AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after two of his bills to enhance U.S. defense procurement capabilities, the Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act and the Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act, were signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:  

“For America to effectively confront the evolving threats around the globe, our military must be modern and nimble,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These bills will enhance and expand our defense procurement capabilities to ensure we can answer the call at a moment’s notice, and I’m glad to see them signed into law.”

Background:

The Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act creates a pilot project permitting contracting officers to use an alternative capability-based analysis to determine whether the proposed price or fee for a commercial product or service offered by a nontraditional defense contractor is fair and reasonable, giving them more flexibility to choose the most cost-effective options regardless of contractor.

The Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act permits the use of the Defense Modernization Fund as a source of funding to procure and integrate commercial technologies to satisfy a joint urgent operational need or validated service requirement.