Bill Would Allow Federally Funded Centers to get Exclusive Access to Government Work
April 12, 2012
Defense Department officials want to give Federally Funded Research and Development Centers access to government research and development work for up to five years, bypassing market competition, according to a new defense bill.
DOD would be allowed to enter into a multi-year sponsorship agreement, or contract, with a research center that receives federal money as long as there are certain provisions related to its orderly conclusion. The contract would also have certain negotiated terms on who pays various expenses as it ends, according to language in the new fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310).
The House Armed Services Committee introduced the bill March 29, although it includes only DOD's legislative requests. The committee will issue its version of H.R. 4310 May 7.