IB 
Union Calendar No. 75 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1806 
[Report No. 114–107, Part I] 
To provide for technological innovation through the prioritization of Federal 
investment in basic research, fundamental scientific discovery, and devel-
opment to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 15, 2015 
Mr. SMITH of Texas (for himself, Mr. LUCAS, Mrs. COMSTOCK, Mr. WEBER 
of Texas, Mr. MOOLENAAR, Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. HULTGREN, Mr. KNIGHT, 
Mr. BABIN, and Mr. LOUDERMILK) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and 
in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Over-
sight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
MAY 8, 2015 
Additional sponsor: Mr. BRIDENSTINE 
MAY 8, 2015 
Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with an 
amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
MAY 8, 2015 
The Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Education and the 
Workforce discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 15, 2015] 
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A BILL 
To provide for technological innovation through the 
prioritization of Federal investment in basic research, 
fundamental scientific discovery, and development to im-
prove the competitiveness of the United States, and for 
other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 102. Findings. 
Sec. 103. Policy objectives. 
Sec. 104. Definitions. 
Sec. 105. Accountability and transparency. 
Sec. 106. Greater accountability in Federal funding for research. 
Sec. 107. Obligation of major research equipment and facilities construction 
funds. 
Sec. 108. Management and oversight of large facilities. 
Sec. 109. Whistleblower education. 
Sec. 110. Graduate student support. 
Sec. 111. Permissible support. 
Sec. 112. Expanding STEM opportunities. 
Sec. 113. Review of education programs. 
Sec. 114. Recompetition of awards. 
Sec. 115. Sense of the Congress regarding industry investment in STEM edu-
cation. 
Sec. 116. Misrepresentation of research results. 
Sec. 117. Research reproducibility and replication. 
Sec. 118. Research grant conditions. 
Sec. 119. Computing resources study. 
Sec. 120. Scientific breakthrough prizes. 
Sec. 121. Rotating personnel. 
Sec. 122. Sense of Congress regarding Innovation Corps. 
Sec. 123. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initia-
tive. 
Sec. 124. Noyce scholarship program amendments. 
Sec. 125. Informal STEM education. 
Sec. 126. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. 
TITLE II—SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND 
MATHEMATICS 
Sec. 201. Findings; sense of Congress. 
Sec. 202. STEM Education Advisory Panel. 
Sec. 203. Committee on STEM Education. 
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Sec. 204. STEM Education Coordinating Office. 
TITLE III—OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY 
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 302. Regulatory efficiency. 
Sec. 303. Coordination of international science and technology partnerships. 
Sec. 304. Alternative research funding models. 
Sec. 305. Amendments to prize competitions. 
Sec. 306. United States Chief Technology Officer. 
Sec. 307. National Research Council study on technology for emergency notifica-
tions on university campuses. 
TITLE IV—NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 402. Standards and conformity assessment. 
Sec. 403. Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology. 
Sec. 404. Police and security authority. 
Sec. 405. Education and outreach. 
Sec. 406. Programmatic planning report. 
Sec. 407. Assessments by the National Research Council. 
Sec. 408. Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 
Sec. 409. Elimination of obsolete reports. 
Sec. 410. Modifications to grants and cooperative agreements. 
Sec. 411. Information systems standards consultation. 
Sec. 412. United States-Israeli cooperation. 
TITLE V—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCIENCE 
Sec. 501. Mission. 
Sec. 502. Basic energy sciences. 
Sec. 503. Advanced scientific computing research. 
Sec. 504. High energy physics. 
Sec. 505. Biological and environmental research. 
Sec. 506. Fusion energy. 
Sec. 507. Nuclear physics. 
Sec. 508. Science laboratories infrastructure program. 
Sec. 509. Domestic manufacturing. 
Sec. 510. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 511. Definitions. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY APPLIED RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
Subtitle A—Crosscutting Research and Development 
Sec. 601. Crosscutting research and development. 
Sec. 602. Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan. 
Sec. 603. Strategy for facilities and infrastructure. 
Subtitle B—Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Research and 
Development 
Sec. 611. Distributed energy and electric energy systems. 
Sec. 612. Electric transmission and distribution research and development. 
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Subtitle C—Nuclear Energy Research and Development 
Sec. 621. Objectives. 
Sec. 622. Program objectives study. 
Sec. 623. Nuclear energy research and development programs. 
Sec. 624. Small modular reactor program. 
Sec. 625. Fuel cycle research and development. 
Sec. 626. Nuclear energy enabling technologies program. 
Sec. 627. Technical standards collaboration. 
Sec. 628. Available facilities database. 
Sec. 629. Nuclear waste disposal. 
Subtitle D—Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research and 
Development 
Sec. 641. Energy efficiency. 
Sec. 642. Next Generation Lighting Initiative. 
Sec. 643. Building standards. 
Sec. 644. Secondary electric vehicle battery use program. 
Sec. 645. Network for Manufacturing Innovation Program. 
Sec. 646. Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers. 
Sec. 647. Renewable energy. 
Sec. 648. Bioenergy program. 
Sec. 649. Concentrating solar power research program. 
Sec. 650. Renewable energy in public buildings. 
Subtitle E—Fossil Energy Research and Development 
Sec. 661. Fossil energy. 
Sec. 662. Coal research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 
programs. 
Sec. 663. High efficiency gas turbines research and development. 
Subtitle F—Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy 
Sec. 671. ARPA–E amendments. 
Subtitle G—Authorization of Appropriations 
Sec. 681. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle H—Definitions 
Sec. 691. Definitions. 
TITLE VII—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
Subtitle A—In General 
Sec. 701. Definitions. 
Sec. 702. Savings clause. 
Subtitle B—Innovation Management at Department of Energy 
Sec. 711. Under Secretary for Science and Energy. 
Sec. 712. Technology transfer and transitions assessment. 
Sec. 713. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 714. Nuclear energy innovation. 
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Subtitle C—Cross-Sector Partnerships and Grant Competitiveness 
Sec. 721. Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program. 
Sec. 722. Public-private partnerships for commercialization. 
Sec. 723. Inclusion of early-stage technology demonstration in authorized tech-
nology transfer activities. 
Sec. 724. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education and other 
nonprofit institutions. 
Sec. 725. Participation in the Innovation Corps program. 
Subtitle D—Assessment of Impact 
Sec. 731. Report by Government Accountability Office. 
TITLE VIII—SENSE OF CONGRESS 
Sec. 801. Sense of Congress. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘STEM’’ means the subjects of 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; 
(2) the term ‘‘STEM education’’ means edu-
cation in the subjects of STEM, including computer 
science; and 
(3) the term ‘‘Committee on STEM Education’’ 
means the Committee on Science, Technology, Engi-
neering, and Mathematics Education established 
under section 101 of the America COMPETES Reau-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621). 
TITLE I—NATIONAL SCIENCE 
FOUNDATION 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2016.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Foundation $7,597,140,000 for fis-
cal year 2016. 
(2) SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount au-
thorized by paragraph (1)— 
(A) $6,186,300,000 shall be made available 
to carry out research and related activities, in-
cluding— 
(i) $834,800,000 for the Biological 
Science Directorate; 
(ii) $1,050,000,000 for the Computer 
and Information Science and Engineering 
Directorate; 
(iii) $1,034,000,000 for the Engineer-
ing Directorate; 
(iv) $1,200,000,000 for the Geosciences 
Directorate; 
(v) $1,500,000,000 for the Mathe-
matical and Physical Science Directorate; 
(vi) $150,000,000 for the Social, Be-
havioral, and Economics Directorate, of 
which $50,000,000 shall be for the National 
Center for Science and Engineering Statis-
tics; 
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(vii) $38,520,000 for the Office of 
International Science and Engineering; 
(viii) $377,500,000 for Integrative Ac-
tivities; and 
(ix) $1,480,000 for the United States 
Arctic Commission; 
(B) $866,000,000 shall be made available 
for education and human resources; 
(C) $200,310,000 shall be made available 
for major research equipment and facilities con-
struction; 
(D) $325,000,000 shall be made available 
for agency operations and award management; 
(E) $4,370,000 shall be made available for 
the Office of the National Science Board; and 
(F) $15,160,000 shall be made available for 
the Office of Inspector General. 
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2017.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Foundation $7,597,140,000 for fis-
cal year 2017. 
(2) SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount au-
thorized by paragraph (1)— 
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(A) $6,186,300,000 shall be made available 
to carry out research and related activities, in-
cluding— 
(i) $834,800,000 for the Biological 
Science Directorate; 
(ii) $1,050,000,000 for the Computer 
and Information Science and Engineering 
Directorate; 
(iii) $1,034,000,000 for the Engineer-
ing Directorate; 
(iv) $1,200,000,000 for the Geosciences 
Directorate; 
(v) $1,500,000,000 for the Mathe-
matical and Physical Science Directorate; 
(vi) $150,000,000 for the Social, Be-
havioral, and Economics Directorate, of 
which $50,000,000 shall be for the National 
Center for Science and Engineering Statis-
tics; 
(vii) $38,520,000 for the Office of 
International Science and Engineering; 
(viii) $377,500,000 for Integrative Ac-
tivities; and 
(ix) $1,480,000 for the United States 
Arctic Commission; 
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(B) $866,000,000 shall be made available 
for education and human resources; 
(C) $200,310,000 shall be made available 
for major research equipment and facilities con-
struction; 
(D) $325,000,000 shall be made available 
for agency operations and award management; 
(E) $4,370,000 shall be made available for 
the Office of the National Science Board; and 
(F) $15,160,000 shall be made available for 
the Office of Inspector General. 
SEC. 102. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Taxpayer-supported research investments ad-
ministered by the Foundation should serve the na-
tional interest. 
(2) The Foundation has made major contribu-
tions for more than 60 years to strengthen and sus-
tain the Nation’s academic research enterprise. 
(3) The economic strength and national security 
of the United States, and the quality of life of all 
Americans, are grounded in the Nation’s scientific 
and technological capabilities. 
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(4) Providing support for basic research is an 
investment in our Nation’s future security and eco-
nomic prosperity. 
(5) Congress applauds the Foundation’s recogni-
tion that wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars is nec-
essary to maintain and ensure the public’s trust for 
funding of fundamental scientific and engineering re-
search. 
(6) Other nations are increasing their public in-
vestments in basic research in the physical sciences in 
order to boost long-term economic growth. 
(7) Longstanding United States leadership in 
supercomputing, genomics, nanoscience, photonics, 
quantum physics, and other key technological areas is 
jeopardized if United States investments in basic re-
search in the natural sciences do not keep pace. 
(8) Redundant regulations and reporting re-
quirements imposed by Federal agencies on research 
institutions and researchers increase costs by tens of 
millions of dollars annually. 
(9) The Foundation carries out important func-
tions by supporting basic research in all science and 
engineering disciplines and in supporting STEM edu-
cation at all levels. 
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(10) The research and education activities of the 
Foundation promote the discovery, integration, dis-
semination, and application of new knowledge in 
service to society and prepare future generations of 
scientists, mathematicians, and engineers who will be 
necessary to ensure America’s leadership in the global 
marketplace. 
(11) Many of the complex problems and chal-
lenges facing the Nation increasingly require the col-
laboration of multiple scientific disciplines. The 
Foundation should continue to emphasize cross-direc-
torate research collaboration and activities to address 
these issues and encourage interdisciplinary research. 
(12) The Foundation should meet the highest 
standards of efficiency, transparency, and account-
ability in its stewardship of public funds. 
(13) The Foundation is charged with the respon-
sibilities— 
(A) to develop and encourage the pursuit of 
a national policy for the promotion of basic re-
search and education in the sciences; 
(B) to initiate, support, and conduct basic 
scientific research and to appraise the impact of 
research on industrial development and the gen-
eral welfare; 
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(C) to initiate, support, and conduct sci-
entific research activities in connection with 
matters relating to the national defense, at the 
request of the Secretary of Defense; 
(D) to award scholarships and graduate fel-
lowships in the sciences; 
(E) to foster the interchange of scientific in-
formation among scientists and across scientific 
disciplines; 
(F) to evaluate scientific research programs 
undertaken by agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment, and to correlate the Foundation’s scientific 
research with that undertaken by individuals 
and by public and private research groups; 
(G) to communicate effectively to American 
citizens the relevance of public investments in 
scientific discovery and technological innovation 
to the Nation’s security, prosperity, and welfare; 
and 
(H) to establish such special commissions as 
the Board considers necessary. 
(14) The emerging global economic, scientific, 
and technical environment challenges long standing 
assumptions about domestic and international policy, 
requiring the Foundation to play a more proactive 
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role in sustaining the competitive advantage of the 
United States through superior research capabilities. 
SEC. 103. POLICY OBJECTIVES. 
In allocating resources made available under this title, 
the Foundation shall have the following policy objectives: 
(1) To renew and maintain the Nation’s inter-
national leadership in science and technology by— 
(A) increasing the national investment in 
basic scientific research and increasing inter-
disciplinary investment in strategic areas vital 
to the national interest; 
(B) balancing the Nation’s research port-
folio among the life sciences, mathematics, the 
physical sciences, computer and information 
science, geosciences, engineering, and social, be-
havioral, and economic sciences, all of which are 
important for the continued development of ena-
bling technologies necessary for sustained eco-
nomic competitiveness; 
(C) encouraging investments in potentially 
transformative scientific research to benefit our 
Nation and its citizens; 
(D) expanding the pool of scientists and en-
gineers in the United States, including among 
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segments of the population that have been his-
torically underrepresented in STEM fields; and 
(E) modernizing the Nation’s research in-
frastructure and establishing and maintaining 
cooperative international relationships with pre-
mier research institutions. 
(2) To increase overall workforce skills by— 
(A) improving the quality of STEM edu-
cation and tools provided both inside and outside 
of the classroom, including in kindergarten 
through grade 12; and 
(B) expanding STEM training opportuni-
ties at institutions of higher education. 
(3) To strengthen innovation by expanding the 
focus of competitiveness and innovation at the re-
gional and local level. 
SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the Na-
tional Science Board. 
(2) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means the 
Director of the Foundation. 
(3) 
FOUNDATION.—The 
term 
‘‘Foundation’’ 
means the National Science Foundation established 
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under section 2 of the National Science Foundation 
Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861). 
(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means one of the 
several States, the District of Columbia, the Common-
wealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, or any other territory or possession 
of the United States. 
(6) UNITED STATES.—The term ‘‘United States’’ 
means the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or 
possession of the United States. 
SEC. 105. ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) sustained, predictable Federal funding is es-
sential to United States leadership in science and 
technology; 
(2) building understanding of and confidence in 
investments in basic research are essential to public 
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support for sustained, predictable Federal funding; 
and 
(3) the Foundation should commit itself fully to 
transparency and accountability and to clear, con-
sistent public communication regarding the national 
interest for each Foundation-awarded grant and coop-
erative agreement. 
SEC. 106. GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN FEDERAL FUND-
ING FOR RESEARCH. 
(a) STANDARD FOR AWARD OF GRANTS.—The Founda-
tion shall award Federal funding for basic research and 
education in the sciences through a new research grant or 
cooperative agreement only if an affirmative determination 
is made by the Foundation under subsection (b) and written 
justification relating thereto is published under subsection 
(c). 
(b) DETERMINATION.—A determination referred to in 
subsection (a) is a justification by the responsible Founda-
tion official as to how the research grant or cooperative 
agreement promotes the progress of science in the United 
States, consistent with the Foundation mission as estab-
lished in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 
U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), and further— 
(1) is worthy of Federal funding; and 
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(2) is in the national interest, as indicated by 
having the potential to achieve— 
(A) increased economic competitiveness in 
the United States; 
(B) advancement of the health and welfare 
of the American public; 
(C) development of an American STEM 
workforce that is globally competitive; 
(D) increased public scientific literacy and 
public engagement with science and technology 
in the United States; 
(E) increased partnerships between aca-
demia and industry in the United States; 
(F) support for the national defense of the 
United States; or 
(G) promotion of the progress of science in 
the United States. 
(c) WRITTEN JUSTIFICATION.—Public announcement 
of each award of Federal funding described in subsection 
(a) shall include a written justification from the responsible 
Foundation official as to how a grant or cooperative agree-
ment meets the requirements of subsection (b). 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—A determination under sub-
section (b) shall be made after a research grant or coopera-
tive agreement proposal has satisfied the Foundation’s re-
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views for Merit and Broader Impacts. Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed as altering the Foundation’s intellec-
tual merit or broader impacts criteria for evaluating grant 
applications. 
SEC. 107. OBLIGATION OF MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT 
AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION FUNDS. 
No funds may be obligated for a fiscal year for a con-
struction project for the Foundation that has not com-
menced before the date of enactment of this Act until 30 
days after the report required with respect to each such fis-
cal year under section 14(a)(2) of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n– 
4(a)(2)) is transmitted to the Congress. 
SEC. 108. MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF LARGE FACILI-
TIES. 
(a) LARGE FACILITIES OFFICE.—The Director shall 
maintain a Large Facilities Office within the Office of the 
Director. The functions of the Large Facilities Office shall 
be to support the research directorates in the development, 
implementation, and assessment of major multi-user re-
search facilities, including by— 
(1) serving as the Foundation’s primary resource 
for all policy or process issues related to the develop-
ment and implementation of major multi-user re-
search facilities; 
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(2) serving as a Foundation-wide resource on 
project management, including providing expert as-
sistance on nonscientific and nontechnical aspects of 
project planning, budgeting, implementation, man-
agement, and oversight; 
(3) coordinating and collaborating with research 
directorates to share best management practices and 
lessons learned from prior projects; and 
(4) assessing projects during preconstruction and 
construction phases for cost and schedule risk. 
(b) OVERSIGHT OF LARGE FACILITIES.—The Director 
shall appoint a senior agency official within the Office of 
the Director whose primary responsibility is oversight of 
major multi-user research facilities. The duties of this offi-
cial shall include— 
(1) oversight of the development, construction, 
and operation of major multi-user research facilities 
across the Foundation; 
(2) in collaboration with the directors of the re-
search directorates and other senior agency officials 
as appropriate, ensuring that the requirements of sec-
tion 14(a) of the National Science Foundation Au-
thorization Act of 2002 are satisfied; 
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(3) serving as a liaison to the National Science 
Board for approval and oversight of major multi-user 
research facilities; and 
(4) periodically reviewing and updating as nec-
essary Foundation policies and guidelines for the de-
velopment and construction of major multi-user re-
search facilities. 
(c) POLICIES FOR LARGE FACILITY COSTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall ensure that 
the Foundation’s policies for developing and man-
aging major multi-user research facility construction 
costs are consistent with the best practices described 
in the March 2009 Government Accountability Office 
Report GAO-09-3SP, or any successor report thereto. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall sub-
mit to Congress the results of a study and a report 
reforming the Foundation’s policies on financial 
management of major multi-user research facilities, 
including a description of any aspects of the policies 
that diverge from the best practices recommended in 
Government Accountability Office Report GAO-09- 
3SP and the Uniform Guidance in 2 C.F.R. Part 
200. 
(3) MANAGEMENT FEES.— 
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(A) DEFINITION.—In this paragraph, the 
term ‘‘management fee’’ means a portion of an 
award made by the Foundation for the purpose 
of covering ordinary and necessary business ex-
penses necessary to maintain operational sta-
bility which are not otherwise allowable under 
Cost Principles Uniform Guidance in 2 C.F.R. 
part 200, Subpart E, , or any successor regula-
tion thereto. 
(B) LIMITATION.—The Foundation may 
provide management fees under an award only 
if the awardee has demonstrated that it has lim-
ited or no other financial resources for covering 
the expenses for which the management fees are 
sought. 
(C) FINANCIAL INFORMATION.—The Foun-
dation shall require award applicants to provide 
income and financial information covering a pe-
riod of no less than three prior years (or in the 
case of an entity established less than three years 
prior to the entity’s application date, the period 
beginning on the date of establishment and end-
ing on the application date), including cash on 
hand and net asset information, in support of a 
request for management fees. The Foundation 
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shall also require awardees to report to the 
Foundation, within 30 days of receipt, any 
sources of non-Federal funds received in excess of 
$50,000 during the award period. 
(D) EXPENSE
REPORTING.—The Founda-
tion shall require awardees to track and report 
to the Foundation annually all expenses reim-
bursed or otherwise paid for with management 
fee funds, in accordance with Federal accounting 
practices as established in Government Account-
ability Office Report GAO-12-331G, or any suc-
cessor report thereto. 
(E) AUDITS.—The Inspector General of the 
Foundation may audit any Foundation award 
for compliance with this paragraph. 
(F) PROHIBITED USES.—An awardee may 
not use management fees for— 
(i) costs allowable under Cost Prin-
ciples Uniform Guidance in 2 C.F.R. part 
200, Subpart E, or any successor regulation 
thereto; 
(ii) alcoholic beverages; 
(iii) tickets to concerts, or sporting and 
other entertainment events; 
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(iv) vacation or other travel for non-
business purposes; 
(v) charitable contributions; 
(vi) social or sporting club member-
ships; 
(vii) meals for nonbusiness purposes; 
(viii) luxury or personal items; 
(ix) lobbying, as described in the Uni-
form Guidance at 2 C.F.R. 200.450; or 
(x) any other purpose the Foundation 
determines is inappropriate. 
(G) REVIEW.—The Foundation shall review 
management fee usage under each Foundation 
award on at least an annual basis for compli-
ance with this paragraph and the Foundation’s 
Large Facilities Manual. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall sub-
mit to Congress a report describing the Foundation’s 
policies for developing and managing major multi- 
user research facility construction costs, including a 
description of any aspects of the policies that diverge 
from the best practices recommended in Government 
Accountability Office Report GAO-09-3SP, or any 
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and $5,000,000 shall be for the Network for Man-
ufacturing Innovation Program under section 34 
of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology 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 inno-
vation ability and to take’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘compare 
standards’’ and all that follows through ‘‘Federal 
Government’’ and inserting ‘‘facilitate stand-
ards-related information sharing and coopera-
tion between Federal agencies’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘Fed-
eral, State, and local’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘private sector’’ and inserting ‘‘technical 
standards activities and conformity assessment 
activities of Federal, State, and local govern-
ments with private sector’’; and 
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