scribed in section 101 of the High-Performance Comput-
ing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511). The Secretary shall
also, as appropriate, coordinate activities under this sub-
section with the relevant activities of other Federal agen-
cies, particularly the agile manufacturing/enterprise inte-
gration activities of the Department of Defense.
‘‘(e) CLEARINGHOUSE.—(1) The Secretary shall de-
velop a clearinghouse system, using existing public and
private sector information providers and carriers where
appropriate, to—
‘‘(A) identify expertise and acquire information,
appropriate to the purpose of the Outreach Program
stated in subsection (a), from all appropriate Fed-
eral sources, and where appropriate from other
sources, providing assistance where necessary in
making such information electronically available
through and compatible with the outreach network;
‘‘(B) ensure ready access, through the outreach
network, by United States companies, Federal agen-
cies, State and local governments, United States
universities and colleges, United States nonprofit or-
ganizations that the Secretary deems appropriate,
and member organizations of the Outreach Program,
to the most recent relevant available information and
expertise;
‘‘(C) ensure that common standards of inter-
connection are utilized by the outreach network and
the clearinghouse to allow maximum interoperability
and usership; and
‘‘(D) to the extent practicable, inform United
States manufacturers of the availability of such in-
formation.
‘‘(2) The clearinghouse shall include information
available electronically on—
‘‘(A) activities of Manufacturing Outreach Cen-
ters, Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufac-
turing Technology, the State Technology Extension
Program, and the users of the outreach network;
‘‘(B) domestic and international standards and
other export promotion information, including con-
formity assessment requirements and procedures;
‘‘(C) the Malcolm Baldrige Quality program,
and quality principles and standards;
‘‘(D) manufacturing processes minimizing waste
and negative environmental impact;
‘‘(E) federally funded technology development
and transfer programs;
‘‘(F) how to access data bases and services; and
‘‘(G) skills training, particularly the implemen-
tation and use of modern and advanced manufactur-
ing techniques.
‘‘(3) The Secretary, acting through the Under Sec-
retary, may convene a national conference to develop rec-
ommendations for common standards for interconnection
and for improved dissemination to users of the clearing-
house of information on domestic and international tech-
nical regulations and standards, and on conformity assess-
ment procedures, including draft standards and regula-
tions. Invited participants are to include a broad cross sec-
tion of the standards, accreditation, and user commu-
nities.
‘‘(f) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out
this section, the Secretary shall satisfy the following re-
quirements:
‘‘(1) The Outreach Program and the outreach
network shall be established and operated through
cooperation and cofunding among Federal, State,
and local governments, other public and private con-
tributors, and end users that the Secretary deter-
mines are appropriate for providing maximum bene-
fit to United States manufacturers.
‘‘(2) The Outreach Program and the outreach
network shall utilize and leverage, to the extent
practicable, existing organizations, data bases, elec-
tronic networks, facilities, capabilities, and existing
standards for interconnection, and shall be designed
to complement rather than supplant State and local
programs.
‘‘(3) The Outreach Program and the outreach
network shall be subject to all applicable provisions
of law for the protection of trade secrets and busi-
ness confidential information.
‘‘(4) Access to the services available through
the Outreach Program and information available
through the outreach network servicing the Outreach
Program shall be limited, as appropriate, to United
States companies, State and local governments,
United States universities and colleges, and United
States nonprofit organizations that the Secretary
deems appropriate.
‘‘(5) Local or regional needs should determine
the management structure and staffing of the Manu-
facturing Outreach Centers. The Outreach Program
shall strive for geographical balance with the ulti-
mate goal of access for all United States manufac-
turers.
‘‘(6) Manufacturing Outreach Centers should
have the capability to deliver outreach services di-
rectly to United States manufacturers, actively work
with, rather than supplant, the private sector, and to
the extent practicable, maximize the exposure of
United States manufacturers to demonstrations of
modern technologies in use, including flexible manu-
facturing practices.
‘‘(7) The Department of Commerce shall de-
velop mechanisms for—
‘‘(A) soliciting the perspectives of United
States manufacturers using the services of the
Manufacturing Outreach Centers and Regional
Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing
Technology; and
‘‘(B) evaluating the effectiveness of the
Manufacturing Outreach Centers and Regional
Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing
Technology.
‘‘(g) PLAN AND REPORTS.—(1) Within 6 months
after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary,
after consultation with the Under Secretary, the Director,
the Department of Commerce Technology Advisory Board,
other appropriate Federal agencies, and a cross-section of
potential participants in the Outreach Program, shall sub-
mit an initial plan for the implementation of this title to
Congress—
‘‘(A) describing how the Secretary will carry out
the responsibility to create, operate, and support the
Outreach Program and the outreach network, in-
cluding the interactive electronic linkage of Manu-
facturing Outreach Centers to the programs of the
Technology Administration and other appropriate
Federal, State, and local agencies;
‘‘(B) establishing criteria and procedures, con-
sistent with the requirements of this title, for—
‘‘(i) the selection of organizations to re-
ceive Department of Commerce services or fi-
nancial assistance as part of the Outreach Pro-
gram, including qualifications and training of
technology extension agents;
‘‘(ii) access to services provided by partici-
pants in the Outreach Program and to informa-
tion available through the outreach network
servicing the Outreach Program; and
‘‘(iii) the annual evaluation of the Out-
reach Program in achieving the purposes of this
title; and
‘‘(C) evaluating the need for and the benefits of
a National Conference of States on Technology Ex-
tension, similar in structure to the National Con-
ference on Weights and Measures, and, if the Sec-
retary determines that such a Conference is advis-
able, developing, in consultation with the States and
other interested parties, a plan for the establish-
ment, operation, funding, and evaluation of such a
Conference.
‘‘(2) Within 1 year after the date of enactment of
this title, the Secretary, in consultation with the Under
Secretary, the Director, and the Department of Commerce
Technology Advisory Board, shall prepare and submit to
the Congress a 5-year plan for implementing the Outreach
Program and the outreach network and clearinghouse es-
tablished under subsections (d) and (e), respectively. Such
5-year plan shall identify appropriate methods for expand-
ing the Outreach Program in a geographically balanced
manner. Such 5-year plan shall include a detailed imple-
mentation plan and cost estimates and shall take into con-
sideration and build on the report submitted under para-
graph (1). In the preparation of such 5-year plan, the Sec-
retary shall provide an opportunity for public comment,
and the plan submitted to Congress shall include a sum-
mary of comments received. Such plan may not be imple-
mented until 90 days after its submission to the Congress.
‘‘(3) Beginning with first year after submission of the
5-year plan under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall an-
nually report to the Congress, at the time of the Presi-
dent’s annual budget request to Congress, on—
‘‘(A) progress made in achieving the purposes
of the Outreach Program described in subsection (a)
using criteria and procedures established under sub-
section (g)(1)(B)(iii);
‘‘(B) changes proposed to the 5-year plan;
‘‘(C) performance in adhering to schedules; and
‘‘(D) any 
recommendations 
for 
legislative
changes necessary to enhance the Outreach Pro-
gram.
The report under this paragraph submitted at the end of
the fourth year of operation of the Outreach Program
shall include recommendations on whether to terminate
the Outreach Program or extend it for an additional pe-
riod not to exceed 5 years.’’.
SEC. 205. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DE-
VELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Title III of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innova-
tion Act of 1980, as added by sections 202, 203, and 204
of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
‘‘SEC. 304. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DE-
VELOPMENT PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, through the
Under Secretary and the Director, shall establish an Ad-
vanced Manufacturing Technology Development Program
which shall include projects to develop advanced manufac-
turing systems, networks, electronic data exchange, and
which shall be complementary with advanced manufactur-
ing technology development programs supported by other
Federal agencies.
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Advanced Manu-
facturing Technology Development Program is to create
collaborative multiyear technology development programs
involving United States companies and, as appropriate, co-
operating with other Federal agencies and laboratories,
the States, worker organizations, universities and colleges,
independent research organizations, and other interested
persons, in order to develop, refine, test, and transfer de-
sign and manufacturing technologies and associated appli-
cations, including advanced computer integration and elec-
tronic networks for manufacturing information exchange.
‘‘(c) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—The Advanced Manu-
facturing Technology Development Program shall in-
clude—
‘‘(1) the advanced manufacturing research and
development activities at the Institute; and
‘‘(2) one or more technology development
testbeds within the United States, selected in ac-
cordance with procedures, including cost sharing, es-
tablished for the Advanced Technology Program es-
tablished under section 28 of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n),
whose purpose shall be to develop, refine, and test
advanced 
manufacturing, 
data 
exchange, 
and
networking technologies and associated applications
and to facilitate the transfer of such technologies
and applications to United States manufacturers.
‘‘(d) FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES.—The Advanced
Manufacturing Technology Development Program, under
the coordination of the Secretary, through the Director,
shall—
‘‘(1) test and, as appropriate, facilitate and
support the development of the equipment, computer
software, and systems integration necessary for the
successful operation within the United States of ad-
vanced design and manufacturing systems and asso-
ciated electronic networks;
‘‘(2) establish at the Institute and the tech-
nology development testbed or testbeds—
‘‘(A) prototype advanced computer-inte-
grated manufacturing systems;
‘‘(B) prototype electronic networks linking
manufacturing systems; and
‘‘(C) prototype clean manufacturing sys-
tems;
‘‘(3) assist United States companies to develop
voluntary consensus standards relevant to advanced
computer-integrated manufacturing operations, in-
cluding standards for networks, electronic data
interchange, and digital product data specifications;
‘‘(4) help to make high-performance computing
and networking technologies an integral part of de-
sign and production processes where appropriate;
‘‘(5) conduct research to identify and overcome
technical barriers to the successful and cost-effective
operation of advanced manufacturing systems and
networks and to promote and facilitate electronic
data exchange;
‘‘(6) facilitate the efforts of United States com-
panies to develop and test new applications for man-
ufacturing systems, networks, and information ex-
change;
‘‘(7) involve in the Advanced Manufacturing
Technology Development Program, to the maximum
extent practicable, both those United States manu-
facturers which make manufacturing technology and
related computer equipment and software, and Unit-
ed States companies which buy such technology,
equipment and software;
‘‘(8) identify training needs, as appropriate, for
managers, engineers, and employees of United
States manufacturers in the operation and applica-
tions of advanced manufacturing technologies and
networks, with particular emphasis on training for
production workers in the effective use of advanced
manufacturing technology;
‘‘(9) work with United States companies, uni-
versities, independent research organizations, and
other interested parties to develop standards, tools,
and techniques for the use of advanced computer-
based training systems, including multi-media and
interactive learning technologies;
‘‘(10) involve small businesses in its activities;
‘‘(11) exchange information and personnel, as
appropriate, between the technology development
testbeds and the outreach network created under
section 303(d); and
‘‘(12) coordinate its activities with the National
High-Performance Computing Program described in
section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act
of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511) to ensure that both pro-
grams are complementary and compatible.
‘‘(e) TESTBED AWARDS.—(1) In selecting applicants
to receive awards under subsection (c)(2) of this section,
the Secretary shall give preferential consideration to appli-
cants that have existing computer expertise in manufac-
turing applications and the ability to diffuse such expertise
to United States companies, and that, in the case of joint
research and development ventures, include both suppliers
and users of advanced manufacturing technology. In the
case of systems described in subsection (d)(2)(C), the Sec-
retary shall also give preferential consideration to appli-
cants that have existing program expertise in clean manu-
facturing, including the areas of concurrent engineering,
materials research, and environmental science, and which
have a technology transfer mechanism in place to transfer
testbed results of a clean manufacturing program to in-
dustry participants.
‘‘(2) An industry-led joint research and development
venture applying for an award under subsection (c)(2) of
this section may include one or more State research orga-
nizations, universities, Federal laboratories, independent
research organizations, or Regional Centers for the Trans-
fer of Manufacturing Technology (as created under section
25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Act) and other organizations as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
‘‘(f) ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE.—(1) Within 6 months
after the date of enactment of this title, and before any
request for proposals is issued, the Secretary shall hold
one or more workshops to solicit advice from United
States companies and from other Federal agencies, par-
ticularly the Department of Defense, the Department of
Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration, regarding the specific missions and activities of
the testbeds.
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent pos-
sible, coordinate activities under this section with activities
of other Federal agencies and initiatives relating to com-
puter-aided acquisition and logistics support, electronic
data interchange, flexible computer-integrated manufac-
turing, and enterprise integration.
‘‘(3) The Secretary may request and accept funds,
facilities, equipment, or personnel from other Federal
agencies in order to carry out this section.
‘‘(g) ANTITRUST SAVINGS CLAUSE.—This section
shall not be construed to modify, impair, or supersede the
operation of the antitrust laws. For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘antitrust laws’ has the meaning given
it in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act
(15 U.S.C. 12(a)), except that such term includes the Act
of June 19, 1936 (49 Stat. 1526; 15 U.S.C. 13 et seq.),
commonly known as the Robinson Patman Act, and sec-
tion 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C.
45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to unfair
methods of competition.’’.
SEC. 206. MISCELLANEOUS AND CONFORMING AMEND-
MENTS.
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 4 of the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3703) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
‘‘(14) ‘Director’ means the Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology.
‘‘(15) ‘Institute’ means the National Institute
of Standards and Technology.
‘‘(16) ‘Assistant Secretary’ means the Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy.
‘‘(17) ‘Advanced manufacturing technology’
means—
‘‘(A) numerically-controlled machine tools,
robots, automated process control equipment,
computerized flexible manufacturing systems,
associated computer software, and other tech-
nology for improving manufacturing and indus-
trial production of goods, including bio-
technology products, which advance the state-
of-the-art; or
‘‘(B) novel manufacturing techniques and
processes not previously generally available that
improve manufacturing quality, productivity,
and practices, including engineering design,
quality assurance, concurrent engineering, con-
tinuous process production technology, inven-
tory management, upgraded worker skills, com-
munications with customers and suppliers, and
promotion of sustainable economic growth.
‘‘(18) ‘Modern technology’ means the best avail-
able proven technology, techniques, and processes
appropriate to enhancing the productivity of manu-
facturers or to promoting sustainable economic
growth.
‘‘(19) ‘Sustainable economic growth’ means eco-
nomic growth that enhances the national quality of
life and preserves environmental integrity.
‘‘(20) The term ‘United States company’ means
an entity which the Secretary finds, based on a dem-
onstration by such entity—
‘‘(A) maintains substantial employment in
the United States;
‘‘(B) agrees, with respect to a technology
arising from assistance provided under this Act
or the National Competitiveness Act of 1993, to
promote the manufacture within the United
States of products resulting from that tech-
nology;
‘‘(C) agrees to procure parts and materials
for such products from competitive United
States suppliers; and
‘‘(D) either—
‘‘(i) is a United States-owned com-
pany; or
‘‘(ii) is a company incorporated in the
United States that has a parent company
incorporated in a country which the Sec-
retary finds—
‘‘(I) affords to United States-
owned companies opportunities com-
parable to those afforded to any other
company to participate in programs
and to have access to resources and
information equivalent to the opportu-
nities authorized under this Act or the
National Competitiveness Act of 1993
to foreign-owned entities engaged in
commerce in the United States;
‘‘(II) has a standards develop-
ment and conformity assessment proc-
ess that is open and transparent, and
that results in standards that are fair
and reasonable and do not discrimi-
nate against United States products
and production processes;
‘‘(III) affords to United States-
owned companies local investment op-
portunities comparable to those af-
forded any other company; and
‘‘(IV) affords adequate and effec-
tive protection for the intellectual
property rights of United States-
owned companies.
‘‘(21) The term ‘United States manufacturer’
means a United States company which the Secretary
finds, based on a demonstration by such company,
makes substantial investments in the United States
in research, development, and manufacturing (in-
cluding the manufacture of major components or
subassemblies in the United States).
‘‘(22) The term ‘United States-owned company’
has the meaning given such term in section 28(j)(2)
of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n(j)(2).
‘‘(23) ‘Benchmarking’ means the assessment of
foreign science and technology capabilities relative to
comparable United States capabilities.
‘‘(24) 
‘Independent 
research 
organizations’
means nonprofit organizations organized primarily
for the purpose of conducting or managing research
activities.’’.
(b) REDESIGNATIONS.—The Stevenson-Wydler Tech-
nology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.)
is amended—
(1) by inserting immediately after section 4 the
following new title heading:
‘‘TITLE 
I—DEPARTMENT 
OF
COMMERCE 
AND 
RELATED
PROGRAMS’’;
(2) by redesignating sections 5 through 10 as
sections 101 through 106, respectively;
(3) by redesignating sections 16 through 22, as
sections 107 through 113, respectively;
(4) by inserting immediately after section 113
(as redesignated by paragraph (3) of this sub-
section) the following new title heading:
‘‘TITLE II—FEDERAL
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER’’;
(5) by redesignating sections 11 through 15 as
sections 201 through 205, respectively;
(6) by redesignating section 23 as section 206;
(7) in section 4—
(A) by striking ‘‘section 5’’ each place it
appears and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section
101’’;
(B) in paragraphs (4) and (6), by striking
‘‘section 6’’ and ‘‘section 8’’ each place they ap-
pear and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section 102’’
and ‘‘section 104’’, respectively; and
(C) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘section
6’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section 102’’;
(8) in section 105 (as redesignated by para-
graph (2) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘section 6’’
each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof
‘‘section 102’’;
(9) in section 106(d) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘7, 9, 11,
15, 17, or 20’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘103,
105, 108, 111, 201, or 205’’;
(10) in section 201(i) (as redesignated by para-
graph (5) of this subsection) by inserting ‘‘loan,
lease, or’’ after ‘‘may’’; and by inserting ‘‘Actions
taken under this subsection shall not be subject to
Federal requirements on the disposal of property.’’
after ‘‘activities.’’;
(11) in section 202(b) (as redesignated by para-
graph (5) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘section
14’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section 204’’;
(12) in section 204(a)(1) (as redesignated by
paragraph (5) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 12’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section 202’’;
(13) in section 113 (as redesignated by para-
graph (3) of this subsection) by striking ‘‘sections
11, 12, and 13’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘sec-
tions 201, 202, and 203’’;
(14) in section 206 (as redesignated by para-
graph (6) of this subsection)—
(A) by striking ‘‘section 11(b)’’ in sub-
section (a)(2) and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘sec-
tion 201(b)’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘section 6(d)’’ in sub-
section (b) and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘section
102(d)’’; and
(15) by adding at the end of section 201 (as re-
designated by paragraph (5) of this subsection) the
following new subsection:
‘‘(j) ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER MECHA-
NISMS.—In addition to the technology transfer mecha-
nisms set forth in this section and section 202 of this Act,
the heads of Federal departments and agencies also may
transfer technologies through the technology transfer and
extension programs of the Department of Commerce and
the Department of Defense.’’.
SEC. 207. MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTERS.
Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k), is amended—
(1) by amending the section heading to read as
follows: ‘‘MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTERS’’;
(2) in subsection (c)(5), by striking ‘‘which are
designed’’ and all that follows through ‘‘operation of
a Center’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘to a maxi-
mum of one-third Federal funding. Each Center
which receives financial assistance under this section
shall be evaluated during its sixth year of operation,
and at such subsequent times as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate, by an evaluation panel appointed
by the Secretary in the same manner as was the
evaluation panel previously appointed. The Secretary
shall not provide funding for additional years of the
Center’s operation unless the evaluation is positive
and the Secretary finds that continuation of funding
furthers the goals of the Department. Such addi-
tional Federal funding shall not exceed one-third of
the cost of the Center’s operations’’;
(3) by striking subsection (d); and
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections:
‘‘(d) If a Center receives a positive evaluation during
its third year of operation, the Director may, any time
after that evaluation, contract with the Center to provide
additional technology extension or transfer services above
and beyond the baseline activities of the Center. Such ad-
ditional services may include, but are not limited to, the
development and operation of the following:
‘‘(1) Programs to assist United States compa-
nies that are engaged in manufacturing and their
employees, including front-line production workers,
in the Center’s region to learn and apply the tech-
nologies, techniques, and processes associated with
systems management technology, electronic data ex-
change, or improving manufacturing productivity.
‘‘(2) Services focused on the testing, develop-
ment, and application of manufacturing and process
technologies within specific technical fields such as
advanced materials or electronics fabrication for the
purpose of assisting United States companies that
are engaged in manufacturing, both within the Cen-
ter’s original service region and in other regions, to
improve manufacturing quality, product design,
workforce training, and production efficiency in
those specific technical fields.
‘‘(3) Industry-led demonstration programs that
involve United States manufacturing technology con-
sortia to provide ongoing research, technology trans-
fer, and worker training assistance to their mem-
bers. An award under this paragraph shall be for no
more than $500,000 per year, and shall be subject
to renewal after a 1-year demonstration period.
‘‘(e) In addition to any assistance provided or con-
tracts entered into with a Center under this section, the
Director is authorized to make separate and smaller
awards, through a competitive process, to nonprofit orga-
nizations which wish to work with a Center. Such awards
shall be for the purpose of enabling those organizations
to provide outreach services, in collaboration with the Cen-
ter, to United States manufacturers located in parts of
the region served by the Center which are not easily acces-
sible to the Center and which are not served by any other
manufacturing outreach center. Organizations which re-
ceive such awards shall be known as Local Manufacturing
Offices. In reviewing applications, the Director shall con-
sider the needs of rural as well as urban manufacturers.
No single award for a Local Manufacturing Office shall
be for more than three years, awards shall be renewable
through the competitive awards process, and no award
shall be made unless the applicant provides matching
funds at least equal to the amount received under this sec-
tion.
‘‘(f) In carrying out this section, the Director shall
coordinate his efforts with the plans for the National
Technology Outreach Program established under section
303 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act
of 1980.’’.
SEC. 208. STATE TECHNOLOGY EXTENSION PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 26(a) of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
278l(a)), is amended—
(1) by inserting immediately after ‘‘(a)’’ the fol-
lowing new sentence: ‘‘There is established within
the Institute a State Technology Extension Pro-
gram.’’; and
(2) by inserting ‘‘through that Program’’ imme-
diately after ‘‘technical assistance’’.
(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.—Section 26 of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 278l) is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new subsection:
‘‘(c) In addition to the general authorities listed in
subsection (b) of this section, the State Technology Exten-
sion Program also may, through merit-based competitive
review processes—
‘‘(1) make awards to States and conduct work-
shops, pursuant to section 5121(b) of the Omnibus
Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, in order to
help States improve their planning and coordination
of technology extension activities;
‘‘(2) support technology demonstration projects
to help States provide technical assistance and serv-
ices to United States manufacturers that will im-
prove their productivity and competitiveness;
‘‘(3) support State efforts to develop and test
innovative ways to help United States manufacturers
improve their technical capabilities;
the development and adoption of modern and ad-
vanced manufacturing technologies.’’.
Subtitle B—National Science Foun-
dation Manufacturing Programs
SEC. 211. ROLE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
IN MANUFACTURING.
The Director of the National Science Foundation,
after appropriate consultation with the Secretary, the
Under Secretary, and the Director, shall—
(1) work with United States companies to iden-
tify areas of research in advanced manufacturing
technologies and practices that offer the potential to
improve United States productivity, competitiveness,
employment, and sustainable economic growth;
(2) support research at United States univer-
sities to improve advanced manufacturing tech-
nologies and practices; and
(3) work with the Technology Administration
and the Institute and, as appropriate, other Federal
agencies to accelerate the transfer to United States
companies of manufacturing research and innova-
tions developed at universities.
SEC. 212. ENGINEERING AND COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
CENTERS.
The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall strengthen and expand the number of Engineering
Research Centers and strengthen and expand the Indus-
try/University Cooperative Research Centers Program
with the goal of increasing the engineering talent base
versed in critical technologies, with emphasis on advanced
manufacturing technology and practices, and of advancing
fundamental engineering knowledge in these technologies,
including biotechnology. At least one Engineering Re-
search Center shall have a research and education focus
on the concerns of United States manufacturers, including
small businesses that are trying to modernize their oper-
ations. Awards under this section shall be made on a com-
petitive, merit review basis and on terms and conditions
the Director may prescribe to ensure that the purposes
for which the award is made are satisfied. Such awards
may include support for acquisition of instrumentation,
equipment, and facilities related to the research and edu-
cation activities of the Centers and support for under-
graduate students to participate in the activities of the
Centers.
SEC. 213. MANUFACTURING TRAINEESHIPS AND FELLOW-
SHIPS.
(a) GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.—The Director of the
National Science Foundation, in consultation with the
Secretary, may establish a program to provide traineeships
to graduate students at institutions of higher education
within the United States who are citizens of the United
States and who choose to pursue masters or doctoral de-
grees in manufacturing engineering. The Director of the
National Science Foundation shall make an effort to en-
sure the provision of traineeships under this subsection to
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (with-
in the meaning of section 8(a) (5) and (6) of the Small
Business Act, and including women).
(b) MANUFACTURING MANAGERS
IN
THE CLASS-
ROOM PROGRAM.—The Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary, may es-
tablish a program to provide fellowships, on a cost-shared
basis, to employees of United States companies with expe-
rience in manufacturing to serve for 1 or 2 years as in-
structors in manufacturing at 2-year community and tech-
nical colleges in the United States.
SEC. 214. TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT.
The Director of the National Science Foundation, in
consultation with the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and
the Director, may establish a program to develop innova-
tive curricula, courses, and materials for use by institu-
tions of higher education for instruction in total quality
management and related management practices, in
order to help improve the productivity of United States
companies.
TITLE III—CRITICAL
TECHNOLOGIES
Subtitle A—Benchmarking Science
and Technology
SEC. 301. BENCHMARKING UNITED STATES SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AGAINST FOREIGN CAPABILI-
TIES.
The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980, as amended by this Act, is further amended by add-
ing at the end the following new title:
‘‘TITLE IV—BENCHMARKING
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
‘‘SEC. 401. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—As other countries have gained
strength in new technologies and as centers of technical
excellence have developed around the world, it has become
increasingly important for United States companies and
research organizations to understand their scientific and
technological capabilities relative to those of other global
competitors.
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this title are to
conduct and coordinate the collection, evaluation, and dis-
semination, to United States companies, State and local
governments, and nonprofit organizations, of information
on foreign science and technology, specifically information
assessing foreign capabilities relative to comparable Unit-
ed States capabilities.
‘‘SEC. 402. PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES.
‘‘(a) DEPARTMENT
OF COMMERCE.—The Depart-
ment of Commerce shall be the lead agency of the Federal
Government in making available information for assessing
the comparative strength of United States scientific and
technological capabilities. The Secretary, acting through
the Under Secretary, shall—
‘‘(1) collect within the Federal Government and
disseminate to United States companies, State and
local governments, and nonprofit organizations infor-
mation regarding foreign process and product re-
search and technologies of importance to United
States companies and the Federal Government, and
regarding related technology assessment activities al-
ready underway in the Federal Government;
‘‘(2) provide such information and analyses in
electronic form, and ensure, consistent with con-
fidentiality and security considerations, that they
will be available through the clearinghouse to the
outreach network created under section 303 of this
Act;
‘‘(3) work, in coordination with the Federal Co-
ordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and
Technology, as appropriate, to streamline Federal
Government procedures for collecting, evaluating,
and disseminating information analyzing foreign sci-
entific and technological information; and
‘‘(4) conduct appropriate planning for more
comprehensive collection, evaluation, dissemination,
and application of foreign science and technology in-
formation.
‘‘(b) OTHER AGENCIES.—All executive departments
and agencies shall assist the Secretary in carrying out this
title.
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL
AUTHORITIES.—The Secretary,
acting through the Under Secretary, is authorized to—
‘‘(1) arrange for access to information collected
and developed under this title, in electronic form or
otherwise, by authorized and interested parties, in-
cluding charging and retaining fees for expenditure,
subject to appropriations;
‘‘(2) provide for the collection of additional in-
formation to fulfill the purposes of this title;
‘‘(3) provide for analysis of foreign research
and development activities and technological capa-
bilities, particularly in those areas where the United
States is considered to be at par or lagging foreign
capabilities or where foreign capabilities are pro-
jected to overtake those of the United States;
‘‘(4) enter into joint ventures authorized under
section 212(a)(1)(A) of Public Law 100–519 (15
U.S.C. 3704b(a)(1)(a)) in carrying out this title;
‘‘(5) consult with users of such information, as
appropriate, on the usefulness of available foreign
scientific and technological information and on the
need for additional information and assessment ac-
tivities and consult with other affected agencies of
the Federal Government to promote consistent and
useful collection, assessment, and analysis of foreign
technological information; and
‘‘(6) establish and administer the fellowship
program described in subsection (d).
‘‘(d) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—(1) The Secretary,
acting through the Under Secretary, shall establish and
administer a fellowship program to support Technology
Fellows to assist the Under Secretary in carrying out ac-
tivities under this title relating to those countries that are
major competitors of the United States in critical tech-
nologies, and to identify opportunities for technology
transfer to the United States or technological collabora-
tion for United States industries.
‘‘(2) Technology Fellows shall—
‘‘(A) regularly report to the Department of
Commerce on work planned, in progress, and accom-
plished; and
‘‘(B) provide support to the Department of
Commerce as requested by that Department.
‘‘(3) Fellowships awarded under the program estab-
lished under this subsection shall—
‘‘(A) be awarded for a period of 2 years;
‘‘(B) be reasonable and appropriate; and
‘‘(C) include provisions for living and office ar-
rangements in the host country.
‘‘(4) Only individuals who—
‘‘(A) have at least a bachelors degree in engi-
neering or science; and
‘‘(B) have at least 5 years of work experience
in manufacturing or technology development,
shall be eligible for a fellowship under this program.’’.
Subtitle B—Advanced Technology
Program
SEC. 321. DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM PLAN.
The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary
and the Director, shall, within 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, submit to the Congress a plan
for the expansion of the Advanced Technology Program
established under section 28 of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), with
specific consideration given to—
(1) closer coordination and cooperation with the
Advanced Research Projects Agency and other Fed-
eral research and development agencies, including
joint funding of large scale consortia, as appropriate;
(2) broadening of the scope of the program to
include and focus on as many critical technologies
identified pursuant to section 603(d) of the National
Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6683(d)) as is ap-
propriate; and
(3) changes that may be needed when annual
funds available for awards and cooperative agree-
ments 
under 
the 
Program 
reach 
levels 
of
$200,000,000 and $500,000,000.
SEC. 322. LARGE SCALE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CONSORTIA.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary,
acting through the Director, may establish a program for
the support of large-scale research and development
consortia.
(b) 
SELECTION
PROCEDURES
AND
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—
(1) GENERAL
RULE.—Except as provided in
paragraph (2), the selection and making of awards
to large-scale research and development consortia
under this section shall be carried out in accordance
with procedures and requirements applicable to joint
ventures described in section 28(b)(1) of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology Act
(15 U.S.C. 278n(b)(1)).
(2) 
EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding 
section
28(b)(1)(B)(ii) of the National Institute of Stand-
ards 
and 
Technology 
Act 
(15 
U.S.C.
278n(b)(1)(B)(ii)), for purposes of awards made
under this section, a minority share of the cost of
large-scale research and development consortia may
be provided by the Federal Government for up to 7
years.
(c) PROJECT SELECTION.—Preference shall be given
for selection under this section to large-scale research and
development consortia that would not be undertaken by
the private sector without a Federal investment of
$30,000,000 or more per year.
(d) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting large-scale
research and development consortia under this section, the
Secretary, acting through the Director, shall give priority
to consortia that best achieve the following goals:
(1) Significant contribution to broad economic
growth.
(2) Significant contribution to the national
quality of life.
(3) Significant contribution to environmental
sustainability.
(4) Promotion of private sector partnership
with Federal research and development activities.
(5) Substantial improvement of the inter-
national competitiveness of United States companies.
(6) Involvement of several competitor firms in
the development of the key consortia technologies.
(7) Strengthening of the linkages between do-
mestic suppliers, systems developers, and end-users.
(8) Participation by domestic end-users from
several industrial sectors.
(9) 
Promotion 
of 
the 
diffusion 
of
nonproprietary information to United States compa-
nies through strong links with organizations such as
trade and professional groups.
(e) INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL REVIEW.—The Sec-
retary, through the Director, shall provide for technical
review at least once every three years of large-scale re-
search and development consortia receiving support under
this section, by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, other national laboratories, the Department
of Commerce Technology Advisory Board established
under section 401 of this Act, or independent research or-
ganizations that are not a participant in the large-scale
research and development consortium being reviewed.
Such review shall be for the purpose of determining
progress toward the objectives for which such large-scale
research and development consortium was formed, with
recommendations for improvement, funding adjustments,
or termination of Federal support. The Secretary, through
the Director, shall transmit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate an annual status report summarizing
significant accomplishments in achieving those objectives.
(f) STUDY.—The Secretary, through the Director,
shall undertake a study to determine the best way to maxi-
mize the benefit of large-scale research and development
103
to licensees, to the shareholders or partners of either, or
to the purposes of this subtitle, the Under Secretary shall
adopt regulations to govern transactions with any officer,
director, shareholder, or partner of any licensee, or with
any person or concern, in which any interest, direct or in-
direct, financial or otherwise, is held by any officer, direc-
tor, shareholder, or partner of (1) any licensee, or (2) any
person or concern with an interest, direct or indirect, fi-
nancial or otherwise, in any licensee. Such regulations
shall include appropriate requirements for public disclo-
sure (including disclosure in the locality most directly af-
fected by the transaction) necessary to the purposes of this
section.
SEC. 358. REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS.
(a) GROUNDS.—The Secretary, after an opportunity
for agency hearing, may serve upon any director or officer
of a licensee a written notice of its intention to remove
such director or officer from office, temporarily or perma-
nently, whenever in the opinion of the Secretary such di-
rector or officer—
(1) has willfully and knowingly—
(A) committed any substantial violation of
this subtitle or any rule, regulation, or order is-
sued under this subtitle; or