[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6490 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6490

   To invest in innovation through research and development, and to 
           improve the competitiveness of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 8, 2016

Mr. Smith of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the 
 Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and the 
 Workforce, 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 invest in innovation through research and development, and to 
           improve the competitiveness of the United States.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
                   TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH

Sec. 101. Reaffirmation of merit-based peer review.
Sec. 102. Transparency and accountability.
Sec. 103. EPSCoR reaffirmation and update.
Sec. 104. Cybersecurity research.
Sec. 105. Networking and Information Technology Research and 
                            Development Update.
Sec. 106. Physical sciences coordination.
Sec. 107. Laboratory program improvements.
Sec. 108. Standard Reference Data Act update.
Sec. 109. NSF mid-scale project investments.
Sec. 110. Oversight of NSF major multi-user research facility projects.
Sec. 111. Personnel oversight.
Sec. 112. Management of the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Sec. 113. NIST campus security.
Sec. 114. Coordination of sustainable chemistry research and 
                            development.
Sec. 115. Misrepresentation of research results.
Sec. 116. Research reproducibility and replication.
Sec. 117. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies 
                            Initiative.
        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

Sec. 201. Interagency working group on research regulation.
Sec. 202. Scientific and technical collaboration.
Sec. 203. NIST grants and cooperative agreements update.
Sec. 204. Repeal of certain obsolete reports.
Sec. 205. Repeal of certain provisions.
Sec. 206. Grant subrecipient transparency and oversight.
Sec. 207. Micro-purchase threshold for procurement solicitations by 
                            research institutions.
Sec. 208. Coordination of international science and technology 
                            partnerships.
    TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION

Sec. 301. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program update.
Sec. 302. Space grants.
Sec. 303. STEM Education Advisory Panel.
Sec. 304. Committee on STEM Education.
Sec. 305. Programs to expand STEM opportunities.
Sec. 306. NIST education and outreach.
Sec. 307. Presidential awards for excellence in STEM mentoring.
Sec. 308. Working group on inclusion in STEM fields.
Sec. 309. Improving undergraduate STEM experiences.
Sec. 310. Computer science education research.
Sec. 311. Informal STEM education.
Sec. 312. Developing STEM apprenticeships.
Sec. 313. NSF report on broadening participation.
Sec. 314. NOAA science education programs.
Sec. 315. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program update.
                TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Sec. 401. Prize competition authority update.
Sec. 402. Crowdsourcing and citizen science.
Sec. 403. NIST director functions update.
Sec. 404. NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology update.
                         TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

Sec. 501. Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership improvements.
              TITLE VI--INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Sec. 601. Innovation Corps.
Sec. 602. Translational research grants.
Sec. 603. Optics and photonics technology innovations.
Sec. 604. United States Chief Technology Officer.
Sec. 605. National Research Council study on technology for emergency 
                            notifications on campuses.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, unless expressly provided otherwise:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (2) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6623).
            (3) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
        Science Foundation.
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (5) NIST.--The term ``NIST'' means the National Institute 
        of Standards and Technology.
            (6) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 2 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 
        2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note).
            (7) STEM education.--The term ``STEM education'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 2 of the STEM Education Act 
        of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note).

                   TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH

SEC. 101. REAFFIRMATION OF MERIT-BASED PEER REVIEW.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) sustained, predictable Federal funding of basic 
        research is essential to United States leadership in science 
        and technology;
            (2) the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts 
        criteria are appropriate for evaluating grant proposals, as 
        concluded by the 2011 National Science Board Task Force on 
        Merit Review;
            (3) evaluating proposals on the basis of the Foundation's 
        intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria should be used 
        to assure that the Foundation's activities are in the national 
        interest as these reviews can affirm that--
                    (A) the proposals funded by the Foundation are of 
                high quality and advance scientific knowledge; and
                    (B) the Foundation's grants address societal needs 
                through basic research findings or through related 
                activities; and
            (4) as evidenced by the Foundation's contributions to 
        scientific advancement, economic growth, human health, and 
        national security, its peer review and merit review processes 
        have identified and funded scientifically and societally 
        relevant basic research and should be preserved.
    (b) Merit Review Criteria.--The Foundation shall maintain the 
intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria, among other specific 
criteria as appropriate, as the basis for evaluating grant proposals in 
the merit review process.
    (c) Updates.--If after the date of enactment of this Act a change 
is made to the merit review process, the Director shall submit a report 
to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than 30 days after 
the date of the change.

SEC. 102. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) Findings.--
            (1) Building the understanding of and confidence in 
        investments in basic research is essential to public support 
        for sustained, predictable Federal funding.
            (2) The Foundation has improved transparency and 
        accountability of the outcomes made through the merit review 
        process, but additional transparency into individual grants is 
        valuable in communicating and assuring the public value of 
        federally funded research.
            (3) The Foundation should commit to transparency and 
        accountability and to clear, consistent public communication 
        regarding the national interest for each Foundation-awarded 
        grant and cooperative agreement.
    (b) Guidance.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall issue 
        and periodically update, as appropriate, policy guidance for 
        both Foundation staff and other Foundation merit review process 
        participants on the importance of transparency and 
        accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review 
        process.
            (2) Requirements.--The guidance under paragraph (1) shall 
        require that each public notice of a Foundation-funded research 
        project justify the expenditure of Federal funds by--
                    (A) describing how the project--
                            (i) reflects the statutory mission of the 
                        Foundation, as established in the National 
                        Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 
                        et seq.); and
                            (ii) addresses the Foundation's 
                        intellectual merit and broader impacts 
                        criteria; and
                    (B) clearly identifying the research goals of the 
                project in a manner that can be easily understood by 
                both technical and nontechnical audiences.
    (c) Broader Impacts Review Criterion Update.--Section 526(a) of the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-14(a)) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Goals.--The Foundation shall apply a broader impacts review 
criterion to identify and demonstrate project support of the following 
goals:
            ``(1) Increasing the economic competitiveness of the United 
        States.
            ``(2) Advancing of the health and welfare of the American 
        public.
            ``(3) Supporting the national defense of the United States.
            ``(4) Enhancing partnerships between academia and industry 
        in the United States.
            ``(5) Developing an American STEM workforce that is 
        globally competitive through improved pre-kindergarten through 
        grade 12 STEM education, and teacher development and improved 
        undergraduate STEM education and instruction.
            ``(6) Improving public scientific literacy and engagement 
        with science and technology in the United States.
            ``(7) Expanding participation of women and individuals from 
        underrepresented groups in STEM.''.

SEC. 103. EPSCOR REAFFIRMATION AND UPDATE.

    (a) Findings.--Section 517(a) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``The National'' and inserting 
                ``the National''; and
                    (B) by striking ``education,'' and inserting 
                ``education'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``with 27 States'' and 
        all that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting 
        ``with 28 States and jurisdictions, taken together, receiving 
        only about 12 percent of all National Science Foundation 
        research funding;'';
            (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) each of the States described in paragraph (2) 
        receives only a fraction of 1 percent of the Foundation's 
        research dollars each year;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) first established at the National Science Foundation 
        in 1979, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
        Research (referred to in this section as `EPSCoR') assists 
        States and jurisdictions historically underserved by Federal 
        research and development funding in strengthening their 
        research and innovation capabilities;
            ``(5) the EPSCoR structure requires each participating 
        State to develop a science and technology plan suited to State 
        and local research, education, and economic interests and 
        objectives;
            ``(6) EPSCoR has been credited with advancing the research 
        competitiveness of participating States, improving awareness of 
        science, promoting policies that link scientific investment and 
        economic growth, and encouraging partnerships between 
        government, industry, and academia;
            ``(7) EPSCoR proposals are evaluated through a rigorous and 
        competitive merit review process to ensure that awarded 
        research and development efforts meet high scientific 
        standards; and
            ``(8) according to the National Academy of Sciences, EPSCoR 
        has strengthened the national research infrastructure and 
        enhanced the educational opportunities needed to develop the 
        science and engineering workforce.''.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--
            (1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) since maintaining the Nation's scientific and 
                economic leadership requires the participation of 
                talented individuals nationwide, EPSCoR investments 
                into State research and education capacities are in the 
                Federal interest and should be sustained; and
                    (B) EPSCoR should maintain its experimental 
                component by supporting innovative methods for 
                improving research capacity and competitiveness.
            (2) Definition of epscor.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``EPSCoR'' has the meaning given the term in section 502 of the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p 
        note).
    (c) Award Structure Updates.--Section 517 of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(g) Award Structure Updates.--In implementing the mandate to 
maximize the impact of Federal EPSCoR support on building competitive 
research infrastructure, and based on the inputs and recommendations of 
previous EPSCoR reviews, the head of each Federal agency administering 
an EPSCoR program shall--
            ``(1) consider modifications to EPSCoR proposal 
        solicitation, award type, and project evaluation--
                    ``(A) to more closely align with current agency 
                priorities and initiatives;
                    ``(B) to focus EPSCoR funding on achieving critical 
                scientific, infrastructure, and educational needs of 
                that agency;
                    ``(C) to encourage collaboration between EPSCoR-
                eligible institutions and researchers, including with 
                institutions and researchers in other States and 
                jurisdictions;
                    ``(D) to improve communication between State and 
                Federal agency proposal reviewers; and
                    ``(E) to continue to reduce administrative burdens 
                associated with EPSCoR;
            ``(2) consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures--
                    ``(A) to emphasize long-term investments in 
                building research capacity, potentially through the use 
                of larger, renewable funding opportunities; and
                    ``(B) to allow the agency, States, and 
                jurisdictions to experiment with new research and 
                development funding models; and
            ``(3) consider modifications to the mechanisms used to 
        monitor and evaluate EPSCoR awards--
                    ``(A) to increase collaboration between EPSCoR-
                funded researchers and agency staff, including by 
                providing opportunities for mentoring young researchers 
                and for the use of Federal facilities;
                    ``(B) to identify and disseminate best practices; 
                and
                    ``(C) to harmonize metrics across participating 
                Federal agencies, as appropriate.''.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Congressional reports.--Section 517 of the America 
        COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9), as 
        amended, is further amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c);
                    (B) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as 
                subsections (c) through (f), respectively;
                    (C) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                        ``Experimental Programs to Stimulate 
                        Competitive Research'' and inserting 
                        ``EPSCoR''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) in subparagraphs (A) and (E), 
                                by striking ``EPSCoR and Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (D), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR and other Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (III) in subparagraph (E), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR or Federal EPSCoR-
                                like programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR''; and
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (G), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR programs'' and 
                                inserting ``each EPSCoR'';
                    (D) by amending subsection (d), as redesignated, to 
                read as follows:
    ``(d) Federal Agency Reports.--Each Federal agency that administers 
an EPSCoR shall submit to Congress, as part of its Federal budget 
submission--
            ``(1) a description of the program strategy and objectives;
            ``(2) a description of the awards made in the previous 
        fiscal year, including--
                    ``(A) the total amount made available, by State, 
                under EPSCoR;
                    ``(B) the total amount of agency funding made 
                available to all institutions and entities within each 
                EPSCoR State;
                    ``(C) the efforts and accomplishments to more fully 
                integrate the EPSCoR States in major agency activities 
                and initiatives;
                    ``(D) the percentage of EPSCoR reviewers from 
                EPSCoR States; and
                    ``(E) the number of programs or large collaborator 
                awards involving a partnership of organizations and 
                institutions from EPSCoR and non-EPSCoR States; and
            ``(3) an analysis of the gains in academic research quality 
        and competitiveness, and in science and technology human 
        resource development, achieved by the program over the last 5 
        fiscal years.''; and
                    (E) in subsection (e)(1), as redesignated, by 
                striking ``Experimental Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research or a program similar to the 
                Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
                Research'' and inserting ``EPSCoR''.
            (2) Results of award structure plan.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the EPSCoR Interagency 
        Coordinating Committee shall brief the appropriate committees 
        of Congress on the updates made to the award structure under 
        517(f) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
        U.S.C. 1862p-9(f)), as amended by this subsection.
    (e) Definition of EPSCoR.--
            (1) In general.--Section 502 of the America COMPETES 
        Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p note) is amended 
        by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) EPSCoR.--The term `EPSCoR' means--
                    ``(A) the Established Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research established by the Foundation; or
                    ``(B) a program similar to the Established Program 
                to Stimulate Competitive Research at another Federal 
                agency.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 113 of 
        the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 
        U.S.C. 1862g) is amended--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``experimental'' 
                and inserting ``established'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``an 
                Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
                Research'' and inserting ``a program to stimulate 
                competitive research (known as the `Established Program 
                to Stimulate Competitive Research')''; and
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``the program'' 
                and inserting ``the Program''.

SEC. 104. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH.

    (a) Foundation Cybersecurity Research.--Section 4(a)(1) of the 
Cyber Security Research and Development Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 
7403(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (O), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(Q) security of election-dedicated voting system 
                software and hardware; and
                    ``(R) role of the human factor in cybersecurity and 
                the interplay of computers and humans and the physical 
                world.''.
    (b) NIST Cybersecurity Priorities.--
            (1) Critical infrastructure awareness.--The Director of 
        NIST shall continue to raise public awareness of the voluntary, 
        industry-led cybersecurity standards and best practices for 
        critical infrastructure developed under section 2(c)(15) of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
        272(c)(15)).
            (2) Quantum computing.--Under section 2(b) of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)) 
        and section 20 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3), the Director of 
        NIST shall--
                    (A) research information systems for future 
                cybersecurity needs; and
                    (B) coordinate with relevant stakeholders to 
                develop a process--
                            (i) to research and identify or, if 
                        necessary, develop cryptography standards and 
                        guidelines for future cybersecurity needs, 
                        including quantum-resistant cryptography 
                        standards; and
                            (ii) to provide recommendations to 
                        Congress, Federal agencies, and industry 
                        consistent with the National Technology 
                        Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Public 
                        Law 104-113; 110 Stat. 775), for a secure and 
                        smooth transition to the standards under clause 
                        (i).
            (3) Federal information systems research and development.--
        Section 20(d)(3) of the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-3(d)(3)) is amended to read as 
        follows:
            ``(3) conduct research and analysis--
                    ``(A) to determine the nature and extent of 
                information security vulnerabilities and techniques for 
                providing cost-effective information security;
                    ``(B) to review and determine prevalent information 
                security challenges and deficiencies identified by 
                agencies or the Institute, including any challenges or 
                deficiencies described in any of the annual reports 
                under section 3553 or 3554 of title 44, United States 
                Code, and in any of the reports and the independent 
                evaluations under section 3555 of that title, that may 
                undermine the effectiveness of agency information 
                security programs and practices; and
                    ``(C) to evaluate the effectiveness and sufficiency 
                of, and challenges to, Federal agencies' implementation 
                of standards and guidelines developed under this 
                section and policies and standards promulgated under 
                section 11331 of title 40, United States Code;''.
            (4) Voting.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (16) through (23) 
                as paragraphs (17) through (24), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (15) the 
                following:
            ``(16) perform research to support the development of 
        voluntary, consensus-based, industry-led standards and 
        recommendations on the security of computers, computer 
        networks, and computer data storage used in election systems to 
        ensure voters can vote securely and privately.''.

SEC. 105. NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 
2016''.
    (b) Findings.--Section 2 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501) is amended--
            (1) in paragraphs (2) and (5), by striking ``high-
        performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology, including high-performance 
        computing,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology, including high-performance computing''.
    (c) Purposes.--Section 3 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5502) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``high-performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``expanding Federal support for research, 
                development, and application of high-performance 
                computing'' and inserting ``supporting Federal 
                research, development, and application of networking 
                and information technology'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``networking and information technology'';
                    (C) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D);
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) stimulate research on and promote more rapid 
                development of high-end computing systems software and 
                applications software;'';
                    (E) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (H) 
                as subparagraphs (D) through (G), respectively;
                    (F) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by 
                inserting ``high-end'' after ``the development of'';
                    (G) in subparagraphs (E) and (F), as redesignated, 
                by striking ``high-performance computing'' each place 
                it appears and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''; and
                    (H) in subparagraph (G), as redesignated, by 
                striking ``high-performance'' and inserting ``high-
                end''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``high-performance computing and'' 
                and inserting ``networking and information technology 
                and''; and
                    (B) by striking ``high-performance computing 
                network'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''.
    (d) Definitions.--Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act 
of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) 
        as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively;
            (3) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(1) `cyber-physical systems' means physical or engineered 
        systems whose networking and information technology functions 
        and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively 
        connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or 
        other means to enable safe and effective, real-time performance 
        in safety-critical and other applications;'';
            (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking ``high-
        performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (3), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(4) `high-end computing' means the most advanced and 
        capable computing systems, including their hardware, storage, 
        networking and software, encompassing both massive 
        computational capability and large-scale data analytics to 
        solve computational problems of national importance that are 
        beyond the capability of small- to medium-scale systems, 
        including computing formerly known as high-performance 
        computing;'';
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(6) `networking and information technology' means high-
        end computing, communications, and information technologies, 
        high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and 
        experimental systems, high-end computing systems software and 
        applications software, and the management of large data sets;
            ``(7) `participating agency' means an agency described in 
        section 101(a)(3)(C);''; and
            (7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking 
        ``National High-Performance Computing Program'' and inserting 
        ``Networking and Information Technology Research and 
        Development Program''.
    (e) Title I Heading.--The heading of title I of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is amended 
by striking ``HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING'' and inserting ``NETWORKING 
AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY''.
    (f) Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
Program.--Section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
U.S.C. 5511) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``national high-
        performance computing program'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology research and development program'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``National High-Performance Computing Program'' and 
                inserting ``Networking and Information Technology 
                Research and Development'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by striking ``National High-Performance 
                        Computing Program'' and inserting ``Networking 
                        and Information Technology Research and 
                        Development Program'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``high-performance computing, including 
                        networking'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology'';
                            (iii) in subparagraphs (B) and (G), by 
                        striking ``high-performance'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``high-end'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``high-performance computing and networking'' 
                        and inserting ``high-end computing, 
                        distributed, and networking'';
                            (v) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(D) provide for efforts to increase software 
                security and reliability;'';
                            (vi) in subparagraph (H)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``support and 
                                guidance'' after ``provide''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon;
                            (vii) in subparagraph (I)--
                                    (I) by striking ``improving the 
                                security'' and inserting ``improving 
                                the security, reliability, and 
                                resilience''; and
                                    (II) by striking the period at the 
                                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (viii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) provide for increased understanding of the 
                scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and 
                improve the methods available for the design, 
                development, and operation of cyber-physical systems 
                that are characterized by high reliability, safety, and 
                security;
                    ``(K) provide for research and development on 
                human-computer interactions, visualization, and big 
                data;
                    ``(L) provide for research and development on the 
                enhancement of cybersecurity, including the human 
                facets of cyber threats and secure cyber systems;
                    ``(M) provide for the understanding of the science, 
                engineering, policy, and privacy protection related to 
                networking and information technology;
                    ``(N) provide for the transition of high-end 
                computing hardware, system software, development tools, 
                and applications into development and operations; and
                    ``(O) foster public-private collaboration among 
                government, industry research laboratories, academia, 
                and nonprofit organizations to maximize research and 
                development efforts and the benefits of networking and 
                information technology, including high-end 
                computing.'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) establish the goals and priorities for 
                Federal networking and information technology research, 
                development, education, and other activities;'';
                            (ii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(C) provide for interagency coordination of 
                Federal networking and information technology research, 
                development, education, and other activities undertaken 
                pursuant to the Program--
                            ``(i) among the participating agencies; and
                            ``(ii) to the extent practicable, with 
                        other Federal agencies not described in 
                        paragraph (3)(C), other Federal and private 
                        research laboratories, industry, research 
                        entities, institutions of higher education, 
                        relevant nonprofit organizations, and 
                        international partners of the United States;'';
                            (iii) by amending subparagraph (E) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(E) encourage and monitor the efforts of the 
                agencies participating in the Program to allocate the 
                level of resources and management attention necessary 
                to ensure that the strategic plans under subsection (e) 
                are developed and executed effectively and that the 
                objectives of the Program are met; and''; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
                        ``high-performance'' and inserting ``high-
                        end''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), 
                        (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (C), (D), 
                        (E), and (G), respectively;
                            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
                        the following:
                    ``(B) provide a detailed description of the nature 
                and scope of research infrastructure designated as such 
                under the Program;'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), as 
                        redesignated--
                                    (I) by amending clause (i) to read 
                                as follows:
                            ``(i) the Department of Justice;'';
                                    (II) by redesignating clauses (vii) 
                                through (xi) as clauses (viii) through 
                                (xii), respectively;
                                    (III) by inserting after clause 
                                (vi) the following:
                            ``(vii) the Department of Homeland 
                        Security;''; and
                                    (IV) by amending clause (viii), as 
                                redesignated, to read as follows:
                            ``(viii) the National Archives and Records 
                        Administration;'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated--
                                    (I) by striking ``is submitted,'' 
                                and inserting ``is submitted, the 
                                levels for the previous fiscal year,''; 
                                and
                                    (II) by striking ``each Program 
                                Component Area;'' and inserting ``each 
                                Program Component Area and research 
                                area supported in accordance with 
                                section 102;'';
                            (v) by amending subparagraph (E), as 
                        redesignated, to read as follows:
                    ``(E) describe the levels of Federal funding for 
                each participating agency, and for each Program 
                Component Area, for the fiscal year during which such 
                report is submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal 
                year, and the levels proposed for the fiscal year with 
                respect to which the budget submission applies;''; and
                            (vi) by inserting after subparagraph (E), 
                        as redesignated, the following:
                    ``(F) include a description of how the objectives 
                for each Program Component Area, and the objectives for 
                activities that involve multiple Program Component 
                Areas, relate to the objectives of the Program 
                identified in the strategic plans required under 
                subsection (e); and'';
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``high-performance 
                        computing'' both places it appears and 
                        inserting ``networking and information 
                        technology''; and
                            (ii) after the first sentence, by inserting 
                        the following: ``Each chair of the advisory 
                        committee shall meet the qualifications of 
                        committee membership and may be a member of the 
                        President's Council of Advisors on Science and 
                        Technology.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``high-
                performance computing, networking technology, and 
                related software'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the second sentence, by striking 
                        ``2'' and inserting ``3'';
                            (ii) by striking ``Committee on Science and 
                        Technology'' and inserting ``Committee on 
                        Science, Space, and Technology''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``The first report shall 
                        be due within 1 year after the date of 
                        enactment of the America COMPETES Act.'';
            (4) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Periodic Reviews.--The heads of the participating agencies, 
working through the National Science and Technology Council and the 
Program, shall--
            ``(1) periodically assess and update, as appropriate, the 
        structure of the Program, including the Program Component Areas 
        and associated contents, scope, and funding levels, taking into 
        consideration any relevant recommendations of the advisory 
        committee established under subsection (b); and
            ``(2) ensure that such agency's implementation of the 
        Program includes foundational, large-scale, long-term, and 
        interdisciplinary information technology research and 
        development activities, including activities described in 
        section 102.
    ``(e) Strategic Plans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The heads of the participating agencies, 
        working through the National Science and Technology Council and 
        the Program, shall develop and implement strategic plans to 
        guide--
                    ``(A) emerging activities of Federal networking and 
                information technology research and development; and
                    ``(B) the activities described in subsection 
                (a)(1).
            ``(2) Updates.--The heads of the participating agencies 
        shall update the strategic plans as appropriate.
            ``(3) Contents.--Each strategic plan shall--
                    ``(A) specify near-term and long-term objectives 
                for the portions of the Program relevant to the 
                strategic plan, the anticipated schedule for achieving 
                the near-term and long-term objectives, and the metrics 
                to be used for assessing progress toward the near-term 
                and long-term objectives;
                    ``(B) specify how the near-term and long-term 
                objectives complement research and development areas in 
                which academia and the private sector are actively 
                engaged;
                    ``(C) describe how the heads of the participating 
                agencies will support mechanisms for foundational, 
                large-scale, long-term, and interdisciplinary 
                information technology research and development and for 
                Grand Challenges, including through collaborations--
                            ``(i) across Federal agencies;
                            ``(ii) across Program Component Areas; and
                            ``(iii) with industry, Federal and private 
                        research laboratories, research entities, 
                        institutions of higher education, relevant 
                        nonprofit organizations, and international 
                        partners of the United States;
                    ``(D) describe how the heads of the participating 
                agencies will foster the rapid transfer of research and 
                development results into new technologies and 
                applications in the national interest, including 
                through cooperation and collaborations with networking 
                and information technology research, development, and 
                technology transition initiatives supported by the 
                States; and
                    ``(E) describe how the portions of the Program 
                relevant to the strategic plan will address long-term 
                challenges for which solutions require foundational, 
                large-scale, long-term, and interdisciplinary 
                information technology research and development.
            ``(4) Private sector efforts.--In developing, implementing, 
        and updating strategic plans, the heads of the participating 
        agencies, working through the National Science and Technology 
        Council and the Program, shall coordinate with industry, 
        academia, and other interested stakeholders to ensure, to the 
        extent practicable, that the Federal networking and information 
        technology research and development activities carried out 
        under this section do not duplicate the efforts of the private 
        sector.
            ``(5) Recommendations.--In developing and updating 
        strategic plans, the heads of the participating agencies shall 
        solicit recommendations and advice from--
                    ``(A) the advisory committee under subsection (b);
                    ``(B) the Committee on Science and relevant 
                subcommittees of the National Science and Technology 
                Council; and
                    ``(C) a wide range of stakeholders, including 
                industry, academia, National Laboratories, and other 
                relevant organizations and institutions.
    ``(f) Reports.--The heads of the participating agencies, working 
through the National Science and Technology Council and the Program, 
shall submit to the advisory committee, the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives--
            ``(1) the strategic plans developed under subsection 
        (e)(1); and
            ``(2) each update under subsection (e)(2).''.
    (g) National Research and Education Network.--Section 102 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5512) is repealed.
    (h) Next Generation Internet.--Section 103 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513) is repealed.
    (i) Grand Challenges in Areas of National Importance.--Title I of 
the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 102. GRAND CHALLENGES IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Program shall encourage the participating 
agencies to support foundational, large-scale, long-term, 
interdisciplinary, and interagency information technology research and 
development activities in networking and information technology 
directed toward agency mission areas that have the potential for 
significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for 
other significant societal benefits. Such activities, ranging from 
basic research to the demonstration of technical solutions, shall be 
designed to advance the development of fundamental discoveries. The 
advisory committee established under section 101(b) shall make 
recommendations to the Program for candidate research and development 
areas for support under this section.
    ``(b) Characteristics.--
            ``(1) In general.--Research and development activities 
        under this section shall--
                    ``(A) include projects selected on the basis of 
                applications for support through a competitive, merit-
                based process;
                    ``(B) to the extent practicable, involve 
                collaborations among researchers in institutions of 
                higher education and industry, and may involve 
                nonprofit research institutions and Federal 
                laboratories, as appropriate;
                    ``(C) to the extent practicable, leverage Federal 
                investments through collaboration with related State 
                and private sector initiatives; and
                    ``(D) include a plan for fostering the transfer of 
                research discoveries and the results of technology 
                demonstration activities, including from institutions 
                of higher education and Federal laboratories, to 
                industry for commercial development.
            ``(2) Cost-sharing.--In selecting applications for support, 
        the agencies may give special consideration to projects that 
        include cost sharing from non-Federal sources.''.
    (j) National Science Foundation Activities.--Section 201 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--
                '';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``high-end'' after 
                        ``National Science Foundation shall provide''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``high-performance 
                        computing'' and all that follows through 
                        ``networking;'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology; and'';
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) the National Science Foundation shall use its 
        existing programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as 
        appropriate, to improve the teaching and learning of networking 
        and information technology at all levels of education and to 
        increase participation in networking and information technology 
        fields, including by individuals identified in sections 33 and 
        34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1885a and 1885b).''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).
    (k) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Activities.--
Section 202 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5522) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--'';
            (2) by striking ``high-performance computing'' and 
        inserting ``networking and information technology''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (b).
    (l) Department of Energy Activities.--Section 203 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5523) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) General Responsibilities.--'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing and networking'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (3) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``high-performance'' 
        and inserting ``high-end''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (b).
    (m) Department of Commerce Activities.--Section 204 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5524) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-
                performance computing systems and networks'' and 
                inserting ``networking and information technology 
                systems and capabilities'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``interoperability of high-performance computing 
                systems in networks and for common user interfaces to 
                systems'' and inserting ``interoperability and 
                usability of networking and information technology 
                systems''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``High-Performance 
                Computing and Network'' and inserting ``Networking and 
                Information Technology'';
                    (B) by striking ``Pursuant to the Computer Security 
                Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-235; 101 Stat. 1724), the'' 
                and inserting ``The''; and
                    (C) by striking ``sensitive information in Federal 
                computer systems'' and inserting ``Federal agency 
                information and information systems''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d).
    (n) Environmental Protection Agency Activities.--Section 205 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5525) is repealed.
    (o) Role of the Department of Education.--Section 206 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5526) is repealed.
    (p) Miscellaneous Provisions.--Section 207 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5527) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``paragraphs (1) 
        through (5) of section 2315(a) of title 10'' and inserting 
        ``section 3552(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 44''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``high-performance 
        computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology''.
    (q) Repeal.--Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is repealed.
    (r) National Science Foundation Research.--Section 4(b)(5)(K) of 
the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 
7403(b)(5)(K)) is amended by striking ``high-performance computing'' 
and inserting ``networking and information technology''.
    (s) National Information Technology Research and Development 
Program.--Section 13202(b) of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act 
of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 17912(b)) is amended by striking ``National High-
Performance Computing Program'' and inserting ``Networking and 
Information Technology Research and Development Program''.
    (t) Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development.--Section 
201(a)(4) of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 (15 U.S.C. 
7431(a)(4)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``clauses (i) through (x)'' and inserting 
        ``clauses (i) through (xi)''; and
            (2) by striking ``under clause (xi)'' and inserting ``under 
        clause (xii)''.
    (u) Additional Repeal.--Section 4 of the Department of Energy High-
End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5543) is repealed.

SEC. 106. PHYSICAL SCIENCES COORDINATION.

    (a) High-Energy Physics.--
            (1) In general.--The Physical Science Subcommittee of the 
        National Science and Technology Council (referred to in this 
        section as the ``Subcommittee'') shall continue to coordinate 
        Federal efforts related to high-energy physics research to 
        maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States 
        investment in high-energy physics.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Subcommittee include--
                    (A) to advise and assist the Committee on Science 
                and the National Science and Technology Council on 
                United States policies, procedures, and plans in the 
                physical sciences, including high-energy physics; and
                    (B) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate 
                international cooperation, and foster the development 
                of the physical sciences in the United States, 
                including--
                            (i) in high-energy physics research, 
                        including related underground science and 
                        engineering research;
                            (ii) in physical infrastructure and 
                        facilities;
                            (iii) in information and analysis; and
                            (iv) in coordination activities.
            (3) Responsibilities.--In regard to coordinating Federal 
        efforts related to high-energy physics research, the 
        Subcommittee shall, taking into account the findings and 
        recommendations of relevant advisory committees--
                    (A) provide recommendations on planning for 
                construction and stewardship of large facilities 
                participating in high-energy physics;
                    (B) provide recommendations on research 
                coordination and collaboration among the programs and 
                activities of Federal agencies related to underground 
                science, neutrino research, dark energy, and dark 
                matter research;
                    (C) establish goals and priorities for high-energy 
                physics, related underground science, and research and 
                development that will strengthen United States 
                competitiveness in high-energy physics;
                    (D) propose methods for engagement with 
                international, Federal, and State agencies and Federal 
                laboratories not represented on the National Science 
                and Technology Council to identify and reduce 
                regulatory, logistical, and fiscal barriers that 
                inhibit United States leadership in high-energy physics 
                and related underground science; and
                    (E) develop, and update as necessary, a strategic 
                plan to guide Federal programs and activities in 
                support of high-energy physics research, including--
                            (i) the efforts taken in support of 
                        paragraph (2) since the last strategic plan;
                            (ii) an evaluation of the current research 
                        needs for maintaining United States leadership 
                        in high-energy physics; and
                            (iii) an identification of future 
                        priorities in the area of high-energy physics.
    (b) Radiation Biology.--
            (1) In general.--The Subcommittee shall continue to 
        coordinate Federal efforts related to radiation biology 
        research to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United 
        States investment in radiation biology.
            (2) Responsibilities for radiation biology.--In regard to 
        coordinating Federal efforts related to radiation biology 
        research, the Subcommittee shall--
                    (A) advise and assist the National Science and 
                Technology Council on policies and initiatives in 
                radiation biology, including enhancing scientific 
                knowledge of the effects of low dose radiation on 
                biological systems to improve radiation risk management 
                methods;
                    (B) identify opportunities to stimulate 
                international cooperation and leverage research and 
                knowledge from sources outside of the United States;
                    (C) ensure coordination between the Department of 
                Energy Office of Science, Foundation, National 
                Aeronautics and Space Administration, National 
                Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, 
                Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
                and Department of Homeland Security;
                    (D) identify ongoing scientific challenges for 
                understanding the long-term effects of ionizing 
                radiation on biological systems; and
                    (E) formulate overall scientific goals for the 
                future of low-dose radiation research in the United 
                States.
    (c) Fusion Energy Sciences.--
            (1) In general.--The Subcommittee shall continue to 
        coordinate Federal efforts related to fusion energy research to 
        maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States 
        investment in fusion energy sciences.
            (2) Responsibilities for fusion energy sciences.--In regard 
        to coordinating Federal efforts related to fusion energy 
        sciences, the Subcommittee shall--
                    (A) advise and assist the National Science and 
                Technology Council on policies and initiatives in 
                fusion energy sciences, including enhancing scientific 
                knowledge of fusion energy science, plasma physics, and 
                related materials sciences;
                    (B) identify opportunities to stimulate 
                international cooperation and leverage research and 
                knowledge from sources outside of the United States, 
                including the ITER project;
                    (C) ensure coordination between the Department of 
                Energy Office of Science, National Nuclear Security 
                Administration, Advanced Research Projects Agency-
                Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
                Foundation, and Department of Defense regarding fusion 
                energy sciences and plasma physics; and
                    (D) formulate overall scientific goals for the 
                future of fusion energy sciences and plasma physics.

SEC. 107. LABORATORY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of NIST, acting through the Associate 
Director for Laboratory Programs, shall develop and implement a 
comprehensive strategic plan for laboratory programs that expands--
            (1) interactions with academia, international researchers, 
        and industry; and
            (2) commercial and industrial applications.
    (b) Optimizing Commercial and Industrial Applications.--In 
accordance with the purpose under section 1(b)(3) of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271(b)(3)), the 
comprehensive strategic plan shall--
            (1) include performance metrics for the dissemination of 
        fundamental research results, measurements, and standards 
        research results to industry, including manufacturing, and 
        other interested parties;
            (2) document any positive benefits of research on the 
        competitiveness of the interested parties described in 
        paragraph (1);
            (3) clarify the current approach to the technology transfer 
        activities of NIST; and
            (4) consider recommendations from the National Academy of 
        Sciences.

SEC. 108. STANDARD REFERENCE DATA ACT UPDATE.

    Section 2 of the Standard Reference Data Act (15 U.S.C. 290a) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For the purposes of this Act:
            ``(1) Standard reference data.--The term `standard 
        reference data' means data that is--
                    ``(A) either--
                            ``(i) quantitative information related to a 
                        measurable physical, or chemical, or biological 
                        property of a substance or system of substances 
                        of known composition and structure;
                            ``(ii) measurable characteristics of a 
                        physical artifact or artifacts;
                            ``(iii) engineering properties or 
                        performance characteristics of a system; or
                            ``(iv) one or more digital data objects 
                        that serve--
                                    ``(I) to calibrate or characterize 
                                the performance of a detection or 
                                measurement system; or
                                    ``(II) to interpolate or 
                                extrapolate, or both, data described in 
                                subparagraph (A) through (C); and
                    ``(B) that is critically evaluated as to its 
                reliability under section 3 of this Act.
            ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.''.

SEC. 109. NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Foundation funds major research facilities, 
        infrastructure, and instrumentation that provide unique 
        capabilities at the frontiers of science and engineering.
            (2) Modern and effective research facilities, 
        infrastructure, and instrumentation are critical to maintaining 
        United States leadership in science and engineering.
            (3) The costs of some proposed research instrumentation, 
        equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities fall 
        between programs currently funded by the Foundation, creating a 
        gap between the established parameters of the Major Research 
        Instrumentation and Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
        Construction programs, including projects that have been 
        identified as cost-effective additions of high priority to the 
        advancement of scientific understanding.
            (4) The 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey 
        recommended a mid-scale innovations program.
    (b) Mid-Scale Projects.--
            (1) In general.--The Foundation shall evaluate the existing 
        and future needs, across all disciplines supported by the 
        Foundation, for mid-scale projects.
            (2) Strategy.--The Director of the Foundation shall develop 
        a strategy to address the needs identified in paragraph (1).
            (3) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall 
        provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on 
        the evaluation under paragraph (1) and the strategy under 
        paragraph (2).
            (4) Definition of mid-scale projects.--In this subsection, 
        the term ``mid-scale projects'' means research instrumentation, 
        equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities or other 
        research infrastructure investments that exceed the maximum 
        award funded by the major research instrumentation program and 
        are below the minimum award funded by the major research 
        equipment and facilities construction program as described in 
        section 507 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 
        (Public Law 111-358; 124 Stat. 4008).

SEC. 110. OVERSIGHT OF NSF MAJOR MULTI-USER RESEARCH FACILITY PROJECTS.

    (a) Facilities Oversight.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        strengthen oversight and accountability over the full life 
        cycle of each major multi-user research facility project, 
        including planning, development, procurement, construction, 
        operations, and support, and shutdown of the facility, in order 
        to maximize research investment.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Director shall--
                    (A) prioritize the scientific outcomes of a major 
                multi-user research facility project and the internal 
                management and financial oversight of the major multi-
                user research facility project;
                    (B) clarify the roles and responsibilities of all 
                organizations, including offices, panels, committees, 
                and directorates, involved in supporting a major multi-
                user research facility project, including the role of 
                the Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
                Construction Panel;
                    (C) establish policies and procedures for the 
                planning, management, and oversight of a major multi-
                user research facility project at each phase of the 
                life cycle of the major multi-user research facility 
                project;
                    (D) ensure that policies for estimating and 
                managing costs and schedules are consistent with the 
                best practices described in the Government 
                Accountability Office Cost Estimating and Assessment 
                Guide, the Government Accountability Office Schedule 
                Assessment Guide, and the Office of Management and 
                Budget Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200);
                    (E) establish the appropriate project management 
                and financial management expertise required for 
                Foundation staff to oversee each major multi-user 
                research facility project effectively, including by 
                improving project management training and 
                certification;
                    (F) coordinate the sharing of the best management 
                practices and lessons learned from each major multi-
                user research facility project;
                    (G) continue to maintain a Large Facilities Office 
                to support the research directorates in the 
                development, implementation, and oversight of each 
                major multi-user research facility project, including 
                by--
                            (i) serving as the Foundation's primary 
                        resource for all policy or process issues 
                        related to the development, implementation, and 
                        oversight of a major multi-user research 
                        facility project;
                            (ii) serving as a Foundation-wide resource 
                        on project management, including providing 
                        expert assistance on nonscientific and 
                        nontechnical aspects of project planning, 
                        budgeting, implementation, management, and 
                        oversight;
                            (iii) coordinating and collaborating with 
                        research directorates to share best management 
                        practices and lessons learned from prior major 
                        multi-user research facility projects; and
                            (iv) assessing each major multi-user 
                        research facility project for cost and schedule 
                        risk; and
                    (H) appoint a senior agency official whose 
                responsibility is oversight of the development, 
                construction, and operations of major multi-user 
                research facilities across the Foundation.
    (b) Facilities Full Life Cycle Costs.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (c)(1), the Director 
        of the Foundation shall require that any pre-award analysis of 
        a major multi-user research facility project includes the 
        development and consideration of the full life cycle cost (as 
        defined in section 2 of the National Science Foundation 
        Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) in accordance 
        with section 14 of the National Science Foundation 
        Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-4).
            (2) Implementation.--Based on the pre-award analysis 
        described in paragraph (1), the Director of the Foundation 
        shall include projected operational costs within the 
        Foundation's out-years as part of the President's annual budget 
        submission to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United 
        States Code.
    (c) Cost Oversight.--
            (1) Pre-award analysis.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director of the Foundation and 
                the National Science Board may not approve or execute 
                any agreement to start construction on any proposed 
                major multi-user research facility project unless--
                            (i) an external analysis of the proposed 
                        budget has been conducted to ensure the 
                        proposal is complete and reasonable;
                            (ii) the analysis under clause (i) follows 
                        the Government Accountability Office Cost 
                        Estimating and Assessment Guide;
                            (iii) except as provided under subparagraph 
                        (C), an analysis of the accounting systems has 
                        been conducted;
                            (iv) an independent cost estimate of the 
                        construction of the project has been conducted 
                        using the same detailed technical information 
                        as the project proposal estimate to determine 
                        whether the estimate is well-supported and 
                        realistic; and
                            (v) the Foundation and the National Science 
                        Board have considered the analyses under 
                        clauses (i) and (iii) and the independent cost 
                        estimate under clause (iv) and resolved any 
                        major issues identified therein.
                    (B) Audits.--An external analysis under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) may include an audit.
                    (C) Exception.--The Director of the Foundation, at 
                the Director's discretion, may waive the requirement 
                under subparagraph (A)(iii) if a similar analysis of 
                the accounting systems was conducted in the prior 
                years.
            (2) Construction oversight.--The Director of the Foundation 
        shall require for each major multi-user research facility 
        project--
                    (A) periodic external reviews on project management 
                and performance;
                    (B) adequate internal controls, policies, and 
                procedures, and reliable accounting systems in 
                preparation for the incurred cost audits under 
                subparagraph (D);
                    (C) annual incurred cost submissions of financial 
                expenditures; and
                    (D) an incurred cost audit of the major multi-user 
                research facility project in accordance with Government 
                Accountability Office Government Auditing Standards--
                            (i) at least once during construction at a 
                        time determined based on risk analysis and 
                        length of the award, except that the length of 
                        time between audits may not exceed 3 years; and
                            (ii) at the completion of the construction 
                        phase.
            (3) Operations cost analysis.--The Director of the 
        Foundation shall require an independent cost analysis of the 
        operational proposal for each major multi-user research 
        facility project.
    (d) Contingency.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        strengthen internal controls to improve oversight of 
        contingency on a major multi-user research facility project.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Director of the Foundation shall--
                    (A) only include contingency amounts in an award in 
                accordance with section 200.433 of title 2, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (relating to contingency 
                provisions), or any successor regulation;
                    (B) retain control over funds budgeted for 
                contingency, except that the Director may disburse 
                budgeted contingency funds incrementally to the awardee 
                to ensure project stability and continuity;
                    (C) track contingency use; and
                    (D) ensure that contingency amounts allocated to 
                the performance baseline are reasonable and allowable.
    (e) Use of Fees.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the use of taxpayer-funded award fees should be 
                transparent and explicable; and
                    (B) the Foundation should implement an award fee 
                policy that ensures more transparency and 
                accountability in the funding of necessary and 
                appropriate expenses directly related to the 
                construction and operation of major multi-user research 
                facilities.
            (2) Reporting and recordkeeping.--The Director of the 
        Foundation shall establish guidelines for awardees regarding 
        inappropriate expenditures associated with all fee types used 
        in cooperative agreements, including for alcoholic beverages, 
        lobbying, meals or entertainment for nonbusiness purposes, 
        nonbusiness travel, and any other purpose the Director 
        determines is inappropriate.
    (f) Oversight Implementation Progress.--The Director of the 
Foundation shall--
            (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, and periodically thereafter until the completion 
        date, provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress on the response to or progress made toward 
        implementation of--
                    (A) this section;
                    (B) all of the issues and recommendations 
                identified in cooperative agreement audit reports and 
                memoranda issued by the Inspector General of the 
                Foundation in the last 5 years; and
                    (C) all of the issues and recommendations 
                identified by a panel of the National Academy of Public 
                Administration in the December 2015 report entitled 
                ``National Science Foundation: Use of Cooperative 
                Agreements to Support Large Scale Investment in 
                Research''; and
            (2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, notify the appropriate committees of Congress when 
        the Foundation has implemented the recommendations identified 
        in a panel of the National Academy of Public Administration 
        report issued December 2015.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of 
        the House of Representatives.
            (2) Major multi-user research facility project.--The term 
        ```major multi-user research facility project''' means a 
        science and engineering facility project that--
                    (A) exceeds the lesser of--
                            (i) 10 percent of a Directorate's annual 
                        budget; or
                            (ii) $100,000,000 in total project costs; 
                        or
                    (B) is funded by the major research equipment and 
                facilities construction account, or any successor 
                account.

SEC. 111. PERSONNEL OVERSIGHT.

    (a) Conflicts of Interest.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
update the policy and procedure of the Foundation relating to conflicts 
of interest to improve documentation and management of any known 
conflict of interest of an individual on temporary assignment at the 
Foundation, including an individual on assignment under the 
Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.).
    (b) Justifications.--The Deputy Director of the Foundation shall 
submit annually to the appropriate committees of Congress written 
justification for each rotator employed under the Intergovernmental 
Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.), or other rotator 
employed, by the Foundation that year that is paid at a rate that 
exceeds the maximum rate of pay for the Senior Executive Service, 
including, if applicable, the level of adjustment for the certified 
Senior Executive Service Performance Appraisal System.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Foundation's efforts 
to control costs associated with employing rotators, including the 
results of and participation in the Foundation's cost-sharing pilot 
program and the Foundation's progress in responding to the findings and 
implementing the recommendations of the Office of Inspector General of 
the Foundation related to the employment of rotators.

SEC. 112. MANAGEMENT OF THE U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM.

    (a) Review.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
        continue to review the efforts by the Foundation to sustain and 
        strengthen scientific efforts in the face of logistical 
        challenges for the United States Antarctic Program.
            (2) Issues to be examined.--In conducting the review, the 
        Director shall examine, at a minimum, the following:
                    (A) Implementation by the Foundation of issues and 
                recommendations identified by--
                            (i) the Inspector General of the National 
                        Science Foundation in audit reports and 
                        memoranda on the United States Antarctic 
                        Program in the last 4 years;
                            (ii) the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon 
                        Panel report, More and Better Science in 
                        Antarctica through Increased Logistical 
                        Effectiveness, issued July 23, 2012; and
                            (iii) the National Research Council report, 
                        Future Science Opportunities in Antarctica and 
                        the Southern Ocean, issued September 2011.
                    (B) Efforts by the Foundation to track its progress 
                in addressing the issues and recommendations under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (C) Efforts by the Foundation to address other 
                opportunities and challenges, including efforts on 
                scientific research, coordination with other Federal 
                agencies and international partners, logistics and 
                transportation, health and safety of participants, 
                oversight and financial management of awardees and 
                contractors, and resources and policy challenges.
    (b) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on the ongoing review, including findings and any 
recommendations.

SEC. 113. NIST CAMPUS SECURITY.

    (a) Supervisory Authority.--The Department of Commerce Office of 
Security shall directly manage the law enforcement and site security 
programs of NIST through an assigned Director of Security for NIST 
without increasing the number of full-time equivalent employees of the 
Department of Commerce, including NIST.
    (b) Reports.--The Director of Security for NIST shall provide an 
activities and security report on a quarterly basis for the first year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis 
thereafter, to the Under Secretary for Standards and Technology and the 
appropriate committees of Congress.

SEC. 114. COORDINATION OF SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Importance of Sustainable Chemistry.--It is the sense of 
Congress that--
            (1) the science of chemistry is vital to improving the 
        quality of human life and plays an important role in addressing 
        critical global challenges, including water quality, energy, 
        health care, and agriculture;
            (2) sustainable chemistry can reduce risks to human health 
        and the environment, reduce waste, improve pollution 
        prevention, promote safe and efficient manufacturing, and 
        promote efficient use of resources in developing new materials, 
        processes, and technologies that support viable long-term 
        solutions to a significant number of challenges;
            (3) sustainable chemistry can stimulate innovation, 
        encourage new and creative approaches to problems, create jobs, 
        and save money; and
            (4) a coordinated effort on sustainable chemistry will 
        allow for a greater return on research investment in this area.
    (b) Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research.--Subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, the Director of the Foundation may 
continue to carry out the Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research program 
authorized under section 509 of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-3).

SEC. 115. MISREPRESENTATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS.

    (a) Prohibition.--The Director of the Foundation may revise the 
regulations under part 689 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations 
(relating to research misconduct), to ensure that the findings and 
conclusions of any article authored by a principal investigator, using 
the results of research conducted under a Foundation grant, that is 
published in a peer-reviewed publication, made publicly available, or 
incorporated in an application for a research grant or grant extension 
from the Foundation, does not contain any falsification, fabrication, 
or plagiarism.
    (b) Interagency Communication.--Upon a finding that research 
misconduct has occurred, the Foundation shall, in addition to any 
possible final action under section 689.3 of title 45, Code of Federal 
Regulations, notify other Federal science agencies of the finding.

SEC. 116. RESEARCH REPRODUCIBILITY AND REPLICATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the gold standard of good science is the ability of a 
        researcher or research laboratory to reproduce a published 
        research finding, including methods;
            (2) there is growing concern that some published research 
        findings cannot be reproduced or replicated, which can 
        negatively affect the public's trust in science;
            (3) there are a complex set of factors affecting 
        reproducibility and replication; and
            (4) the increasing interdisciplinary nature and complexity 
        of scientific research may be a contributing factor to issues 
        with research reproducibility and replication.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall 
        enter into an agreement with the National Research Council--
                    (A) to assess research and data reproducibility and 
                replicability issues in interdisciplinary research;
                    (B) to make recommendations for improving rigor and 
                transparency in scientific research; and
                    (C) to submit to the Director of the Foundation a 
                report on the assessment, including its findings and 
                recommendations, not later than 1 year after the date 
                of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
        the date the Director of the Foundation receives the report 
        under paragraph (1)(C), the Director shall submit the report to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress, including a response 
        from the Director of the Foundation and the Chair of the 
        National Science Board as to whether they agree with each of 
        the findings and recommendations in the report.

SEC. 117. BRAIN RESEARCH THROUGH ADVANCING INNOVATIVE NEUROTECHNOLOGIES 
              INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Foundation shall support research activities 
related to the interagency Brain Research through Advancing Innovative 
Neurotechnologies Initiative.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Foundation should work in conjunction with the Interagency Working 
Group on Neuroscience established by the National Science and 
Technology Council, Committee on Science to determine how to use the 
data infrastructure of the Foundation and other applicable Federal 
science agencies to help neuroscientists collect, standardize, manage, 
and analyze the large amounts of data that result from research 
attempting to understand how the brain functions.

        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

SEC. 201. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON RESEARCH REGULATION.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Research and 
Development Efficiency Act''.
    (b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Scientific and technological advancement have been the 
        largest drivers of economic growth in the last 50 years, with 
        the Federal Government being the largest investor in basic 
        research.
            (2) Substantial and increasing administrative burdens and 
        costs in Federal research administration, particularly in the 
        higher education sector where most federally funded research is 
        performed, are eroding funds available to carry out basic 
        scientific research.
            (3) Federally funded grants are increasingly competitive, 
        with the Foundation funding only approximately 1 in every 5 
        grant proposals.
            (4) Progress has been made over the last decade in 
        streamlining the pre-award grant application process through 
        the Federal Government's Grants.gov website.
            (5) Post-award administrative costs have increased as 
        Federal research agencies have continued to impose agency-
        unique compliance and reporting requirements on researchers and 
        research institutions.
            (6) Researchers spend as much as 42 percent of their time 
        complying with Federal regulations, including administrative 
        tasks such as applying for grants or meeting reporting 
        requirements.
    (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) administrative burdens faced by researchers may be 
        reducing the return on investment of federally funded research 
        and development; and
            (2) it is a matter of critical importance to United States 
        competitiveness that administrative costs of federally funded 
        research be streamlined so that a higher proportion of Federal 
        funding is applied to direct research activities.
    (d) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, shall establish an interagency working group (referred to in 
this section as the ``Working Group'') for the purpose of reducing 
administrative burdens on federally funded researchers while protecting 
the public interest through the transparency of and accountability for 
federally funded activities.
    (e) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                    (A) regularly review relevant, administration-
                related regulations imposed on federally funded 
                researchers;
                    (B) recommend those regulations or processes that 
                may be eliminated, streamlined, or otherwise improved 
                for the purpose described in subsection (d);
                    (C) recommend ways to minimize the regulatory 
                burden on United States institutions of higher 
                education performing federally funded research while 
                maintaining accountability for Federal funding; and
                    (D) recommend ways to identify and update specific 
                regulations to refocus on performance-based goals 
                rather than on process while achieving the outcome 
                described in subparagraph (C).
            (2) Grant review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                            (i) conduct a comprehensive review of 
                        Federal science agency grant proposal 
                        documents; and
                            (ii) develop, to the extent practicable, a 
                        simplified, uniform grant format to be used by 
                        all Federal science agencies.
                    (B) Considerations.--In developing the uniform 
                grant format, the Working Group shall consider whether 
                to implement--
                            (i) procedures for preliminary project 
                        proposals in advance of peer-review selection;
                            (ii) increased use of ``Just-In-Time'' 
                        procedures for documentation that does not bear 
                        directly on the scientific merit of a proposal;
                            (iii) simplified initial budget proposals 
                        in advance of peer review selection; and
                            (iv) detailed budget proposals for 
                        applicants that peer review selection 
                        identifies as likely to be funded.
            (3) Centralized researcher profile database.--
                    (A) Establishment.--The Working Group shall 
                establish, to the extent practicable, a secure, 
                centralized database for investigator biosketches, 
                curriculum vitae, licenses, lists of publications, and 
                other documents considered relevant by the Working 
                Group.
                    (B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                centralized profile database under subparagraph (A), 
                the Working Group shall consider incorporating existing 
                investigator databases.
                    (C) Grant proposals.--To the extent practicable, 
                all grant proposals shall utilize the centralized 
                investigator profile database established under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (D) Requirements.--Each investigator shall--
                            (i) be responsible for ensuring the 
                        investigator's profile is current and accurate; 
                        and
                            (ii) be assigned a unique identifier linked 
                        to the database and accessible to all Federal 
                        funding agencies.
            (4) Centralized assurances repository.--The Working Group 
        shall--
                    (A) establish a central repository for all of the 
                assurances required for Federal research grants; and
                    (B) provide guidance to institutions of higher 
                education and Federal science agencies on the use of 
                the centralized assurances repository.
            (5) Comprehensive review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                            (i) conduct a comprehensive review of the 
                        mandated progress reports for federally funded 
                        research; and
                            (ii) develop a strategy to simplify 
                        investigator progress reports.
                    (B) Considerations.--In developing the strategy, 
                the Working Group shall consider limiting progress 
                reports to performance outcomes.
    (f) Consultation.--In carrying out its responsibilities under 
subsection (e)(1), the Working Group shall consult with academic 
researchers outside the Federal Government, including--
            (1) federally funded researchers;
            (2) nonfederally funded researchers;
            (3) institutions of higher education and their 
        representative associations;
            (4) scientific and engineering disciplinary societies and 
        associations;
            (5) nonprofit research institutions;
            (6) industry, including small businesses;
            (7) federally funded research and development centers; and
            (8) members of the public with a stake in ensuring 
        effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the 
        performance of scientific research.
    (g) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Working Group shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on its 
responsibilities under this section, including a discussion of the 
considerations described in paragraphs (2)(B), (3)(B), and (5)(B) of 
subsection (e) and recommendations made under subsection (e)(1).

SEC. 202. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COLLABORATION.

    (a) Definition of Scientific and Technical Workshop.--In this 
section, the term ``scientific and technical workshop'' means a 
symposium, seminar, or any other organized, formal gathering where 
scientists or engineers working in STEM research and development fields 
assemble to coordinate, exchange and disseminate information or to 
explore or clarify a defined subject, problem or area of knowledge in 
the STEM fields.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States should encourage broad dissemination 
        of Federal research findings and engagement of Federal 
        researchers with the scientific and technical community; and
            (2) laboratory, test center, and field center directors and 
        other similar heads of offices should approve scientific and 
        technical workshop attendance if--
                    (A) that attendance would meet the mission of the 
                laboratory or test center; and
                    (B) sufficient laboratory or test center funds are 
                available for that purpose.
    (c) Attendance Policies.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the heads of the Federal science agencies shall 
each develop an action plan for the implementation of revisions and 
updates to their policies on attendance at scientific and technical 
workshops.
    (d) NIST Workshops.--Section 2(c) of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)), as amended by section 
104 of this Act, is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (19) through (24) as 
        paragraphs (22) through (27), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
            ``(19) host, participate in, and support scientific and 
        technical workshops (as defined in section 202 of the American 
        Innovation and Competitiveness Act);
            ``(20) collect and retain any fees charged by the Secretary 
        for hosting a scientific and technical workshop described in 
        paragraph (19);
            ``(21) notwithstanding title 31 of the United States Code, 
        use the fees described in paragraph (20) to pay for any related 
        expenses, including subsistence expenses for participants;''.

SEC. 203. NIST GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS UPDATE.

    Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by striking ``The total amount of 
any such grant or cooperative agreement may not exceed 75 percent of 
the total cost of the program.''.

SEC. 204. REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTS.

    (a) Repeal of Certain Obsolete Reports.--
            (1) NIST reports.--
                    (A) Report on donation of educationally useful 
                federal equipment to schools.--Section 6(b) of the 
                Technology Administration Act of 1998 (15 U.S.C. 272 
                note) is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) In 
                        general.--'' and indenting appropriately; and
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (2).
                    (B) Three-year programmatic planning document.--
                            (i) In general.--Section 23 of the National 
                        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
                        U.S.C. 278i) is amended by striking subsections 
                        (c) and (d).
                            (ii) Conforming amendment.--Section 
                        10(h)(1) of the National Institute of Standards 
                        and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is 
                        amended by striking the last sentence.
            (2) Multi-agency report on innovation acceleration 
        research.--Section 1008 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 
        6603) is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c); and
                    (B) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
                (c).
            (3) NSF reports.--
                    (A) Funding for successful stem education programs; 
                report to congress.--Section 7012 of the America 
                COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o-4) is amended by striking 
                subsection (c).
                    (B) Encouraging participation; evaluation and 
                report.--Section 7031 of the America COMPETES Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1862o-11) is amended by striking subsection (b).
                    (C) Math and science partnerships program 
                coordination report.--Section 9(c) of the National 
                Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                1862n(c)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (4); and
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
                        paragraph (4).
    (b) National Nanotechnology Initiative Reports.--The 21st Century 
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending section 2(c)(4) (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)(4)) to 
        read as follows:
            ``(4) develop, not later than 5 years after the date of the 
        release of the most recent strategic plan, and update every 5 
        years thereafter, a strategic plan to guide the activities 
        described under subsection (b) that describes--
                    ``(A) the near-term and long-term objectives for 
                the Program;
                    ``(B) the anticipated schedule for achieving the 
                near-term objectives;
                    ``(C) the metrics that will be used to assess 
                progress toward the near-term and long-term objectives;
                    ``(D) how the Program will move results out of the 
                laboratory and into application for the benefit of 
                society;
                    ``(E) the Program's support for long-term funding 
                for interdisciplinary research and development in 
                nanotechnology; and
                    ``(F) the allocation of funding for interagency 
                nanotechnology projects;'';
            (2) by amending section 4(d) (15 U.S.C. 7503(d)) to read as 
        follows:
    ``(d) Reports.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the most 
recent assessment under subsection (c), and quadrennially thereafter, 
the Advisory Panel shall submit to the President, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
report on its assessments under subsection (c) and its recommendations 
for ways to improve the Program.''; and
            (3) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7504)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``triennial'' and inserting 
                ``quadrennial'';
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``triennial'' 
                and inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (D) in subsection (c), by striking ``triennial'' 
                and inserting ``quadrennial''; and
                    (E) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        the first evaluation under subsection (a) is received, and 
        quadrennially thereafter, the Director of the National 
        Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall report to the 
        President its assessments under subsection (c) and its 
        recommendations for ways to improve the Program.
            ``(2) Congress.--Not later than 30 days after the date the 
        President receives the report under paragraph (1), the Director 
        of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a 
        copy of the report to Congress.''.
    (c) Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction.--Section 
14 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
U.S.C. 1862n-4) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment and 
Facilities Construction.--
            ``(1) Development of priorities.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) develop a list indicating by number the 
                relative priority for funding under the major research 
                equipment and facilities construction account that the 
                Director assigns to each project the Board has approved 
                for inclusion in a future budget request; and
                    ``(B) submit the list described in subparagraph (A) 
                to the Board for approval.
            ``(2) Criteria.--The Director shall include in the criteria 
        for developing the list under paragraph (1) the readiness of 
        plans for construction and operation, including confidence in 
        the estimates of the full life cycle cost (as defined in 
        section 2 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
        of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) and the proposed schedule of 
        completion.
            ``(3) Updates.--The Director shall update the list prepared 
        under paragraph (1) each time the Board approves a new project 
        that would receive funding under the major research equipment 
        and facilities construction account and periodically submit any 
        updated list to the Board for approval.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (e);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read as 
        follows:
    ``(c) Board Approval of Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
Projects.--The Board shall explicitly approve any project to be funded 
out of the major research equipment and facilities construction account 
before any funds may be obligated from such account for such 
project.''.

SEC. 205. REPEAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

    (a) Technology Innovation Program.--
            (1) In general.--Section 28 of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Additional award criteria.--Section 4226(b) of 
                the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 278n 
                note) is repealed.
                    (B) Management costs.--Section 2(d) of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                272(d)) is amended by striking ``sections 25, 26, and 
                28'' and inserting ``sections 25 and 26''.
                    (C) Annual and other reports to secretary and 
                congress.--Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute 
                of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) 
                is amended by striking ``, including the Program 
                established under section 28,''.
    (b) Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow.--Sections 6111 through 
6116 of the America COMPETES Act (20 U.S.C. 9811, 9812, 9813, 9814, 
9815, 9816) and the items relating to those sections in the table of 
contents under section 2 of that Act (Public Law 110-69; 121 Stat. 572) 
are repealed.

SEC. 206. GRANT SUBRECIPIENT TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Foundation shall prepare and 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an audit of the 
Foundation's policies and procedures governing the monitoring of pass-
through entities with respect to subrecipients.
    (b) Contents.--The audit shall include the following:
            (1) Information regarding the Foundation's process to 
        oversee--
                    (A) the compliance of pass-through entities under 
                section 200.331 and subpart F of part 200 of chapter II 
                of subtitle A of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, 
                and the other requirements of that title for 
                subrecipients;
                    (B) whether pass-through entities have processes 
                and controls in place regarding financial compliance of 
                subrecipients, where appropriate; and
                    (C) whether pass-through entities have processes 
                and controls in place to maintain approved grant 
                objectives for subrecipients, where appropriate.
            (2) Recommendations, if necessary, to increase transparency 
        and oversight while balancing administrative burdens.

SEC. 207. MICRO-PURCHASE THRESHOLD FOR PROCUREMENT SOLICITATIONS BY 
              RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Micro-Purchase Threshold.--The micro-purchase threshold for 
procurement activities administered under sections 6303 through 6305 of 
title 31, United States Code, awarded by the Foundation, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology to institutions of higher education, or 
related or affiliated nonprofit entities, or to nonprofit research 
organizations or independent research institutes is--
            (1) $10,000 (as adjusted periodically to account for 
        inflation); or
            (2) such higher threshold as determined appropriate by the 
        head of the relevant executive agency and consistent with audit 
        findings under chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, 
        internal institutional risk assessment, or State law.
    (b) Uniform Guidance.--The Uniform Guidance shall be revised to 
conform with the requirements of this section. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, the term ``Uniform Guidance'' means the uniform 
administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements 
for Federal awards contained in part 200 of title 2 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

SEC. 208. COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
              PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``International 
Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2016''.
    (b) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish a body under the National Science and 
Technology Council with the responsibility to identify and coordinate 
international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen 
the United States science and technology enterprise, improve economic 
and national security, and support United States foreign policy goals.
    (c) NSTC Body Leadership.--The body established under subsection 
(b) shall be co-chaired by senior level officials from the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy and the Department of State.
    (d) Responsibilities.--The body established under subsection (b) 
shall--
            (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science 
        and technology cooperative research and training activities and 
        partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies;
            (2) work with other National Science and Technology Council 
        committees to help plan and coordinate the international 
        component of national science and technology priorities;
            (3) establish Federal priorities and policies for aligning, 
        as appropriate, international science and technology 
        cooperative research and training activities and partnerships 
        supported or managed by Federal agencies with the foreign 
        policy goals of the United States;
            (4) identify opportunities for new international science 
        and technology cooperative research and training partnerships 
        that advance both the science and technology and the foreign 
        policy priorities of the United States;
            (5) in carrying out paragraph (4), solicit input and 
        recommendations from non-Federal science and technology 
        stakeholders, including institutions of higher education, 
        scientific and professional societies, industry, and other 
        relevant organizations and institutions; and
            (6) identify broad issues that influence the ability of 
        United States scientists and engineers to collaborate with 
        foreign counterparts, including barriers to collaboration and 
        access to scientific information.
    (e) Report to Congress.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a biennial report on 
the requirements of this section.
    (f) Website.--The Director shall make each report available to the 
public on the Office of Science and Technology Policy website.
    (g) Termination.--The body established under subsection (b) shall 
terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act.
    (h) Additional Reports to Congress.--The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall submit, not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report that lists and describes the details of all 
foreign travel by Office of Science and Technology Policy staff and 
detailees.

    TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION

SEC. 301. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE.

    Section 10A of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(k) STEM Teacher Service and Retention.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop and implement 
        practices for increasing the proportion of individuals 
        receiving fellowships under this section who--
                    ``(A) fulfill the service obligation required under 
                subsection (h); and
                    ``(B) remain in the teaching profession in a high 
                need local educational agency beyond the service 
                obligation.
            ``(2) Practices.--The practices described under paragraph 
        (1) may include--
                    ``(A) partnering with nonprofit or professional 
                associations or with other government entities to 
                provide individuals receiving fellowships under this 
                section with opportunities for professional 
                development, including mentorship programs that pair 
                those individuals with currently employed and recently 
                retired science, technology, engineering, mathematics, 
                or computer science professionals;
                    ``(B) increasing recruitment from high need 
                districts;
                    ``(C) establishing a system to better collect, 
                track, and respond to data on the career decisions of 
                individuals receiving fellowships under this section;
                    ``(D) conducting research to better understand 
                factors relevant to teacher service and retention, 
                including factors specifically impacting the retention 
                of teachers who are individuals identified in sections 
                33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and
                    ``(E) conducting pilot programs to improve teacher 
                service and retention.''.

SEC. 302. SPACE GRANTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program has been an 
important program by which the Federal Government has partnered with 
universities, colleges, industry, and other organizations to provide 
hands-on STEM experiences, fostering of multidisciplinary space 
research, and supporting graduate fellowships in space-related fields, 
among other purposes.
    (b) Administrative Costs.--Section 40303 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Program Administration Costs.--In carrying out the provisions 
of this chapter, the Administrator--
            ``(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants and 
        contracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; and
            ``(2) in each fiscal year, the Administrator shall limit 
        its program administration costs to no more than 5 percent of 
        funds appropriated for this program for that fiscal year.
    ``(e) Reports.--For any fiscal year in which the Administrator 
cannot meet the administration cost target under subsection (d)(2), if 
the Administration is unable to limit program costs under subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report, including--
            ``(1) a description of why the Administrator did not meet 
        the cost target under subsection (d); and
            ``(2) the measures the Administrator will take in the next 
        fiscal year to meet the cost target under subsection (d) 
        without drawing upon other Federal funding.''.

SEC. 303. STEM EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment this Act, the Director of the Foundation, Secretary of 
Education, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall jointly establish an advisory panel 
(referred to in this section as the ``STEM Education Advisory Panel'') 
to advise the Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and 
Technology Council (referred to in this section as ``CoSTEM'') on 
matters relating to STEM education.
    (b) Members.--
            (1) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall be 
        composed of not less than 11 members.
            (2) Appointment.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Director of the Foundation, in consultation with the 
                Secretary of Education and the heads of the Federal 
                science agencies, shall appoint the members of the STEM 
                Education Advisory Panel.
                    (B) Consideration.--In selecting individuals to 
                appoint under subparagraph (A), the Director of the 
                Foundation shall seek and give consideration to 
                recommendations from Congress, industry, the scientific 
                community, including the National Academy of Sciences, 
                scientific professional societies, academia, State and 
                local governments, organizations representing 
                individuals identified in section 33 or section 34 of 
                the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b), and such other organizations as 
                the Director considers appropriate.
                    (C) Qualifications.--Members shall--
                            (i) primarily be individuals from academic 
                        institutions, nonprofit organizations, and 
                        industry, including in-school, out-of-school, 
                        and informal education practitioners; and
                            (ii) be individuals who are qualified to 
                        provide advice and information on STEM 
                        education research, development, training, 
                        implementation, interventions, professional 
                        development, or workforce needs or concerns.
    (c) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel shall--
                    (A) advise CoSTEM;
                    (B) periodically assess CoSTEM's progress in 
                carrying out its responsibilities under section 101(b) 
                of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
                U.S.C. 6621(b)); and
                    (C) help identify any need or opportunity to update 
                the strategic plan under section 101(b) of that Act.
            (2) Considerations.--In its advisory role, the STEM 
        Education Advisory Panel shall consider--
                    (A) the management, coordination, and 
                implementation of STEM education programs and 
                activities across the Federal Government;
                    (B) the appropriateness of criteria used by Federal 
                agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal STEM 
                education programs and activities;
                    (C) whether societal and workforce concerns are 
                adequately addressed by current Federal STEM education 
                programs and activities;
                    (D) how Federal agencies can incentivize 
                institutions of higher education to improve retention 
                of STEM students;
                    (E) ways to leverage private and nonprofit STEM 
                investments and encourage public-private partnerships 
                to strengthen STEM education and help build the STEM 
                workforce pipeline;
                    (F) ways to incorporate workforce needs into 
                Federal STEM education programs and activities, 
                particularly for specific employment fields of national 
                interest and employment fields experiencing high 
                unemployment rates;
                    (G) ways to better vertically and horizontally 
                integrate Federal STEM education programs and 
                activities from pre-kindergarten through graduate study 
                and the workforce, and from in-school to out-of-school 
                in order to improve transitions for students moving 
                through the STEM education and workforce pipelines;
                    (H) the extent to which Federal STEM education 
                programs and activities are contributing to recruitment 
                and retention of individuals identified in sections 33 
                and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the STEM 
                education and workforce pipelines; and
                    (I) ways to encourage geographic diversity in the 
                STEM education and the workforce pipelines.
            (3) Recommendations.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        shall make recommendations to improve Federal STEM education 
        programs and activities based on each assessment under 
        paragraph (1)(B).
    (d) Funding.--The Director of the Foundation, the Secretary of 
Education, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall jointly make funds available on an 
annual basis to support the activities of the STEM Education Advisory 
Panel.
    (e) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and after each assessment under subsection (c)(1)(B), the 
STEM Education Advisory Panel shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress and CoSTEM a report on its assessment under that 
subsection and its recommendations under subsection (c)(3).
    (f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--
            (1) In general.--Non-Federal members of the STEM Education 
        Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of the panel or while 
        otherwise serving at the request of a co-chairperson away from 
        their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed 
        travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
        authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for 
        individuals in the Government serving without pay.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to prohibit members of the STEM Advisory Panel who 
        are officers or employees of the United States from being 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, in accordance with existing law.
    (g) Termination.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel established 
under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after 
the date that it is established.

SEC. 304. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION.

    (a) Responsibilities.--Section 101(b) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) collaborate with the STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        established under section 303 of the American Innovation and 
        Competitiveness Act and other outside stakeholders to ensure 
        the engagement of the STEM education community;
            ``(8) review the measures used by a Federal agency to 
        evaluate its STEM education activities and programs;
            ``(9) request and review feedback from States on how the 
        States are utilizing Federal STEM education programs and 
        activities; and
            ``(10) recommend the reform, termination, or consolidation 
        of Federal STEM education activities and programs, taking into 
        consideration the recommendations of the STEM Education 
        Advisory Panel.''.
    (b) Reports.--Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(c) Report.--'' and inserting ``(d) 
        Reports.--'';
            (2) by striking ``(b) Responsibilities of OSTP.--'' and 
        inserting ``(c) Responsibilities of OSTP.--''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) a description of all consolidations and terminations 
        of Federal STEM education programs and activities implemented 
        in the previous fiscal year, including an explanation for the 
        consolidations and terminations;
            ``(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, and 
        terminations of STEM education programs or activities in the 
        upcoming fiscal year; and
            ``(8) a description of any significant new STEM education 
        public-private partnerships.''.

SEC. 305. PROGRAMS TO EXPAND STEM OPPORTUNITIES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Economic projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
        indicate that by 2018, there could be 2,400,000 unfilled STEM 
        jobs.
            (2) Women represent slightly more than half the United 
        States population, and projections indicate that 54 percent of 
        the population will be a member of a racial or ethnic minority 
        group by 2050.
            (3) Despite representing half the population, women 
        comprise only about 30 percent of STEM workers according to a 
        2015 report by the National Center for Science and Engineering 
        Statistics.
            (4) A 2014 National Center for Education Statistics study 
        found that underrepresented populations leave the STEM fields 
        at higher rates than their counterparts.
            (5) The representation of women in STEM drops significantly 
        at the faculty level. Overall, women hold only 25 percent of 
        all tenured and tenure-track positions and 17 percent of full 
        professor positions in STEM fields in our Nation's universities 
        and 4-year colleges.
            (6) Black and Hispanic faculty together hold about 6.5 
        percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 5 percent 
        of full professor positions.
            (7) Many of the numbers in the American Indian or Alaskan 
        Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander categories 
        for different faculty ranks were too small for the Foundation 
        to report publicly without potentially compromising 
        confidential information about the individuals being surveyed.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) it is critical to our Nation's economic leadership and 
        global competitiveness that the United States educate, train, 
        and retain more scientists, engineers, and computer scientists;
            (2) there is currently a disconnect between the 
        availability of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers;
            (3) historically, underrepresented populations are the 
        largest untapped STEM talent pools in the United States; and
            (4) given the shifting demographic landscape, the United 
        States should encourage full participation of individuals from 
        underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
    (c) Reaffirmation.--The Director of the Foundation shall continue 
to support programs designed to broaden participation of 
underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
    (d) Grants To Broaden Participation.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall award 
        grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible 
        entities to increase the participation of underrepresented 
        populations in STEM fields, including individuals identified in 
        section 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
        Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b).
            (2) Center of excellence.--
                    (A) In general.--Grants awarded under this 
                subsection may include grants for the establishment of 
                a Center of Excellence to collect, maintain, and 
                disseminate information to increase participation of 
                underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
                    (B) Purpose.--The purpose of a Center of Excellence 
                under this subsection is to promote diversity in STEM 
                fields by building on the success of the INCLUDES 
                programs, providing technical assistance, maintaining 
                best practices, and providing related training at 
                federally funded academic institutions.
    (e) Accountability and Dissemination.--
            (1) Evaluation.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
                Foundation shall evaluate the grants provided under 
                this section.
                    (B) Requirements.--In conducting the evaluation 
                under subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
                            (i) use a common set of benchmarks and 
                        assessment tools to identify best practices and 
                        materials developed or demonstrated by the 
                        research; and
                            (ii) to the extent practicable, combine the 
                        research resulting from the grant activity 
                        under subsection (e) with the current research 
                        on serving underrepresented students in grades 
                        kindergarten through 8.
            (2) Report on evaluations.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), the 
        Director of the Foundation shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress and make widely available to the public 
        a report that includes--
                    (A) the results of the evaluation; and
                    (B) any recommendations for administrative and 
                legislative action that could optimize the 
                effectiveness of the program.
    (f) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Director of 
the Foundation shall consult and cooperate with the programs and 
policies of other relevant Federal agencies to avoid duplication with 
and enhance the effectiveness of the program under this section.

SEC. 306. NIST EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    (a) Repeal.--The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
(15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking section 18 (15 U.S.C. 
278g-1).
    (b) Education and Outreach.--The National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.), as amended, is further 
amended by inserting after section 17, the following:

``SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director is authorized to expend funds 
appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, to 
support, promote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance 
public awareness and understanding of measurement sciences, standards 
and technology at the national measurement laboratories and otherwise 
in fulfillment of the mission of the Institute. The Director may carry 
out activities under this subsection, including education and outreach 
activities to the general public, industry and academia in support of 
the Institute's mission.
    ``(b) Hiring.--The Director, in coordination with the Director of 
the Office of Personnel Management, may revise the procedures the 
Director applies when making appointments to laboratory positions 
within the competitive service--
            ``(1) to ensure corporate memory of and expertise in the 
        fundamental ongoing work, and on developing new capabilities in 
        priority areas;
            ``(2) to maintain high overall technical competence;
            ``(3) to improve staff diversity;
            ``(4) to balance emphases on the noncore and core areas; or
            ``(5) to improve the ability of the Institute to compete in 
        the marketplace for qualified personnel.
    ``(c) Volunteers.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director may establish a program to 
        use volunteers in carrying out the programs of the Institute.
            ``(2) Acceptance of personnel.--The Director may accept, 
        subject to regulations issued by the Office of Personnel 
        Management, voluntary service for the Institute for such 
        purpose if the service--
                    ``(A) is to be without compensation; and
                    ``(B) will not be used to displace any current 
                employee or act as a substitute for any future full-
                time employee of the Institute.
            ``(3) Federal employee status.--Any individual who provides 
        voluntary service under this subsection shall not be considered 
        a Federal employee, except for purposes of chapter 81 of title 
        5, United States Code (relating to compensation for injury), 
        and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United States Code 
        (relating to tort claims).
    ``(d) Research Fellowships.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director may expend funds 
        appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal 
        year, as the Director considers appropriate, for awards of 
        research fellowships and other forms of financial and 
        logistical assistance, including direct stipend awards to--
                    ``(A) students at institutions of higher learning 
                within the United States who show promise as present or 
                future contributors to the mission of the Institute; 
                and
                    ``(B) United States citizens for research and 
                technical activities of the Institute, including 
                programs.
            ``(2) Selection criteria.--The selection of persons to 
        receive such fellowships and assistance shall be made on the 
        basis of ability and of the relevance of the proposed work to 
        the mission and programs of the Institute.
            ``(3) Financial and logistical assistance.--Notwithstanding 
        section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any other law 
        to the contrary, the Director may include as a form of 
        financial or logistical assistance under this subsection 
        temporary housing and transportation to and from Institute 
        facilities.
    ``(e) Educational Outreach Activities.--The Director may--
            ``(1) facilitate education programs for undergraduate and 
        graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic and 
        industry employees;
            ``(2) sponsor summer workshops for STEM kindergarten 
        through grade 12 teachers as appropriate;
            ``(3) develop programs for graduate student internships and 
        visiting faculty researchers;
            ``(4) document publications, presentations, and 
        interactions with visiting researchers and sponsoring interns 
        as performance metrics for improving and continuing 
        interactions with those individuals; and
            ``(5) facilitate laboratory tours and provide presentations 
        for educational, industry, and community groups.''.
    (c) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program.--Section 19 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Institute and the National Academy of 
Sciences, jointly, shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral 
fellowship program, subject to the availability of appropriations.
    ``(b) Organization.--The post-doctoral fellowship program shall 
include not less than 20 new fellows per fiscal year.
    ``(c) Evaluations.--In evaluating applications for post-doctoral 
fellowships under this section, the Director of the Institute and the 
President of the National Academy of Sciences shall give consideration 
to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in 
sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in research areas supported by the 
Institute.''.
    (d) Savings Clauses.--
            (1) Research fellowships and other financial assistance to 
        students at institutes of higher education.--The repeal made by 
        subsection (a) of this section shall not affect any award of a 
        research fellowship or other form of financial assistance made 
        under section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) before the date of enactment 
        of this Act. Such award shall continue to be subject to the 
        requirements to which such funds were subject under that 
        section before the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2)  Post-doctoral fellowship program.--The amendment made 
        by subsection (c) of this section shall not affect any award of 
        a post-doctoral fellowship or other form of financial 
        assistance made under section 19 of the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) before the date 
        of enactment of this Act. Such awards shall continue to be 
        subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject 
        under that section before the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 307. PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM MENTORING.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Foundation shall continue to 
administer awards on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy to recognize outstanding mentoring in STEM fields.
    (b) Annual Award Recipients.--The Director of the Foundation shall 
provide Congress with a list of award recipients, including the name, 
institution, and a brief synopsis of the impact of the mentoring 
efforts.

SEC. 308. WORKING GROUP ON INCLUSION IN STEM FIELDS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in 
collaboration with Federal departments and agencies, shall establish an 
interagency working group to compile and summarize available research 
and best practices on how to promote diversity and inclusions in STEM 
fields and examine whether barriers exist to promoting diversity and 
inclusion within Federal agencies employing scientists and engineers.
    (b) Responsibilities.--The working group shall be responsible for 
reviewing and assessing research, best practices, and policies across 
Federal science agencies related to the inclusion of individuals 
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the Federal STEM 
workforce, including available research and best practices on how to 
promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, including--
            (1) policies providing flexibility for scientists and 
        engineers that are also caregivers, particularly on the timing 
        of research grants;
            (2) policies to address the proper handling of claims of 
        sexual harassment;
            (3) policies to minimize the effects of implicit bias and 
        other systemic factors in hiring, promotion, evaluation and the 
        workplace in general; and
            (4) other evidence-based strategies that the working group 
        considers effective for promoting diversity and inclusion in 
        the STEM fields.
    (c) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out the responsibilities under 
section (b), the working group shall solicit and consider input and 
recommendations from non-Federal stakeholders, including--
            (1) the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology;
            (2) federally funded and nonfederally funded researchers, 
        institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary 
        societies, and associations;
            (3) nonprofit research institutions;
            (4) industry, including small businesses;
            (5) federally funded research and development centers;
            (6) nongovernmental organizations; and
            (7) such other members of the public interested in 
        promoting a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce.
    (d) Public Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the working group 
shall publish a report on the review and assessment under subsection 
(b), including a summary of available research and best practices, any 
recommendations for Federal actions to promote a diverse and inclusive 
Federal STEM workforce, and updates on the implementation of previous 
recommendations for Federal actions.
    (e) Termination.--The interagency working group established under 
subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the 
date that it is established.

SEC. 309. IMPROVING UNDERGRADUATE STEM EXPERIENCES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that each 
Federal science agency should invest in and expand research 
opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of 
higher education during the undergraduate students' first 2 academic 
years of postsecondary education.
    (b) Identification of Research Programs.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal 
agency shall submit to the President recommendations regarding how the 
agency could best fulfill the goals described in subsection (a).

SEC. 310. COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that as the lead Federal agency for 
building the research knowledge base for computer science education, 
the Foundation is well positioned to make investments that will 
accelerate ongoing efforts to enable rigorous and engaging computer 
science throughout the Nation as an integral part of STEM education.
    (b) Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall award 
        grants to eligible entities to research computer science 
        education and computational thinking.
            (2) Research.--The research described in paragraph (1) may 
        include the development or adaptation, piloting or full 
        implementation, and testing of--
                    (A) models of preservice preparation for teachers 
                who will teach computer science and computational 
                thinking;
                    (B) scalable and sustainable models of professional 
                development and ongoing support for the teachers 
                described in subparagraph (A);
                    (C) tools and models for teaching and learning 
                aimed at supporting student success and inclusion in 
                computing within and across diverse populations, 
                particularly poor, rural, and tribal populations and 
                other populations that have been historically 
                underrepresented in computer science and STEM fields; 
                and
                    (D) high-quality learning opportunities for 
                teaching computer science and, especially in poor, 
                rural, or tribal schools at the elementary school and 
                middle school levels, for integrating computational 
                thinking into STEM teaching and learning.
    (c) Collaborations.--In carrying out the grants established in 
subsection (b), eligible entities may collaborate and partner with 
local or remote schools to support the integration of computing and 
computational thinking within pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM 
curricula and instruction.
    (d) Metrics.--The Director of the Foundation shall develop metrics 
to measure the success of the grant program funded under this section 
in achieving program goals.
    (e) Report.--The Director of the Foundation shall report, in the 
annual budget submission to Congress, on the success of the program as 
measured by the metrics in subsection (d).
    (f) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means an institution of higher education or a 
nonprofit research organization.

SEC. 311. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION.

    (a) National STEM Partnership Grants.--Section 3(a) of the STEM 
Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) a national partnership of institutions involved in 
        informal STEM learning.''.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Section 3(b) of the STEM Education Act of 2015 
(42 U.S.C. 1862q(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) fostering on-going partnerships between institutions 
        involved in informal STEM learning, institutions of higher 
        education, and education research centers; and
            ``(4) developing, and making available informal STEM 
        education activities and educational materials.''.

SEC. 312. DEVELOPING STEM APPRENTICESHIPS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The lack of data on the return on investment for United 
        States employers using registered apprenticeships makes it 
        difficult--
                    (A) to communicate the value of these programs to 
                businesses; and
                    (B) to expand registered apprenticeships.
            (2) The lack of data on the value and impact of employer-
        provided worker training, which is likely substantial, hinders 
        the ability of the Federal Government to formulate policy 
        related to workforce training.
            (3) The Secretary of Commerce has initiated--
                    (A) the first study on the return on investment for 
                United States employers using registered 
                apprenticeships through case studies of firms in 
                various sectors, occupations, and geographic locations 
                to provide the business community with data on employer 
                benefits and costs; and
                    (B) discussions with officials at relevant Federal 
                agencies about the need to collect comprehensive data 
                on--
                            (i) employer-provided worker training; and
                            (ii) existing tools that could be used to 
                        collect such data.
    (b) Development of Apprenticeship Information.--The Secretary of 
Commerce shall continue to research the value to businesses of 
utilizing apprenticeship programs, including--
            (1) evidence of return on investment of apprenticeships, 
        including estimates for the average time it takes a business to 
        recover the costs associated with training apprentices; and
            (2) data from the United States Census Bureau and other 
        statistical surveys on employer-provided training, including 
        apprenticeships and other on-the-job training and industry-
        recognized certification programs.
    (c) Dissemination of Apprenticeship Information.--The Secretary of 
Commerce shall disseminate findings from research on apprenticeships to 
businesses and other relevant stakeholders, including--
            (1) institutions of higher education;
            (2) State and local chambers of commerce; and
            (3) workforce training organizations.
    (d) New Apprenticeship Program Study.--The Secretary of Commerce 
may collaborate with the Secretary of Labor to study approaches for 
reducing the cost of creating new apprenticeship programs and hosting 
apprentices for businesses, particularly small businesses, including--
            (1) training sharing agreements;
            (2) group training models; and
            (3) pooling resources and best practices.
    (e) Economic Development Administration Grants.--The Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 28. STEM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may carry out a grant 
program to identify the need for skilled science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as `STEM') 
workers and to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.
    ``(b) Eligible Recipient Defined.--In this section, the term 
`eligible recipient' means--
            ``(1) a State;
            ``(2) an Indian tribe;
            ``(3) a city or other political subdivision of a State;
            ``(4) an entity that--
                    ``(A) 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
                    ``(B) has an application that is supported by a 
                State, a political subdivision of a State, or a native 
                organization; or
            ``(5) a consortium of any of the entities described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5).
    ``(c) Needs Assessment Grants.--The Secretary of Commerce may 
provide a grant to an eligible recipient to conduct a needs assessment 
to identify--
            ``(1) the unmet need of a region's employer base for 
        skilled STEM workers;
            ``(2) the potential of STEM apprenticeships to address the 
        unmet need described in paragraph (1); and
            ``(3) any barriers to addressing the unmet need described 
        in paragraph (1).
    ``(d) Apprenticeship Expansion Grants.--The Secretary of Commerce 
may provide a grant to an eligible recipient that has conducted a needs 
assessment as described in subsection (c)(1) to develop infrastructure 
to expand STEM apprenticeship programs.''.

SEC. 313. NSF REPORT ON BROADENING PARTICIPATION.

    Section 204(e) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1885c(e)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Biennial Report.--Every 2 years, the Committee shall prepare 
and submit to the Director a report on its activities during the 
previous 2 years and proposed activities for the next 2 years. The 
Director shall submit to Congress the report, unaltered, together with 
such comments as the Director considers appropriate, including--
            ``(1) review data on the participation in Foundation 
        activities of institutions serving populations that are 
        underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, 
        and tribal populations; and
            ``(2) recommendations regarding how the Foundation could 
        improve outreach and inclusion of these populations in 
        Foundation activities.''.

SEC. 314. NOAA SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4002(a) of the America COMPETES Act (33 
U.S.C. 893a(a)) is amended by striking ``agency, with consideration 
given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals from 
underrepresented groups'' and inserting ``the agency, with 
consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of 
individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b)''.
    (b) Educational Program Goals.--Section 4002(b)(4) of the America 
COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(b)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) are designed considering the unique needs of 
                underrepresented groups, translating such materials and 
                other resources;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) are promoted widely, especially among 
                individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the 
                Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b); and''.
    (c) Metrics.--Section 4002 of the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 
893a) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively; and
            (2) by adding after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Metrics.--In executing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration science education plan under subsection (c), the 
Administrator shall maintain a comprehensive system for evaluating the 
Administration's educational programs and activities. In so doing, the 
Administrator shall ensure that such education programs have measurable 
objectives and milestones as well as clear, documented metrics for 
evaluating programs. For each such education program or portfolio of 
similar programs, the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) encourage the collection of evidence as relevant to 
        the measurable objectives and milestones; and
            ``(2) ensure that program or portfolio evaluations focus on 
        educational outcomes and not just inputs, activities completed, 
        or the number of participants.''.

SEC. 315. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM UPDATE.

    (a) In General.--Section 7033(a) of the America COMPETES Act (42 
U.S.C. 1862o-12(a)) is amended as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--The Director shall award grants on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions (as 
defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1101a)) to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such 
institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of 
students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics.''.
    (b) Savings Provision.--The amendment made by subsection (a) of 
this section shall not affect any award of a grant or other form of 
financial assistance made under section 7033 of the America COMPETES 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o-12) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such 
awards shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such 
funds were subject under that section before the date of enactment of 
this Act.

                TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

SEC. 401. PRIZE COMPETITION AUTHORITY UPDATE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Science Prize 
Competition Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Prizes'' and by inserting ``Prize Competitions'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``prize may be one or more of the following'' 
                and inserting ``prize competition may be one or more of 
                the following types of activities'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``competition'' 
                after ``prize''; and
                    (D) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking 
                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize competitions'';
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``in the Federal Register'' and inserting ``on 
                a publicly accessible Government website, such as 
                www.challenge.gov,'';
                    (B) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prize'' and 
                inserting ``cash prize purse or non-cash prize award'';
            (3) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``prize'' and inserting ``cash prize purse''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition'';
            (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' before 
        ``competition'' each place it appears;
            (5) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'' each place it appears;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Waivers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An agency may waive the 
                requirement under paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) List.--The Director shall include a list of 
                all of the waivers granted under this paragraph during 
                the preceding fiscal year, including a detailed 
                explanation of the reason for granting the waiver.'';
            (6) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition''; and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Licenses.--As appropriate and to further the goals of 
        a prize competition, the Federal Government may negotiate a 
        license for the use of intellectual property developed by a 
        registered participant in a prize competition.'';
            (7) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each 
                competition'' and inserting ``each prize competition'' 
                each place it appears;
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competitions'' each place it appears;
            (8) in subsection (l), by striking ``an agreement with'' 
        and all that follows through the period at the end and 
        inserting ``a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other 
        agreement with a private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity 
        or State or local government agency to administer the prize 
        competition, subject to the provisions of this section.'';
            (9) in subsection (m)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--Support for a prize competition under 
        this section, including financial support for the design and 
        administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash prize 
        purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and funds 
        provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit entities. 
        The head of an agency may request and accept funds from other 
        Federal agencies, State, United States territory, local, or 
        tribal government agencies, private sector for-profit entities, 
        and nonprofit entities, to be available to the extent provided 
        by appropriations Acts, to support such prize competitions. The 
        head of an agency may not give any special consideration to any 
        agency or entity in return for a donation.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prize awards'' 
                and inserting ``cash prize purses or non-cash prize 
                awards'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) Announcement.--No prize competition may be 
                announced under subsection (f) until all the funds 
                needed to pay out the announced amount of the cash 
                prize purse have been appropriated or committed in 
                writing by a private or State, United States territory, 
                local, or tribal government source.''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i), by striking ``a prize'' and 
                                inserting ``a cash prize purse or non-
                                cash prize award'';
                                    (II) in clause (i), by inserting 
                                ``competition'' after ``prize''; and
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by inserting 
                                ``or State, United States territory, 
                                local, or tribal government'' after 
                                ``private''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``a prize'' and 
                                inserting ``a cash prize purse or a 
                                non-cash prize award''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``Science and 
                                Technology'' and inserting ``Science, 
                                Space, and Technology''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``cash prizes'' and inserting ``cash prize 
                        purses or non-cash prize awards'';
            (10) in subsection (n)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Service'' and 
                inserting ``Services'';
                    (B) by striking ``the date of the enactment of the 
                America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' and 
                inserting ``the date of enactment of the American 
                Innovation and Competitiveness Act,''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``for both for-profit and 
                nonprofit entities and State, United States territory, 
                local, and tribal government entities,'' after 
                ``contract vehicle'';
            (11) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``or providing a 
        prize'' and inserting ``a prize competition or providing a cash 
        prize purse or non-cash prize award''; and
            (12) in subsection (p)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Annual'' and 
                inserting ``Biennial'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``each year'' and inserting 
                        ``every other year'';
                            (ii) by striking ``Science and Technology'' 
                        and inserting ``Science, Space, and 
                        Technology''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``fiscal year'' and 
                        inserting ``2 fiscal years''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``The report for a fiscal 
                        year'' and inserting ``A report'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) in the heading, by striking 
                                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize purses 
                                or non-cash prize awards''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``cash prizes'' 
                                each place it appears and inserting 
                                ``cash prize purses or non-cash prize 
                                awards''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) Plan.--A description of crosscutting topical 
                areas and agency-specific mission needs that may be the 
                strongest opportunities for prize competitions during 
                the upcoming 2 fiscal years.''.

SEC. 402. CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen Science Act''.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the authority granted to Federal agencies under the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
        358; 124 Stat. 3982) to pursue the use of incentive prizes and 
        challenges has yielded numerous benefits;
            (2) crowdsourcing and citizen science projects have a 
        number of additional unique benefits, including accelerating 
        scientific research, increasing cost effectiveness to maximize 
        the return on taxpayer dollars, addressing societal needs, 
        providing hands-on learning in STEM, and connecting members of 
        the public directly to Federal science agency missions and to 
        each other; and
            (3) granting Federal science agencies the direct, explicit 
        authority to use crowdsourcing and citizen science will 
        encourage its appropriate use to advance Federal science agency 
        missions and stimulate and facilitate broader public 
        participation in the innovation process, yielding numerous 
        benefits to the Federal Government and citizens who participate 
        in such projects.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Citizen science.--The term ``citizen science'' means a 
        form of open collaboration in which individuals or 
        organizations participate voluntarily in the scientific process 
        in various ways, including--
                    (A) enabling the formulation of research questions;
                    (B) creating and refining project design;
                    (C) conducting scientific experiments;
                    (D) collecting and analyzing data;
                    (E) interpreting the results of data;
                    (F) developing technologies and applications;
                    (G) making discoveries; and
                    (H) solving problems.
            (2) Crowdsourcing.--The term ``crowdsourcing'' means a 
        method to obtain needed services, ideas, or content by 
        soliciting voluntary contributions from a group of individuals 
        or organizations, especially from an online community.
            (3) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means any 
        individual or other entity that has volunteered in a 
        crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this section.
    (d) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.--
            (1) In general.--The head of each Federal science agency, 
        or the heads of multiple Federal science agencies working 
        cooperatively, may utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science to 
        conduct projects designed to advance the mission of the 
        respective Federal science agency or the joint mission of 
        Federal science agencies, as applicable.
            (2) Voluntary services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
        title 31, United States Code, the head of a Federal science 
        agency may accept, subject to regulations issued by the 
        Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in coordination 
        with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
        Policy, services from participants under this section if such 
        services--
                    (A) are performed voluntarily as a part of a 
                crowdsourcing or citizen science project authorized 
                under paragraph (1);
                    (B) are not financially compensated for their time; 
                and
                    (C) will not be used to displace any employee of 
                the Federal Government.
            (3) Outreach.--The head of each Federal science agency 
        engaged in a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under 
        this section shall make public and promote such project to 
        encourage broad participation.
            (4) Consent, registration, and terms of use.--
                    (A) In general.--Each Federal science agency shall 
                determine the appropriate level of consent, 
                registration, or acknowledgment of the terms of use 
                that are required from participants in crowdsourcing or 
                citizen science projects under this section on a per-
                project basis.
                    (B) Disclosures.--In seeking consent, conducting 
                registration, or developing terms of use for a project 
                under this subsection, a Federal science agency shall 
                disclose the privacy, intellectual property, data 
                ownership, compensation, service, program, and other 
                terms of use to the participant in a clear and 
                reasonable manner.
                    (C) Mode of consent.--A Federal agency or Federal 
                science agencies, as applicable, may obtain consent 
                electronically or in written form from participants 
                under this section.
            (5) Protections for human subjects.--Any crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section that involves 
        research involving human subjects shall be subject to part 46 
        of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
        regulation).
            (6) Data.--
                    (A) In general.--A Federal science agency shall, 
                where appropriate and to the extent practicable, make 
                data collected through a crowdsourcing or citizen 
                science project under this section available to the 
                public, in a machine readable format, unless prohibited 
                by law.
                    (B) Notice.--As part of the consent process, the 
                Federal science agency shall notify all participants--
                            (i) of the expected uses of the data 
                        compiled through the project;
                            (ii) if the Federal science agency will 
                        retain ownership of such data;
                            (iii) if and how the data and results from 
                        the project would be made available for public 
                        or third-party use; and
                            (iv) if participants are authorized to 
                        publish such data.
            (7) Technologies and applications.--Federal science 
        agencies shall endeavor to make technologies, applications, 
        code, and derivations of such intellectual property developed 
        through a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this 
        section available to the public.
            (8) Liability.--Each participant in a crowdsourcing or 
        citizen science project under this section shall agree--
                    (A) to assume any and all risks associated with 
                such participation; and
                    (B) to waive all claims against the Federal 
                Government and its related entities, except for claims 
                based on willful misconduct, for any injury, death, 
                damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits 
                (whether direct, indirect, or consequential) arising 
                from participation in the project.
            (9) Research misconduct.--Federal science agencies 
        coordinating crowdsourcing or citizen science projects under 
        this section shall make all practicable efforts to ensure that 
        participants adhere to all relevant Federal research misconduct 
        policies and other applicable ethics policies.
            (10) Multi-sector partnerships.--The head of each Federal 
        science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science 
        under this section, or the heads of multiple Federal science 
        agencies working cooperatively, may enter into a contract or 
        other agreement to share administrative duties for such 
        projects with--
                    (A) a for-profit or nonprofit private sector 
                entity, including a private institution of higher 
                education;
                    (B) a State, tribal, local, or foreign government 
                agency, including a public institution of higher 
                education; or
                    (C) a public-private partnership.
            (11) Funding.--In carrying out crowdsourcing and citizen 
        science projects under this section, the head of a Federal 
        science agency, or the heads of multiple Federal science 
        agencies working cooperatively--
                    (A) may use funds appropriated by Congress;
                    (B) may publicize projects and solicit and accept 
                funds or in-kind support for such projects, to be 
                available to the extent provided by appropriations 
                Acts, from--
                            (i) other Federal agencies;
                            (ii) for-profit or nonprofit private sector 
                        entities, including private institutions of 
                        higher education; or
                            (iii) State, tribal, local, or foreign 
                        government agencies, including public 
                        institutions of higher education; and
                    (C) may not give any special consideration to any 
                entity described in subparagraph (B) in return for such 
                funds or in-kind support.
            (12) Facilitation.--
                    (A) General services administration assistance.--
                The Administrator of the General Services 
                Administration, in coordination with the Director of 
                the Office of Personnel Management and the Director of 
                the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall, at 
                no cost to Federal science agencies, identify and 
                develop relevant products, training, and services to 
                facilitate the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science 
                projects under this section, including by specifying 
                the appropriate contract vehicles and technology and 
                organizational platforms to enhance the ability of 
                Federal science agencies to carry out the projects 
                under this section.
                    (B) Additional guidance.--The head of each Federal 
                science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen 
                science under this section may--
                            (i) consult any guidance provided by the 
                        Director of the Office of Science and 
                        Technology Policy, including the Federal 
                        Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Toolkit;
                            (ii) designate a coordinator for that 
                        Federal science agency's crowdsourcing and 
                        citizen science projects; and
                            (iii) share best practices with other 
                        Federal agencies, including participation of 
                        staff in the Federal Community of Practice for 
                        Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.
    (e) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy shall include, as a component of 
        an annual report required under section 24(p) of the Stevenson-
        Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719(p)), a 
        report on the projects and activities carried out under this 
        section.
            (2) Information included.--The report required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) a summary of each crowdsourcing and citizen 
                science project conducted by a Federal science agency 
                during the most recently completed 2 fiscal years, 
                including a description of the proposed goals of each 
                crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                    (B) an analysis of why the utilization of a 
                crowdsourcing or citizen science project summarized in 
                subparagraph (A) was the preferable method of achieving 
                the goals described in subparagraph (A) as opposed to 
                other authorities available to the Federal science 
                agency, such as contracts, grants, cooperative 
                agreements, and prize competitions;
                    (C) the participation rates, submission levels, 
                number of consents, and any other statistic that might 
                be considered relevant in each crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science project;
                    (D) a detailed description of--
                            (i) the resources, including personnel and 
                        funding, that were used in the execution of 
                        each crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                            (ii) the project activities for which such 
                        resources were used; and
                            (iii) how the obligations and expenditures 
                        relating to the project's execution were 
                        allocated among the accounts of the Federal 
                        science agency, including a description of the 
                        amount and source of all funds, private, 
                        public, and in-kind, contributed to each 
                        crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                    (E) a summary of the use of crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science by all Federal science agencies, 
                including interagency and multi-sector partnerships;
                    (F) a description of how each crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science project advanced the mission of each 
                participating Federal science agency;
                    (G) an identification of each crowdsourcing or 
                citizen science project where data collected through 
                such project was not made available to the public, 
                including the reasons for such action; and
                    (H) any other information that the Director of the 
                Office of Science and Technology Policy considers 
                relevant.
    (f) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section may be construed--
            (1) to affect the authority to conduct crowdsourcing and 
        citizen science authorized by any other provision of law; or
            (2) to displace Federal Government resources allocated to 
        the Federal science agencies that use crowdsourcing or citizen 
        science authorized under this section to carry out a project.

SEC. 403. NIST DIRECTOR FUNCTIONS UPDATE.

    Section 2(b) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)), as amended by section 403 of this Act, is 
further amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``authorized to take'' and inserting ``authorized to serve as 
        the President's principal adviser on standards policy 
        pertaining to the Nation's technological competitiveness and 
        innovation ability and to take'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``compare standards'' and 
        all that follows through ``Federal Government'' and inserting 
        ``facilitate standards-related information sharing and 
        cooperation between Federal agencies''; and
            (3) in paragraph (13), by striking ``Federal, State, and 
        local'' and all that follows through ``private sector'' and 
        inserting ``technical standards activities and conformity 
        assessment activities of Federal, State, and local governments 
        with private sector''.

SEC. 404. NIST VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY UPDATE.

    Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``15 
                members appointed by the Director, at least 10 of 
                whom'' and ``not fewer than 9 members appointed by the 
                Director, a majority of whom''; and
                    (B) in the third sentence, by striking ``National 
                Bureau of Standards'' and inserting ``National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``, including the 
        Program established under section 28,''.

                         TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

SEC. 501. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership Improvement Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        `appropriate committees of Congress' means--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                Technology of the House of Representatives.
            ``(2) Area career and technical education school.--The term 
        `area career and technical education school' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Vocational Education Act of 
        1963 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
            ``(3) Center.--The term `Center' means a manufacturing 
        extension center that--
                    ``(A) is created under subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) is affiliated with an eligible entity that 
                applies for and is awarded financial support under 
                subsection (e).
            ``(4) Community college.--The term `community college' 
        means an institution of higher education (as defined under 
        section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001(a))) at which the highest degree that is predominately 
        awarded to students is an associate's degree.
            ``(5) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        United States-based nonprofit institution, or consortium 
        thereof, an institution of higher education, or a State, United 
        States territory, local, or tribal government.
            ``(6) Hollings manufacturing extension partnership or 
        program.--The term `Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership' or `Program' means the program established under 
        subsection (b).
            ``(7) MEP advisory board.--The term `MEP Advisory Board' 
        means the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board 
        established under subsection (n).
    ``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary, acting through the 
Director and, if appropriate, through other Federal officials, shall 
establish a program to provide assistance for the creation and support 
of manufacturing extension centers for the transfer of manufacturing 
technology and best business practices.
    ``(c) Objective.--The objective of the Program shall be to enhance 
competitiveness, productivity, and technological performance in United 
States manufacturing through--
            ``(1) the transfer of manufacturing technology and 
        techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through 
        them, to manufacturing companies throughout the United States;
            ``(2) the participation of individuals from industry, 
        institutions of higher education, State governments, other 
        Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in 
        cooperative technology transfer activities;
            ``(3) efforts to make new manufacturing technology and 
        processes usable by United States-based small and medium-sized 
        companies;
            ``(4) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, 
        technical, and management information about manufacturing to 
        industrial firms, including small and medium-sized 
        manufacturing companies;
            ``(5) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise 
        and capability that exists in Federal agencies, other than the 
        Institute, and federally sponsored laboratories;
            ``(6) the provision to community colleges and area career 
        and technical education schools of information about the job 
        skills needed in manufacturing companies, including small and 
        medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions they 
        serve;
            ``(7) the promotion and expansion of certification systems 
        offered through industry, associations, and local colleges when 
        appropriate, including efforts such as facilitating training, 
        supporting new or existing apprenticeships, and providing 
        access to information and experts, to address workforce needs 
        and skills gaps in order to assist small and medium-sized 
        manufacturing businesses; and
            ``(8) the growth in employment and wages at United States-
        based small and medium-sized companies.
    ``(d) Activities.--The activities of a Center shall include--
            ``(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems 
        and other advanced production technologies, based on Institute-
        supported research, for the purpose of demonstrations and 
        technology transfer;
            ``(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research 
        findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies and 
        enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized manufacturers; 
        and
            ``(3) the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships 
        between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, 
        community colleges, and area career and technical education 
        schools, to help those entities better understand the specific 
        needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers better 
        understand the skill sets that students learn in the programs 
        offered by such colleges and schools.
    ``(e) Financial Assistance.--
            ``(1) Authorization.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        the Secretary may provide financial assistance for the creation 
        and support of a Center through a cooperative agreement with an 
        eligible entity.
            ``(2) Cost sharing.--The Secretary may not provide more 
        than 50 percent of the capital and annual operating and 
        maintenance funds required to establish and support a Center.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--For purposes of paragraph (2), 
        any amount received by an eligible entity for a Center under a 
        provision of law other than paragraph (1) shall not be 
        considered an amount provided under paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Regulations.--The Secretary may revise or promulgate 
        such regulations as necessary to carry out this subsection.
    ``(f) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Program description.--The Secretary shall establish 
        and update, as necessary--
                    ``(A) a description of the Program;
                    ``(B) the application procedures;
                    ``(C) performance metrics;
                    ``(D) criteria for determining qualified 
                applicants;
                    ``(E) criteria for choosing recipients of financial 
                assistance from among the qualified applicants;
                    ``(F) procedures for determining allowable cost 
                share contributions; and
                    ``(G) such other program policy objectives and 
                operational procedures as the Secretary considers 
                necessary.
            ``(3) Cost sharing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be considered for financial 
                assistance under this section, an applicant shall 
                provide adequate assurances that the applicant and if 
                applicable, the applicant's partnering organizations, 
                will obtain funding for not less than 50 percent of the 
                capital and annual operating and maintenance funds 
                required to establish and support the Center from 
                sources other than the financial assistance provided 
                under subsection (e).
                    ``(B) Agreements with other entities.--In meeting 
                the cost-sharing requirement under subparagraph (A), an 
                eligible entity may enter into an agreement with one or 
                more other entities, such as a private industry, 
                institutions of higher education, or a State, United 
                States territory, local, or tribal government for the 
                contribution by that other entity of funding if the 
                Secretary determines the agreement--
                            ``(i) is programmatically reasonable;
                            ``(ii) will help accomplish programmatic 
                        objectives; and
                            ``(iii) is allocable under Program 
                        procedures under subsection (f)(2).
            ``(4) Legal rights.--Each applicant shall include in the 
        application a proposal for the allocation of the legal rights 
        associated with any intellectual property which may result from 
        the activities of the Center.
            ``(5) Merit review of applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall subject each 
                application to merit review.
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In making a decision whether 
                to approve an application and provide financial 
                assistance under subsection (e), the Secretary shall 
                consider, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) the merits of the application, 
                        particularly those portions of the application 
                        regarding technology transfer, training and 
                        education, and adaptation of manufacturing 
                        technologies to the needs of particular 
                        industrial sectors;
                            ``(ii) the quality of service to be 
                        provided;
                            ``(iii) the geographical diversity and 
                        extent of the service area; and
                            ``(iv) the type and percentage of funding 
                        and in-kind commitment from other sources under 
                        paragraph (3).
    ``(g) Evaluations.--
            ``(1) Third and eighth year evaluations by panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                each Center is evaluated during its third and eighth 
                years of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by 
                the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Composition.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                each evaluation panel appointed under subparagraph (A) 
                is composed of--
                            ``(i) private experts, none of whom are 
                        connected with the Center evaluated by the 
                        panel; and
                            ``(ii) Federal officials.
                    ``(C) Chairperson.--For each evaluation panel 
                appointed under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 
                appoint a chairperson who is an official of the 
                Institute.
            ``(2) Fifth year evaluations by secretary.--In the fifth 
        year of operation of a Center, the Secretary shall conduct a 
        review of the Center.
            ``(3) Performance measurement.--In evaluating a Center an 
        evaluation panel or the Secretary, as applicable, shall measure 
        the performance of the Center against--
                    ``(A) the objective specified in subsection (c);
                    ``(B) the performance metrics under subsection 
                (f)(2)(C); and
                    ``(C) such other criterion as considered 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Positive evaluations.--If an evaluation of a Center 
        is positive, the Secretary may continue to provide financial 
        assistance for the Center--
                    ``(A) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                third year of a Center, through the fifth year of the 
                Center;
                    ``(B) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                fifth year of a Center, through the eighth year of the 
                Center; and
                    ``(C) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                eighth year of a Center, through the tenth year of the 
                Center.
            ``(5) Other than positive evaluations.--
                    ``(A) Probation.--If an evaluation of a Center is 
                other than positive, the Secretary shall put the Center 
                on probation during the period beginning on the date 
                that the Center receives notice under subparagraph 
                (B)(i) and ending on the date that the reevaluation is 
                complete under subparagraph (B)(iii).
                    ``(B) Notice and reevaluation.--If a Center 
                receives an evaluation that is other than positive, the 
                evaluation panel or Secretary, as applicable, shall--
                            ``(i) notify the Center of the reason, 
                        including any deficiencies in the performance 
                        of the Center identified during the evaluation;
                            ``(ii) assist the Center in remedying the 
                        deficiencies by providing the Center, not less 
                        frequently than once every 3 months, an 
                        analysis of the Center, if considered 
                        appropriate by the panel or Secretary, as 
                        applicable; and
                            ``(iii) reevaluate the Center not later 
                        than 1 year after the date of the notice under 
                        clause (i).
                    ``(C) Continued support during period of 
                probation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary may 
                        continue to provide financial assistance under 
                        subsection (e) for a Center during the 
                        probation period.
                            ``(ii) Post probation.--After the period of 
                        probation, the Secretary shall not provide any 
                        financial assistance unless the Center has 
                        received a positive evaluation under 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii).
            ``(6) Failure to remedy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a Center fails to remedy a 
                deficiency or to show significant improvement in 
                performance before the end of the probation period 
                under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall conduct a 
                competition to select an operator for the Center under 
                subsection (h).
                    ``(B) Treatment of centers subject to new 
                competition.--Upon the selection of an operator for a 
                Center under subsection (h), the Center shall be 
                considered a new Center and the calculation of the 
                years of operation of that Center for purposes of 
                paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection and 
                subsection (h)(1) shall start anew.
    ``(h) Reapplication Competition for Financial Assistance After 10 
Years.--
            ``(1) In general.--If an eligible entity has operated a 
        Center under this section for a period of 10 consecutive years, 
        the Secretary shall conduct a competition to select an eligible 
        entity to operate the Center in accordance with the process 
        plan under subsection (i).
            ``(2) Incumbent eligible entities.--An eligible entity that 
        has received financial assistance under this section for a 
        period of 10 consecutive years and that the Secretary 
        determines is in good standing shall be eligible to compete in 
        the competition under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Treatment of centers subject to reapplication 
        competition.--Upon the selection of an operator for a Center 
        under paragraph (1), the Center shall be considered a new 
        Center and the calculation of the years of operation of that 
        Center for purposes of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection 
        (g) shall start anew.
    ``(i) Process Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, the 
Secretary shall implement and submit to Congress a plan for how the 
Institute will conduct an evaluation, competition, and reapplication 
competition under this section.
    ``(j) Operational Requirements.--
            ``(1) Protection of confidential information of center 
        clients.--The following information, if obtained by the Federal 
        Government in connection with an activity of a Center or the 
        Program, shall be exempt from public disclosure under section 
        552 of title 5, United States Code:
                    ``(A) Information on the business operation of any 
                participant in the Program or of a client of a Center.
                    ``(B) Trade secrets of any client of a Center.
    ``(k) Oversight Boards.--
            ``(1) In general.--As a condition on receipt of financial 
        assistance for a Center under subsection (e), an eligible 
        entity shall establish a board to oversee the operations of the 
        Center.
            ``(2) Standards.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall establish 
                appropriate standards for each board described under 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                standards, the Director shall take into account the 
                type and organizational structure of an eligible 
                entity.
                    ``(C) Requirements.--The standards shall address--
                            ``(i) membership;
                            ``(ii) composition;
                            ``(iii) term limits;
                            ``(iv) conflicts of interest; and
                            ``(v) such other requirements as the 
                        Director considers necessary.
            ``(3) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each board established under 
                paragraph (1) shall be composed of members as follows:
                            ``(i) The membership of each board shall be 
                        representative of stakeholders in the region in 
                        which the Center is located.
                            ``(ii) A majority of the members of the 
                        board shall be selected from among individuals 
                        who own or are employed by small or medium-
                        sized manufacturers.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--A member of a board established 
                under paragraph (1) may not serve on more than 1 board 
                established under that paragraph.
            ``(4) Bylaws.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each board established under 
                paragraph (1) shall adopt and submit to the Director 
                bylaws to govern the operation of the board.
                    ``(B) Conflicts of interest.--Bylaws adopted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include policies to minimize 
                conflicts of interest, including such policies relating 
                to disclosure of relationships and recusal as may be 
                necessary to minimize conflicts of interest.
    ``(l) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be 
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Program, the 
Secretary and Director may also accept funds from other Federal 
departments and agencies and from the private sector under section 
2(c)(7) of this Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)(7)), to be available to the 
extent provided by appropriations Acts, for the purpose of 
strengthening United States manufacturing.
    ``(m) MEP Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
        Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) Composition.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The MEP Advisory Board 
                        shall consist of not fewer than 10 members 
                        appointed by the Director and broadly 
                        representative of stakeholders.
                            ``(ii) Requirements.--Of the members 
                        appointed under clause (i)--
                                    ``(I) at least 2 members shall be 
                                employed by or on an advisory board for 
                                a Center;
                                    ``(II) at least 5 members shall be 
                                from United States small businesses in 
                                the manufacturing sector; and
                                    ``(III) at least 1 member shall 
                                represent a community college.
                            ``(iii) Limitation.--No member of the MEP 
                        Advisory Board shall be an employee of the 
                        Federal Government.
                    ``(B) Term.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (C), the term of office of each member of the MEP 
                Advisory Board shall be 3 years.
                    ``(C) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a 
                vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term 
                for which his predecessor was appointed shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of such term.
                    ``(D) Serving consecutive terms.--Any person who 
                has completed 2 consecutive full terms of service on 
                the MEP Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible 
                for appointment during the 1-year period following the 
                expiration of the second such term.
            ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall--
                    ``(A) meet not less than biannually; and
                    ``(B) provide to the Director--
                            ``(i) advice on the activities, plans, and 
                        policies of the Program;
                            ``(ii) assessments of the soundness of the 
                        plans and strategies of the Program; and
                            ``(iii) assessments of current performance 
                        against the plans of the Program.
            ``(4) FACA applicability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In discharging its duties under 
                this subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function 
                solely in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the 
                Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
                    ``(B) Exception.--Section 14 of the Federal 
                Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the MEP 
                Advisory Board.
            ``(5) Annual report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--At a minimum, the MEP Advisory 
                Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary 
                for transmittal to Congress not later than 30 days 
                after the submission to Congress of the President's 
                annual budget under section 1105 of title 31, United 
                States Code.
                    ``(B) Contents.--The report shall address the 
                status of the Program and describe the relevant 
                sections of the programmatic planning document and 
                updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director 
                under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23 (15 U.S.C. 
                278i).
    ``(n) Small Manufacturers.--
            ``(1) Evaluation of obstacles.--As part of the Program, the 
        Director shall--
                    ``(A) identify obstacles that prevent small 
                manufacturers from effectively competing in the global 
                market;
                    ``(B) implement a comprehensive plan to train the 
                Centers to address the obstacles identified in 
                paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) facilitate improved communication between the 
                Centers to assist such manufacturers in implementing 
                appropriate, targeted solutions to the obstacles 
                identified in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Development of open access resources.--As part of the 
        Program, the Secretary shall develop open access resources that 
        address best practices related to inventory sourcing, supply 
        chain management, manufacturing techniques, available Federal 
        resources, and other topics to further the competitiveness and 
        profitability of small manufacturers.''.
    (c) Competitive Awards Program.--The National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 25 the following:

``SEC. 25A. COMPETITIVE AWARDS PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish within the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 (15 
U.S.C. 278k) and section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l) a program of competitive 
awards among participants described in subsection (b) of this section 
for the purposes described in subsection (c).
    ``(b) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under this 
section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers.
    ``(c) Purpose, Themes, and Reimbursement.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of the program established 
        under subsection (a) is to add capabilities to the Hollings 
        Manufacturing Extension Partnership, including the development 
        of projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as 
        determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director 
        of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the MEP 
        Advisory Board, other Federal agencies, and small and medium-
        sized manufacturers.
            ``(2) Themes.--The Director may identify one or more themes 
        for a competition carried out under this section, which may 
        vary from year to year, as the Director considers appropriate 
        after assessing the needs of manufacturers and the success of 
        previous competitions.
            ``(3) Reimbursement.--Centers may be reimbursed for costs 
        incurred by the Centers under this section.
    ``(d) 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 in consultation with the MEP 
Advisory Board.
    ``(e) Selection.--
            ``(1) Peer review and competitively awarded.--The Director 
        shall ensure that awards under this section are peer reviewed 
        and competitively awarded.
            ``(2) Geographic diversity.--The Director shall endeavor to 
        have broad geographic diversity among selected proposals.
            ``(3) Criteria.--The Director shall select applications to 
        receive awards that the Director determines will achieve one or 
        more of the following:
                    ``(A) Improve the competitiveness of industries in 
                the region in which the Center or Centers are located.
                    ``(B) Create jobs or train newly hired employees.
                    ``(C) Promote the transfer and commercialization of 
                research and technology from institutions of higher 
                education, national laboratories or other federally 
                funded research programs, and nonprofit research 
                institutes.
                    ``(D) Recruit a diverse manufacturing workforce, 
                including through outreach to underrepresented 
                populations, including individuals identified in 
                section 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering 
                Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b).
                    ``(E) Such other result as the Director determines 
                will advance the objective set forth in section 25(c) 
                (15 U.S.C. 278k) or in section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l).
    ``(f) Program Contribution.--Recipients of awards under this 
section shall not be required to provide a matching contribution.
    ``(g) Global Marketplace Projects.--In making an award under this 
section, the Director, in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board and 
the Secretary, may take into consideration whether an application has 
significant potential for enhancing the competitiveness of small and 
medium-sized United States manufacturers in the global marketplace.
    ``(h) Duration.--The duration of an award under this section shall 
be for not more than 3 years.
    ``(i) Definitions.--The terms used in this section have the 
meanings given the terms in section 25 (15 U.S.C. 278k).''.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States, in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board (as defined 
        in section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)), shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report analyzing--
                    (A) the effectiveness of the changes in the cost 
                share to Centers under section 25 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278k);
                    (B) the engagement in services and the 
                characteristics of services provided by 2 types of 
                Centers, including volume and type of service; and
                    (C) whether the cost-sharing ratio has any effect 
                on the services provided by either type of Center.
            (2) Independent assessment.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                date of submission of the report under paragraph (1), 
                the Director of NIST shall contract with an independent 
                organization to perform an assessment of the 
                implementation of the reapplication competition 
                process.
                    (B) Consultation.--The independent organization 
                performing the assessment under subparagraph (A) may 
                consult with the MEP Advisory Board (as defined in 
                section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)).
            (3) Comparison of centers.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
                submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
                report providing information on the first and second 
                years of operations for Centers (as defined in section 
                25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)) operating from new 
                competitions or recompetition as compared to 
                longstanding Centers.
                    (B) Contents.--The report shall provide detail on 
                the engagement in services provided by Centers and the 
                characteristics of services provided, including volume 
                and type of services, so that the appropriate 
                committees of Congress can evaluate whether the cost-
                sharing ratio has an effect on the services provided at 
                Centers.
    (e) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Definitions.--Section 2199(3) of title 10, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``regional center'' and inserting 
                ``manufacturing extension center'';
                    (B) by inserting ``and best business practices'' 
                before ``referred''; and
                    (C) by striking ``25(a)'' and inserting ``25(b)''.
            (2) Enterprise integration initiative.--Section 3(a) of the 
        Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 278g-5(a)) is 
        amended by inserting ``Hollings'' before ``Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership''.
            (3) Assistance to state technology programs.--Section 26(a) 
        of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
        U.S.C. 278l(a)) is amended by striking ``Centers program 
        created'' and inserting ``Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership''.
    (f) Savings Provisions.--Notwithstanding the amendments made by 
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce may 
carry out section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) as that section was in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act, with respect to existing 
grants, agreements, cooperative agreements, or contracts, and with 
respect to applications for such items that are received by the 
Secretary prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
    (g) Patent Rights.--The provisions of chapter 18 of title 35, 
United States Code, shall apply, to the extent not inconsistent with 
section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
(15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 25 of that Act, to the promotion of 
technology from research by Centers under those sections, except for 
contracts for such specific technology extension or transfer services 
as may be specified by the Director of NIST or under other law.

              TITLE VI--INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

SEC. 601. INNOVATION CORPS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps 
        (referred to in this section as the ``I-Corps'') was 
        established to foster a national innovation ecosystem by 
        encouraging institutions, scientists, engineers, and 
        entrepreneurs to identify and explore the innovation and 
        commercial potential of National Science Foundation-funded 
        research well beyond the laboratory.
            (2) Through I-Corps, the Foundation invests in 
        entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, and 
        mentoring that can ultimately lead to the practical deployment 
        of technologies, products, processes, and services that improve 
        the Nation's competitiveness, promote economic growth, and 
        benefit society.
            (3) By building networks of entrepreneurs, educators, 
        mentors, institutions, and collaborations, and supporting 
        specialized education and training, I-Corps is at the leading 
        edge of a strong, lasting foundation for an American innovation 
        ecosystem.
            (4) By translating federally funded research to a 
        commercial stage more quickly and efficiently, programs like 
        the I-Corps create new jobs and companies, help solve societal 
        problems, and provide taxpayers with a greater return on their 
        investment in research.
            (5) The I-Corps program model has a strong record of 
        success that should be replicated at all Federal science 
        agencies.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) commercialization of federally funded research can 
        improve the Nation's competitiveness, grow the economy, and 
        benefit society;
            (2) I-Corps is a useful tool in promoting the 
        commercialization of federally funded research by training 
        researchers funded by the Foundation in entrepreneurship and 
        commercialization;
            (3) I-Corps should continue to build a network of 
        entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, and institutions and support 
        specialized education and training;
            (4) researchers other than those funded by the Foundation 
        may also benefit from the education and training described in 
        paragraph (3); and
            (5) I-Corps should continue to promote a strong innovation 
        system by investing in and supporting female entrepreneurs 
        through mentorship, education, and training because they are 
        historically underrepresented in entrepreneurial fields.
    (c) I-Corps Program.--
            (1) In general.--In order to promote a strong, lasting 
        foundation for the national innovation ecosystem and increase 
        the positive economic and social impact of federally funded 
        research, the Director of the Foundation shall set forth 
        eligibility requirements and carry out a program to award 
        grants for entrepreneurship and commercialization education, 
        training, and mentoring.
            (2) Expansion of i-corps.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director--
                            (i) shall encourage the development and 
                        expansion of I-Corps and other training 
                        programs that focus on professional 
                        development, including education in 
                        entrepreneurship and commercialization; and
                            (ii) may establish an agreement with 
                        another Federal science agency--
                                    (I) to make researchers, students, 
                                and institutions funded by that agency 
                                eligible to participate in the I-Corps 
                                program; or
                                    (II) to assist that agency with the 
                                design and implementation of its own 
                                program that is similar to the I-Corps 
                                program.
                    (B) Partnership funding.--In negotiating an 
                agreement with another Federal science agency under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii), the Director shall require that 
                Federal science agency to provide funding for--
                            (i) the training for researchers, students, 
                        and institutions selected for the I-Corps 
                        program; and
                            (ii) the locations that Federal science 
                        agency designates as regional and national 
                        infrastructure for science and engineering 
                        entrepreneurship.
            (3) Follow-on grants.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Director, in consultation with the Director of the 
                Small Business Innovation Research Program, shall make 
                funds available for competitive grants, including to I-
                Corps participants, to help support--
                            (i) prototype or proof-of-concept 
                        development; and
                            (ii) such activities as the Director 
                        considers necessary to build local, regional, 
                        and national infrastructure for science and 
                        engineering entrepreneurship.
                    (B) Limitation.--Grants under subparagraph (A) 
                shall be limited to participants with innovations that 
                because of the early stage of development are not 
                eligible to participate in a Small Business Innovation 
                Research Program or a Small Business Technology 
                Transfer Program.
            (4) State and local partnerships.--The Director may engage 
        in partnerships with State and local governments, economic 
        development organizations, and nonprofit organizations to 
        provide access to the I-Corps program to support 
        entrepreneurship education and training for researchers, 
        students, and institutions under this subsection.
            (5) Reports.--The Director shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a biennial report on I-Corps program 
        efficacy, including metrics on the effectiveness of the 
        program. Each Federal science agency participating in the I-
        Corps program or that implements a similar program under 
        paragraph (2)(A) shall contribute to the report.
            (6) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms ``Small 
        Business Innovation Research Program'' and ``Small Business 
        Technology Transfer Program'' have the meanings given those 
        terms in section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

SEC. 602. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) commercialization of federally funded research may 
        benefit society and the economy; and
            (2) not-for-profit organizations support the 
        commercialization of federally funded research by providing 
        useful business and technical expertise to researchers.
    (b) Commercialization Promotion.--The Director of the Foundation 
shall continue to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis 
to eligible entities to promote the commercialization of federally 
funded research results.
    (c) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include--
            (1) identifying Foundation-sponsored research and 
        technologies that have the potential for accelerated 
        commercialization;
            (2) supporting prior or current Foundation-sponsored 
        investigators, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit 
        organizations that partner with an institution of higher 
        education in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including 
        development of prototypes of technologies that are derived from 
        Foundation-sponsored research and have potential market value;
            (3) promoting sustainable partnerships between Foundation-
        funded institutions, industry, and other organizations within 
        academia and the private sector with the purpose of 
        accelerating the transfer of technology;
            (4) developing multidisciplinary innovation ecosystems 
        which involve and are responsive to specific needs of academia 
        and industry; and
            (5) providing professional development, mentoring, and 
        advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and technology 
        and business development to innovators.
    (d) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--The following organizations may be 
        eligible for grants under this section:
                    (A) Institutions of higher education.
                    (B) Public or nonprofit technology transfer 
                organizations.
                    (C) A nonprofit organization that partners with an 
                institution of higher education.
                    (D) A consortia of two or more of the organizations 
                described under subparagraphs (A) through (C).
            (2) Lead organizations.--Any eligible organization under 
        paragraph (1) may apply as a lead organization.
    (e) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant 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.

SEC. 603. OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The 1998 National Research Council Report, ``Harnessing 
        Light'' presented a comprehensive overview on the importance of 
        optics and photonics to various sectors of the United States 
        economy.
            (2) In 2012, in response to increased coordination and 
        investment by other nations, the National Research Council 
        released a follow up study recommending a national photonics 
        initiative to increase collaboration and coordination among 
        United States industry, Federal and State government, and 
        academia to identify and further advance areas of photonics 
        critical to regaining United States competitiveness and 
        maintaining national security.
            (3) Publicly traded companies focused on optics and 
        photonics in the United States enable more than $3 trillion in 
        revenue annually.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) optics and photonics research and technologies promote 
        United States global competitiveness in industry sectors, 
        including telecommunications and information technology, 
        energy, healthcare and medicine, manufacturing, and defense;
            (2) Federal science agencies, industry, and academia should 
        seek partnerships with each other to develop basic research in 
        optics and photonics into more mature technologies and 
        capabilities; and
            (3) each Federal science agency, as appropriate, should--
                    (A) survey and identify optics and photonics-
                related programs within that Federal science agency and 
                share results with other Federal science agencies for 
                the purpose of generating multiple applications and 
                uses;
                    (B) partner with the private sector and academia to 
                leverage knowledge and resources to maximize 
                opportunities for innovation in optics and photonics;
                    (C) explore research and development opportunities, 
                including Federal and private sector-sponsored 
                internships, to ensure a highly trained optics and 
                photonics workforce in the United States;
                    (D) encourage partnerships between academia and 
                industry to promote improvement in the education of 
                optics and photonics technicians at the secondary 
                school level, undergraduate level, and 2-year college 
                level, including through the Foundation's Advanced 
                Technological Education program; and
                    (E) assess existing programs and explore 
                alternatives to modernize photonics laboratory 
                equipment in undergraduate institutions in the United 
                States to facilitate critical hands-on learning.

SEC. 604. UNITED STATES CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United States 
Chief Technology Officer Act''.
    (b) In General.--Section 203 the National Science and Technology 
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6612) is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(b) Associate
        Directors.--'' before ``The President is authorized'' and 
        indenting appropriately;
            (2) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``There shall 
        be'' and indenting appropriately; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Chief Technology Officer.--Subject to subsection (b), the 
President is authorized to designate one of the Associate Directors 
under that subsection as a United States Chief Technology Officer.''.

SEC. 605. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY FOR EMERGENCY 
              NOTIFICATIONS ON CAMPUSES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research 
Council to conduct and complete a study to identify and review 
technologies employed at institutions of higher education to provide 
notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel during 
emergency situations in accordance with law.
    (b) Contents.--The study shall address--
            (1) the timeliness of notifications provided by the 
        technologies during emergency situations;
            (2) the durability of the technologies in delivering the 
        notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel; and
            (3) the limitations exhibited by the technologies to 
        successfully deliver the notifications not more than 30 seconds 
        after the institution of higher education transmits the 
        notifications.
    (c) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date that the 
National Research Council enters into the arrangement under subsection 
(a), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
submit to Congress a report on the study, including recommendations for 
addressing any limitations identified under subsection (b)(3).
                                 <all>