H.R. 3177House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

National Defense Accelerator Network Act of 2019

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 6:03 AM UTC

The National Defense Accelerator Network Act updates the Department of Defense’s proof‑of‑concept commercialization program. It pushes the program’s deadline out to 2024, refocuses the effort on dual‑use technologies that are important to defense, and encourages participation from private investors, including venture‑capital firms. The Secretary of Defense is given authority to use a range of existing statutes and programs to support the new approach.

Key Provisions

Extends the program’s end date from 2019 to 2024.
Redefines the program to target dual‑use technology and priority defense technology areas that attract public and private sector funding.
Allows awards under the program to include access to venture‑capital investment.
Removes certain existing subsections and redesignates others to streamline the program.
Authorizes the Secretary to use existing authorities such as public‑private talent exchanges, science‑technology partnership centers, prize competitions, industrial excellence centers, manufacturing technology programs, and cooperative research agreements to implement the program.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee

June 11, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 10, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 10, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee

June 11, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 10, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3177

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 10, 2019

Mr. Brown of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To modify the proof of concept commercialization program of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Defense Accelerator Network Act of 2019.

Modification of proof of concept commercialization program

(a)

Extension of program

Section 1603(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 10 U.S.C. 2359 note) is amended by striking 2019 and inserting 2024.

(b)

Additional improvements

Section 1603 of such Act, as amended by subsection (a), is further amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by inserting of dual-use technology after commercialization;

(2)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by inserting of Dual-Use Technology before Program; and

(B)

by inserting with a focus on priority defense technology areas that attract public and private sector funding, as well as private sector investment capital, including from venture capital firms in the United States, before in accordance;

(3)

in subsection (c)(4)(A)(iv), by inserting , which may include access to venture capital after award;

(4)

by striking subsection (d);

(5)

by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d);

(6)

by striking subsection (f); and

(7)

by adding at the end the following new subsection (e):

(e)

Authorities

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may use the following authorities:

(1)

Section 1599g of title 10 of the United States Code, relating to public-private talent exchanges.

(2)

Section 2368 of such title, relating to Centers for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnerships.

(3)

Section 2374a of such title, relating to prizes for advanced technology achievements.

(4)

Section 2474 of such title, relating to Centers of Industrial and Technical Excellence.

(5)

Section 2521 of such title, relating to the Manufacturing Technology Program.

(6)

Section 225 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 10 U.S.C. 2359 note).

(7)

Section 1711 of such Act (Public Law 115–91; 10 U.S.C. 2505 note), relating to a pilot program on strengthening manufacturing in the defense industrial base.

(8)

Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) and section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, relating to cooperative research and development agreements.