research questions and carry out technology dem-
onstration activities in areas described in subsection 
(a). Research may be carried out through existing 
interdisciplinary centers, including those authorized 
under section 7024(b)(2) of the America COMPETES 
Act (Public Law 110–69; 42 U.S.C. 1862o–10).’’. 
SEC. 4. CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS. 
(a) ADDITIONAL PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS.—Sec-
tion 101(a)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(1)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(J) provide for increased understanding of the 
scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and im-
prove the methods available for the design, develop-
ment, and operation of cyber-physical systems that 
are characterized by high reliability, safety, and secu-
rity; and 
‘‘(K) provide for research and development on 
human-computer interactions, visualization, and big 
data.’’. 
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(b) TASK FORCE.—Title I of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
5511) is amended further by adding after section 104, as 
added by section 3 of this Act, the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 105. UNIVERSITY/INDUSTRY TASK FORCE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of the Advancing America’s Net-
working and Information Technology Research and Devel-
opment Act of 2012, the Director of the National Coordina-
tion Office shall convene a task force to explore mechanisms 
for carrying out collaborative research and development ac-
tivities for cyber-physical systems, including the related 
technologies required to enable these systems, through a con-
sortium or other appropriate entity with participants from 
institutions of higher education, Federal laboratories, and 
industry. 
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The task force shall— 
‘‘(1) develop options for a collaborative model 
and an organizational structure for such entity under 
which the joint research and development activities 
could be planned, managed, and conducted effectively, 
including mechanisms for the allocation of resources 
among the participants in such entity for support of 
such activities; 
‘‘(2) propose a process for developing a research 
and development agenda for such entity, including 
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guidelines to ensure an appropriate scope of work fo-
cused on nationally significant challenges and requir-
ing collaboration and to ensure the development of re-
lated scientific and technological milestones; 
‘‘(3) define the roles and responsibilities for the 
participants from institutions of higher education, 
Federal laboratories, and industry in such entity; 
‘‘(4) propose guidelines for assigning intellectual 
property rights and for the transfer of research results 
to the private sector; and 
‘‘(5) make recommendations for how such entity 
could be funded from Federal, State, and non-govern-
mental sources. 
‘‘(c) COMPOSITION.—In establishing the task force 
under subsection (a), the Director of the National Coordina-
tion Office— 
‘‘(1) shall appoint an equal number of individ-
uals with knowledge and expertise in cyber-physical 
systems from— 
‘‘(A) institutions of higher education, in-
cluding minority-serving institutions and com-
munity colleges; and 
‘‘(B) industry; and 
‘‘(2) may appoint not more than 2 individuals 
from Federal laboratories. 
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‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Advancing America’s Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Act of 
2012, the Director of the National Coordination Office shall 
transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives a report describing the findings and recommendations 
of the task force. 
‘‘(e) TERMINATION.—The task force shall terminate 
upon transmittal of the report required under subsection 
(d). 
‘‘(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the task force shall 
serve without compensation.’’. 
SEC. 5. CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES FOR RESEARCH. 
Title I of such Act (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended further 
by adding after section 105, as added by section 4(b) of 
this Act, the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 106. CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES FOR RESEARCH. 
‘‘(a) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of the Advancing 
America’s Networking and Information Technology Re-
search and Development Act of 2012, the Director of the 
National Coordination Office, working through the Na-
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tional Science and Technology Council, shall convene an 
interagency working group to examine— 
‘‘(1) the research and development needed— 
‘‘(A) to enhance the effectiveness and effi-
ciency of cloud computing environments; 
‘‘(B) to increase the trustworthiness of cloud 
applications and infrastructure; and 
‘‘(C) to enhance the foundations of cloud ar-
chitectures, programming models, and interoper-
ability; and 
‘‘(2) the potential use of cloud computing for fed-
erally-funded science and engineering research, in-
cluding issues around funding mechanisms and poli-
cies for the use of cloud computing services for such 
research. 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the tasks in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the working group 
shall consult with academia, industry, Federal laboratories, 
and other relevant organizations and institutions, as ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Advancing America’s Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Act of 
2012, the Director of the National Coordination Office shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
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