America INNOVATES Act

Bill: 114-s-1187
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2015-05-04
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Congressional oversight

Department of Energy

Education programs funding

Energy research

Executive agency funding and structure

Federal officials

Government studies and investigations

Higher education

Intellectual property

Performance measurement

Public contracts and procurement

Public-private cooperation

Research administration and funding

Research and development

Small business

Technology transfer and commercialization
Latest action: action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-05-04
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or the America INNOVATES Act</b></p><p>Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to rename the Under Secretary for Science as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy. </p> <p>Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to report annually on DOE's ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies. </p> <p> Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, in part by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program. </p> <p>Extends the pilot program for a term of three years after the enactment of this Act.</p> <p>Requires DOE to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements (except those with a majority foreign-owned company) whose total cost is less than $1 million. </p>  <p> Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities. </p> <p>Amends the Small Business Act to require DOE, in carrying out its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to provide to small businesses seeking funding under these programs information concerning resources available to them at national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers. </p> <p> Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt, for six years after enactment of this Act, institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development.</p> <p>Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1187 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 4, 2015 Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Rubio , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. Kirk ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To improve management of the National Laboratories, enhance technology commercialization, facilitate public-private partnerships, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or the America INNOVATES Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Savings clause. TITLE I—Innovation management at Department of Energy Sec. 101. Under Secretary for Science and Energy. Sec. 102. Technology transfer and transitions assessment. TITLE II—Cross-sector partnerships and grant competitiveness Sec. 201. Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program. Sec. 202. Public-private partnerships for commercialization. Sec. 203. Inclusion of early-stage technology demonstration in authorized technology transfer activities. Sec. 204. Information and resources for startups and small businesses. Sec. 205. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions. TITLE III—Assessment of impact Sec. 301. Report by Government Accountability Office. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Department The term Department means the Department of Energy. (2) National Laboratory (A) In general The term National Laboratory means a nonmilitary national laboratory owned by the Department. (B) Inclusions The term National Laboratory includes— (i) Ames Laboratory; (ii) Argonne National Laboratory; (iii) Brookhaven National Laboratory; (iv) Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; (v) Idaho National Laboratory; (vi) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; (vii) National Energy Technology Laboratory; (viii) National Renewable Energy Laboratory; (ix) Oak Ridge National Laboratory; (x) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; (xi) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory; (xii) Savannah River National Laboratory; (xiii) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center; (xiv) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility; and (xv) any laboratory operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with respect to the civilian energy activities conducted at the laboratory. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. 3. Savings clause Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act abrogates or otherwise affects the primary responsibilities of any National Laboratory to the Department. I Innovation management at Department of Energy 101. Under Secretary for Science and Energy (a) In general Section 202(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7132(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking Under Secretary for Science each place it appears and inserting Under Secretary for Science and Energy ; and (2) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following: (H) establish appropriate linkages between offices under the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; and (I) perform such functions and duties as the Secretary shall prescribe, consistent with this section. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 3164(b)(1) of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7381a(b)(1) ) is amended by striking Under Secretary for Science and inserting Under Secretary for Science and Energy . (2) Section 641(h)(2) of the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17231(h)(2) ) is amended by striking Under Secretary for Science and inserting Under Secretary for Science and Energy . 102. Technology transfer and transitions assessment Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes— (1) an assessment of the ability of the Department to carry out the goals of section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16391 ), including an assessment of the role and effectiveness of the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions; and (2) recommendations for policy changes for the Department and legislative changes to section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16391 ) to improve the ability of the Department to successfully transfer new energy technologies to the private sector. II Cross-sector partnerships and grant competitiveness 201. Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program (a) In general The Secretary shall carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program of the Department, as announced by the Secretary on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this section. (b) Terms Each agreement entered into pursuant to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall provide to the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory, to the maximum extent determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, increased authority to negotiate contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, indemnification, payment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty collaborations. (c) Eligibility (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), any National Laboratory may enter into an agreement pursuant to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a). (2) Agreements with non-Federal entities To carry out paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to execute agreements with non-Federal entities, including non-Federal entities already receiving Federal funding that will be used to support activities under agreements executed pursuant to paragraph (1). (3) Restriction The requirements of chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code (commonly known as the Bayh-Dole Act ) shall apply if— (A) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that term is defined in section 201 of that title); and (B) at least 1 of the parties to the funding agreement is eligible to receive rights under that chapter. (d) Submission to Secretary Each affected director of a National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with respect to each agreement entered into under this section— (1) a summary of information relating to the relevant project; (2) the total estimated costs of the project; (3) estimated commencement and completion dates of the project; and (4) other documentation determined to be appropriate by the Secretary. (e) Certification The Secretary shall require the contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this section— (1) is not in direct competition with the private sector; and (2) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agreement under this section. (f) Extension The pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall be extended for a term of 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (g) Reports (1) Initial report Not later than 60 days after the date described in subsection (f), the Secretary, in coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that— (A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot program referred to in subsection (a); (B) identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the pilot program; (C) assesses the potential for program activities to interfere with the responsibilities of the National Laboratories to the Department; and (D) provides a recommendation regarding the future of the pilot program. (2) Annual reports Annually, the Secretary, in coordination with the directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that accounts for all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract or award to carry out agreements entered into under this section. 202. Public-private partnerships for commercialization (a) In general Subject to subsections (b) through (d), the Secretary shall delegate to directors of the National Laboratories signature authority with respect to any agreement described in subsection (b) the total cost of which (including the National Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share) is less than $1,000,000. (b) Agreements Subsection (a) applies to— (1) a cooperative research and development agreement; (2) a non-Federal work-for-others agreement; and (3) any other agreement determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, in collaboration with the directors of the National Laboratories. (c) Limitation Subsection (a) does not apply to an agreement with a majority-foreign-owned company. (d) Administration (1) Accountability The director of the affected National Laboratory and the affected contractor shall carry out an agreement under this section in accordance with applicable policies of the Department, including by ensuring that the agreement does not compromise any national security, economic, or environmental interest of the United States. (2) Certification The director of the affected National Laboratory and the affected contractor shall certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this section does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agreement under this section. (3) Availability of records On entering an agreement under this section, the director of a National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary for monitoring and review all records of the National Laboratory relating to the agreement. (4) Rates The director of a National Laboratory may charge higher rates for services performed under a partnership agreement entered into pursuant to this section, regardless of the full cost of recovery, if the funds are exclusively used to support further research and development activities at the applicable National Laboratory. (e) Conforming amendment Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3710a ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting the subparagraphs appropriately; (B) by striking Each Federal agency and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), each Federal agency ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (2) Exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in accordance with section 202(a) of the America INNOVATES Act , approval by the Secretary of Energy shall not be required for any technology transfer agreement proposed to be entered into by a National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, the total cost of which (including the National Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share) is less than $1,000,000. ; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking subsection (a)(1) each place it appears and inserting subsection (a)(1)(A) . 203. Inclusion of early-stage technology demonstration in authorized technology transfer activities Section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16391 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following: (g) Early-Stage technology demonstration The Secretary shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within the Department to carry out early-stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities to remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest and demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from National Laboratory activities. . 204. Information and resources for startups and small businesses Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (tt) Information In carrying out the SBIR and STTR programs of the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall provide to small business concerns seeking funding under the programs information concerning resources that are available to small business concerns at National Laboratories and federally funded research and development centers. . 205. Funding competitiveness for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions Section 988(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16352(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (4) Exemption for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions (A) In general Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a research or development activity performed by an institution of higher education or nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3703 )). (B) Termination date The exemption under subparagraph (A) shall apply during the 6-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this paragraph. . III Assessment of impact 301. Report by Government Accountability Office Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report— (1) describing the results of the projects developed under sections 201, 202, and 203, including information regarding— (A) partnerships initiated as a result of those projects and the potential linkages presented by those partnerships with respect to national priorities and other taxpayer-funded research; and (B) whether the activities carried out under those projects result in— (i) fiscal savings; (ii) expansion of National Laboratory capabilities; (iii) increased efficiency of technology transfers; or (iv) an increase in general efficiency of the National Laboratory system; (2) assessing the scale, scope, efficacy, and impact of the efforts of the Department to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the National Laboratories; and (3) making recommendations on ways in which the Department could improve the activities described under paragraph (1).