=. Wnited States Senate ein Washinton, DC 20510-6950 eae ee Tecermone; (202) 224-5178 Fax: (202) 224-5619 October 13, 2022 The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defense USS, Department of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Austin: We write to request your attention to an upcoming statutory deadline to brief Congressional Committees on the Department’s efforts to implement stricter oversight procedures to secure America’s research and development investments in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. ‘As you may know, Sec. 4(b)(2)(C) of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-183) mandates each Federal agency brief Congress on the implementation of an SBIR-STTR due diligence program within 30 days of enactment and on a recurring basis until the program is executed. ‘The intent of Congress is for these new provisions to be implemented expeditiously. Strategic competitors are utilizing a variety of methods both legal and illegal to acquire technology and research from the United States. Maintaining U.S. leadership in emerging technology sectors and protecting taxpayers’ investments depends on effective research security. Given the implications of SBIR-STTR on our nation’s defense capabilities and national security, itis imperative that Congress receive routine briefings and status updates on the progress the Department has taken to implement these new control measures. We ask that your staff schedule the appropriate briefing no later than October 30, 2022. Rand auf fenjamin L. Cardin Rand Paul, M.D. Chairman Ranking Member ‘Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,