BEACON Act of 2021

12/30/2022, 3:18 AM

Building Equitable Access to Contribute to Our National Security Act of 2021 or the BEACON Act of 2021

This bill implements plans and requirements related to minority institutions of higher education and their contributions to national security efforts.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit a plan for the establishment of the Minority Institute for Defense Research. The plan must be made available on a publicly accessible DOD website.

DOD is authorized to establish a program to award grants to leading minority institutions to, among other purposes, advance research capabilities relating to national security.

Under the bill, certain contracts awarded to educational institutions must include a requirement to subcontract with one or more minority institutions for a total amount of at least 5% of the amount awarded in the contract.

Congress
117

Number
S - 3310

Introduced on
2021-12-02

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

12/2/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Building Equitable Access to Contribute to Our National Security Act of 2021 or the BEACON Act of 2021

This bill implements plans and requirements related to minority institutions of higher education and their contributions to national security efforts.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit a plan for the establishment of the Minority Institute for Defense Research. The plan must be made available on a publicly accessible DOD website.

DOD is authorized to establish a program to award grants to leading minority institutions to, among other purposes, advance research capabilities relating to national security.

Under the bill, certain contracts awarded to educational institutions must include a requirement to subcontract with one or more minority institutions for a total amount of at least 5% of the amount awarded in the contract.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to establish the Minority Institute for Defense Research, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Higher education
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Minority education
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/7/2022

Building Equitable Access to Contribute to Our National Security Act of 2021 or the BEACON Act of 2021

This bill implements plans and requirements related to minority institutions of higher education and their contribution...


Latest Action12/2/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.