- § 2350a. Cooperative research and development agreements: NATO organizations; allied and friendly foreign countries
- § 2350b. Cooperative projects under Arms Export Control Act: acquisition of defense equipment
- § 2350c. Cooperative military airlift agreements: allied countries
- § 2350d. Cooperative acquisition and logistics support agreements: NATO countries
- § 2350e. NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program: authority of Secretary of Defense
- § 2350f. Procurement of communications support and related supplies and services
- § 2350g. Authority to accept use of real property, services, and supplies from foreign countries in connection with mutual defense agreements and occupational arrangements
- § 2350h. Memorandums of agreement: Department of Defense ombudsman for foreign signatories
- § 2350i. Foreign contributions for cooperative projects
- § 2350j. Burden sharing contributions by designated countries and regional organizations
- § 2350k. Relocation within host nation of elements of armed forces overseas
- § 2350l. Cooperative agreements for reciprocal use of test facilities: foreign countries and international organizations
- § 2350m. Participation in European program on multilateral exchange of surface transportation services
- § 2350n. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Force Command
- § 2350o. Participation in programs relating to coordination or exchange of air refueling and air transportation services
- § 2350p. Reciprocal patient movement agreements
- § 2350q. Execution of projects under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program
- § 2350r. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Headquarters
§ 2350a. Cooperative research and development agreements: NATO organizations; allied and friendly foreign countries
(a)Authority To Engage in Cooperative R&D Projects.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may enter into a memorandum of understanding (or other formal agreement) with one or more countries or organizations referred to in paragraph (2) for the purpose of conducting cooperative research and development projects on defense equipment and munitions.
(2) The countries and organizations with which the Secretary may enter into a memorandum of agreement (or other formal agreement) under paragraph (1) are as follows:
(A) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(B) A NATO organization.
(C) A member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(D) A major non-NATO ally.
(E) Any other friendly foreign country.
(F) The European Union, including the European Defence Agency, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union, and their suborganizations.
(3) If such a memorandum of understanding (or other formal agreement) is with a country referred to in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (2), such memorandum (or agreement) may go into effect only after the Secretary submits to the Committees on Armed Services and on Foreign Relations of the Senate and to the Committees on Armed Services and on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report with respect to the proposed memorandum (or agreement) and a period of 30 days has passed after the report has been submitted.
(b)Requirement That Projects Improve Conventional Defense Capabilities.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a memorandum of understanding (or other formal agreement) to conduct a cooperative research and development project under this section unless the Secretary determines that the proposed project will improve, through the application of emerging technology, the conventional defense capabilities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the common conventional defense capabilities of the United States and a country or organization referred to in subsection (a)(2).
(2) The authority of the Secretary to make a determination under paragraph (1) may only be delegated to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
(c)Cost Sharing.—
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each cooperative research and development project entered into under this section shall require sharing of the costs of the project (including the costs of claims) between the participants on an equitable basis.
(2) A cooperative research and development project may be entered into under this section under which costs are shared between the participants on an unequal basis if the Secretary of Defense, or an official specified in subsection (b)(2) to whom the Secretary delegates authority under this paragraph, makes a written determination that unequal cost sharing provides strategic value to the United States or another participant in the project.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “cost” means the total value of cash and non-cash contributions.
(d)Restrictions on Procurement of Equipment and Services.—
(1) In order to assure substantial participation on the part of countries and organizations referred to in subsection (a)(2) in cooperative research and development projects, funds made available for such projects may not be used to procure equipment or services from any foreign government, foreign research organization, or other foreign entity.
(2) A country or organization referred to in subsection (a)(2) may not use any military or economic assistance grant, loan, or other funds provided by the United States for the purpose of making the contribution of that country or organization to a cooperative research and development program entered into with the United States under this section.
(e)Cooperative Opportunities.—
(1) In order to ensure that opportunities to conduct cooperative research and development projects are considered at an early point during the formal development review process of the Department of Defense in connection with any planned project of the Department, opportunities for such cooperative research and development shall be addressed in the acquisition strategy for the project.
(2) A cooperative opportunities discussion referred to in paragraph (1) shall consider the following:
(A) Whether or not a project similar to the one under consideration by the Department of Defense is in development or production by any country or organization referred to in subsection (a)(2) or NATO organizations.
(B) If a project similar to the one under consideration by the Department of Defense is in development or production by one or more countries and organizations referred to in subsection (a)(2), an assessment as to whether that project could satisfy, or could be modified in scope so as to satisfy, the military requirements of the project.
(C) An assessment of the advantages and disadvantages with regard to program timing, developmental and life cycle costs, technology sharing, and Rationalization, Standardization, and Interoperability (RSI) of seeking to structure a cooperative development program with one or more countries and organizations referred to in subsection (a)(2) or NATO organizations.
(D) A recommendation to the milestone decision authority as to whether the Department of Defense should explore the feasibility and desirability of a cooperative development program with one or more countries and organizations referred to in subsection (a)(2) or NATO organizations.
[(f) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1031(a)(17), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1597.]
(g)Side-by-Side Testing.—
(1) It is the sense of Congress—
(A) that the Secretary of Defense should test covered equipment, munitions, and technologies to determine the ability of such covered equipment, munitions, and technologies to satisfy United States military requirements or to correct operational deficiencies; and
(B) that while the testing of nondevelopmental items and items in the late state of the development process are preferred, the testing of such covered equipment, munitions, and technologies may be conducted to determine procurement alternatives.
(2) The Secretary of Defense may acquire covered equipment, munitions, and technologies for the purpose of conducting the testing described in that paragraph.
(3) The use of side-by-side testing under this subsection may be considered to be the use of competitive procedures for purposes of chapter 137 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, when procuring items within 5 years after an initial determination that the items have been successfully tested and found to satisfy United States military requirements or to correct operational deficiencies.(4)Covered Equipment, Munitions, and Technologies Defined.—In this subsection, the term “covered equipment, munitions, and technologies” means—
(A) conventional defense equipment, munitions, and technologies manufactured and developed by countries referred to in subsection (a)(2); and
(B) conventional defense equipment, munitions, and technologies manufactured and developed domestically.
(h)Secretary To Encourage Similar Programs.—The Secretary of Defense shall encourage member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, major non-NATO allies, and other friendly foreign countries to establish programs similar to the one provided for in this section.
(i)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term “cooperative research and development project” means a project involving joint participation by the United States and one or more countries and organizations referred to in subsection (a)(2) under a memorandum of understanding (or other formal agreement) to carry out a joint research and development program—
(A) to develop new conventional defense equipment and munitions; or
(B) to modify existing military equipment to meet United States military requirements.
(2) The term “major non-NATO ally” means a country (other than a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) that is designated as a major non-NATO ally for purposes of this section by the Secretary of Defense with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
(3) The term “NATO organization” means any North Atlantic Treaty Organization subsidiary body referred to in section 2350(2) of this title and any other organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(Added Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, § 931(a)(2), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1531; amended Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIII, § 1331(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1673; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, § 1053, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1471; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title VIII, § 843(b)(1), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2469; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, § 904(d)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1728; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XIII, § 1301, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2888; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, § 1502(a)(17), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 504; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title IX, § 911(a)(1), title X, § 1067(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 717, 774; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(b)(2), title XII, § 1212(a)–(e)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1225, 1248–1250; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, §§ 1041(a)(9), 1062(f)(2), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2645, 2651; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1031(a)(17), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1597; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title II, § 237, title XII, § 1251, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 48, 401; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, § 901(j)(4), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4324; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VIII, § 865, title X, § 1061(14), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1526, 1583; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 821(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 900; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, § 827, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2280; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 902(54), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1549; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title II, § 211, title VIII, § 882, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3455, 3790; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title II, § 211(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2466.)
§ 2350b. Cooperative projects under Arms Export Control Act: acquisition of defense equipment
(a)
(1) If the President delegates to the Secretary of Defense the authority to carry out section 27(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2767(d)), relating to cooperative projects (as defined in such section), the Secretary may utilize his authority under this title in carrying out contracts or obligations incurred under such section.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c), chapter 137 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title shall apply to such contracts (referred to in paragraph (1)) entered into by the Secretary of Defense. Except to the extent waived under subsection (c) or some other provision of law, all other provisions of law relating to procurement, if otherwise applicable, shall apply to such contracts entered into by the Secretary of Defense.(b) When contracting or incurring obligations under section 27(d) of the Arms Export Control Act for cooperative projects, the Secretary of Defense may require subcontracts to be awarded to particular subcontractors in furtherance of the cooperative project.
(c)
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), when entering into contracts or incurring obligations under section 27(d) of the Arms Export Control Act outside the United States, the Secretary of Defense may waive with respect to any such contract or subcontract the application of any provision of law, other than a provision of the Arms Export Control Act or section 2304 1 of this title, that specifically prescribes—
(A) procedures to be followed in the formation of contracts;
(B) terms and conditions to be included in contracts;
(C) requirements for or preferences to be given to goods grown, produced, or manufactured in the United States or in United States Government-owned facilities or for services to be performed in the United States; or
(D) requirements regulating the performance of contracts.
(2) A waiver may not be made under paragraph (1) unless the Secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to ensure that the cooperative project will significantly further standardization, rationalization, and interoperability.
(3) The authority of the Secretary to make waivers under this subsection may be delegated only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense or the Acquisition Executive designated for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
(d)
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall notify the Congress each time he requires that a prime contract be awarded to a particular prime contractor or that a subcontract be awarded to a particular subcontractor to comply with a cooperative agreement. The Secretary shall include in each such notice the reason for exercising his authority to designate a particular contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be.
(2) The Secretary shall also notify the Congress each time he exercises a waiver under subsection (c) and shall include in such notice the particular provision or provisions of law that were waived.
(3) A report under this subsection shall be required only to the extent that the information required by this subsection has not been provided in a report made by the President under section 27(e) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2767(e)).
(e)
(1) In carrying out a cooperative project under section 27 of the Arms Export Control Act, the Secretary of Defense may agree that a participant (other than the United States) or a NATO organization may make a contract for requirements of the United States under the project if the Secretary determines that such a contract will significantly further standardization, rationalization, and interoperability. Except to the extent waived under this section or under any other provision of law, the Secretary shall ensure that such contract will be made on a competitive basis and that United States sources will not be precluded from competing under the contract.
(2) If a participant (other than the United States) in such a cooperative project or a NATO organization makes a contract on behalf of such project to meet the requirements of the United States, the contract may permit the contracting party to follow its own procedures relating to contracting.
(f) In carrying out a cooperative project, the Secretary of Defense may also agree to the disposal of property that is jointly acquired by the members of the project without regard to any laws of the United States applicable to the disposal of property owned by the United States. Disposal of such property may include a transfer of the interest of the United States in such property to one of the other governments participating in the cooperative agreement or the sale of such property. Payment for the transfer or sale of any interest of the United States in any such property shall be made in accordance with the terms of the cooperative agreement.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the Secretary of Defense—
(1) to waive any of the financial management responsibilities administered by the Secretary of the Treasury; or
(2) to waive the cargo preference laws of the United States, including section 2631 of this title and section 55305 of title 46.
(Added Pub. L. 99–145, title XI, § 1102(b)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 710, § 2407; amended Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XI, § 1103(b)(1), (2)(A), title XIII, § 1343(a)(15), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3963, 3993; renumbered § 2350b and amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, § 931(b)(1), (e)(3), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1534, 1535; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XIII, § 1335, div. D, title XLIII, § 4321(b)(10), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 484, 672; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1084(d)(19), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2062; Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(a)(3), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1706; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1883(b)(2), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4294.)
§ 2350c. Cooperative military airlift agreements: allied countries
(a) Subject to the availability of appropriations, and after consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense may enter into cooperative military airlift agreements with the government of any allied country for the transportation of the personnel and cargo of the military forces of that country on aircraft operated by or for the military forces of the United States in return for the reciprocal transportation of the personnel and cargo of the military forces of the United States on aircraft operated by or for the military forces of that allied country. Any such agreement shall include the following terms:
(1) The rate of reimbursement for transportation provided shall be the same for each party and shall be not less than the rate charged to military forces of the United States, as determined by the Secretary of Defense under section 2208(h) of this title.
(2) Credits and liabilities accrued as a result of providing or receiving transportation shall be liquidated as agreed upon by the parties. Liquidation shall be either by direct payment to the country that has provided the greater amount of transportation or by the providing of in-kind transportation services to that country. The liquidation shall occur on a regular basis, but not less often than once every 12 months.
(3) During peacetime, the only military airlift capacity that may be used to provide transportation is that capacity that (A) is not needed to meet the transportation requirements of the military forces of the country providing the transportation, and (B) was not created solely to accommodate the requirements of the military forces of the country receiving the transportation.
(4) Defense articles purchased by an allied country from the United States under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) or from a commercial source under the export controls of the Arms Export Control Act may not be transported (for the purpose of delivery incident to the purchase of the defense articles) to the purchasing allied country on aircraft operated by or for the military forces of the United States except at a rate of reimbursement that is equal to the full cost of transportation of the defense articles, as required by section 21(a)(3) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)).
(b) Subject to the availability of appropriations, and after consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense may enter into nonreciprocal military airlift agreements with North Atlantic Treaty Organization subsidiary bodies for the transportation of the personnel and cargo of such subsidiary bodies on aircraft operated by or for the military forces of the United States. Any such agreement shall be subject to such terms as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.
(c) Any amount received by the United States as a result of an agreement entered into under this section shall be credited to applicable appropriations, accounts, and funds of the Department of Defense.
(d) In this section:
(1) The term “allied country” means any of the following:
(A) A country that is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(B) Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
(C) Any other country designated as an allied country for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of Defense with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
(2) The term “North Atlantic Treaty Organization subsidiary bodies” has the meaning given to it by section 2350 of this title.
(Added Pub. L. 97–252, title XI, § 1125(a), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 757, § 2213; amended Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, § 1304(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 742; Pub. L. 100–26, § 7(k)(2), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 284; renumbered § 2350c and amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, § 931(b)(2), (e)(4), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1534, 1535; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title XIII, § 1311, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2547; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title XII, § 1222], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–328.)
§ 2350d. Cooperative acquisition and logistics support agreements: NATO countries
(a)General Authority.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements known as Support or Procurement Partnership Agreements with one or more governments of other member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) participating in the operation of the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies. Any such agreement shall be for the purpose of providing cooperative acquisition and logistics support for the armed forces of the countries which are parties to the agreement. Any such agreement—
(A) shall be entered into pursuant to the terms of the charter of the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies; and
(B) shall provide for the common acquisition and logistics support of activities common to the participating countries.
(2) Such an agreement may provide for—
(A) the transfer of logistics support, supplies, and services by the United States to the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies; and
(B) the acquisition of armaments and logistics support, supplies, and services by the United States from that Organization.
(b)Authority of Secretary.—Under the terms of a Support or Procurement Partnership Agreement or Arrangement, the Secretary of Defense—
(1) may agree that the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies may enter into contracts for supply, services, support, and acquisition, including armaments for requirements of the United States, to the extent the Secretary determines that the procedures of such Organization governing such supply, services, support, and acquisition are appropriate; and
(2) may share the costs of set-up charges of facilities for use by the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies to provide cooperative acquisition and logistics support and in the costs of establishing a revolving fund for initial acquisition and replenishment of supply stocks to be used by the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies to provide cooperative acquisition and logistics support.
(c)Sharing of Administrative Expenses.—Each Support or Procurement Partnership Agreement shall provide for joint management by the participating countries and for the equitable sharing of the administrative costs and costs of claims incident to the agreement.
(d)Application of Chapter 137.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of chapter 137 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title apply to a contract entered into by the Secretary of Defense for the acquisition of logistics support under a Support or Procurement Partnership Agreement.(e)Application of Arms Export Control Act.—Any transfer of defense articles or defense services to a member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or to the NATO Support and Procurement Organization and its executive agencies for the purposes of a Support or Procurement Partnership Agreement shall be carried out in accordance with this chapter and the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).
(f)Supplemental Authority.—The authority of the Secretary of Defense under this section is in addition to the authority of the Secretary under subchapter I and any other provision of law.
(Added and amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, §§ 931(c), 938(c), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1534, 1539; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title VIII, § 843(b)(2), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2469; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XII, § 1250(a), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XII, § 1279(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2072; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XII, § 1244(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2845.)
§ 2350e. NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program: authority of Secretary of Defense
(a)Authority Under AWACS Program.—The Secretary of Defense, in carrying out an AWACS memorandum of understanding, may do the following:
(1) Waive reimbursement for the cost of the following functions performed by personnel other than personnel employed in the United States Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program office:
(A) Auditing.
(B) Quality assurance.
(C) Codification.
(D) Inspection.
(E) Contract administration.
(F) Acceptance testing.
(G) Certification services.
(H) Planning, programming, and management services.
(2) Waive any surcharge for administrative services otherwise chargeable.
(3) In connection with that Program, assume contingent liability for—
(A) program losses resulting from the gross negligence of any contracting officer of the United States;
(B) identifiable taxes, customs duties, and other charges levied within the United States on the program; and
(C) the United States share of the unfunded termination liability.
(b)Contract Authority Limitation.—Authority under this section to enter into contracts shall be effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts.
(c)Definition.—In this section, the term “AWACS memorandum of understanding” means—
(1) the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Defence on the NATO E–3A Cooperative Programme, signed by the Secretary of Defense on December 6, 1978;
(2) the Memorandum of Understanding for Operations and Support of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, signed by the United States Ambassador to NATO on September 26, 1984;
(3) the Addendum to the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Defence on the NATO E–3A Cooperative Programme (dated December 6, 1978) relating to the modernization of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control (NAEW&C) System, dated December 7, 1990; and
(4) any other follow-on support agreement for the NATO E–3A Cooperative Programme.
(Added Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, § 932(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1536; amended Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, § 1051, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1470; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XIV, § 1413, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1829.)
§ 2350f. Procurement of communications support and related supplies and services
(a) As an alternative means of obtaining communications support and related supplies and services, the Secretary of Defense, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, may enter into a bilateral arrangement with any allied country or allied international organization or may enter into a multilateral arrangement with allied countries and allied international organizations, under which, in return for being provided communications support and related supplies and services, the United States would agree to provide to the allied country or countries or allied international organization or allied international organizations, as the case may be, an equivalent value of communications support and related supplies and services. The term of an arrangement entered into under this subsection may not exceed five years.
(b)
(1) Any arrangement entered into under this section shall require that any accrued credits and liabilities resulting from an unequal exchange of communications support and related supplies and services during the term of such arrangement would be liquidated by direct payment to the party having provided the greater amount of communications support and related supplies and services. Liquidations may be made at such times as the parties in an arrangement may agree upon, but in no case may final liquidation in the case of an arrangement be made later than 30 days after the end of the term for which the arrangement was entered into.
(2) Parties to an arrangement entered into under this section shall annually reconcile accrued credits and liabilities accruing under such agreement. Any liability of the United States resulting from a reconciliation shall be charged against the applicable appropriation available to the Department of Defense (at the time of the reconciliation) for obligation for communications support and related supplies and services.
(3) Payments received by the United States shall be credited to the appropriation from which such communications support and related supplies and services have been provided.
[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1041(a)(10), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2645.]
(d) In this section:
(1) The term “allied country” means—
(A) a country that is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
(B) Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or the Republic of Korea; or
(C) any other country designated as an allied country for purposes of this section by the Secretary of Defense with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
(2) The term “allied international organization” means the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or any other international organization designated as an allied international organization for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of Defense with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
(Added Pub. L. 98–525, title X, § 1005(a), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2578, § 2401a; amended Pub. L. 100–26, § 7(k)(3), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 284; renumbered § 2350f and amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title IX, § 933(a)–(d), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1537; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, § 1484(k)(8), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1719; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, § 1502(a)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 774; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1041(a)(10), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2645.)
§ 2350g. Authority to accept use of real property, services, and supplies from foreign countries in connection with mutual defense agreements and occupational arrangements
(a)Authority To Accept.—The Secretary of Defense may accept from a foreign country, for the support of any element of the armed forces in an area of that country—
(1) real property or the use of real property and services and supplies for the United States or for the use of the United States in accordance with a mutual defense agreement or occupational arrangement; and
(2) services furnished as reciprocal international courtesies or as services customarily made available without charge.
(b)Authority to Use Property, Services, and Supplies.—Property, services, or supplies referred to in subsection (a) may be used by the Secretary of Defense without specific authorization, except that such property, services, and supplies may not be used in connection with any program, project, or activity if the use of such property, services, or supplies would result in the violation of any prohibition or limitation otherwise applicable to that program, project, or activity.
(c)Periodic Audits by GAO.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall make periodic audits of money and property accepted under this section, at such intervals as the Comptroller General determines to be warranted. The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the results of each such audit.
(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, § 1451(b)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1692; amended Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XI, § 1105(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1749; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1032(a)(3), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 751.)
§ 2350h. Memorandums of agreement: Department of Defense ombudsman for foreign signatories
The Secretary of Defense shall designate an official to act as ombudsman within the Department of Defense on behalf of foreign governments who are parties to memorandums of agreement with the United States concerning acquisition matters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense. The official so designated shall assist officials of those foreign governments in understanding and complying with procedures and requirements of the Department of Defense (and, as appropriate, other departments and agencies of the United States) insofar as they relate to any such memorandum of agreement.
(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XIV, § 1452(a)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1693.)
§ 2350i. Foreign contributions for cooperative projects
(a)Crediting of Contributions.—Whenever the United States participates in a cooperative project with a friendly foreign country or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on a cost-sharing basis, any contribution received by the United States from that foreign country or NATO to meet its share of the costs of the project may be credited to appropriations available to an appropriate military department or another appropriate organization within the Department of Defense, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.
(b)Use of Amounts Credited.—The amount of a contribution credited pursuant to subsection (a) to an appropriation account in connection with a cooperative project referred to in that subsection shall be available only for payment of the share of the project expenses allocated to the foreign country or NATO making the contribution. Payments for which such amount is available include the following:
(1) Payments to contractors and other suppliers (including the Department of Defense and other participants acting as suppliers) for necessary articles and services.
(2) Payments for any damages and costs resulting from the performance or cancellation of any contract or other obligation.
(3) Payments or reimbursements of other program expenses, including program office overhead and administrative costs.
(4) Refunds to other participants.
(c)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term “cooperative project” means a jointly managed arrangement, described in a written cooperative agreement entered into by the participants, that—
(A) is undertaken by the participants in order to improve the conventional defense capabilities of the participants; and
(B) provides for—
(i) one or more participants (other than the United States) to share with the United States the cost of research and development, testing, evaluation, or joint production (including follow-on support) of defense articles;
(ii) the United States and another participant concurrently to produce in the United States and the country of such other participant a defense article jointly developed in a cooperative project described in clause (i); or
(iii) the United States to procure a defense article or a defense service from another participant in the cooperative project.
(2) The term “defense article” has the meaning given such term in section 47(3) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794(3)).
(3) The term “defense service” has the meaning given such term in section 47(4) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794(4)).
(Added Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, § 1047(a), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1467.)
§ 2350j. Burden sharing contributions by designated countries and regional organizations
(a)Authority To Accept Contributions.—The Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of State, may accept cash contributions from any country or regional organization designated for purposes of this section by the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, for the purposes specified in subsection (c).
(b)Accounting.—Contributions accepted under subsection (a) which are not related to security assistance may be accepted, managed, and expended in dollars or in the currency of the host nation (or, in the case of a contribution from a regional organization, in the currency in which the contribution was provided). Any such contribution shall be placed in an account established for such purpose and shall remain available until expended for the purposes specified in subsection (c). The Secretary of Defense shall establish a separate account for such purpose for each country or regional organization from which such contributions are accepted under subsection (a).
(c)Availability of Contributions.—Contributions accepted under subsection (a) shall be available only for the payment of the following costs:
(1) Compensation for local national employees of the Department of Defense.
(2) Military construction projects of the Department of Defense.
(3) Supplies and services of the Department of Defense.
(d)Authorization of Military Construction.—Contributions placed in an account established under subsection (b) may be used—
(1) by the Secretary of Defense to carry out a military construction project that is consistent with the purposes for which the contributions were made and is not otherwise authorized by law; or
(2) by the Secretary of a military department, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, to carry out such a project.
(e)Notice and Wait Requirements.—
(1) When a decision is made to carry out a military construction project under subsection (d), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing—
(A) an explanation of the need for the project;
(B) the then current estimate of the cost of the project; and
(C) a justification for carrying out the project under that subsection.
(2) The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department may not commence a military construction project under subsection (d) until the end of the 14-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits the report under paragraph (1) regarding the project in an electronic medium pursuant to section 480 of this title.
(3)
(A) A military construction project under subsection (d) may be carried out without regard to the requirement in paragraph (1) and the limitation in paragraph (2) if the project is necessary to support the armed forces in the country or region in which the project is carried out by reason of a declaration of war, or a declaration by the President of a national emergency pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is in force at the time of the commencement of the project.
(B) When a decision is made to carry out a military construction project under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees—
(i) a notice of the decision; and
(ii) a statement of the current estimated cost of the project, including the cost of any real property transaction in connection with the project.
(f)Report on Contributions Received From Designated Countries.—
(1)In general.—Not later than January 15 each year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the burden sharing contributions received under this section from designated countries.
(2)Elements.—Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following for the preceding fiscal year:
(A) A list of all designated countries from which burden sharing contributions were received.
(B) An explanation of the purpose for which each such burden sharing contribution was provided.
(C) A description of any written agreement entered into with a designated country under this section, including the date on which the agreement was signed.
(D) For each designated country—
(i) the amount provided by the designated country; and
(ii) the amount of any remaining unobligated balance.
(E) The amount of such burden sharing contributions expended, by eligible category, including compensation for local national employees, military construction projects, and supplies and services of the Department of Defense.
(F) Any other matter the Secretary of Defense considers relevant.
(3)Appropriate committees of congress defined.—In this subsection, the term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XIV, § 1402(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1825; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, § 1070(a)(10), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2856; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XIII, § 1331, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 482; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1067(1), div. B, title XXVIII, § 2801, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 774, 845; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, §§ 1031(a)(18), 1043(b)(12), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1597, 1611; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1051(a)(15), div. B, title XXVIII, § 2801(f), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1561, 1845; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XII, § 1299B, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3998.)
§ 2350k. Relocation within host nation of elements of armed forces overseas
(a)Authority To Accept Contributions.—The Secretary of Defense may accept contributions from any nation because of or in support of the relocation of elements of the armed forces from or to any location within that nation. Such contributions may be accepted in dollars or in the currency of the host nation. Any such contribution shall be placed in an account established for such purpose and shall remain available until expended for the purposes specified in subsection (b). The Secretary shall establish a separate account for such purpose for each country from which such contributions are accepted.
(b)Use of Contributions.—The Secretary may use a contribution accepted under subsection (a) only for payment of costs incurred in connection with the relocation concerning which the contribution was made. Those costs include the following:
(1) Design and construction services, including development and review of statements of work, master plans and designs, acquisition of construction, and supervision and administration of contracts relating thereto.
(2) Transportation and movement services, including packing, unpacking, storage, and transportation.
(3) Communications services, including installation and deinstallation of communications equipment, transmission of messages and data, and rental of transmission capability.
(4) Supply and administration, including acquisition of expendable office supplies, rental of office space, budgeting and accounting services, auditing services, secretarial services, and translation services.
(5) Personnel costs, including salary, allowances and overhead of employees whether full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent (except for military personnel), and travel and temporary duty costs.
(6) All other clearly identifiable expenses directly related to relocation.
(c)Method of Contribution.—Contributions may be accepted in any of the following forms:
(1) Irrevocable letter of credit issued by a financial institution acceptable to the Treasurer of the United States.
(2) Drawing rights on a commercial bank account established and funded by the host nation, which account is blocked such that funds deposited cannot be withdrawn except by or with the approval of the United States.
(3) Cash, which shall be deposited in a separate trust fund in the United States Treasury pending expenditure and which shall accrue interest in accordance with section 9702 of title 31.
(Added Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XIII, § 1332(a)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 482; amended Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, § 1041(a)(11), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2645.)
§ 2350l. Cooperative agreements for reciprocal use of test facilities: foreign countries and international organizations
(a)Authority.—The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may enter into a memorandum of understanding (or other formal agreement) with a foreign country or international organization to provide for the testing, on a reciprocal basis, of defense equipment (1) by the United States using test facilities of that country or organization, and (2) by that country or organization using test facilities of the United States.
(b)Payment of Costs.—A memorandum or other agreement under subsection (a) shall provide that, when a party to the agreement uses a test facility of another party to the agreement, the party using the test facility is charged by the party providing the test facility in accordance with the following principles:
(1) The user party shall be charged the amount equal to the direct costs incurred by the provider party in furnishing test and evaluation services by the providing party’s officers, employees, or governmental agencies.
(2) The user party may also be charged indirect costs relating to the use of the test facility, but only to the extent specified in the memorandum or other agreement.
(c)Determination of Indirect Costs; Delegation of Authority.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall determine the appropriateness of the amount of indirect costs charged by the United States pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
(2) The Secretary may delegate the authority under paragraph (1) only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and to one other official of the Department of Defense.
(d)Retention of Funds Collected by the United States.—Amounts collected by the United States from a party using a test facility of the United States pursuant to a memorandum or other agreement under this section shall be credited to the appropriation accounts from which the costs incurred by the United States in providing such test facility were paid.
(e)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term “direct cost”, with respect to the use of a test facility pursuant to a memorandum or other agreement under subsection (a)—
(A) means any item of cost that is easily and readily identified to a specific unit of work or output within the test facility where the use occurred, that would not have been incurred if such use had not occurred; and
(B) may include costs of labor, materials, facilities, utilities, equipment, supplies, and any other resources of the test facility that are consumed or damaged in connection with—
(i) the use; or
(ii) the maintenance of the test facility for purposes of the use.
(2) The term “indirect cost”, with respect to the use of a test facility pursuant to a memorandum or other agreement under subsection (a)—
(A) means any item of cost that is not easily and readily identified to a specific unit of work or output within the test facility where the use occurred; and
(B) may include general and administrative expenses for such activities as supporting base operations, manufacturing, supervision, procurement of office supplies, and utilities that are accumulated costs allocated among several users.
(3) The term “test facility” means a range or other facility at which testing of defense equipment may be carried out.
(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XII, § 1213(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1250; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1844(b)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4245; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(u)(5)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2154.)
§ 2350m. Participation in European program on multilateral exchange of surface transportation services
(a)Participation Authorized.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may authorize the participation of the Department of Defense in the Surface Exchange of Services program (in this section referred to as the “SEOS program”) of the Movement Coordination Centre Europe.
(2)Scope of participation.—Participation of the Department of Defense in the SEOS program under paragraph (1) may include—
(A) the reciprocal exchange or transfer of surface transportation on a reimbursable basis or by replacement-in-kind; and
(B) the exchange of surface transportation services of an equal value.
(b)Written Arrangement or Agreement.—
(1)In general.—Participation of the Department of Defense in the SEOS program shall be in accordance with a written arrangement or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, and the Movement Coordination Centre Europe.
(2)Notification.—The Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees notification of any arrangement or agreement entered into under paragraph (1).
(3)Funding arrangements.—If Department of Defense facilities, equipment, or funds are used to support the SEOS program, the written arrangement or agreement under paragraph (1) shall specify the details of any equitable cost-sharing or other funding arrangement.
(4)Other elements.—Any written arrangement or agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall require that any accrued credits or liability resulting from an unequal exchange or transfer of surface transportation services shall be liquidated through the SEOS program not less than once every five years.
(c)Implementation.—In carrying out any arrangement or agreement entered into under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may—
(1) pay the equitable share of the Department of Defense for the operating expenses of the Movement Coordination Centre Europe and the SEOS program from funds available to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance; and
(2) assign members of the armed forces or Department of Defense civilian personnel, within billets authorized for the United States European Command, to duty at the Movement Coordination Centre Europe as necessary to fulfill Department of Defense obligations under that arrangement or agreement.
(d)Crediting of Receipts.—Any amount received by the Department of Defense as part of the SEOS program shall be credited, at the option of the Secretary of Defense, to—
(1) the appropriation, fund, or account used in incurring the obligation for which such amount is received; or
(2) an appropriate appropriation, fund, or account currently available for the purposes for which the expenditures were made.
(e)Annual Report.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year in which the authority under this section is in effect, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on Department of Defense participation in the SEOS program during such fiscal year.
(2)Elements.—Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) A description of the equitable share of the costs and activities of the SEOS program paid by the Department of Defense.
(B) A description of any amount received by the Department of Defense as part of such program, including the country from which the amount was received.
(f)Limitation on Statutory Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the use of foreign sealift in violation of section 2631.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XII, § 1202(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3908.)
§ 2350n. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Force Command
(a)Authorization.—The Secretary of Defense shall authorize the establishment of, and the participation by members of the armed forces in, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Joint Force Command (in this section referred to as the “Joint Force Command”), to be established in the United States.
(b)Use of Department of Defense Facilities and Equipment.—The Secretary may use facilities and equipment of the Department of Defense to support the Joint Force Command.
(c)Availability of Funds.—Amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense shall be available to carry out the purposes of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XII, § 1249(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1664.)
§ 2350o. Participation in programs relating to coordination or exchange of air refueling and air transportation services
(a)Participation Authorized.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may authorize the participation of the Department of Defense in programs relating to the coordination or exchange of air refueling and air transportation services, including in the arrangement known as the Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refueling and other Exchanges of Services program (in this section referred to as the “ATARES program”).
(2)Scope of participation.—Participation of the Department of Defense in programs referred to in paragraph (1) may include—
(A) the reciprocal exchange or transfer of air refueling and air transportation services on a reimbursable basis or by replacement-in-kind; and
(B) the exchange of air refueling and air transportation services of an equal value.
(3)Limitations with respect to participation in atares program.—
(A)In general.—The Department of Defense balance of executed flight hours in participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1), whether as credits or debits, may not exceed a total of 500 hours.
(B)Air refueling.—The Department of Defense balance of executed flight hours for air refueling in participation in the ATARES program under paragraph (1) may not exceed 200 hours.
(b)Written Arrangement or Agreement.—Participation of the Department of Defense in a program referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall be in accordance with a written arrangement or agreement entered into by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
(c)Implementation.—In carrying out any arrangement or agreement entered into under subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may—
(1) pay the equitable share of the Department of Defense for the recurring and nonrecurring costs of the applicable program referred to in subsection (a)(1) from funds available to the Department for operation and maintenance; and
(2) assign members of the armed forces or Department of Defense civilian personnel to fulfill Department obligations under that arrangement or agreement.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XII, § 1203(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3910.)
§ 2350p. Reciprocal patient movement agreements
(a)Authority.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may enter into a bilateral or multilateral memorandum of understanding or other formal agreement with one or more governments of partner countries that provides for—
(1) the interchangeable, nonreimbursable use of patient movement personnel, either individually or as members of a patient movement crew or team, and equipment, belonging to one partner country to perform patient movement services aboard the aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of another partner country;
(2) the reciprocal recognition and acceptance of —
(A) national professional credentials, certifications, and licenses of patient movement personnel; and
(B) national certifications, approvals, and licenses of equipment used in the provision of patient movement services; and
(3) the acceptance of agreed-upon standards for the provision of patient movement services by aircraft, vessel, or vehicle, including, as determined to be beneficial and otherwise permitted by law, the harmonization of patient treatment standards and procedures.
(b)Certification.—
(1) Before entering into a memorandum of understanding or other formal agreement with the government of a partner country under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall certify in writing that the professional credentials, certifications, licenses, and approvals for patient movement personnel and patient movement equipment of the partner country—
(A) meet or exceed the equivalent standards of the United States for similar personnel and equipment; and
(B) will provide for a level of care comparable to, or better than, the level of care provided by the Department of Defense.
(2) A certification under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than 15 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense makes the certification; and
(B) reviewed and recertified by the Secretary of Defense not less frequently than annually.
(c)Suspension.—If the Secretary of Defense is unable to recertify a partner country as required by subsection (b)(2)(B), use of the personnel or equipment of the partner country by the Department of Defense under a memorandum of understanding or other formal agreement concluded pursuant to subsection (a) shall be suspended until the date on which the Secretary of Defense is able to recertify the partner country.
(d)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Appropriate committees of congress.—The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(A) the congressional defense committees; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2)Partner country.—The term “partner country” means any of the following:
(A) A member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(B) Australia.
(C) Japan.
(D) New Zealand.
(E) The Republic of Korea.
(F) Any other country designated as a partner country by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, for purposes of this section.
(3)Patient movement.—The term “patient movement” means the act or process of moving wounded, ill, injured, or other persons (including contaminated, contagious, and potentially exposed patients) to obtain medical, surgical, mental health, or dental care or treatment.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XII, § 1204(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3911.)
§ 2350q. Execution of projects under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program
(a)Authority To Execute Projects.—When the United States is designated as the Host Nation for purposes of executing a project under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program (in this section referred to as the “Program”), the Secretary of Defense may accept such designation and carry out such project consistent with the requirements of this section.
(b)Project Funding.—The Secretary of Defense may fund authorized expenditures of projects accepted under subsection (a) with—
(1) contributions under subsection (c);
(2) appropriations of the Department of Defense for the Program when directed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to apply amounts of such appropriations as part of the share of contributions of the United States for the Program; or
(3) any combination of amounts described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c)Authority To Accept Contributions.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may accept contributions from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the purpose of carrying out a project under subsection (a).
(2) Contributions accepted under paragraph (1) shall be placed in an account established for the purpose of carrying out the project for which the funds were provided and shall remain available until expended.
(3)
(A) If contributions are made under paragraph (1) as reimbursement for a project or portion of a project previously completed by the Department of Defense, such contributions shall be credited to—
(i) the appropriations used for the project or portion thereof, if such appropriations have not yet expired; or
(ii) the appropriations for the Program, if the appropriations described in clause (i) have expired.
(B) Funding credited under subparagraph (A) shall merge with and remain available for the same purposes and duration as the appropriations to which credited.
(d)Obligation Authority.—The construction agent of the Department of Defense designated by the Secretary of Defense to execute a project under subsection (a) may recognize the North Atlantic Treaty Organization project authorization amounts as budgetary resources to incur obligations against for the purposes of executing the project.
(e)Insufficient Contributions.—
(1) In the event that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization does not agree to contribute funding for all costs necessary for the Department of Defense to carry out a project under subsection (a), including necessary personnel costs of the construction agent designated by the Department of Defense, contract claims, and any conjunctive funding requirements that exceed the project authorization or standards of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Secretary of Defense, upon determination that completion of the project is in the national interest of the United States, may fund such costs, and undertake such conjunctively funded requirements not otherwise authorized by law, using any unobligated funds available among funds appropriated for the Program for military construction.
(2) The use of funds under paragraph (1) from appropriations for the Program may be in addition to or in place of any other funding sources otherwise available for the purposes for which those funds are used.
(f)Authorized Expenditures Defined.—In this section, the term “authorized expenditures” means project expenses for which the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has agreed to contribute funding.
(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. B, title XXV, § 2503(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4309; amended Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, § 1081(a)(29), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1921.)
§ 2350r. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Headquarters
(a)Authorization.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year for operation and maintenance for the Army, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to use up to $50,000,000, to be derived from amounts made available for support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this section as “NATO”) operations, for each such fiscal year for the purposes set forth in subsection (b).
(b)Purposes.—The Secretary shall provide funds for the NATO Special Operations Headquarters—
(1) to improve coordination and cooperation between the special operations forces of NATO countries and countries approved by the North Atlantic Council as NATO partners;
(2) to facilitate joint operations by the special operations forces of NATO countries and such NATO partners;
(3) to support special operations forces peculiar command, control, and communications capabilities;
(4) to promote special operations forces intelligence and informational requirements within the NATO structure; and
(5) to promote interoperability through the development of common equipment standards, tactics, techniques, and procedures, and through execution of a multinational education and training program.
(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title XII, § 1271(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2860.)