USC Subchapter I

in effect

14 U.S.C. § 1101 Acquisition directorate

(a) Establishment.—The Commandant shall establish an acquisition directorate to provide guidance and oversight for the implementation and management of all Coast Guard acquisition processes, programs, and projects. (b) Mission.—The mission of the acquisition directorate is—(1) to acquire and deliver assets and systems that increase operational readiness, enhance mission performance, and create a safe working environment; (2) to assist in the development of a workforce that is trained and qualified to further the Coast Guard’s missions and deliver the best-value products and services to the Nation; and (3) to meet the needs of customers of major acquisition programs in the most cost-effective manner practicable.

14 U.S.C. § 1102 Improvements in Coast Guard acquisition management

(a) Project or Program Managers.—(1) Level 1 projects.—An individual may not be assigned as the project or program manager for a Level 1 acquisition unless the individual holds a Level III acquisition certification as a program manager. (2) Level 2 projects.—An individual may not be assigned as the project or program manager for a Level 2 acquisition unless the individual holds a Level II acquisition certification as a program manager. (b) Acquisition Workforce.—(1) In general.—The Commandant shall designate a sufficient number of positions to be in the Coast Guard’s acquisition workforce to perform acquisition-related functions at Coast Guard headquarters and field activities. (2) Required positions.—In designating positions under subsection (a), the Commandant shall include, at a minimum, positions encompassing the following competencies and functions:(A) Program management. (B) Systems planning, research, development, engineering, and testing. (C) Procurement, including contracting. (D) Industrial and contract property management. (E) Life-cycle logistics. (F) Quality control and assurance. (G) Manufacturing and production. (H) Business, cost estimating, financial management, and auditing. (I) Acquisition education, training, and career development. (J) Construction and facilities engineering. (K) Testing and evaluation. (3) Acquisition management headquarter activities.—The Commandant shall also designate as positions in the acquisition workforce under paragraph (1) those acquisition-related positions located at Coast Guard headquarters units. (4) Appropriate expertise required.—The Commandant shall ensure that each individual assigned to a position in the acquisition workforce has the appropriate expertise to carry out the responsibilities of that position. (c) Management Information System.—(1) In general.—The Commandant shall establish a management information system capability to improve acquisition workforce management and reporting. (2) Information maintained.—Information maintained with such capability shall include the following standardized information on individuals assigned to positions in the workforce:(A) Qualifications, assignment history, and tenure of those individuals assigned to positions in the acquisition workforce or holding acquisition-related certifications. (B) Promotion rates for officers and members of the Coast Guard in the acquisition workforce. (d) Appointments to Acquisition Positions.—The Commandant shall ensure that no requirement or preference for officers or members of the Coast Guard is used in the consideration of individuals for positions in the acquisition workforce. (e) Career Paths.—(1) Identification of career paths.—To establish acquisition management as a core competency of the Coast Guard, the Commandant shall—(A) ensure that career paths for officers, members, and employees of the Coast Guard who wish to pursue careers in acquisition are identified in terms of the education, training, experience, and assignments necessary for career progression of those officers, members, and employees to the most senior positions in the acquisition workforce; and (B) publish information on such career paths. (2) Promotion parity.—The Commandant shall ensure that promotion parity is established for officers and members of the Coast Guard who have been assigned to the acquisition workforce relative to officers and members who have not been assigned to the acquisition workforce.

14 U.S.C. § 1103 Role of Vice Commandant in major acquisition programs

The Vice Commandant— (1) shall represent the customer of a major acquisition program with regard to trade-offs made among cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance with respect to such program; and (2) shall advise the Commandant in decisions regarding the balancing of resources against priorities, and associated trade-offs referred to in paragraph (1), on behalf of the customer of a major acquisition program.

14 U.S.C. § 1104 Recognition of Coast Guard personnel for excellence in acquisition

(a) In General.—The Commandant shall maintain a program to recognize excellent performance by individuals and teams comprised of officers, members, and employees of the Coast Guard that contributed to the long-term success of a Coast Guard acquisition project or program. (b) Elements.—The program shall include—(1) specific award categories, criteria, and eligibility and manners of recognition; (2) procedures for the nomination by personnel of the Coast Guard of individuals and teams comprised of officers, members, and employees of the Coast Guard for recognition under the program; and (3) procedures for the evaluation of nominations for recognition under the program by one or more panels of individuals from the Government, academia, and the private sector who have such expertise and are appointed in such manner as the Commandant shall establish for the purposes of this program. (c) Award of Cash Bonuses.—As part of the program required by subsection (a), the Commandant, subject to the availability of appropriations, may award to any civilian employee recognized pursuant to the program a cash bonus to the extent that the performance of such individual so recognized warrants the award of such bonus.

14 U.S.C. § 1105 Prohibition on use of lead systems integrators

(a) In General.—(1) Use of lead systems integrator.—The Commandant may not use a private sector entity as a lead systems integrator. (2) Full and open competition.—The Commandant shall use full and open competition for any acquisition contract unless otherwise excepted in accordance with Federal acquisition laws and regulations promulgated under those laws, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (3) No effect on small business act.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supersede or otherwise affect the authorities provided by and under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.). (b) Limitation on Financial Interest in Subcontractors.—Neither an entity performing lead systems integrator functions for a Coast Guard acquisition nor a Tier 1 subcontractor for any acquisition may have a financial interest in a subcontractor below the Tier 1 subcontractor level unless—(1) the subcontractor was selected by the prime contractor through full and open competition for such procurement; (2) the procurement was awarded by an entity performing lead systems integrator functions or a subcontractor through full and open competition; (3) the procurement was awarded by a subcontractor through a process over which the entity performing lead systems integrator functions or a Tier 1 subcontractor exercised no control; or (4) the Commandant has determined that the procurement was awarded in a manner consistent with Federal acquisition laws and regulations promulgated under those laws, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (c) Lead Systems Integrator Defined.—In this section, the term “lead systems integrator” has the meaning given such term in section 805(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163).

14 U.S.C. § 1106 Required contract terms

(a) In General.—The Commandant shall ensure that a contract awarded or a delivery order or task order issued for an acquisition of a capability or an asset with an expected service life of 10 or more years and with a total acquisition cost that is equal to or exceeds $10,000,000—(1) provides that all certifications for an end-state capability or asset under such contract, delivery order, or task order, respectively, will be conducted by the Commandant or an independent third party, and that self-certification by a contractor or subcontractor is not allowed; (2) provides that the Commandant shall maintain the authority to establish, approve, and maintain technical requirements; (3) requires that any measurement of contractor and subcontractor performance be based on the status of all work performed, including the extent to which the work performed met all performance, cost, and schedule requirements; (4) specifies that, for the acquisition or upgrade of air, surface, or shore capabilities and assets for which compliance with TEMPEST certification is a requirement, the standard for determining such compliance will be the air, surface, or shore standard then used by the Department of the Navy for that type of capability or asset; and (5) for any contract awarded to acquire an Offshore Patrol Cutter, includes provisions specifying the service life, fatigue life, and days underway in general Atlantic and North Pacific Sea conditions, maximum range, and maximum speed the cutter will be built to achieve. (b) Prohibited Provisions.—(1) In general.—The Commandant shall ensure that any contract awarded or delivery order or task order issued by the Coast Guard does not include any provision allowing for equitable adjustment that is not consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. (2) Extension of program.—A contract, contract modification, or award term extending a contract with a lead systems integrator—(A) may not include any minimum requirements for the purchase of a given or determinable number of specific capabilities or assets; and (B) shall be reviewed by an independent third party with expertise in acquisition management, and the results of that review shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees at least 60 days prior to the award of the contract, contract modification, or award term. (c) Integrated Product Teams.—Integrated product teams, and all teams that oversee integrated product teams, shall be chaired by officers, members, or employees of the Coast Guard. (d) Technical Authority.—The Commandant shall maintain or designate the technical authority to establish, approve, and maintain technical requirements. Any such designation shall be made in writing and may not be delegated to the authority of the Chief Acquisition Officer established by section 308 of this title.

14 U.S.C. § 1107 Extension of major acquisition program contracts

(a) In General.—Notwithstanding section 1105(a)(2) of this title and section 2304 11 See References in Text note below. of title 10, and subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Secretary may acquire additional units procured under a Coast Guard major acquisition program contract, by extension of such contract without competition, if the Director of the Cost Analysis Division of the Department of Homeland Security determines that the costs that would be saved through award of a new contract in accordance with such sections would not exceed the costs of such an award. (b) Limitation on Number of Additional Units.—The number of additional units acquired under a contract extension under this section may not exceed the number of additional units for which such determination is made. (c) Determination of Costs Upon Request.—The Director of the Cost Analysis Division of the Department of Homeland Security shall, at the request of the Secretary, determine for purposes of this section—(1) the costs that would be saved through award of a new major acquisition program contract in accordance with section 1105(a)(2) for the acquisition of a number of additional units specified by the Secretary; and (2) the costs of such award, including the costs that would be incurred due to acquisition schedule delays and asset design changes associated with such award. (d) Number of Extensions.—A contract may be extended under this section more than once.

14 U.S.C. § 1108 Department of Defense consultation

(a) In General.—The Commandant shall make arrangements as appropriate with the Secretary of Defense for support in contracting and management of Coast Guard acquisition programs. The Commandant shall also seek opportunities to make use of Department of Defense contracts, and contracts of other appropriate agencies, to obtain the best possible price for assets acquired for the Coast Guard. (b) Interservice Technical Assistance.—The Commandant shall seek to maintain a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary of the Navy to obtain the assistance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, including the Navy Systems Command, with the oversight of Coast Guard major acquisition programs. The memorandum of understanding or memorandum of agreement shall, at a minimum, provide for—(1) the exchange of technical assistance and support that the Assistant Commandants for Acquisition, Human Resources, Engineering, and Information technology may identify; (2) the use, as appropriate, of Navy technical expertise; and (3) the temporary assignment or exchange of personnel between the Coast Guard and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, including Naval Systems Command, to facilitate the development of organic capabilities in the Coast Guard. (c) Technical Requirement Approval Procedures.—The Chief Acquisition Officer shall adopt, to the extent practicable, procedures modeled after those used by the Navy Senior Acquisition Official to approve all technical requirements.

14 U.S.C. § 1109 Undefinitized contractual actions

(a) In General.—The Coast Guard may not enter into an undefinitized contractual action unless such action is directly approved by the Head of Contracting Activity of the Coast Guard. (b) Requests for Undefinitized Contractual Actions.—Any request to the Head of Contracting Activity for approval of an undefinitized contractual action shall include a description of the anticipated effect on requirements of the Coast Guard if a delay is incurred for the purposes of determining contractual terms, specifications, and price before performance is begun under the contractual action. (c) Requirements for Undefinitized Contractual Actions.—(1) Deadline for agreement on terms, specifications, and price.—A contracting officer of the Coast Guard may not enter into an undefinitized contractual action unless the contractual action provides for agreement upon contractual terms, specification, and price by the earlier of—(A) the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the contractor submits a qualifying proposal to definitize the contractual terms, specifications, and price; or (B) the date on which the amount of funds obligated under the contractual action is equal to more than 50 percent of the negotiated overall ceiling price for the contractual action. (2) Limitation on obligations.—(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the contracting officer for an undefinitized contractual action may not obligate under such contractual action an amount that exceeds 50 percent of the negotiated overall ceiling price until the contractual terms, specifications, and price are definitized for such contractual action. (B) Exception.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if a contractor submits a qualifying proposal to definitize an undefinitized contractual action before an amount that exceeds 50 percent of the negotiated overall ceiling price is obligated on such action, the contracting officer for such action may not obligate with respect to such contractual action an amount that exceeds 75 percent of the negotiated overall ceiling price until the contractual terms, specifications, and price are definitized for such contractual action. (3) Waiver.—The Commandant may waive the application of this subsection with respect to a contract if the Commandant determines that the waiver is necessary to support—(A) a contingency operation (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(13) of title 10); (B) operations to prevent or respond to a transportation security incident (as defined in section 70101(6) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 46); (C) an operation in response to an emergency that poses an unacceptable threat to human health or safety or to the marine environment; or (D) an operation in response to a natural disaster or major disaster or emergency designated by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (4) Limitation on application.—This subsection does not apply to an undefinitized contractual action for the purchase of initial spares. (d) Inclusion of Nonurgent Requirements.—Requirements for spare parts and support equipment that are not needed on an urgent basis may not be included in an undefinitized contractual action by the Coast Guard for spare parts and support equipment that are needed on an urgent basis unless the Commandant approves such inclusion as being—(1) good business practice; and (2) in the best interests of the United States. (e) Modification of Scope.—The scope of an undefinitized contractual action under which performance has begun may not be modified unless the Commandant approves such modification as being—(1) good business practice; and (2) in the best interests of the United States. (f) Allowable Profit.—The Commandant shall ensure that the profit allowed on an undefinitized contractual action for which the final price is negotiated after a substantial portion of the performance required is completed reflects—(1) the possible reduced cost risk of the contractor with respect to costs incurred during performance of the contract before the final price is negotiated; and (2) the reduced cost risk of the contractor with respect to costs incurred during performance of the remaining portion of the contract. (g) Definitions.—In this section:(1) Undefinitized contractual action.—(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “undefinitized contractual action” means a new procurement action entered into by the Coast Guard for which the contractual terms, specifications, or price are not agreed upon before performance is begun under the action. (B) Exclusion.—The term “undefinitized contractual action” does not include contractual actions with respect to—(i) foreign military sales; (ii) purchases in an amount not in excess of the amount of the simplified acquisition threshold; or (iii) special access programs. (2) Qualifying proposal.—The term “qualifying proposal” means a proposal that contains sufficient information to enable complete and meaningful audits of the information contained in the proposal as determined by the contracting officer.

14 U.S.C. § 1110 Elevation of disputes to the Chief Acquisition Officer

If, after 90 days following the elevation to the Chief Acquisition Officer of any design or other dispute regarding level 1 or level 2 acquisition, the dispute remains unresolved, the Commandant shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed description of the issue and the rationale underlying the decision taken by the Chief Acquisition Officer to resolve the issue.

14 U.S.C. § 1111 Acquisition workforce authorities

(a) Expedited Hiring Authority.—(1) In general.—For the purposes of section 3304 of title 5, the Commandant may—(A) designate any category of acquisition positions within the Coast Guard as shortage category positions; and (B) use the authorities in such section to recruit and appoint highly qualified persons directly to positions so designated. (2) Reports.—The Commandant shall include in reports under section 1102 information described in such section regarding positions designated under this subsection. (b) Reemployment Authority.—(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), if an annuitant receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund becomes employed in any category of acquisition positions designated by the Commandant under subsection (a), the annuity of the annuitant so employed shall continue. The annuitant so reemployed shall not be considered an employee for purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5. (2)(A) Election.—An annuitant retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, receiving an annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, who becomes employed in any category of acquisition positions designated by the Commandant under subsection (a) after the date of the enactment of the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, may elect to be subject to section 8344 or 8468 of such title (as the case may be).(i) Deadline.—An election for coverage under this subsection shall be filed not later than 90 days after the Commandant takes reasonable actions to notify an employee who may file an election. (ii) Coverage.—If an employee files an election under this subsection, coverage shall be effective beginning on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of the filing of the election. (B) Application.—Paragraph (1) shall apply to an individual who is eligible to file an election under subparagraph (A) and does not file a timely election under clause (i) of such subparagraph.