[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2392 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

                  In the Senate of the United States,

                                                         July 19, 2000.
    Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 
2392) entitled ``An Act to amend the Small Business Act to extend the 
authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research Program, and 
for other purposes.'', do pass with the following

                               AMENDMENT:

            Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business 
Innovation Research Program Reauthorization Act of 2000''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Extension of SBIR program.
Sec. 4. Annual report.
Sec. 5. Third phase assistance.
Sec. 6. Policy directive modifications.
Sec. 7. Report on programs for annual performance plan.
Sec. 8. Output and outcome data.
Sec. 9. National Research Council reports.
Sec. 10. Federal agency expenditures for the SBIR program.
Sec. 11. Federal and State Technology Partnership Program.
Sec. 12. Mentoring Networks.
Sec. 13. Simplified reporting requirements.
Sec. 14. Rural outreach program extension.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the small business innovation research program 
        established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act 
        of 1982, and reauthorized by the Small Business Research and 
        Development Enhancement Act of 1992 (in this Act referred to as 
        the ``SBIR program'') is highly successful in involving small 
        businesses in federally funded research and development;
            (2) the SBIR program made the cost-effective and unique 
        research and development capabilities possessed by the small 
        businesses of this Nation available to Federal agencies and 
        departments;
            (3) the innovative goods and services developed by small 
        businesses that participated in the SBIR program have produced 
        innovations of critical importance in a wide variety of high-
        technology fields, including biology, medicine, education, and 
        defense;
            (4) the SBIR program is a catalyst in the promotion of 
        research and development, the commercialization of innovative 
        technology, the development of new products and services, and 
        the continued excellence of this Nation's high-technology 
        industries; and
            (5) the continuation of the SBIR program will provide 
        expanded opportunities for one of the Nation's vital resources, 
        its small businesses, will foster invention, research, and 
        technology, will create jobs, and will increase this Nation's 
        competitiveness in international markets.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF SBIR PROGRAM.

    Section 9(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(m)) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(m) Termination.--The authorization to carry out the Small 
Business Innovation Research Program established under this section 
shall terminate on September 30, 2008.''.

SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Section 9(b)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(b)(7)) is 
amended by striking ``and the Committee on Small Business of the House 
of Representatives'' and inserting ``, and to the Committee on Science 
and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives,''.

SEC. 5. THIRD PHASE ASSISTANCE.

    Section 9(e)(4)(C)(i) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
638(e)(4)(C)(i)) is amended by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``; 
or''.

SEC. 6. POLICY DIRECTIVE MODIFICATIONS.

    Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Additional modifications.--Not later than 120 days 
        after the date of enactment of the Small Business Innovation 
        Research Program Reauthorization Act of 2000, the Administrator 
        shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this 
        subsection--
                    ``(A) to clarify that the rights provided for under 
                paragraph (2)(A) apply to all Federal funding awards 
                under this section, including the first phase (as 
                described in subsection (e)(4)(A)), the second phase 
                (as described in subsection (e)(4)(B)), and the third 
                phase (as described in subsection (e)(4)(C));
                    ``(B) to provide for the requirement of a succinct 
                commercialization plan with each application for a 
                second phase award that is moving toward 
                commercialization;
                    ``(C) to require agencies to report to the 
                Administration, not less frequently than annually, all 
                instances in which an agency pursued research, 
                development, or production of a technology developed by 
                a small business concern using an award made under the 
                SBIR program of that agency, and determined that it was 
                not practicable to enter into a follow-on non-SBIR 
                program funding agreement with the small business 
                concern, which report shall include, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) the reasons why the follow-on funding 
                        agreement with the small business concern was 
                        not practicable;
                            ``(ii) the identity of the entity with 
                        which the agency contracted to perform the 
                        research, development, or production; and
                            ``(iii) a description of the type of 
                        funding agreement under which the research, 
                        development, or production was obtained; and
                    ``(D) to implement subsection (v), including 
                establishing standardized procedures for the provision 
                of information pursuant to subsection (k)(3).''.

SEC. 7. REPORT ON PROGRAMS FOR ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN.

    Section 9(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) include, as part of its annual performance plan as 
        required by subsections (a) and (b) of section 1115 of title 
        31, United States Code, a section on its SBIR program, and 
        shall submit such section to the Committee on Small Business of 
        the Senate, and the Committee on Science and the Committee on 
        Small Business of the House of Representatives; and''.

SEC. 8. OUTPUT AND OUTCOME DATA.

    (a) Collection.--Section 9(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
638(g)), as amended by section 7 of this Act, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) collect, and maintain in a common format in 
        accordance with subsection (v), such information from awardees 
        as is necessary to assess the SBIR program, including 
        information necessary to maintain the database described in 
        subsection (k).''.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Section 9(b)(7) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 638(b)(7)), as amended by section 4 of this Act, is amended 
by inserting before the period at the end ``, including the data on 
output and outcomes collected pursuant to subsections (g)(10) and 
(o)(9), and a description of the extent to which Federal agencies are 
providing in a timely manner information needed to maintain the 
database described in subsection (k)''.
    (c) Database.--Section 9(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
638(k)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(k) Database.--
            ``(1) Public database.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of the Small Business Innovation Research 
        Program Reauthorization Act of 2000, the Administrator shall 
        develop, maintain, and make available to the public a 
        searchable, up-to-date, electronic database that includes--
                    ``(A) the name, size, location, and an identifying 
                number assigned by the Administrator, of each small 
                business concern that has received a first phase or 
                second phase SBIR award from a Federal agency;
                    ``(B) a description of each first phase or second 
                phase SBIR award received by that small business 
                concern, including--
                            ``(i) an abstract of the project funded by 
                        the award, excluding any proprietary 
                        information so identified by the small business 
                        concern;
                            ``(ii) the Federal agency making the award; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the date and amount of the award;
                    ``(C) an identification of any business concern or 
                subsidiary established for the commercial application 
                of a product or service for which an SBIR award is 
                made; and
                    ``(D) information regarding mentors and Mentoring 
                Networks, as required by section 35(d).
            ``(2) Government database.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of the Small Business Innovation Research 
        Program Reauthorization Act of 2000, the Administrator, in 
        consultation with Federal agencies required to have an SBIR 
        program pursuant to subsection (f)(1), shall develop and 
        maintain a database to be used solely for SBIR program 
        evaluation that--
                    ``(A) contains for each second phase award made by 
                a Federal agency--
                            ``(i) information collected in accordance 
                        with paragraph (3) on revenue from the sale of 
                        new products or services resulting from the 
                        research conducted under the award;
                            ``(ii) information collected in accordance 
                        with paragraph (3) on additional investment 
                        from any source, other than first phase or 
                        second phase SBIR or STTR awards, to further 
                        the research and development conducted under 
                        the award; and
                            ``(iii) any other information received in 
                        connection with the award that the 
                        Administrator, in conjunction with the SBIR 
                        program managers of Federal agencies, considers 
                        relevant and appropriate;
                    ``(B) includes any narrative information that a 
                small business concern receiving a second phase award 
                voluntarily submits to further describe the outputs and 
                outcomes of its awards;
                    ``(C) includes for each applicant for a first phase 
                or second phase award that does not receive such an 
                award--
                            ``(i) the name, size, and location, and an 
                        identifying number assigned by the 
                        Administration;
                            ``(ii) an abstract of the project; and
                            ``(iii) the Federal agency to which the 
                        application was made;
                    ``(D) includes any other data collected by or 
                available to any Federal agency that such agency 
                considers may be useful for SBIR program evaluation; 
                and
                    ``(E) is available for use solely for program 
                evaluation purposes by the Federal Government or, in 
                accordance with policy directives issued by the 
                Administration, by other authorized persons who are 
                subject to a use and nondisclosure agreement with the 
                Federal Government covering the use of the database.
            ``(3) Updating information for database.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A small business concern 
                applying for a second phase award under this section 
                shall be required to update information in the database 
                established under this subsection for any prior second 
                phase award received by that small business concern. In 
                complying with this paragraph, a small business concern 
                may apportion sales or additional investment 
                information relating to more than one second phase 
                award among those awards, if it notes the apportionment 
                for each award.
                    ``(B) Annual updates upon termination.--A small 
                business concern receiving a second phase award under 
                this section shall--
                            ``(i) update information in the database 
                        concerning that award at the termination of the 
                        award period; and
                            ``(ii) be requested to voluntarily update 
                        such information annually thereafter for a 
                        period of 5 years.
            ``(4) Protection of information.--Information provided 
        under paragraph (2) shall be considered privileged and 
        confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to section 
        552 of title 5, United States Code.
            ``(5) Rule of construction.--Inclusion of information in 
        the database under this subsection shall not be considered to 
        be publication for purposes of subsection (a) or (b) of section 
        102 of title 35, United States Code.''.

SEC. 9. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL REPORTS.

    (a) Study and Recommendations.--The head of each agency with a 
budget of more than $50,000,000 for its SBIR program for fiscal year 
1999, in consultation with the Small Business Administration, shall, 
not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
cooperatively enter into an agreement with the National Academy of 
Sciences for the National Research Council to--
            (1) conduct a comprehensive study of how the SBIR program 
        has stimulated technological innovation and used small 
        businesses to meet Federal research and development needs, 
        including--
                    (A) a review of the value to the Federal research 
                agencies of the research projects being conducted under 
                the SBIR program, and of the quality of research being 
                conducted by small businesses participating under the 
                program, including a comparison of the value of 
                projects conducted under the SBIR program to those 
                funded by other Federal research and development 
                expenditures;
                    (B) to the extent practicable, an evaluation of the 
                economic benefits achieved by the SBIR program, 
                including the economic rate of return, and a comparison 
                of the economic benefits, including the economic rate 
                of return, achieved by the SBIR program with the 
                economic benefits, including the economic rate of 
                return, of other Federal research and development 
                expenditures;
                    (C) an evaluation of the noneconomic benefits 
                achieved by the SBIR program over the life of the 
                program;
                    (D) a comparison of the allocation for fiscal year 
                2000 of Federal research and development funds to small 
                businesses with such allocation for fiscal year 1983, 
                and an analysis of the factors that have contributed to 
                such allocation; and
                    (E) an analysis of whether Federal agencies, in 
                fulfilling their procurement needs, are making 
                sufficient effort to use small businesses that have 
                completed a second phase award under the SBIR program; 
                and
            (2) make recommendations with respect to--
                    (A) measures of outcomes for strategic plans 
                submitted under section 306 of title 5, United States 
                Code, and performance plans submitted under section 
                1115 of title 31, United States Code, of each Federal 
                agency participating in the SBIR program;
                    (B) whether companies who can demonstrate project 
                feasibility, but who have not received a first phase 
                award, should be eligible for second phase awards, and 
                the potential impact of such awards on the competitive 
                selection process of the program;
                    (C) whether the Federal Government should be 
                permitted to recoup some or all of its expenses if a 
                controlling interest in a company receiving an SBIR 
                award is sold to a foreign company or to a company that 
                is not a small business concern;
                    (D) how to increase the use by the Federal 
                Government in its programs and procurements of 
                technology-oriented small businesses; and
                    (E) improvements to the SBIR program, if any are 
                considered appropriate.
    (b) Participation by Small Business.--
            (1) In general.--In a manner consistent with law and with 
        National Research Council study guidelines and procedures, 
        knowledgeable individuals from the small business community 
        with experience in the SBIR program shall be included--
                    (A) in any panel established by the National 
                Research Council for the purpose of performing the 
                study conducted under this section; and
                    (B) among those who are asked by the National 
                Research Council to peer review the study.
            (2) Consultation.--To ensure that the concerns of small 
        business are appropriately considered under this subsection, 
        the National Research Council shall consult with and consider 
        the views of the Office of Technology and the Office of 
        Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and other 
        interested parties, including entities, organizations, and 
        individuals actively engaged in enhancing or developing the 
        technological capabilities of small business concerns.
    (c) Progress Reports.--The National Research Council shall provide 
semiannual progress reports on the study conducted under this section 
to the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small Business of the 
House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Small Business of the 
Senate.
    (d) Report.--The National Research Council shall transmit to the 
heads of agencies entering into an agreement under this section and to 
the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small Business of the 
House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Small Business of the 
Senate--
            (1) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, a report including the results of the study conducted 
        under subsection (a)(1) and recommendations made under 
        subsection (a)(2); and
            (2) not later than 6 years after that date of enactment, an 
        update of such report.

SEC. 10. FEDERAL AGENCY EXPENDITURES FOR THE SBIR PROGRAM.

    Section 9(i) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(i)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(i) Each Federal'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(i) Annual Reporting.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each Federal''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Calculation of extramural budget.--
                    ``(A) Methodology.--Not later than 4 months after 
                the date of enactment of each appropriations Act for a 
                Federal agency required by this section to have an SBIR 
                program, the Federal agency shall submit to the 
                Administrator a report, which shall include a 
                description of the methodology used for calculating the 
                amount of the extramural budget of that Federal agency.
                    ``(B) Administrator's analysis.--The Administrator 
                shall include an analysis of the methodology received 
                from each Federal agency referred to in subparagraph 
                (A) in the report required by subsection (b)(7).''.

SEC. 11. FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) programs to foster economic development among small 
        high-technology firms vary widely among the States;
            (2) States that do not aggressively support the development 
        of small high-technology firms, including participation by 
        small business concerns in the SBIR program, are at a 
        competitive disadvantage in establishing a business climate 
        that is conducive to technology development; and
            (3) building stronger national, State, and local support 
        for science and technology research in these disadvantaged 
        States will expand economic opportunities in the United States, 
        create jobs, and increase the competitiveness of the United 
        States in the world market.
    (b) Federal and State Technology Partnership Program.--The Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 34 as section 36; and
            (2) by inserting after section 33 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 34. FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section and section 35--
            ``(1) the term `applicant' means an entity, organization, 
        or individual that submits a proposal for an award or a 
        cooperative agreement under this section;
            ``(2) the term `business advice and counseling' means 
        providing advice and assistance on matters described in section 
        35(c)(2)(B) to small business concerns to guide them through 
        the SBIR and STTR program process, from application to award 
        and successful completion of each phase of the program;
            ``(3) the term `FAST program' means the Federal and State 
        Technology Partnership Program established under this section;
            ``(4) the term `mentor' means an individual described in 
        section 35(c)(2);
            ``(5) the term `Mentoring Network' means an association, 
        organization, coalition, or other entity (including an 
        individual) that meets the requirements of section 35(c);
            ``(6) the term `recipient' means a person that receives an 
        award or becomes party to a cooperative agreement under this 
        section;
            ``(7) the term `SBIR program' has the same meaning as in 
        section 9(e)(4);
            ``(8) the term `State' means any of the 50 States of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the 
        Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; and
            ``(9) the term `STTR program' has the same meaning as in 
        section 9(e)(6).
    ``(b) Establishment of Program.--The Administrator shall establish 
a program to be known as the Federal and State Technology Partnership 
Program, the purpose of which shall be to strengthen the technological 
competitiveness of small business concerns in the States.
    ``(c) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
            ``(1) Joint review.--In carrying out the FAST program under 
        this section, the Administrator and the SBIR program managers 
        at the National Science Foundation and the Department of 
        Defense shall jointly review proposals submitted by applicants 
        and may make awards or enter into cooperative agreements under 
        this section based on the factors for consideration set forth 
        in paragraph (2), in order to enhance or develop in a State--
                    ``(A) technology research and development by small 
                business concerns;
                    ``(B) technology transfer from university research 
                to technology-based small business concerns;
                    ``(C) technology deployment and diffusion 
                benefiting small business concerns;
                    ``(D) the technological capabilities of small 
                business concerns through the establishment or 
                operation of consortia comprised of entities, 
                organizations, or individuals, including--
                            ``(i) State and local development agencies 
                        and entities;
                            ``(ii) representatives of technology-based 
                        small business concerns;
                            ``(iii) industries and emerging companies;
                            ``(iv) universities; and
                            ``(v) small business development centers; 
                        and
                    ``(E) outreach, financial support, and technical 
                assistance to technology-based small business concerns 
                participating in or interested in participating in an 
                SBIR program, including initiatives--
                            ``(i) to make grants or loans to companies 
                        to pay a portion or all of the cost of 
                        developing SBIR proposals;
                            ``(ii) to establish or operate a Mentoring 
                        Network within the FAST program to provide 
                        business advice and counseling that will assist 
                        small business concerns that have been 
                        identified by FAST program participants, 
                        program managers of participating SBIR 
                        agencies, the Administration, or other entities 
                        that are knowledgeable about the SBIR and STTR 
                        programs as good candidates for the SBIR and 
                        STTR programs, and that would benefit from 
                        mentoring, in accordance with section 35;
                            ``(iii) to create or participate in a 
                        training program for individuals providing SBIR 
                        outreach and assistance at the State and local 
                        levels; and
                            ``(iv) to encourage the commercialization 
                        of technology developed through SBIR program 
                        funding.
            ``(2) Selection considerations.--In making awards or 
        entering into cooperative agreements under this section, the 
        Administrator and the SBIR program managers referred to in 
        paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) may only consider proposals by applicants 
                that intend to use a portion of the Federal assistance 
                provided under this section to provide outreach, 
                financial support, or technical assistance to 
                technology-based small business concerns participating 
                in or interested in participating in the SBIR program; 
                and
                    ``(B) shall consider, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) whether the applicant has 
                        demonstrated that the assistance to be provided 
                        would address unmet needs of small business 
                        concerns in the community, and whether it is 
                        important to use Federal funding for the 
                        proposed activities;
                            ``(ii) whether the applicant has 
                        demonstrated that a need exists to increase the 
                        number or success of small high-technology 
                        businesses in the State, as measured by the 
                        number of first phase and second phase SBIR 
                        awards that have historically been received by 
                        small business concerns in the State;
                            ``(iii) whether the projected costs of the 
                        proposed activities are reasonable;
                            ``(iv) whether the proposal integrates and 
                        coordinates the proposed activities with other 
                        State and local programs assisting small high-
                        technology firms in the State; and
                            ``(v) the manner in which the applicant 
                        will measure the results of the activities to 
                        be conducted.
            ``(3) Proposal limit.--Not more than 1 proposal may be 
        submitted for inclusion in the FAST program under this section 
        to provide services in any one State in any 1 fiscal year.
            ``(4) Process.--Proposals and applications for assistance 
        under this section shall be in such form and subject to such 
        procedures as the Administrator shall establish.
    ``(d) Cooperation and Coordination.--In carrying out the FAST 
program under this section, the Administrator shall cooperate and 
coordinate with--
            ``(1) Federal agencies required by section 9 to have an 
        SBIR program; and
            ``(2) entities, organizations, and individuals actively 
        engaged in enhancing or developing the technological 
        capabilities of small business concerns, including--
                    ``(A) State and local development agencies and 
                entities;
                    ``(B) State committees established under the 
                Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
                of the National Science Foundation (as established 
                under section 113 of the National Science Foundation 
                Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g));
                    ``(C) State science and technology councils; and
                    ``(D) representatives of technology-based small 
                business concerns.
    ``(e) Administrative Requirements.--
            ``(1) Competitive basis.--Awards and cooperative agreements 
        under this section shall be made or entered into, as 
        applicable, on a competitive basis.
            ``(2) Matching requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The non-Federal share of the 
                cost of an activity (other than a planning activity) 
                carried out using an award or under a cooperative 
                agreement under this section shall be--
                            ``(i) 50 cents for each Federal dollar, in 
                        the case of a recipient that will serve small 
                        business concerns located in one of the 18 
                        States receiving the fewest SBIR first phase 
                        awards (as described in section 9(e)(4)(A));
                            ``(ii) except as provided in subparagraph 
                        (B), 1 dollar for each Federal dollar, in the 
                        case of a recipient that will serve small 
                        business concerns located in one of the 16 
                        States receiving the greatest number of such 
                        SBIR first phase awards; and
                            ``(iii) except as provided in subparagraph 
                        (B), 75 cents for each Federal dollar, in the 
                        case of a recipient that will serve small 
                        business concerns located in a State that is 
                        not described in clause (i) or (ii) that is 
                        receiving such SBIR first phase awards.
                    ``(B) Low-income areas.--The non-Federal share of 
                the cost of the activity carried out using an award or 
                under a cooperative agreement under this section shall 
                be 50 cents for each Federal dollar that will be 
                directly allocated by a recipient described in 
                subparagraph (A) to serve small business concerns 
                located in a qualified census tract, as that term is 
                defined in section 42(d)(5)(C)(ii) of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986. Federal dollars not so allocated 
                by that recipient shall be subject to the matching 
                requirements of subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Types of funding.--The non-Federal share of 
                the cost of an activity carried out by a recipient 
                shall be comprised of not less than 50 percent cash and 
                not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-kind 
                contributions, except that no such costs or 
                contributions may be derived from funds from any other 
                Federal program.
                    ``(D) Rankings.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), 
                the Administrator shall reevaluate the ranking of a 
                State once every 2 fiscal years, beginning with fiscal 
                year 2001, based on the most recent statistics compiled 
                by the Administrator.
            ``(3) Duration.--Awards may be made or cooperative 
        agreements entered into under this section for multiple years, 
        not to exceed 5 years in total.
    ``(f) Reports.--
            ``(1) Initial report.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        date of enactment of the Small Business Innovation Research 
        Program Reauthorization Act of 2000, the Administrator shall 
        prepare and submit to the Committee on Small Business of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small 
        Business of the House of Representatives a report, which shall 
        include, with respect to the FAST program, including Mentoring 
        Networks--
                    ``(A) a description of the structure and procedures 
                of the program;
                    ``(B) a management plan for the program; and
                    ``(C) a description of the merit-based review 
                process to be used in the program.
            ``(2) Annual reports.--The Administrator shall submit an 
        annual report to the Committee on Small Business of the Senate 
        and the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small 
        Business of the House of Representatives regarding--
                    ``(A) the number and amount of awards provided and 
                cooperative agreements entered into under the FAST 
                program during the preceding year;
                    ``(B) a list of recipients under this section, 
                including their location and the activities being 
                performed with the awards made or under the cooperative 
                agreements entered into; and
                    ``(C) the Mentoring Networks and the mentoring 
                database, as provided for under section 35, including--
                            ``(i) the status of the inclusion of 
                        mentoring information in the database required 
                        by section 9(k); and
                            ``(ii) the status of the implementation and 
                        description of the usage of the Mentoring 
                        Networks.
    ``(g) Reviews by Inspector General.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Inspector General of the 
        Administration shall conduct a review of--
                    ``(A) the extent to which recipients under the FAST 
                program are measuring the performance of the activities 
                being conducted and the results of such measurements; 
                and
                    ``(B) the overall management and effectiveness of 
                the FAST program.
            ``(2) Report.--During the first quarter of fiscal year 
        2004, the Inspector General of the Administration shall submit 
        a report to the Committee on Small Business of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small Business of 
        the House of Representatives on the review conducted under 
        paragraph (1).
    ``(h) Program Levels.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        to carry out the FAST program, including Mentoring Networks, 
        under this section and section 35, $10,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
            ``(2) Mentoring database.--Of the total amount made 
        available under paragraph (1) for fiscal years 2001 through 
        2005, a reasonable amount, not to exceed a total of $500,000, 
        may be used by the Administration to carry out section 35(d).
    ``(i) Termination.--The authorization to carry out the FAST program 
under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2005.''.
    (c) Coordination of Technology Development Programs.--Section 9 of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
    ``(u) Coordination of Technology Development Programs.--
            ``(1) Definition of technology development program.--In 
        this subsection, the term `technology development program' 
        means--
                    ``(A) the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research of the National Science 
                Foundation, as established under section 113 of the 
                National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 
                (42 U.S.C. 1862g);
                    ``(B) the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research of the Department of Defense;
                    ``(C) the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research of the Department of Energy;
                    ``(D) the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research of the Environmental Protection 
                Agency;
                    ``(E) the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research of the National Aeronautics and 
                Space Administration;
                    ``(F) the Institutional Development Award Program 
                of the National Institutes of Health; and
                    ``(G) the National Research Initiative Competitive 
                Grants Program of the Department of Agriculture.
            ``(2) Coordination requirements.--Each Federal agency that 
        is subject to subsection (f) and that has established a 
        technology development program may, in each fiscal year, review 
        for funding under that technology development program--
                    ``(A) any proposal to provide outreach and 
                assistance to 1 or more small business concerns 
                interested in participating in the SBIR program, 
                including any proposal to make a grant or loan to a 
                company to pay a portion or all of the cost of 
                developing an SBIR proposal, from an entity, 
                organization, or individual located in--
                            ``(i) a State that is eligible to 
                        participate in that program; or
                            ``(ii) a State described in paragraph (3); 
                        or
                    ``(B) any proposal for the first phase of the SBIR 
                program, if the proposal, though meritorious, is not 
                funded through the SBIR program for that fiscal year 
                due to funding restraints, from a small business 
                concern located in--
                            ``(i) a State that is eligible to 
                        participate in a technology development 
                        program; or
                            ``(ii) a State described in paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Additionally eligible state.--A State referred to in 
        subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) of paragraph (2) is a State in 
        which the total value of contracts awarded to small business 
        concerns under all SBIR programs is less than the total value 
        of contracts awarded to small business concerns in a majority 
        of other States, as determined by the Administrator in biennial 
        fiscal years, beginning with fiscal year 2000, based on the 
        most recent statistics compiled by the Administrator.''.

SEC. 12. MENTORING NETWORKS.

    The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 34, as added by section 11(b)(2) of this Act, 
the following new section:

``SEC. 35. MENTORING NETWORKS.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            ``(1) the SBIR and STTR programs create jobs, increase 
        capacity for technological innovation, and boost international 
        competitiveness;
            ``(2) increasing the quantity of applications from all 
        States to the SBIR and STTR programs would enhance competition 
        for such awards and the quality of the completed projects; and
            ``(3) mentoring is a natural complement to the FAST program 
        of reaching out to new companies regarding the SBIR and STTR 
        programs as an effective and low-cost way to improve the 
        likelihood that such companies will succeed in such programs in 
        developing and commercializing their research.
    ``(b) Authorization for Mentoring Networks.--The recipient of an 
award or participant in a cooperative agreement under section 34 may 
use a reasonable amount of such assistance for the establishment of a 
Mentoring Network under this section.
    ``(c) Criteria for Mentoring Networks.--A Mentoring Network 
established using assistance under section 34 shall--
            ``(1) provide business advice and counseling to high 
        technology small business concerns located in the State or 
        region served by the Mentoring Network and identified under 
        section 34(c)(1)(E)(ii) as potential candidates for the SBIR or 
        STTR programs;
            ``(2) identify volunteer mentors who--
                    ``(A) are persons associated with a small business 
                concern that has successfully completed one or more 
                SBIR or STTR funding agreements; and
                    ``(B) have agreed to guide small business concerns 
                through all stages of the SBIR or STTR program process, 
                including providing assistance relating to--
                            ``(i) proposal writing;
                            ``(ii) marketing;
                            ``(iii) Government accounting;
                            ``(iv) Government audits;
                            ``(v) project facilities and equipment;
                            ``(vi) human resources;
                            ``(vii) third phase partners;
                            ``(viii) commercialization;
                            ``(ix) venture capital networking; and
                            ``(x) other matters relevant to the SBIR 
                        and STTR programs;
            ``(3) have experience working with small business concerns 
        participating in the SBIR and STTR programs;
            ``(4) contribute information to the national database 
        referred to in subsection (d); and
            ``(5) agree to reimburse volunteer mentors for out-of-
        pocket expenses related to service as a mentor under this 
        section.
    ``(d) Mentoring Database.--The Administrator shall--
            ``(1) include in the database required by section 9(k)(1), 
        in cooperation with the SBIR, STTR, and FAST programs, 
        information on Mentoring Networks and mentors participating 
        under this section, including a description of their areas of 
        expertise;
            ``(2) work cooperatively with Mentoring Networks to 
        maintain and update the database;
            ``(3) take such action as may be necessary to aggressively 
        promote Mentoring Networks under this section; and
            ``(4) fulfill the requirements of this subsection either 
        directly or by contract.''.

SEC. 13. SIMPLIFIED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by 
this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(v) Simplified Reporting Requirements.--The Administrator shall 
work with the Federal agencies required by this section to have an SBIR 
program to standardize reporting requirements for the collection of 
data from SBIR applicants and awardees, including data for inclusion in 
the database under subsection (k), taking into consideration the unique 
needs of each agency, and to the extent possible, permitting the 
updating of previously reported information by electronic means. Such 
requirements shall be designed to minimize the burden on small 
businesses.''.

SEC. 14. RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM EXTENSION.

    (a) Extension of Termination Date.--Section 501(b)(2) of the Small 
Business Reauthorization Act of 1997 (15 U.S.C. 638 note; 111 Stat. 
2622) is amended by striking ``2001'' and inserting ``2005''.
    (b) Extension of Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 9(s)(2) 
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(s)(2)) is amended by striking 
``for fiscal year 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001'' and inserting ``for each 
of the fiscal years 2000 through 2005,''.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
106th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 2392

_______________________________________________________________________

                               AMENDMENT

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