BIS is the focal point within the Department of Commerce for developing, promoting and implementing policies that ensure a strong, technologically superior U.S. defense industrial base. Congressional mandates and executive orders provide BIS with unique authorities to manage these program responsibilities.

Business and Technology Enhancement Opportunities
This BIS initiative matches industry with government agencies and leading national laboratories to access technology transfer, manufacturing enhancement, and exporting resources. The goal is to increase the competitiveness of U.S. industry in the global marketplace.

Defense Priorities and Allocations System Program (DPAS)
BIS is responsible for ensuring the timely availability of industrial resources to meet current national defense and emergency preparedness requirements with minimal disruption to commercial activities. DPAS also provides an operating system to support rapid industrial response in a national emergency.

Offsets in Defense Trade Reports and Information
BIS is responsible for monitoring the impact of offsets in defense trade on the competitiveness of the U.S. industrial base and reporting annually to Congress. Offsets are forms of compensation required by foreign governments in return for the purchase of U.S. defense system.

Defense Trade Advocacy Program
BIS supports both defense prime contractors and sub-contractors by identifying legitimate defense trade opportunities and assuring that U.S. suppliers receive equal opportunities for overseas defense procurements. BIS recommends the appropriate level of Commerce Department support and generates high-level government-to-government advocacy on behalf of U.S. firms.

National Defense Stockpile Information and Availability
BIS co-chairs the interagency national defense stockpile Market Impact Committee (MIC). MIC provides export advice to the Department of Defense on the economic impact of national defense stockpile transactions.

Best Manufacturing Practices Program
The BMP Program is a unique partnership between BIS, the Navy Department and the University of Maryland. BMP is a national resource that identifies and promotes sharing of practices being used in industry, government, and academia.

Defense Market Research and Industrial Capability Assessments
BIS conducts primary market research and analysis on critical technology developments and industrial capabilities of key sectors of the economy. Industry-specific surveys are used to provide essential data for these comprehensive assessments.

Research Reports on the Impact of Imports (Section 232 Reports)
At the request of industry, Congress, or other government agencies, BIS investigates the effects of imports on national security. The final report is completed within 270 days of initiation and is submitted to the President for review and action.