Overhaul PPBE, run ‘Night Court’ program kills, and fast-track prototyping funds
Mandate seeks PPBE reform, portfolio funding flexibility, nontraditional funding for emerging tech, annual Night Court terminations of underperforming programs, and study of adversary acquisition speed.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 4 (Department of Defense) — Acquisition Needed Reforms: reform PPBE; enhance mission-focused innovation funding; examine PPBE Commission recommendations; develop legislation/other means for prototyping funding outside traditional PPBE with fast track; require Night Court by A&S, R&E, and service secretaries to terminate outdated programs with annual briefs to Secretary; research adversary acquisition processes.
Undo plan
1) Preserve congressional PPBE oversight and color-of-money controls while piloting flexibilities.
2) Require public justification and service-chief concurrence for Night Court kills affecting force structure.
3) Ring-fence fast-track funds with IG auditability to prevent slush funds.
4) Maintain competition and testing standards even under accelerated timelines.
5) Verify: annual terminated-program list; GAO review of fast-track outcomes.
Sources
- https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
- https://archive.org/stream/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL_djvu.txt
- https://whatisproject2025.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025_MandateForLeadership_CHAPTER-04.pdf
- https://whatisproject2025.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025_MandateForLeadership_SECTION-02.pdf