Action brief · ACQ-43

Use middle-tier rapid prototyping and fielding pathways

Objective

Bring a prototype into use

Family / instrument

Acquisition, transition and contract finance · Rapid acquisition

Statute

10 U.S.C. §3602

Authority holder

USD(A&S) establishes pathways; Service acquisition executives/authorized decision authorities execute

Executor · routing lead

Warranted contracting officer and program manager

Eligibility & funds

Match your project to the applicable program. Read the recorded gates and funding conditions.

What this does not authorize / limits

A pathway is not its own contract instrument, appropriation or general statutory waiver.
Regulatory waivers differ from statutory changes; statute directs seeking Congress for statutory waiver.

Legal basisSources linked

RequirementsGates recorded

Public fundingRules recorded

Assigned rolesRoles recorded

EngagementRole recorded

Public evidence describes the institution and instrument; it is not approval of an individual transaction. Express statutory pathway; award-specific appropriations, available balances, delegations, implementation and approvals not independently verified.

Actor sources

P.L. 119-60 §1802 / 10 U.S.C. 1732 — portfolio plans, budgets, execution and reporting chain

Independent public-source guide; not an official U.S. government website. Original research target October 2, 2026; published October 3, 2026. Read the full record for currentness, coordination and all source notes.