize unexpected maintenance work and encourages using consumption-based approaches. It also tasks acquisition executives and product support managers with promoting contractor incentives and adopting advanced technologies to improve software sustainment and decision-making.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 865.
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(a) Software sustainment framework

Section 4324(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(G)

A software sustainment framework that—

(i)

defines metrics for software-enabled elements, including patch currency, vulnerability remediation timelines, and version lifecycle status; and

(ii)

provides for periodic review of such metrics.

(b) Life-cycle sustainment planning by product support managers

Section 4324(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(F)

maximize software-enabled solutions that reduce unanticipated growth work during maintenance cycles; and

(G)

maximize the use of consumption-based solutions as described in section 3605 of this title.

(c) Responsibilities of portfolio acquisition executives

Section 1732(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (7), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(9)

establish incentives for effective use by contractors of software-enabled solutions that expand the collection of decision-quality data to reduce unanticipated growth work during maintenance cycles or expedite the construction or procurement of capabilities.

(d) Responsibilities of product support managers

Section 1733(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (9) as paragraphs (5) through (10), respectively;

(2)

by redesignating the second paragraph (3) (relating to Adopting predictive analytics ) as paragraph (4); and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(11)

Maximizing the qualification, approval, integration, and adoption of advanced technologies and processes.