I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3598
To establish an interagency committee to coordinate Federal manufacturing 
research and development efforts in manufacturing, strengthen existing 
programs to assist manufacturing innovation and education, and expand 
outreach programs for small and medium-sized manufacturers, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 21, 2003
Mr. EHLERS (for himself and Mr. UDALL of Colorado) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science 
A BILL 
To establish an interagency committee to coordinate Federal 
manufacturing research and development efforts in man-
ufacturing, strengthen existing programs to assist manu-
facturing innovation and education, and expand outreach 
programs for small and medium-sized manufacturers, 
and for other purposes.
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 ‘‘Manufacturing Tech-
nology Competitiveness Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE. 
(a) INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall es-
tablish an interagency committee on manufacturing 
research and development, which shall include rep-
resentatives from the Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, the Small Business Administration, 
the Science and Technology Directorate of the De-
partment of Homeland Security, the National 
Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s 
Office of Industrial Technology, a representative of 
the Department of Energy National Laboratories 
with expertise in manufacturing research, and any 
other agency that the President may designate. The 
Interagency Committee shall be chaired by the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing 
and Technology. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Interagency Committee 
shall be responsible for the planning and coordina-
tion of Federal efforts in manufacturing research 
and development through—
(A) establishing goals and priorities for co-
ordinated manufacturing research and develop-
ment, including the strengthening of United
suring and maintaining United States com-
petitiveness; 
(ii) a report on the various Federal 
programs involved in manufacturing re-
search, development, technical training, 
standards, and integration, their funding 
levels, and the degree to which they meet 
the needs identified under clause (i); 
(iii) an analysis of the gaps that exist 
in those Federal programs and rec-
ommendations of changes that should be 
made to fill those gaps; and 
(iv) a plan on how to better coordi-
nate and strengthen federally supported 
manufacturing 
research, 
development, 
technical training, and integration activi-
ties. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS AND VIEWS.—In car-
rying out its functions under paragraph (2), the 
Interagency Committee shall consider the input and 
recommendations of the Advisory Committee and the 
views of academic, State, industry, and other entities 
in the manufacturing research and development 
community.
(4) COORDINATION OF GRANT PROGRAMS.—To 
ensure the effective implementation of the collabo-
rative grant program under section 33 of the Na-
tional Institute of Standards and Technology Act, 
the member agencies of the Interagency Committee 
shall, where practicable, coordinate their manufac-
turing grant activities with that program. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—
(1) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—Not 
later 
than 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
President shall establish an advisory committee to 
provide advice and information to the Interagency 
Committee from the non-Federal manufacturing re-
search and development community. The Advisory 
Committee shall be composed of no more than 25 
members appointed by the President, including the 
following: 
(A) 4 members from outside the Federal 
Government who are eminent in the manufac-
turing industry, at least 2 of whom are rep-
resentatives of small and medium-sized compa-
nies in such industry. 
(B) 4 members from the academic research 
community who are eminent in their field and 
have expertise in the manufacturing sciences.
(C) 3 members from labor unions, a major-
ity of whose membership have manufacturing 
jobs. 
(2) INPUT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Ad-
visory Committee shall assist the Interagency Com-
mittee by providing it with input and recommenda-
tions on—
(A) the goals and priorities for manufac-
turing research and development; and 
(B) the strategic plan, including proposals 
for focus areas for research, development, tech-
nology transfer, standards, technical training, 
supply chain integration, and the identification 
and proposal of technological or organizational 
solutions to challenges such as outsourcing. 
(3) REPORT.—The Advisory Committee shall 
also assist the Interagency Committee in the update 
of its strategic plan by providing a report every 3 
years, which shall also be transmitted to the Com-
mittee on Science of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate, and to the President, 
that shall assess—
(A) the progress made in implementing the 
strategic plan and challenges to this progress;
(B) the management, coordination, imple-
mentation of activities under the strategic plan; 
(C) the effectiveness of these activities in 
improving United States manufacturing com-
petitiveness; 
(D) the need to revise the goals and prior-
ities established by the Interagency Committee; 
and 
(E) new and emerging problems and op-
portunities affecting the manufacturing re-
search community, including workforce issues, 
education, research infrastructure, and the 
measurement and statistical analysis of manu-
facturing that may need to be considered by the 
Interagency Committee. 
(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT AP-
PLICATION.—Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
SEC. 3. MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Section 5 of the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3704) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 5. MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Department of Commerce a Manufacturing and Tech-
nology Administration, which shall operate in accordance 
with the provisions, findings, and purposes of this Act. 
The Manufacturing and Technology Administration shall 
include—
‘‘(1) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; 
‘‘(2) the National Technical Information Serv-
ice; and 
‘‘(3) a policy analysis office, which shall be 
known as the Office of Manufacturing and Tech-
nology Policy. 
‘‘(b) UNDERSECRETARY
AND ASSISTANT SECRE-
TARIES.—The President shall appoint, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, to the extent provided for 
in appropriations Acts—
‘‘(1) an Under Secretary of Commerce for Man-
ufacturing and Technology, who shall be an indi-
vidual with engineering or management experience 
in manufacturing, including experience with small 
and medium-sized manufacturing firms, and experi-
ence in dealing with public policy matters related to 
manufacturing, and who shall be compensated at the
rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule 
in section 5314 of title 5, United States Code; 
‘‘(2) an Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing 
who shall serve as a policy analyst for the Under 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(3) an Assistant Secretary of Technology who 
shall serve as a policy analyst for the Under Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(c) UNDER SECRETARY’S DUTIES.—The Secretary, 
through the Under Secretary, as appropriate, shall—
‘‘(1) manage the Manufacturing and Tech-
nology Administration and supervise its agencies, 
programs, and activities; 
‘‘(2) serve as a point of contact on Federal 
manufacturing research and development, as well as 
broader policy issues related to manufacturing, for 
discussions among industry, academic, labor, and 
other groups; 
‘‘(3) provide that cooperative efforts to stimu-
late industrial competitiveness and innovation be un-
dertaken between the Under Secretary and other of-
ficials in the Department of Commerce responsible 
for such areas as trade and economic assistance; 
‘‘(4) encourage and assist the creation of cen-
ters and other joint initiatives by State or local gov-
ernments, regional organizations, private businesses, 
institutions of higher education, nonprofit organiza-
tions, or Federal laboratories to encourage tech-
nology transfer, to encourage innovation, and to pro-
mote an appropriate climate for investment in tech-
nology-related industries; 
‘‘(5) propose and encourage cooperative re-
search involving appropriate Federal entities, State 
or local governments, regional organizations, colleges 
or universities, nonprofit organizations, or private 
industry to promote the common use of resources, to 
improve training programs and curricula, to stimu-
late interest in manufacturing and technology ca-
reers, and to encourage the effective dissemination 
of manufacturing and technology skills within the 
wider community; 
‘‘(6) propose and support studies and policy ex-
periments, in cooperation with other Federal agen-
cies, to determine the effectiveness of measures for 
improving United States manufacturing capabilities 
and productivity; and 
‘‘(7) ensure that activities undertaken by the 
Manufacturing 
and 
Technology 
Administration, 
where appropriate, take into account the needs of 
small and medium-sized manufacturers.
‘‘(d) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES’ DUTIES.—The As-
sistant Secretaries described in subsection (b)(2) and (3) 
shall—
‘‘(1) produce periodic manufacturing reports 
and policy analyses for use by the Advisory Com-
mittee described in paragraph (3), Federal agencies, 
policymakers, and manufacturers, which may include 
such subjects as technology trends, workforce, edu-
cation, and the manufacturing economy, to guide im-
provements in United States industrial productivity; 
‘‘(2) identify manufacturing and technological 
needs, problems, and opportunities within and across 
industrial sectors that, if addressed, could make sig-
nificant contributions to the economy of the United 
States; 
‘‘(3) provide technical and administrative sup-
port to the Interagency Committee established or 
designated under section 2(a) of the Manufacturing 
Technology Competitiveness Act of 2003 and the 
Advisory Committee established or designated under 
section 2(b) of the Manufacturing Technology Com-
petitiveness Act of 2003; and 
‘‘(4) conduct public outreach, including the dis-
semination of findings and recommendations of the 
Interagency Committee and the Advisory Committee
described in paragraph (3), and of the activities of 
the Manufacturing and Technology Administration. 
‘‘(e) REPORT
ON FOREIGN EFFORTS.—Not later 
than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and 
Technology shall submit a report to Congress describing 
the efforts of foreign governments to attract and develop 
technology-based manufacturing, including supporting 
technical and scientific education, research and develop-
ment, development of standards, and encouraging techno-
logical investment from overseas.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 4 of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3703) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘Manufac-
turing and’’ after ‘‘Office of’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘Manufac-
turing and’’ after ‘‘Under Secretary of Commerce 
for’’. 
SEC. 4. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH 
GRANTS. 
The National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act is amended—
(1) by redesignating the first section 32 as sec-
tion 34 and moving it to the end of the Act; and
(2) by inserting before the section moved by 
paragraph (1) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 33. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH 
GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall es-
tablish a program of awards to partnerships among 
participants described in paragraph (2) for the pur-
poses described in paragraph (3). Awards shall be 
made on a peer-reviewed, competitive basis. 
‘‘(2) PARTICIPANTS.—Such partnerships shall 
include at least—
‘‘(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; 
and 
‘‘(B) 1 nonindustry partner. 
‘‘(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program 
under this section is to foster collaborations among 
firms, educational institutions, research institutions, 
State agencies, and nonprofit organizations to en-
courage the development of innovative, multidisci-
plinary manufacturing technologies. Partnerships re-
ceiving awards under this section shall conduct ap-
plied research to develop new manufacturing proc-
esses, techniques, or materials that would contribute 
to improved performance, productivity, and competi-
tiveness of United States manufacturing, and build 
lasting alliances among collaborators. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION.—Awards under this 
section shall provide for not more than one-third of the 
costs of a partnership. Not more than an additional one-
third of such costs may be obtained directly or indirectly 
from other Federal sources. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards under 
this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Director 
shall require. Such applications shall describe at a min-
imum—
‘‘(1) how each partner will participate in devel-
oping and carrying out the research agenda of the 
partnership; 
‘‘(2) the work that the grant would fund; and 
‘‘(3) how the work to be funded with the award 
would contribute to improved performance, produc-
tivity, and competitiveness of the United States 
manufacturing industry. 
‘‘(d) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting applica-
tions for awards under this section, the Director shall con-
sider at a minimum—
‘‘(1) the degree to which projects will have a 
broad impact on manufacturing;
‘‘(2) the novelty and scientific and technical 
merit of the proposed projects; 
‘‘(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the appli-
cants to successfully carry out the proposed re-
search; and 
‘‘(4) any other criteria the Director may re-
quire. 
‘‘(e) DISTRIBUTION.—In selecting applications under 
this section the Director shall ensure, to the extent prac-
ticable a distribution of overall awards among a variety 
of manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm 
sizes. 
‘‘(f) PREFERENCE.—The Director shall give pref-
erence to the selection of applicants whose proposals in-
clude training of qualified candidates at educational insti-
tutions or industrial facilities. 
‘‘(g) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to 
Congress a report on the performance of the program 
under this section.’’. 
SEC. 5. MANUFACTURING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—In order to promote the de-
velopment of a robust research community working at the 
leading edge of manufacturing sciences, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall 
establish a program to award—
(1) postdoctoral research fellowships to individ-
uals who are seeking research positions at institu-
tions, including the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, engaged in research activities re-
lated to manufacturing sciences; and 
(2) senior research fellowships to individuals 
seeking research positions at institutions, including 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
engaged in research activities related to manufac-
turing sciences. 
(b) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible for an award 
under this section, an individual shall submit an applica-
tion to the Director of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Director may require. 
(c) STIPEND LEVELS.—Under this section, the Di-
rector shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fel-
lowships at a level consistent with the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Postdoctoral Research Fel-
lowship Program, and senior research fellowships at levels 
consistent with support for a faculty member in a sab-
batical position.