Information for Policymakers from the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)

July 1, 2015

NDAA: House & Senate Diverge on GPS III Procurement

Both the House and Senate have passed versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that include policy and funding guidance for the GPS program. The House version recommends full funding for GPS, whereas the Senate version does not authorize procurement of the tenth GPS III satellite, calling it "early to need." The bill now goes to conference where legislators must work out their differences. View full details at GPS.gov

GPS-Related Provisions in NDAA Bills

• Reporting Requirement: Section 1608 of the Senate bill states, "Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the Comptroller General of the United States a report on the Global Positioning System III space segment, the Global Positioning System operational control segment, and the Military Global Positioning System user equipment acquisition programs." View report language.
• Oversight Council: Section 1610 of the Senate bill would establish a Council on Oversight of the Department of Defense Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Enterprise that "shall be responsible for oversight of the Department of Defense positioning, navigation, and timing enterprise, including positioning, navigation, and timing services provided to civil, commercial, scientific, and international users." View report language.
• M-Code Equipage: Section 1605 of the House bill would amend Section 913 of the FY 2011 NDAA, which requires all GPS user equipment purchased by DOD after FY 2017 to be M-Code capable unless excepted by law or waived by the Secretary of Defense. The amendment states that, "The Secretary of Defense may not delegate the authority to make a waiver under subsection (c) to an official below the level of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics."
• Program Guidance: The House report provides recommendations on GPS III, military user equipment, and OCX. Among other things, it "directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by October 1, 2015, on the potential value and feasibility of establishing a temporary independent advisory team for GPS OCX."
• National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Resilience: The House report includes language regarding a backup system to GPS. It "directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by January 15, 2016, on the Department of Defense requirements for backup position, navigation, and timing capabilities, including the plan and estimated cost to address such requirements."