124 STAT. 2950 PUBLIC LAW 111–281—OCT. 15, 2010 ‘‘(A) the testing of a capability or asset and the sub- systems of the capability or asset to determine whether they meet all contractual performance requirements, including technical performance requirements, supportability requirements, and interoperability require- ments and related specifications; and ‘‘(B) the evaluation of the results of such testing. ‘‘(10) OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION.—The term ‘oper- ational test and evaluation’ means— ‘‘(A) the testing of a capability or asset and the sub- systems of the capability or asset, under conditions similar to those in which the capability or asset and subsystems will actually be deployed, for the purpose of determining the effectiveness and suitability of the capability or asset and subsystems for use by typical Coast Guard users to conduct those missions for which the capability or asset and subsystems are intended to be used; and ‘‘(B) the evaluation of the results of such testing.’’. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The part analysis for part I of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 13 the following: ‘‘15. Acquisitions ..................................................................................................... 561’’. SEC. 403. NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTERS. (a) NATIONAL SECURITY CUTTERS 1 AND 2.—Not later than 90 days before the Coast Guard awards any contract or issues any delivery order or task order to strengthen the hull of either of National Security Cutter 1 or 2 to resolve the structural design and performance issues identified in the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s Report OIG–07–23 dated January 2007, the Commandant shall submit to the appropriate congres- sional committees all results of an assessment of the proposed hull strengthening design conducted by the Coast Guard, including— (1) a description in detail of the extent to which the hull strengthening measures to be implemented on those cutters will enable the cutters to meet contract and performance requirements; (2) a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed hull strength- ening measures for National Security Cutters 1 and 2; and (3) a description of any operational restrictions that would have to be applied to either National Security Cutter 1 or 2 if the proposed hull strengthening measures were not imple- mented on either cutter. (b) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—In this section the term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. SEC. 404. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE EXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY. (a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of sections 3304, 5333, and 5753 of title 5, United States Code, the Commandant of the Coast Guard may— (1) designate any category of acquisition positions within the Coast Guard as shortage category positions; and Definition. Deadline. Assessment. 14 USC 1.
