Us Congress Senate Bill SB4566

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/18/24
• Refer: 6/18/24

Caption

A bill to require the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program on producing parts through reverse engineering, and for other purposes.

Impact

Should SB4566 be enacted, it would foster changes in how the military acquires spare parts by introducing a structured approach to reverse engineering. This bill supports the increased use of small businesses in defense supply chains, as the findings from prior reports indicate that small businesses benefit from the opportunities created through reverse engineering practices. The resultant pilot program would require the identification of at least 50 military parts for reverse engineering, setting a benchmark for future practices in the defense sector.

Summary

Senate Bill 4566 mandates the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Army to implement a pilot program focused on producing military parts through reverse engineering. The bill emphasizes the potential for cost savings and the promotion of competition within the marketplace for spare parts, which is critical for maintaining military readiness and efficiency. The initiative is designed to leverage past findings indicating that reverse engineering can lower prices and increase market competition, especially for parts that are currently procured through sole-source contracts.

Contention

While the bill appears largely beneficial in theory, there may arise objections regarding aspects such as intellectual property rights and the implications of expanded reverse engineering practices. Some critics may argue that the focus on reverse engineering could risk undermining existing manufacturers or lead to legal challenges over proprietary designs. There may also be discussions about the adequacy of protections for intellectual property as military components undergo reverse engineering, thus complicating the already sensitive balance between innovation and intellectual property rights.