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HR 8136

DPA Advanced Procurement Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Cleo Fields

GAO must study and recommend how to improve procurement and stockpiling of long-lead items under the DPA, including interagency coordination and possible amendments.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 8136

Summary of HR 8136 – DPA Advanced Procurement Act of 2026

Purpose and intent

  • Directs the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of how long-lead items and stockpiling are handled under the Defense Production Act (DPA).
  • Aims to assess current procurement methods, identify opportunities for interagency coordination, and provide legislative recommendations (including potential amendments to the DPA) to improve procurement and stockpiling of long-lead items.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Short Title

  • Establishes the bill’s official name: the “DPA Advanced Procurement Act of 2026.”

Section 2 — GAO Study on Stockpiling and Long-Lead Items

  • Mandates the Comptroller General (GAO) to complete a comprehensive study within 1 year of enactment.
  • Study requirements:
    1. Examine how DPA-related long-lead items are currently procured and stockpiled by DPA agencies.
    2. Identify ways Federal agencies can collaborate to better address procurement and stockpiling challenges for long-lead items.
    3. Provide legislative recommendations, including potential amendments to the DPA, to improve procurement and stockpiling of long-lead items.
  • Definitions included:
    • DPA: Defense Production Act of 1950 (as codified in 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.).
    • DPA Agency: A federal agency to which the President has delegated authority under the DPA.
    • Long-Lead Item: Components whose design and fabrication take the longest, warranting early commitment of funds to enable earliest possible system completion.

Section 3 — Short Title Correction

  • Makes a housekeeping amendment to the DPA’s statutory citation, clarifying the official designation of the Defense Production Act.

Timing and procedural aspects

  • Introduced March 27, 2026, by Rep. Cleo Fields and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • GAO study due within 1 year of enactment, with findings submitted to:
    • House Committee on Financial Services
    • Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

Who and what is affected

  • Federal agencies operating under the DPA (DPA agencies) potentially impacted by:
    • Current procurement and stockpiling practices for long-lead items.
    • Recommendations for interagency coordination and potential statutory amendments.
  • Policymakers and Congress, who would receive GAO findings and legislative recommendations to inform potential changes to the DPA.

Potential impact

  • Provides a structured, independent assessment of how the government currently secures long-lead items and maintains stockpiles under the DPA.
  • Could lead to legislative amendments to streamline procurement, improve collaboration among agencies, and strengthen stockpiling strategies for critical components.
  • Designed as an exploratory, oversight-driven measure rather than immediate policy change.

If you’d like, I can add a plain-language brief explaining what long-lead items are with concrete examples, or outline a potential timeline for how recommendations might translate into legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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