United States: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 This bill authorizes Department of Defense (DOD) activities for FY2022 and addresses related issues. For example, the bill provides or extends procurement authority for certain helicopters and amphibious shipbuilding programs; requires DOD to establish executive education activities on emerging technologies for certain officers and civilian leaders; provides statutory authority related to DOD Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories, including direct hire authority with respect to advanced degree holders for positions at such laboratories; establishes within DOD a working group to develop a plan for creating a digital development infrastructure that supports tools and processes for developing and fielding applications powered by artificial intelligence; requires DOD core processes, such as acquisition and infrastructure planning, to fully consider and make needed adjustments to account for current and emerging climate and environmental challenges and to ensure climate resilience; expands Selective Service registration to include women; requires DOD to track allegations of retaliation against individuals who have made complaints of sexual assault or sexual harassment; requires DOD to implement certain recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military; repeals a preference for fixed-price contracts in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; prohibits DOD from acquiring personal protective equipment from non-allied foreign nations, with some exceptions; extends and modifies authorities to assist vetted Syrian groups and individuals, provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and support the activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq; and extends and modifies the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.