Updated 50 minutes ago
Last progress July 17, 2025 (6 months ago)
Creates a Treasury account called the Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Fund to help move technologies from research and development into prototypes or production so the intelligence community can acquire them. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) will operate the Fund, set priorities that favor small businesses and nontraditional contractors, consult other research agencies as needed, and report annually to the congressional intelligence committees beginning by September 30, 2026. The Fund is authorized at $75,000,000 per year starting in fiscal year 2026, and the Fund’s balance may not exceed $75,000,000 at any time.
Defines “congressional intelligence committees” as the term is defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947.
Defines “intelligence community” as the term is defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947.
Defines “nonprofit organization” to mean an organization described in the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from tax under section 501(a), specifically referencing section 501(c)(3).
Establishes the Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Fund in the U.S. Treasury to assist in transitioning products or services from R&D to the prototype or production phase.
Specifies the Fund will consist of amounts appropriated to it, and amounts in the Fund remain available until expended.
Who is affected and how:
Intelligence community (elements of the intelligence community): Gains a dedicated, DNI-managed mechanism to accelerate the transition of promising technologies into forms the community can procure and use. This could shorten tech maturation timelines and diversify capabilities.
Developers and companies working on critical and emerging technologies (including startups and small businesses): Stand to benefit from a new funding source and procurement pathway that targets maturing prototypes toward government acquisition; small and nontraditional firms are explicitly prioritized, which may increase access to government customers for firms that do not fit the traditional defense contractor profile.
Government contractors and nontraditional providers: Traditional contractors may face greater competition from smaller or nontraditional firms as the Fund seeks to broaden the supplier base; nontraditional providers could gain first-time entry into IC acquisition pipelines.
Federal research agencies and labs: May be consulted to help evaluate and mature technologies; their expertise could be leveraged more directly in transition decisions.
Congress and oversight bodies: Will receive annual reports enabling oversight of investments, priorities, and outcomes; committees can use reports to assess effectiveness and compliance with policy goals.
Federal budget/taxpayers: The bill authorizes dedicated annual funding starting in FY2026; actual budgetary cost depends on later appropriations. The cap on the Fund balance limits accumulation, but authorizations still represent a recurring budgetary commitment.
Potential benefits:
Potential risks and considerations:
Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Last progress June 26, 2025 (7 months ago)
Introduced on June 26, 2025 by John Cornyn