§ 3102. Objectives of the defense acquisition system

Statutory text

In General.—

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the defense acquisition system expeditiously provides the armed forces with the capabilities necessary to operate effectively, to address evolving threats, and to sustain the military advantage of the United States in the most cost-effective manner practicable.

Guidance.—

The Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance to carry out subsection (a) and shall ensure that the defense acquisition system prioritizes the needs of end users and is validated by direct engagement, experimentation, and iteration. Such guidance shall require the following:

All activities of the defense acquisition system contribute to the expeditious delivery of capabilities to enhance the operational readiness of the armed forces and enable the missions of the Department of Defense.

A leadership culture and organizational structure that empowers individuals in the management of the defense acquisition system and encourages appropriate delegation authority, collaboration, and mission-focused risk-taking.

Sufficient numbers of members of the acquisition workforce to support the defense acquisition system, and that such members are properly trained and assigned.

Resource decisions for the defense acquisition system to prioritize best value and seek to balance life-cycle costs, schedule, performance, and quantity through continuous trade-off analysis informed by prototyping and direct feedback from end users.

Adoption and integration in the defense acquisition system of advanced approaches in digital engineering, model-based engineering, and simulation environments to enable rapid, iterative designs and technology insertion to maximize mission outcomes.

Active pursuit of innovative solutions to enhance effectiveness of the armed forces and responsiveness to emerging threats, including the acquisition and integration of commercial products and commercial services.

Approaches to workforce training and development that equally balance emphasis on functional and technical skills with skills in cross-functional integration, critical thinking, and innovative approaches that best deliver solutions to operational problems.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

2015
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
Pub. L. 114–92 div. A title VIII § 802(a)(1) · 129 Stat. 726
Enacted · 10 U.S.C. § 3102
Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 802(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 878, § 2546a
Source evidence
Code source credit
Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 802(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 878, § 2546a
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) In general.— Chapter 149 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2546 the following new section: “§ 2546a. Customer-oriented acquisition system “(a) Objective.— It shall be the objective of the defense acquisition system to meet the needs of its customers in the most cost-effective manner practicable. The acquisition policies, directives, and regulations of the Department of Defense shall be modified as necessary to ensure the development and implementation of a customer-oriented acquisition system. “(b) Customer.— The customer of the defense acquisition system is the armed force that will have primary responsibility for fielding the system or systems acquired. The customer is represented with regard to a major defense acquisition program by the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Chief of the armed force concerned. “(c) Role of Customer.— The customer of a major defense acquisition program shall be responsible for balancing resources against priorities on the acquisition program and ensuring that appropriate trade-offs are made among cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance on a continuing basis throughout the life of the acquisition program.” .
2021
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
Pub. L. 116–283 div. A title XVIII § 1808(a)(2) · 134 Stat. 3388
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 3102
Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2546a of this title as this section and transferred it so as to appear after section 3101 of this title. Directory language transferring this section “within such section” was executed as if it had read “within such chapter”, meaning chapter 205 of this title, to reflect the probable intent of Congress
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2546a of this title as this section and transferred it so as to appear after section 3101 of this title. Directory language transferring this section “within such section” was executed as if it had read “within such chapter”, meaning chapter 205 of this title, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) Redesignation of sections.— Sections in chapter 205 of title 10, United States Code, as transferred and redesignated by paragraph (1), are redesignated as follows: Old Section No.New Section No. 25453101 25463103 2546a3102 25473104 25483105
Effective date note
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
2025
Pub. L. 119–60 div. A title XVIII § 1801(a)(1) · 139 Stat. 1221
Amended · 10 U.S.C. § 3102
Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the objective of the defense acquisition system, the customer of the defense acquisition system, and the role of the customer of a major defense acquisition program
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the objective of the defense acquisition system, the customer of the defense acquisition system, and the role of the customer of a major defense acquisition program.

2 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 unresolved

Editorial Notes

Amendments2021–2025 · 2 rounds

2025

Pub. L. 119–60 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text related to the objective of the defense acquisition system, the customer of the defense acquisition system, and the role of the customer of a major defense acquisition program.

2021

Pub. L. 116–283 renumbered section 2546a of this title as this section and transferred it so as to appear after section 3101 of this title. Directory language transferring this section “within such section” was executed as if it had read “within such chapter”, meaning chapter 205 of this title, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Consideration of Trade-Offs Among Cost, Schedule, and Performance Objectives in Department of Defense Acquisition Programs

Pub. L. 111–23, title II, § 201(a), May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1719, which related to consideration of trade-offs among cost, schedule, and performance objectives in Department of Defense acquisition programs, was repealed by Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1811(h)(4), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1244.

Credits

2015–2025 · 3 acts

2015Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 802(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 878, § 2546a
2021renumbered § 3102 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1808(a)(2), (3)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4159
2025Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1801(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1221.

Show as published

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 802(a)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 878, § 2546a; renumbered § 3102 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1808(a)(2), (3)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4159; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, § 1801(a)(1), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1221.)