What We Did:
We determined whether the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD[R&E]) monitored and mitigated foreign influence into the DoD’s research and development (R&D) programs. Specifically, we evaluated the implementation and execution of DoD programs by the OUSD(R&E) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to identify and protect critical programs and technologies, and to integrate counterintelligence activities to protect and support R&D in accordance with DoD Directive (DoDD) 5137.02 requirements.
What We Found:
The OUSD(R&E) implemented procedures to monitor and mitigate foreign influence into the DoD’s R&D programs by:
• initiating a Science and Technology Protection Working Group,
• developing standardized science and technology protection plan templates, and
• creating modernization priority areas.
What We Recommend:
We recommend that the Director of the DARPA Mission Support Office, in collaboration with the Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Office of Strategic Support, update the CISP and update the memorandum of agreement reinstating the CISP to comply with DoDI 5200.39 and DoDI O-5240.24 requirements for research, development, and acquisition programs with CPI.
We also recommend that the Director of the DARPA Mission Support Office, in collaboration with the Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Office of Strategic Support, implement the CISP and memorandum of agreement to comply with DoDI 5200.39 and DoDI O-5240.24 requirements for the DoD research, development, and acquisition programs with CPI.