(a) Program
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a demonstration and prototyping program, to be known as the Organic Industrial Base Qualification Program for Castings and Forgings for Legacy Aircraft , to develop, test, and qualify the organic industrial base as an alternate source for the manufacture of casts and forged components for fixed wing or rotary wing legacy aircraft.
(b) Selection of depots
(1) Selection
The Secretary shall select one or more covered depots at which to carry out the Program.
(2) Foundry requirement
The Secretary shall ensure that any covered depot selected under paragraph (1) has a foundry capable of manufacturing casts and forged components.
(c) Activities authorized
In carrying out the Program, the Secretary of Defense may conduct at any covered depot selected pursuant to subsection (b) one or more of the following activities:
Such activities as may be necessary to certify or otherwise accredit the covered depot to meet industry standards relating to the manufacturing of casts and forged components for legacy aircraft, including the processing of raw materials for such manufacturing.
The identification of candidate casts or forged components to be manufactured at a covered depot for legacy aircraft.
The manufacture of test articles for such candidate casts or forged components.
The analysis, test, demonstration, and qualification of such candidate casts and forged components for use with respect to legacy aircraft.
The manufacture, in limited production quantities, of such candidate casts and forged components for use as reserve stock for such legacy aircraft.
The development or acquisition of such workforce, equipment, or materials as may be necessary to accomplish any activity under paragraphs (1) through (5).
(d) Public-private partnership
(1) Requirement
Under the Program, each covered depot selected under subsection (b) shall seek to enter into at least one public-private partnership with an original manufacturer of legacy aircraft for the purpose of such manufacturer supporting the activities conducted at the covered depot under subsection (c).
(2) Authority under partnership
As part of any partnership entered into between an original manufacturer of legacy aircraft and a covered depot under paragraph (1), such original manufacturer may analyze requirements and specifications relating to legacy aircraft, and update related technical data, to identify the minimum requirements for raw material, processing of such raw material, and manufacturing, relating to casts and forged components for legacy aircraft.
(e) Report
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the activities carried out under the Program, including—
an identification of any certification or accreditation achieved pursuant to subsection (c)(1);
a description of the number and type of casts and forged components manufactured by each covered depot under the Program and whether such casts or forged components have been qualified for use with respect to legacy aircraft;
a description of any operational or funding barriers to implementation of the Program;
any recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or policy modifications necessary to reduce such barriers, including with respect to the receipt of funds to carry out the Program; and
any other recommendations for improving the Program, including whether to extend the or make permanent the Program.
(f) Termination
The authority to carry out the Program shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(g) Definitions
In this section:
The term covered depot has the meaning given such term in 2476 of title 10, United States Code.
The term organic industrial base means each covered depot.
The term Program means the program established under subsection (a).