Assessments and Evaluations, DoD

The Assessments and Evaluations, DoD program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0604944D8Z, is managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and is funded under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), Defense-Wide appropriation. The primary goal of this program is to support the Department of Defense's (DoD) ability to conduct assessments and evaluations of special programs, with a specific focus on classified initiatives that are critical to national security. The program is reported in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 119(a)(1), and its details are provided in the Special Access Program Annual Report to Congress.

Within this program element, the main budget line is DoD Special Programs (Project 548). The objective of this funding is to establish and support the DoD Special Access Program Central Office (SAPCO), which oversees the management, evaluation, and reporting of Special Access Programs (SAPs) across the Department. These programs are highly classified and are designed to protect the most sensitive defense activities and technologies.

The DoD Special Programs line item is specifically tasked with ensuring that SAPs are properly assessed and evaluated for effectiveness, compliance, and alignment with broader defense objectives. The establishment of the SAPCO office is a key milestone, as it centralizes oversight and enhances the DoD's ability to manage SAPs efficiently and securely. The office is responsible for coordinating with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), from which funds were realigned to support this new initiative.

Due to the classified nature of the activities under this program, detailed descriptions of the specific projects, technologies, or operational goals are not publicly available. However, the overarching objective is to provide the DoD with robust mechanisms for oversight, evaluation, and continuous improvement of its most sensitive and critical programs. This ensures that the Department can respond to emerging threats and maintain technological superiority in areas where secrecy is paramount.

In terms of budget justification, the funding supports both the initial stand-up and ongoing operations of the SAPCO office. This includes investments in personnel, secure facilities, information systems, and analytical capabilities necessary to carry out comprehensive assessments and evaluations. The program's structure is designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing for adjustments as new requirements or threats emerge within the classified domain.

There are no additional program funding summaries or acquisition strategies provided for this line item, reflecting the unique and highly sensitive nature of the work conducted under the Assessments and Evaluations, DoD program. The absence of unclassified details is consistent with standard practices for Special Access Programs, where operational security is a primary concern.