limit of appropriated funds, as the Secretary may deem de-
sirable through direct support for activities of international 
organizations and foreign national metrology institutes 
with which the Institute cooperates to advance measurement 
methods, technical standards, and related basic technologies, 
for official representation, to host official receptions, din-
ners, and similar events, and to otherwise extend official 
courtesies, including transportation of foreign dignitaries 
and representatives of foreign national metrology institutes 
to and from the Institute, for the purpose of maintaining 
the standing and prestige of the Department of Commerce 
and the Institute, through the grant of fellowships or other 
appropriate form of financial or logistical assistance or 
support to foreign nationals not in service to the Govern-
ment of the United States while they are performing sci-
entific or engineering work at the Institute or participating 
in the exchange of scientific or technical information at the 
Institute.’’. 
(b) STEVENSON-WYDLER UPDATES.—The Stevenson- 
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3701) is amended— 
(1) in section 17(c)(1)— 
(A) by moving each of subparagraphs (D) 
and (E) two ems to the left; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(G) Community.’’; and 
(2) in section 23(a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so 
redesignated, the following: 
‘‘(1) accept, apply for, use, and spend Federal, 
State, and nongovernmental acquisition and assist-
ance funds to further the purposes of this Act as well 
as share personnel, associates, facilities, and property 
with these partner organizations, with or without re-
imbursement, upon mutual agreement: Provided, That 
the approving official may waive statutory and regu-
latory administrative provisions so that a single 
agency may administer a joint program, upon mu-
tual agreement;’’. 
(c) AMERICAN INNOVATION
AND COMPETITIVENESS 
ACT UPDATE.—Section 113 of the American Innovation 
and Competitiveness Act (15 U.S.C. 278e note) is repealed. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating to sec-
tion 113 in the table of contents in section 1(b) of the Amer-
ican Innovation and Competitiveness Act is repealed. 
(e) FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT 
ACT UPDATE.—Section 4 of the Federal Energy Manage-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
ment Improvement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 5001) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Commerce’’ and 
‘‘Secretary’’ each place either such term appears and 
inserting ‘‘Consumer Product Safety Commission’’; 
(2) by redesignating the second subsection (c) as 
subsection (e); and 
(3) in subsection (g), by redesignating clauses (i) 
and (ii) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively. 
SEC. 308. GAO STUDY OF NIST RESEARCH SECURITY POLI-
CIES AND PROTOCOLS. 
(a) EVALUATION.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of the Institute’s poli-
cies and protocols to protect its research and combat undue 
foreign influence, 
(b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The study conducted 
under subsection (a) shall include, to the extent practicable, 
the following: 
(1) An analysis of steps taken by the Institute to 
address foreign threats to Institute-funded research 
over the previous 5 years. 
(2) An analysis of the coordination and engage-
ment between the Department of Commerce’s Office of 
Inspector General, the Department of Commerce’s Of-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
fice of Intelligence and the Institute in identifying 
and addressing concerning findings. 
(3) An assessment of the Institute’s review proc-
ess for Foreign National associates. 
(4) An assessment of the Institute’s policies as it 
relates to employees and associates participating in 
foreign talent recruitment programs. 
(5) An assessment of the Institute’s implementa-
tion of conflict-of-interest and disclosure policies and 
requirements, including the disclosure requirements 
authorized in Section 223 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (public Law 
116-283). 
(6) An assessment of the Institute’s, the Depart-
ment of Commerce’s Office of Security, the Depart-
ment of Commerce’s Office of Intelligence, and the De-
partment of Commerce’s Office of Inspector General’s 
ability to monitor and enforce conflict-of-interest and 
disclosure policies and requirements, including the 
disclosure requirements authorized in Section 223 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2021 (public Law 116-283). 
(7) An assessment of the Institute’s, the Depart-
ment of Commerce’s, and the Department of Com-
merce’s Office of Inspector General’s ability to con-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
duct risk assessments of research and development 
award applications and disclosures to the Institute. 
(8) An assessment of the Institute’s research secu-
rity training programs for both internal and exter-
nally-supported researchers and associates, including 
training focused on international collaboration, and 
international travel, foreign interference, and rules 
for proper use of funds, disclosure, conflict of commit-
ment, and conflict of interest. 
(9) An analysis and summary of incidents of 
undue foreign influence at Institute-supported re-
search facilities and programs over the past 10 years. 
(10) Recommendations for the Institute to bolster 
its research security policies and protocols. 
(11) Other matters the Comptroller General de-
termines appropriate. 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall brief the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate on the findings available from the evaluation con-
ducted under subsection (a). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall sub-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
mit to the congressional committees specified in subsection 
(c) a report on the findings and recommendations of the 
evaluation conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 309. PREMISE PLUMBING RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director, shall create a program for premise plumbing re-
search, including to— 
(1) conduct metrology research on premise 
plumbing in relation to water safety, security, effi-
ciency, sustainability, and resilience; and 
(2) coordinate research activities with academia, 
the private sector, nonprofits, and other Federal agen-
cies. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘premise plumbing’’ means the water distribution sys-
tem located within the property lines of a property, includ-
ing all buildings and permanent structures on such prop-
erty. Such term includes building supply and distribution 
pipes, fixtures, fittings, water heaters, water-treating and 
water-using equipment, and all respective joints, connec-
tions, devices, and appurtenances. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
TITLE IV—HOLLINGS MANUFAC-
TURING 
EXTENSION 
PART-
NERSHIP 
SECTION 401. ESTABLISHMENT OF EXPANSION AWARDS 
PILOT PROGRAM AS A PART OF THE HOL-
LINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PART-
NERSHIP. 
The National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 25A (15 U.S.C. 278k–1) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 25B. EXPANSION AWARDS PILOT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—The terms used in this section 
have the meanings given the terms in section 25. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish as 
a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partner-
ship a pilot program of expansion awards among partici-
pants described in subsection (c) of this section for the pur-
poses described in subsection (e) of this section. 
‘‘(c) PARTICIPANTS.—Participants receiving awards 
under this section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Cen-
ters. 
‘‘(d) AWARD AMOUNTS.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, an award for a recipient under this section 
shall be in an amount equal to the sum of the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) Such amount as the Director considers ap-
propriate as a minimum base funding level for each 
award under this section. 
‘‘(2) Such additional amount as the Director 
considers in proportion to the manufacturing density 
of the region of the recipient. 
‘‘(3) Such supplemental amounts as the Director 
considers appropriate. 
‘‘(e) PURPOSE OF AWARDS.—An award under this sec-
tion shall be made for one or more of the following purposes: 
‘‘(1) To provide coordinating services on em-
ployee engagement, including employee ownership 
and workforce training, including connecting manu-
facturers with career and technical education entities, 
institutions of higher education (including commu-
nity colleges), workforce development boards, labor or-
ganizations, and nonprofit job training providers to 
develop and support training and job placement serv-
ices, including apprenticeship and online learning 
platforms, for new and incumbent workers, program-
ming to prevent job losses when adopting new tech-
nologies and processes, and development of employee 
ownership practices. 
‘‘(2) To provide services to improve the resiliency 
of 
domestic 
supply 
chains 
and 
to 
mitigate 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, including helping to 
offset the cost of cybersecurity projects for small man-
ufacturers. 
‘‘(3) To expand advanced technology services to 
United States-based small- and medium-sized manu-
facturers, which may include— 
‘‘(A) developing advanced technology dem-
onstration laboratories for training and dem-
onstration in areas of supply chain and critical 
technology needs, including a focus on the dem-
onstration of technologies developed by compa-
nies based in the United States; 
‘‘(B) services for the adoption of advanced 
technologies, including smart manufacturing 
technologies and practices; and 
‘‘(C) establishing partnerships, for the devel-
opment, demonstration, and deployment of ad-
vanced technologies, between United States-based 
small- and medium-sized manufacturers and— 
‘‘(i) national laboratories (as defined 
in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)); 
‘‘(ii) Federal laboratories; 
‘‘(iii) Manufacturing USA institutes 
(as described in section 34(d)); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iv) institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(4) To build capabilities across the Hollings 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership for domestic 
supply chain resiliency and optimization, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(A) assessment of domestic manufacturing 
capabilities, expanded capacity for researching 
and deploying information on supply chain risk, 
hidden costs of reliance on offshore suppliers, re-
designing products and processes to encourage 
reshoring, and other relevant topics; and 
‘‘(B) expanded services to provide industry- 
wide support that assists United States manu-
facturers 
with 
reshoring 
manufacturing 
to 
strengthen the resiliency of domestic supply 
chains, including in critical technology areas 
and foundational manufacturing capabilities 
that are key to domestic manufacturing competi-
tiveness and resiliency, including forming, cast-
ing, machining, joining, surface treatment, and 
tooling. 
‘‘(f) REIMBURSEMENT.—The Director may reimburse 
Centers for costs incurred by the Centers under this section. 
‘‘(g) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards under 
this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
time, and containing such information as the Director shall 
require in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership Advisory Board. 
‘‘(h) SELECTION.— 
‘‘(1) REVIEWED AND MERIT-BASED.—The Direc-
tor shall ensure that awards under this section are re-
viewed and merit-based. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC
DIVERSITY.—The Director 
shall endeavor to have broad geographic diversity 
among selected proposals. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA.—The Director shall select appli-
cations consistent with the purposes identified pursu-
ant to subsection (e) to receive awards that the Direc-
tor determines will achieve one or more of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) Improvement of the competitiveness of 
industries in the region in which the Center or 
Centers are located. 
‘‘(B) Creation of jobs or training of newly 
hired employees. 
‘‘(C) Promotion of the transfer and commer-
cialization of research and technology from insti-
tutions of higher education, national labora-
tories, or other federally funded research pro-
grams, and nonprofit research institutes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:13 Feb 18, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H4609.RH
H4609
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS