Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2007

Interagency Committee and Advisory Committee

(a)

Interagency Committee

(1)

Establishment

The President shall establish or designate an interagency committee on manufacturing research and development, which shall include representatives from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and any other agency that the President may designate. The Chair of the Interagency Committee shall be designated by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2)

Functions

The Interagency Committee shall be responsible for the planning and coordination of Federal efforts in manufacturing research and development through— (A)establishing goals and priorities for manufacturing research and development, including the strengthening of United States manufacturing through the support and coordination of Federal manufacturing research, development, technology transfer, standards, and technical training; (B)developing, within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and updating every 3 years for delivery with the President’s annual budget request to Congress, a strategic plan, to be transmitted to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, for manufacturing research and development that includes an analysis of the research, development, technology transfer, standards, technical training, and integration needs of the manufacturing sector important to ensuring and maintaining United States competitiveness; (C)proposing an annual coordinated interagency budget for manufacturing research and development to the Office of Management and Budget; and (D)developing and transmitting to Congress an annual report on the Federal programs involved in manufacturing research, development, technical training, standards, and integration, their funding levels, and their impacts on United States manufacturing competitiveness, including the identification and analysis of the manufacturing research and development problems that require additional attention, and recommendations of how Federal programs should address those problems. (3)

Recommendations and views

In carrying out its functions under paragraph (2), the Interagency Committee shall consider the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and the views of academic, State, industry, and other entities involved in manufacturing research and development. (b)

Advisory Committee

(1)

Establishment

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall establish or designate an advisory committee to provide advice and information to the Interagency Committee. (2)

Recommendations

The Advisory Committee shall assist the Interagency Committee by providing it with recommendations on— (A)the goals and priorities for manufacturing research and development; (B)the strategic plan, including proposals on how to strengthen research and development to help manufacturing; and (C)other issues it considers appropriate. (3)

Report

The Advisory Committee shall provide an annual report to the Interagency Committee and the Congress that shall assess— (A)the progress made in implementing the strategic plan and challenges to this progress; (B)the effectiveness of activities under the strategic plan in improving United States manufacturing competitiveness; (C)the need to revise the goals and priorities established by the Interagency Committee; and (D)new and emerging problems and opportunities affecting the manufacturing research community, research infrastructure, and the measurement and statistical analysis of manufacturing that may need to be considered by the Interagency Committee. (4)

Federal advisory committee act application

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.

Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is amended— (1)by redesignating the first section 32 (15 U.S.C. 271 note) as section 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:

33.

Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants

(a)

Authority

(1)

Establishment

The Director shall establish a pilot program of awards to partnerships among participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes 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 cost-shared collaborations among firms, educational institutions, research institutions, State agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this section shall conduct applied research to develop new manufacturing processes, techniques, or materials that would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness 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 minimum— (1)how each partner will participate in developing and carrying out the research agenda of the partnership; (2)the research that the grant would fund; and (3)how the research to be funded with the award would contribute to improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of the United States manufacturing industry. (d)

Selection Criteria

In selecting applications for awards under this section, the Director shall consider 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; and (3)the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to successfully carry out the proposed research. (e)

Distribution

In selecting applications under this section the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, a distribution of overall awards among a variety of manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm sizes. (f)

Duration

In carrying out this section, the Director shall run a single pilot competition to solicit and make awards. Each award shall be for a 3-year period.

Manufacturing fellowship Program

Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–1) is amended— (1)by inserting (a) In general.— before The Director is authorized; and (2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(b)

Manufacturing Fellowship Program

(1)

Establishment

To promote the development of a robust research community working at the leading edge of manufacturing sciences, the Director shall establish a program to award— (A)postdoctoral research fellowships at the Institute for research activities related to manufacturing sciences; and (B)senior research fellowships to established researchers in industry or at institutions of higher education who wish to pursue studies related to the manufacturing sciences at the Institute. (2)

Applications

To be eligible for an award under this subsection, an individual shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. (3)

Stipend levels

Under this section, the Director shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fellowships at a level consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, and senior research fellowships at levels consistent with support for a faculty member in a sabbatical position.

Manufacturing extension

(a)

Manufacturing Center Evaluation

Section 25(c)(5) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(5)) is amended by inserting A Center that has not received a positive evaluation by the evaluation panel shall be notified by the panel of the deficiencies in its performance and may be placed on probation for one year, after which time the panel may reevaluate the Center. If the Center has not addressed the deficiencies identified by the panel, or shown a significant improvement in its performance, the Director may conduct a new competition to select an operator for the Center or may close the Center. after sixth year at declining levels.. (b)

Federal Share

Strike section 25(d) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(d)) and insert the following:

(d)

Acceptance of Funds

In addition to such sums as may be appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Centers program, the Secretary and Director also may accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies and under section 2(c)(7) from the private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States manufacturing. Such funds, if allocated to a Center or Centers, shall not be considered in the calculation of the Federal share of capital and annual operating and maintenance costs under subsection (c).

(c)

Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive Grant Program

Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(e)

Competitive Grant Program

(1)

Establishment

The Director shall establish, within the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under this section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3). (2)

Participants

Participants receiving awards under this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such Centers. (3)

Purpose

The purpose of the program under this subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for the competition may be identified, which may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous competitions. These themes shall be related to projects associated with manufacturing extension activities, including supply chain integration and quality management, or extend beyond these traditional areas. (4)

Applications

Applications for awards under this subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Director shall require, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board. (5)

Selection

Awards under this subsection shall be peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall select proposals to receive awards— (A)that utilize innovative or collaborative approaches to solving the problem described in the competition; (B)that will improve the competitiveness of industries in the region in which the Center or Centers are located; and (C)that will contribute to the long-term economic stability of that region. (6)

Program contribution

Recipients of awards under this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching contribution. (f)

Audits

A center that receives assistance under this section shall submit annual audits to the Secretary in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133 and shall make such audits available to the public on request.

(d)

Programmatic and Operational Plan

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 3-year programmatic and operational plan for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l). The plan shall include comments on the plan from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership State partners and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board.

Scientific and technical research and services

(a)

Laboratory Activities

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology— (1)$505,340,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$555,874,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$611,461,000 for fiscal year 2010. (b)

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program under section 17 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a)— (1)$7,828,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$8,063,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$8,305,000 for fiscal year 2010. (c)

Construction and Maintenance

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for construction and maintenance of facilities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology— (1)$94,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$94,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$94,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. (d)

Advanced Technology Program Elimination Report

Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Congress a report detailing the impacts of the possible elimination of the Advanced Technology Program on the laboratory programs at the National Institute of Standards Technology. (e)

Loss of Funding

At the time of the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2009, the Secretary shall provide the Congress a report on how the Department of Commerce plans to absorb the loss of Advanced Technology Program funds to the laboratory programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or otherwise mitigate the effects of this loss on its programs and personnel.

Standards Education Program

(a)

Program Authorized

(1)As part of the Teacher Science and Technology Enhancement Institute Program, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall carry out a Standards Education program to award grants to institutions of higher education to support efforts by such institutions to develop curricula on the role of standards in the fields of engineering, business, science, and economics. The curricula should address topics such as— (A)development of technical standards; (B)demonstrating conformity to standards; (C)intellectual property and antitrust issues; (D)standardization as a key element of business strategy; (E)survey of organizations that develop standards; (F)the standards life cycle; (G)case studies in effective standardization; (H)managing standardization activities; and (I)managing organizations that develop standards. (2)Grants shall be awarded under this section on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis and shall require cost-sharing from non-Federal sources. (b)

Selection Process

(1)An institution of higher education seeking funding under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. The application shall include at a minimum— (A)a description of the content and schedule for adoption of the proposed curricula in the courses of study offered by the applicant; and (B)a description of the source and amount of cost-sharing to be provided. (2)In evaluating the applications submitted under paragraph (1) the Director shall consider, at a minimum— (A)the level of commitment demonstrated by the applicant in carrying out and sustaining lasting curricula changes in accordance with subsection (a)(1); and (B)the amount of cost-sharing provided. (c)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the Teacher Science and Technology Enhancement Institute program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology— (1)$773,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$796,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$820,000 for fiscal year 2010.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, or other appropriate Federal agencies, for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l)— (1)$120,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e)); (2)$125,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e)); and (3)$130,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which not more than $4,100,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e)). (b)

Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants Program

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants program under section 33 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act— (1)$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. (c)

Fellowships

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing Fellowships at the National Institute of Standards and Technology under section 18(b) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act, as added by section 4 of this Act— (1)$1,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2)$1,750,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (3)$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.