Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act
This bill extends through FY2027 the other transaction authority (OTA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into other transactions to carry out research and prototype projects when the use of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements is not feasible or appropriate. (Agreements under OTA are exempt from the Federal Acquisition Regulations.) DHS must notify Congress within 72 hours of using or extending OTA for research projects related to artificial intelligence technology and must offer to brief Congress on the rationale for such a decision.
The bill also lowers from $4 million to $1 million the minimum value of contract awards that DHS must publicly report on its website.