{
  "id": "ACQ-50",
  "category": "Test & evaluation",
  "capability": "Use an alternative iterative, data-driven test pathway",
  "summary": "For covered programs, integrate developmental/operational testing around unified objectives and ongoing data while preserving independent DOT&E evaluation.",
  "legal_basis": [
    {
      "citation": "P.L. 119-60, §218",
      "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ60/html/PLAW-119publ60.htm",
      "kind": "statute",
      "note": "Enacted public law, not a pending bill."
    }
  ],
  "authority_holder": "Secretary of Defense establishes/designates pathway; Service Secretaries through Service test activities; DOT&E independent evaluator",
  "actor_chain": {
    "planner": [
      "Program manager, Service test activities and operational users"
    ],
    "resource_owner": [
      "Program/test infrastructure budget owners"
    ],
    "approver": [
      "Secretary of Defense for designation after guidance; statutory software/hardware coverage applies"
    ],
    "executor": [
      "Service developmental/operational test activities"
    ],
    "partners": [
      "DOT&E, industry data producers and authorized DoD data users"
    ]
  },
  "actor_sources": [
    {
      "title": "TRMC — test infrastructure coordination and investment programs",
      "url": "https://ac.cto.mil/trmc/"
    },
    {
      "title": "P.L. 119-60 §218 — authority andactor allocation",
      "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ60/html/PLAW-119publ60.htm"
    }
  ],
  "requirements": [
    "Unified T&E and test-data strategies; government ownership/access to specified raw test data and analytics.",
    "Designation after required guidance or qualifying post-enactment software/covered-hardware program."
  ],
  "limits": [
    "Specified master-plan/milestone-event exemptions do not mean no evaluation.",
    "DOT&E retains independent sufficiency/effectiveness assessment and raw-data access."
  ],
  "funding": [
    "Program resources for data collection, storage, analytics and testing; implementation/coverage must be confirmed."
  ],
  "coordination_path": "Acquisition program → eligibility/designation → unified Service test/data strategy → continuous evaluation and independent DOT&E oversight.",
  "availability": "Express statutory pathway; award-specific appropriations, available balances, delegations, implementation and approvals not independently verified.",
  "confidence": "High on express authority and cited conditions; execution assignment is illustrative unless statute expressly names it.",
  "currentness": "Directly reviewed P.L. 119-60 §218; establishment guidance deadline 180 days after 2025-12-18; actual issued guidance not verified.",
  "family": "Research, innovation and experimentation",
  "mechanisms": [
    "Other statutory tools"
  ],
  "goal_ids": [
    "develop-technology",
    "prototype-to-use"
  ],
  "office_links": [
    {
      "office_id": "secretary-deputy-secretary",
      "role": "approver",
      "label": "Secretary of Defense for designation after guidance; statutory software/hardware coverage applies"
    }
  ]
}