Defense Production Act: Information Sharing Needed to Improve Use of Authorities , June 12 , 2025
Defense Production Act: Information Sharing Needed to Improve Use of Authorities , June 12 , 2025
From the report: “The Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 is a key tool that delegated federal agencies can use to ensure the supply and timely delivery of products, materials, and services critical to national defense in times of peace as well as national emergencies. For example, agencies used the DPA to secure access to personal protective equipment like gloves and masks during the COVID-19 response and to replenish U.S. supplies of ammunition sent to Ukraine. The various DPA authorities enable the domestic industrial base—which includes companies in the U.S. and certain allied nations—to maintain or increase production of key defense resources.
Currently, the DPA provides the President three broad authorities—Titles I, III, and VII. Title I authority allows agencies and other entities delegated authority by the President to place priority ratings on certain contracts and orders and allocate materials to support national defense. Title III allows agencies delegated by the President to provide financial incentives—through either investments or loans— to the domestic industrial base to add new or increase existing capacity. Title VII allows agencies delegated by the President to survey the industrial base for vulnerabilities, establish voluntary agreements with industry to foster collaboration, and create an executive reserve to include private sector personnel to aid federal agencies in times of national emergency, among other things.”
Authors - Government Accountability Office (GAO)Related Resources
