The Defense Department has proposed an amendment to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement in an effort to require defense contractors to communicate proposed independent research and development projects to DoD personnel.

DoD said in a notice posted Tuesday on Federal Register the proposed rule aims to increase awareness on the relevance of and opportunities that IR&D investments offer to military personnel.

According to the notice, the government reimburses such investments made by defense companies as allowable costs.

Defense contractors will also be required to inform DoD staff about the outcomes of completed IR&D projects under the proposed rule.

Comments to the proposed rule are due April 18, according to the notice.