[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2996 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2996
To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Network for
Manufacturing Innovation and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2013
Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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 2013''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2011, manufacturing contributed $1,800,000,000,000
to the Nation's economy and accounted for 47 percent of all
United States exports.
(2) If ranked as its own country, the United States
manufacturing sector would be the 10th largest economy in the
world.
(3) American manufacturers employ more than 11,000,000,000
Americans in jobs with wages and benefits that are one-third
higher than the wages and benefits in other sectors.
(4) Manufacturing has the highest multiplier effect, with
every dollar in final sales of manufactured products resulting
in $1.34 in output from other sectors.
(5) As the source of nearly one-third of the United States
investment in research and development manufacturing, firms
drive innovation in the United States.
(6) Countries such as Korea, Japan, and Germany have a
larger share of the advanced manufacturing sector than the
United States. Each of these countries has a positive trade
balance in advanced manufacturing products. In contrast, the
United States had an $81,000,000,000 trade deficit in 2010.
(7) The United States share of research and development
spending dropped from 43.1 percent in 1998 to 37.3 percent in
2008, while China's share of research and development spending
increased from 3 percent to 11.4 percent during the same
period.
(8) According to a survey by the Council on
Competitiveness, chief executive officers view the quality and
availability of scientists, researchers, and engineers and the
quality and availability of skilled production workers as the
first and second most important drivers of competitiveness.
(9) According to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation
and Development, the United States ranked 27th out of 29
developed countries in the percentage of students who earned
bachelor's degrees in science and engineering in 2009.
(10) Colleges in China and India award more 4-year
engineering bachelor's degrees than United States colleges.
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 of Commerce 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 domestic
production;
``(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 computing, in order to
improve the speed with which such enterprises
commercialize new processes and 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; and
``(G) to leverage non-Federal sources of support to
promote a stable and sustainable business model without
the need for long-term Federal funding.
``(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 of
Commerce 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 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, as determined by the
Secretary, with the potential--
``(i) to improve the competitiveness of
United States manufacturing;
``(ii) to accelerate investment in advanced
manufacturing production capacity in the United
States; and
``(iii) to enable the commercial
application of new technologies or industry-
wide manufacturing processes; and
``(C) 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 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 pre-
competitive industrial problems with economic or
national security implications.
``(B) Development and implementation of education
and training 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, 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.--The
National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute and
pending manufacturing centers under interagency review shall be
considered centers for manufacturing innovation.
``(d) Financial Assistance To Establish and Support Centers for
Manufacturing Innovation.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
Secretary of Commerce shall award financial assistance to a
person to assist the person in planning, establishing, or
supporting a center for manufacturing innovation.
``(2) Application.--A person 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.
``(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.
``(B) Collaboration.--In awarding financial
assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall,
acting through the National Program Office established
under subsection (e)(1), collaborate with Federal
departments and agencies whose missions contribute to
or are affected by advanced manufacturing.
``(C) 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 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) 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.
``(iv) 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 for manufacturing innovation.
``(v) How the center for manufacturing
innovation will advance economic
competitiveness.
``(vi) How the center for manufacturing
innovation will strengthen and leverage the
assets of a region.
``(5) Limitation on period for awards.--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 a center under such paragraph.
``(e) National Program Office.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Commerce 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 the enactment of the Revitalize American
Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013, 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 of 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.
``(4) Report to congress.--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.
``(f) Reporting and Auditing.--
``(1) Annual reports to the secretary.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall
require recipients 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) 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, 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; and
``(iii) an assessment of the Program with
respect to the purposes described in subsection
(a)(2).
``(3) Triennial assessment by gao.--
``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once
every 3 years, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to Congress an assessment of the
operation of the Program during the most recent 3-year
period.
``(B) Elements.--Each assessment submitted under
subparagraph (A) 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); and
``(iii) such recommendations for
legislative and administrative action as the
Comptroller General considers appropriate to
improve the Program.
``(g) Additional Authorities.--
``(1) Appointment of personnel and contracts.--The
Secretary of Commerce 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.--The Secretary may transfer to
other Federal agencies such sums as the Secretary considers
necessary or appropriate to carry out the Program.
``(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 award and
administer 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.
``(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.
``(h) Patents.--Chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code, shall
not apply if financial assistance is awarded under this section solely
for the purpose of planning, establishing, or supporting new or
existing centers for manufacturing innovation.
``(i) Funding.--
``(1) Network for manufacturing innovation fund.--
``(A) Establishment.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the
`Network for Manufacturing Innovation Fund' (referred
to in this paragraph as the `Fund').
``(B) Elements.--There shall be deposited in the
Fund, which shall constitute the assets of the Fund,
amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to
carry out the Program.
``(C) Availability.--Amounts deposited in the Fund
shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce, at the
discretion of the Secretary, or the Secretary's
delegee, to carry out the Program without further
appropriation and without fiscal year limitation.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $600,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce to
carry out this section.
``(3) Administrative expenses.--The Secretary of Commerce
may use not more than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (2) to pay the salaries, expenses, and
other administrative costs incurred by the Secretary under this
section.
``(4) Rescission.--There is hereby rescinded, from
appropriated discretionary funds that remain available for
obligation as of the date of the enactment of this Act,
$600,000,000.''.
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