ITI Urges Pentagon to Avoid Rules That Could Slow Defense Innovation
WASHINGTON – Today, global tech trade association ITI filed comments in response to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (otwiera się w nowej karcie) from the Department of War (DoW) on implementing acquisition restrictions for printed circuit boards (PCBs), as required by the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2021 and 2022. PCBs are foundational components in virtually every modern technology product, from business systems to advanced defense capabilities.
ITI’s comments warn that the overbroad implementation of restrictions on PCB sourcing could unintentionally limit the U.S. military’s access to innovative commercial technologies.
“America’s technological edge depends on the Department’s ability to quickly adopt the best commercial technologies available,” said ITI Executive Vice President of Public Sector Policy Gordon Bitko. “Commercial products and the printed circuit boards that power them are essential to maintaining military readiness and supporting U.S. warfighters. We urge policymakers to collaborate with industry and avoid creating barriers that make it harder and slower for our military to access the technologies it needs to stay ahead.”
ITI’s comments also encourage the Department to finalize the microelectronics and PCB supply chain security standards required by the FY 2020 NDAA, which are over seven years late and foundational to DoW acquiring commercial solutions at the speed, cost, and scale needed to support its mission.
Read ITI’s full comments here (otwiera się w nowej karcie).