Defense Science Board

No matter shall be assigned to the Board for its consideration that would require any Board Member to participate personally and substantially in the conduct of any specific procurement or place him or her in the position of acting as a "procurement officials," as that term is defined pursuant to law.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics or designated representative shall be authorized to act upon the advice and recommendations of the Board.

The Secretary of Defense may invite other distinguished U.S. Government officers to serve as non-voting observers, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics may invite chairpersons from other DoD-supported federal advisory committees to serve as non-voting observers.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics may appoint experts and consultants with unique expertise to assist the board on an ad hoc basis.

On December 31, 1956, a charter was issued specifying the Board as an advisory to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Development).

Following this action in late 1959, the Board studied the structure of scientific and engineering advisory bodies.

Its report on this study was implemented by DoD Directive 5129.22, "Defense Science Board Charter," dated April 10, 1961.

Currently, the board's authorized strength is thirty-two members and seven ex officio members (the chairs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Policy, Defense Business Board, and Defense Intelligence Agency advisory committees).

They are selected based on their preeminence in science and technology and their application to military operations, research, engineering, manufacturing, and acquisition processes.

The products of each task force typically consist of a set of formal briefings to the board and appropriate DoD officials and a written report containing findings, recommendations, and a suggested implementation plan.