Text of Senate Amendment 6589

On 2026-07-13, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6589" in the Senate.

Text of Senate Amendment 6589

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3784-S3785] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6589. Mr. KIM submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following: SEC. ___. ASSESSMENT OF FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF A DEFENSE DIGITAL ENGINEERING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR MODEL-BASED ACQUISITION, SECURE DATA TRANSFER, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. (a) Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a center of excellence (in this section referred to as the ``Center'') at an accredited institution of higher education located within an established defense innovation corridor that maintains-- (1) active defense research programs across not fewer than two military departments; (2) an operational digital engineering hub or equivalent facility; (3) a planned or existing facility with the capability to achieve sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) accreditation; and (4) demonstrated capability in model-based systems engineering, additive manufacturing for defense applications, and cybersecurity. (b) Mission.--The Center shall serve as a nationally designated hub for the following three interconnected defense digital engineering pillars: (1) Secure data transfer and digital engineering.--(A) The Center shall assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing an accredited secure data transfer capability to serve as a trusted intermediary for the exchange of model- based digital engineering artifacts between military laboratories, shipyards, operational platforms, government agencies, and industry partners. (B) Such capability would support both large-scale digital engineering programs, including programs of record, and smaller-scale initiatives such as additive manufacturing digital thread applications for equipment obsolescence management. (C) The Center shall develop and maintain interoperability standards for digital artifact exchange that are compatible with existing and emerging Department of Defense data architectures. (2) Model-based acquisition pilot program.--(A) The Secretary, in coordination with the Center, shall establish a pilot program to develop and test model-based technical data packages for not fewer than one naval acquisition program of record. (B) The pilot program shall demonstrate a continuous digital thread from requirements development through design, construction, and sustainment, with the objective of eliminating duplicative data recreation by government and industry stakeholders. (C) The Center shall develop reference architectures, data exchange standards, and interoperability protocols for model- based Technical Data Packages in coordination with the Naval Sea Systems Command, relevant Program Executive Offices, and industry partners. (D) Not later than two years after the establishment of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report evaluating the cost savings, schedule improvements, and technical quality improvements achieved relative to static, document-centric acquisition processes. (3) Workforce development program.--(A) The Center shall develop and deliver role-specific digital engineering training programs for Department of Defense leadership and management personnel. (B) Such programs shall be designed at not fewer than three proficiency levels-- (i) executive level, for flag and general officers, Senior Executive Service personnel, and program executive officers; (ii) program management level, for program managers, ship design managers, and design integration managers; and (iii) working level, for systems engineers, requirements management personnel, and technical warrant holders. (C) The Center may award certificates of completion and shall coordinate with the Defense Acquisition University to ensure such programs satisfy continuing education and certification requirements under chapter 87 of title 10, United States Code. [[Page S3785]] (c) Coordination.--The Center shall coordinate with-- (1) the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense; (2) the Defense Acquisition University; (3) the Defense Innovation Unit; (4) relevant Federally funded research and development centers; and (5) private sector industry partners, including shipbuilders, defense contractors, and technology firms. (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the findings of the Secretary under this section. ______