---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 1743"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "1743"
heading: "Awards to recognize members of the acquisition workforce"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/1743"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 87 — Defense Acquisition Workforce"
  - "Subchapter IV — Education and Training"
---

# §1743. Awards to recognize members of the acquisition workforce

- (a) **Establishment.—** The President of the Defense Acquisition University shall establish two [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) to provide awards to recognize members of the [acquisition workforce](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-18) as follows:
  - (1) An award of not more than $5,000 to such members who use an iterative writing process to document a first-hand account of using independent judgment to overcome an obstacle the member faced while working within the defense acquisition system (as defined in [section 3001 of this title](/usc/10/3001.md)).
  - (2) An award of not more than $5,000 to such members who make the best use of the flexibilities and authorities granted by the Federal Acquisition Regulation and [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense Instruction 5000.02 (Operation of the Defense Acquisition System).
- (b) **Number of Awards.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The President of the Defense Acquisition University may make not more than five awards under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) and one award under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) each year.
  - (2) **Limitation.—** A member of the [acquisition workforce](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-18) may receive one award each year.
- (c) **Requirements for Writing Award.—**
  - (1) **Submission required.—** A member of the [acquisition workforce](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-18) desiring an award under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) shall submit to the President of the Defense Acquisition University the first-hand account described in such subsection. Such first-hand account shall demonstrate—
    - (A) an [original](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-10) and engaging idea documenting the use of independent judgment to overcome an obstacle the recipient faced while working within the defense acquisition system; and
    - (B) the use of an iterative writing process, including evidence of—
      - (i) critical thinking;
      - (ii) incorporation of feedback from diverse perspectives; and
      - (iii) editing to achieve plain writing (as defined in section 3 of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 ([5 U.S.C. 301](/usc/5/301.md) note)).
  - (2) **Website.—** The President of the Defense Acquisition University shall establish and maintain a website to serve as a repository for submissions made under [paragraph (1)](#c-1). Such website shall allow for public comments and discussion.
- (d) **Requirements for Flexibility Award.—** A member of the [acquisition workforce](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-18) desiring an award under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) shall submit to the President of the Defense Acquisition University documentation that such member uses approaches to [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) management that emphasize innovation and local adaptation, including the use of—
  - (1) simplified acquisition procedures;
  - (2) inherent flexibilities within the Federal Acquisition Regulation;
  - (3) commercial contracting approaches;
  - (4) public-private partnership agreements and practices;
  - (5) cost-sharing arrangements;
  - (6) innovative contractor incentive practices; or
  - (7) other innovative implementations of acquisition flexibilities.
- (e) **Funding.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall use funds from the Defense [Acquisition Workforce](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-18) Development Account to carry out this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VIII, § 801(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2692.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 3 of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iii), is section 3 of Pub. L. 111–274, which is set out in a note under section 301 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1743, added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, § 1202(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1651, related to cooperative education program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, § 834(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1551.