Foreign Comparative Testing
Abstract
The FCT program supports the warfighter by leveraging technologies and equipment developed by allied nations and coalition partners to counter emerging threats, thereby enhancing U.S. warfighting capabilities while lowering U.S. development costs and accelerating the DoD acquisition process. FCT supports DoD best practices by incentivizing the use of prototyping and experimentation in advancing technological solutions to warfighter problems and acts as a hedge against threat developments. FCT enhances interoperability, facilitates international collaboration, increases competition, and enables more efficient and affordable transition of technologies into acquisition programs of record. Authorized by Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 2350a (g), the FCT program is managed by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Emerging Capability & Prototyping (DASD(EC&P)), Comparative Technology Office (CTO). FCT projects are sponsored by the Military Services and USSOCOM. Evaluation processes for project selection include a detailed review to confirm the proposed item addresses valid requirements and DoD priorities, a thorough market survey, and an emphasis on transitioning technologies into current or future programs of record. The FCT program is a catalyst for teaming and other business relationships between foreign and U.S. industries. Many successful FCT projects result in the licensed production of a qualified foreign item in the United States. Other nations recognize the long-term value of such practices for competing in the U.S. Defense market and the resultant strengthening of the "two-way street" in Defense procurement. The result often means the creation of jobs and contributions to local economies throughout the United States. To date, companies from 34 states benefited from FCT projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 0603133D8Z_3_0400_PB_2019
- Change Summary Explanation
- The FY 2017 to FY 2018 profile increase reflects funding for Department priorities supporting DoD best practices and objectives to promote effective competition by improving DoD outreach for technology and products from global markets through risk reducing prototypes. FY 2019 baseline decrease is being applied to fund other DoD requirements and priorities.
- Service Agency Name
- Office of the Secretary Of Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
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