$600M for DoD Rapid Innovation program?

Today the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee sent to the full House Appropriations Committee the FY2011 Defense Appropriations bill.  The Subcommittee's bill recommends an additional $604 million for rapid innovation -- $504 million in research and development funds, and $100 million in procurement funds. 

The Subcommittee's move paralllels actions taken by the full House when it passed the Defense Authorization bill at the end of May, which contained a provision authorizing $500 million for a new Rapid Innovation Program. 

Although the print of the subcommittee bill is not yet available, the opening statement of the subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Norm Dicks has been posted to the House Appropriations Committee website.  The relevant portion of his statement is provided below.  More details on the Subcommittee's action will be provided as they become available.

Innovation Funds

 The Bill recognizes that all too often, innovative solutions struggle to find their way into the research, development and procurements of the Department of Defense. Small businesses encounter difficulties in getting proposals heard. Resources are lacking to take innovative ideas to a level of technical maturity so that they are ready to be incorporated into existing programs. Products and services that are ready for rapid employment get left behind for want of adequate funds.

 The recommendation includes an additional $504,000,000 in research and development funds, and a further $100,000,000 in procurement funds to provide the Defense Department with resources that will spur innovation and deliver solutions to the warfighter more rapidly. The recommendation includes language that allows the Defense Department to build on the models of existing programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research program and the Rapid Equipping Force, while at the same time providing flexibility to employ other mechanisms within the bounds of acquisition statutes and regulations.