The ACTIVATE Act directs the Secretary of Defense to partner with a federally funded research and development center to assess the biotechnology capabilities of U.S. adversaries, particularly China, Iran, and Russia. The Secretary must enter into this agreement within 120 days of the law's enactment and must provide the research center with necessary access to classified materials, appropriate security clearances, and Department of Defense liaisons to support the work. By October 1, 2025, the Secretary must submit a report containing the assessment findings and recommendations to Congress's defense committees and the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, with an option to include classified annexes. The report will also be distributed to relevant Pentagon offices overseeing acquisition, research, policy, intelligence, and strategic assessment. This legislation essentially requires the Defense Department to conduct an intelligence-focused evaluation of adversary biotechnology advancement and identify gaps or future threats in this critical technology area.
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