[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2996 Engrossed in House (EH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 2996

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
   To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Network for 
            Manufacturing Innovation and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Revitalize American Manufacturing 
and Innovation Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In 2012, manufacturers contributed $2.03 trillion to 
        the economy, or \1/8\ of United States Gross Domestic Product.
            (2) For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.32 
        is added to the economy, the highest multiplier effect of any 
        economic sector.
            (3) Manufacturing supports an estimated 17,400,000 jobs in 
        the United States--about 1 in 6 private-sector jobs. More than 
        12,000,000 Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are 
        employed directly in manufacturing.
            (4) In 2012, the average manufacturing worker in the United 
        States earned $77,505 annually, including pay and benefits. The 
        average worker in all industries earned $62,063.
            (5) Taken alone, manufacturing in the United States would 
        be the 8th largest economy in the world.
            (6) Manufacturers in the United States perform two-thirds 
        of all private-sector research and development in the United 
        States, driving more innovation than any other sector.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION.

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
271 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 34 as section 35; and
            (2) by inserting after section 33 (15 U.S.C. 278r) the 
        following:

``SEC. 34. NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION.

    ``(a) Establishment of Network for Manufacturing Innovation 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
        Institute a program to be known as the `Network for 
        Manufacturing Innovation Program' (referred to in this section 
        as the `Program').
            ``(2) Purposes of program.--The purposes of the Program 
        are--
                    ``(A) to improve the competitiveness of United 
                States manufacturing and to increase the production of 
                goods manufactured predominantly within the United 
                States;
                    ``(B) to stimulate United States leadership in 
                advanced manufacturing research, innovation, and 
                technology;
                    ``(C) to facilitate the transition of innovative 
                technologies into scalable, cost-effective, and high-
                performing manufacturing capabilities;
                    ``(D) to facilitate access by manufacturing 
                enterprises to capital-intensive infrastructure, 
                including high-performance electronics and computing, 
                and the supply chains that enable these technologies;
                    ``(E) to accelerate the development of an advanced 
                manufacturing workforce;
                    ``(F) to facilitate peer exchange of and the 
                documentation of best practices in addressing advanced 
                manufacturing challenges;
                    ``(G) to leverage non-Federal sources of support to 
                promote a stable and sustainable business model without 
                the need for long-term Federal funding; and
                    ``(H) to create and preserve jobs.
            ``(3) Support.--The Secretary, acting through the Director, 
        shall carry out the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) by 
        supporting--
                    ``(A) the Network for Manufacturing Innovation 
                established under subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) the establishment of centers for 
                manufacturing innovation.
            ``(4) Director.--The Secretary shall carry out the Program 
        through the Director.
    ``(b) Establishment of Network for Manufacturing Innovation.--
            ``(1) In general.--As part of the Program, the Secretary 
        shall establish a network of centers for manufacturing 
        innovation.
            ``(2) Designation.--The network established under paragraph 
        (1) shall be known as the `Network for Manufacturing 
        Innovation' (referred to in this section as the `Network').
    ``(c) Centers for Manufacturing Innovation.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, a `center 
        for manufacturing innovation' is a center that--
                    ``(A) has been established by a person or group of 
                persons to address challenges in advanced manufacturing 
                and to assist manufacturers in retaining or expanding 
                industrial production and jobs in the United States;
                    ``(B) has a predominant focus on a manufacturing 
                process, novel material, enabling technology, supply 
                chain integration methodology, or another relevant 
                aspect of advanced manufacturing, such as 
                nanotechnology applications, advanced ceramics, 
                photonics and optics, composites, biobased and advanced 
                materials, flexible hybrid technologies, and tool 
                development for microelectronics;
                    ``(C) as determined by the Secretary, has the 
                potential--
                            ``(i) to improve the competitiveness of 
                        United States manufacturing, including key 
                        advanced manufacturing technologies such as 
                        nanotechnology, advanced ceramics, photonics 
                        and optics, composites, biobased and advanced 
                        materials, flexible hybrid technologies, and 
                        tool development for microelectronics;
                            ``(ii) to accelerate non-Federal investment 
                        in advanced manufacturing production capacity 
                        in the United States; or
                            ``(iii) to enable the commercial 
                        application of new technologies or industry-
                        wide manufacturing processes; and
                    ``(D) includes active participation among 
                representatives from multiple industrial entities, 
                research universities, community colleges, and such 
                other entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, 
                which may include industry-led consortia, career and 
                technical education schools, Federal laboratories, 
                State, local, and tribal governments, businesses, 
                educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
            ``(2) Activities.--Activities of a center for manufacturing 
        innovation may include the following:
                    ``(A) Research, development, and demonstration 
                projects, including proof-of-concept development and 
                prototyping, to reduce the cost, time, and risk of 
                commercializing new technologies and improvements in 
                existing technologies, processes, products, and 
                research and development of materials to solve 
                precompetitive industrial problems with economic or 
                national security implications.
                    ``(B) Development and implementation of education, 
                training, and workforce recruitment courses, materials, 
                and programs.
                    ``(C) Development of innovative methodologies and 
                practices for supply chain integration and introduction 
                of new technologies into supply chains.
                    ``(D) Outreach and engagement with small and 
                medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, including women 
                and minority owned manufacturing enterprises, in 
                addition to large manufacturing enterprises.
                    ``(E) Such other activities as the Secretary, in 
                consultation with Federal departments and agencies 
                whose missions contribute to or are affected by 
                advanced manufacturing, considers consistent with the 
                purposes described in subsection (a)(2).
            ``(3) Additional centers for manufacturing innovation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The National Additive 
                Manufacturing Innovation Institute and other 
                manufacturing centers formally recognized as 
                manufacturing innovation centers pursuant to Federal 
                law or executive actions, or under pending interagency 
                review for such recognition as of the date of enactment 
                of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation 
                Act of 2014, shall be considered centers for 
                manufacturing innovation, but such centers shall not 
                receive any financial assistance under subsection (d).
                    ``(B) Network participation.--A manufacturing 
                center that is substantially similar to those 
                established under this subsection but that does not 
                receive financial assistance under subsection (d) may, 
                upon request of the center, be recognized as a center 
                for manufacturing innovation by the Secretary for 
                purposes of participation in the Network.
    ``(d) Financial Assistance to Establish and Support Centers for 
Manufacturing Innovation.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary shall award financial assistance to a person or group 
        of persons to assist the organization in planning, 
        establishing, or supporting a center for manufacturing 
        innovation.
            ``(2) Application.--A person or group of persons seeking 
        financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application therefor at such time, in such manner, 
        and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
        The application shall, at a minimum, describe the specific 
        sources and amounts of non-Federal financial support for the 
        center on the date financial assistance is sought, as well as 
        the anticipated sources and amounts of non-Federal financial 
        support during the period for which the center could be 
        eligible for continued Federal financial assistance under this 
        section.
            ``(3) Open process.--In soliciting applications for 
        financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
        ensure an open process that will allow for the consideration of 
        all applications relevant to advanced manufacturing regardless 
        of technology area.
            ``(4) Selection.--
                    ``(A) Competitive, merit review.--In awarding 
                financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                shall use a competitive, merit review process that 
                includes peer review by a diverse group of individuals 
                with relevant expertise from both the private and 
                public sectors.
                    ``(B) Participation in process.--
                            ``(i) In general.--No political appointee 
                        may participate on a peer review panel. The 
                        Secretary shall implement a conflict of 
                        interest policy that ensures public 
                        transparency and accountability, and requires 
                        full disclosure of any real or potential 
                        conflicts of interest on the parts of 
                        individuals that participate in the merit 
                        selection process.
                            ``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this 
                        subparagraph, the term `political appointee' 
                        means any individual who--
                                    ``(I) is employed in a position 
                                described under sections 5312 through 
                                5316 of title 5, United States Code, 
                                (relating to the Executive Schedule);
                                    ``(II) is a limited term appointee, 
                                limited emergency appointee, or 
                                noncareer appointee in the Senior 
                                Executive Service, as defined under 
                                paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), 
                                respectively, of section 3132(a) of 
                                title 5, United States Code; or
                                    ``(III) is employed in a position 
                                in the executive branch of the 
                                Government of a confidential or policy-
                                determining character under schedule C 
                                of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of 
                                the Code of Federal Regulations.
                    ``(C) Performance measurement, transparency, and 
                accountability.--For each award of financial assistance 
                under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) make publicly available at the time 
                        of the award a description of the bases for the 
                        award, including an explanation of the relative 
                        merits of the winning applicant as compared to 
                        other applications received, if applicable; and
                            ``(ii) develop and implement metrics-based 
                        performance measures to assess the 
                        effectiveness of the activities funded.
                    ``(D) Collaboration.--In awarding financial 
                assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, 
                acting through the National Program Office established 
                under subsection (f)(1), collaborate with Federal 
                departments and agencies whose missions contribute to 
                or are affected by advanced manufacturing.
                    ``(E) Considerations.--In selecting a person who 
                submitted an application under paragraph (2) for an 
                award of financial assistance under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, the following:
                            ``(i) The potential of the center for 
                        manufacturing innovation to advance domestic 
                        manufacturing and the likelihood of economic 
                        impact, including the creation or preservation 
                        of jobs, in the predominant focus areas of the 
                        center for manufacturing innovation.
                            ``(ii) The commitment of continued 
                        financial support, advice, participation, and 
                        other contributions from non-Federal sources, 
                        to provide leverage and resources to promote a 
                        stable and sustainable business model without 
                        the need for long-term Federal funding.
                            ``(iii) Whether the financial support 
                        provided to the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation from non-Federal sources 
                        significantly exceeds the requested Federal 
                        financial assistance.
                            ``(iv) How the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation will increase the non-Federal 
                        investment in advanced manufacturing research 
                        in the United States.
                            ``(v) How the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation will engage with small and medium-
                        sized manufacturing enterprises, to improve the 
                        capacity of such enterprises to commercialize 
                        new processes and technologies.
                            ``(vi) How the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation will carry out educational and 
                        workforce activities that meet industrial needs 
                        related to the predominant focus areas of the 
                        center.
                            ``(vii) How the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation will advance economic 
                        competitiveness and generate substantial 
                        benefits to the Nation that extend beyond the 
                        direct return to participants in the Program.
                            ``(viii) Whether the predominant focus of 
                        the center for manufacturing innovation is a 
                        manufacturing process, novel material, enabling 
                        technology, supply chain integration 
                        methodology, or other relevant aspect of 
                        advanced manufacturing that has not already 
                        been commercialized, marketed, distributed, or 
                        sold by another entity.
                            ``(ix) How the center for manufacturing 
                        innovation will strengthen and leverage the 
                        assets of a region.
                            ``(x) How the center for manufacturing will 
                        encourage the education and training of 
                        veterans and individuals with disabilities.
            ``(5) Limitations on awards.--
                    ``(A) In general.--No award of financial assistance 
                may be made under paragraph (1) to a center of 
                manufacturing innovation after the 7-year period 
                beginning on the date on which the Secretary first 
                awards financial assistance to that center under that 
                paragraph.
                    ``(B) Matching funds and preferences.--The total 
                Federal financial assistance awarded to a center of 
                manufacturing innovation, including the financial 
                assistance under paragraph (1), in a given year shall 
                not exceed 50 percent of the total funding of the 
                center in that year, except that the Secretary may make 
                an exception in the case of large capital facilities or 
                equipment purchases. The Secretary shall give weighted 
                preference to applicants seeking less than the maximum 
                Federal share of funds allowed under this paragraph.
                    ``(C) Funding decrease.--The amount of financial 
                assistance provided to a center of manufacturing 
                innovation under paragraph (1) shall decrease after the 
                second year of funding for the center, and shall 
                continue to decrease thereafter in each year in which 
                financial assistance is provided, unless the Secretary 
                determines that--
                            ``(i) the center is otherwise meeting its 
                        stated goals and metrics under this section;
                            ``(ii) unforeseen circumstances have 
                        altered the center's anticipated funding; and
                            ``(iii) the center can identify future non-
                        Federal funding sources that would warrant a 
                        temporary exemption from the limitations 
                        established in this subparagraph.
    ``(e) Funding.--
            ``(1) General rule.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        no funds are authorized to be appropriated by the Revitalize 
        American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 for carrying 
        out this section.
            ``(2) Authority.--
                    ``(A) NIST industrial technical services account.--
                To the extent provided for in advance by appropriations 
                Acts, the Secretary may use not to exceed $5,000,000 
                for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2024 to carry 
                out this section from amounts appropriated to the 
                Institute for Industrial Technical Services.
                    ``(B) Energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                account.--To the extent provided for in advance by 
                appropriations Acts, the Secretary of Energy may 
                transfer to the Institute not to exceed $250,000,000 
                for the period encompassing fiscal years 2015 through 
                2024 for the Secretary to carry out this section from 
                amounts appropriated for advanced manufacturing 
                research and development within the Energy Efficiency 
                and Renewable Energy account for the Department of 
                Energy.
    ``(f) National Program Office.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish, within 
        the Institute, the National Office of the Network for 
        Manufacturing Innovation Program (referred to in this section 
        as the `National Program Office'), which shall oversee and 
        carry out the Program.
            ``(2) Functions.--The functions of the National Program 
        Office are--
                    ``(A) to oversee the planning, management, and 
                coordination of the Program;
                    ``(B) to enter into memorandums of understanding 
                with Federal departments and agencies whose missions 
                contribute to or are affected by advanced 
                manufacturing, to carry out the purposes described in 
                subsection (a)(2);
                    ``(C) to develop, not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of the Revitalize American 
                Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014, and update 
                not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, 
                a strategic plan to guide the Program;
                    ``(D) to establish such procedures, processes, and 
                criteria as may be necessary and appropriate to 
                maximize cooperation and coordinate the activities of 
                the Program with programs and activities of other 
                Federal departments and agencies whose missions 
                contribute to or are affected by advanced 
                manufacturing;
                    ``(E) to establish a clearinghouse of public 
                information related to the activities of the Program; 
                and
                    ``(F) to act as a convener of the Network.
            ``(3) Recommendations.--In developing and updating the 
        strategic plan under paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary shall 
        solicit recommendations and advice from a wide range of 
        stakeholders, including industry, small and medium-sized 
        manufacturing enterprises, research universities, community 
        colleges, and other relevant organizations and institutions on 
        an ongoing basis.
            ``(4) Report to congress.--Upon completion, the Secretary 
        shall transmit the strategic plan required under paragraph 
        (2)(C) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
            ``(5) Hollings manufacturing extension partnership.--The 
        Secretary shall ensure that the National Program Office 
        incorporates the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
        into Program planning to ensure that the results of the Program 
        reach small and medium-sized entities.
            ``(6) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee may be 
        detailed to the National Program Office without reimbursement. 
        Such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
        service status or privilege.
    ``(g) Reporting and Auditing.--
            ``(1) Annual reports to the secretary.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require each 
                recipient of financial assistance under subsection 
                (d)(1) to annually submit a report to the Secretary 
                that describes the finances and performance of the 
                center for manufacturing innovation for which such 
                assistance was awarded.
                    ``(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            ``(i) an accounting of expenditures of 
                        amounts awarded to the recipient under 
                        subsection (d)(1); and
                            ``(ii) consistent with the metrics-based 
                        performance measures developed and implemented 
                        by the Secretary under this section, a 
                        description of the performance of the center 
                        for manufacturing innovation with respect to--
                                    ``(I) its goals, plans, financial 
                                support, and accomplishments; and
                                    ``(II) how the center for 
                                manufacturing innovation has furthered 
                                the purposes described in subsection 
                                (a)(2).
            ``(2) Annual reports to congress.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once 
                each year until December 31, 2024, the Secretary shall 
                submit a report to Congress that describes the 
                performance of the Program during the most recent 1-
                year period.
                    ``(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include, for the period covered 
                by the report--
                            ``(i) a summary and assessment of the 
                        reports received by the Secretary under 
                        paragraph (1);
                            ``(ii) an accounting of the funds expended 
                        by the Secretary under the Program, including 
                        any temporary exemptions granted from the 
                        requirements of subsection (d)(5)(C);
                            ``(iii) an assessment of the participation 
                        in, and contributions to, the Network by any 
                        centers for manufacturing innovation not 
                        receiving financial assistance under subsection 
                        (d)(1); and
                            ``(iv) an assessment of the Program with 
                        respect to meeting the purposes described in 
                        subsection (a)(2).
            ``(3) Assessments by gao.--
                    ``(A) Assessments.--Not less frequently than once 
                every 2 years, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
                Congress an assessment of the operation of the Program 
                during the most recent 2-year period.
                    ``(B) Final assessment.--Not later than December 
                31, 2024, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
                Congress a final report regarding the overall success 
                of the Program.
                    ``(C) Elements.--Each assessment submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) shall include, for the period 
                covered by the report--
                            ``(i) a review of the management, 
                        coordination, and industry utility of the 
                        Program;
                            ``(ii) an assessment of the extent to which 
                        the Program has furthered the purposes 
                        described in subsection (a)(2);
                            ``(iii) such recommendations for 
                        legislative and administrative action as the 
                        Comptroller General considers appropriate to 
                        improve the Program; and
                            ``(iv) an assessment as to whether any 
                        prior recommendations for improvement made by 
                        the Comptroller General have been implemented 
                        or adopted.
    ``(h) Additional Authorities.--
            ``(1) Appointment of personnel and contracts.--The 
        Secretary may appoint such personnel and enter into such 
        contracts, financial assistance agreements, and other 
        agreements as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate 
        to carry out the Program, including support for research and 
        development activities involving a center for manufacturing 
        innovation.
            ``(2) Transfer of funds.--Of amounts available under the 
        authority provided by subsection (e), the Secretary may 
        transfer to other Federal agencies such sums as the Secretary 
        considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the Program. No 
        funds so transferred may be used to reimburse or otherwise pay 
        for the costs of financial assistance incurred or commitments 
        of financial assistance made prior to the date of enactment of 
        the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 
        2014.
            ``(3) Authority of other agencies.--In the event that the 
        Secretary exercises the authority to transfer funds to another 
        agency under paragraph (2), such agency may accept such funds 
        to award and administer, under the same conditions and 
        constraints applicable to the Secretary, all aspects of 
        financial assistance awards under this section.
            ``(4) Use of resources.--In furtherance of the purposes of 
        the Program, the Secretary may use, with the consent of a 
        covered entity and with or without reimbursement, the land, 
        services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of such covered 
        entity.
            ``(5) Acceptance of resources.--In addition to amounts 
        appropriated to carry out the Program, the Secretary may accept 
        funds, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities from any 
        covered entity to carry out the Program, subject to the same 
        conditions and constraints otherwise applicable to the 
        Secretary under this section and such funds may only be 
        obligated to the extent provided for in advance by 
        appropriations Acts.
            ``(6) Covered entity.--For purposes of this subsection, a 
        covered entity is any Federal department, Federal agency, 
        instrumentality of the United States, State, local government, 
        tribal government, territory, or possession of the United 
        States, or of any political subdivision thereof, or 
        international organization, or any public or private entity or 
        individual.
    ``(i) Patents.--Chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code, shall 
apply to any funding agreement (as defined in section 201 of that 
title) awarded to new or existing centers for manufacturing 
innovation.''.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING.

    Section 102 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 6622) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: 
        ``In furtherance of the Committee's work, the Committee shall 
        consult with the National Economic Council.'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (7) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(7) develop and update a national strategic plan for 
        advanced manufacturing in accordance with subsection (c).''; 
        and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing.--
            ``(1) In general.--The President shall submit to Congress, 
        and publish on an Internet website that is accessible to the 
        public, the strategic plan developed under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Development.--The Committee shall develop, and update 
        as required under paragraph (4), in coordination with the 
        National Economic Council, a strategic plan to improve 
        Government coordination and provide long-term guidance for 
        Federal programs and activities in support of United States 
        manufacturing competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing 
        research and development.
            ``(3) Contents.--The strategic plan described in paragraph 
        (2) shall--
                    ``(A) specify and prioritize near-term and long-
                term objectives, including research and development 
                objectives, the anticipated time frame for achieving 
                the objectives, and the metrics for use in assessing 
                progress toward the objectives;
                    ``(B) describe the progress made in achieving the 
                objectives from prior strategic plans, including a 
                discussion of why specific objectives were not met;
                    ``(C) specify the role, including the programs and 
                activities, of each relevant Federal agency in meeting 
                the objectives of the strategic plan;
                    ``(D) describe how the Federal agencies and 
                Federally funded research and development centers 
                supporting advanced manufacturing research and 
                development will foster the transfer of research and 
                development results into new manufacturing technologies 
                and United States-based manufacturing of new products 
                and processes for the benefit of society to ensure 
                national, energy, and economic security;
                    ``(E) describe how such Federal agencies and 
                centers will strengthen all levels of manufacturing 
                education and training programs to ensure an adequate, 
                well-trained workforce;
                    ``(F) describe how such Federal agencies and 
                centers will assist small and medium-sized 
                manufacturers in developing and implementing new 
                products and processes;
                    ``(G) analyze factors that impact innovation and 
                competitiveness for United States advanced 
                manufacturing, including--
                            ``(i) technology transfer and 
                        commercialization activities;
                            ``(ii) the adequacy of the national 
                        security industrial base;
                            ``(iii) the capabilities of the domestic 
                        manufacturing workforce;
                            ``(iv) export opportunities and trade 
                        policies;
                            ``(v) financing, investment, and taxation 
                        policies and practices;
                            ``(vi) emerging technologies and markets;
                            ``(vii) advanced manufacturing research and 
                        development undertaken by competing nations; 
                        and
                            ``(viii) the capabilities of the 
                        manufacturing workforce of competing nations; 
                        and
                    ``(H) elicit and consider the recommendations of a 
                wide range of stakeholders, including representatives 
                from diverse manufacturing companies, academia, and 
                other relevant organizations and institutions.
            ``(4) Updates.--Not later than May 1, 2018, and not less 
        frequently than once every 4 years thereafter, the President 
        shall submit to Congress, and publish on an Internet website 
        that is accessible to the public, an update of the strategic 
        plan submitted under paragraph (1). Such updates shall be 
        developed in accordance with the procedures set forth under 
        this subsection.
            ``(5) Requirement to consider strategy in the budget.--In 
        preparing the budget for a fiscal year under section 1105(a) of 
        title 31, United States Code, the President shall include 
        information regarding the consistency of the budget with the 
        goals and recommendations included in the strategic plan 
        developed under this subsection applying to that fiscal year.
            ``(6) AMP steering committee input.--The Advanced 
        Manufacturing Partnership Steering Committee of the President's 
        Council of Advisors on Science and Technology shall provide 
        input, perspective, and recommendations to assist in the 
        development and updates of the strategic plan under this 
        subsection.''.

SEC. 5. REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAM.

    Section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 27. REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a regional 
innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional 
innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters.
    ``(b) Cluster Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--As part of the program established under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary may award grants on a competitive 
        basis to eligible recipients for activities relating to the 
        formation and development of regional innovation clusters.
            ``(2) Permissible activities.--Grants awarded under this 
        subsection may be used for activities determined appropriate by 
        the Secretary, including the following:
                    ``(A) Feasibility studies.
                    ``(B) Planning activities.
                    ``(C) Technical assistance.
                    ``(D) Developing or strengthening communication and 
                collaboration between and among participants of a 
                regional innovation cluster.
                    ``(E) Attracting additional participants to a 
                regional innovation cluster.
                    ``(F) Facilitating market development of products 
                and services developed by a regional innovation 
                cluster, including through demonstration, deployment, 
                technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
                    ``(G) Developing relationships between a regional 
                innovation cluster and entities or clusters in other 
                regions.
                    ``(H) Interacting with the public and State and 
                local governments to meet the goals of the cluster.
            ``(3) Eligible recipient defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term `eligible recipient' means--
                    ``(A) a State;
                    ``(B) an Indian tribe;
                    ``(C) a city or other political subdivision of a 
                State;
                    ``(D) an entity that--
                            ``(i) is a nonprofit organization, an 
                        institution of higher education, a public-
                        private partnership, a science or research 
                        park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic 
                        development organization or similar entity; and
                            ``(ii) has an application that is supported 
                        by a State or a political subdivision of a 
                        State; or
                    ``(E) a consortium of any of the entities described 
                in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
            ``(4) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible recipient shall 
                submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information and 
                assurances as the Secretary may require.
                    ``(B) Components.--The application shall include, 
                at a minimum, a description of the regional innovation 
                cluster supported by the proposed activity, including a 
                description of--
                            ``(i) whether the regional innovation 
                        cluster is supported by the private sector, 
                        State and local governments, and other relevant 
                        stakeholders;
                            ``(ii) how the existing participants in the 
                        regional innovation cluster will encourage and 
                        solicit participation by all types of entities 
                        that might benefit from participation, 
                        including newly formed entities and those rival 
                        existing participants;
                            ``(iii) the extent to which the regional 
                        innovation cluster is likely to stimulate 
                        innovation and have a positive impact on 
                        regional economic growth and development;
                            ``(iv) whether the participants in the 
                        regional innovation cluster have access to, or 
                        contribute to, a well-trained workforce;
                            ``(v) whether the participants in the 
                        regional innovation cluster are capable of 
                        attracting additional funds from non-Federal 
                        sources; and
                            ``(vi) the likelihood that the participants 
                        in the regional innovation cluster will be able 
                        to sustain activities once grant funds under 
                        this subsection have been expended.
                    ``(C) Special consideration.--The Secretary shall 
                give special consideration to applications from regions 
                that contain communities negatively impacted by trade.
            ``(5) Special consideration.--The Secretary shall give 
        special consideration to an eligible recipient who agrees to 
        collaborate with local workforce investment area boards.
            ``(6) Cost share.--The Secretary may not provide more than 
        50 percent of the total cost of any activity funded under this 
        subsection.
            ``(7) Outreach to rural communities.--The Secretary shall 
        conduct outreach to public and private sector entities in rural 
        communities to encourage those entities to participate in 
        regional innovation cluster activities under this subsection.
            ``(8) Funding.--The Secretary may accept funds from other 
        Federal agencies to support grants and activities under this 
        subsection.
    ``(c) Regional Innovation Research and Information Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--As part of the program established under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a regional 
        innovation research and information program--
                    ``(A) to gather, analyze, and disseminate 
                information on best practices for regional innovation 
                strategies (including regional innovation clusters), 
                including information relating to how innovation, 
                productivity, and economic development can be maximized 
                through such strategies;
                    ``(B) to provide technical assistance, including 
                through the development of technical assistance guides, 
                for the development and implementation of regional 
                innovation strategies (including regional innovation 
                clusters);
                    ``(C) to support the development of relevant 
                metrics and measurement standards to evaluate regional 
                innovation strategies (including regional innovation 
                clusters), including the extent to which such 
                strategies stimulate innovation, productivity, and 
                economic development; and
                    ``(D) to collect and make available data on 
                regional innovation cluster activity in the United 
                States, including data on--
                            ``(i) the size, specialization, and 
                        competitiveness of regional innovation 
                        clusters;
                            ``(ii) the regional domestic product 
                        contribution, total jobs and earnings by key 
                        occupations, establishment size, nature of 
                        specialization, patents, Federal research and 
                        development spending, and other relevant 
                        information for regional innovation clusters; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) supply chain product and service 
                        flows within and between regional innovation 
                        clusters.
            ``(2) Research grants.--The Secretary may award research 
        grants on a competitive basis to support and further the goals 
        of the program established under this subsection.
            ``(3) Dissemination of information.--Data and analysis 
        compiled by the Secretary under the program established in this 
        subsection shall be made available to other Federal agencies, 
        State and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit 
        entities.
            ``(4) Regional innovation grant program.--The Secretary 
        shall incorporate data and analysis relating to any grant under 
        subsection (b) into the program established under this 
        subsection.
    ``(d) Interagency Coordination.--
            ``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
        Secretary shall ensure that the activities carried out under 
        this section are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the 
        efforts of, other programs at the Department of Commerce or 
        other Federal agencies.
            ``(2) Collaboration.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall explore and 
                pursue collaboration with other Federal agencies, 
                including through multiagency funding opportunities, on 
                regional innovation strategies.
                    ``(B) Small businesses.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that such collaboration with Federal agencies 
                prioritizes the needs and challenges of small 
                businesses.
    ``(e) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and 
        Innovation Act of 2014, the Secretary shall enter into a 
        contract with an independent entity, such as the National 
        Academy of Sciences, to conduct an evaluation of the program 
        established under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Requirements.--The evaluation shall include--
                    ``(A) whether the program is achieving its goals;
                    ``(B) any recommendations for how the program may 
                be improved; and
                    ``(C) a recommendation as to whether the program 
                should be continued or terminated.
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Regional innovation cluster.--The term `regional 
        innovation cluster' means a geographically bounded network of 
        similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that--
                    ``(A) are engaged in or with a particular industry 
                sector and its related sectors;
                    ``(B) have active channels for business 
                transactions and communication;
                    ``(C) share specialized infrastructure, labor 
                markets, and services; and
                    ``(D) leverage the region's unique competitive 
                strengths to stimulate innovation and create jobs.
            ``(2) State.--The term `State' means one of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other 
        territory or possession of the United States.
    ``(g) Funding.--
            ``(1) General rule.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        no funds are authorized to be appropriated by the Revitalize 
        American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 for carrying 
        out this section.
            ``(2) Authority.--To the extent provided for in advance by 
        appropriations Acts, the Secretary may use not to exceed 
        $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2019 to 
        carry out this section from amounts appropriated for economic 
        development assistance programs.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 2014.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
113th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 2996

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

   To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Network for 
            Manufacturing Innovation and for other purposes.