WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Buying Faster than the Enemy Act. The bill aims to streamline the Department of Defense’s (DOD) acquisition process, reducing bureaucratic delays to ensure the U.S. military can procure advanced technology faster and more affordably than its adversaries.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “China, Iran, and our other adversaries don’t drown themselves with red tape when arming themselves. To stay ahead, the DOD must move faster. My bill would streamline the purchase of cutting-edge warfighter tech from American companies—making the process faster and cheaper.”
Key Provisions of the Buying Faster than the Enemy Ac:
- Faster and More Flexible Defense Procurement: Streamlines the acquisition of commercial products and services, allowing for quicker competitive selection and sole-source follow-on contracts.
- Reduced Bureaucratic Hurdles: Limits unnecessary contract clauses for subcontractors and creates multiple consortia to get new and groundbreaking weapons from both traditional and nontraditional defense contractors.
- Stronger Support for Defense Suppliers: Doubles advance payments for contractors from 15% to 30% and makes DOD buy commercially as the standard, ensuring faster approval and procurement.
Full bill text available here.