Polar Security Cutter Acquisition Act of 2019

“(c) Acquisition requirements

“(1) In general—Subject to the availability of appropriations, in acquiring any polar icebreaker, except for an icebreaker authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91), the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall—

“(A) limit military specifications for such vessel to armament, aviation capabilities, communications equipment, and navigation equipment, as described in the letter report, unless funding is provided from other than appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security;

“(B) ensure specifications and key drawings are complete before awarding the contract for construction;

“(C) ensure detail design of the vessel is complete before the start of construction;

“(D) to the extent practicable, use the block-buy contract authority provided under section 1137 of title 14, United States Code; and

“(E) ensure all icebreaker hulls are science ready and icebreaker hull number four is science capable, as described in the letter report.

“(2) Definition—In this subsection, the term “letter report” means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on Polar Icebreaker Cost Assessment letter report entitled “Acquisition and Operation of Polar Icebreakers: Fulfilling the Nation’s Needs” and dated July 11, 2017.”