Bills · S 979
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 979Armed Forces and National Security
Buying Faster than the Enemy Act of 2025
INTRO MAR 12· LAST ACTION MAR 12
READING
10MIN
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to make the defense buying process faster and potentially more efficient, which could directly impact national security. If successful, the military could get its hands on cutting-edge commercial technology more quickly, ensuring that our forces have access to the best tools available, potentially saving lives and improving defense capabilities.
Conversely, voters might be concerned about changes that reduce oversight in contracting. While the bill aims to cut red tape, some might worry that simplifying follow-on contracts and reducing the flow-down of clauses to subcontractors could lead to less transparency or increased costs if not properly managed. If this bill becomes law, we could see a shift towards more agile defense procurement, while if it doesn't, the current, often criticized, slower acquisition processes would remain in place.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Allows the Department of Defense to issue follow-on contracts, including sole-source awards, to competitively selected companies without further justification.
This significantly streamlines the process for continued work with successful defense partners, potentially speeding up technology adoption.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish standing solicitations for various defense commands, promoting agile acquisition methods for new capabilities.
This aims to create a more consistent and accessible channel for non-traditional defense companies and innovative solutions to enter the defense market.
PROVISION 03
Limits the contract clauses that must be passed down to subcontractors providing commercial products or services and requires these to be combined into a single clause.
This reduces administrative burden for commercial subcontractors, encouraging more companies to work with defense prime contractors.
PROVISION 04
New defense-unique laws or contract requirements enacted after 1994 will not automatically apply to commercial contracts or subcontracts unless a senior defense official specifically approves it.
This acts as a filter to prevent the automatic application of new, potentially burdensome, defense-specific rules to commercial deals, aiming to keep commercial procurement simpler.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Indiana
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
99
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 12
Introduced in Senate
MAR 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 979
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 12, 2025
Last actionMar 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2025
Senate BillS 979Armed Forces and National Security
Buying Faster than the Enemy Act of 2025
INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
10 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
