I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3733
To authorize the National Science Foundation to make grants for applied
engineering and technology education equipment and capital improvements.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 27, 1998
Mr. RYUN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the
Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juris-
diction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To authorize the National Science Foundation to make
grants for applied engineering and technology education
equipment and capital improvements.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Applied Engineering
and Technology Center Investment Act of 1998’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) fully accredited bachelor’s degree academic
programs in plastics, electronic, mechanical, manu-
facturing, construction, wood, and automotive engi-
neering technology, and in technology management,
are a significant asset for the State and region in
which they are located, and for the Nation;
(2) graduates of academic programs described
in paragraph (1) are experiencing a nearly 100 per-
cent placement rate, entering the work force making
significant contributions to the productivity, effi-
ciency, and competitiveness of their particular com-
panies;
(3) the future preparation of America’s work-
ers, industrial managers, and technicians depends on
the use of modern, state-of-the-art instructional
equipment that is very expensive and has a rather
short relevant life span; and
(4) it is sound educational policy to invest Fed-
eral dollars in programs and projects that directly
benefit and enhance the preparation of tomorrow’s
leaders in technology and related industries which
make the United States more competitive in world
markets.
SEC. 3. GRANT AUTHORITY.
The Director of the National Science Foundation (in
this Act referred to as the ‘‘Director’’) may make grants
to organizations that provide postsecondary education in
applied engineering and technology for equipment and
capital improvements needed to ensure that such edu-
cation is provided using state-of-the-art instructional
equipment and facilities. Amounts made available through
such grants may be used in support of applied engineering
and technology programs for any of the following pur-
poses:
(1) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or
laboratory equipment, including computer hardware
and software, for educational purposes, including in-
structional and research purposes.
(2) Construction, maintenance, renovation, and
improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and
other instructional facilities.
(3) Acquisition of library books, periodicals,
microfilm, data bases, software, and other edu-
cational materials.
(4) Tutoring, counseling, and student service
programs designed to improve academic success.
(5) Funds and administrative management, and
acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening
funds management.
(6) Joint use of facilities, such as laboratories
and libraries.
(7) Establishing or improving a development of-
fice to strengthen or improve contributions from
alumni and the private sector.
(8) Establishing community outreach programs
which will encourage elementary and secondary stu-
dents to develop the academic skills and the interest
to pursue postsecondary applied engineering and
technology education.
(9) Other activities proposed in the application
submitted pursuant to section 4 that—
(A) contribute to carrying out the purposes
of this Act; and
(B) are approved by the Director as part
of the review and acceptance of such applica-
tion.
SEC. 4. APPLICATIONS.
(a) CONTENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—No organization shall receive
any grant under section 3 unless that organization
submits an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and containing or accompanied by
such information, as the Director may reasonably re-
quire. Each such application shall—
(A) provide that the payments under this
Act will be used for the purposes set forth in
section 3; and
(B) provide for making an annual report
to the Director and for conducting, except as
provided in paragraph (2), a financial and com-
pliance audit of the organization, with regard to
any funds obtained by it under this Act, at
least once every 2 years and covering the period
since the most recent audit, to be conducted by
a qualified, independent organization or person
in accordance with standards established by the
Comptroller General for the audit of govern-
mental organizations, programs, and functions,
and as prescribed in regulations of the Director,
the results of which shall be submitted to the
Director.
(2) AUDIT EXCEPTION.—An organization which
is audited under chapter 75 of title 31, United
States Code, shall not be required to perform an
audit under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection for
the period covered by such chapter 75 audit.
(b) APPROVAL.—The Director shall approve any ap-
plication which meets the requirements of subsection (a)
and shall not disapprove any application submitted under
this Act, or any modification thereof, without first afford-
ing the applicant reasonable notice and opportunity for a
hearing.
(c) GOALS FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACA-
DEMIC PROGRAMS.—Any application for a grant under
this Act shall describe measurable goals for the organiza-
tion’s financial management and applied engineering and
technology academic programs and include a plan of how
the applicant intends to achieve those goals.
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