EconDefense
Reading the research

How the toolkit fits together

A capability is an action plus its legal conditions. A statute, a funding account and a delegated signature are different parts of the picture.

Trace one action

NeedA prototype works
Possible routeQualifying follow-on production
ConditionsSuccessful completion and applicable statutory predicates
Execution packageEligible funds + valid delegation + responsible offices

This is an illustrative research pathway. Prototype success does not automatically establish a funded production program.

Keep five questions independent

Legal powerSource and conditions recorded
EligibilityProject-specific check needed
Available fundsBalances not verified
DelegationValid signature authority must be checked
ExecutionOffice capacity and approvals must be checked
A positive answer to one question does not answer the others. “Not checked” must remain distinct from “unavailable.”

Families and mechanisms: two different dimensions

Families organize purpose. Mechanism tags describe instruments explicitly mentioned in a record’s action title. Select a count to explore the intersection.

Tags are editorial navigation and can overlap. Counts are research records, not distinct powers or currently available transactions.

Number of capability records in each family with each editorial mechanism tag. One record can have multiple tags.
Functional familyContracts & purchasesCooperation & exchangesFunds & shared servicesGrants & cooperative agreementsInvestment & capitalLicensing & IPLoans & guaranteesOther statutory toolsOther transactionsPeople & expertisePrizesProperty & leasesSecurity & information
Research, innovation and experimentation5211——1123—11—
Intellectual property and technology transfer—2———4—2—————
Workforce and expertise1——————3—4———
Acquisition, transition and contract finance8——1———10————1
Industrial capacity, capital and credit4——14—46————1
Materials and strategic stockpiles1—————13—————
Logistics, depots and industrial partnerships——1———13—————
Property, construction and housing13—11—241——7—
Energy, environment and communities41—————5———2—
International business, logistics and investment28——1—13———1—
Security cooperation, assistance and education13————311———11
Intelligence, counterintelligence and security—11——1——————10
Domestic and interagency support1——————1————1
Enterprise resources and shared execution—17————2—————

Follow functions, not just an organization chart

Need & planning

Defines the requirement and develops possible routes.

Resources

Identifies lawful accounts and funds controls.

Approval

Checks reserved decisions and valid delegations.

Execution

Awards, administers or performs the authorized action.

Partners & review

Contributes legal, security, technical or external-agency support.

Explore the office directory

Read the evidence timeline

2024 Code baseline

Many records begin with the cited published U.S. Code edition.

Targeted 2026 reconciliation

Amendment checks are described record by record; coverage is not exhaustive.

October 2 research target

The inventory’s target date, not a certified current-law date.

October 3 publication

The website organizes the research. Publication does not reverify each legal claim.

Read scope, methods and full downloads