America INNOVATES Act

Summary: America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or the America INNOVATES ActAmends the Department of Energy Organization Act to rename the Under Secretary for Science as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy.  Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to report annually on DOE's ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies.   Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, in part by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program.  Extends the pilot program for a term of three years after the enactment of this Act. Requires DOE to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements (except those with a majority foreign-owned company) whose total cost is less than $1 million.    Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities.  Amends the Small Business Act to require DOE, in carrying out its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to provide to small businesses seeking funding under these programs information concerning resources available to them at national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers.   Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt, for six years after enactment of this Act, institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development. Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories. 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America 
Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate 
Technology, Energy, and Science Act'' or the ``America INNOVATES Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Savings clause.
         TITLE I--INNOVATION MANAGEMENT AT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Sec. 101. Under Secretary for Science and Energy.
Sec. 102. Technology transfer and transitions assessment.
     TITLE II--CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANT COMPETITIVENESS

Sec. 201. Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program.
Sec. 202. Public-private partnerships for commercialization.
Sec. 203. Inclusion of early-stage technology demonstration in 
                            authorized technology transfer activities.
Sec. 204. Information and resources for startups and small businesses.
Sec. 205. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education 
                            and other nonprofit institutions.
                    TITLE III--ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT

Sec. 301. Report by Government Accountability Office.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Energy.
            (2) National laboratory.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
                means a nonmilitary national laboratory owned by the 
                Department.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
                includes--
                            (i) Ames Laboratory;
                            (ii) Argonne National Laboratory;
                            (iii) Brookhaven National Laboratory;
                            (iv) Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory;
                            (v) Idaho National Laboratory;
                            (vi) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory;
                            (vii) National Energy Technology 
                        Laboratory;
                            (viii) National Renewable Energy 
                        Laboratory;
                            (ix) Oak Ridge National Laboratory;
                            (x) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory;
                            (xi) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory;
                            (xii) Savannah River National Laboratory;
                            (xiii) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center;
                            (xiv) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator 
                        Facility; and
                            (xv) any laboratory operated by the 
                        National Nuclear Security Administration, with 
                        respect to the civilian energy activities 
                        conducted at the laboratory.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 3. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act abrogates or 
otherwise affects the primary responsibilities of any National 
Laboratory to the Department.

         TITLE I--INNOVATION MANAGEMENT AT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SEC. 101. UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE AND ENERGY.

    (a) In General.--Section 202(b) of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7132(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' each place 
        it appears and inserting ``Under Secretary for Science and 
        Energy''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the 
                following:
                    ``(H) establish appropriate linkages between 
                offices under the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; 
                and
                    ``(I) perform such functions and duties as the 
                Secretary shall prescribe, consistent with this 
                section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 3164(b)(1) of the Department of Energy Science 
        Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a(b)(1)) is amended by 
        striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and inserting ``Under 
        Secretary for Science and Energy''.
            (2) Section 641(h)(2) of the United States Energy Storage 
        Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231(h)(2)) is amended 
        by striking ``Under Secretary for Science'' and inserting 
        ``Under Secretary for Science and Energy''.

SEC. 102. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRANSITIONS ASSESSMENT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report 
that includes--
            (1) an assessment of the ability of the Department to carry 
        out the goals of section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
        (42 U.S.C. 16391), including an assessment of the role and 
        effectiveness of the Director of the Office of Technology 
        Transitions; and
            (2) recommendations for policy changes for the Department 
        and legislative changes to section 1001 of the Energy Policy 
        Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391) to improve the ability of the 
        Department to successfully transfer new energy technologies to 
        the private sector.

     TITLE II--CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANT COMPETITIVENESS

SEC. 201. AGREEMENTS FOR COMMERCIALIZING TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out the Agreements for 
Commercializing Technology pilot program of the Department, as 
announced by the Secretary on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this 
section.
    (b) Terms.--Each agreement entered into pursuant to the pilot 
program referred to in subsection (a) shall provide to the contractor 
of the applicable National Laboratory, to the maximum extent determined 
to be appropriate by the Secretary, increased authority to negotiate 
contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, indemnification, 
payment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty 
collaborations.
    (c) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
        (including regulations), any National Laboratory may enter into 
        an agreement pursuant to the pilot program referred to in 
        subsection (a).
            (2) Agreements with non-federal entities.--To carry out 
        paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall 
        permit the directors of the National Laboratories to execute 
        agreements with non-Federal entities, including non-Federal 
        entities already receiving Federal funding that will be used to 
        support activities under agreements executed pursuant to 
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Restriction.--The requirements of chapter 18 of title 
        35, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Bayh-Dole 
        Act'') shall apply if--
                    (A) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that 
                term is defined in section 201 of that title); and
                    (B) at least 1 of the parties to the funding 
                agreement is eligible to receive rights under that 
                chapter.
    (d) Submission to Secretary.--Each affected director of a National 
Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with respect to each 
agreement entered into under this section--
            (1) a summary of information relating to the relevant 
        project;
            (2) the total estimated costs of the project;
            (3) estimated commencement and completion dates of the 
        project; and
            (4) other documentation determined to be appropriate by the 
        Secretary.
    (e) Certification.--The Secretary shall require the contractor of 
the affected National Laboratory to certify that each activity carried 
out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this 
section--
            (1) is not in direct competition with the private sector; 
        and
            (2) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict 
        of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of 
        interest, as a result of the agreement under this section.
    (f) Extension.--The pilot program referred to in subsection (a) 
shall be extended for a term of 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act.
    (g) Reports.--
            (1) Initial report.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
        described in subsection (f), the Secretary, in coordination 
        with directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to 
        the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives a report that--
                    (A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot 
                program referred to in subsection (a);
                    (B) identifies opportunities to improve the 
                effectiveness of the pilot program;
                    (C) assesses the potential for program activities 
                to interfere with the responsibilities of the National 
                Laboratories to the Department; and
                    (D) provides a recommendation regarding the future 
                of the pilot program.
            (2) Annual reports.--Annually, the Secretary, in 
        coordination with the directors of the National Laboratories, 
        shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
        of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology of the House of Representatives a report that 
        accounts for all incidences of, and provides a justification 
        for, non-Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal 
        contract or award to carry out agreements entered into under 
        this section.

SEC. 202. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) through (d), the 
Secretary shall delegate to directors of the National Laboratories 
signature authority with respect to any agreement described in 
subsection (b) the total cost of which (including the National 
Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share) is less than 
$1,000,000.
    (b) Agreements.--Subsection (a) applies to--
            (1) a cooperative research and development agreement;
            (2) a non-Federal work-for-others agreement; and
            (3) any other agreement determined to be appropriate by the 
        Secretary, in collaboration with the directors of the National 
        Laboratories.
    (c) Limitation.--Subsection (a) does not apply to an agreement with 
a majority-foreign-owned company.
    (d) Administration.--
            (1) Accountability.--The director of the affected National 
        Laboratory and the affected contractor shall carry out an 
        agreement under this section in accordance with applicable 
        policies of the Department, including by ensuring that the 
        agreement does not compromise any national security, economic, 
        or environmental interest of the United States.
            (2) Certification.--The director of the affected National 
        Laboratory and the affected contractor shall certify that each 
        activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is 
        entered into under this section does not present, or minimizes, 
        any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes 
        any actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agreement 
        under this section.
            (3) Availability of records.--On entering an agreement 
        under this section, the director of a National Laboratory shall 
        submit to the Secretary for monitoring and review all records 
        of the National Laboratory relating to the agreement.
            (4) Rates.--The director of a National Laboratory may 
        charge higher rates for services performed under a partnership 
        agreement entered into pursuant to this section, regardless of 
        the full cost of recovery, if the funds are exclusively used to 
        support further research and development activities at the 
        applicable National Laboratory.
    (e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler 
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
                the subparagraphs appropriately;
                    (B) by striking ``Each Federal agency'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        each Federal agency''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in 
        accordance with section 202(a) of the America INNOVATES Act, 
        approval by the Secretary of Energy shall not be required for 
        any technology transfer agreement proposed to be entered into 
        by a National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, the total 
        cost of which (including the National Laboratory contributions 
        and project recipient cost share) is less than $1,000,000.''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' 
        each place it appears and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(A)''.

SEC. 203. INCLUSION OF EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION IN 
              AUTHORIZED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES.

    Section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
    ``(g) Early-Stage Technology Demonstration.--The Secretary shall 
permit the directors of the National Laboratories to use funds 
authorized to support technology transfer within the Department to 
carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration 
activities to remove technology barriers that limit private sector 
interest and demonstrate potential commercial applications of any 
research and technologies arising from National Laboratory 
activities.''.

SEC. 204. INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

    Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(tt) Information.--In carrying out the SBIR and STTR programs of 
the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall provide to 
small business concerns seeking funding under the programs information 
concerning resources that are available to small business concerns at 
National Laboratories and federally funded research and development 
centers.''.

SEC. 205. FUNDING COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
              AND OTHER NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 988(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16352(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except as provided in 
        paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
        paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Exemption for institutions of higher education and 
        other nonprofit institutions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
                a research or development activity performed by an 
                institution of higher education or nonprofit 
                institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-
                Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
                3703)).
                    ``(B) Termination date.--The exemption under 
                subparagraph (A) shall apply during the 6-year period 
                beginning on the date of enactment of this 
                paragraph.''.

                    TITLE III--ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT

SEC. 301. REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

    Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a 
report--
            (1) describing the results of the projects developed under 
        sections 201, 202, and 203, including information regarding--
                    (A) partnerships initiated as a result of those 
                projects and the potential linkages presented by those 
                partnerships with respect to national priorities and 
                other taxpayer-funded research; and
                    (B) whether the activities carried out under those 
                projects result in--
                            (i) fiscal savings;
                            (ii) expansion of National Laboratory 
                        capabilities;
                            (iii) increased efficiency of technology 
                        transfers; or
                            (iv) an increase in general efficiency of 
                        the National Laboratory system;
            (2) assessing the scale, scope, efficacy, and impact of the 
        efforts of the Department to promote technology transfer and 
        private sector engagement at the National Laboratories; and
            (3) making recommendations on ways in which the Department 
        could improve the activities described under paragraph (1).