(b) DEFINITION.—Section 10(i)(5) of the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
1862n–1(i)(5)) is amended by inserting ‘‘computer 
science,’’ after ‘‘means a science,’’. 
SEC. 125. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION. 
(a) GRANTS.—The Director, through the Directorate 
for Education and Human Resources, shall continue to 
award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to support— 
(1) research and development of innovative out- 
of-school STEM learning and emerging STEM 
learning environments in order to improve STEM 
learning outcomes and engagement in STEM; and 
(2) research that advances the field of informal 
STEM education. 
(b) USES OF FUNDS.—Activities supported by grants 
under this section may encompass a single STEM dis-
cipline, multiple STEM disciplines, or integrative STEM 
initiatives and shall include— 
(1) research and development that improves our 
understanding of learning and engagement in infor-
mal environments, including the role of informal en-
vironments in broadening participation in STEM; 
and 
(2) design and testing of innovative STEM 
learning models, programs, and other resources for
informal learning environments to improve STEM 
learning outcomes and increase engagement for K– 
12 students, K–12 teachers, and the general public, 
including design and testing of the scalability of 
models, programs, and other resources. 
SEC. 126. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COM-
PETITIVE RESEARCH. 
The Foundation shall continue to operate a robust 
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
(EPSCoR). The EPSCoR program helps ensure that aca-
demic research institutions in more than half the States 
develop a strong research infrastructure and participate 
fully in federally funded research activities. The program 
should be a high priority for the Foundation. 
SEC. 127. HISPANIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM IN EDU-
CATION AND SCIENCE. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the National Science Founda-
tion shall establish the program described in section 7033 
of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–12) 
for Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)).
TITLE 
II—SCIENCE, 
TECH-
NOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND 
MATHEMATICS 
SEC. 201. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) According to the National Science Board’s 
Science and Engineering Indicators, the science and 
engineering workforce has shown sustained growth 
for more than half a century, and workers with 
science and engineering degrees tend to earn more 
than comparable workers in other fields. 
(2) According to the Program for International 
Student Assessment 2012 results, America lags be-
hind many other nations in STEM education. Amer-
ican students rank 21st in science and 26th in 
mathematics. 
(3) Junior Achievement USA and ING found a 
decrease of 25 percent in the percentage of teenage 
students interested in STEM careers. 
(4) According to a 2007 report from the De-
partment of Labor, industries and firms dependent 
on a strong science and mathematics workforce have 
launched a variety of programs that target K–12 
students and undergraduate and graduate students 
in STEM fields.
(5) The Federal Government spends nearly $3 
billion annually on STEM education related program 
and activities, but encouraging STEM education ac-
tivities beyond the scope of the Federal Government, 
including privately sponsored competitions and pro-
grams in our schools, is crucial to the future tech-
nical and economic competitiveness of the United 
States. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) more effective coordination and adoption of 
performance measurement based on objective out-
comes for federally supported STEM programs is 
needed; 
(2) leveraging private and nonprofit invest-
ments in STEM education will be essential to 
strengthening the Federal STEM portfolio; 
(3) strengthening the Federal STEM portfolio 
may require program consolidations and termi-
nations, but such changes should be based on evi-
dence with stakeholder input; 
(4) coordinating STEM programs and activities 
across the Federal Government in order to limit du-
plication and engage stakeholders in STEM pro-
grams and related activities for which objective out-
comes can be measured will bolster results of Fed-
eral STEM education programs, improve the return 
on taxpayers’ investments in STEM education pro-
grams, and in turn strengthen the United States 
economy; and 
(5) as the Committee on STEM Education im-
plements the 5-year Strategic Plan for Federal 
STEM education required under section 101(b)(5) 
of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)(5)), STEM education 
stakeholders must be engaged and outcome-based 
evaluation metrics should be considered in the co-
ordination and consolidation efforts for the Federal 
STEM portfolio. 
SEC. 202. STEM EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
or designate a STEM Education Advisory Panel that in-
corporates key stakeholders from the education and indus-
try sectors. The co-chairs shall be members of the Presi-
dent’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Advisory Panel estab-
lished or designated by the President under subsection (a) 
shall consist primarily of members from academic institu-
tions, nonprofit organizations, and industry and shall in-
clude in-school, out-of-school, and informal educational
practitioners. Members of the Advisory Panel shall be 
qualified to provide advice and information on STEM edu-
cation research, development, training, implementation, 
interventions, professional development, or workforce 
needs or concerns. In selecting or designating an Advisory 
Panel, the President may also seek and give consideration 
to recommendations from the Congress, industry, the sci-
entific community (including the National Academy of 
Sciences, scientific professional societies, and academia), 
State and local governments, and other appropriate orga-
nizations. The Advisory Panel shall consist of 15 mem-
bers, with 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives and 2 members appointed by the 
Majority Leader of the Senate. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Advisory Panel shall advise the 
President, the Committee on STEM Education, and the 
STEM Education Coordinating Office established under 
section 204 on matters relating to STEM education, and 
shall each year provide general guidance to every Federal 
agency with STEM education programs or activities, in-
cluding in the preparation of requests for appropriations 
for activities related to STEM education. The Advisory 
Panel shall also assess and develop recommendations 
for—
(1) progress made in implementing the STEM 
education Strategic Plan required under section 101 
of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621), and any needs or opportuni-
ties to update the strategic plan; 
(2) the management, coordination, and imple-
mentation of STEM education programs and activi-
ties across the Federal Government; 
(3) the appropriateness of criteria used by Fed-
eral agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal 
STEM education programs and activities; 
(4) ways to leverage private and nonprofit 
STEM investments and encourage public-private 
partnerships to strengthen STEM education and 
help build the STEM workforce pipeline; 
(5) ways to incorporate workforce needs into 
Federal STEM education programs, particularly for 
specific fields of national interest and areas experi-
encing high unemployment rates; 
(6) ways to better vertically and horizontally in-
tegrate Federal STEM programs and activities from 
pre-K through graduate study and the workforce, 
and from in-school to out-of-school in order to im-
prove transitions for students moving through the 
STEM pipeline;
(7) whether societal and workforce concerns are 
adequately addressed by current Federal STEM 
education programs and activities; 
(8) the extent to which Federal STEM edu-
cation programs and activities are contributing to 
recruitment and retention of women and underrep-
resented students in the STEM education and work-
force pipeline; and 
(9) ways to encourage geographic diversity in 
STEM education and the workforce pipeline. 
(d) REPORTS.—The Advisory Panel shall report, not 
less frequently than once every 3 fiscal years, to the Presi-
dent and Congress on its assessments under subsection 
(c) and its recommendations for ways to improve Federal 
STEM education programs. The first report under this 
subsection shall be submitted within 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES
OF NON-FEDERAL MEM-
BERS.—Non-Federal members of the Advisory Panel, 
while attending meetings of the Advisory Panel or while 
otherwise serving at the request of the head of the Advi-
sory Panel 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 Gov-
ernment serving without pay. Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to prohibit members of the 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. 
SEC. 203. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION. 
Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthor-
ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended— 
(1) in the first subsection (b)— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(3) 
through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (8), re-
spectively; 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(3) collaborate with the STEM Education Ad-
visory Panel established under section 202 of the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 
and other outside stakeholders to ensure the engage-
ment of the STEM education community; 
‘‘(4) review evaluation measures used for Fed-
eral STEM education programs;’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated 
by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by 
striking ‘‘, periodically update,’’; and
(2) in the second subsection (b) and in sub-
section (c), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)(5)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘subsection (b)(7)’’. 
SEC. 204. STEM EDUCATION COORDINATING OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall establish within the Directorate 
for Education and Human Resources a STEM Education 
Coordinating Office, which shall have a Director and staff 
that shall include career employees detailed from Federal 
agencies that fund STEM education programs and activi-
ties. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The STEM Education Co-
ordinating Office shall— 
(1) provide technical and administrative support 
to— 
(A) the Committee on STEM Education, 
especially in its coordination of Federal STEM 
programs and strategic planning responsibil-
ities; 
(B) the Advisory Panel established under 
section 202; and 
(C) Federal agencies with STEM edu-
cation programs; 
(2) periodically update and maintain the inven-
tory of federally sponsored STEM education pro-
grams and activities established under section 
101(b)(8) of the America COMPETES Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621); and 
(3) provide for dissemination of information on 
Federal STEM education programs and activities, as 
appropriate, to stakeholders in academia, industry, 
nonprofit organizations with expertise in STEM edu-
cation, State and local educational agencies, and 
other STEM stakeholders. 
(c) REPORT.—The Director of the STEM Education 
Coordinating Office shall transmit a report annually to 
Congress not later than 60 days after the submission of 
the President’s budget request. The annual report shall 
include— 
(1) any updates to the inventory required under 
subsection (b)(2); 
(2) a description of all consolidations and ter-
minations of Federal STEM education programs im-
plemented in the previous fiscal year, including an 
explanation of the reasons for consolidations and 
terminations; 
(3) recommendations for consolidations and ter-
minations of STEM education programs or activities 
in the upcoming fiscal year;
(4) a description of any significant new STEM 
Education public-private partnerships; and 
(5) description of the progress made in carrying 
out the strategic plan required under section 101 of 
the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621), including a description of 
the outcome of any program assessments completed 
in the previous year. 
(d) RESPONSIBILITIES OF NSF.—The Director of 
the National Science Foundation shall encourage and 
monitor the efforts of the STEM Education Coordinating 
Office to ensure that the Coordinating Office is carrying 
out its responsibilities under subsection (b) appropriately. 
TITLE III—OFFICE OF SCIENCE 
AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY 
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated for the Of-
fice of Science and Technology Policy— 
(1) $4,550,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
(2) $4,550,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
SEC. 302. REGULATORY EFFICIENCY. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) high and increasing administrative burdens 
and costs in Federal research administration, par-
ticularly in the higher education sector where most 
federally sponsored research is performed, are erod-
ing funds available to carry out basic scientific re-
search; 
(2) progress has been made over the last decade 
in streamlining the pre-award grant application 
process through Grants.gov, the Federal Govern-
ment’s website portal; 
(3) post-award administrative costs have grown 
as Federal research agencies have continued to im-
pose agency-unique compliance and reporting re-
quirements on researchers and research institutions; 
(4) facilities and administration costs at re-
search universities can exceed 50 percent of the total 
value of Federal research grants, and it is estimated 
that nearly 30 percent of the funds invested annu-
ally in federally funded research is consumed by pa-
perwork and other administrative processes required 
by Federal agencies; and 
(5) it is a matter of critical importance to 
American competitiveness that administrative costs 
of federally funded research be streamlined so that 
a higher proportion of taxpayer dollars flow into di-
rect research activities.
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall establish a working 
group under the authority of the National Science and 
Technology Council, to include the Office of Management 
and Budget. The working group shall be responsible for 
reviewing Federal regulations affecting research and re-
search universities and making recommendations on how 
to— 
(1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate dupli-
cative Federal regulations and reporting require-
ments; 
(2) minimize the regulatory burden on United 
States institutions of higher education performing 
federally funded research while maintaining account-
ability for Federal tax dollars; and 
(3) identify and update specific regulations to 
refocus on performance-based goals rather than on 
process while still meeting the desired outcome. 
(c) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out the re-
sponsibilities under subsection (b), the working group 
shall take into account input and recommendations from 
non-Federal stakeholders, including federally funded and 
nonfederally funded researchers, institutions of higher 
education, scientific disciplinary societies and associations, 
nonprofit research institutions, industry, including small
businesses, federally funded research and development 
centers, and others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, 
efficiency, and accountability in the performance of sci-
entific research. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 
years, the Director shall report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on what steps have been 
taken to carry out the recommendations of the working 
group established under subsection (b). 
SEC. 303. COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE 
AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS. 
(a) 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, im-
prove economic and national security, and support United 
States foreign policy goals. 
(b) NSTC BODY LEADERSHIP.—The body estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall be co-chaired by senior
level officials from the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy and the Department of State. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The body established under 
subsection (a) shall— 
(1) plan and coordinate interagency inter-
national science and technology cooperative research 
and training activities and partnerships supported or 
managed by Federal agencies and work with other 
National Science and Technology Council commit-
tees to help plan and coordinate the international 
component of national science and technology prior-
ities; 
(2) establish Federal priorities and policies for 
aligning, as appropriate, international science and 
technology cooperative research and training activi-
ties and partnerships supported or managed by Fed-
eral agencies with the foreign policy goals of the 
United States; 
(3) 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; 
(4) in carrying out paragraph (3), solicit input 
and recommendations from non-Federal science and
technology stakeholders, including universities, sci-
entific and professional societies, industry, and rel-
evant organizations and institutions; and 
(5) identify broad issues that influence the abil-
ity of United States scientists and engineers to col-
laborate with foreign counterparts, including bar-
riers to collaboration and access to scientific infor-
mation. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Director of the Of-
fice of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a re-
port, to be updated every 2 years, to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. 
The report shall also be made available to the public on 
the reporting agency’s website. The report shall contain 
a description of— 
(1) the priorities and policies established under 
subsection (c)(2); 
(2) the ongoing and new partnerships estab-
lished since the last update to the report; 
(3) the means by which stakeholder input was 
received, as well as summary views of stakeholder 
input; and
(4) the issues influencing the ability of United 
States scientists and engineers to collaborate with 
foreign counterparts. 
(e) ADDITIONAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Di-
rector of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
transmit, not later than 60 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act and annually thereafter, to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate, a report that lists and describes all foreign travel 
by Office of Science and Technology Policy staff and 
detailees. Each report shall specify the dates of each trip, 
the purpose of the trip, Office of Science and Technology 
Policy participants on the trip, total Office of Science and 
Technology Policy costs associated with the trip, and de-
tails of all international meetings, including meeting par-
ticipants and topics addressed. 
SEC. 304. ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH FUNDING MODELS. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—The heads of 
Federal science agencies, in consultation with the Director 
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall con-
duct appropriate pilot programs to validate alternative re-
search funding models, including—
(1) scientific breakthrough prize programs that 
are of strategic importance to the Nation and have 
the capacity to spur new economic growth; and 
(2) novel mechanisms of funding including ob-
taining non-Federal funds through crowd source 
funding. 
(b) NON-FEDERAL PARTNERS.—A pilot program 
may be conducted under this section through an agree-
ment, grant, or contractual relationship with a non-Fed-
eral entity regarding the design, administration, and fund-
ing of the program. 
(c) PRIZE COMPETITION JUDGES.— 
(1) REQUIREMENTS.—Judges for a prize com-
petition carried out under this section shall not be 
required to be Federal employees. An individual who 
serves as a judge for a prize competition carried out 
under this section who is not a Federal employee 
shall be required to sign an agreement, developed by 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy, with re-
spect to nondisclosure, conflict of interest, and judg-
ing code of conduct requirements. 
(2) DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL IN-
TERESTS.—A judge for a prize competition with a 
total purse of $10,000 or more, or for an aggregate 
of prize competitions with a total purse of $50,000
or more, shall be required to disclose all personal fi-
nancial interests. 
(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 
days after the Office of Science and Technology Pol-
icy completes development of an agreement under 
paragraph (1), it shall transmit a report to Congress 
describing the requirements of such agreement. 
(d) PUBLIC NOTICE.—The heads of Federal science 
agencies shall widely advertise prize competitions to be 
conducted under this section to ensure maximum partici-
pation. 
(e) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘Federal science agency’’ means— 
(1) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration; 
(2) the National Science Foundation; 
(3) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; and 
(4) the National Weather Service. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually 
thereafter as part of the annual budget submission to Con-
gress, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy shall transmit to the Congress a report on pro-
grams identified and conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 305. AMENDMENTS TO PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Inno-
vation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘competition’’ after ‘‘sec-
tion, a prize’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘types’’ after ‘‘following’’; 
and 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘prizes’’ 
and inserting ‘‘prize competitions’’; 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘in the Federal Register’’ 
and inserting ‘‘on a publicly accessible Govern-
ment website, such as www.challenge.gov,’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘prize’’ 
and inserting ‘‘cash prize purse’’; 
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘prize’’ and 
inserting ‘‘cash prize purse’’; 
(4) in subsection (h), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ be-
fore ‘‘competition’’ both places it appears; 
(5) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting 
‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘competition’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting 
‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘competition’’ both places it ap-
pears;
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—An agency may waive the re-
quirement under paragraph (2). The annual report 
under subsection (p) shall include a list of such 
waivers granted during the preceding fiscal year, 
along with a detailed explanation of the reasons for 
granting the waivers.’’; 
(6) in subsection (k)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting 
‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘competition’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ 
before ‘‘competitions’’ both places it appears; 
(7) in subsection (l), by striking all after ‘‘may 
enter into’’ and inserting ‘‘a grant, contract, cooper-
ative agreement, or other agreement with a private 
sector for-profit or nonprofit entity to administer the 
prize competition, subject to the provisions of this 
section.’’; 
(8) in subsection (m)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
follows:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Support for a prize com-
petition under this section, including financial sup-
port 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 accept funds 
from other Federal 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 private sec-
tor for-profit or nonprofit entity in return for a do-
nation.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘prize 
awards’’ and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)(A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘No prize’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘No prize competition’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the prize’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the cash prize purse’’; 
(D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ‘‘a 
prize’’ and inserting ‘‘a cash prize purse’’; 
(E) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by inserting 
‘‘competition’’ after ‘‘prize’’;
(F) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ‘‘a 
prize’’ and inserting ‘‘a cash prize purse’’; and 
(G) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘cash 
prizes’’ and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses’’; 
(9) in subsection (n), by inserting ‘‘for both for- 
profit and nonprofit entities,’’ after ‘‘contract vehi-
cle’’; 
(10) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ‘‘or pro-
viding a prize’’ and insert ‘‘a prize competition or 
providing a cash prize purse’’; and 
(11) in subsection (p)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘cash 
prizes’’ both places it occurs and inserting 
‘‘cash prize purses’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) 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. 306. UNITED STATES CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER. 
Title II of the National Science and Technology Pol-
icy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C.
6611 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘UNITED STATES CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER 
‘‘SEC. 210. (a) APPOINTMENT.—The President may 
appoint a United States Chief Technology Officer. Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Amer-
ica COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, such offi-
cer shall be one of the Associate Directors of the Office 
of Science and Technology Policy. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The duties of the United States Chief 
Technology Officer should include— 
‘‘(1) advising the President and the Director of 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy on Fed-
eral information systems, technology, data, and in-
novation policies and initiatives; 
‘‘(2) promoting an improved exchange of infor-
mation among the Federal Government, the public, 
and Congress; 
‘‘(3) promoting the use of innovative techno-
logical approaches across the Federal Government to 
ensure a modern information technology infrastruc-
ture; 
‘‘(4) working with the Chief Technology Offi-
cers and Chief Information Officers of all Federal 
agencies to ensure the use of best technologies and 
security practices for information systems;
‘‘(5) establishing a working group with such Of-
ficers to exchange best practices about information 
systems; 
‘‘(6) promoting transparency and accountability 
across the Federal Government for all technological 
implementation by working with agencies to ensure 
that each arm of the Federal Government, including 
the executive branch, makes its records open and ac-
cessible; 
‘‘(7) promoting security and privacy protection 
policies for all Federal information technology sys-
tems that are consistent with Federal law, regula-
tions, and current best practices; 
‘‘(8) promoting technological interoperability of 
key Government functions; 
‘‘(9) in consultation with the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget, providing an annual report to the 
President, the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, and Congress on the current 
state of information systems of all Federal agencies, 
including— 
‘‘(A) the status of information systems, in-
cluding potential technology and security con-
cerns about these information systems in all 
Federal agencies;
‘‘(B) a review of all Federal websites with 
third-party embedded tools that— 
‘‘(i) identifies each embedded tool, 
who it belongs to, and the data it collects; 
and 
‘‘(ii) addresses effects on cybersecu-
rity and consumer privacy, including 
whether each website provides prominent 
notice to consumers about the presence of 
the tool and whether the consumer may 
opt-out of the tool; 
‘‘(C) the amount of money being spent on 
various technologies; and 
‘‘(D) technology recommendations and best 
practices; and 
‘‘(10) such other functions and activities as the 
President and Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy may assign. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—In the absence of a United States 
Chief Technology Officer, the Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall be responsible for 
providing the report required under subsection (b)(9).’’.
SEC. 307. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY ON TECH-
NOLOGY FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS 
ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES. 
(a) 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 ar-
rangement with the National Research Council to conduct 
and complete a study to identify and review technologies 
employed at institutions of higher education to provide no-
tifications to students, faculty, and other personnel during 
emergency situations in accordance with the requirements 
of existing law. The study shall address— 
(1) the timeliness of notifications during emer-
gency situations provided by various technologies; 
(2) the durability of such technologies in deliv-
ering such notifications to students, faculty, and 
other personnel; and 
(3) the limitations exhibited by such tech-
nologies to successfully deliver notifications not more 
than 30 seconds after the institution of higher edu-
cation transmits such notifications. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date on which the National Research Council enters 
into the arrangement required by subsection (a), the Di-
rector of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under 
such subsection. 
TITLE IV—NATIONAL INSTITUTE 
OF STANDARDS AND TECH-
NOLOGY 
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2016.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated 
to 
the 
Secretary 
of 
Commerce 
$938,700,000 for the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology for fiscal year 2016. 
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount 
authorized by paragraph (1)— 
(A) $744,700,000 shall be for scientific 
and technical research and services laboratory 
activities; 
(B) $59,000,000 shall be for the construc-
tion and maintenance of facilities; and 
(C) $135,000,000 shall be for industrial 
technology 
services 
activities, 
of 
which 
$130,000,000 shall be for the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program under sections 
25 and 26 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
278I) and $5,000,000 shall be for the Network
for Manufacturing Innovation Program under 
section 34 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s). 
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2017.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated 
to 
the 
Secretary 
of 
Commerce 
$938,700,000 for the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology for fiscal year 2017. 
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount 
authorized by paragraph (1)— 
(A) $744,700,000 shall be for scientific 
and technical research and services laboratory 
activities; 
(B) $59,000,000 shall be for the construc-
tion and maintenance of facilities; and 
(C) $135,000,000 shall be for industrial 
technology 
services 
activities, 
of 
which 
$130,000,000 shall be for the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program under sections 
25 and 26 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
278I) and $5,000,000 shall be for the Network 
for Manufacturing Innovation Program under 
section 34 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
SEC. 402. STANDARDS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT. 
Section 2 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) 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 in-
novation ability and to take’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘compare 
standards’’ and all that follows through ‘‘Fed-
eral Government’’ and inserting ‘‘facilitate 
standards-related information sharing and co-
operation between Federal agencies’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘Fed-
eral, State, and local’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘private sector’’ and inserting ‘‘tech-
nical standards activities and conformity assess-
ment activities of Federal, State, and local gov-
ernments with private sector’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (22), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (23) as 
paragraph (25); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (22) the 
following: 
‘‘(23) participate in and support scientific and 
technical conferences; 
‘‘(24) perform pre-competitive measurement 
science and technology research in partnership with 
institutions of higher education and industry to pro-
mote United States industrial competitiveness; and’’. 
SEC. 403. VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECH-
NOLOGY. 
Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘15 members’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘not fewer than 11 members’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘at least 10’’ and inserting 
‘‘at least two-thirds’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Committee may consult with the National 
Research Council in making recommendations 
regarding general policy for the Institute.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ‘‘, including 
the Program established under section 28,’’.
SEC. 404. POLICE AND SECURITY AUTHORITY. 
Section 15 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278e) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘of the Government; and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘of the Government;’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘United States Code.’’ and in-
serting ‘‘United States Code; and (i) the protection 
of Institute buildings and other plant facilities, 
equipment, and property, and of employees, associ-
ates, visitors, or other persons located therein or as-
sociated therewith, notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law.’’. 
SEC. 405. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. 
The National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking sec-
tions 18, 19, and 19A and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director may support, pro-
mote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance pub-
lic awareness and understanding of measurement sciences, 
standards, and technology by the general public, industry, 
government, and academia in support of the Institute’s 
mission. 
‘‘(b) RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director may award 
research fellowships and other forms of financial and
logistical assistance, including direct stipend awards, 
to— 
‘‘(A) students at institutions of higher edu-
cation 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. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION.—The Director shall select 
persons to receive such fellowships and assistance on 
the basis of ability and of the relevance of the pro-
posed work to the mission and programs of the In-
stitute. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this 
subsection, financial and logistical assistance in-
cludes, notwithstanding section 1345 of title 31, 
United States Code, or any contrary provision of 
law, temporary housing and local transportation to 
and from the Institute facilities. 
‘‘(c) POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—The 
Director shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral fellow-
ship program, subject to the availability of appropriations, 
that shall include not fewer than 20 fellows per fiscal year. 
In evaluating applications for fellowships under this sub-
section, the Director shall give consideration to the goal
of promoting the participation of underrepresented stu-
dents in research areas supported by the Institute.’’. 
SEC. 406. PROGRAMMATIC PLANNING REPORT. 
Section 23(d) of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278i(d)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: ‘‘The 3-year pro-
grammatic planning document shall also describe how the 
Director is addressing recommendations from the Visiting 
Committee on Advanced Technology established under 
section 10.’’. 
SEC. 407. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH 
COUNCIL. 
(a) NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REVIEW.— 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology shall enter into a contract with the 
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a single, com-
prehensive review of the Institute’s laboratory programs. 
The review shall— 
(1) assess the technical merits and scientific 
caliber of the research conducted at the laboratories; 
(2) examine the strengths and weaknesses of 
the 2010 laboratory reorganization on the Institute’s 
ability to fulfill its mission;
(3) evaluate how crosscutting research and de-
velopment activities are planned, coordinated, and 
executed across the laboratories; and 
(4) assess how the laboratories are engaging in-
dustry, including the incorporation of industry need, 
into the research goals and objectives of the Insti-
tute. 
(b) ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS.—Section 24 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
U.S.C. 278j) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 24. ASSESSMENTS BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH 
COUNCIL. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Institute shall contract with 
the National Research Council to perform and report on 
assessments of the technical quality and impact of the 
work conducted at Institute laboratories. 
‘‘(b) SCHEDULE.—Two laboratories shall be assessed 
under subsection (a) each year, and each laboratory shall 
be assessed at least once every 3 years. 
‘‘(c) SUMMARY REPORT.—Beginning in the year 
after the first assessment is conducted under subsection 
(a), and once every 2 years thereafter, the Institute shall 
contract with the National Research Council to prepare 
a report that summarizes the findings common across the 
individual assessment reports.
‘‘(d) ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS.—The Institute, at 
the discretion of the Director, also may contract with the 
National Research Council to conduct additional assess-
ments of Institute programs and projects that involve col-
laboration across the Institute laboratories and centers 
and assessments of selected scientific and technical topics. 
‘‘(e) CONSULTATION WITH VISITING COMMITTEE ON 
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.—The National Research Coun-
cil may consult with the Visiting Committee on Advanced 
Technology established under section 10 in performing the 
assessments under this section. 
‘‘(f) REPORTS.—Not later than 30 days after the 
completion of each assessment, the Institute shall transmit 
the report on such assessment to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate.’’. 
SEC. 408. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PART-
NERSHIP. 
Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PART-
NERSHIP. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, through the 
Director and, if appropriate, through other officials, 
shall provide assistance for the creation and support 
of manufacturing extension centers, to be known as 
the ‘Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers’, for 
the transfer of manufacturing technology and best 
business practices (in this Act referred to as the 
‘Centers’). The program under this section shall be 
known as the ‘Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership’. 
‘‘(2) AFFILIATIONS.—Such Centers shall be af-
filiated with any United States-based public or non-
profit institution or organization, or group thereof, 
that applies for and is awarded financial assistance 
under this section. 
‘‘(3) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Centers 
is to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and 
technological performance in United States manufac-
turing through— 
‘‘(A) the transfer of manufacturing tech-
nology and techniques developed at the Insti-
tute to Centers and, through them, to manufac-
turing companies throughout the United States; 
‘‘(B) the participation of individuals from 
industry, institutions of higher education, State
governments, other Federal agencies, and, when 
appropriate, the Institute in cooperative tech-
nology transfer activities; 
‘‘(C) efforts to make new manufacturing 
technology and processes usable by United 
States-based small and medium-sized compa-
nies; 
‘‘(D) the active dissemination of scientific, 
engineering, technical, and management infor-
mation about manufacturing to industrial firms, 
including small and medium-sized manufac-
turing companies; 
‘‘(E) the utilization, when appropriate, of 
the expertise and capability that exists in Fed-
eral laboratories other than the Institute; 
‘‘(F) the provision to community colleges 
and area career and technical education schools 
of information about the job skills needed in 
small and medium-sized manufacturing busi-
nesses in the regions they serve; and 
‘‘(G) promoting and expanding certifi-
cation systems offered through industry, asso-
ciations, and local colleges, when appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—The activities of the Centers shall 
include—
‘‘(1) the establishment of automated manufac-
turing systems and other advanced production tech-
nologies, based on Institute-supported research, for 
the purpose of demonstrations and technology trans-
fer; 
‘‘(2) the active transfer and dissemination of re-
search 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 part-
nerships between small and medium-sized manufac-
turing companies and community colleges and area 
career and technical education schools to help such 
colleges and schools 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. 
‘‘(c) OPERATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) FINANCIAL SUPPORT.—The Secretary may 
provide financial support to any Center created 
under subsection (a). The Secretary may not provide 
to a Center more than 50 percent of the capital and 
annual operating and maintenance funds required to 
create and maintain such Center.
‘‘(2) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall im-
plement, review, and update the sections of the Code 
of Federal Regulations related to this section at 
least once every 3 years. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any nonprofit institu-
tion, or consortium thereof, or State or local 
government, may submit to the Secretary an 
application for financial support under this sec-
tion, in accordance with the procedures estab-
lished by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) COST SHARING.—In order to receive 
assistance under this section, an applicant for 
financial assistance under subparagraph (A) 
shall provide adequate assurances that non- 
Federal assets obtained from the applicant and 
the applicant’s partnering organizations will be 
used as a funding source to meet not less than 
50 percent of the costs incurred. For purposes 
of the preceding sentence, the costs incurred 
means the costs incurred in connection with the 
activities undertaken to improve the competi-
tiveness, management, productivity, and techno-
logical performance of small and medium-sized 
manufacturing companies.
‘‘(C) AGREEMENTS
WITH
OTHER
ENTI-
TIES.—In meeting the 50 percent requirement, 
it is anticipated that a Center will enter into 
agreements with other entities such as private 
industry, institutions of higher education, and 
State governments to accomplish programmatic 
objectives and access new and existing resources 
that will further the impact of the Federal in-
vestment made on behalf of small and medium- 
sized manufacturing companies. 
‘‘(D) LEGAL
RIGHTS.—Each applicant 
under subparagraph (A) shall also submit a 
proposal for the allocation of the legal rights as-
sociated with any invention which may result 
from the proposed Center’s activities. 
‘‘(4) MERIT REVIEW.—The Secretary shall sub-
ject each such application to merit review. In mak-
ing a decision whether to approve such application 
and provide financial support under this section, the 
Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) The merits of the application, par-
ticularly those portions of the application re-
garding technology transfer, training and edu-
cation, and adaptation of manufacturing tech-
the Director shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a plan as to 
how the Institute will conduct reviews, as-
sessments, and reapplication competitions 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) INDEPENDENT
ASSESSMENT.— 
The Director shall contract with an inde-
pendent organization to perform an assess-
ment of the implementation of the re-
application competition process under this 
paragraph within 3 years after the trans-
mittal of the report under clause (i). The 
organization conducting the assessment 
under this clause may consult with the 
MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(iii) COMPARISON
OF
CENTERS.— 
Not later than 2 years after the date of en-
actment of the America COMPETES Re-
authorization Act of 2015, the Director 
shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report providing 
information on the first and second years 
of operations for centers operating from 
new competitions or recompetition as com-
pared to longstanding centers. The report 
shall provide detail on the engagement in 
services provided by Centers and the char-
acteristics of services provided, including 
volume and type of services, so that the 
Committees can evaluate whether the cost- 
sharing ratio has an effect on the services 
provided at Centers. 
‘‘(6) PATENT RIGHTS.—The provisions of chap-
ter 18 of title 35, United States Code, shall apply, 
to the extent not inconsistent with this section, to 
the promotion of technology from research by Cen-
ters under this section except for contracts for such 
specific technology extension or transfer services as 
may be specified by statute or by the Director. 
‘‘(7) PROTECTION
OF
CENTER
CLIENT
CON-
FIDENTIAL INFORMATION.—Section 552 of title 5, 
United States Code, shall apply to the following in-
formation obtained by the Federal Government on a 
confidential basis in connection with the activities of
any participant involved in the Hollings Manufac-
turing Extension Partnership: 
‘‘(A) Information on the business operation 
of any participant in a Hollings Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program or of a client of 
a Center. 
‘‘(B) Trade secrets possessed by any client 
of a Center. 
‘‘(8) ADVISORY BOARDS.—Each Center’s advi-
sory boards shall institute a conflict of interest pol-
icy, approved by the Director, that ensures the 
Board represents local small and medium-sized man-
ufacturers in the Center’s region. Board Members 
may not serve as a vendor or provide services to the 
Center, nor may they serve on more than one Cen-
ter’s oversight board simultaneously. 
‘‘(d) ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to such sums 
as may be appropriated to the Secretary and Direc-
tor to operate the Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership, the Secretary and Director also may 
accept funds from other Federal departments and 
agencies and, under section 2(c)(7), from the private 
sector, to be available to the extent provided by ap-
propriations Acts, for the purpose of strengthening 
United States manufacturing. 
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) FUNDS ACCEPTED FROM OTHER FED-
ERAL DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES.—The Di-
rector shall determine whether funds accepted 
from other Federal departments or agencies 
shall be counted in the calculation of the Fed-
eral share of capital and annual operating and 
maintenance costs under subsection (c). 
‘‘(B) FUNDS ACCEPTED FROM THE PRI-
VATE SECTOR.—Funds accepted from the pri-
vate sector under section 2(c)(7), if allocated to 
a Center, may not be considered in the calcula-
tion of the Federal share under subsection (c) 
of this section. 
‘‘(e) MEP ADVISORY BOARD.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established 
within the Institute a Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership Advisory Board (in this subsection re-
ferred to as the ‘MEP Advisory Board’). 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The MEP Advisory 
Board shall consist of not fewer than 10 mem-
bers broadly representative of stakeholders, to
be appointed by the Director. At least two 
members shall be employed by or on an advi-
sory board for the Centers, at least one member 
shall represent a community college, and at 
least five other members shall be from United 
States small businesses in the manufacturing 
sector. No member shall be an employee of the 
Federal Government. 
‘‘(B) TERM.—Except as provided in sub-
paragraph (C) or (D), 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 expira-
tion of the term for which his predecessor was 
appointed shall be appointed for the remainder 
of such term. 
‘‘(D) SERVING
CONSECUTIVE
TERMS.— 
Any person who has completed two consecutive 
full terms of service on the MEP Advisory 
Board shall thereafter be ineligible for appoint-
ment during the 1-year period following the ex-
piration of the second such term.
‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The MEP Advisory Board 
shall meet not less than two times annually and 
shall provide to the Director— 
‘‘(A) advice on Hollings Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership programs, plans, and 
policies; 
‘‘(B) assessments of the soundness of Hol-
lings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
plans and strategies; and 
‘‘(C) assessments of current performance 
against 
Hollings 
Manufacturing 
Extension 
Partnership program plans. 
‘‘(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT AP-
PLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In discharging its du-
ties under this subsection, the MEP Advisory 
Board shall function solely in an advisory ca-
pacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—Section 14 of the Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to 
the MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(5) REPORT.—The MEP Advisory Board shall 
transmit an annual report to the Secretary for 
transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the
submission to Congress of the President’s annual 
budget request in each year. Such report shall ad-
dress the status of the program established pursuant 
to this section and comment on 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. 
‘‘(f) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall es-
tablish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Exten-
sion Partnership, under this section and section 26, 
a program of competitive awards among participants 
described in paragraph (2) for the purposes de-
scribed in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(2) 
PARTICIPANTS.—Participants 
receiving 
awards under this subsection shall be the Centers, or 
a consortium of such Centers. 
‘‘(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program 
under this subsection is to add capabilities to the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, in-
cluding 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 pro-
gram, the MEP Advisory Board, and small and me-
dium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for 
the competition may be identified, which may vary 
from year to year, depending on the needs of manu-
facturers and the success of previous competitions. 
Centers may be reimbursed for costs incurred under 
the program. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards 
under this subsection shall be submitted in such 
manner, at such time, and containing such informa-
tion as the Director shall require, in consultation 
with the MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(5) SELECTION.—Awards under this sub-
section shall be peer reviewed and competitively 
awarded. The Director shall endeavor to have broad 
geographic diversity among selected proposals. The 
Director shall select proposals to receive awards that 
will— 
‘‘(A) improve the competitiveness of indus-
tries in the region in which the Center or Cen-
ters are located; 
‘‘(B) create jobs or train newly hired em-
ployees; and 
‘‘(C) promote the transfer and commer-
cialization of research and technology from in-
stitutions of higher education, national labora-
tories, and nonprofit research institutes. 
‘‘(6) PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION.—Recipients of 
awards under this subsection shall not be required 
to provide a matching contribution. 
‘‘(7) GLOBAL
MARKETPLACE
PROJECTS.—In 
making awards under this subsection, the Director, 
in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board and 
the Secretary, may take into consideration whether 
an application has significant potential for enhanc-
ing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized 
United States manufacturers in the global market-
place. 
‘‘(8) DURATION.—Awards under this subsection 
shall last no longer than 3 years. 
‘‘(g) EVALUATION OF OBSTACLES UNIQUE TO SMALL 
MANUFACTURERS.—The Director shall— 
‘‘(1) evaluate obstacles that are unique to small 
manufacturers that prevent such manufacturers 
from effectively competing in the global market; 
‘‘(2) implement a comprehensive plan to train 
the Centers to address such obstacles; and 
‘‘(3) facilitate improved communication between 
the Centers to assist such manufacturers in imple-
100 
menting appropriate, targeted solutions to such ob-
stacles. 
‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘area career and technical edu-
cation school’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Tech-
nical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2302); and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘community college’ means an in-
stitution of higher education (as defined under sec-
tion 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 as-
sociate’s degree.’’. 
SEC. 409. ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE REPORTS. 
Section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (g); and 
(2) in subsection (k)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ at the end and inserting a period; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (5).
101 
SEC. 410. MODIFICATIONS TO GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENTS. 
Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology In-
novation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘The total amount of any such grant or coopera-
tive agreement may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost 
of the program.’’. 
SEC. 411. INFORMATION SYSTEMS STANDARDS CONSULTA-
TION. 
Section 20(c)(1) of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–3(c)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the National Security Agency,’’. 
SEC. 412. UNITED STATES-ISRAELI COOPERATION. 
It is the Sense of Congress that— 
(1) partnerships that facilitate basic scientific 
research between the United States and Israel ad-
vance technology development, innovation, and com-
mercialization leading to growth in various sectors, 
including manufacturing, and creating benefits for 
both nations; 
(2) joint research and development agreements 
carried out through government organizations like 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
support these efforts;
102 
(3) partnerships between the United States and 
Israel that further the basic scientific enterprise 
should be encouraged; and 
(4) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology should continue to facilitate scientific 
collaborations between Israel and United States’ 
technical agencies working in measurement science 
and standardization. 
TITLE V—DEPARTMENT OF 
ENERGY SCIENCE 
SEC. 501. MISSION. 
Section 209 of the Department of Energy Organiza-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 7139) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(c) MISSION.—The mission of the Office of Science 
shall be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, 
and major scientific tools to transform the understanding 
of nature and to advance the energy, economic, and na-
tional security of the United States. In support of this 
mission, the Director shall carry out programs on basic 
energy sciences, advanced scientific computing research, 
high energy physics, biological and environmental re-
search, fusion energy sciences, and nuclear physics, includ-
ing as provided under subtitle A of title V of the America
103 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, through activi-
ties focused on— 
‘‘(1) fundamental scientific discoveries through 
the study of matter and energy; 
‘‘(2) science in the national interest, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(A) advancing an agenda for American 
energy security through research on energy pro-
duction, storage, transmission, efficiency, and 
use; and 
‘‘(B) advancing our understanding of the 
Earth’s climate through research in atmos-
pheric and environmental sciences; and 
‘‘(3) National Scientific User Facilities to de-
liver the 21st century tools of science, engineering, 
and technology and provide the Nation’s researchers 
with the most advanced tools of modern science in-
cluding accelerators, colliders, supercomputers, light 
sources and neutron sources, and facilities for study-
ing materials science. 
‘‘(d) COORDINATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENT OF 
ENERGY PROGRAMS.—The Under Secretary for Science 
and Energy shall ensure the coordination of Office of 
Science activities and programs with other activities of the 
Department.’’.
104 
SEC. 502. BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a pro-
gram in basic energy sciences, including materials sciences 
and engineering, chemical sciences, physical biosciences, 
and geosciences, for the purpose of providing the scientific 
foundations for new energy technologies. 
(b) MISSION.—The mission of the program described 
in subsection (a) shall be to support fundamental research 
to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and 
energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in 
order to provide the foundations for new energy tech-
nologies and to support Department missions in energy, 
environment, and national security. 
(c) BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES USER FACILITIES.— 
The Director shall carry out a subprogram for the develop-
ment, construction, operation, and maintenance of na-
tional user facilities to support the program under this 
section. As practicable, these facilities shall serve the 
needs of the Department, industry, the academic commu-
nity, and other relevant entities to create and examine new 
materials and chemical processes for the purposes of ad-
vancing new energy technologies and improving the com-
petitiveness of the United States. These facilities shall in-
clude— 
(1) x-ray light sources; 
(2) neutron sources;
105 
(3) nanoscale science research centers; and 
(4) other facilities the Director considers appro-
priate, consistent with section 209 of the Depart-
ment of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139). 
(d) LIGHT SOURCE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—In support of the sub-
program authorized in subsection (c), the Director 
shall establish an initiative to sustain and advance 
global leadership of light source user facilities. 
(2) LEADERSHIP STRATEGY.—Not later than 9 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, and 
biennially thereafter, the Director shall prepare, in 
consultation with relevant stakeholders, and submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
light source leadership strategy that— 
(A) identifies, prioritizes, and describes 
plans for the development, construction, and op-
eration of light sources over the next decade; 
(B) describes plans for optimizing manage-
ment and use of existing light source facilities; 
and
106 
(C) assesses the international outlook for 
light source user facilities and describes plans 
for United States cooperation in such projects. 
(3) ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
FEEDBACK
AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 45 days after 
submission of the strategy described in paragraph 
(2), the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee 
shall provide the Director, the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate a report of the Ad-
visory Committee’s analyses, findings, and rec-
ommendations for improving the strategy, including 
a review of the most recent budget request for the 
initiative. 
(4) PROPOSED
BUDGET.—The Director shall 
transmit annually to Congress a proposed budget 
corresponding to the activities identified in the strat-
egy. 
(e) 
ACCELERATOR
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOP-
MENT.—The Director shall carry out research and devel-
opment on advanced accelerator and storage ring tech-
nologies relevant to the development of Basic Energy 
Sciences user facilities, in consultation with the Office of
107 
Science’s High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics pro-
grams. 
(f) ENERGY FRONTIER RESEARCH CENTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall carry out 
a program to provide awards, on a competitive, 
merit-reviewed basis, to multi-institutional collabora-
tions or other appropriate entities to conduct funda-
mental and use-inspired energy research to accel-
erate scientific breakthroughs. 
(2) COLLABORATIONS.—A collaboration receiv-
ing an award under this subsection may include mul-
tiple types of institutions and private sector entities. 
(3) SELECTION AND DURATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A collaboration under 
this subsection shall be selected for a period of 
5 years. An Energy Frontier Research Center 
already in existence and supported by the Di-
rector on the date of enactment of this Act may 
continue to receive support for a period of 5 
years beginning on the date of establishment of 
that center. 
(B) REAPPLICATION.—After the end of the 
period described in subparagraph (A), an 
awardee may reapply for selection for a second
108 
period of 5 years on a competitive, merit-re-
viewed basis. 
(C) TERMINATION.—Consistent with the 
existing authorities of the Department, the Di-
rector may terminate an underperforming cen-
ter for cause during the performance period. 
(4) NO
FUNDING
FOR
CONSTRUCTION.—No 
funding provided pursuant to this subsection may be 
used for the construction of new buildings or facili-
ties. 
SEC. 503. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a re-
search, development, and demonstration program to ad-
vance computational and networking capabilities to ana-
lyze, model, simulate, and predict complex phenomena rel-
evant to the development of new energy technologies and 
the competitiveness of the United States. 
(b) FACILITIES.—The Director, as part of the pro-
gram described in subsection (a), shall develop and main-
tain world-class computing and network facilities for 
science and deliver critical research in applied mathe-
matics, computer science, and advanced networking to 
support the Department’s missions. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2 of the Department of 
Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004
109 
(15 U.S.C. 5541) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
through (5) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) CO-DESIGN.—The term ‘co-design’ means 
the joint development of application algorithms, 
models, and codes with computer technology archi-
tectures and operating systems to maximize effective 
use of high-end computing systems. 
‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘Department’ 
means the Department of Energy. 
‘‘(3) EXASCALE.—The term ‘exascale’ means 
computing system performance at or near 10 to the 
18th power floating point operations per second. 
‘‘(4) HIGH-END
COMPUTING
SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘high-end computing system’ means a com-
puting system with performance that substantially 
exceeds that of systems that are commonly available 
for advanced scientific and engineering applications. 
‘‘(5) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801). 
‘‘(6) LEADERSHIP SYSTEM.—The term ‘leader-
ship system’ means a high-end computing system 
that is among the most advanced in the world in
110 
terms of performance in solving scientific and engi-
neering problems. 
‘‘(7) NATIONAL LABORATORY.—The term ‘Na-
tional Laboratory’ means any one of the seventeen 
laboratories owned by the Department. 
‘‘(8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of Energy. 
‘‘(9) 
SOFTWARE
TECHNOLOGY.—The 
term 
‘software technology’ includes optimal algorithms, 
programming environments, tools, languages, and 
operating systems for high-end computing systems.’’. 
(d) DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY HIGH-END COM-
PUTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 3 of the Department of Energy High-End Computing 
Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5542) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘pro-
gram’’ and inserting ‘‘coordinated program 
across the Department’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (1); 
(C) by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
111 
‘‘(3) partner with universities, National Labora-
tories, and industry to ensure the broadest possible 
application of the technology developed in this pro-
gram to other challenges in science, engineering, 
medicine, and industry.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘vector’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘architectures’’ and in-
serting ‘‘computer technologies that show promise of 
substantial reductions in power requirements and 
substantial gains in parallelism of multicore proc-
essors, concurrency, memory and storage, band-
width, and reliability’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) EXASCALE COMPUTING PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
duct a coordinated research program to develop 
exascale computing systems to advance the missions 
of the Department. 
‘‘(2) 
EXECUTION.—The 
Secretary 
shall, 
through competitive merit review, establish two or 
more National Laboratory-industry-university part-
nerships to conduct integrated research, develop-
ment, and engineering of multiple exascale architec-
tures, and—
112 
‘‘(A) conduct mission-related co-design ac-
tivities in developing such exascale platforms; 
‘‘(B) develop those advancements in hard-
ware and software technology required to fully 
realize the potential of an exascale production 
system in addressing Department target appli-
cations and solving scientific problems involving 
predictive modeling and simulation and large- 
scale data analytics and management; and 
‘‘(C) explore the use of exascale computing 
technologies to advance a broad range of 
science and engineering. 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out this 
program, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) provide, on a competitive, merit-re-
viewed basis, access for researchers in United 
States industry, institutions of higher edu-
cation, National Laboratories, and other Fed-
eral agencies to these exascale systems, as ap-
propriate; and 
‘‘(B) conduct outreach programs to in-
crease the readiness for the use of such plat-
forms by domestic industries, including manu-
facturers. 
‘‘(4) REPORTS.—
113 
‘‘(A) INTEGRATED
STRATEGY
AND
PRO-
GRAM
MANAGEMENT
PLAN.—The Secretary 
shall submit to Congress, not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, a 
report outlining an integrated strategy and pro-
gram management plan, including target dates 
for prototypical and production exascale plat-
forms, interim milestones to reaching these tar-
gets, functional requirements, roles and respon-
sibilities of National Laboratories and industry, 
acquisition strategy, and estimated resources 
required, to achieve this exascale system capa-
bility. The report shall include the Secretary’s 
plan for Departmental organization to manage 
and execute the Exascale Computing Program, 
including definition of the roles and responsibil-
ities within the Department to ensure an inte-
grated program across the Department. The re-
port shall also include a plan for ensuring bal-
ance and prioritizing across ASCR subprograms 
in a flat or slow-growth budget environment. 
‘‘(B) STATUS REPORTS.—At the time of 
the budget submission of the Department for 
each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit a
114 
report to Congress that describes the status of 
milestones and costs in achieving the objectives 
of the exascale computing program. 
‘‘(C) EXASCALE MERIT REPORT.—At least 
18 months prior to the initiation of construction 
or installation of any exascale-class computing 
facility, the Secretary shall transmit a plan to 
the Congress detailing— 
‘‘(i) the proposed facility’s cost projec-
tions and capabilities to significantly accel-
erate the development of new energy tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(ii) technical risks and challenges 
that must be overcome to achieve success-
ful completion and operation of the facility; 
and 
‘‘(iii) an independent assessment of 
the scientific and technological advances 
expected from such a facility relative to 
those expected from a comparable invest-
ment in expanded research and applica-
tions at terascale-class and petascale-class 
computing facilities, including an evalua-
tion of where investments should be made
115 
in the system software and algorithms to 
enable these advances.’’. 
SEC. 504. HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a re-
search program on the fundamental constituents of matter 
and energy and the nature of space and time. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the 
Congress that— 
(1) the Director should incorporate the findings 
and recommendations of the Particle Physics Project 
Prioritization Panel’s report entitled ‘‘Building for 
Discovery: Strategic Plan for U.S. Particle Physics 
in the Global Context’’, into the Department’s plan-
ning process as part of the program described in 
subsection (a); 
(2) the Director should prioritize domestically 
hosted research projects that will maintain the 
United States position as a global leader in particle 
physics and attract the world’s most talented physi-
cists and foreign investment for international col-
laboration; and 
(3) the nations that lead in particle physics by 
hosting international teams dedicated to a common 
scientific goal attract the world’s best talent and in-
116 
spire future generations of physicists and tech-
nologists. 
(c) NEUTRINO RESEARCH.—As part of the program 
described in subsection (a), the Director shall carry out 
research activities on rare decay processes and the nature 
of the neutrino, which may include collaborations with the 
National Science Foundation or international collabora-
tions. 
(d) DARK
ENERGY
AND
DARK
MATTER
RE-
SEARCH.—As part of the program described in subsection 
(a), the Director shall carry out research activities on the 
nature of dark energy and dark matter, which may include 
collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration or the National Science Foundation, or 
international collaborations. 
(e) 
ACCELERATOR
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOP-
MENT.—The Director shall carry out research and devel-
opment in advanced accelerator concepts and technologies, 
including laser technologies, to reduce the necessary scope 
and cost for the next generation of particle accelerators. 
The Director shall ensure access to national laboratory ac-
celerator facilities, infrastructure, and technology for 
users and developers of accelerators that advance applica-
tions in energy and the environment, medicine, industry, 
national security, and discovery science.
117 
(f) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.—The Direc-
tor, as practicable and in coordination with other appro-
priate Federal agencies as necessary, shall ensure the ac-
cess of United States researchers to the most advanced 
accelerator facilities and research capabilities in the world, 
including the Large Hadron Collider. 
SEC. 505. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a pro-
gram of research, development, and demonstration in the 
areas of biological systems science and climate and envi-
ronmental science to support the energy and environ-
mental missions of the Department. 
(b) PRIORITY RESEARCH.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Director shall prioritize fundamental research on 
biological systems and genomics science with the greatest 
potential to enable scientific discovery. 
(c) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit a report to Congress identifying climate 
science-related initiatives under this section that overlap 
or duplicate initiatives of other Federal agencies and the 
extent of such overlap or duplication. 
(d) LIMITATION.—The Director shall not approve 
new climate science-related initiatives to be carried out 
through the Office of Science without making a determina-
118 
tion that such work is unique and not duplicative of work 
by other Federal agencies. Not later than 3 months after 
receiving the assessment required under subsection (c), 
the Director shall cease those climate science-related ini-
tiatives identified in the assessment as overlapping or du-
plicative, unless the Director justifies that such work is 
critical to achieving American energy security. 
(e) LOW DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Depart-
ment of Energy Office of Science shall carry out a 
research program on low dose radiation. The pur-
pose of the program is to enhance the scientific un-
derstanding of and reduce uncertainties associated 
with the effects of exposure to low dose radiation in 
order to inform improved risk management methods. 
(2) STUDY.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
enter into an agreement with the National Acad-
emies to conduct a study assessing the current sta-
tus and development of a long-term strategy for low 
dose radiation research. Such study shall be com-
pleted not later than 18 months after the date of en-
actment of this Act. The study shall be conducted in 
coordination with Federal agencies that perform ion-
izing radiation effects research and shall leverage
119 
the most current studies in this field. Such study 
shall— 
(A) identify current scientific challenges 
for understanding the long-term effects of ion-
izing radiation; 
(B) assess the status of current low dose 
radiation research in the United States and 
internationally; 
(C) formulate overall scientific goals for 
the future of low-dose radiation research in the 
United States; 
(D) recommend a long-term strategic and 
prioritized research agenda to address scientific 
research goals for overcoming the identified sci-
entific challenges in coordination with other re-
search efforts; 
(E) define the essential components of a 
research program that would address this re-
search agenda within the universities and the 
National Laboratories; and 
(F) assess the cost-benefit effectiveness of 
such a program. 
(3) RESEARCH PLAN.—Not later than 90 days 
after the completion of the study performed under 
paragraph (2) the Secretary of Energy shall deliver
120 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
5-year research plan that responds to the study’s 
findings and recommendations and identifies and 
prioritizes research needs. 
(4) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘low dose radiation’’ means a radiation dose of less 
than 100 millisieverts. 
(5) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to subject any research 
carried out by the Director under the research pro-
gram under this subsection to any limitations de-
scribed in section 977(e) of the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317(e)). 
SEC. 506. FUSION ENERGY. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a fusion 
energy sciences research program to expand the funda-
mental understanding of plasmas and matter at very high 
temperatures and densities and to build the scientific 
foundation necessary to enable fusion power. 
(b) FUSION MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT.—As part of the activities authorized in section 978 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16318)—
122 
(A) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report providing an 
assessment of— 
(i) the most recent schedule for ITER 
that has been approved by the ITER 
Council; and 
(ii) progress of the ITER Council and 
the ITER Director General toward imple-
mentation of the recommendations of the 
Third Biennial International Organization 
Management Assessment Report. 
(B) FAIRNESS IN COMPETITION FOR SO-
LICITATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECT AC-
TIVITIES.—Section 33 of the Atomic Energy 
Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2053) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: ‘‘For purposes 
of this section, with respect to international re-
search projects, the term ‘private facilities or 
laboratories’ shall refer to facilities or labora-
tories located in the United States.’’. 
(C) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense 
of Congress that the United States should sup-
port a robust, diverse fusion program. It is fur-
ther the sense of Congress that developing the
123 
scientific basis for fusion, providing research re-
sults key to the success of ITER, and training 
the next generation of fusion scientists are of 
critical importance to the United States and 
should in no way be diminished by participation 
of the United States in the ITER project. 
(d) INERTIAL FUSION ENERGY RESEARCH AND DE-
VELOPMENT PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall carry out a 
program of research and technology development in iner-
tial fusion for energy applications, including ion beam, 
laser, and pulsed power fusion systems. 
(e) ALTERNATIVE AND ENABLING CONCEPTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As part of the program de-
scribed in subsection (a), the Director shall support 
research and development activities and facility oper-
ations at United States universities, national labora-
tories, and private facilities for a portfolio of alter-
native and enabling fusion energy concepts that may 
provide solutions to significant challenges to the es-
tablishment of a commercial magnetic fusion power 
plant, prioritized based on the ability of the United 
States to play a leadership role in the international 
fusion research community. Fusion energy concepts 
and activities explored under this paragraph may in-
clude—
124 
(A) high magnetic field approaches facili-
tated by high temperature superconductors; 
(B) advanced stellarator concepts; 
(C) non-tokamak confinement configura-
tions operating at low magnetic fields; 
(D) magnetized target fusion energy con-
cepts; 
(E) liquid metals to address issues associ-
ated with fusion plasma interactions with the 
inner wall of the encasing device; 
(F) immersion blankets for heat manage-
ment and fuel breeding; 
(G) advanced scientific computing activi-
ties; and 
(H) other promising fusion energy con-
cepts identified by the Director. 
(2) COORDINATION WITH ARPA–E.—The Under 
Secretary and the Director shall coordinate with the 
Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency– 
Energy (in this paragraph referred to as ‘‘ARPA– 
E’’) to— 
(A) assess the potential for any fusion en-
ergy project supported by ARPA–E to rep-
resent a promising approach to a commercially 
viable fusion power plant;
125 
(B) determine whether the results of any 
fusion energy project supported by ARPA–E 
merit the support of follow-on research activi-
ties carried out by the Office of Science; and 
(C) avoid unintentional duplication of ac-
tivities. 
(f) GENERAL
PLASMA
SCIENCE
AND
APPLICA-
TIONS.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to Congress 
an assessment of opportunities in which the United States 
can provide world-leading contributions to advancing plas-
ma science and non-fusion energy applications, and iden-
tify opportunities for partnering with other Federal agen-
cies both within and outside of the Department of Energy. 
(g) IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITIES.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
transmit to Congress a report on the Department’s 
proposed fusion energy research and development 
activities over the following 10 years under at least 
3 realistic budget scenarios, including a scenario 
based on 3 percent annual growth in the non-ITER 
portion of the budget for fusion energy research and 
development activities. The report shall—
126 
(A) identify specific areas of fusion energy 
research and enabling technology development 
in which the United States can and should es-
tablish or solidify a lead in the global fusion en-
ergy development effort; 
(B) identify priorities for initiation of facil-
ity construction and facility decommissioning 
under each of those scenarios; and 
(C) assess the ability of the United States 
fusion workforce to carry out the activities iden-
tified in subparagraphs (A) and (B), including 
the adequacy of college and university programs 
to train the leaders and workers of the next 
generation of fusion energy researchers. 
(2) PROCESS.—In order to develop the report 
required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall le-
verage best practices and lessons learned from the 
process used to develop the most recent report of the 
Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel of the 
High Energy Physics Advisory Panel. No member of 
the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee 
shall be excluded from participating in developing or 
voting on final approval of the report required under 
paragraph (1).
127 
SEC. 507. NUCLEAR PHYSICS. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a pro-
gram of experimental and theoretical research, and sup-
port associated facilities, to discover, explore, and under-
stand all forms of nuclear matter. 
(b) ISOTOPE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION FOR 
RESEARCH APPLICATIONS.—The Director shall carry out 
a program for the production of isotopes, including the 
development of techniques to produce isotopes, that the 
Secretary determines are needed for research, medical, in-
dustrial, or other purposes. In making this determination, 
the Secretary shall— 
(1) ensure that, as has been the policy of the 
United States since the publication in 1965 of Fed-
eral Register notice 30 Fed. Reg. 3247, isotope pro-
duction activities do not compete with private indus-
try unless critical national interests necessitate the 
Federal Government’s involvement; 
(2) ensure that activities undertaken pursuant 
to this section, to the extent practicable, promote the 
growth of a robust domestic isotope production in-
dustry; and 
(3) consider any relevant recommendations 
made by Federal advisory committees, the National 
Academies, and interagency working groups in which 
the Department participates.
128 
SEC. 508. SCIENCE LABORATORIES INFRASTRUCTURE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director shall carry out a pro-
gram to improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readi-
ness of infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. 
The program shall include projects to— 
(1) renovate or replace space that does not 
meet research needs; 
(2) replace facilities that are no longer cost ef-
fective to renovate or operate; 
(3) modernize utility systems to prevent failures 
and ensure efficiency; 
(4) remove excess facilities to allow safe and ef-
ficient operations; and 
(5) construct modern facilities to conduct ad-
vanced research in controlled environmental condi-
tions. 
(b) APPROACH.—In carrying out this section, the Di-
rector shall utilize all available approaches and mecha-
nisms, including capital line items, minor construction 
projects, energy savings performance contracts, utility en-
ergy service contracts, alternative financing, and expense 
funding, as appropriate. 
SEC. 509. DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee
129 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate a report on the current ability 
of domestic manufacturers to meet the procurement re-
quirements for major ongoing projects funded by the Of-
fice of Science of the Department, including a calculation 
of the percentage of equipment acquired from domestic 
manufacturers for this purpose. 
SEC. 510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2016.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for 
fiscal year 2016 $5,339,800,000, of which— 
(1) $1,850,000,000 shall be for Basic Energy 
Science; 
(2) $788,000,000 shall be for High Energy 
Physics; 
(3) $550,000,000 shall be for Biological and 
Environmental Research; 
(4) $624,700,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics; 
(5) $621,000,000 shall be for Advanced Sci-
entific Computing Research; 
(6) $488,000,000 shall be for Fusion Energy 
Sciences; 
(7) $113,600,000 shall be for Science Labora-
tories Infrastructure;
130 
(8) $181,000,000 shall be for Science Program 
Direction; 
(9) $103,000,000 shall be for Safeguards and 
Security; and 
(10) $20,500,000 shall be for Workforce Devel-
opment for Teachers and Scientists. 
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2017.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for 
fiscal year 2017 $5,339,800,000, of which— 
(1) $1,850,000,000 shall be for Basic Energy 
Science; 
(2) $788,000,000 shall be for High Energy 
Physics; 
(3) $550,000,000 shall be for Biological and 
Environmental Research; 
(4) $624,700,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics; 
(5) $621,000,000 shall be for Advanced Sci-
entific Computing Research; 
(6) $488,000,000 shall be for Fusion Energy 
Sciences; 
(7) $113,600,000 shall be for Science Labora-
tories Infrastructure; 
(8) $181,000,000 shall be for Science Program 
Direction;
131 
(9) $103,000,000 shall be for Safeguards and 
Security; and 
(10) $20,500,000 shall be for Workforce Devel-
opment for Teachers and Scientists. 
SEC. 511. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title— 
(1) the term ‘‘Department’’ means the Depart-
ment of Energy; 
(2) the term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of 
the Office of Science of the Department; and 
(3) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Energy. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT OF EN-
ERGY 
APPLIED 
RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT 
Subtitle A—Crosscutting Research 
and Development 
SEC. 601. CROSSCUTTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) CROSSCUTTING
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOP-
MENT.—The Secretary shall, through the Under Secretary 
for Science and Energy, utilize the capabilities of the De-
partment to identify strategic opportunities for collabo-
rative research, development, demonstration, and commer-
cial application of innovative science and technologies 
for—
132 
(1) advancing the understanding of the energy- 
water-land use nexus; 
(2) modernizing the electric grid by improving 
energy transmission and distribution systems secu-
rity and resiliency; 
(3) utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide in elec-
tric power generation; 
(4) subsurface technology and engineering; 
(5) high performance computing; 
(6) cybersecurity; and 
(7) critical challenges identified through com-
prehensive energy studies, evaluations, and reviews. 
(b) CROSSCUTTING APPROACHES.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall seek to leverage ex-
isting programs, and consolidate and coordinate activities, 
throughout the Department to promote collaboration and 
crosscutting approaches within programs. 
(c) ADDITIONAL ACTIONS.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) prioritize activities that promote the utiliza-
tion of all affordable domestic resources; 
(2) develop a rigorous and realistic planning, 
evaluation, and technical assessment framework for 
setting objective, long-term strategic goals and eval-
uating progress that ensures the integrity and inde-
133 
pendence to insulate planning from political influ-
ence and the flexibility to adapt to market dynamics; 
(3) ensure that activities shall be undertaken in 
a manner that does not duplicate other activities 
within the Department or other Federal Government 
activities; and 
(4) identify programs that may be more effec-
tively left to the States, industry, nongovernmental 
organizations, institutions of higher education, or 
other stakeholders. 
SEC. 602. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS 
AND COORDINATION PLAN. 
Section 994 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16358) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 994. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS 
AND COORDINATION PLAN. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall periodically 
review all of the science and technology activities of the 
Department in a strategic framework that takes into ac-
count the frontiers of science to which the Department 
can contribute, the national needs relevant to the Depart-
ment’s statutory missions, and global energy dynamics. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION ANALYSIS AND PLAN.—As part 
of the review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall de-
velop a plan to improve coordination and collaboration in
136 
in section 209(c) of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139(c)). 
‘‘(d) PLAN TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2015, and every 4 years thereafter, 
the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate the results of the review under subsection (a) 
and the coordination plan under subsection (b).’’. 
SEC. 603. STRATEGY FOR FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUC-
TURE. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 993 of the Energy Pol-
icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16357) is amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows: ‘‘STRATEGY
FOR
FACILITIES
AND
IN-
FRASTRUCTURE’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘2008’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2018’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The item 
relating to section 993 in the table of contents of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Sec. 993. Strategy for facilities and infrastructure.’’. 
SEC. 604. ENERGY INNOVATION HUBS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM.—
137 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy 
shall carry out a program to enhance the Nation’s 
economic, environmental, and energy security by 
making awards to consortia for establishing and op-
erating Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and 
support, whenever practicable at one centralized lo-
cation, multidisciplinary, collaborative research, de-
velopment, and demonstration of advanced energy 
technologies. 
(2) TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOCUS.—The 
Secretary shall designate for each Hub a unique ad-
vanced energy technology focus. 
(3) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall en-
sure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary du-
plication of, the activities of Hubs with those of 
other Department of Energy research entities, in-
cluding the National Laboratories, the Advanced Re-
search Projects Agency-Energy, Energy Frontier Re-
search Centers, and within industry. 
(b) CONSORTIA.— 
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive an 
award under this section for the establishment and 
operation of a Hub, a consortium shall— 
(A) be composed of no fewer than two 
qualifying entities; and
138 
(B) operate subject to an agreement en-
tered into by its members that documents— 
(i) the proposed partnership agree-
ment, including the governance and man-
agement structure of the Hub; 
(ii) measures to enable cost-effective 
implementation of the program under this 
section; 
(iii) a proposed budget, including fi-
nancial contributions from non-Federal 
sources; 
(iv) a plan for managing intellectual 
property rights; and 
(v) an accounting structure that en-
ables the Secretary to ensure that the con-
sortium has complied with the require-
ments of this section. 
(2) APPLICATION.—A consortium seeking to es-
tablish and operate a Hub under this section, acting 
through a prime applicant, shall transmit to the Sec-
retary an application at such time, in such form, 
and accompanied by such information as the Sec-
retary shall require, including a detailed description 
of the elements of the consortium agreement re-
quired under paragraph (1)(B). If the consortium
139 
members will not be located at one centralized loca-
tion, such application shall include a communica-
tions plan that ensures close coordination and inte-
gration of the Hub’s activities. 
(c) SELECTION
AND SCHEDULE.—The Secretary 
shall select consortia for awards for the establishment and 
operation of Hubs through competitive selection processes. 
In selecting consortia, the Secretary shall consider the in-
formation a consortium must disclose according to sub-
section (b), as well as any existing facilities a consortium 
will provide for Hub activities. Awards made to a Hub 
shall be for a period not to exceed 5 years, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, after which the award may 
be renewed, subject to a rigorous merit review. A Hub al-
ready in existence on the date of enactment of this Act 
may continue to receive support for a period of 5 years, 
subject to the availability of appropriations, beginning on 
the date of establishment of that Hub. 
(d) HUB OPERATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Hub shall conduct or 
provide for multidisciplinary, collaborative research, 
development, and demonstration of advanced energy 
technologies within the technology development focus 
designated under subsection (a)(2). Each Hub 
shall—
140 
(A) encourage collaboration and commu-
nication among the member qualifying entities 
of the consortium and awardees by conducting 
activities whenever practicable at one central-
ized location; 
(B) develop and publish on the Depart-
ment of Energy’s website proposed plans and 
programs; 
(C) submit an annual report to the Sec-
retary summarizing the Hub’s activities, includ-
ing detailing organizational expenditures, and 
describing each project undertaken by the Hub; 
and 
(D) monitor project implementation and 
coordination. 
(2) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.— 
(A) PROCEDURES.—Hubs shall maintain 
conflict of interest procedures, consistent with 
those of the Department of Energy, to ensure 
that employees and consortia designees for Hub 
activities who are in decisionmaking capacities 
disclose all material conflicts of interest, and 
avoid such conflicts. 
(B) 
DISQUALIFICATION
AND
REVOCA-
TION.—The Secretary may disqualify an appli-
141 
cation or revoke funds distributed to a Hub if 
the Secretary discovers a failure to comply with 
conflict of interest procedures established under 
subparagraph (A). 
(3) PROHIBITION ON CONSTRUCTION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—No funds provided pur-
suant to this section may be used for construc-
tion of new buildings or facilities for Hubs. 
Construction of new buildings or facilities shall 
not be considered as part of the non-Federal 
share of a Hub cost-sharing agreement. 
(B) TEST BED AND RENOVATION EXCEP-
TION.—Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit 
the use of funds provided pursuant to this sec-
tion, or non-Federal cost share funds, for re-
search or for the construction of a test bed or 
renovations to existing buildings or facilities for 
the purposes of research if the Secretary deter-
mines that the test bed or renovations are lim-
ited to a scope and scale necessary for the re-
search to be conducted. 
(e) TERMINATION.—Consistent with the existing au-
thorities of the Department, the Secretary may terminate 
an underperforming Hub for cause during the perform-
ance period.
142 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
(1) ADVANCED
ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY.—The 
term ‘‘advanced energy technology’’ means— 
(A) an innovative technology— 
(i) that produces energy from solar, 
wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave, 
ocean, or other renewable energy resources; 
(ii) that produces nuclear energy; 
(iii) for carbon capture and sequestra-
tion; 
(iv) that enables advanced vehicles, 
vehicle components, and related tech-
nologies that result in significant energy 
savings; 
(v) that generates, transmits, distrib-
utes, utilizes, or stores energy more effi-
ciently than conventional technologies, in-
cluding through Smart Grid technologies; 
or 
(vi) that enhances the energy inde-
pendence and security of the United States 
by enabling improved or expanded supply 
and production of domestic energy re-
sources, including coal, oil, and natural 
gas;
143 
(B) research, development, and demonstra-
tion activities necessary to ensure the long- 
term, secure, and sustainable supply of energy 
critical elements; or 
(C) another innovative energy technology 
area identified by the Secretary. 
(2) HUB.—The term ‘‘Hub’’ means an Energy 
Innovation Hub established or operating in accord-
ance with this section, including any Energy Innova-
tion Hub existing as of the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(3) QUALIFYING
ENTITY.—The term ‘‘quali-
fying entity’’ means— 
(A) an institution of higher education; 
(B) an appropriate State or Federal entity, 
including the Department of Energy Federally 
Funded Research and Development Centers; 
(C) a nongovernmental organization with 
expertise in advanced energy technology re-
search, development, demonstration, or com-
mercial application; or 
(D) any other relevant entity the Secretary 
considers appropriate.
144 
Subtitle 
B—Electricity 
Delivery 
and Energy Reliability Research 
and Development 
SEC. 611. DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AND ELECTRIC ENERGY 
SYSTEMS. 
Section 921 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16211) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 921. DISTRIBUTED ENERGY AND ELECTRIC ENERGY 
SYSTEMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out 
programs of research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application on distributed energy resources 
and systems reliability and efficiency, to improve the reli-
ability and efficiency of distributed energy resources and 
systems, integrating advanced energy technologies with 
grid connectivity, including activities described in this sub-
title. The programs shall address advanced energy tech-
nologies and systems and advanced grid security, resil-
iency, and reliability technologies. 
‘‘(b) OBJECTIVES.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, the Secretary shall seek to— 
‘‘(1) leverage existing programs; 
‘‘(2) 
consolidate 
and 
coordinate 
activities 
throughout the Department to promote collaboration 
and crosscutting approaches;
145 
‘‘(3) ensure activities are undertaken in a man-
ner that does not duplicate other activities within 
the Department or other Federal Government activi-
ties; and 
‘‘(4) identify programs that may be more effec-
tively left to the States, industry, nongovernmental 
organizations, institutions of higher education, or 
other stakeholders.’’. 
SEC. 612. ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 925 of the Energy Pol-
icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16215) is amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as 
follows: ‘‘ELECTRIC
TRANSMISSION
AND
DIS-
TRIBUTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall establish a 
comprehensive research, development, and demonstration 
program to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and environ-
mental integrity of electrical transmission and distribution 
systems, which shall include innovations for— 
‘‘(1) advanced energy delivery technologies, en-
ergy storage technologies, materials, and systems;
146 
‘‘(2) advanced grid reliability and efficiency 
technology development; 
‘‘(3) technologies contributing to significant 
load reductions; 
‘‘(4) advanced metering, load management, and 
control technologies; 
‘‘(5) technologies to enhance existing grid com-
ponents; 
‘‘(6) the development and use of high-tempera-
ture superconductors to— 
‘‘(A) enhance the reliability, operational 
flexibility, or power-carrying capability of elec-
tric transmission or distribution systems; or 
‘‘(B) increase the efficiency of electric en-
ergy generation, transmission, distribution, or 
storage systems; 
‘‘(7) integration of power systems, including 
systems to deliver high-quality electric power, elec-
tric power reliability, and combined heat and power; 
‘‘(8) supply of electricity to the power grid by 
small scale, distributed, and residential-based power 
generators; 
‘‘(9) the development and use of advanced grid 
design, operation, and planning tools;
147 
‘‘(10) technologies to enhance security for elec-
trical transmission and distributions systems; and 
‘‘(11) any other infrastructure technologies, as 
appropriate.’’; and 
(3) by amending subsection (c) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(1) CONSORTIUM.—The Secretary shall con-
sider implementing the program under this section 
using a consortium of participants from industry, in-
stitutions of higher education, and National Labora-
tories. 
‘‘(2) OBJECTIVES.—To the maximum extent 
practicable the Secretary shall seek to— 
‘‘(A) leverage existing programs; 
‘‘(B) consolidate and coordinate activities, 
throughout the Department to promote collabo-
ration and crosscutting approaches; 
‘‘(C) ensure activities are undertaken in a 
manner that does not duplicate other activities 
within the Department or other Federal Gov-
ernment activities; and 
‘‘(D) identify programs that may be more 
effectively left to the States, industry, non-
148 
governmental 
organizations, 
institutions 
of 
higher education, or other stakeholders.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The item 
relating to section 925 in the table of contents of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Sec. 925. Electric transmission and distribution research and development.’’. 
Subtitle C—Nuclear Energy 
Research and Development 
SEC. 621. OBJECTIVES. 
Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16271) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct pro-
grams of civilian nuclear energy research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application, including ac-
tivities described in this subtitle. Such programs shall take 
into consideration the following objectives: 
‘‘(1) Enhancing nuclear power’s viability as 
part of the United States energy portfolio. 
‘‘(2) Reducing used nuclear fuel and nuclear 
waste products generated by civilian nuclear energy. 
‘‘(3) Supporting technological advances in areas 
that industry by itself is not likely to undertake be-
cause of technical and financial uncertainty.
149 
‘‘(4) Providing the technical means to reduce 
the likelihood of nuclear proliferation. 
‘‘(5) Maintaining a cadre of nuclear scientists 
and engineers. 
‘‘(6) Maintaining National Laboratory and uni-
versity nuclear programs, including their infrastruc-
ture. 
‘‘(7) Supporting both individual researchers and 
multidisciplinary teams of researchers to pioneer 
new approaches in nuclear energy, science, and tech-
nology. 
‘‘(8) Developing, planning, constructing, acquir-
ing, and operating special equipment and facilities 
for the use of researchers. 
‘‘(9) Supporting technology transfer and other 
appropriate activities to assist the nuclear energy in-
dustry, and other users of nuclear science and engi-
neering, including activities addressing reliability, 
availability, productivity, component aging, safety, 
and security of nuclear power plants. 
‘‘(10) Reducing the environmental impact of 
nuclear energy-related activities. 
‘‘(11) Researching and developing technologies 
and processes to meet Federal and State require-
ments and standards for nuclear power systems.’’;
150 
(2) by striking subsections (b) through (d); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (b). 
SEC. 622. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES STUDY. 
Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16271) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) PROGRAM OBJECTIVES STUDY.—In furtherance 
of the program objectives listed in subsection (a) of this 
section, the Government Accountability Office shall, within 
1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, 
transmit to the Congress a report on the results of a study 
on the scientific and technical merit of major Federal and 
State requirements and standards, including moratoria, 
that delay or impede the further development and com-
mercialization of nuclear power, and how the Department 
can assist in overcoming such delays or impediments.’’. 
SEC. 623. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT PROGRAMS. 
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16272) is amended by striking subsections (c) 
through (e) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) REACTOR CONCEPTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out a program of research, development, demonstra-
151 
tion, and commercial application to advance nuclear 
power systems as well as technologies to sustain cur-
rently deployed systems. 
‘‘(2) DESIGNS
AND
TECHNOLOGIES.—In con-
ducting the program under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall examine advanced reactor designs and 
nuclear technologies, including those that— 
‘‘(A) have higher efficiency, lower cost, and 
improved safety compared to reactors in oper-
ation as of the date of enactment of the Amer-
ica COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015; 
‘‘(B) utilize passive safety features; 
‘‘(C) minimize proliferation risks; 
‘‘(D) substantially reduce production of 
high-level waste per unit of output; 
‘‘(E) increase the life and sustainability of 
reactor systems currently deployed; 
‘‘(F) use improved instrumentation; 
‘‘(G) are capable of producing large-scale 
quantities of hydrogen or process heat; 
‘‘(H) minimize water usage or use alter-
natives to water as a cooling mechanism; or 
‘‘(I) use nuclear energy as part of an inte-
grated energy system.
152 
‘‘(3) INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION.—In car-
rying out the program under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall seek opportunities to enhance the 
progress of the program through international co-
operation through such organizations as the Genera-
tion IV International Forum or any other inter-
national collaboration the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
‘‘(4) EXCEPTIONS.—No funds authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the activities described in 
this subsection shall be used to fund the activities 
authorized under sections 641 through 645.’’. 
SEC. 624. SMALL MODULAR REACTOR PROGRAM. 
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16272) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) SMALL MODULAR REACTOR PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out a small modular reactor program to promote re-
search, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application of small modular reactors, including 
through cost-shared projects for commercial applica-
tion of reactor systems designs. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall con-
sult with and utilize the expertise of the Secretary
153 
of the Navy in establishing and carrying out such 
program. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES.—Activities may 
also include development of advanced computer mod-
eling and simulation tools, by Federal and non-Fed-
eral entities, which demonstrate and validate new de-
sign capabilities of innovative small modular reactor 
designs. 
‘‘(4) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this 
subsection, the term ‘small modular reactor’ means 
a nuclear reactor meeting generally accepted indus-
try standards— 
‘‘(A) with a rated capacity of less than 300 
electrical megawatts; 
‘‘(B) with respect to which most parts can 
be factory assembled and shipped as modules to 
a reactor plant site for assembly; and 
‘‘(C) that can be constructed and operated 
in combination with similar reactors at a single 
site.’’. 
SEC. 625. FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 953 of the Energy Pol-
icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is amended—
154 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘AD-
VANCED FUEL CYCLE INITIATIVE’’ and inserting 
‘‘FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (a); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) 
as subsections (d) through (f), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting before subsection (d), as so re-
designated by paragraph (3) of this subsection, the 
following new subsections: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and com-
mercial application program (referred to in this section as 
the ‘program’) on fuel cycle options that improve uranium 
resource utilization, maximize energy generation, minimize 
nuclear waste creation, improve safety, mitigate risk of 
proliferation, and improve waste management in support 
of a national strategy for spent nuclear fuel and the reac-
tor concepts research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application program under section 952(c). 
‘‘(b) FUEL CYCLE OPTIONS.—Under this section the 
Secretary may consider implementing the following initia-
tives: 
‘‘(1) OPEN CYCLE.—Developing fuels, including 
the use of nonuranium materials and alternate 
claddings, for use in reactors that increase energy
155 
generation, improve safety performance and mar-
gins, and minimize the amount of nuclear waste pro-
duced in an open fuel cycle. 
‘‘(2) RECYCLE.—Developing advanced recycling 
technologies, including advanced reactor concepts to 
improve resource utilization, reduce proliferation 
risks, and minimize radiotoxicity, decay heat, and 
mass and volume of nuclear waste to the greatest 
extent possible. 
‘‘(3) ADVANCED
STORAGE
METHODS.—Devel-
oping advanced storage technologies for both onsite 
and long-term storage that substantially prolong the 
effective life of current storage devices or that sub-
stantially improve upon existing nuclear waste stor-
age technologies and methods, including repositories. 
‘‘(4) FAST TEST REACTOR.—Investigating the 
potential research benefits of a fast test reactor user 
facility to conduct experiments on fuels and mate-
rials related to fuel forms and fuel cycles that will 
increase fuel utilization, reduce proliferation risks, 
and reduce nuclear waste products. 
‘‘(5) ADVANCED
REACTOR
INNOVATION.—De-
veloping an advanced reactor innovation testbed 
where national laboratories, universities, and indus-
try can address advanced reactor design challenges
156 
to enable construction and operation of privately 
funded reactor prototypes to resolve technical uncer-
tainty for United States-based designs for future do-
mestic and international markets. 
‘‘(6) OTHER TECHNOLOGIES.—Developing any 
other technology or initiative that the Secretary de-
termines is likely to advance the objectives of the 
program. 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL
ADVANCED
RECYCLING
AND 
CROSSCUTTING ACTIVITIES.—In addition to and in sup-
port of the specific initiatives described in paragraphs (1) 
through (5) of subsection (b), the Secretary may support 
the following activities: 
‘‘(1) Development and testing of integrated 
process flow sheets for advanced nuclear fuel recy-
cling processes. 
‘‘(2) Research to characterize the byproducts 
and waste streams resulting from fuel recycling 
processes. 
‘‘(3) Research and development on reactor con-
cepts or transmutation technologies that improve re-
source utilization or reduce the radiotoxicity of waste 
streams. 
‘‘(4) Research and development on waste treat-
ment processes and separations technologies, ad-
157 
vanced waste forms, and quantification of prolifera-
tion risks. 
‘‘(5) Identification and evaluation of test and 
experimental facilities necessary to successfully im-
plement the advanced fuel cycle initiative. 
‘‘(6) Advancement of fuel cycle-related modeling 
and simulation capabilities. 
‘‘(7) Research to understand the behavior of 
high-burnup fuels.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item relating 
to section 953 in the table of contents of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Sec. 953. Fuel cycle research and development.’’. 
SEC. 626. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Subtitle E of title IX of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 958. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
program to support the integration of activities under-
taken through the reactor concepts research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application program under 
section 952(c) and the fuel cycle research and development 
program under section 953, and support crosscutting nu-
clear energy concepts. Activities commenced under this
158 
section shall be concentrated on broadly applicable re-
search and development focus areas. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—Activities conducted under this 
section may include research involving— 
‘‘(1) advanced reactor materials; 
‘‘(2) advanced radiation mitigation methods; 
‘‘(3) advanced proliferation and security risk 
assessment methods; 
‘‘(4) advanced sensors and instrumentation; 
‘‘(5) high performance computation modeling, 
including multiphysics, multidimensional modeling 
simulation for nuclear energy systems, and contin-
ued development of advanced modeling simulation 
capabilities through national laboratory, industry, 
and university partnerships for operations and safety 
performance improvements of light water reactors 
for currently deployed and near-term reactors and 
advanced reactors and for the development of small 
modular reactors; and 
‘‘(6) any crosscutting technology or trans-
formative concept aimed at establishing substantial 
and revolutionary enhancements in the performance 
of future nuclear energy systems that the Secretary 
considers relevant and appropriate to the purpose of 
this section.
159 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit, as part 
of the annual budget submission of the Department, a re-
port on the activities of the program conducted under this 
section, which shall include a brief evaluation of each ac-
tivity’s progress.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by 
adding at the end of the items for subtitle E of title IX 
the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 958. Nuclear energy enabling technologies.’’. 
SEC. 627. TECHNICAL STANDARDS COLLABORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology shall establish a nu-
clear energy standards committee (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘technical standards committee’’) to facilitate 
and support, consistent with the National Technology 
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, the development 
or revision of technical standards for new and existing nu-
clear power plants and advanced nuclear technologies. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The technical standards 
committee shall include representatives from appro-
priate Federal agencies and the private sector, and 
be open to materially affected organizations involved 
in the development or application of nuclear energy- 
related standards.
160 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—The technical standards com-
mittee shall be co-chaired by a representative from 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
and a representative from a private sector standards 
organization. 
(c) DUTIES.—The technical standards committee 
shall, in cooperation with appropriate Federal agencies— 
(1) perform a needs assessment to identify and 
evaluate the technical standards that are needed to 
support nuclear energy, including those needed to 
support new and existing nuclear power plants and 
advanced nuclear technologies, including developing 
the technical basis for regulatory frameworks for ad-
vanced reactors; 
(2) formulate, coordinate, and recommend pri-
orities for the development of new technical stand-
ards and the revision of existing technical standards 
to address the needs identified under paragraph (1); 
(3) facilitate and support collaboration and co-
operation among standards developers to address the 
needs and priorities identified under paragraphs (1) 
and (2); 
(4) as appropriate, coordinate with other na-
tional, regional, or international efforts on nuclear 
energy-related technical standards in order to avoid
161 
conflict and duplication and to ensure global com-
patibility; and 
(5) promote the establishment and maintenance 
of a database of nuclear energy-related technical 
standards. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To the 
extent provided for in advance by appropriations Acts, the 
Secretary may transfer to the Director of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology not to exceed 
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 for the Secretary of Com-
merce to carry out this section from amounts appropriated 
for nuclear energy research and development within the 
Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies account for the 
Department. 
SEC. 628. AVAILABLE FACILITIES DATABASE. 
The Secretary shall prepare a database of non-Fed-
eral user facilities receiving Federal funds that may be 
used for unclassified nuclear energy research.
The Sec-
retary shall make this database accessible on the Depart-
ment’s website.
162 
Subtitle D—Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable 
Energy 
Research 
and Development 
SEC. 641. ENERGY EFFICIENCY. 
Section 911 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16191) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 911. ENERGY EFFICIENCY. 
‘‘(a) OBJECTIVES.—The Secretary shall conduct pro-
grams of energy efficiency research, development, dem-
onstration, and commercial application, including activi-
ties described in this subtitle. Such programs shall 
prioritize activities that industry by itself is not likely to 
undertake because of technical challenges or regulatory 
uncertainty, and take into consideration the following ob-
jectives: 
‘‘(1) Increasing energy efficiency. 
‘‘(2) Reducing the cost of energy. 
‘‘(3) Reducing the environmental impact of en-
ergy-related activities. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAMS.—Programs under this subtitle shall 
include research, development, demonstration, and com-
mercial application of— 
‘‘(1) innovative, affordable technologies to im-
prove the energy efficiency and environmental per-
formance of vehicles, including weight and drag re-
163 
duction technologies, technologies, modeling, and 
simulation for increasing vehicle connectivity and au-
tomation, and whole-vehicle design optimization; 
‘‘(2) cost-effective technologies, for new con-
struction and retrofit, to improve the energy effi-
ciency and environmental performance of buildings, 
using a whole-buildings approach; 
‘‘(3) advanced technologies to improve the en-
ergy efficiency, environmental performance, and 
process efficiency of energy-intensive and waste-in-
tensive industries; 
‘‘(4) technologies to improve the energy effi-
ciency of appliances and mechanical systems for 
buildings in extreme climates, including cogenera-
tion, trigeneration, and polygeneration units; 
‘‘(5) advanced battery technologies; and 
‘‘(6) fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.’’. 
SEC. 642. NEXT GENERATION LIGHTING INITIATIVE. 
Section 912 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16192) and the item relating thereto in the table 
of contents of that Act are repealed. 
SEC. 643. BUILDING STANDARDS. 
Section 914 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16194) is amended by striking subsection (c).
164 
SEC. 644. SECONDARY ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY USE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 915 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16195) and the item relating thereto in the table 
of contents of that Act are repealed. 
SEC. 645. NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION 
PROGRAM. 
To the extent provided for in advance by appropria-
tions Acts, the Secretary may transfer to the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology up to $150,000,000 
for the period encompassing fiscal years 2015 through 
2017 from amounts appropriated for advanced manufac-
turing research and development under this subtitle (and 
the amendments made by this subtitle) for the Secretary 
of Commerce to carry out the Network for Manufacturing 
Innovation Program authorized under section 34 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
U.S.C. 278s). 
SEC. 646. ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
CENTERS. 
Section 917 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16197) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (2)(B);
165 
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of para-
graph (3) and inserting a period; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (4); 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1); 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(2) 
through (5) as paragraphs (1) through (4), re-
spectively; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (6); 
(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(g) PROHIBITION.—None of the funds awarded 
under this section may be used for the construction of fa-
cilities or the deployment of commercially available tech-
nologies.’’; and 
(4) by striking subsection (i). 
SEC. 647. RENEWABLE ENERGY. 
Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16231) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 931. RENEWABLE ENERGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) OBJECTIVES.—The Secretary shall con-
duct programs of renewable energy research, devel-
opment, demonstration, and commercial application, 
including activities described in this subtitle. Such
166 
programs shall prioritize discovery research and de-
velopment and take into consideration the following 
objectives: 
‘‘(A) Increasing the conversion efficiency of 
all forms of renewable energy through improved 
technologies. 
‘‘(B) Decreasing the cost of renewable en-
ergy generation and delivery. 
‘‘(C) Promoting the diversity of the energy 
supply. 
‘‘(D) Decreasing the dependence of the 
United States on foreign mineral resources. 
‘‘(E) Decreasing the environmental impact 
of renewable energy-related activities. 
‘‘(F) Increasing the export of renewable 
generation technologies from the United States. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(A) SOLAR ENERGY.—The Secretary shall 
conduct a program of research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application for 
solar energy, including innovations in— 
‘‘(i) photovoltaics; 
‘‘(ii) solar heating; 
‘‘(iii) concentrating solar power;
167 
‘‘(iv) lighting systems that integrate 
sunlight and electrical lighting in com-
plement to each other; and 
‘‘(v) development of technologies that 
can be easily integrated into new and exist-
ing buildings. 
‘‘(B) WIND ENERGY.—The Secretary shall 
conduct a program of research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application for 
wind energy, including innovations in— 
‘‘(i) low speed wind energy; 
‘‘(ii) testing and verification tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(iii) distributed wind energy genera-
tion; and 
‘‘(iv) transformational technologies for 
harnessing wind energy. 
‘‘(C) GEOTHERMAL.—The Secretary shall 
conduct a program of research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application for 
geothermal energy, including technologies for— 
‘‘(i) improving detection of geothermal 
resources; 
‘‘(ii) decreasing drilling costs;
168 
‘‘(iii) decreasing maintenance costs 
through improved materials; 
‘‘(iv) increasing the potential for other 
revenue sources, such as mineral produc-
tion; and 
‘‘(v) increasing the understanding of 
reservoir life cycle and management. 
‘‘(D) HYDROPOWER.—The Secretary shall 
conduct a program of research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application for 
technologies that enable the development of new 
and incremental hydropower capacity, including: 
‘‘(i) Advanced technologies to enhance 
environmental 
performance 
and 
yield 
greater energy efficiencies. 
‘‘(ii) Ocean energy, including wave en-
ergy. 
‘‘(E) MISCELLANEOUS
PROJECTS.—The 
Secretary shall conduct research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application pro-
grams for— 
‘‘(i) the combined use of renewable 
energy technologies with one another and 
with other energy technologies, including
169 
the combined use of renewable power and 
fossil technologies; 
‘‘(ii) renewable energy technologies for 
cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity; 
and 
‘‘(iii) kinetic hydro turbines. 
‘‘(b) RURAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—In car-
rying out this section, the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Agriculture, shall give priority to dem-
onstrations that assist in delivering electricity to rural and 
remote locations including— 
‘‘(1) advanced renewable power technology, in-
cluding combined use with fossil technologies; 
‘‘(2) biomass; and 
‘‘(3) geothermal energy systems. 
‘‘(c) ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
duct analysis and evaluation in support of the re-
newable energy programs under this subtitle. These 
activities shall be used to guide budget and program 
decisions, and shall include— 
‘‘(A) economic and technical analysis of re-
newable energy potential, including resource as-
sessment;
170 
‘‘(B) analysis of past program perform-
ance, both in terms of technical advances and 
in market introduction of renewable energy; 
‘‘(C) assessment of domestic and inter-
national market drivers, including the impacts 
of any Federal, State, or local grants, loans, 
loan guarantees, tax incentives, statutory or 
regulatory requirements, or other government 
initiatives; and 
‘‘(D) any other analysis or evaluation that 
the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(2) FUNDING.—The Secretary may designate 
up to 1 percent of the funds appropriated for car-
rying out this subtitle for analysis and evaluation ac-
tivities under this subsection. 
‘‘(3) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—This analysis 
and evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate at least 30 days be-
fore each annual budget request is submitted to 
Congress.’’. 
SEC. 648. BIOENERGY PROGRAM. 
Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16232) is amended to read as follows:
171 
‘‘SEC. 932. BIOENERGY PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall conduct a pro-
gram of research, development, demonstration, and com-
mercial application for bioenergy, including innovations 
in— 
‘‘(1) biopower energy systems; 
‘‘(2) biofuels; 
‘‘(3) bioproducts; 
‘‘(4) integrated biorefineries that may produce 
biopower, biofuels, and bioproducts; and 
‘‘(5) crosscutting research and development in 
feedstocks. 
‘‘(b) BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS.—The goals of 
the biofuels and bioproducts programs shall be to develop, 
in partnership with industry and institutions of higher 
education— 
‘‘(1) advanced biochemical and thermochemical 
conversion technologies capable of making fuels from 
lignocellulosic feedstocks that are price-competitive 
with fossil-based fuels and fully compatible with ei-
ther internal combustion engines or fuel cell-powered 
vehicles; 
‘‘(2) advanced conversion of biomass to biofuels 
and bioproducts as part of integrated biorefineries 
based 
on 
either 
biochemical 
processes,
172 
thermochemical processes, or hybrids of these proc-
esses; and 
‘‘(3) other advanced processes that will enable 
the development of cost-effective bioproducts, includ-
ing biofuels. 
‘‘(c) RETROFIT TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE DEVELOP-
MENT OF ETHANOL FROM CELLULOSIC MATERIALS.— 
The Secretary shall establish a program of research, devel-
opment, demonstration, and commercial application for 
technologies and processes to enable biorefineries that ex-
clusively use corn grain or corn starch as a feedstock to 
produce ethanol to be retrofitted to accept a range of bio-
mass, including lignocellulosic feedstocks. 
‘‘(d) LIMITATIONS.—None of the funds authorized 
for carrying out this section may be used to fund commer-
cial biofuels production for defense purposes. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BIOMASS.—The term ‘biomass’ means— 
‘‘(A) any organic material grown for the 
purpose of being converted to energy; 
‘‘(B) any organic byproduct of agriculture 
(including wastes from food production and 
processing) that can be converted into energy; 
or
173 
‘‘(C) any waste material that can be con-
verted to energy, is segregated from other waste 
materials, and is derived from— 
‘‘(i) any of the following forest-related 
resources: mill residues, precommercial 
thinnings, slash, brush, or otherwise non-
merchantable material; 
‘‘(ii) wood waste materials, including 
waste pallets, crates, dunnage, manufac-
turing and construction wood wastes (other 
than pressure-treated, chemically treated, 
or painted wood wastes), and landscape or 
right-of-way tree trimmings, but not in-
cluding municipal solid waste, gas derived 
from the biodegradation of municipal solid 
waste, or paper that is commonly recycled; 
or 
‘‘(iii) solids derived from waste water 
treatment processes. 
‘‘(2) 
LIGNOCELLULOSIC
FEEDSTOCK.—The 
term ‘lignocellulosic feedstock’ means any portion of 
a plant or coproduct from conversion, including 
crops, trees, forest residues, grasses, and agricul-
tural residues not specifically grown for food, includ-
ing from barley grain, grapeseed, rice bran, rice
174 
hulls, rice straw, soybean matter, cornstover, and 
sugarcane bagasse.’’. 
SEC. 649. CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 934 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16234) and the item relating thereto in the table 
of contents of that Act are repealed. 
SEC. 650. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
Section 935 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16235) and the item relating thereto in the table 
of contents of that Act are repealed. 
Subtitle E—Fossil Energy Research 
and Development 
SEC. 661. FOSSIL ENERGY. 
Section 961 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 961. FOSSIL ENERGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out re-
search, development, demonstration, and commercial ap-
plication programs in fossil energy, including activities 
under this subtitle, with the goal of improving the effi-
ciency, effectiveness, and environmental performance of 
fossil energy production, upgrading, conversion, and con-
sumption. Such programs shall take into consideration the 
following objectives:
175 
‘‘(1) Increasing the energy conversion efficiency 
of all forms of fossil energy through improved tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(2) Decreasing the cost of all fossil energy 
production, generation, and delivery. 
‘‘(3) Promoting diversity of energy supply. 
‘‘(4) Decreasing the dependence of the United 
States on foreign energy supplies. 
‘‘(5) Decreasing the environmental impact of 
energy-related activities. 
‘‘(6) Increasing the export of fossil energy-re-
lated equipment, technology, and services from the 
United States. 
‘‘(b) OBJECTIVES.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, the Secretary shall seek to— 
‘‘(1) leverage existing programs; 
‘‘(2) 
consolidate 
and 
coordinate 
activities 
throughout the Department to promote collaboration 
and crosscutting approaches; 
‘‘(3) ensure activities are undertaken in a man-
ner that does not duplicate other activities within 
the Department or other Federal Government activi-
ties; and 
‘‘(4) identify programs that may be more effec-
tively left to the States, industry, nongovernmental
176 
organizations, institutions of higher education, or 
other stakeholders. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) USES.—None of the funds authorized for 
carrying out this section may be used for Fossil En-
ergy Environmental Restoration. 
‘‘(2) INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
Not less than 20 percent of the funds appropriated 
for carrying out section 964 of this Act for each fis-
cal year shall be dedicated to research and develop-
ment carried out at institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(3) USE FOR REGULATORY ASSESSMENTS OR 
DETERMINATIONS.—The results of any research, de-
velopment, demonstration, or commercial application 
projects or activities of the Department authorized 
under this subtitle may not be used for regulatory 
assessments or determinations by Federal regulatory 
authorities. 
‘‘(d) ASSESSMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) CONSTRAINTS
AGAINST
BRINGING
RE-
SOURCES TO MARKET.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Secretary shall 
transmit to Congress an assessment of the technical,
177 
institutional, policy, and regulatory constraints to 
bringing new domestic fossil resources to market. 
‘‘(2) TECHNOLOGY
CAPABILITIES.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, 
the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a long-term 
assessment of existing and projected technological 
capabilities for expanded production from domestic 
unconventional oil, gas, and methane reserves.’’. 
SEC. 662. COAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRA-
TION, AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 962 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16292) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(12) specific additional programs to address 
water use and reuse; 
‘‘(13) the testing, including the construction of 
testing facilities, of high temperature materials for
178 
use in advanced systems for combustion or use of 
coal; and 
‘‘(14) innovations to application of existing coal 
conversion systems designed to increase efficiency of 
conversion, flexibility of operation, and other modi-
fications to address existing usage requirements.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) 
as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) TRANSFORMATIONAL COAL TECHNOLOGY PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As part of the program es-
tablished under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
carry out a program designed to undertake research, 
development, demonstration, and commercial appli-
cation of technologies, including the accelerated de-
velopment of— 
‘‘(A) chemical looping technology; 
‘‘(B) supercritical carbon dioxide power 
generation cycles; 
‘‘(C) pressurized oxycombustion, including 
new and retrofit technologies; and 
‘‘(D) other technologies that are character-
ized by the use of—
179 
‘‘(i) alternative energy cycles; 
‘‘(ii) thermionic devices using waste 
heat; 
‘‘(iii) fuel cells; 
‘‘(iv) replacement of chemical proc-
esses with biotechnology; 
‘‘(v) nanotechnology; 
‘‘(vi) new materials in applications 
(other than extending cycles to higher tem-
perature and pressure), such as mem-
branes or ceramics; 
‘‘(vii) carbon utilization, such as in 
construction materials, using low quality 
energy to reconvert back to a fuel, or man-
ufactured food; 
‘‘(viii) advanced gas separation con-
cepts; and 
‘‘(ix) other technologies, including— 
‘‘(I) modular, manufactured com-
ponents; and 
‘‘(II) innovative production or re-
search techniques, such as using 3–D 
printer systems, for the production of 
early research and development proto-
types.
180 
‘‘(2) COST SHARE.—In carrying out the pro-
gram described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
enter into partnerships with private entities to share 
the costs of carrying out the program. The Secretary 
may reduce the non-Federal cost share requirement 
if the Secretary determines that the reduction is nec-
essary and appropriate considering the technological 
risks involved in the project.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated) by 
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out programs 
authorized by this section, the Secretary shall iden-
tify cost and performance goals for coal-based tech-
nologies that would permit the continued cost-com-
petitive use of coal for the production of electricity, 
chemical feedstocks, transportation fuels, and other 
marketable products.’’. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AUTHORIZATION OF AP-
PROPRIATIONS.—Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293) is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (6) of subsection 
(c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(6) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Secretary shall establish an advi-
181 
sory committee to undertake, not less fre-
quently than once every 3 years, a review and 
prepare a report on the progress being made by 
the Department of Energy to achieve the goals 
described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 
962 and subsection (b) of this section. 
‘‘(B) 
MEMBERSHIP
REQUIREMENTS.— 
Members of the advisory committee established 
under subparagraph (A) shall be appointed by 
the Secretary, except that three members shall 
be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and two members shall be ap-
pointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate. 
The total number of members of the advisory 
committee shall be 15.’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(d) STUDY OF CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Amer-
ica COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Sec-
retary shall transmit to Congress the results of a study 
to assess the cost and feasibility of engineering, permit-
ting, building, maintaining, regulating, and insuring a na-
tional system of carbon dioxide pipelines.’’.
182 
SEC. 663. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, through the Office 
of Fossil Energy, shall carry out a multiyear, multiphase 
program of research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application to innovate technologies to maxi-
mize the efficiency of gas turbines used in power genera-
tion systems. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The program under this 
section shall— 
(1) support innovative engineering and detailed 
gas turbine design for megawatt-scale and utility- 
scale electric power generation, including— 
(A) high temperature materials, including 
superalloys, coatings, and ceramics; 
(B) improved heat transfer capability; 
(C) manufacturing technology required to 
construct complex three-dimensional geometry 
parts with improved aerodynamic capability; 
(D) combustion technology to produce 
higher firing temperature while lowering nitro-
gen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions per 
unit of output; 
(E) advanced controls and systems integra-
tion;
183 
(F) advanced high performance compressor 
technology; and 
(G) validation facilities for the testing of 
components and subsystems; 
(2) include technology demonstration through 
component testing, subscale testing, and full scale 
testing in existing fleets; 
(3) include field demonstrations of the devel-
oped technology elements so as to demonstrate tech-
nical and economic feasibility; and 
(4) assess overall combined cycle and simple 
cycle system performance. 
(c) PROGRAM GOALS.—The goals of the multiphase 
program established under subsection (a) shall be— 
(1) in phase I— 
(A) to develop the conceptual design of ad-
vanced high efficiency gas turbines that can 
achieve at least 62 percent combined cycle effi-
ciency or 47 percent simple cycle efficiency on 
a lower heating value basis; and 
(B) to develop and demonstrate the tech-
nology required for advanced high efficiency gas 
turbines that can achieve at least 62 percent 
combined cycle efficiency or 47 percent simple
184 
cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis; 
and 
(2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual de-
sign for advanced high efficiency gas turbines that 
can achieve at least 65 percent combined cycle effi-
ciency or 50 percent simple cycle efficiency on a 
lower heating value basis. 
(d) PROPOSALS.—Within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit grant and 
contract proposals from industry, small businesses, univer-
sities, and other appropriate parties for conducting activi-
ties under this section. In selecting proposals, the Sec-
retary shall emphasize— 
(1) the extent to which the proposal will stimu-
late the creation or increased retention of jobs in the 
United States; and 
(2) the extent to which the proposal will pro-
mote and enhance United States technology leader-
ship. 
(e) COMPETITIVE AWARDS.—The provision of fund-
ing under this section shall be on a competitive basis with 
an emphasis on technical merit. 
(f) COST SHARING.—Section 988 of the Energy Pol-
icy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to an award 
of financial assistance made under this section.
185 
Subtitle F—Advanced Research 
Projects Agency–Energy 
SEC. 671. ARPA–E AMENDMENTS. 
Section 5012 of the America COMPETES Act (42 
U.S.C. 16538) is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection 
(c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The goals of ARPA–E 
shall be to enhance the economic and energy security 
of the United States and to ensure that the United 
States maintains a technological lead through the 
development of advanced energy technologies.’’; 
(2) in subsection (i)(1), by inserting ‘‘ARPA–E 
shall not provide funding for a project unless the 
prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts 
to secure private financing or indicates that the 
project is not independently commercially viable.’’ 
after ‘‘relevant research agencies.’’; 
(3) in subsection (l)(1), by inserting ‘‘and once 
every 6 years thereafter,’’ after ‘‘operation for 6 
years,’’; and 
(4) by redesignating subsection (n) as sub-
section (o) and inserting after subsection (m) the 
following new subsection:
186 
‘‘(n) PROTECTION
OF
PROPRIETARY
INFORMA-
TION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The following categories of 
information collected by the Advanced Research 
Projects Agency–Energy from recipients of financial 
assistance awards shall be considered privileged and 
confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant 
to section 552 of title 5, United States Code: 
‘‘(A) Plans for commercialization of tech-
nologies developed under the award, including 
business plans, technology to market plans, 
market studies, and cost and performance mod-
els. 
‘‘(B) Investments provided to an awardee 
from third parties, such as venture capital, 
hedge fund, or private equity firms, including 
amounts and percentage of ownership of the 
awardee provided in return for such invest-
ments. 
‘‘(C) Additional financial support that the 
awardee plans to invest or has invested into the 
technology developed under the award, or that 
the awardee is seeking from third parties.
187 
‘‘(D) Revenue from the licensing or sale of 
new products or services resulting from the re-
search conducted under the award. 
‘‘(2) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION.—Nothing in this 
subsection affects— 
‘‘(A) the authority of the Secretary to use 
information without publicly disclosing such in-
formation; or 
‘‘(B) the responsibility of the Secretary to 
transmit information to Congress as required 
by law.’’. 
Subtitle G—Authorization of 
Appropriations 
SEC. 681. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) ELECTRICITY DELIVERY
AND ENERGY RELI-
ABILITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for research, 
development, demonstration, and commercial application 
for electrical delivery and energy reliability technology ac-
tivities within the Office of Electricity $113,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
(b) NUCLEAR ENERGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary for research, develop-
ment, demonstration, and commercial application for
188 
nuclear energy technology activities within the Office 
of Nuclear Energy $504,600,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Any amounts made available 
pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
under paragraph (1) shall not be derived from the 
Nuclear Waste Fund established under section 
302(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 
U.S.C. 10222(c)). 
(c) ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AND RENEWABLE EN-
ERGY.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary for research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application for energy efficiency and renewable 
energy technology activities within the Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy $1,193,500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
(d) FOSSIL ENERGY.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary for research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application for fossil en-
ergy technology activities within the Office of Fossil En-
ergy $605,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
(e) ARPA–E.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary for the Advanced Research 
Projects Agency–Energy $140,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 and 2017.
189 
Subtitle H—Definitions 
SEC. 691. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title— 
(1) the term ‘‘Department’’ means the Depart-
ment of Energy; and 
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Energy. 
TITLE VII—DEPARTMENT OF EN-
ERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANS-
FER 
Subtitle A—In General 
SEC. 701. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of Energy. 
(2) NATIONAL LABORATORY.—The term ‘‘Na-
tional Laboratory’’ means a Department of Energy 
nonmilitary national laboratory, including— 
(A) Ames Laboratory; 
(B) Argonne National Laboratory; 
(C) Brookhaven National Laboratory; 
(D) Fermi National Accelerator Labora-
tory; 
(E) Idaho National Laboratory;
190 
(F) Lawrence Berkeley National Labora-
tory; 
(G) National Energy Technology Labora-
tory; 
(H) National Renewable Energy Labora-
tory; 
(I) Oak Ridge National Laboratory; 
(J) Pacific Northwest National Labora-
tory; 
(K) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; 
(L) Savannah River National Laboratory; 
(M) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center; 
(N) Thomas Jefferson National Accel-
erator Facility; and 
(O) any laboratory operated by the Na-
tional Nuclear Security Administration, but 
only with respect to the civilian energy activities 
thereof. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Energy. 
SEC. 702. SAVINGS CLAUSE. 
Nothing in this title or an amendment made by this 
title abrogates or otherwise affects the primary respon-
sibilities of any National Laboratory to the Department.
191 
Subtitle 
B—Innovation 
Manage-
ment at Department of Energy 
SEC. 712. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRANSITIONS AS-
SESSMENT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report 
which shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the Department’s current 
ability to carry out the goals of section 1001 of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391), in-
cluding an assessment of the role and effectiveness 
of the Director of the Office of Technology Transi-
tions; and 
(2) recommended departmental policy changes 
and legislative changes to section 1001 of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16391) to im-
prove the Department’s ability to successfully trans-
fer new energy technologies to the private sector. 
SEC. 713. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of the Congress that the Secretary 
should encourage the National Laboratories and federally 
funded research and development centers to inform small
192 
businesses of the opportunities and resources that exist 
pursuant to this title. 
SEC. 714. NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Na-
tional Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other 
stakeholders, shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a report assessing the Department’s capabili-
ties to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion 
and non-light water reactor prototypes and related dem-
onstration facilities at Department-owned sites. For pur-
poses of this report, the Secretary shall consider the De-
partment’s capabilities to facilitate privately-funded proto-
types up to 20 megawatts thermal output. The report shall 
address the following: 
(1) The Department’s safety review and over-
sight capabilities. 
(2) Potential sites capable of hosting research, 
development, and demonstration of prototype reac-
tors and related facilities for the purpose of reducing 
technical risk.
193 
(3) The Department’s and National Labora-
tories’ existing physical and technical capabilities 
relevant to research, development, and oversight. 
(4) The efficacy of the Department’s available 
contractual mechanisms, including cooperative re-
search and development agreements, work for others 
agreements, and agreements for commercializing 
technology. 
(5) Potential cost structures related to physical 
security, decommissioning, liability, and other long- 
term project costs. 
(6) Other challenges or considerations identified 
by the Secretary, including issues related to poten-
tial cases of demonstration reactors up to 2 
gigawatts of thermal output. 
Subtitle C—Cross-Sector Partner-
ships and Grant Competitive-
ness 
SEC. 721. AGREEMENTS FOR COMMERCIALIZING TECH-
NOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot pro-
gram of the Department, as announced by the Secretary 
on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this section.
194 
(b) TERMS.—Each agreement entered into pursuant 
to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall 
provide to the contractor of the applicable National Lab-
oratory, to the maximum extent determined to be appro-
priate by the Secretary, increased authority to negotiate 
contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, pay-
ment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty 
collaborations. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any director of a National 
Laboratory may enter into an agreement pursuant 
to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a). 
(2) AGREEMENTS
WITH
NON-FEDERAL
ENTI-
TIES.—To carry out paragraph (1) and subject to 
paragraph (3), the Secretary shall permit the direc-
tors of the National Laboratories to execute agree-
ments with a non-Federal entity, including a non- 
Federal entity already receiving Federal funding 
that will be used to support activities under agree-
ments executed pursuant to paragraph (1), provided 
that such funding is solely used to carry out the 
purposes of the Federal award. 
(3) RESTRICTION.—The requirements of chap-
ter 18 of title 35, United States Code (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Bayh-Dole Act’’) shall apply if—
195 
(A) the agreement is a funding agreement 
(as that term is defined in section 201 of that 
title); and 
(B) at least one of the parties to the fund-
ing agreement is eligible to receive rights under 
that chapter. 
(d) SUBMISSION TO SECRETARY.—Each affected di-
rector of a National Laboratory shall submit to the Sec-
retary, with respect to each agreement entered into under 
this section— 
(1) a summary of information relating to the 
relevant project; 
(2) the total estimated costs of the project; 
(3) estimated commencement and completion 
dates of the project; and 
(4) other documentation determined to be ap-
propriate by the Secretary. 
(e) CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall require the 
contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify 
that each activity carried out under a project for which 
an agreement is entered into under this section— 
(1) is not in direct competition with the private 
sector; and 
(2) does not present, or minimizes, any appar-
ent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any
196 
actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agree-
ment under this section. 
(f) EXTENSION.—The pilot program referred to in 
subsection (a) shall be extended until October 31, 2017. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) OVERALL ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 60 
days after the date described in subsection (f), the 
Secretary, in coordination with directors of the Na-
tional Laboratories, shall submit to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that— 
(A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the 
pilot program referred to in subsection (a); 
(B) identifies opportunities to improve the 
effectiveness of the pilot program; 
(C) assesses the potential for program ac-
tivities to interfere with the responsibilities of 
the National Laboratories to the Department; 
and 
(D) provides a recommendation regarding 
the future of the pilot program. 
(2) TRANSPARENCY.—The Secretary, in coordi-
nation with directors of the National Laboratories, 
shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space,
197 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate an annual report that accounts for all 
incidences of, and provides a justification for, non- 
Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal 
contract or award to carry out agreements pursuant 
to this section. 
SEC. 722. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR COMMER-
CIALIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsections (b) and (c), 
the Secretary shall delegate to directors of the National 
Laboratories signature authority with respect to any 
agreement described in subsection (b) the total cost of 
which (including the National Laboratory contributions 
and project recipient cost share) is less than $1 million. 
(b) AGREEMENTS.—Subsection (a) applies to— 
(1) a cooperative research and development 
agreement; 
(2) a non-Federal work-for-others agreement; 
and 
(3) any other agreement determined to be ap-
propriate by the Secretary, in collaboration with the 
directors of the National Laboratories. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—
198 
(1) ACCOUNTABILITY.—The director of the af-
fected National Laboratory and the affected con-
tractor shall carry out an agreement under this sec-
tion in accordance with applicable policies of the De-
partment, including by ensuring that the agreement 
does not compromise any national security, eco-
nomic, or environmental interest of the United 
States. 
(2) CERTIFICATION.—The director of the af-
fected National Laboratory and the affected con-
tractor shall certify that each activity carried out 
under a project for which an agreement is entered 
into under this section does not present, or mini-
mizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids 
or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a re-
sult of the agreement under this section. 
(3) AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.—On entering 
an agreement under this section, the director of a 
National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary 
for monitoring and review all records of the National 
Laboratory relating to the agreement. 
(4) RATES.—The director of a National Lab-
oratory may charge higher rates for services per-
formed under a partnership agreement entered into 
pursuant to this section, regardless of the full cost
199 
of recovery, if such funds are used exclusively to 
support further research and development activities 
at the respective National Laboratory. 
(d) EXCEPTION.—This section does not apply to any 
agreement with a majority foreign-owned company. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 12 of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3710a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, 
and indenting the subparagraphs appropriately; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Each Federal agency’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), each Federal agency’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding paragraph 
(1), in accordance with section 722(a) of the Amer-
ica COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015, ap-
proval by the Secretary of Energy shall not be re-
quired for any technology transfer agreement pro-
posed to be entered into by a National Laboratory 
of the Department of Energy, the total cost of which 
(including the National Laboratory contributions
200 
and project recipient cost share) is less than $1 mil-
lion.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)(1)’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (a)(1)(A)’’. 
SEC. 723. INCLUSION OF EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY DEM-
ONSTRATION IN AUTHORIZED TECHNOLOGY 
TRANSFER ACTIVITIES. 
Section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16391) is amended by— 
(1) redesignating subsection (g) as subsection 
(h); and 
(2) inserting after subsection (f) the following: 
‘‘(g) 
EARLY-STAGE
TECHNOLOGY
DEMONSTRA-
TION.—The Secretary shall permit the directors of the Na-
tional Laboratories to use funds authorized to support 
technology transfer within the Department to carry out 
early-stage and pre-commercial technology demonstration 
activities to remove technology barriers that limit private 
sector interest and demonstrate potential commercial ap-
plications of any research and technologies arising from 
National Laboratory activities.’’.
201 
SEC. 724. FUNDING COMPETITIVENESS FOR INSTITUTIONS 
OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND OTHER NON-
PROFIT INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 988(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16352(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Except as 
provided in paragraphs (2) and (3)’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and 
(4)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) EXEMPTION FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH-
ER
EDUCATION
AND
OTHER
NONPROFIT
INSTITU-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) shall 
not apply to a research or development activity 
performed by an institution of higher education 
or nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 
of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703)). 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION
DATE.—The exemp-
tion under subparagraph (A) shall apply during 
the 6-year period beginning on the date of en-
actment of this paragraph.’’.
202 
SEC. 725. PARTICIPATION IN THE INNOVATION CORPS PRO-
GRAM. 
The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the 
Director of the National Science Foundation to enable re-
searchers funded by the Department to participate in the 
National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program. 
Subtitle D—Assessment of Impact 
SEC. 731. REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OF-
FICE. 
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report— 
(1) describing the results of the projects devel-
oped under sections 721, 722, and 723, including in-
formation regarding— 
(A) partnerships initiated as a result of 
those projects and the potential linkages pre-
sented by those partnerships with respect to na-
tional priorities and other taxpayer-funded re-
search; and 
(B) whether the activities carried out 
under those projects result in— 
(i) fiscal savings; 
(ii) expansion of National Laboratory 
capabilities;