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[114th Congress Public Law 329]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 130 STAT. 2969]]

Public Law 114-329
114th Congress

                                 An Act

 
To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve 
 the competitiveness of the United States. <<NOTE: Jan. 6, 2017 -  [S. 
                                3084]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act. 42 USC 1861 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``American Innovation 
and Competitiveness 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.

                   TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH

Sec. 101. Reaffirmation of merit-based peer review.
Sec. 102. Transparency and accountability.
Sec. 103. EPSCoR reaffirmation and update.
Sec. 104. Cybersecurity research.
Sec. 105. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
           Update.
Sec. 106. Physical sciences coordination.
Sec. 107. Laboratory program improvements.
Sec. 108. Standard Reference Data Act update.
Sec. 109. NSF mid-scale project investments.
Sec. 110. Oversight of NSF major multi-user research facility projects.
Sec. 111. Personnel oversight.
Sec. 112. Management of the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Sec. 113. NIST campus security.
Sec. 114. Coordination of sustainable chemistry research and 
           development.
Sec. 115. Misrepresentation of research results.
Sec. 116. Research reproducibility and replication.
Sec. 117. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies 
           Initiative.

        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

Sec. 201. Interagency working group on research regulation.
Sec. 202. Scientific and technical collaboration.
Sec. 203. NIST grants and cooperative agreements update.
Sec. 204. Repeal of certain obsolete reports.
Sec. 205. Repeal of certain provisions.
Sec. 206. Grant subrecipient transparency and oversight.
Sec. 207. Micro-purchase threshold for procurement solicitations by 
           research institutions.
Sec. 208. Coordination of international science and technology 
           partnerships.

     TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION

Sec. 301. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program update.
Sec. 302. Space grants.
Sec. 303. STEM Education Advisory Panel.
Sec. 304. Committee on STEM Education.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2970]]

Sec. 305. Programs to expand STEM opportunities.
Sec. 306. NIST education and outreach.
Sec. 307. Presidential awards for excellence in STEM mentoring.
Sec. 308. Working group on inclusion in STEM fields.
Sec. 309. Improving undergraduate STEM experiences.
Sec. 310. Computer science education research.
Sec. 311. Informal STEM education.
Sec. 312. Developing STEM apprenticeships.
Sec. 313. NSF report on broadening participation.
Sec. 314. NOAA science education programs.
Sec. 315. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program update.

                 TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Sec. 401. Prize competition authority update.
Sec. 402. Crowdsourcing and citizen science.
Sec. 403. NIST director functions update.
Sec. 404. NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology update.

                         TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

Sec. 501. Hollings manufacturing extension partnership improvements.

              TITLE VI--INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Sec. 601. Innovation corps.
Sec. 602. Translational research grants.
Sec. 603. Optics and photonics technology innovations.
Sec. 604. United States chief technology officer.
Sec. 605. National research council study on technology for emergency 
           notifications on campuses.

SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s note.>>  DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, unless expressly provided otherwise:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (2) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6623).
            (3) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
        Science Foundation.
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution 
        of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (5) NIST.--The term ``NIST'' means the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology.
            (6) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 2 of the American COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
        2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note).
            (7) STEM education.--The term ``STEM education'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 2 of the STEM Education Act of 
        2015 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note).

                   TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH

SEC. 101. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s.>>  REAFFIRMATION OF MERIT-BASED 
                        PEER REVIEW.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) sustained, predictable Federal funding of basic research 
        is essential to United States leadership in science and 
        technology;

[[Page 130 STAT. 2971]]

            (2) the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts 
        criteria are appropriate for evaluating grant proposals, as 
        concluded by the 2011 National Science Board Task Force on Merit 
        Review;
            (3) evaluating proposals on the basis of the Foundation's 
        intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria should be used 
        to assure that the Foundation's activities are in the national 
        interest as these reviews can affirm that--
                    (A) the proposals funded by the Foundation are of 
                high quality and advance scientific knowledge; and
                    (B) the Foundation's grants address societal needs 
                through basic research findings or through related 
                activities; and
            (4) as evidenced by the Foundation's contributions to 
        scientific advancement, economic growth, human health, and 
        national security, its peer review and merit review processes 
        have identified and funded scientifically and societally 
        relevant basic research and should be preserved.

    (b) Merit Review Criteria.--The Foundation shall maintain the 
intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria, among other specific 
criteria as appropriate, as the basis for evaluating grant proposals in 
the merit review process.
    (c) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Updates.--If after the date of enactment of 
this Act a change is made to the merit-review process, the Director 
shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress not 
later than 30 days after the date of the change.
SEC. 102. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-1.>>  TRANSPARENCY AND 
                        ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) Findings.--
            (1) building the understanding of and confidence in 
        investments in basic research is essential to public support for 
        sustained, predictable Federal funding;
            (2) the Foundation has improved transparency and 
        accountability of the outcomes made through the merit review 
        process, but additional transparency into individual grants is 
        valuable in communicating and assuring the public value of 
        federally funded research; and
            (3) the Foundation should commit to transparency and 
        accountability and to clear, consistent public communication 
        regarding the national interest for each Foundation-awarded 
        grant and cooperative agreement.

    (b) Guidance.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall issue 
        and periodically update, as appropriate, policy guidance for 
        both Foundation staff and other Foundation merit review process 
        participants on the importance of transparency and 
        accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review 
        process.
            (2) Requirements.--The guidance under paragraph (1) shall 
        require that each public notice of a Foundation-funded research 
        project justify the expenditure of Federal funds by--
                    (A) describing how the project--
                          (i) reflects the statutory mission of the 
                      Foundation, as established in the National Science 
                      Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.); 
                      and
                          (ii) addresses the Foundation's intellectual 
                      merit and broader impacts criteria; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 2972]]

                    (B) clearly identifying the research goals of the 
                project in a manner that can be easily understood by 
                both technical and non-technical audiences.

    (c) Broader Impacts Review Criterion Update.--Section 526(a) of the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-14(a)) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) <<NOTE: Applicability.>>  Goals.--The Foundation shall apply a 
broader impacts review criterion to identify and demonstrate project 
support of the following goals:
            ``(1) Increasing the economic competitiveness of the United 
        States.
            ``(2) Advancing of the health and welfare of the American 
        public.
            ``(3) Supporting the national defense of the United States.
            ``(4) Enhancing partnerships between academia and industry 
        in the United States.
            ``(5) Developing an American STEM workforce that is globally 
        competitive through improved pre-kindergarten through grade 12 
        STEM education and teacher development, and improved 
        undergraduate STEM education and instruction.
            ``(6) Improving public scientific literacy and engagement 
        with science and technology in the United States.
            ``(7) Expanding participation of women and individuals from 
        underrepresented groups in STEM.''.
SEC. 103. EPSCOR REAFFIRMATION AND UPDATE.

    (a) Findings.--Section 517(a) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``The National'' and inserting ``the 
                National''; and
                    (B) by striking ``education,'' and inserting 
                ``education'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``with 27 States'' and all 
        that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting 
        ``with 28 States and jurisdictions, taken together, receiving 
        only about 12 percent of all National Science Foundation 
        research funding;'';
            (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) each of the States described in paragraph (2) receives 
        only a fraction of 1 percent of the Foundation's research 
        dollars each year;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) first established at the National Science Foundation 
        in 1979, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
        Research (referred to in this section as `EPSCoR') assists 
        States and jurisdictions historically underserved by Federal 
        research and development funding in strengthening their research 
        and innovation capabilities;
            ``(5) the EPSCoR structure requires each participating State 
        to develop a science and technology plan suited to State and 
        local research, education, and economic interests and 
        objectives;
            ``(6) EPSCoR has been credited with advancing the research 
        competitiveness of participating States, improving awareness of 
        science, promoting policies that link scientific investment and 
        economic growth, and encouraging partnerships between 
        government, industry, and academia;

[[Page 130 STAT. 2973]]

            ``(7) EPSCoR proposals are evaluated through a rigorous and 
        competitive merit-review process to ensure that awarded research 
        and development efforts meet high scientific standards; and
            ``(8) according to the National Academy of Sciences, EPSCoR 
        has strengthened the national research infrastructure and 
        enhanced the educational opportunities needed to develop the 
        science and engineering workforce.''.

    (b) Sense of Congress.--
            (1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) since maintaining the Nation's scientific and 
                economic leadership requires the participation of 
                talented individuals nationwide, EPSCoR investments into 
                State research and education capacities are in the 
                Federal interest and should be sustained; and
                    (B) EPSCoR should maintain its experimental 
                component by supporting innovative methods for improving 
                research capacity and competitiveness.
            (2) Definition of epscor.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``EPSCoR'' has the meaning given the term in section 502 of the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p 
        note).

    (c) Award Structure Updates.--Section 517 of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(g) Award Structure Updates.--In implementing the mandate to 
maximize the impact of Federal EPSCoR support on building competitive 
research infrastructure, and based on the inputs and recommendations of 
previous EPSCoR reviews, the head of each Federal agency administering 
an EPSCoR program shall--
            ``(1) consider modifications to EPSCoR proposal 
        solicitation, award type, and project evaluation--
                    ``(A) to more closely align with current agency 
                priorities and initiatives;
                    ``(B) to focus EPSCoR funding on achieving critical 
                scientific, infrastructure, and educational needs of 
                that agency;
                    ``(C) to encourage collaboration between EPSCoR-
                eligible institutions and researchers, including with 
                institutions and researchers in other States and 
                jurisdictions;
                    ``(D) to improve communication between State and 
                Federal agency proposal reviewers; and
                    ``(E) to continue to reduce administrative burdens 
                associated with EPSCoR;
            ``(2) consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures--
                    ``(A) to emphasize long-term investments in building 
                research capacity, potentially through the use of 
                larger, renewable funding opportunities; and
                    ``(B) to allow the agency, States, and jurisdictions 
                to experiment with new research and development funding 
                models; and
            ``(3) consider modifications to the mechanisms used to 
        monitor and evaluate EPSCoR awards--
                    ``(A) to increase collaboration between EPSCoR-
                funded researchers and agency staff, including by 
                providing opportunities for mentoring young researchers 
                and for the use of Federal facilities;

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                    ``(B) to identify and disseminate best practices; 
                and
                    ``(C) to harmonize metrics across participating 
                Federal agencies, as appropriate.''.

    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Congressional reports.--Section 517 of the America 
        COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9), as 
        amended, is further amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c);
                    (B) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as 
                subsections (c) through (f), respectively;
                    (C) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
                          (i) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                      ``Experimental Programs to Stimulate Competitive 
                      Research'' and inserting ``EPSCoR''; and
                          (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) in subparagraphs (A) and (E), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR and Federal EPSCoR-
                                like programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (D), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR and other Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (III) in subparagraph (E), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR or Federal EPSCoR-like 
                                programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR''; and
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (G), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR programs'' and 
                                inserting ``each EPSCoR''; and
                    (D) by amending subsection (d), as redesignated, to 
                read as follows:

    ``(d) Federal Agency Reports.--Each Federal agency that administers 
an EPSCoR shall submit to Congress, as part of its Federal budget 
submission--
            ``(1) a description of the program strategy and objectives;
            ``(2) a description of the awards made in the previous 
        fiscal year, including--
                    ``(A) the total amount made available, by State, 
                under EPSCoR;
                    ``(B) the total amount of agency funding made 
                available to all institutions and entities within each 
                EPSCoR State;
                    ``(C) the efforts and accomplishments to more fully 
                integrate the EPSCoR States in major agency activities 
                and initiatives;
                    ``(D) the percentage of EPSCoR reviewers from EPSCoR 
                States; and
                    ``(E) the number of programs or large collaborator 
                awards involving a partnership of organizations and 
                institutions from EPSCoR and non-EPSCoR States; and
            ``(3) an analysis of the gains in academic research quality 
        and competitiveness, and in science and technology human 
        resource development, achieved by the program over the last 5 
        fiscal years.''; and
                    (E) in subsection (e)(1), as redesignated, by 
                striking ``Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
                Research or a program similar to the Experimental 
                Program to Stimulate Competitive Research'' and 
                inserting ``EPSCoR''.
            (2) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Results of award structure plan.--
        Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
        the EPSCoR Interagency Coordinating Committee shall brief the 
        appropriate

[[Page 130 STAT. 2975]]

        committees of Congress on the updates made to the award 
        structure under 517(f) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
        Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9(f)), as amended by this 
        subsection.

    (e) Definition of EPSCoR.--
            (1) In general.--Section 502 of the America COMPETES 
        Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p note) is amended by 
        amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) EPSCoR.--The term `EPSCoR' means--
                    ``(A) the Established Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research established by the Foundation; or
                    ``(B) a program similar to the Established Program 
                to Stimulate Competitive Research at another Federal 
                agency.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 113 of the 
        National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 
        1862g) is amended--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``experimental'' and 
                inserting ``established'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``an Experimental 
                Program to Stimulate Competitive Research'' and 
                inserting ``a program to stimulate competitive research 
                (known as the `Established Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research')''; and
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``the program'' 
                and inserting ``the Program''.
SEC. 104. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH.

    (a) Foundation Cybersecurity Research.--Section 4(a)(1) of the Cyber 
Security Research and Development Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 7403(a)(1)) 
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (O), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(Q) security of election-dedicated voting system 
                software and hardware; and
                    ``(R) role of the human factor in cybersecurity and 
                the interplay of computers and humans and the physical 
                world.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: 15 USC 272 note.>>  NIST Cybersecurity Priorities.--
            (1) Critical infrastructure awareness.--The Director of NIST 
        shall continue to raise public awareness of the voluntary, 
        industry-led cybersecurity standards and best practices for 
        critical infrastructure developed under section 2(c)(15) of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
        272(c)(15)).
            (2) Quantum computing.--Under section 2(b) of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)) and 
        section 20 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3), the Director of NIST 
        shall--
                    (A) research information systems for future 
                cybersecurity needs; and
                    (B) coordinate with relevant stakeholders to develop 
                a process--
                          (i) to research and identify or, if necessary, 
                      develop cryptography standards and guidelines for 
                      future

[[Page 130 STAT. 2976]]

                      cybersecurity needs, including quantum-resistant 
                      cryptography standards; and
                          (ii) to provide recommendations to Congress, 
                      Federal agencies, and industry consistent with the 
                      National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
                      of 1995 (Public Law 104-113; 110 Stat. 775), for a 
                      secure and smooth transition to the standards 
                      under clause (i).
            (3) Federal information systems research and development.--
        Section 20(d)(3) of the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3(d)(3)) is amended to read as 
        follows:
            ``(3) <<NOTE: Analysis.>>  conduct research and analysis--
                    ``(A) to determine the nature and extent of 
                information security vulnerabilities and techniques for 
                providing cost-effective information security;
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Review.>>  to review and determine 
                prevalent information security challenges and 
                deficiencies identified by agencies or the Institute, 
                including any challenges or deficiencies described in 
                any of the annual reports under section 3553 or 3554 of 
                title 44, United States Code, and in any of the reports 
                and the independent evaluations under section 3555 of 
                that title, that may undermine the effectiveness of 
                agency information security programs and practices; and
                    ``(C) <<NOTE: Evaluation.>>  to evaluate the 
                effectiveness and sufficiency of, and challenges to, 
                Federal agencies' implementation of standards and 
                guidelines developed under this section and policies and 
                standards promulgated under section 11331 of title 40, 
                United States Code;''.
            (4) Voting.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (16) through (23) as 
                paragraphs (17) through (24), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:
            ``(16) perform research to support the development of 
        voluntary, consensus-based, industry-led standards and 
        recommendations on the security of computers, computer networks, 
        and computer data storage used in election systems to ensure 
        voters can vote securely and privately.''.
SEC. 105. <<NOTE: Networking and Information Technology Research 
                        and Development Modernization Act of 
                        2016. 15 USC 5501 note.>>  NETWORKING AND 
                        INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
                        DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 
2016''.
    (b) Findings.--Section 2 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501) is amended--
            (1) in paragraphs (2) and (5), by striking ``high-
        performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology, including high-performance computing,''; 
        and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology, including high-performance computing'';

    (c) Purposes.--Section 3 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5502) is amended--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2977]]

            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``high-performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``expanding Federal support for research, 
                development, and application of high-performance 
                computing'' and inserting ``supporting Federal research, 
                development, and application of networking and 
                information technology'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``networking and information technology'';
                    (C) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D);
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) stimulate research on and promote more rapid 
                development of high-end computing systems software and 
                applications software;'';
                    (E) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (H) 
                as subparagraphs (D) through (G), respectively;
                    (F) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by 
                inserting ``high-end'' after ``the development of'';
                    (G) in subparagraphs (E) and (F), as redesignated, 
                by striking ``high-performance computing'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''; and
                    (H) in subparagraph (G), as redesignated, by 
                striking ``high-performance'' and inserting ``high-
                end''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``high-performance computing and'' 
                and inserting ``networking and information technology 
                and''; and
                    (B) by striking ``high-performance computing 
                network'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''.

    (d) Definitions.--Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) 
        as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively;
            (3) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(1) `cyber-physical systems' means physical or engineered 
        systems whose networking and information technology functions 
        and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively 
        connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or 
        other means to enable safe and effective, real-time performance 
        in safety-critical and other applications;'';
            (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking ``high-
        performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (3), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(4) `high-end computing' means the most advanced and 
        capable computing systems, including their hardware, storage, 
        networking and software, encompassing both massive computational 
        capability and large-scale data analytics to solve computational 
        problems of national importance that are beyond

[[Page 130 STAT. 2978]]

        the capability of small- to medium-scale systems, including 
        computing formerly known as high-performance computing;'';
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(6) `networking and information technology' means high-end 
        computing, communications, and information technologies, high-
        capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and 
        experimental systems, high-end computing systems software and 
        applications software, and the management of large data sets;
            ``(7) `participating agency' means an agency described in 
        section 101(a)(3)(C);''; and
            (7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking 
        ``National High-Performance Computing Program'' and inserting 
        ``Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
        Program''.

    (e) Title I Heading.--The heading of title I of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is amended by striking 
``HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING'' and inserting ``NETWORKING AND 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY''.
    (f) Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
Program.--Section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
U.S.C. 5511) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``national high-
        performance computing program'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology research and development program'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``National High-Performance Computing Program'' and 
                inserting ``Networking and Information Technology 
                Research and Development'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
                      by striking ``National High-Performance Computing 
                      Program'' and inserting ``Networking and 
                      Information Technology Research and Development 
                      Program'';
                          (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                      performance computing, including networking'' and 
                      inserting ``networking and information 
                      technology'';
                          (iii) in subparagraphs (B) and (G), by 
                      striking ``high-performance'' each place it 
                      appears and inserting ``high-end'';
                          (iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``high-
                      performance computing and networking'' and 
                      inserting ``high-end computing, distributed, and 
                      networking'';
                          (v) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as 
                      follows:
                    ``(D) provide for efforts to increase software 
                security and reliability;'';
                          (vi) in subparagraph (H)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``support and 
                                guidance'' after ``provide''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon;
                          (vii) in subparagraph (I)--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2979]]

                                    (I) by striking ``improving the 
                                security'' and inserting ``improving the 
                                security, reliability, and resilience''; 
                                and
                                    (II) by striking the period at the 
                                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                          (viii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) provide for increased understanding of the 
                scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and 
                improve the methods available for the design, 
                development, and operation of cyber-physical systems 
                that are characterized by high reliability, safety, and 
                security;
                    ``(K) provide for research and development on human-
                computer interactions, visualization, and big data;
                    ``(L) provide for research and development on the 
                enhancement of cybersecurity, including the human facets 
                of cyber threats and secure cyber systems;
                    ``(M) provide for the understanding of the science, 
                engineering, policy, and privacy protection related to 
                networking and information technology;
                    ``(N) provide for the transition of high-end 
                computing hardware, system software, development tools, 
                and applications into development and operations; and
                    ``(O) foster public-private collaboration among 
                government, industry research laboratories, academia, 
                and nonprofit organizations to maximize research and 
                development efforts and the benefits of networking and 
                information technology, including high-end computing.'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                          (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                      follows:
                    ``(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal 
                networking and information technology research, 
                development, education, and other activities;'';
                          (ii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as 
                      follows:
                    ``(C) provide for interagency coordination of 
                Federal networking and information technology research, 
                development, education, and other activities undertaken 
                pursuant to the Program--
                          ``(i) among the participating agencies; and
                          ``(ii) to the extent practicable, with other 
                      Federal agencies not described in paragraph 
                      (3)(C), other Federal and private research 
                      laboratories, industry, research entities, 
                      institutions of higher education, relevant 
                      nonprofit organizations, and international 
                      partners of the United States;'';
                          (iii) by amending subparagraph (E) to read as 
                      follows:
                    ``(E) encourage and monitor the efforts of the 
                agencies participating in the Program to allocate the 
                level of resources and management attention necessary to 
                ensure that the strategic plans under subsection (e) are 
                developed and executed effectively and that the 
                objectives of the Program are met; and''; and
                          (iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``high-
                      performance'' and inserting ``high-end''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3)--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2980]]

                          (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), 
                      (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), and 
                      (G), respectively;
                          (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                      following:
                    ``(B) provide a detailed description of the nature 
                and scope of research infrastructure designated as such 
                under the Program;'';
                          (iii) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated--
                                    (I) by amending clause (i) to read 
                                as follows:
                          ``(i) the Department of Justice;'';
                                    (II) by redesignating clauses (vii) 
                                through (xi) as clauses (viii) through 
                                (xii), respectively;
                                    (III) by inserting after clause (vi) 
                                the following:
                          ``(vii) the Department of Homeland 
                      Security;''; and
                                    (IV) by amending clause (viii), as 
                                redesignated, to read as follows:
                          ``(viii) the National Archives and Records 
                      Administration;'';
                          (iv) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated--
                                    (I) by striking ``is submitted,'' 
                                and inserting ``is submitted, the levels 
                                for the previous fiscal year,''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``each Program 
                                Component Area;'' and inserting ``each 
                                Program Component Area and research area 
                                supported in accordance with section 
                                102;'';
                          (v) by amending subparagraph (E), as 
                      redesignated, to read as follows:
                    ``(E) describe the levels of Federal funding for 
                each participating agency, and for each Program 
                Component Area, for the fiscal year during which such 
                report is submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal 
                year, and the levels proposed for the fiscal year with 
                respect to which the budget submission applies;''; and
                          (vi) by inserting after subparagraph (E), as 
                      redesignated, the following:
                    ``(F) include a description of how the objectives 
                for each Program Component Area, and the objectives for 
                activities that involve multiple Program Component 
                Areas, relate to the objectives of the Program 
                identified in the strategic plans required under 
                subsection (e); and'';
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A)--
                          (i) by striking ``high-performance computing'' 
                      both places it appears and inserting ``networking 
                      and information technology''; and
                          (ii) after the first sentence, by inserting 
                      the following: ``Each chair of the advisory 
                      committee shall meet the qualifications of 
                      committee membership and may be a member of the 
                      President's Council of Advisors on Science and 
                      Technology.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``high-
                performance computing, networking technology, and 
                related software'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology''; and

[[Page 130 STAT. 2981]]

                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                          (i) in the second sentence, by striking ``2'' 
                      and inserting ``3'';
                          (ii) by striking ``Committee on Science and 
                      Technology'' and inserting ``Committee on Science, 
                      Space, and Technology''; and
                          (iii) by striking ``The first report shall be 
                      due within 1 year after the date of enactment of 
                      the America COMPETES Act.'';
            (4) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(d) Periodic Reviews.--The heads of the participating agencies, 
working through the National Science and Technology Council and the 
Program, shall--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Assessment.>>  periodically assess and update, 
        as appropriate, the structure of the Program, including the 
        Program Component Areas and associated contents, scope, and 
        funding levels, taking into consideration any relevant 
        recommendations of the advisory committee established under 
        subsection (b); and
            ``(2) ensure that such agency's implementation of the 
        Program includes foundational, large-scale, long-term, and 
        interdisciplinary information technology research and 
        development activities, including activities described in 
        section 102.

    ``(e) Strategic Plans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The heads of the participating agencies, 
        working through the National Science and Technology Council and 
        the Program, shall develop and implement strategic plans to 
        guide--
                    ``(A) emerging activities of Federal networking and 
                information technology research and development; and
                    ``(B) the activities described in subsection (a)(1).
            ``(2) Updates.--The heads of the participating agencies 
        shall update the strategic plans as appropriate.
            ``(3) Contents.--Each strategic plan shall--
                    ``(A) specify near-term and long-term objectives for 
                the portions of the Program relevant to the strategic 
                plan, the anticipated schedule for achieving the near-
                term and long-term objectives, and the metrics to be 
                used for assessing progress toward the near-term and 
                long-term objectives;
                    ``(B) specify how the near-term and long-term 
                objectives complement research and development areas in 
                which academia and the private sector are actively 
                engaged;
                    ``(C) describe how the heads of the participating 
                agencies will support mechanisms for foundational, 
                large-scale, long-term, and interdisciplinary 
                information technology research and development and for 
                Grand Challenges, including through collaborations--
                          ``(i) across Federal agencies;
                          ``(ii) across Program Component Areas; and
                          ``(iii) with industry, Federal and private 
                      research laboratories, research entities, 
                      institutions of higher education, relevant 
                      nonprofit organizations, and international 
                      partners of the United States;

[[Page 130 STAT. 2982]]

                    ``(D) describe how the heads of the participating 
                agencies will foster the rapid transfer of research and 
                development results into new technologies and 
                applications in the national interest, including through 
                cooperation and collaborations with networking and 
                information technology research, development, and 
                technology transition initiatives supported by the 
                States; and
                    ``(E) describe how the portions of the Program 
                relevant to the strategic plan will address long-term 
                challenges for which solutions require foundational, 
                large-scale, long-term, and interdisciplinary 
                information technology research and development.
            ``(4) <<NOTE: Coordinate.>>  Private sector efforts.--In 
        developing, implementing, and updating strategic plans, the 
        heads of the participating agencies, working through the 
        National Science and Technology Council and the Program, shall 
        coordinate with industry, academia, and other interested 
        stakeholders to ensure, to the extent practicable, that the 
        Federal networking and information technology research and 
        development activities carried out under this section do not 
        duplicate the efforts of the private sector.
            ``(5) <<NOTE: Strategic plans.>>  Recommendations.--In 
        developing and updating strategic plans, the heads of the 
        participating agencies shall solicit recommendations and advice 
        from--
                    ``(A) the advisory committee under subsection (b);
                    ``(B) the Committee on Science and relevant 
                subcommittees of the National Science and Technology 
                Council; and
                    ``(C) a wide range of stakeholders, including 
                industry, academia, National Laboratories, and other 
                relevant organizations and institutions.

    ``(f) Reports.--The heads of the participating agencies, working 
through the National Science and Technology Council and the Program, 
shall submit to the advisory committee, the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives--
            ``(1) the strategic plans developed under subsection (e)(1); 
        and
            ``(2) each update under subsection (e)(2).''.

    (g) <<NOTE: Repealed.>>  National Research and Education Network.--
Section 102 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5512) is repealed.

    (h) <<NOTE: Repealed.>>  Next Generation Internet.--Section 103 of 
the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513) is repealed.

    (i) Grand Challenges in Areas of National Importance.--Title I of 
the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 102. <<NOTE: 15 USC 5512.>>  GRAND CHALLENGES IN AREAS OF 
                        NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Program shall encourage the participating 
agencies to support foundational, large-scale, long-term, 
interdisciplinary, and interagency information technology research and 
development activities in networking and information technology directed 
toward agency mission areas that have the potential for significant 
contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other 
significant societal benefits. Such activities, ranging

[[Page 130 STAT. 2983]]

from basic research to the demonstration of technical solutions, shall 
be designed to advance the development of fundamental 
discoveries. <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>> The advisory committee 
established under section 101(b) shall make recommendations to the 
Program for candidate research and development areas for support under 
this section.

    ``(b) Characteristics.--
            ``(1) In general.--Research and development activities under 
        this section shall--
                    ``(A) include projects selected on the basis of 
                applications for support through a competitive, merit-
                based process;
                    ``(B) to the extent practicable, involve 
                collaborations among researchers in institutions of 
                higher education and industry, and may involve nonprofit 
                research institutions and Federal laboratories, as 
                appropriate;
                    ``(C) to the extent practicable, leverage Federal 
                investments through collaboration with related State and 
                private sector initiatives; and
                    ``(D) <<NOTE: Plan.>>  include a plan for fostering 
                the transfer of research discoveries and the results of 
                technology demonstration activities, including from 
                institutions of higher education and Federal 
                laboratories, to industry for commercial development.
            ``(2) Cost-sharing.--In selecting applications for support, 
        the agencies may give special consideration to projects that 
        include cost sharing from non-Federal sources.''.

    (j) National Science Foundation Activities.--Section 201 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) by inserting ``high-end'' after ``National 
                      Science Foundation shall provide''; and
                          (ii) by striking ``high-performance 
                      computing'' and all that follows through 
                      ``networking;'' and inserting ``networking and 
                      information technology; and'';
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) the National Science Foundation shall use its existing 
        programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as appropriate, 
        to improve the teaching and learning of networking and 
        information technology at all levels of education and to 
        increase participation in networking and information technology 
        fields, including by individuals identified in sections 33 and 
        34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1885a and 1885b).''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).

    (k) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Activities.--
Section 202 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5522) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--'';
            (2) by striking ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
        ``networking and information technology''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (b).

[[Page 130 STAT. 2984]]

    (l) Department of Energy Activities.--Section 203 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5523) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing and networking'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (3) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``high-performance'' 
        and inserting ``high-end''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (b).

    (m) Department of Commerce Activities.--Section 204 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5524) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                performance computing systems and networks'' and 
                inserting ``networking and information technology 
                systems and capabilities'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``interoperability of high-performance computing systems 
                in networks and for common user interfaces to systems'' 
                and inserting ``interoperability and usability of 
                networking and information technology systems''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``High-Performance 
                Computing and Network'' and inserting ``Networking and 
                Information Technology'';
                    (B) by striking ``Pursuant to the Computer Security 
                Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-235; 101 Stat. 1724), the'' 
                and inserting ``The''; and
                    (C) by striking ``sensitive information in Federal 
                computer systems'' and inserting ``Federal agency 
                information and information systems''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d).

    (n) Environmental Protection Agency Activities.--Section 205 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5525) is repealed.
    (o) Role of the Department of Education.--Section 206 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5526) is repealed.
    (p) Miscellaneous Provisions.--Section 207 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5527) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``paragraphs (1) 
        through (5) of section 2315(a) of title 10'' and inserting 
        ``section 3552(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 44''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''.

    (q) Repeal.--Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is repealed.
    (r) National Science Foundation Research.--Section 4(b)(5)(K) of the 
Cyber Security Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7403(b)(5)(K)) is 
amended by striking ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
``networking and information technology''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2985]]

    (s) National Information Technology Research and Development 
Program.--Section 13202(b) of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act 
of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 17912(b)) is amended by striking ``National High-
Performance Computing Program'' and inserting ``Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Program''.
    (t) Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development.--Section 
201(a)(4) of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 (15 U.S.C. 
7431(a)(4)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``clauses (i) through (x)'' and inserting 
        ``clauses (i) through (xi)''; and
            (2) by striking ``under clause (xi)'' and inserting ``under 
        clause (xii)''.

    (u) Additional Repeal.--Section 4 of the Department of Energy High-
End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5543) is repealed.
SEC. 106. <<NOTE: 42 USC 6601 note.>>  PHYSICAL SCIENCES 
                        COORDINATION.

    (a) High-energy Physics.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  In general.--The Physical 
        Science Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology 
        Council (referred to in this section as ``Subcommittee'') shall 
        continue to coordinate Federal efforts related to high-energy 
        physics research to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of 
        United States investment in high-energy physics.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Subcommittee include--
                    (A) to advise and assist the Committee on Science 
                and the National Science and Technology Council on 
                United States policies, procedures, and plans in the 
                physical sciences, including high-energy physics; and
                    (B) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate 
                international cooperation, and foster the development of 
                the physical sciences in the United States, including--
                          (i) in high-energy physics research, including 
                      related underground science and engineering 
                      research;
                          (ii) in physical infrastructure and 
                      facilities;
                          (iii) in information and analysis; and
                          (iv) in coordination activities.
            (3) Responsibilities.--In regard to coordinating Federal 
        efforts related to high-energy physics research, the 
        Subcommittee shall, taking into account the findings and 
        recommendations of relevant advisory committees--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  provide 
                recommendations on planning for construction and 
                stewardship of large facilities participating in high-
                energy physics;
                    (B) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  provide 
                recommendations on research coordination and 
                collaboration among the programs and activities of 
                Federal agencies related to underground science, 
                neutrino research, dark energy, and dark matter 
                research;
                    (C) establish goals and priorities for high-energy 
                physics, related underground science, and research and 
                development that will strengthen United States 
                competitiveness in high-energy physics;

[[Page 130 STAT. 2986]]

                    (D) propose methods for engagement with 
                international, Federal, and State agencies and Federal 
                laboratories not represented on the National Science and 
                Technology Council to identify and reduce regulatory, 
                logistical, and fiscal barriers that inhibit United 
                States leadership in high-energy physics and related 
                underground science; and
                    (E) <<NOTE: Strategic plan.>>  develop, and update 
                as necessary, a strategic plan to guide Federal programs 
                and activities in support of high-energy physics 
                research, including--
                          (i) the efforts taken in support of paragraph 
                      (2) since the last strategic plan;
                          (ii) an evaluation of the current research 
                      needs for maintaining United States leadership in 
                      high-energy physics; and
                          (iii) an identification of future priorities 
                      in the area of high-energy physics.

    (b) Radiation Biology.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  In general.--The Subcommittee 
        shall continue to coordinate Federal efforts related to 
        radiation biology research to maximize the efficiency and 
        effectiveness of United States investment in radiation biology.
            (2) Responsibilities for radiation biology.--In regard to 
        coordinating Federal efforts related to radiation biology 
        research, the Subcommittee shall--
                    (A) advise and assist the National Science and 
                Technology Council on policies and initiatives in 
                radiation biology, including enhancing scientific 
                knowledge of the effects of low dose radiation on 
                biological systems to improve radiation risk management 
                methods;
                    (B) identify opportunities to stimulate 
                international cooperation and leverage research and 
                knowledge from sources outside of the United States;
                    (C) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  ensure coordination 
                between the Department of Energy Office of Science, 
                Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, National Institutes of Health, 
                Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, 
                Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Department of 
                Homeland Security;
                    (D) identify ongoing scientific challenges for 
                understanding the long-term effects of ionizing 
                radiation on biological systems; and
                    (E) formulate overall scientific goals for the 
                future of low-dose radiation research in the United 
                States.

    (c) Fusion Energy Sciences.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  In general.--The Subcommittee 
        shall continue to coordinate Federal efforts related to fusion 
        energy research to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of 
        United States investment in fusion energy sciences.
            (2) Responsibilities for fusion energy sciences.--In regard 
        to coordinating Federal efforts related to fusion energy 
        sciences, the Subcommittee shall--
                    (A) advise and assist the National Science and 
                Technology Council on policies and initiatives in fusion 
                energy sciences, including enhancing scientific 
                knowledge of fusion energy science, plasma physics, and 
                related materials sciences;

[[Page 130 STAT. 2987]]

                    (B) identify opportunities to stimulate 
                international cooperation and leverage research and 
                knowledge from sources outside of the United States, 
                including the ITER project;
                    (C) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  ensure coordination 
                between the Department of Energy Office of Science, 
                National Nuclear Security Administration, Advanced 
                Research Projects Agency-Energy, National Aeronautics 
                and Space Administration, Foundation, and Department of 
                Defense regarding fusion energy sciences and plasma 
                physics; and
                    (D) formulate overall scientific goals for the 
                future of fusion energy sciences and plasma physics.
SEC. 107. <<NOTE: 15 USC 272.>>  LABORATORY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) <<NOTE: Strategic plan.>>  In General.--The Director of NIST, 
acting through the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, shall 
develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for laboratory 
programs that expands--
            (1) interactions with academia, international researchers, 
        and industry; and
            (2) commercial and industrial applications.

    (b) Optimizing Commercial and Industrial Applications.--In 
accordance with the purpose under section 1(b)(3) of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271(b)(3)), the 
comprehensive strategic plan shall--
            (1) include performance metrics for the dissemination of 
        fundamental research results, measurements, and standards 
        research results to industry, including manufacturing, and other 
        interested parties;
            (2) document any positive benefits of research on the 
        competitiveness of the interested parties described in paragraph 
        (1);
            (3) clarify the current approach to the technology transfer 
        activities of NIST; and
            (4) consider recommendations from the National Academy of 
        Sciences.
SEC. 108. STANDARD REFERENCE DATA ACT UPDATE.

    Section 2 of the Standard Reference Data Act (15 U.S.C. 290a) is 
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For the purposes of this Act:
            ``(1) Standard reference data.--The term `standard reference 
        data' means data that is--
                    ``(A) either--
                          ``(i) quantitative information related to a 
                      measurable physical, or chemical, or biological 
                      property of a substance or system of substances of 
                      known composition and structure;
                          ``(ii) measurable characteristics of a 
                      physical artifact or artifacts;
                          ``(iii) engineering properties or performance 
                      characteristics of a system; or
                          ``(iv) 1 or more digital data objects that 
                      serve--
                                    ``(I) to calibrate or characterize 
                                the performance of a detection or 
                                measurement system; or

[[Page 130 STAT. 2988]]

                                    ``(II) to interpolate or 
                                extrapolate, or both, data described in 
                                subparagraph (A) through (C); and
                    ``(B) that is critically evaluated as to its 
                reliability under section 3 of this Act.
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Definition.>>  Secretary.--The term 
        `Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce.''.
SEC. 109. NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Foundation funds major research facilities, 
        infrastructure, and instrumentation that provide unique 
        capabilities at the frontiers of science and engineering.
            (2) Modern and effective research facilities, 
        infrastructure, and instrumentation are critical to maintaining 
        United States leadership in science and engineering.
            (3) The costs of some proposed research instrumentation, 
        equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities fall 
        between programs currently funded by the Foundation, creating a 
        gap between the established parameters of the Major Research 
        Instrumentation and Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
        Construction programs, including projects that have been 
        identified as cost-effective additions of high priority to the 
        advancement of scientific understanding.
            (4) The 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey 
        recommended a mid-scale innovations program.

    (b) Mid-scale Projects.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Evaluation.>>  In general.--The Foundation shall 
        evaluate the existing and future needs, across all disciplines 
        supported by the Foundation, for mid-scale projects.
            (2) Strategy.--The Director of the Foundation shall develop 
        a strategy to address the needs identified in paragraph (1).
            (3) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Briefing.--Not later than 180 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
        Foundation shall provide a briefing to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress on the evaluation under paragraph (1) and 
        the strategy under paragraph (2).
            (4) Definition of mid-scale projects.--In this subsection, 
        the term ``mid-scale projects'' means research instrumentation, 
        equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities or other 
        research infrastructure investments that exceed the maximum 
        award funded by the major research instrumentation program and 
        are below the minimum award funded by the major research 
        equipment and facilities construction program as described in 
        section 507 of the AMERICA Competes Reauthorization Act of 2010 
        (Public Law 111-358; 124 Stat. 4008).
SEC. 110. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-2.>>  OVERSIGHT OF NSF MAJOR MULTI-
                        USER RESEARCH FACILITY PROJECTS.

    (a) Facilities Oversight.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        strengthen oversight and accountability over the full life-cycle 
        of each major multi-user research facility project, including 
        planning, development, procurement, construction, operations, 
        and support, and shut-down of the facility, in order to maximize 
        research investment.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Director shall--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2989]]

                    (A) prioritize the scientific outcomes of a major 
                multi-user research facility project and the internal 
                management and financial oversight of the major multi-
                user research facility project;
                    (B) clarify the roles and responsibilities of all 
                organizations, including offices, panels, committees, 
                and directorates, involved in supporting a major multi-
                user research facility project, including the role of 
                the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction 
                Panel;
                    (C) <<NOTE: Procedures.>>  establish policies and 
                procedures for the planning, management, and oversight 
                of a major multi-user research facility project at each 
                phase of the life-cycle of the major multi-user research 
                facility project;
                    (D) ensure that policies for estimating and managing 
                costs and schedules are consistent with the best 
                practices described in the Government Accountability 
                Office Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide, the 
                Government Accountability Office Schedule Assessment 
                Guide, and the Office of Management and Budget Uniform 
                Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200);
                    (E) establish the appropriate project management and 
                financial management expertise required for Foundation 
                staff to oversee each major multi-user research facility 
                project effectively, including by improving project 
                management training and certification;
                    (F) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  coordinate the sharing 
                of the best management practices and lessons learned 
                from each major multi-user research facility project;
                    (G) continue to maintain a Large Facilities Office 
                to support the research directorates in the development, 
                implementation, and oversight of each major multi-user 
                research facility project, including by--
                          (i) serving as the Foundation's primary 
                      resource for all policy or process issues related 
                      to the development, implementation, and oversight 
                      of a major multi-user research facility project;
                          (ii) serving as a Foundation-wide resource on 
                      project management, including providing expert 
                      assistance on nonscientific and nontechnical 
                      aspects of project planning, budgeting, 
                      implementation, management, and oversight;
                          (iii) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  coordinating 
                      and collaborating with research directorates to 
                      share best management practices and lessons 
                      learned from prior major multi-user research 
                      facility projects; and
                          (iv) <<NOTE: Assessment.>>  assessing each 
                      major multi-user research facility project for 
                      cost and schedule risk; and
                    (H) <<NOTE: Appointment.>>  appoint a senior agency 
                official whose responsibility is oversight of the 
                development, construction, and operations of major 
                multi-user research facilities across the Foundation.

    (b) Facilities Full Life-cycle Costs.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Analysis.>>  In general.--Subject to subsection 
        (c)(1), the Director of the Foundation shall require that any 
        pre-award analysis of a major multi-user research facility 
        project includes the development and consideration of the full 
        life-cycle cost (as defined in section 2 of the National Science 
        Foundation

[[Page 130 STAT. 2990]]

        Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) in accordance 
        with section 14 of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
        Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-4).
            (2) Implementation.--Based on the pre-award analysis 
        described in paragraph (1), the Director of the Foundation shall 
        include projected operational costs within the Foundation's out-
        years as part of the President's annual budget submission to 
        Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code.

    (c) Cost Oversight.--
            (1) Pre-award analysis.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director of the Foundation and 
                the National Science Board may not approve or execute 
                any agreement to start construction on any proposed 
                major multi-user research facility project unless--
                          (i) an external analysis of the proposed 
                      budget has been conducted to ensure the proposal 
                      is complete and reasonable;
                          (ii) the analysis under clause (i) follows the 
                      Government Accountability Office Cost Estimating 
                      and Assessment Guide;
                          (iii) except as provided under subparagraph 
                      (C), an analysis of the accounting systems has 
                      been conducted;
                          (iv) an independent cost estimate of the 
                      construction of the project has been conducted 
                      using the same detailed technical information as 
                      the project proposal estimate to determine whether 
                      the estimate is well-supported and realistic; and
                          (v) the Foundation and the National Science 
                      Board have considered the analyses under clauses 
                      (i) and (iii) and the independent cost estimate 
                      under clause (iv) <<NOTE: Estimate.>> and resolved 
                      any major issues identified therein.
                    (B) Audits.--An external analysis under subparagraph 
                (A)(i) may include an audit.
                    (C) <<NOTE: Waiver authority.>>  Exception.--The 
                Director of the Foundation, at the Director's 
                discretion, may waive the requirement under subparagraph 
                (A)(iii) if a similar analysis of the accounting systems 
                was conducted in the prior years.
            (2) Construction oversight.--The Director of the Foundation 
        shall require for each major multi-user research facility 
        project--
                    (A) periodic external reviews on project management 
                and performance;
                    (B) adequate internal controls, policies, and 
                procedures, and reliable accounting systems in 
                preparation for the incurred cost audits under 
                subparagraph (D);
                    (C) annual incurred cost submissions of financial 
                expenditures; and
                    (D) an incurred cost audit of the major multi-user 
                research facility project in accordance with Government 
                Accountability Office Government Auditing Standards--
                          (i) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  at least once 
                      during construction at a time determined based on 
                      risk analysis and length of the award, except that 
                      the length of time between audits may not exceed 3 
                      years; and
                          (ii) at the completion of the construction 
                      phase.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2991]]

            (3) Operations cost analysis.--The Director of the 
        Foundation shall require an independent cost analysis of the 
        operational proposal for each major multi-user research facility 
        project.

    (d) Contingency.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        strengthen internal controls to improve oversight of contingency 
        on a major multi-user research facility project.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Director of the Foundation shall--
                    (A) only include contingency amounts in an award in 
                accordance with section 200.433 of title 2, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (relating to contingency 
                provisions), or any successor regulation;
                    (B) retain control over funds budgeted for 
                contingency, except that the Director may disburse 
                budgeted contingency funds incrementally to the awardee 
                to ensure project stability and continuity;
                    (C) track contingency use; and
                    (D) ensure that contingency amounts allocated to the 
                performance baseline are reasonable and allowable.

    (e) Use of Fees.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the use of taxpayer-funded award fees should be 
                transparent and explicable; and
                    (B) the Foundation should implement an award fee 
                policy that ensures more transparency and accountability 
                in the funding of necessary and appropriate expenses 
                directly related to the construction and operation of 
                major multi-user research facilities.
            (2) <<NOTE: Guidelines.>>  Reporting and recordkeeping.--The 
        Director of the Foundation shall establish guidelines for 
        awardees regarding inappropriate expenditures associated with 
        all fee types used in cooperative agreements, including for 
        alcoholic beverages, lobbying, meals or entertainment for non-
        business purposes, non-business travel, and any other purpose 
        the Director determines is inappropriate.

    (f) Oversight Implementation Progress.--The Director of the 
Foundation shall--
            (1) <<NOTE: Deadlines. Briefings.>>  not later than 90 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically 
        thereafter until the completion date, provide a briefing to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress on the response to or 
        progress made toward implementation of--
                    (A) this section;
                    (B) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  all of the issues and 
                recommendations identified in cooperative agreement 
                audit reports and memoranda issued by the Inspector 
                General of the Foundation in the last 5 years; and
                    (C) all of the issues and recommendations identified 
                by a panel of the National Academy of Public 
                Administration in the December 2015 report entitled 
                ``National Science Foundation: Use of Cooperative 
                Agreements to Support Large Scale Investment in 
                Research''; and
            (2) <<NOTE: Deadline. Notification.>>  not later than 1 year 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, notify the appropriate 
        committees of Congress when

[[Page 130 STAT. 2992]]

        the Foundation has implemented the recommendations identified in 
        a panel of the National Academy of Public Administration report 
        issued December 2015.

    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
        House of Representatives.
            (2) Major multi-user research facility project.--The term `` 
        `major multi-user research facility project' '' means a science 
        and engineering facility project that--
                    (A) exceeds the lesser of--
                          (i) 10 percent of a Directorate's annual 
                      budget; or
                          (ii) $100,000,000 in total project costs; or
                    (B) is funded by the major research equipment and 
                facilities construction account, or any successor 
                account.
SEC. 111. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-3.>>  PERSONNEL OVERSIGHT.

    (a) <<NOTE: Procedures.>>  Conflicts of Interest.--The Director of 
the Foundation shall update the policy and procedure of the Foundation 
relating to conflicts of interest to improve documentation and 
management of any known conflict of interest of an individual on 
temporary assignment at the Foundation, including an individual on 
assignment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 
4701 et seq.).

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Justifications.--The Deputy Director of the 
Foundation shall submit annually to the appropriate committees of 
Congress written justification for each rotator employed under the 
Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.), or 
other rotator employed, by the Foundation that year that is paid at a 
rate that exceeds the maximum rate of pay for the Senior Executive 
Service, including, if applicable, the level of adjustment for the 
certified Senior Executive Service Performance Appraisal System.

    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report on the Foundation's efforts to control 
costs associated with employing rotators, including the results of and 
participation in the Foundation's cost-sharing pilot program and the 
Foundation's progress in responding to the findings and implementing the 
recommendations of the Office of Inspector General of the Foundation 
related to the employment of rotators.
SEC. 112. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862 note.>>  MANAGEMENT OF THE U.S. 
                        ANTARCTIC PROGRAM.

    (a) Review.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        continue to review the efforts by the Foundation to sustain and 
        strengthen scientific efforts in the face of logistical 
        challenges for the United States Antarctic Program.
            (2) <<NOTE: Review.>>  Issues to be examined.--In conducting 
        the review, the Director shall examine, at a minimum, the 
        following:
                    (A) Implementation by the Foundation of issues and 
                recommendations identified by--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2993]]

                          (i) the Inspector General of the National 
                      Science Foundation in audit reports and memoranda 
                      on the United States Antarctic Program in the last 
                      4 years;
                          (ii) the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon 
                      Panel report, More and Better Science in 
                      Antarctica through Increased Logistical 
                      Effectiveness, issued July 23, 2012; and
                          (iii) the National Research Council report, 
                      Future Science Opportunities in Antarctica and the 
                      Southern Ocean, issued September 2011.
                    (B) Efforts by the Foundation to track its progress 
                in addressing the issues and recommendations under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (C) Efforts by the Foundation to address other 
                opportunities and challenges, including efforts on 
                scientific research, coordination with other Federal 
                agencies and international partners, logistics and 
                transportation, health and safety of participants, 
                oversight and financial management of awardees and 
                contractors, and resources and policy challenges.

    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the ongoing review, including 
findings and any recommendations.
SEC. 113. <<NOTE: 15 USC 278e note.>>  NIST CAMPUS SECURITY.

    (a) Supervisory Authority.--The Department of Commerce Office of 
Security shall directly manage the law enforcement and site security 
programs of NIST through an assigned Director of Security for NIST 
without increasing the number of full-time equivalent employees of the 
Department of Commerce, including NIST.
    (b) Reports.--The Director of Security for NIST shall provide an 
activities and security report on a quarterly basis for the first year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis 
thereafter, to the Under Secretary for Standards and Technology and the 
appropriate committees of Congress.
SEC. 114. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862p-3 note.>>  COORDINATION OF 
                        SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND 
                        DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Importance of Sustainable Chemistry.--It is the sense of 
Congress that--
            (1) the science of chemistry is vital to improving the 
        quality of human life and plays an important role in addressing 
        critical global challenges, including water quality, energy, 
        health care, and agriculture;
            (2) sustainable chemistry can reduce risks to human health 
        and the environment, reduce waste, improve pollution prevention, 
        promote safe and efficient manufacturing, and promote efficient 
        use of resources in developing new materials, processes, and 
        technologies that support viable long-term solutions to a 
        significant number of challenges;
            (3) sustainable chemistry can stimulate innovation, 
        encourage new and creative approaches to problems, create jobs, 
        and save money; and
            (4) a coordinated effort on sustainable chemistry will allow 
        for a greater return on research investment in this area.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2994]]

    (b) Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research.--Subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, the Director of the Foundation may 
continue to carry out the Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research program 
authorized under section 509 of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-3).
SEC. 115. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1870 note.>>  MISREPRESENTATION OF 
                        RESEARCH RESULTS.

    (a) Prohibition.--The Director of the Foundation may revise the 
regulations under part 689 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations 
(relating to research misconduct) to ensure that the findings and 
conclusions of any article authored by a principal investigator, using 
the results of research conducted under a Foundation grant, that is 
published in a peer-reviewed publication, made publicly available, or 
incorporated in an application for a research grant or grant extension 
from the Foundation, does not contain any falsification, fabrication, or 
plagiarism.
    (b) <<NOTE: Notification.>>  Interagency Communication.--Upon a 
finding that research misconduct has occurred, the Foundation shall, in 
addition to any possible final action under section 689.3 of title 45, 
Code of Federal Regulations, notify other Federal science agencies of 
the finding.
SEC. 116. RESEARCH REPRODUCIBILITY AND REPLICATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the gold standard of good science is the ability of a 
        researcher or research laboratory to reproduce a published 
        research finding, including methods;
            (2) there is growing concern that some published research 
        findings cannot be reproduced or replicated, which can 
        negatively affect the public's trust in science;
            (3) there are a complex set of factors affecting 
        reproducibility and replication; and
            (4) the increasing interdisciplinary nature and complexity 
        of scientific research may be a contributing factor to issues 
        with research reproducibility and replication.

    (b) Report.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  In general.--Not later than 45 
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 
        the Foundation shall enter into an agreement with the National 
        Research Council--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Assessment.>>  to assess research and 
                data reproducibility and replicability issues in 
                interdisciplinary research;
                    (B) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  to make 
                recommendations for improving rigor and transparency in 
                scientific research; and
                    (C) to submit to the Director of the Foundation a 
                report on the assessment, including its findings and 
                recommendations, not later than 1 year after the date of 
                enactment of this Act.
            (2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
        the date the Director of the Foundation receives the report 
        under paragraph (1)(C), the Director shall submit the report to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress, including a response 
        from the Director of the Foundation and the Chair of the 
        National Science Board as to whether they agree with each of the 
        findings and recommendations in the report.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2995]]

SEC. 117. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-4.>>  BRAIN RESEARCH THROUGH 
                        ADVANCING INNOVATIVE NEUROTECHNOLOGIES 
                        INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Foundation shall support research activities 
related to the interagency Brain Research through Advancing Innovative 
Neurotechnologies Initiative.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Foundation should work in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group 
on Neuroscience established by the National Science and Technology 
Council, Committee on Science to determine how to use the data 
infrastructure of the Foundation and other applicable Federal science 
agencies to help neuroscientists collect, standardize, manage, and 
analyze the large amounts of data that result from research attempting 
to understand how the brain functions.

        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

SEC. 201. <<NOTE: Research and Development Efficiency Act. 42 USC 
                        6604.>>  INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON 
                        RESEARCH REGULATION.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Research and 
Development Efficiency Act''.
    (b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Scientific and technological advancement have been the 
        largest drivers of economic growth in the last 50 years, with 
        the Federal Government being the largest investor in basic 
        research.
            (2) Substantial and increasing administrative burdens and 
        costs in Federal research administration, particularly in the 
        higher education sector where most federally funded research is 
        performed, are eroding funds available to carry out basic 
        scientific research.
            (3) Federally funded grants are increasingly competitive, 
        with the Foundation funding only approximately 1 in every 5 
        grant proposals.
            (4) Progress has been made over the last decade in 
        streamlining the pre-award grant application process through the 
        Federal Government's Grants.gov website.
            (5) Post-award administrative costs have increased as 
        Federal research agencies have continued to impose agency-unique 
        compliance and reporting requirements on researchers and 
        research institutions.
            (6) Researchers spend as much as 42 percent of their time 
        complying with Federal regulations, including administrative 
        tasks such as applying for grants or meeting reporting 
        requirements.

    (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) administrative burdens faced by researchers may be 
        reducing the return on investment of federally funded research 
        and development; and
            (2) it is a matter of critical importance to United States 
        competitiveness that administrative costs of federally funded 
        research be streamlined so that a higher proportion of federal 
        funding is applied to direct research activities.

[[Page 130 STAT. 2996]]

    (d) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  Establishment.--The Director of the 
Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, shall establish an interagency working 
group (referred to in this section as the ``Working Group'') for the 
purpose of reducing administrative burdens on federally funded 
researchers while protecting the public interest through the 
transparency of and accountability for federally funded activities.

    (e) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                    (A) regularly review relevant, administration-
                related regulations imposed on federally funded 
                researchers;
                    (B) recommend those regulations or processes that 
                may be eliminated, streamlined, or otherwise improved 
                for the purpose described in subsection (d);
                    (C) recommend ways to minimize the regulatory burden 
                on United States institutions of higher education 
                performing federally funded research while maintaining 
                accountability for federal funding; and
                    (D) recommend ways to identify and update specific 
                regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather 
                than on process while achieving the outcome described in 
                subparagraph (C).
            (2) Grant review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                          (i) conduct a comprehensive review of Federal 
                      science agency grant proposal documents; and
                          (ii) develop, to the extent practicable, a 
                      simplified, uniform grant format to be used by all 
                      Federal science agencies.
                    (B) Considerations.--In developing the uniform grant 
                format, the Working Group shall consider whether to 
                implement--
                          (i) procedures for preliminary project 
                      proposals in advance of peer-review selection;
                          (ii) increased use of ``Just-In-Time'' 
                      procedures for documentation that does not bear 
                      directly on the scientific merit of a proposal;
                          (iii) simplified initial budget proposals in 
                      advance of peer review selection; and
                          (iv) detailed budget proposals for applicants 
                      that peer review selection identifies as likely to 
                      be funded.
            (3) Centralized researcher profile database.--
                    (A) Establishment.--The Working Group shall 
                establish, to the extent practicable, a secure, 
                centralized database for investigator biosketches, 
                curriculum vitae, licenses, lists of publications, and 
                other documents considered relevant by the Working 
                Group.
                    (B) Considerations.--In establishing the centralized 
                profile database under subparagraph (A), the Working 
                Group shall consider incorporating existing investigator 
                databases.
                    (C) Grant proposals.--To the extent practicable, all 
                grant proposals shall utilize the centralized 
                investigator profile database established under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (D) Requirements.--Each investigator shall--
                          (i) be responsible for ensuring the 
                      investigator's profile is current and accurate; 
                      and

[[Page 130 STAT. 2997]]

                          (ii) be assigned a unique identifier linked to 
                      the database and accessible to all Federal funding 
                      agencies.
            (4) Centralized assurances repository.--The Working Group 
        shall--
                    (A) establish a central repository for all of the 
                assurances required for Federal research grants; and
                    (B) <<NOTE: Guidance.>>  provide guidance to 
                institutions of higher education and Federal science 
                agencies on the use of the centralized assurances 
                repository.
            (5) Comprehensive review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                          (i) conduct a comprehensive review of the 
                      mandated progress reports for federally funded 
                      research; and
                          (ii) develop a strategy to simplify 
                      investigator progress reports.
                    (B) Considerations.--In developing the strategy, the 
                Working Group shall consider limiting progress reports 
                to performance outcomes.

    (f) Consultation.--In carrying out its responsibilities under 
subsection (e)(1), the Working Group shall consult with academic 
researchers outside the Federal Government, including--
            (1) federally funded researchers;
            (2) non-federally funded researchers;
            (3) institutions of higher education and their 
        representative associations;
            (4) scientific and engineering disciplinary societies and 
        associations;
            (5) nonprofit research institutions;
            (6) industry, including small businesses;
            (7) federally funded research and development centers; and
            (8) members of the public with a stake in ensuring 
        effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance 
        of scientific research.

    (g) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Working Group shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on its 
responsibilities under this section, including a discussion of the 
considerations described in paragraphs (2)(B), (3)(B), and (5)(B) of 
subsection (e) and recommendations made under subsection (e)(1).
SEC. 202. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COLLABORATION.

    (a) Definition of Scientific and Technical Workshop.--In this 
section, the term ``scientific and technical workshop'' means a 
symposium, seminar, or any other organized, formal gathering where 
scientists or engineers working in STEM research and development fields 
assemble to coordinate, exchange and disseminate information or to 
explore or clarify a defined subject, problem or area of knowledge in 
the STEM fields.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States should encourage broad dissemination 
        of Federal research findings and engagement of Federal 
        researchers with the scientific and technical community; and
            (2) laboratory, test center, and field center directors and 
        other similar heads of offices should approve scientific and 
        technical workshop attendance if--

[[Page 130 STAT. 2998]]

                    (A) that attendance would meet the mission of the 
                laboratory or test center; and
                    (B) sufficient laboratory or test center funds are 
                available for that purpose.

    (c) <<NOTE: Deadline. Action plan.>>  Attendance Policies.--Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the heads 
of the Federal science agencies shall each develop an action plan for 
the implementation of revisions and updates to their policies on 
attendance at scientific and technical workshops.

    (d) NIST Workshops.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)), as amended by section 
104 of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (19) through (24) as 
        paragraphs (22) through (27), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
            ``(19) host, participate in, and support scientific and 
        technical workshops (as defined in section 202 of the American 
        Innovation and Competitiveness Act);
            ``(20) collect and retain any fees charged by the Secretary 
        for hosting a scientific and technical workshop described in 
        paragraph (19);
            ``(21) notwithstanding title 31 of the United States Code, 
        use the fees described in paragraph (20) to pay for any related 
        expenses, including subsistence expenses for participants;''.
SEC. 203. NIST GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS UPDATE.

    Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by striking ``The total amount of 
any such grant or cooperative agreement may not exceed 75 percent of the 
total cost of the program.''.
SEC. 204. REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTS.

    (a) Repeal of Certain Obsolete Reports.--
            (1) NIST reports.--
                    (A) Report on donation of educationally useful 
                federal equipment to schools.--Section 6(b) of the 
                Technology Administration Act of 1998 (15 U.S.C. 272 
                note) is amended--
                          (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) In 
                      general.--'' and indenting appropriately; and
                          (ii) by striking paragraph (2).
                    (B) Three-year programmatic planning document.--
                          (i) In general.--Section 23 of the National 
                      Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
                      U.S.C. 278i) is amended by striking subsections 
                      (c) and (d).
                          (ii) Conforming amendment.--Section 10(h)(1) 
                      of the National Institute of Standards and 
                      Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is amended by 
                      striking the last sentence.
            (2) Multiagency report on innovation acceleration 
        research.--Section 1008 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 
        6603) is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c); and
                    (B) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
                (c).
            (3) NSF reports.--
                    (A) Funding for successful stem education programs; 
                report to congress.--Section 7012 of the America

[[Page 130 STAT. 2999]]

                COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o-4) is amended by striking 
                subsection (c).
                    (B) Encouraging participation; evaluation and 
                report.--Section 7031 of the America COMPETES Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1862o-11) is amended by striking subsection (b).
                    (C) Math and science partnerships program 
                coordination report.--Section 9(c) of the National 
                Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                1862n(c)) is amended--
                          (i) by striking paragraph (4); and
                          (ii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
                      paragraph (4).

    (b) National Nanotechnology Initiative Reports.--The 21st Century 
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending section 2(c)(4) (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)(4)) to 
        read as follows:
            ``(4) <<NOTE: Strategic plan.>>  develop, not later than 5 
        years after the date of the release of the most-recent strategic 
        plan, and update every 5 years thereafter, a strategic plan to 
        guide the activities described under subsection (b) that 
        describes--
                    ``(A) the near-term and long-term objectives for the 
                Program;
                    ``(B) the anticipated schedule for achieving the 
                near-term objectives; and
                    ``(C) the metrics that will be used to assess 
                progress toward the near-term and long-term objectives;
                    ``(D) how the Program will move results out of the 
                laboratory and into application for the benefit of 
                society;
                    ``(E) the Program's support for long-term funding 
                for interdisciplinary research and development in 
                nanotechnology; and
                    ``(F) the allocation of funding for interagency 
                nanotechnology projects;'';
            (2) by amending section 4(d) (15 U.S.C. 7503(d)) to read as 
        follows:

    ``(d) <<NOTE: Assessments. Recommenda- tions.>>  Reports.--Not later 
than 4 years after the date of the most recent assessment under 
subsection (c), and quadrennially thereafter, the Advisory Panel shall 
submit to the President, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report its assessments 
under subsection (c) and its recommendations for ways to improve the 
Program.''; and
            (3) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7504)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``triennial'' and inserting 
                ``quadrennial'';
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (D) in subsection (c), by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial''; and
                    (E) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

    ``(d) Report.--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3000]]

            ``(1) <<NOTE: Assessments. Recommenda- tions.>>  In 
        general.--Not later than 30 days after the date the first 
        evaluation under subsection (a) is received, and quadrennially 
        thereafter, the Director of the National Nanotechnology 
        Coordination Office shall report to the President its 
        assessments under subsection (c) and its recommendations for 
        ways to improve the Program.
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Records.>>  Congress.--Not later than 30 days 
        after the date the President receives the report under paragraph 
        (1), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
        shall transmit a copy of the report to Congress.''.

    (c) Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction.--Section 
14 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
U.S.C. 1862n-4) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

    ``(a) <<NOTE: Lists.>>  Prioritization of Proposed Major Research 
Equipment and Facilities Construction.--
            ``(1) Development of priorities.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) develop a list indicating by number the 
                relative priority for funding under the major research 
                equipment and facilities construction account that the 
                Director assigns to each project the Board has approved 
                for inclusion in a future budget request; and
                    ``(B) submit the list described in subparagraph (A) 
                to the Board for approval.
            ``(2) Criteria.--The Director shall include in the criteria 
        for developing the list under paragraph (1) the readiness of 
        plans for construction and operation, including confidence in 
        the estimates of the full life-cycle cost (as defined in section 
        2 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 
        (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) and the proposed schedule of completion.
            ``(3) Updates.--The Director shall update the list prepared 
        under paragraph (1) each time the Board approves a new project 
        that would receive funding under the major research equipment 
        and facilities construction account and periodically submit any 
        updated list to the Board for approval.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (e);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read as 
        follows:

    ``(c) Board Approval of Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
Projects.--The Board shall explicitly approve any project to be funded 
out of the major research equipment and facilities construction account 
before any funds may be obligated from such account for such project.''.
SEC. 205. REPEAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

    (a) Technology Innovation Program.--
            (1) In general.--Section 28 of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Additional award criteria.--Section 4226(b) of 
                the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 278n 
                note) is repealed.
                    (B) Management costs.--Section 2(d) of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3001]]

                272(d)) is amended by striking ``sections 25, 26, and 
                28'' and inserting ``sections 25 and 26''.
                    (C) Annual and other reports to secretary and 
                congress.--Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute of 
                Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is 
                amended by striking ``, including the Program 
                established under section 28,''.

    (b) Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow.--Sections 6111 through 6116 
of the America COMPETES Act (20 U.S.C. 9811, 9812, 9813, 9814, 9815, 
9816) and the items relating to those sections in the table of contents 
under section 2 of that Act (Public Law 110-69; 121 Stat. 572) are 
repealed.
SEC. 206. GRANT SUBRECIPIENT TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT.

    (a) <<NOTE: Deadline. Audit.>>  In General.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
Foundation shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress an audit of the Foundation's policies and procedures governing 
the monitoring of pass-through entities with respect to subrecipients.

    (b) Contents.--The audit shall include the following:
            (1) Information regarding the Foundation's process to 
        oversee--
                    (A) the compliance of pass-through entities under 
                section 200.331 and subpart F of part 200 of chapter II 
                of subtitle A of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, 
                and the other requirements of that title for 
                subrecipients;
                    (B) whether pass-through entities have processes and 
                controls in place regarding financial compliance of 
                subrecipients, where appropriate; and
                    (C) whether pass-through entities have processes and 
                controls in place to maintain approved grant objectives 
                for subrecipients, where appropriate.
            (2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  Recommendations, if 
        necessary, to increase transparency and oversight while 
        balancing administrative burdens.
SEC. 207. <<NOTE: 41 USC 1902 note.>>  MICRO-PURCHASE THRESHOLD 
                        FOR PROCUREMENT SOLICITATIONS BY RESEARCH 
                        INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Micro-purchase Threshold.--The micro-purchase threshold for 
procurement activities administered under sections 6303 through 6305 of 
title 31, United States Code, awarded by the Foundation, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology to institutions of higher education, or related 
or affiliated nonprofit entities, or to nonprofit research organizations 
or independent research institutes is--
            (1) $10,000 (as adjusted periodically to account for 
        inflation); or
            (2) such higher threshold as determined appropriate by the 
        head of the relevant executive agency and consistent with audit 
        findings under chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, 
        internal institutional risk assessment, or State law.

    (b) Uniform Guidance.--The Uniform Guidance shall be revised to 
conform with the requirements of this section. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, the term ``Uniform Guidance'' means the uniform 
administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for 
Federal awards contained in part 200 of title 2 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3002]]

SEC. 208. <<NOTE: International Science and Technology Cooperation 
                        Act of 2016. 42 USC 6625. Coordination.>>  
                        COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND 
                        TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``International 
Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2016''.
    (b) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish a body under the National Science and 
Technology Council with the responsibility to identify and coordinate 
international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen the 
United States science and technology enterprise, improve economic and 
national security, and support United States foreign policy goals.
    (c) NSTC Body Leadership.--The body established under subsection (b) 
shall be co-chaired by senior level officials from the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy and the Department of State.
    (d) Responsibilities.--The body established under subsection (b) 
shall--
            (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science 
        and technology cooperative research and training activities and 
        partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies;
            (2) work with other National Science and Technology Council 
        committees to help plan and coordinate the international 
        component of national science and technology priorities;
            (3) establish Federal priorities and policies for aligning, 
        as appropriate, international science and technology cooperative 
        research and training activities and partnerships supported or 
        managed by Federal agencies with the foreign policy goals of the 
        United States;
            (4) identify opportunities for new international science and 
        technology cooperative research and training partnerships that 
        advance both the science and technology and the foreign policy 
        priorities of the United States;
            (5) in carrying out paragraph (4), solicit input and 
        recommendations from non-Federal science and technology 
        stakeholders, including institutions of higher education, 
        scientific and professional societies, industry, and other 
        relevant organizations and institutions; and
            (6) identify broad issues that influence the ability of 
        United States scientists and engineers to collaborate with 
        foreign counterparts, including barriers to collaboration and 
        access to scientific information.

    (e) Report to Congress.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a biennial report on the 
requirements of this section.
    (f) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  Website.--The Director shall make 
each report available to the public on the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy website.

    (g) Termination.--The body established under subsection (b) shall 
terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act.
    (h) Additional Reports to Congress.--The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall submit, not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act and annually

[[Page 130 STAT. 3003]]

thereafter, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report that lists and describes the 
details of all foreign travel by Office of Science and Technology Policy 
staff and detailees.

     TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION

SEC. 301. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE.

    Section 10A of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) STEM Teacher Service and Retention.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop and implement 
        practices for increasing the proportion of individuals receiving 
        fellowships under this section who--
                    ``(A) fulfill the service obligation required under 
                subsection (h); and
                    ``(B) remain in the teaching profession in a high 
                need local educational agency beyond the service 
                obligation.
            ``(2) Practices.--The practices described under paragraph 
        (1) may include--
                    ``(A) partnering with nonprofit or professional 
                associations or with other government entities to 
                provide individuals receiving fellowships under this 
                section with opportunities for professional development, 
                including mentorship programs that pair those 
                individuals with currently employed and recently retired 
                science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or 
                computer science professionals;
                    ``(B) increasing recruitment from high need 
                districts;
                    ``(C) establishing a system to better collect, 
                track, and respond to data on the career decisions of 
                individuals receiving fellowships under this section;
                    ``(D) conducting research to better understand 
                factors relevant to teacher service and retention, 
                including factors specifically impacting the retention 
                of teachers who are individuals identified in sections 
                33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and
                    ``(E) conducting pilot programs to improve teacher 
                service and retention.''.
SEC. 302. SPACE GRANTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program has been an 
important program by which the Federal Government has partnered with 
universities, colleges, industry, and other organizations to provide 
hands-on STEM experiences, fostering of multidisciplinary space 
research, and supporting graduate fellowships in space-related fields, 
among other purposes.
    (b) Administrative Costs.--Section 40303 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

[[Page 130 STAT. 3004]]

    ``(d) Program Administration Costs.--In carrying out the provisions 
of this chapter, the Administrator--
            ``(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants and 
        contracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; and
            ``(2) in each fiscal year, the Administrator shall limit its 
        program administration costs to no more than 5 percent of funds 
        appropriated for this program for that fiscal year.

    ``(e) Reports.--For any fiscal year in which the Administrator 
cannot meet the administration cost target under subsection (d)(2), if 
the Administration is unable to limit program costs under subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report, including--
            ``(1) a description of why the Administrator did not meet 
        the cost target under subsection (d); and
            ``(2) the measures the Administrator will take in the next 
        fiscal year to meet the cost target under subsection (d) without 
        drawing upon other Federal funding.''.
SEC. 303. <<NOTE: 42 USC 6621 note. Deadline.>>  STEM EDUCATION 
                        ADVISORY PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment this Act, the Director of the Foundation, Secretary of 
Education, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall jointly establish an advisory panel 
(referred to in this section as the ``STEM Education Advisory Panel'') 
to advise the Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and 
Technology Council (referred to in this section as ``CoSTEM'') on 
matters relating to STEM education.
    (b) Members.--
            (1) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall be 
        composed of not less than 11 members.
            (2) Appointment.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Director of the Foundation, in consultation with the 
                Secretary of Education and the heads of the Federal 
                science agencies, shall appoint the members of the STEM 
                Education Advisory Panel.
                    (B) Consideration.--In selecting individuals to 
                appoint under subparagraph (A), the Director of the 
                Foundation shall seek and give consideration to 
                recommendations from Congress, industry, the scientific 
                community, including the National Academy of Sciences, 
                scientific professional societies, academia, State and 
                local governments, organizations representing 
                individuals identified in section 33 or section 34 of 
                the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b), and such other organizations as 
                the Director considers appropriate.
                    (C) Qualifications.--Members shall--
                          (i) primarily be individuals from academic 
                      institutions, nonprofit organizations, and 
                      industry, including in-school, out-of-school, and 
                      informal education practitioners; and
                          (ii) be individuals who are qualified to 
                      provide advice and information on STEM education 
                      research, development, training, implementation, 
                      interventions,

[[Page 130 STAT. 3005]]

                      professional development, or workforce needs or 
                      concerns.

    (c) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall--
                    (A) advise CoSTEM;
                    (B) periodically assess CoSTEM's progress in 
                carrying out its responsibilities under section 101(b) 
                of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
                U.S.C. 6621(b)); and
                    (C) help identify any need or opportunity to update 
                the strategic plan under section 101(b) of that Act.
            (2) Considerations.--In its advisory role, the STEM 
        Education Advisory Panel shall consider--
                    (A) the management, coordination, and implementation 
                of STEM education programs and activities across the 
                Federal Government;
                    (B) the appropriateness of criteria used by Federal 
                agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal STEM 
                education programs and activities;
                    (C) whether societal and workforce concerns are 
                adequately addressed by current Federal STEM education 
                programs and activities;
                    (D) how Federal agencies can incentivize 
                institutions of higher education to improve retention of 
                STEM students;
                    (E) ways to leverage private and nonprofit STEM 
                investments and encourage public-private partnerships to 
                strengthen STEM education and help build the STEM 
                workforce pipeline;
                    (F) ways to incorporate workforce needs into Federal 
                STEM education programs and activities, particularly for 
                specific employment fields of national interest and 
                employment fields experiencing high unemployment rates;
                    (G) ways to better vertically and horizontally 
                integrate Federal STEM education programs and activities 
                from pre-kindergarten through graduate study and the 
                workforce, and from in-school to out-of-school in order 
                to improve transitions for students moving through the 
                STEM education and workforce pipelines;
                    (H) the extent to which Federal STEM education 
                programs and activities are contributing to recruitment 
                and retention of individuals identified in sections 33 
                and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the STEM 
                education and workforce pipelines; and
                    (I) ways to encourage geographic diversity in the 
                STEM education and the workforce pipelines.
            (3) Recommendations.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        shall make recommendations to improve Federal STEM education 
        programs and activities based on each assessment under paragraph 
        (1)(B).

    (d) Funding.--The Director of the Foundation, the Secretary of 
Education, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall jointly make funds available on an 
annual basis to support the activities of the STEM Education Advisory 
Panel.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3006]]

    (e) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and after each assessment under subsection (c)(1)(B), the STEM 
Education Advisory Panel shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress and CoSTEM a report on its assessment under that subsection and 
its recommendations under subsection (c)(3).
    (f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--
            (1) In general.--Non-Federal members of the STEM Education 
        Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of the panel or while 
        otherwise serving at the request of a co-chairperson away from 
        their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel 
        expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
        authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for 
        individuals in the Government serving without pay.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to prohibit members of the STEM Advisory Panel who 
        are officers or employees of the United States from being 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, in accordance with existing law.

    (g) Termination.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel established 
under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after 
the date that it is established.
SEC. 304. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION.

    (a) Responsibilities.--Section 101(b) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
        a semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) collaborate with the STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        established under section 303 of the American Innovation and 
        Competitiveness Act and other outside stakeholders to ensure the 
        engagement of the STEM education community;
            ``(8) review the measures used by a Federal agency to 
        evaluate its STEM education activities and programs;
            ``(9) request and review feedback from States on how the 
        States are utilizing Federal STEM education programs and 
        activities; and
            ``(10) recommend the reform, termination, or consolidation 
        of Federal STEM education activities and programs, taking into 
        consideration the recommendations of the STEM Education Advisory 
        Panel.''.

    (b) Reports.--Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(c) Report.--'' and inserting ``(d) 
        Reports.--'';
            (2) by striking ``(b) Responsibilities of OSTP.--'' and 
        inserting ``(c) Responsibilities of OSTP.--''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page 130 STAT. 3007]]

            ``(6) a description of all consolidations and terminations 
        of Federal STEM education programs and activities implemented in 
        the previous fiscal year, including an explanation for the 
        consolidations and terminations;
            ``(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, and 
        terminations of STEM education programs or activities in the 
        upcoming fiscal year; and
            ``(8) a description of any significant new STEM education 
        public-private partnerships.''.
SEC. 305. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-5.>>  PROGRAMS TO EXPAND STEM 
                        OPPORTUNITIES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Economic projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
        indicate that by 2018, there could be 2,400,000 unfilled STEM 
        jobs.
            (2) Women represent slightly more than half the United 
        States population, and projections indicate that 54 percent of 
        the population will be a member of a racial or ethnic minority 
        group by 2050.
            (3) Despite representing half the population, women comprise 
        only about 30 percent of STEM workers according to a 2015 report 
        by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
            (4) A 2014 National Center for Education Statistics study 
        found that underrepresented populations leave the STEM fields at 
        higher rates than their counterparts.
            (5) The representation of women in STEM drops significantly 
        at the faculty level. Overall, women hold only 25 percent of all 
        tenured and tenure-track positions and 17 percent of full 
        professor positions in STEM fields in our Nation's universities 
        and 4-year colleges.
            (6) Black and Hispanic faculty together hold about 6.5 
        percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 5 percent 
        of full professor positions.
            (7) Many of the numbers in the American Indian or Alaskan 
        Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander categories 
        for different faculty ranks were too small for the Foundation to 
        report publicly without potentially compromising confidential 
        information about the individuals being surveyed.

    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) it is critical to our Nation's economic leadership and 
        global competitiveness that the United States educate, train, 
        and retain more scientists, engineers, and computer scientists;
            (2) there is currently a disconnect between the availability 
        of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers;
            (3) historically, underrepresented populations are the 
        largest untapped STEM talent pools in the United States; and
            (4) given the shifting demographic landscape, the United 
        States should encourage full participation of individuals from 
        underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

    (c) Reaffirmation.--The Director of the Foundation shall continue to 
support programs designed to broaden participation of underrepresented 
populations in STEM fields.
    (d) Grants To Broaden Participation.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall award 
        grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible

[[Page 130 STAT. 3008]]

        entities to increase the participation of underrepresented 
        populations in STEM fields, including individuals identified in 
        section 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
        Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b).
            (2) Center of excellence.--
                    (A) In general.--Grants awarded under this 
                subsection may include grants for the establishment of a 
                Center of Excellence to collect, maintain, and 
                disseminate information to increase participation of 
                underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
                    (B) Purpose.--The purpose of a Center of Excellence 
                under this subsection is to promote diversity in STEM 
                fields by building on the success of the INCLUDES 
                programs, providing technical assistance, maintaining 
                best practices, and providing related training at 
                federally funded academic institutions.

    (e) Accountability and Dissemination.--
            (1) Evaluation.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Deadline.>>  In general.--Not later than 
                5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
                Director of the Foundation shall evaluate the grants 
                provided under this section.
                    (B) Requirements.--In conducting the evaluation 
                under subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
                          (i) use a common set of benchmarks and 
                      assessment tools to identify best practices and 
                      materials developed or demonstrated by the 
                      research; and
                          (ii) to the extent practicable, combine the 
                      research resulting from the grant activity under 
                      subsection (e) with the current research on 
                      serving underrepresented students in grades 
                      kindergarten through 8.
            (2) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  Report on evaluations.--
        Not later than 180 days after the completion of the evaluation 
        under paragraph (1), the Director of the Foundation shall submit 
        to the appropriate committees of Congress and make widely 
        available to the public a report that includes--
                    (A) the results of the evaluation; and
                    (B) any recommendations for administrative and 
                legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness 
                of the program.

    (f) <<NOTE: Consultation.>>  Coordination.--In carrying out this 
section, the Director of the Foundation shall consult and cooperate with 
the programs and policies of other relevant Federal agencies to avoid 
duplication with and enhance the effectiveness of the program under this 
section.
SEC. 306. NIST EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    (a) Repeal.--The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
(15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking section 18 (15 U.S.C. 
278g-1).
    (b) Education and Outreach.--The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.), as amended, is further amended 
by inserting after section 17, the following:
``SEC. 18. <<NOTE: 15 USC 278g-1.>>  EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director is authorized to expend funds 
appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, to 
support, promote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance 
public awareness and understanding of measurement sciences,

[[Page 130 STAT. 3009]]

standards and technology at the national measurement laboratories and 
otherwise in fulfillment of the mission of the Institute. The Director 
may carry out activities under this subsection, including education and 
outreach activities to the general public, industry and academia in 
support of the Institute's mission.
    ``(b) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  Hiring.--The Director, in 
coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 
may revise the procedures the Director applies when making appointments 
to laboratory positions within the competitive service--
            ``(1) to ensure corporate memory of and expertise in the 
        fundamental ongoing work, and on developing new capabilities in 
        priority areas;
            ``(2) to maintain high overall technical competence;
            ``(3) to improve staff diversity;
            ``(4) to balance emphases on the noncore and core areas; or
            ``(5) to improve the ability of the Institute to compete in 
        the marketplace for qualified personnel.

    ``(c) Volunteers.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director may establish a program to 
        use volunteers in carrying out the programs of the Institute.
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Regulations.>>  Acceptance of personnel.--The 
        Director may accept, subject to regulations issued by the Office 
        of Personnel Management, voluntary service for the Institute for 
        such purpose if the service--
                    ``(A) is to be without compensation; and
                    ``(B) will not be used to displace any current 
                employee or act as a substitute for any future full-time 
                employee of the Institute.
            ``(3) Federal employee status.--Any individual who provides 
        voluntary service under this subsection shall not be considered 
        a Federal employee, except for purposes of chapter 81 of title 
        5, United States Code (relating to compensation for injury), and 
        sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United States Code 
        (relating to tort claims).

    ``(d) Research Fellowships.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director may expend funds 
        appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, 
        as the Director considers appropriate, for awards of research 
        fellowships and other forms of financial and logistical 
        assistance, including direct stipend awards to--
                    ``(A) students at institutions of higher learning 
                within the United States who show promise as present or 
                future contributors to the mission of the Institute; and
                    ``(B) United States citizens for research and 
                technical activities of the Institute, including 
                programs.
            ``(2) Selection criteria.--The selection of persons to 
        receive such fellowships and assistance shall be made on the 
        basis of ability and of the relevance of the proposed work to 
        the mission and programs of the Institute.
            ``(3) Financial and logistical assistance.--Notwithstanding 
        section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any other law 
        to the contrary, the Director may include as a form of financial 
        or logistical assistance under this subsection temporary housing 
        and transportation to and from Institute facilities.

    ``(e) Educational Outreach Activities.--The Director may--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3010]]

            ``(1) facilitate education programs for undergraduate and 
        graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic and 
        industry employees;
            ``(2) sponsor summer workshops for STEM kindergarten through 
        grade 12 teachers as appropriate;
            ``(3) develop programs for graduate student internships and 
        visiting faculty researchers;
            ``(4) document publications, presentations, and interactions 
        with visiting researchers and sponsoring interns as performance 
        metrics for improving and continuing interactions with those 
        individuals; and
            ``(5) facilitate laboratory tours and provide presentations 
        for educational, industry, and community groups.''.

    (c) Post-doctoral Fellowship Program.--Section 19 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) is amended 
to read as follows:
``SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Institute and the National Academy of 
Sciences, jointly, shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral 
fellowship program, subject to the availability of appropriations.
    ``(b) Organization.--The post-doctoral fellowship program shall 
include not less than 20 new fellows per fiscal year.
    ``(c) Evaluations.--In evaluating applications for post-doctoral 
fellowships under this section, the Director of the Institute and the 
President of the National Academy of Sciences shall give consideration 
to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in 
sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in research areas supported by the 
Institute.''.
    (d) Savings Clauses.--
            (1) <<NOTE: 15 USC 278g-1 note.>>  Research fellowships and 
        other financial assistance to students at institutes of higher 
        education.--The repeal made by subsection (a) of this section 
        shall not affect any award of a research fellowship or other 
        form of financial assistance made under section 18 of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
        278g-1) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such award 
        shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such 
        funds were subject under that section before the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) <<NOTE: 15 USC 278g-2 note.>>   Post-doctoral fellowship 
        program.--The amendment made by subsection (c) of this section 
        shall not affect any award of a post-doctoral fellowship or 
        other form of financial assistance made under section 19 of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
        278g-2) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such awards 
        shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such 
        funds were subject under that section before the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
SEC. 307. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-6.>>  PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR 
                        EXCELLENCE IN STEM MENTORING.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Foundation shall continue to 
administer awards on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy to recognize outstanding mentoring in STEM fields.
    (b) <<NOTE: Lists.>>  Annual Award Recipients.--The Director of the 
Foundation shall provide Congress with a list of award recipients, 
including

[[Page 130 STAT. 3011]]

the name, institution, and a brief synopsis of the impact of the 
mentoring efforts.
SEC. 308. <<NOTE: 42 USC 6626.>>  WORKING GROUP ON INCLUSION IN 
                        STEM FIELDS.

    (a) <<NOTE: Compilation. Summary.>>  Establishment.--The Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with Federal departments 
and agencies, shall establish an interagency working group to compile 
and summarize available research and best practices on how to promote 
diversity and inclusions in STEM fields and examine whether barriers 
exist to promoting diversity and inclusion within Federal agencies 
employing scientists and engineers.

    (b) Responsibilities.--The working group shall be responsible for 
reviewing and assessing research, best practices, and policies across 
Federal science agencies related to the inclusion of individuals 
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the Federal STEM 
workforce, including available research and best practices on how to 
promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, including--
            (1) policies providing flexibility for scientists and 
        engineers that are also caregivers, particularly on the timing 
        of research grants;
            (2) policies to address the proper handling of claims of 
        sexual harassment;
            (3) policies to minimize the effects of implicit bias and 
        other systemic factors in hiring, promotion, evaluation and the 
        workplace in general; and
            (4) other evidence-based strategies that the working group 
        considers effective for promoting diversity and inclusion in the 
        STEM fields.

    (c) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out the responsibilities under 
section (b), the working group shall solicit and consider input and 
recommendations from non-Federal stakeholders, including--
            (1) the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology;
            (2) federally funded and non-federally funded researchers, 
        institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary 
        societies, and associations;
            (3) nonprofit research institutions;
            (4) industry, including small businesses;
            (5) federally funded research and development centers;
            (6) non-governmental organizations; and
            (7) such other members of the public interested in promoting 
        a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce.

    (d) <<NOTE: Summary. Recommenda- tions. Updates.>>  Public 
Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and periodically thereafter, the working group shall publish a report on 
the review and assessment under subsection (b), including a summary of 
available research and best practices, any recommendations for Federal 
actions to promote a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce, and 
updates on the implementation of previous recommendations for Federal 
actions.

    (e) Termination.--The interagency working group established under 
subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the 
date that it is established.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3012]]

SEC. 309. IMPROVING UNDERGRADUATE STEM EXPERIENCES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that each 
Federal science agency should invest in and expand research 
opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of 
higher education during the undergraduate students' first 2 academic 
years of postsecondary education.
    (b) <<NOTE: Deadline. Recommenda- tions.>>  Identification of 
Research Programs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the head of each Federal agency shall submit to the President 
recommendations regarding how the agency could best fulfill the goals 
described in subsection (a).
SEC. 310. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-7.>>  COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION 
                        RESEARCH.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that as the lead Federal agency for 
building the research knowledge base for computer science education, the 
Foundation is well positioned to make investments that will accelerate 
ongoing efforts to enable rigorous and engaging computer science 
throughout the Nation as an integral part of STEM education.
    (b) Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall award 
        grants to eligible entities to research computer science 
        education and computational thinking.
            (2) Research.--The research described in paragraph (1) may 
        include the development or adaptation, piloting or full 
        implementation, and testing of--
                    (A) models of preservice preparation for teachers 
                who will teach computer science and computational 
                thinking;
                    (B) scalable and sustainable models of professional 
                development and ongoing support for the teachers 
                described in subparagraph (A);
                    (C) tools and models for teaching and learning aimed 
                at supporting student success and inclusion in computing 
                within and across diverse populations, particularly 
                poor, rural, and tribal populations and other 
                populations that have been historically underrepresented 
                in computer science and STEM fields; and
                    (D) high-quality learning opportunities for teaching 
                computer science and, especially in poor, rural, or 
                tribal schools at the elementary school and middle 
                school levels, for integrating computational thinking 
                into STEM teaching and learning.

    (c) Collaborations.--In carrying out the grants established in 
subsection (b), eligible entities may collaborate and partner with local 
or remote schools to support the integration of computing and 
computational thinking within pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM 
curricula and instruction.
    (d) Metrics.--The Director of the Foundation shall develop metrics 
to measure the success of the grant program funded under this section in 
achieving program goals.
    (e) Report.--The Director of the Foundation shall report, in the 
annual budget submission to Congress, on the success of the program as 
measured by the metrics in subsection (d).
    (f) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means an institution of higher education or a 
nonprofit research organization.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3013]]

SEC. 311. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION.

    (a) National STEM Partnership Grants.--Section 3(a) of the STEM 
Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) a national partnership of institutions involved in 
        informal STEM learning.''.

    (b) Use of Funds.--Section 3(b) of the STEM Education Act of 2015 
(42 U.S.C. 1862q(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) fostering on-going partnerships between institutions 
        involved in informal STEM learning, institutions of higher 
        education, and education research centers; and
            ``(4) developing, and making available informal STEM 
        education activities and educational materials.''.
SEC. 312. <<NOTE: 15 USC 3723 note.>>  DEVELOPING STEM 
                        APPRENTICESHIPS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The lack of data on the return on investment for United 
        States employers using registered apprenticeships makes it 
        difficult--
                    (A) to communicate the value of these programs to 
                businesses; and
                    (B) to expand registered apprenticeships.
            (2) The lack of data on the value and impact of employer-
        provided worker training, which is likely substantial, hinders 
        the ability of the Federal Government to formulate policy 
        related to workforce training.
            (3) The Secretary of Commerce has initiated--
                    (A) the first study on the return on investment for 
                United States employers using registered apprenticeships 
                through case studies of firms in various sectors, 
                occupations, and geographic locations to provide the 
                business community with data on employer benefits and 
                costs; and
                    (B) discussions with officials at relevant Federal 
                agencies about the need to collect comprehensive data 
                on--
                          (i) employer-provided worker training; and
                          (ii) existing tools that could be used to 
                      collect such data.

    (b) Development of Apprenticeship Information.--The Secretary of 
Commerce shall continue to research the value to businesses of utilizing 
apprenticeship programs, including--
            (1) evidence of return on investment of apprenticeships, 
        including estimates for the average time it takes a business to 
        recover the costs associated with training apprentices; and
            (2) data from the United States Census Bureau and other 
        statistical surveys on employer-provided training, including 
        apprenticeships and other on-the-job training and industry-
        recognized certification programs.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3014]]

    (c) Dissemination of Apprenticeship Information.--The Secretary of 
Commerce shall disseminate findings from research on apprenticeships to 
businesses and other relevant stakeholders, including--
            (1) institutions of higher education;
            (2) State and local chambers of commerce; and
            (3) workforce training organizations.

    (d) New Apprenticeship Program Study.--The Secretary of Commerce may 
collaborate with the Secretary of Labor to study approaches for reducing 
the cost of creating new apprenticeship programs and hosting apprentices 
for businesses, particularly small businesses, including--
            (1) training sharing agreements;
            (2) group training models; and
            (3) pooling resources and best practices.

    (e) Economic Development Administration Grants.--The Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 28. <<NOTE: 15 USC 3723.>>  STEM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may carry out a grant 
program to identify the need for skilled science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as `STEM') 
workers and to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.
    ``(b) Eligible Recipient Defined.--In this section, the term 
`eligible recipient' means--
            ``(1) a State;
            ``(2) an Indian tribe;
            ``(3) a city or other political subdivision of a State;
            ``(4) an entity that--
                    ``(A) is a nonprofit organization, an institution of 
                higher education, a public-private partnership, a 
                science or research park, a Federal laboratory, or an 
                economic development organization or similar entity; and
                    ``(B) has an application that is supported by a 
                State, a political subdivision of a State, or a native 
                organization; or
            ``(5) a consortium of any of the entities described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5).

    ``(c) Needs Assessment Grants.--The Secretary of Commerce may 
provide a grant to an eligible recipient to conduct a needs assessment 
to identify--
            ``(1) the unmet need of a region's employer base for skilled 
        STEM workers;
            ``(2) the potential of STEM apprenticeships to address the 
        unmet need described in paragraph (1); and
            ``(3) any barriers to addressing the unmet need described in 
        paragraph (1).

    ``(d) Apprenticeship Expansion Grants.--The Secretary of Commerce 
may provide a grant to an eligible recipient that has conducted a needs 
assessment as described in subsection (c)(1) to develop infrastructure 
to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.''.
SEC. 313. NSF REPORT ON BROADENING PARTICIPATION.

    Section 204(e) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1885c(e)) is amended to read as follows:

[[Page 130 STAT. 3015]]

    ``(e) Biennial Report.--Every 2 years, the Committee shall prepare 
and submit to the Director a report on its activities during the 
previous 2 years and proposed activities for the next 2 years. The 
Director shall submit to Congress the report, unaltered, together with 
such comments as the Director considers appropriate, including--
            ``(1) <<NOTE: Review.>>  review data on the participation in 
        Foundation activities of institutions serving populations that 
        are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, 
        and tribal populations; and
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  recommendations 
        regarding how the Foundation could improve outreach and 
        inclusion of these populations in Foundation activities.''.
SEC. 314. NOAA SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4002(a) of the America COMPETES Act (33 
U.S.C. 893a(a)) is amended by striking ``agency, with consideration 
given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals from 
underrepresented groups'' and inserting ``the agency, with consideration 
given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals 
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b)''.
    (b) Educational Program Goals.--Section 4002(b)(4) of the America 
COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(b)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) and subparagraph (D);
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) are designed considering the unique needs of 
                underrepresented groups, translating such materials and 
                other resources;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) are promoted widely, especially among 
                individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the 
                Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and''.

    (c) Metrics.--Section 4002 of the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 
893a) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively; and
            (2) by adding after section (c) the following:

    ``(d) <<NOTE: Evaluation.>>  Metrics.--In executing the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration science education plan under 
subsection (c), the Administrator shall maintain a comprehensive system 
for evaluating the Administration's educational programs and activities. 
In so doing, the Administrator shall ensure that such education programs 
have measurable objectives and milestones as well as clear, documented 
metrics for evaluating programs. For each such education program or 
portfolio of similar programs, the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) encourage the collection of evidence as relevant to 
        the measurable objectives and milestones; and
            ``(2) ensure that program or portfolio evaluations focus on 
        educational outcomes and not just inputs, activities completed, 
        or the number of participants.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3016]]

SEC. 315. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM 
                        UPDATE.

    (a) In General.--Section 7033(a) of the America COMPETES Act (42 
U.S.C. 1862o-12(a)) is amended as follows:
    ``(a) <<NOTE: Grants.>>  In General.--The Director shall award 
grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving 
institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)) to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM 
education at such institutions and to increase the retention and 
graduation rates of students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate 
degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.''.

    (b) <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862o-12 note.>>  Savings Provision.--The 
amendment made by subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any 
award of a grant or other form of financial assistance made under 
section 7033 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o-12) before the 
date of enactment of this Act. Such awards shall continue to be subject 
to the requirements to which such funds were subject under that section 
before the date of enactment of this Act.

                 TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

SEC. 401. <<NOTE: Science Prize Competition Act. 15 USC 3701 
                        note.>>  PRIZE COMPETITION AUTHORITY 
                        UPDATE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Science Prize 
Competition Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Prizes'' and by inserting ``Prize Competitions'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``prize may be one or more of the following'' 
                and inserting ``prize competition may be 1 or more of 
                the following types of activities'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``competition'' 
                after ``prize''; and
                    (D) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking 
                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize competitions'';
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``in the Federal Register'' and inserting ``on 
                a publicly accessible Government website, such as 
                www.challenge.gov,'';
                    (B) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prize'' and 
                inserting ``cash prize purse or non-cash prize award'';
            (3) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``prize'' and inserting ``cash prize purse''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition'';
            (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' before 
        ``competition'' each place it appears;
            (5) in subsection (i)--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3017]]

                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'' each place it appears;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
                and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Waivers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An agency may waive the 
                requirement under paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) List.--The Director shall include a list of 
                all of the waivers granted under this paragraph during 
                the preceding fiscal year, including a detailed 
                explanation of the reason for granting the waiver.'';
            (6) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition''; and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Licenses.--As appropriate and to further the goals of 
        a prize competition, the Federal Government may negotiate a 
        license for the use of intellectual property developed by a 
        registered participant in a prize competition.'';
            (7) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each 
                competition'' and inserting ``each prize competition'' 
                each place it appears;
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competitions'' each place it appears;
            (8) in subsection (l), by striking ``an agreement with'' and 
        all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``a 
        grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other agreement with 
        a private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity or State or 
        local government agency to administer the prize competition, 
        subject to the provisions of this section.'';
            (9) in subsection (m)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--Support for a prize competition under 
        this section, including financial support for the design and 
        administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash prize 
        purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and funds 
        provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit entities. 
        The head of an agency may request and accept funds from other 
        Federal agencies, State, United States territory, local, or 
        tribal government agencies, private sector for-profit entities, 
        and nonprofit entities, to be available to the extent provided 
        by appropriations Acts, to support such prize competitions. The 
        head of an agency may not give any special consideration to any 
        agency or entity in return for a donation.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prize awards'' 
                and inserting ``cash prize purses or non-cash prize 
                awards'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                          (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                      follows:
                    ``(A) Announcement.--No prize competition may be 
                announced under subsection (f) until all the funds 
                needed

[[Page 130 STAT. 3018]]

                to pay out the announced amount of the cash prize purse 
                have been appropriated or committed in writing by a 
                private or State, United States territory, local, or 
                tribal government source.''; and
                          (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i), by striking ``a prize'' and 
                                inserting ``a cash prize purse or non-
                                cash prize award'';
                                    (II) in clause (i), by inserting 
                                ``competition'' after ``prize''; and
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by inserting 
                                ``or State, United States territory, 
                                local, or tribal government'' after 
                                ``private''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4)--
                          (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``a prize'' and 
                                inserting ``a cash prize purse or a non-
                                cash prize award''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``Science and 
                                Technology'' and inserting ``Science, 
                                Space, and Technology''; and
                          (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``cash 
                      prizes'' and inserting ``cash prize purses or non-
                      cash prize awards'';
            (10) in subsection (n)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Service'' and 
                inserting ``Services'';
                    (B) by striking ``the date of the enactment of the 
                America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' and 
                inserting ``the date of enactment of the American 
                Innovation and Competitiveness Act,''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``for both for-profit and nonprofit 
                entities and State, United States territory, local, and 
                tribal government entities,'' after ``contract 
                vehicle'';
            (11) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``or providing a 
        prize'' and inserting ``a prize competition or providing a cash 
        prize purse or non-cash prize award''; and
            (12) in subsection (p)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Annual'' and 
                inserting ``Biennial'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                          (i) by striking ``each year'' and inserting 
                      ``every other year'';
                          (ii) by striking ``Science and Technology'' 
                      and inserting ``Science, Space, and Technology''; 
                      and
                          (iii) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
                      inserting ``2 fiscal years''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                          (i) by striking ``The report for a fiscal 
                      year'' and inserting ``A report'';
                          (ii) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) in the heading, by striking 
                                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize purses 
                                or non-cash prize awards''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``cash prizes'' 
                                each place it appears and inserting 
                                ``cash prize purses or non-cash prize 
                                awards''; and
                          (iii) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page 130 STAT. 3019]]

                    ``(G) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  Plan.--A description 
                of crosscutting topical areas and agency-specific 
                mission needs that may be the strongest opportunities 
                for prize competitions during the upcoming 2 fiscal 
                years.''.
SEC. 402. <<NOTE: Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act. 15 USC 
                        3724.>>  CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN 
                        SCIENCE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen Science Act''.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the authority granted to Federal agencies under the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
        358; 124 Stat. 3982) to pursue the use of incentive prizes and 
        challenges has yielded numerous benefits;
            (2) crowdsourcing and citizen science projects have a number 
        of additional unique benefits, including accelerating scientific 
        research, increasing cost effectiveness to maximize the return 
        on taxpayer dollars, addressing societal needs, providing hands-
        on learning in STEM, and connecting members of the public 
        directly to Federal science agency missions and to each other; 
        and
            (3) granting Federal science agencies the direct, explicit 
        authority to use crowdsourcing and citizen science will 
        encourage its appropriate use to advance Federal science agency 
        missions and stimulate and facilitate broader public 
        participation in the innovation process, yielding numerous 
        benefits to the Federal Government and citizens who participate 
        in such projects.

    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Citizen science.--The term ``citizen science'' means a 
        form of open collaboration in which individuals or organizations 
        participate voluntarily in the scientific process in various 
        ways, including--
                    (A) enabling the formulation of research questions;
                    (B) creating and refining project design;
                    (C) conducting scientific experiments;
                    (D) collecting and analyzing data;
                    (E) interpreting the results of data;
                    (F) developing technologies and applications;
                    (G) making discoveries; and
                    (H) solving problems.
            (2) Crowdsourcing.--The term ``crowdsourcing'' means a 
        method to obtain needed services, ideas, or content by 
        soliciting voluntary contributions from a group of individuals 
        or organizations, especially from an online community.
            (3) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means any 
        individual or other entity that has volunteered in a 
        crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this section.

    (d) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.--
            (1) In general.--The head of each Federal science agency, or 
        the heads of multiple Federal science agencies working 
        cooperatively, may utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science to 
        conduct projects designed to advance the mission of the 
        respective Federal science agency or the joint mission of 
        Federal science agencies, as applicable.
            (2) Voluntary services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
        title 31, United States Code, the head of a Federal science 
        agency may accept, subject to regulations issued by the Director

[[Page 130 STAT. 3020]]

        of the Office of Personnel Management, in coordination with the 
        Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
        services from participants under this section if such services--
                    (A) are performed voluntarily as a part of a 
                crowdsourcing or citizen science project authorized 
                under paragraph (1);
                    (B) are not financially compensated for their time; 
                and
                    (C) will not be used to displace any employee of the 
                Federal Government.
            (3) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  Outreach.--The head of 
        each Federal science agency engaged in a crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section shall make public and 
        promote such project to encourage broad participation.
            (4) Consent, registration, and terms of use.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  In general.--Each 
                Federal science agency shall determine the appropriate 
                level of consent, registration, or acknowledgment of the 
                terms of use that are required from participants in 
                crowdsourcing or citizen science projects under this 
                section on a per-project basis.
                    (B) Disclosures.--In seeking consent, conducting 
                registration, or developing terms of use for a project 
                under this subsection, a Federal science agency shall 
                disclose the privacy, intellectual property, data 
                ownership, compensation, service, program, and other 
                terms of use to the participant in a clear and 
                reasonable manner.
                    (C) Mode of consent.--A Federal agency or Federal 
                science agencies, as applicable, may obtain consent 
                electronically or in written form from participants 
                under this section.
            (5) Protections for human subjects.--Any crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section that involves 
        research involving human subjects shall be subject to part 46 of 
        title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
        regulation).
            (6) Data.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  In general.--A 
                Federal science agency shall, where appropriate and to 
                the extent practicable, make data collected through a 
                crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this 
                section available to the public, in a machine readable 
                format, unless prohibited by law.
                    (B) Notice.--As part of the consent process, the 
                Federal science agency shall notify all participants--
                          (i) of the expected uses of the data compiled 
                      through the project;
                          (ii) if the Federal science agency will retain 
                      ownership of such data;
                          (iii) if and how the data and results from the 
                      project would be made available for public or 
                      third party use; and
                          (iv) if participants are authorized to publish 
                      such data.
            (7) <<NOTE: Public information.>>  Technologies and 
        applications.--Federal science agencies shall endeavor to make 
        technologies, applications, code, and derivations of such 
        intellectual property developed through a crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section available to the 
        public.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3021]]

            (8) Liability.--Each participant in a crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section shall agree--
                    (A) to assume any and all risks associated with such 
                participation; and
                    (B) <<NOTE: Waiver.>>  to waive all claims against 
                the Federal Government and its related entities, except 
                for claims based on willful misconduct, for any injury, 
                death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits 
                (whether direct, indirect, or consequential) arising 
                from participation in the project.
            (9) Research misconduct.--Federal science agencies 
        coordinating crowdsourcing or citizen science projects under 
        this section shall make all practicable efforts to ensure that 
        participants adhere to all relevant Federal research misconduct 
        policies and other applicable ethics policies.
            (10) Multi-sector partnerships.--The head of each Federal 
        science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science under 
        this section, or the heads of multiple Federal science agencies 
        working cooperatively, may enter into a contract or other 
        agreement to share administrative duties for such projects 
        with--
                    (A) a for profit or nonprofit private sector entity, 
                including a private institution of higher education;
                    (B) a State, tribal, local, or foreign government 
                agency, including a public institution of higher 
                education; or
                    (C) a public-private partnership.
            (11) Funding.--In carrying out crowdsourcing and citizen 
        science projects under this section, the head of a Federal 
        science agency, or the heads of multiple Federal science 
        agencies working cooperatively--
                    (A) may use funds appropriated by Congress;
                    (B) may publicize projects and solicit and accept 
                funds or in-kind support for such projects, to be 
                available to the extent provided by appropriations Acts, 
                from--
                          (i) other Federal agencies;
                          (ii) for profit or nonprofit private sector 
                      entities, including private institutions of higher 
                      education; or
                          (iii) State, tribal, local, or foreign 
                      government agencies, including public institutions 
                      of higher education; and
                    (C) may not give any special consideration to any 
                entity described in subparagraph (B) in return for such 
                funds or in-kind support.
            (12) Facilitation.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Coordination.>>  General services 
                administration assistance.--The Administrator of the 
                General Services Administration, in coordination with 
                the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and 
                the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
                Policy, shall, at no cost to Federal science agencies, 
                identify and develop relevant products, training, and 
                services to facilitate the use of crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science projects under this section, including 
                by specifying the appropriate contract vehicles and 
                technology and organizational platforms to enhance the 
                ability of Federal science agencies to carry out the 
                projects under this section.
                    (B) Additional guidance.--The head of each Federal 
                science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen 
                science under this section may--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3022]]

                          (i) consult any guidance provided by the 
                      Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
                      Policy, including the Federal Crowdsourcing and 
                      Citizen Science Toolkit;
                          (ii) designate a coordinator for that Federal 
                      science agency's crowdsourcing and citizen science 
                      projects; and
                          (iii) share best practices with other Federal 
                      agencies, including participation of staff in the 
                      Federal Community of Practice for Crowdsourcing 
                      and Citizen Science.

    (e) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall include, as a component of an annual 
        report required under section 24(p) of the Stevenson-Wydler 
        Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719(p)), a report 
        on the projects and activities carried out under this section.
            (2) Information included.--The report required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Summary.>>  a summary of each 
                crowdsourcing and citizen science project conducted by a 
                Federal science agency during the most recently 
                completed 2 fiscal years, including a description of the 
                proposed goals of each crowdsourcing and citizen science 
                project;
                    (B) <<NOTE: Analysis.>>  an analysis of why the 
                utilization of a crowdsourcing or citizen science 
                project summarized in subparagraph (A) was the 
                preferable method of achieving the goals described in 
                subparagraph (A) as opposed to other authorities 
                available to the Federal science agency, such as 
                contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and prize 
                competitions;
                    (C) the participation rates, submission levels, 
                number of consents, and any other statistic that might 
                be considered relevant in each crowdsourcing and citizen 
                science project;
                    (D) a detailed description of--
                          (i) the resources, including personnel and 
                      funding, that were used in the execution of each 
                      crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                          (ii) the project activities for which such 
                      resources were used; and
                          (iii) how the obligations and expenditures 
                      relating to the project's execution were allocated 
                      among the accounts of the Federal science agency, 
                      including a description of the amount and source 
                      of all funds, private, public, and in-kind, 
                      contributed to each crowdsourcing and citizen 
                      science project;
                    (E) <<NOTE: Summary.>>  a summary of the use of 
                crowdsourcing and citizen science by all Federal science 
                agencies, including interagency and multi-sector 
                partnerships;
                    (F) a description of how each crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science project advanced the mission of each 
                participating Federal science agency;
                    (G) an identification of each crowdsourcing or 
                citizen science project where data collected through 
                such project

[[Page 130 STAT. 3023]]

                was not made available to the public, including the 
                reasons for such action; and
                    (H) any other information that the Director of the 
                Office of Science and Technology Policy considers 
                relevant.

    (f) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section may be construed--
            (1) to affect the authority to conduct crowdsourcing and 
        citizen science authorized by any other provision of law; or
            (2) to displace Federal Government resources allocated to 
        the Federal science agencies that use crowdsourcing or citizen 
        science authorized under this section to carry out a project.
SEC. 403. NIST DIRECTOR FUNCTIONS UPDATE.

    Section 2(b) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)), as amended by section 403 of this Act, is 
further amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``authorized to take'' and inserting ``authorized to serve as 
        the President's principal adviser on standards policy pertaining 
        to the Nation's technological competitiveness and innovation 
        ability and to take'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``compare standards'' and 
        all that follows through ``Federal Government'' and inserting 
        ``facilitate standards-related information sharing and 
        cooperation between Federal agencies''; and
            (3) in paragraph (13), by striking ``Federal, State, and 
        local'' and all that follows through ``private sector'' and 
        inserting ``technical standards activities and conformity 
        assessment activities of Federal, State, and local governments 
        with private sector''.
SEC. 404. NIST VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY UPDATE.

    Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
(15 U.S.C. 278) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``15 members 
                appointed by the Director, at least 10 of whom'' and 
                inserting ``not fewer than 9 members appointed by the 
                Director, a majority of whom''; and
                    (B) in the third sentence, by striking ``National 
                Bureau of Standards'' and inserting ``National Institute 
                of Standards and Technology''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``, including the 
        Program established under section 28,''.

                         TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

SEC. 501. <<NOTE: Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement 
                        Act. 15 USC 271 note.>>  HOLLINGS 
                        MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP 
                        IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership Improvement Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read as follows:

[[Page 130 STAT. 3024]]

``SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        `appropriate committees of Congress' means--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                Technology of the House of Representatives.
            ``(2) Area career and technical education school.--The term 
        `area career and technical education school' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Vocational Education Act of 
        1963 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
            ``(3) Center.--The term `Center' means a manufacturing 
        extension center that--
                    ``(A) is created under subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) is affiliated with an eligible entity that 
                applies for and is awarded financial support under 
                subsection (e).
            ``(4) Community college.--The term `community college' means 
        an institution of higher education (as defined under section 
        101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) 
        at which the highest degree that is predominately awarded to 
        students is an associate's degree.
            ``(5) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        United States-based nonprofit institution, or consortium 
        thereof, an institution of higher education, or a State, United 
        States territory, local, or tribal government.
            ``(6) Hollings manufacturing extension partnership or 
        program.--The term `Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership' or `Program' means the program established under 
        subsection (b).
            ``(7) MEP advisory board.--The term `MEP Advisory Board' 
        means the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board 
        established under subsection (n).

    ``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary, acting through the 
Director and, if appropriate, through other Federal officials, shall 
establish a program to provide assistance for the creation and support 
of manufacturing extension centers for the transfer of manufacturing 
technology and best business practices.
    ``(c) Objective.--The objective of the Program shall be to enhance 
competitiveness, productivity, and technological performance in United 
States manufacturing through--
            ``(1) the transfer of manufacturing technology and 
        techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through 
        them, to manufacturing companies throughout the United States;
            ``(2) the participation of individuals from industry, 
        institutions of higher education, State governments, other 
        Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in 
        cooperative technology transfer activities;
            ``(3) efforts to make new manufacturing technology and 
        processes usable by United States-based small and medium-sized 
        companies;
            ``(4) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, 
        technical, and management information about manufacturing to 
        industrial firms, including small and medium-sized manufacturing 
        companies;

[[Page 130 STAT. 3025]]

            ``(5) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise 
        and capability that exists in Federal agencies, other than the 
        Institute, and federally-sponsored laboratories;
            ``(6) the provision to community colleges and area career 
        and technical education schools of information about the job 
        skills needed in manufacturing companies, including small and 
        medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions they serve;
            ``(7) the promotion and expansion of certification systems 
        offered through industry, associations, and local colleges when 
        appropriate, including efforts such as facilitating training, 
        supporting new or existing apprenticeships, and providing access 
        to information and experts, to address workforce needs and 
        skills gaps in order to assist small- and medium-sized 
        manufacturing businesses; and
            ``(8) the growth in employment and wages at United States-
        based small and medium-sized companies.

    ``(d) Activities.--The activities of a Center shall include--
            ``(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems 
        and other advanced production technologies, based on Institute-
        supported research, for the purpose of demonstrations and 
        technology transfer;
            ``(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research 
        findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies and 
        enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized manufacturers; 
        and
            ``(3) the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships 
        between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, 
        community colleges, and area career and technical education 
        schools, to help those entities better understand the specific 
        needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers better 
        understand the skill sets that students learn in the programs 
        offered by such colleges and schools.

    ``(e) Financial Assistance.--
            ``(1) Authorization.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        the Secretary may provide financial assistance for the creation 
        and support of a Center through a cooperative agreement with an 
        eligible entity.
            ``(2) Cost sharing.--The Secretary may not provide more than 
        50 percent of the capital and annual operating and maintenance 
        funds required to establish and support a Center.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--For purposes of paragraph (2), 
        any amount received by an eligible entity for a Center under a 
        provision of law other than paragraph (1) shall not be 
        considered an amount provided under paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Regulations.--The Secretary may revise or promulgate 
        such regulations as necessary to carry out this subsection.

    ``(f) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Update. Procedures. Criteria.>>  Program 
        description.--The Secretary shall establish and update, as 
        necessary--
                    ``(A) a description of the Program;
                    ``(B) the application procedures;
                    ``(C) performance metrics;
                    ``(D) criteria for determining qualified applicants; 
                and

[[Page 130 STAT. 3026]]

                    ``(E) criteria for choosing recipients of financial 
                assistance from among the qualified applicants.
                    ``(F) procedures for determining allowable cost 
                share contributions; and
                    ``(G) such other program policy objectives and 
                operational procedures as the Secretary considers 
                necessary.
            ``(3) Cost sharing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be considered for financial 
                assistance under this section, an applicant shall 
                provide adequate assurances that the applicant and if 
                applicable, the applicant's partnering organizations, 
                will obtain funding for not less than 50 percent of the 
                capital and annual operating and maintenance funds 
                required to establish and support the Center from 
                sources other than the financial assistance provided 
                under subsection (e).
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Determination.>>  Agreements with 
                other entities.--In meeting the cost-sharing requirement 
                under subparagraph (A), an eligible entity may enter 
                into an agreement with 1 or more other entities, such as 
                a private industry, institutions of higher education, or 
                a State, United States territory, local, or tribal 
                government for the contribution by that other entity of 
                funding if the Secretary determines the agreement--
                          ``(i) is programmatically reasonable;
                          ``(ii) will help accomplish programmatic 
                      objectives; and
                          ``(iii) is allocable under Program procedures 
                      under subsection (f)(2).
            ``(4) Legal rights.--Each applicant shall include in the 
        application a proposal for the allocation of the legal rights 
        associated with any intellectual property which may result from 
        the activities of the Center.
            ``(5) Merit review of applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall subject each 
                application to merit review.
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In making a decision whether 
                to approve an application and provide financial 
                assistance under subsection (e), the Secretary shall 
                consider, at a minimum--
                          ``(i) the merits of the application, 
                      particularly those portions of the application 
                      regarding technology transfer, training and 
                      education, and adaptation of manufacturing 
                      technologies to the needs of particular industrial 
                      sectors;
                          ``(ii) the quality of service to be provided;
                          ``(iii) the geographical diversity and extent 
                      of the service area; and
                          ``(iv) the type and percentage of funding and 
                      in-kind commitment from other sources under 
                      paragraph (3).

    ``(g) Evaluations.--
            ``(1) Third and eighth year evaluations by panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                each Center is evaluated during its third and eighth 
                years of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by 
                the Secretary.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3027]]

                    ``(B) Composition.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                each evaluation panel appointed under subparagraph (A) 
                is composed of--
                          ``(i) private experts, none of whom are 
                      connected with the Center evaluated by the panel; 
                      and
                          ``(ii) Federal officials.
                    ``(C) <<NOTE: Appointment.>>  Chairperson.--For each 
                evaluation panel appointed under subparagraph (B), the 
                Secretary shall appoint a chairperson who is an official 
                of the Institute.
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Review.>>  Fifth year evaluations by 
        secretary.--In the fifth year of operation of a Center, the 
        Secretary shall conduct a review of the Center.
            ``(3) Performance measurement.--In evaluating a Center an 
        evaluation panel or the Secretary, as applicable, shall measure 
        the performance of the Center against--
                    ``(A) the objective specified in subsection (c);
                    ``(B) the performance metrics under subsection 
                (f)(2)(C); and
                    ``(C) such other criterion as considered appropriate 
                by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Positive evaluations.--If an evaluation of a Center is 
        positive, the Secretary may continue to provide financial 
        assistance for the Center--
                    ``(A) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                third year of a Center, through the fifth year of the 
                Center;
                    ``(B) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                fifth year of a Center, through the eighth year of the 
                Center; and
                    ``(C) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                eighth year of a Center, through the tenth year of the 
                Center.
            ``(5) Other than positive evaluations.--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  Probation.--If an 
                evaluation of a Center is other than positive, the 
                Secretary shall put the Center on probation during the 
                period beginning on the date that the Center receives 
                notice under subparagraph (B)(i) and ending on the date 
                that the reevaluation is complete under subparagraph 
                (B)(iii).
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>>  Notice and 
                reevaluation.--If a Center receives an evaluation that 
                is other than positive, the evaluation panel or 
                Secretary, as applicable, shall--
                          ``(i) notify the Center of the reason, 
                      including any deficiencies in the performance of 
                      the Center identified during the evaluation;
                          ``(ii) <<NOTE: Analysis.>>  assist the Center 
                      in remedying the deficiencies by providing the 
                      Center, not less frequently than once every 3 
                      months, an analysis of the Center, if considered 
                      appropriate by the panel or Secretary, as 
                      applicable; and
                          ``(iii) reevaluate the Center not later than 1 
                      year after the date of the notice under clause 
                      (i).
                    ``(C) Continued support during period of 
                probation.--
                          ``(i) In general.--The Secretary may continue 
                      to provide financial assistance under subsection 
                      (e) for a Center during the probation period.
                          ``(ii) Post probation.--After the period of 
                      probation, the Secretary shall not provide any 
                      financial

[[Page 130 STAT. 3028]]

                      assistance unless the Center has received a 
                      positive evaluation under subparagraph (B)(iii).
            ``(6) Failure to remedy.--
                    ``(A) <<NOTE: Competition.>>  In general.--If a 
                Center fails to remedy a deficiency or to show 
                significant improvement in performance before the end of 
                the probation period under paragraph (5), the Secretary 
                shall conduct a competition to select an operator for 
                the Center under subsection (h).
                    ``(B) Treatment of centers subject to new 
                competition.--Upon the selection of an operator for a 
                Center under subsection (h), the Center shall be 
                considered a new Center and the calculation of the years 
                of operation of that Center for purposes of paragraphs 
                (1) through (5) of this subsection and subsection (h)(1) 
                shall start anew.

    ``(h) Reapplication Competition for Financial Assistance After 10 
Years.--
            ``(1) In general.--If an eligible entity has operated a 
        Center under this section for a period of 10 consecutive years, 
        the Secretary shall conduct a competition to select an eligible 
        entity to operate the Center in accordance with the process plan 
        under subsection (i).
            ``(2) Incumbent eligible entities.--An eligible entity that 
        has received financial assistance under this section for a 
        period of 10 consecutive years and that the Secretary determines 
        is in good standing shall be eligible to compete in the 
        competition under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Treatment of centers subject to reapplication 
        competition.--Upon the selection of an operator for a Center 
        under paragraph (1), the Center shall be considered a new Center 
        and the calculation of the years of operation of that Center for 
        purposes of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (g) shall 
        start anew.

    ``(i) <<NOTE: Deadline. Evaluation.>>  Process Plan.--Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of the American Innovation and 
Competitiveness Act, the Secretary shall implement and submit to 
Congress a plan for how the Institute will conduct an evaluation, 
competition, and reapplication competition under this section.

    ``(j) Operational Requirements.--
            ``(1) Protection of confidential information of center 
        clients.--The following information, if obtained by the Federal 
        Government in connection with an activity of a Center or the 
        Program, shall be exempt from public disclosure under section 
        552 of title 5, United States Code:
                    ``(A) Information on the business operation of any 
                participant in the Program or of a client of a Center.
                    ``(B) Trade secrets of any client of a Center.

    ``(k) <<NOTE: Establishment.>>  Oversight Boards.--
            ``(1) In general.--As a condition on receipt of financial 
        assistance for a Center under subsection (e), an eligible entity 
        shall establish a board to oversee the operations of the Center.
            ``(2) Standards.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall establish 
                appropriate standards for each board described under 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                standards, the Director shall take into account the type 
                and organizational structure of an eligible entity.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3029]]

                    ``(C) Requirements.--The standards shall address--
                          ``(i) membership;
                          ``(ii) composition;
                          ``(iii) term limits;
                          ``(iv) conflicts of interest; and
                          ``(v) such other requirements as the Director 
                      considers necessary.
            ``(3) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each board established under 
                paragraph (1) shall be composed of members as follows:
                          ``(i) The membership of each board shall be 
                      representative of stakeholders in the region in 
                      which the Center is located.
                          ``(ii) A majority of the members of the board 
                      shall be selected from among individuals who own 
                      or are employed by small or medium-sized 
                      manufacturers.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--A member of a board established 
                under paragraph (1) may not serve on more than 1 board 
                established under that paragraph.
            ``(4) Bylaws.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each board established under 
                paragraph (1) shall adopt and submit to the Director 
                bylaws to govern the operation of the board.
                    ``(B) Conflicts of interest.--Bylaws adopted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include policies to minimize 
                conflicts of interest, including such policies relating 
                to disclosure of relationships and recusal as may be 
                necessary to minimize conflicts of interest.

    ``(l) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be 
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Program, the 
Secretary and Director may also accept funds from other Federal 
departments and agencies and from the private sector under section 
2(c)(7) of this Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)(7)), to be available to the extent 
provided by appropriations Acts, for the purpose of strengthening United 
States manufacturing.
    ``(m) MEP Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
        Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) Composition.--
                          ``(i) <<NOTE: Appointment.>>  In general.--The 
                      MEP Advisory Board shall consist of not fewer than 
                      10 members appointed by the Director and broadly 
                      representative of stakeholders.
                          ``(ii) Requirements.--Of the members appointed 
                      under clause (i)--
                                    ``(I) at least 2 members shall be 
                                employed by or on an advisory board for 
                                a Center;
                                    ``(II) at least 5 members shall be 
                                from United States small businesses in 
                                the manufacturing sector; and
                                    ``(III) at least 1 member shall 
                                represent a community college.
                          ``(iii) Limitation.--No member of the MEP 
                      Advisory Board shall be an employee of the Federal 
                      Government.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3030]]

                    ``(B) Term.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C), 
                the term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory 
                Board shall be 3 years.
                    ``(C) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a 
                vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term 
                for which his predecessor was appointed shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of such term.
                    ``(D) <<NOTE: Time period.>>  Serving consecutive 
                terms.--Any person who has completed 2 consecutive full 
                terms of service on the MEP Advisory Board shall 
                thereafter be ineligible for appointment during the 1-
                year period following the expiration of the second such 
                term.
            ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall--
                    ``(A) meet not less than biannually; and
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Assessments.>>  provide to the 
                Director--
                          ``(i) advice on the activities, plans, and 
                      policies of the Program;
                          ``(ii) assessments of the soundness of the 
                      plans and strategies of the Program; and
                          ``(iii) assessments of current performance 
                      against the plans of the Program.
            ``(4) FACA applicability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In discharging its duties under 
                this subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function 
                solely in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the 
                Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
                    ``(B) Exception.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
                Committee Act shall not apply to the MEP Advisory Board.
            ``(5) Annual report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--At a minimum, the MEP Advisory 
                Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary 
                for transmittal to Congress not later than 30 days after 
                the submission to Congress of the President's annual 
                budget under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
                Code.
                    ``(B) Contents.--The report shall address the status 
                of the Program and describe the relevant sections of the 
                programmatic planning document and updates thereto 
                transmitted to Congress by the Director under 
                subsections (c) and (d) of section 23 (15 U.S.C. 278i).

    ``(n) Small Manufacturers.--
            ``(1) Evaluation of obstacles.--As part of the Program, the 
        Director shall--
                    ``(A) identify obstacles that prevent small 
                manufacturers from effectively competing in the global 
                market;
                    ``(B) <<NOTE: Plan.>>  implement a comprehensive 
                plan to train the Centers to address the obstacles 
                identified in paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) facilitate improved communication between the 
                Centers to assist such manufacturers in implementing 
                appropriate, targeted solutions to the obstacles 
                identified in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) <<NOTE: Records.>>  Development of open access 
        resources.--As part of the Program, the Secretary shall develop 
        open access resources that address best practices related to 
        inventory sourcing, supply chain management, manufacturing 
        techniques, available Federal resources, and other topics to 
        further the competitiveness and profitability of small 
        manufacturers.''.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3031]]

    (c) Competitive Awards Program.--The National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 25 the following:
``SEC. 25A. <<NOTE: 15 USC 278k-1.>>  COMPETITIVE AWARDS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish within the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 (15 U.S.C. 
278k) and section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l) a program of competitive awards 
among participants described in subsection (b) of this section for the 
purposes described in subsection (c).
    ``(b) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under this 
section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers.
    ``(c) Purpose, Themes, and Reimbursement.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of the program established under 
        subsection (a) is to add capabilities to the Hollings 
        Manufacturing Extension Partnership, including the development 
        of projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as 
        determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director of 
        the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the MEP 
        Advisory Board, other Federal agencies, and small and medium-
        sized manufacturers.
            ``(2) Themes.--The Director may identify 1 or more themes 
        for a competition carried out under this section, which may vary 
        from year to year, as the Director considers appropriate after 
        assessing the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous 
        competitions.
            ``(3) Reimbursement.--Centers may be reimbursed for costs 
        incurred by the Centers under this section.

    ``(d) <<NOTE: Consultation.>>  Applications.--Applications for 
awards under this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Director shall require in 
consultation with the MEP Advisory Board.

    ``(e) Selection.--
            ``(1) Peer review and competitively awarded.--The Director 
        shall ensure that awards under this section are peer reviewed 
        and competitively awarded.
            ``(2) Geographic diversity.--The Director shall endeavor to 
        have broad geographic diversity among selected proposals.
            ``(3) Criteria.--The Director shall select applications to 
        receive awards that the Director determines will achieve 1 or 
        more of the following:
                    ``(A) Improve the competitiveness of industries in 
                the region in which the Center or Centers are located.
                    ``(B) Create jobs or train newly hired employees.
                    ``(C) Promote the transfer and commercialization of 
                research and technology from institutions of higher 
                education, national laboratories or other federally 
                funded research programs, and nonprofit research 
                institutes.
                    ``(D) Recruit a diverse manufacturing workforce, 
                including through outreach to underrepresented 
                populations, including individuals identified in section 
                33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b).
                    ``(E) Such other result as the Director determines 
                will advance the objective set forth in section 25(c) 
                (15 U.S.C. 278k) or in section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l).

[[Page 130 STAT. 3032]]

    ``(f) Program Contribution.--Recipients of awards under this section 
shall not be required to provide a matching contribution.
    ``(g) <<NOTE: Consultation.>>  Global Marketplace Projects.--In 
making an award under this section, the Director, in consultation with 
the MEP Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration 
whether an application has significant potential for enhancing the 
competitiveness of small and medium-sized United States manufacturers in 
the global marketplace.

    ``(h) Duration.--The duration of an award under this section shall 
be for not more than 3 years.
    ``(i) Definitions.--The terms used in this section have the meanings 
given the terms in section 25 (15 U.S.C. 278k).''.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) <<NOTE: Consultation. Analysis.>>  In general.--Not 
        later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Comptroller General of the United States, in consultation with 
        the MEP Advisory Board (as defined in section 25 of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)), 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        analyzing--
                    (A) the effectiveness of the changes in the cost 
                share to Centers under section 25 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278k);
                    (B) the engagement in services and the 
                characteristics of services provided by 2 types of 
                Centers, including volume and type of service; and
                    (C) whether the cost-sharing ratio has any effect on 
                the services provided by either type of Center.
            (2) Independent assessment.--
                    (A) <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  In general.--Not later 
                than 3 years after the date of submission of the report 
                under paragraph (1), the Director of NIST shall contract 
                with an independent organization to perform an 
                assessment of the implementation of the reapplication 
                competition process.
                    (B) Consultation.--The independent organization 
                performing the assessment under subparagraph (A) may 
                consult with the MEP Advisory Board (as defined in 
                section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)).
            (3) Comparison of centers.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit 
                to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
                providing information on the first and second years of 
                operations for Centers (as defined in section 25 of the 
                National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
                U.S.C. 278k)) operating from new competitions or 
                recompetition as compared to longstanding Centers.
                    (B) Contents.--The report shall provide detail on 
                the engagement in services provided by Centers and the 
                characteristics of services provided, including volume 
                and type of services, so that the appropriate committees 
                of Congress can evaluate whether the cost-sharing ratio 
                has an effect on the services provided at Centers.

    (e) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Definitions.--Section 2199(3) of title 10, United States 
        Code, is amended--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3033]]

                    (A) by striking ``regional center'' and inserting 
                ``manufacturing extension center'';
                    (B) by inserting ``and best business practices'' 
                before ``referred''; and
                    (C) by striking ``25(a)'' and inserting ``25(b)''.
            (2) Enterprise integration initiative.--Section 3(a) of the 
        Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 278g-5(a)) is 
        amended by inserting ``Hollings'' before ``Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership''.
            (3) Assistance to state technology programs.--Section 26(a) 
        of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
        U.S.C. 278l(a)) is amended by striking ``Centers program 
        created'' and inserting ``Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership''.

    (f) <<NOTE: 15 USC 278k note.>>  Savings Provisions.--
Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this 
section, the Secretary of Commerce may carry out section 25 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) as 
that section was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act, with respect to existing grants, agreements, cooperative 
agreements, or contracts, and with respect to applications for such 
items that are received by the Secretary prior to the date of enactment 
of this Act.

    (g) <<NOTE: Applicability. 15 USC 278k note.>>  Patent Rights.--The 
provisions of chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code, shall apply, 
to the extent not inconsistent with section 25 of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 25 of that 
Act, to the promotion of technology from research by Centers under those 
sections, except for contracts for such specific technology extension or 
transfer services as may be specified by the Director of NIST or under 
other law.

              TITLE VI--INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

SEC. 601. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-8.>>  INNOVATION CORPS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps 
        (referred to in this section as the ``I-Corps'') was established 
        to foster a national innovation ecosystem by encouraging 
        institutions, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to 
        identify and explore the innovation and commercial potential of 
        National Science Foundation-funded research well beyond the 
        laboratory.
            (2) Through I-Corps, the Foundation invests in 
        entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, and 
        mentoring that can ultimately lead to the practical deployment 
        of technologies, products, processes, and services that improve 
        the Nation's competitiveness, promote economic growth, and 
        benefit society.
            (3) By building networks of entrepreneurs, educators, 
        mentors, institutions, and collaborations, and supporting 
        specialized education and training, I-Corps is at the leading 
        edge of a strong, lasting foundation for an American innovation 
        ecosystem.

[[Page 130 STAT. 3034]]

            (4) By translating federally funded research to a commercial 
        stage more quickly and efficiently, programs like the I-Corps 
        create new jobs and companies, help solve societal problems, and 
        provide taxpayers with a greater return on their investment in 
        research.
            (5) The I-Corps program model has a strong record of success 
        that should be replicated at all Federal science agencies.

    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) commercialization of federally funded research can 
        improve the Nation's competitiveness, grow the economy, and 
        benefit society;
            (2) I-Corps is a useful tool in promoting the 
        commercialization of federally funded research by training 
        researchers funded by the Foundation in entrepreneurship and 
        commercialization;
            (3) I-Corps should continue to build a network of 
        entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, and institutions and support 
        specialized education and training;
            (4) researchers other than those funded by the Foundation 
        may also benefit from the education and training described in 
        paragraph (3); and
            (5) I-Corps should continue to promote a strong innovation 
        system by investing in and supporting female entrepreneurs 
        through mentorship, education, and training because they are 
        historically underrepresented in entrepreneurial fields.

    (c) <<NOTE: Grants.>>  I-Corps Program.--
            (1) In general.--In order to promote a strong, lasting 
        foundation for the national innovation ecosystem and increase 
        the positive economic and social impact of federally funded 
        research, the Director of the Foundation shall set forth 
        eligibility requirements and carry out a program to award grants 
        for entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, 
        and mentoring.
            (2) Expansion of i-corps.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director--
                          (i) shall encourage the development and 
                      expansion of I-Corps and other training programs 
                      that focus on professional development, including 
                      education in entrepreneurship and 
                      commercialization; and
                          (ii) <<NOTE: Contracts.>>  may establish an 
                      agreement with another Federal science agency--
                                    (I) to make researchers, students, 
                                and institutions funded by that agency 
                                eligible to participate in the I-Corps 
                                program; or
                                    (II) to assist that agency with the 
                                design and implementation of its own 
                                program that is similar to the I-Corps 
                                program.
                    (B) Partnership funding.--In negotiating an 
                agreement with another Federal science agency under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Director shall require that 
                Federal science agency to provide funding for--
                          (i) the training for researchers, students, 
                      and institutions selected for the I-Corps program; 
                      and
                          (ii) the locations that Federal science agency 
                      designates as regional and national infrastructure 
                      for science and engineering entrepreneurship.
            (3) Follow-on grants.--

[[Page 130 STAT. 3035]]

                    (A) <<NOTE: Consultation.>>  In general.--Subject to 
                subparagraph (B), the Director, in consultation with the 
                Director of the Small Business Innovation Research 
                Program, shall make funds available for competitive 
                grants, including to I-Corps participants, to help 
                support--
                          (i) prototype or proof-of-concept development; 
                      and
                          (ii) such activities as the Director considers 
                      necessary to build local, regional, and national 
                      infrastructure for science and engineering 
                      entrepreneurship.
                    (B) Limitation.--Grants under subparagraph (A) shall 
                be limited to participants with innovations that because 
                of the early stage of development are not eligible to 
                participate in a Small Business Innovation Research 
                Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
            (4) State and local partnerships.--The Director may engage 
        in partnerships with State and local governments, economic 
        development organizations, and nonprofit organizations to 
        provide access to the I-Corps program to support 
        entrepreneurship education and training for researchers, 
        students, and institutions under this subsection.
            (5) Reports.--The Director shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a biennial report on I-Corps program 
        efficacy, including metrics on the effectiveness of the program. 
        Each Federal science agency participating in the I-Corps program 
        or that implements a similar program under paragraph (2)(A) 
        shall contribute to the report.
            (6) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms ``Small 
        Business Innovation Research Program'' and ``Small Business 
        Technology Transfer Program'' have the meanings given those 
        terms in section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
SEC. 602. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862s-9.>>  TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH 
                        GRANTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) commercialization of federally funded research may 
        benefit society and the economy; and
            (2) not-for-profit organizations support the 
        commercialization of federally funded research by providing 
        useful business and technical expertise to researchers.

    (b) Commercialization Promotion.--The Director of the Foundation 
shall continue to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to 
eligible entities to promote the commercialization of federally funded 
research results.
    (c) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this section 
may include--
            (1) identifying Foundation-sponsored research and 
        technologies that have the potential for accelerated 
        commercialization;
            (2) supporting prior or current Foundation-sponsored 
        investigators, institutions of higher education, and non-profit 
        organizations that partner with an institution of higher 
        education in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including 
        development of prototypes of technologies that are derived from 
        Foundation-sponsored research and have potential market value;
            (3) promoting sustainable partnerships between Foundation-
        funded institutions, industry, and other organizations

[[Page 130 STAT. 3036]]

        within academia and the private sector with the purpose of 
        accelerating the transfer of technology;
            (4) developing multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems 
        which involve and are responsive to specific needs of academia 
        and industry; and
            (5) providing professional development, mentoring, and 
        advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and technology 
        and business development to innovators.

    (d) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--The following organizations may be eligible 
        for grants under this section:
                    (A) Institutions of higher education.
                    (B) Public or nonprofit technology transfer 
                organizations.
                    (C) A nonprofit organization that partners with an 
                institution of higher education.
                    (D) A consortia of 2 or more of the organizations 
                described under subparagraphs (A) through (C).
            (2) Lead organizations.--Any eligible organization under 
        paragraph (1) may apply as a lead organization.

    (e) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
require.
SEC. 603. OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The 1998 National Research Council Report, ``Harnessing 
        Light'' presented a comprehensive overview on the importance of 
        optics and photonics to various sectors of the United States 
        economy.
            (2) In 2012, in response to increased coordination and 
        investment by other nations, the National Research Council 
        released a follow up study recommending a national photonics 
        initiative to increase collaboration and coordination among 
        United States industry, Federal and State government, and 
        academia to identify and further advance areas of photonics 
        critical to regaining United States competitiveness and 
        maintaining national security.
            (3) Publicly-traded companies focused on optics and 
        photonics in the United States enable more than $3 trillion in 
        revenue annually.

    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) optics and photonics research and technologies promote 
        United States global competitiveness in industry sectors, 
        including telecommunications and information technology, energy, 
        healthcare and medicine, manufacturing, and defense;
            (2) Federal science agencies, industry, and academia should 
        seek partnerships with each other to develop basic research in 
        optics and photonics into more mature technologies and 
        capabilities; and
            (3) each Federal science agency, as appropriate, should--
                    (A) survey and identify optics and photonics-related 
                programs within that Federal science agency and share 
                results with other Federal science agencies for the 
                purpose of generating multiple applications and uses;

[[Page 130 STAT. 3037]]

                    (B) partner with the private sector and academia to 
                leverage knowledge and resources to maximize 
                opportunities for innovation in optics and photonics;
                    (C) explore research and development opportunities, 
                including Federal and private sector-sponsored 
                internships, to ensure a highly trained optics and 
                photonics workforce in the United States;
                    (D) encourage partnerships between academia and 
                industry to promote improvement in the education of 
                optics and photonics technicians at the secondary school 
                level, undergraduate level, and 2-year college level, 
                including through the Foundation's Advanced 
                Technological Education program; and
                    (E) assess existing programs and explore 
                alternatives to modernize photonics laboratory equipment 
                in undergraduate institutions in the United States to 
                facilitate critical hands-on learning.
SEC. 604. <<NOTE: United States Chief Technology Officer Act. 42 
                        USC 6601 note.>>  UNITED STATES CHIEF 
                        TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United States 
Chief Technology Officer Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 203 the National Science and Technology 
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6612) is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(b) Associate Directors.--'' before ``The 
        President is authorized'' and indenting appropriately;
            (2) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``There shall 
        be'' and indenting appropriately; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(c) <<NOTE: President. Designation.>>  Chief Technology Officer.--
Subject to subsection (b), the President is authorized to designate 1 of 
the Associate Directors under that subsection as a United States Chief 
Technology Officer.''.
SEC. 605. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY FOR 
                        EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS ON CAMPUSES.

    (a) <<NOTE: Deadline. Contracts.>>  In General.--Not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office 
of Science and Technology Policy shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Research Council to conduct and complete a study to 
identify and review technologies employed at institutions of higher 
education to provide notifications to students, faculty, and other 
personnel during emergency situations in accordance with law.

    (b) Contents.--The study shall address--
            (1) the timeliness of notifications provided by the 
        technologies during emergency situations;
            (2) the durability of the technologies in delivering the 
        notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel; and
            (3) the limitations exhibited by the technologies to 
        successfully deliver the notifications not more than 30 seconds 
        after the institution of higher education transmits the 
        notifications.

    (c) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  Report Required.--Not later than 1 
year after the date that the National Research Council enters into the 
arrangement under subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report on the study,

[[Page 130 STAT. 3038]]

including recommendations for addressing any limitations identified 
under subsection (b)(3).

    Approved January 6, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 3084:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENATE REPORTS: No. 114-389 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016):
            Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate.
            Dec. 16, considered and passed House.

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