Contract authority for advanced development of initial or additional prototype units (a) Permanent authority (1) In general Chapter 137 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2302d the following new section: 2302e. Contract authority for advanced development of initial or additional prototype units (a) Authority A contract initially awarded from the competitive selection of a proposal resulting from a general solicitation referred to in section 2302(2)(B) of this title may contain a contract line item or contract option for— (1) the provision of advanced component development, prototype, or initial production of technology developed under the contract