[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3084 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3084

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 22, 2016

   Mr. Gardner (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Nelson) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
           Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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. High-energy physics coordination.
Sec. 107. Laboratory program improvements.
Sec. 108. International activities.
Sec. 109. Standard Reference Data Act update.
Sec. 110. NSF mid-scale project investments.
Sec. 111. Oversight of NSF large-scale research facility projects.
Sec. 112. Conflicts of interest.
Sec. 113. Management of the NSF Antarctic Program.
Sec. 114. NIST campus security.
        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.
    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. Grant programs to expand STEM opportunities.
Sec. 306. Centers of excellence for inclusion in STEM.
Sec. 307. NIST education and outreach.
Sec. 308. Presidential awards for excellence in STEM mentoring.
Sec. 309. Working group on inclusion in STEM fields.
Sec. 310. Improving undergraduate STEM experiences.
Sec. 311. Computer science education research.
                TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

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

Sec. 501. Hollings manufacturing extension partnership improvements.
Sec. 502. Federal loan guarantees for innovative technologies in 
                            manufacturing.
    TITLE VI--INNOVATION, COMMERCIALIZATION, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Sec. 601. Innovation corps.
Sec. 602. Translational research grants.
Sec. 603. Optics and photonics technology innovations.

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 American 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) the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts 
        criteria remain appropriate for evaluating grant proposals, as 
        concluded by the 2011 National Science Board Task Force on 
        Merit Review;
            (2) evaluating proposals on the basis of the Foundation's 
        intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria assures that--
                    (A) proposals funded by the Foundation are of high 
                quality and advance scientific knowledge; and
                    (B) the Foundation's overall funding portfolio 
                addresses societal needs through research findings or 
                through related activities; and
            (3) as evidenced by the Foundation's contributions to 
        scientific advancement, economic development, human health, and 
        national security, its peer review and merit review processes 
        have successfully identified and funded scientifically and 
        societally relevant 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.--Congress finds that the Foundation has improved 
transparency and accountability of the outcomes made through the merit 
review process.
    (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, clarifying the importance of transparency and 
        accountability of the outcomes made through the merit review 
        process.
            (2) Requirements.--The guidance under paragraph (1) shall 
        require that each abstract for a Foundation-funded research 
        project--
                    (A) provide a clear justification for any Federal 
                funds that will be expended, including by--
                            (i) describing how the project--
                                    (I) reflects the mission statement 
                                of the Foundation; and
                                    (II) addresses both of the National 
                                Science Board-approved merit review 
                                criteria; and
                            (ii) clearly identifying the research 
                        priorities of the project in a manner that can 
                        be easily understood by both technical and 
                        nontechnical audiences; and
                    (B) be publicly available at the time of award.
    (c) Examination.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Science Board shall--
            (1) examine the efforts by the Foundation to improve 
        transparency and accountability in the merit review process; 
        and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        report on the examination, including any recommendations for 
        how to further improve transparency and accountability of the 
        outcomes made through the merit review process.

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), (D), and 
                                (E), by striking ``EPSCoR and Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (E), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR or Federal EPSCoR-
                                like programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR''; and
                                    (III) 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, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
        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 for a 
                        secure and smooth transition to the standards 
                        under clause (i).
            (3) 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 voting systems to 
        ensure voters can vote securely and privately.''.

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

    (a) Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development.--Section 101(a)(1) of the High-Performance Computing Act 
of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
        ``In general.--'' before ``The President'';
            (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) provide for research on the interplay of 
                computing and people, including social computing and 
                human-robot interaction;
                    ``(K) provide for research on cyber-physical 
                systems and improving the methods available for the 
                design, development, and operation of those systems 
                that are characterized by high reliability, safety, and 
                security;
                    ``(L) provide for the understanding of the science, 
                engineering, policy, and privacy protection related to 
                networking and information technology;
                    ``(M) provide for the understanding of the human 
                facets of cyber threats and secure cyber systems;
                    ``(N) provide for the transition of high-
                performance computing in hardware, system software, 
                development tools, and applications into development 
                and operations; and
                    ``(O) foster public-private collaboration with 
                government, industry research laboratories, academia, 
                and nonprofit organizations to maximize research and 
                development efforts and the benefits of networking and 
                information technology, including high-performance 
                computing.''.
    (b) Review and Plan.--Section 101 of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(d) Periodic Reviews.--The heads of the applicable agencies and 
departments working through the National Science and Technology Council 
and the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
Program shall--
            ``(1) not later than 1 year after the date the advisory 
        committee submits a report under subsection (b)(2), assess the 
        structure of the Program, including the Program Component Areas 
        and associated contents and funding levels, taking into 
        consideration any relevant recommendations of the advisory 
        committee; and
            ``(2) ensure that the Program includes foundational and 
        interdisciplinary information technology research and 
        development activities.
    ``(e) Strategic Plans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The heads of the applicable agencies and 
        departments, working through the National Science and 
        Technology Council and the Networking and Information 
        Technology Research and Development Program shall develop and 
        implement strategic plans to guide emerging activities in 
        specific Program Component Areas, as the advisory committee 
        determines relevant under subsection (b), of Federal networking 
        and information technology research and development, and to 
        guide the activities described in subsection (a)(1).
            ``(2) Updates.--The heads of the applicable agencies and 
        departments shall update the strategic plans as appropriate.
            ``(3) Contents.--Each strategic plan shall--
                    ``(A) specify near-term and long-term objectives 
                for the Program, 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 is actively 
                engaged;
                    ``(C) describe how the heads of the applicable 
                agencies and departments will support mechanisms for 
                foundational and interdisciplinary research and 
                development in networking and information technology, 
                including through collaborations--
                            ``(i) across Federal agencies and 
                        departments;
                            ``(ii) across Program Component Areas; and
                            ``(iii) with industry, Federal and private 
                        research laboratories, research entities, 
                        universities, institutions of higher education, 
                        relevant nonprofit organizations, and 
                        international partners of the United States;
                    ``(D) describe how the heads of the applicable 
                agencies and departments will foster the rapid transfer 
                of research and development results into new 
                technologies and applications;
                    ``(E) describe how the Program will address long-
                term challenges for which solutions require large-
                scale, long-term, foundational and interdisciplinary 
                research and development; and
                    ``(F) place emphasis on innovative and high-risk 
                projects having the potential for substantial societal 
                returns on the research investment.
            ``(4) Private sector efforts.--In developing, implementing, 
        and updating strategic plans, the heads of the applicable 
        agencies and departments, working through the National Science 
        and Technology Council and Networking and Information 
        Technology Research and Development 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 applicable agencies and 
        departments shall solicit recommendations and advice from--
                    ``(A) the advisory committee under subsection (b); 
                and
                    ``(B) a wide range of stakeholders, including 
                industry, academia, including representatives of 
                minority serving institutions and community colleges, 
                National Laboratories, and other relevant organizations 
                and institutions.
    ``(f) Reports.--The heads of the applicable agencies and 
departments, working through the National Science and Technology 
Council and the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development 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) Definition of Applicable Agencies and Departments.--In this 
section, the term `applicable agencies and departments' means the 
Federal agencies and departments identified in subsection (a)(3)(B) or 
designated under clause (xii) of that subsection.''.
    (c) Research Coordination.--Section 101(a)(2) of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
        ``Requirements.--'' before ``The Director''; and
            (2) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
                    ``(C) provide for the coordination of Federal 
                networking and information technology research, 
                development, networking, and other activities--
                            ``(i) among the applicable agencies and 
                        departments under the Program; and
                            ``(ii) to the extent practicable, with 
                        other Federal agencies not identified in 
                        subsection (a)(3)(B), other Federal and private 
                        research laboratories, industry, research 
                        entities, universities, institutions of higher 
                        education, relevant nonprofit organizations, 
                        and international partners of the United 
                        States;''.
    (d) Budget.--Section 101(a)(3) of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
        ``Contents of annual reports.--'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking clauses (i) through 
        (xi) and inserting the following--
                            ``(i) the Department of Commerce;
                            ``(ii) the Department of Defense;
                            ``(iii) the Department of Education;
                            ``(iv) the Department of Energy;
                            ``(v) the Department of Health and Human 
                        Services;
                            ``(vi) the Department of Homeland Security;
                            ``(vii) the Department of Justice;
                            ``(viii) the Environmental Protection 
                        Agency;
                            ``(ix) the National Aeronautics and Space 
                        Administration;
                            ``(x) the National Archives and Records 
                        Administration;
                            ``(xi) the National Science Foundation; and
                            ``(xii) such other agencies and departments 
                        as the President or the Director considers 
                        appropriate;'';
            (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``is submitted,'' and 
        inserting ``is submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal 
        year,'';
            (4) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) by striking ``is submitted,'' and inserting 
                ``is submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal 
                year,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (5) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
        and
            (6) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
                    ``(E) 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 plan under subsection 
                (e);''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments to High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991.--The High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 5501)--
                    (A) in paragraphs (2) and (5), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology, including high-performance 
                computing,''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology, including high-performance 
                computing'';
            (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 5502)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``high-performance 
                computing'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology'' each place it appears; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``high-performance 
                        computing and'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology and''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``high-performance 
                        computing network'' and inserting ``networking 
                        and information technology'';
            (3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 5503)--
                    (A) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology'';
                    (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``National High-
                Performance Computing'' and inserting ``Networking and 
                Information Technology Research and Development''; and
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), 
                and (7) as paragraphs (5), (3), (4), (6), and (7), 
                respectively;
            (4) in section 101 (15 U.S.C. 5511)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``national high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology research and development'';
                    (B) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``National 
                        High-Performance Computing'' and inserting 
                        ``Networking and Information Technology 
                        Research and Development'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                subparagraph (A), by striking 
                                ``National High-Performance Computing'' 
                                and inserting ``Networking and 
                                Information Technology Research and 
                                Development'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (A), by 
                                striking ``high-performance computing, 
                                including networking'' and inserting 
                                ``networking and information 
                                technology'';
                                    (III) in subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing'' and inserting ``high-end 
                                computing, including high-performance 
                                computing,''; and
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (G), by 
                                striking ``high-performance computing'' 
                                and inserting ``networking and 
                                information technology, including high-
                                performance computing,''; and
                            (iii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) in subparagraph (A), by 
                                striking ``high-performance computing 
                                research, development, networking'' and 
                                inserting ``networking and information 
                                technology research and development'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (E), by 
                                striking ``high-performance computing 
                                and networking systems'' and inserting 
                                ``high-end computing and networking 
                                systems''; and
                                    (III) in subparagraph (F), by 
                                striking ``high-performance computing'' 
                                and inserting ``high-end, including 
                                high-performance computing'';
                    (C) in subsection (b)(1), in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A), by striking ``high-performance 
                computing'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology'';
                    (D) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``Committee 
                on Science and Technology'' and inserting ``Committee 
                on Science, Space, and Technology''; and
                    (E) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology'';
            (5) in section 201(a) (15 U.S.C. 5521(a)), by striking 
        ``high-performance computing and advanced high-speed computer 
        networking'' and inserting ``networking and information 
        technology'';
            (6) in section 202(a) (15 U.S.C. 5522(a)), by striking 
        ``high-performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
        information technology'';
            (7) in section 203 (15 U.S.C. 5523(a))--
                    (A) by striking ``high-performance computing and 
                networking'' and inserting ``networking and information 
                technology''; and
                    (B) by striking ``high-performance computing 
                systems'' and inserting ``high-end, including high-
                performance computing systems'';
            (8) in section 204 (15 U.S.C. 5524)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``high-performance computing systems and 
                        networks'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology systems'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``high-performance computing systems in 
                        networks'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology systems''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``high-performance computing systems'' and 
                        inserting ``networking and information 
                        technology''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``High-
                        performance Computing and Network'' and 
                        inserting ``Network and Information Technology 
                        Security''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``sensitive information in 
                        Federal computer systems'' and inserting 
                        ``agency information and information systems''; 
                        and
            (9) in section 207 (15 U.S.C. 5527)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``section 
                2315(a) of title 10'' and inserting ``section 
                3552(b)(6)(A) of title 44''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``high-
                performance computing systems'' and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology''.
    (f) Additional Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) National networking and information technology 
        program.--Section 101 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
        1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511), as amended, is further amended--
                    (A) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                        ``Advisory committee.--'' before ``The 
                        President shall'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting 
                        ``Additional duties.--'' before ``In addition 
                        to''; and
                            (iii) in paragraph (3), by inserting 
                        ``FACA.--'' before ``Section 14''; and
                    (B) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                        ``Reports.--'' before ``Each Federal''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``OMB 
                        review.--'' before ``The Office''.
            (2) Miscellaneous.--
                    (A) 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''.
                    (B) National information technology research and 
                development program.--Section 13202(b) of the American 
                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''.
                    (C) 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 by striking ``clauses (i) through (x) of 
                section 101(a)(3)(B) of the High-Performance Computing 
                Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(3)(B)) or designated 
                under clause (xi) of that section'' and inserting 
                ``clauses (i) through (xi) of section 101(a)(3)(B) of 
                the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
                5511(a)(3)(B)) or designated under clause (xii) of that 
                section''.
                    (D) National research and education network.--
                Section 102 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
                1991 (15 U.S.C. 5512) is repealed.
                    (E) Next generation internet.--Section 103 of the 
                High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513) 
                is repealed.
                    (F) Fostering united states competitiveness in 
                high-performance computing and related activities.--
                Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 
                1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is repealed.

SEC. 106. HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS COORDINATION.

    (a) In General.--The Physical Science Subcommittee of the National 
Science and Technology Council shall define and continue to coordinate 
Federal efforts, including activities of relevant advisory committees, 
related to high-energy physics research to maximize the efficiency and 
effectiveness of United States investment in high-energy physics.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Physical Science Subcommittee 
include--
            (1) 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
            (2) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate 
        international cooperation, and foster the development of the 
        physical sciences in the United States, including--
                    (A) in high-energy physics research, including 
                underground science and engineering research;
                    (B) in physical infrastructure and facilities;
                    (C) in information and analysis; and
                    (D) in coordination activities.
    (c) Responsibilities.--In regard to coordinating Federal efforts 
related to high-energy physics research, the Physical Science 
Subcommittee shall--
            (1) provide recommendations on planning for construction 
        and stewardship of large facilities participating in high-
        energy physics;
            (2) provide recommendations on research coordination and 
        collaboration among the programs and activities of Federal 
        agencies;
            (3) establish goals and priorities for high-energy physics, 
        underground science, and research and development that will 
        strengthen United States competitiveness in high-energy 
        physics;
            (4) 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
            (5) develop, and update as necessary, a strategic plan to 
        guide Federal programs and activities in support of high-energy 
        physics research, including--
                    (A) the efforts taken in support of subsection (b) 
                since the last strategic plan;
                    (B) an evaluation of the current research needs for 
                maintaining United States leadership in high-energy 
                physics; and
                    (C) an identification of future priorities in the 
                area of high-energy 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 parties described in paragraph (1); and
            (3) clarify the current approach to the technology transfer 
        activities of NIST.

SEC. 108. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

    Section 17(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278g(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Financial Assistance to Foreign Nationals.--The Secretary is 
authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to expend such 
sums, within the limit of appropriated funds, through direct support 
for activities of international organizations and foreign national 
metrology institutes with which the Institute cooperates to advance 
measurement methods, standards, and related basic technologies and, as 
the Secretary may deem desirable, through the grant of fellowships or 
any other form of financial assistance, to defray the expenses of 
foreign nationals not in service to the Government of the United States 
while they are performing scientific or engineering work at the 
Institute or participating in the exchange of scientific or technical 
information at the Institute.''.

SEC. 109. 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 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 
                                subparagraphs (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. 110. 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 infrastructure is 
        critical to maintaining United States leadership in science and 
        engineering.
            (3) Many proposed instruments, equipment, or upgrades to 
        major research facilities fall between programs currently 
        funded by the Foundation, creating a gap between Major Research 
        Instrumentation and Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
        Construction, 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 vigorous mid-scale innovations program.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
addition of a competitive mid-scale funding opportunity that includes 
both research, instrument, and infrastructure is essential to the 
portfolio of the Foundation and advancing scientific understanding.
    (c) 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 meet 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, and infrastructure investments that fall 
        between the instrumentation funded by the major research 
        instrumentation program and the very large projects 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. 111. OVERSIGHT OF NSF LARGE-SCALE 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 large-scale research facility projects, including 
        planning, development, procurement, construction, operations, 
        and support, and shut-down of such facilities, in order to 
        maximize research investment.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Director shall--
                    (A) prioritize the scientific outcomes of large-
                scale research facility projects and the internal 
                management and financial oversight of the projects;
                    (B) clarify the roles and responsibilities of all 
                organizations, including offices, panels, committees, 
                and directorates, involved in supporting large-scale 
                research facility projects, including the role of the 
                Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction 
                Panel;
                    (C) establish policies and procedures for the 
                planning, management, and oversight of large-scale 
                research facility projects at each phase of the life-
                cycle of the 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 large-scale research 
                facility projects effectively, including by improving 
                project management training and certification; and
                    (F) coordinate the sharing of the best management 
                practices and lessons learned from large-scale research 
                facility projects.
    (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 large-scale research facility 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) Criteria.--Section 14(a)(3)(D) of the National Science 
        Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-
        4(a)(3)(D)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(D) 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) Implementation.--Based on the pre-award analysis 
        described in paragraph (1), the Director shall include 
        projected operational costs within the Foundation's out years 
        as part of the President's yearly budget submissions to 
        Congress.
    (c) Cost Oversight.--
            (1) Pre-award analysis.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director of the Foundation and 
                the National Science Board may not approve any proposed 
                large-scale research facility project unless--
                            (i) an 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 has 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.--A Foundation analysis under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) may include an audit.
                    (C) Exception.--The Director, 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 shall require for 
        each large-scale 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 project--
                            (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 estimate.--The Director shall require 
        an independent cost estimate of the operational proposal for 
        each large-scale research facility project.
    (d) Contingency.--
            (1) In general.--The Foundation shall strengthen internal 
        controls to improve oversight of contingency on a large-scale 
        research facility project.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), not later 
        than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Foundation shall--
                    (A) retain control over a portion of the budget 
                contingency funds of each awardee;
                    (B) distribute the retained funds with other 
                incremental funds as needed; and
                    (C) track contingency use.
    (e) 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 
                National Science 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.
    (f) 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) Large-scale research facility project.--The term 
        ``large-scale research facility project'' means a science and 
        engineering facility project funded by the major research 
        equipment and facilities construction account, or any successor 
        thereto.

SEC. 112. 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.).

SEC. 113. MANAGEMENT OF THE NSF 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. 114. NIST CAMPUS SECURITY.

    (a) Supervisory Authority.--Consistent with the enforcement 
authority delegated by the Secretary of Homeland Security under section 
1315 of title 40, United States Code, the Department of Commerce Office 
of Security shall directly manage the law enforcement and security 
programs of NIST through an assigned Director of Security for 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.

        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

SEC. 201. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON RESEARCH REGULATION.

    (a) 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) Federally funded grants are increasingly competitive, 
        with the Foundation funding only approximately 1 in every 5 
        grant proposals.
            (3) 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.
            (4) The time spent on the activities described in paragraph 
        (3) affects efficiency and reduces valuable research time.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
administrative burdens faced by researchers may be reducing the return 
on investment of federally funded research and development.
    (c) 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'') to reduce administrative burdens 
on federally funded researchers while protecting the public interest in 
the transparency of and accountability for federally funded activities.
    (d) Responsibilities.--
            (1) In general.--The Working Group shall--
                    (A) regularly review relevant, administration-
                related regulations imposed on federally funded 
                researchers; and
                    (B) recommend those regulations or processes that 
                may be eliminated, streamlined, or otherwise improved 
                for the purpose described in subsection (c).
            (2) Grant review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group, in consultation 
                with the Office of Management and Budget, 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, publications, and other 
                documents considered relevant by the Working Group.
                    (B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                centralized 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 
                researcher 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 universities and Federal 
                science agencies on the use of the centralized 
                assurances repository.
            (5) Comprehensive review.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group, in consultation 
                with the Office of Management and Budget, 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.
    (e) Consultation.--In carrying out its responsibilities under 
subsection (d)(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.
    (f) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Working Group shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report on its 
responsibilities under this section, including recommendations under 
subsection (d)(1)(B).

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) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to encourage 
broad dissemination Federal research findings and engagement of Federal 
researchers with the scientific and technical community.
    (c) Authority.--Laboratory, test center, and field center directors 
and other similar heads of offices may approve scientific and technical 
workshop attendance if--
            (1) that attendance would meet the mission of the 
        laboratory or test center; and
            (2) sufficient laboratory or test center funds are 
        available for that purpose.
    (d) Attendance Policies.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management 
        and Budget, in consultation with the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy and the heads of other relevant 
        Federal science agencies, shall revise current policies and 
        streamline processes, in accordance with the policy under 
        subsection (b), for attendance at scientific and technical 
        workshops while ensuring appropriate oversight, accountability, 
        and transparency.
            (2) Considerations.--In revising the policy under paragraph 
        (1), the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
        consider the goal of adjudicating a request to attend a 
        scientific and technical workshop not later than 30 days after 
        the date of the request.
            (3) Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        the Director of the Office of Management and Budget revises the 
        policies under paragraph (1), the head of each Federal science 
        agency shall update that agency's policies for attendance at 
        scientific and technical workshops.
    (e) 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) Multiagency 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 of 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) 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 Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 278n note) is 
                repealed.
                    (B) Management costs.--Section 2(f) of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                272(f)) 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.

    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, or 
                mathematics 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; 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, 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 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, 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) Assessment.--
                    (A) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
                shall advise CoSTEM and periodically assess its 
                progress in carrying out its responsibilities under 
                section 101(b) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization 
                Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)).
                    (B) Considerations.--In its advisory role, the STEM 
                Education Advisory Panel shall consider--
                            (i) the appropriateness of criteria used by 
                        Federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness 
                        of Federal STEM education programs and 
                        activities;
                            (ii) ways to leverage private and nonprofit 
                        STEM investments and encourage public-private 
                        partnerships to strengthen STEM education and 
                        help build the STEM workforce pipeline; and
                            (iii) how Federal agencies incentivize 
                        colleges and universities to improve retention 
                        of STEM students.
            (2) Recommendations.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        shall make recommendations to improve Federal STEM education 
        programs and activities based on the assessment under paragraph 
        (1).
    (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 every 3 years thereafter, the STEM Education Advisory 
Panel shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and 
CoSTEM a report on its assessment under subsection (c)(1) and 
recommendations under subsection (c)(2).
    (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.

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 ``; and''; 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. GRANT 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 2.4 million 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 women and underrepresented minorities 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 National 
        Science 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 we educate, train, and retain more 
        scientists and engineers;
            (2) there is currently a disconnect between the 
        availability of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers;
            (3) women, minorities, and persons with disabilities 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 
        described in paragraph (3) in STEM fields.
    (c) Reaffirmation.--The Director of the Foundation shall continue 
to support existing programs designed to broaden participation of 
women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in STEM fields.
    (d) Program To Broaden Participation in STEM Fields.--
            (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 women and groups 
        underrepresented in STEM fields.
            (2) Applications.--An applicant 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.
            (3) Use of funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
        this section may include the following:
                    (A) Online workshops.
                    (B) Mentoring programs that partner science, 
                technology, engineering, or mathematics professionals 
                with applicable students.
                    (C) Internships for applicable undergraduate and 
                graduate students in STEM fields.
                    (D) Conducting outreach programs that provide 
                applicable elementary school and secondary school 
                students with opportunities to increase their exposure 
                to STEM fields.
                    (E) Programs to increase the recruitment and 
                retention of underrepresented faculty.
                    (F) Such additional programs as the Director of the 
                Foundation may consider appropriate.
    (e) Grant Program for Grades K Through 8.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation shall award 
        grants to be used for research to advance the engagement of 
        students in grades kindergarten through 8 in STEM that are 
        designed to encourage interest, engagement, and skills 
        development of students in STEM fields, particularly those who 
        are members of groups underrepresented in STEM fields.
            (2) Use of funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
        this section may include--
                    (A) development and implementation of programming 
                described in paragraph (1) for the purpose of research;
                    (B) use of a variety of engagement methods, 
                including cooperative and hands-on learning;
                    (C) exposure of students who are members of groups 
                underrepresented in STEM fields to role models, 
                including near-peers, in STEM fields;
                    (D) mentors;
                    (E) training of informal learning educators and 
                youth-serving professionals using evidence-based 
                methods consistent with the target student population 
                being served;
                    (F) education of students on the relevance and 
                significance of STEM careers, provision of academic 
                advice and assistance, and activities designed to help 
                students make real-world connections to STEM content 
                activities;
                    (G) attendance of underrepresented students at 
                events, competitions, and academic programs to provide 
                content expertise and encourage career exposure in 
                STEM;
                    (H) activities designed to engage parents of 
                underrepresented students;
                    (I) innovative strategies to engage 
                underrepresented students, such as using leadership 
                skill outcome measures to encourage youth with the 
                confidence to pursue STEM course work and academic 
                study;
                    (J) coordination with STEM-rich environments, 
                including other nonprofit, nongovernmental 
                organizations, classroom and out-of classroom settings, 
                institutions of higher education, vocational 
                facilities, corporations, museums, or science centers; 
                and
                    (K) acquisition of instructional materials or 
                technology-based tools to conduct applicable grant 
                activity.
            (3) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), an 
                applicant seeking a grant under the section shall 
                submit an application to the Director at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as the 
                Director may require.
                    (B) Requirements.--The application shall include, 
                at a minimum, the following:
                            (i) A description of the target audience to 
                        be served by the program.
                            (ii) A description of the process for 
                        recruitment and selection of students, as 
                        appropriate.
                            (iii) A description of how such research 
                        activity may inform programming that engages 
                        underrepresented students in grades 
                        kindergarten through 8 in STEM.
                            (iv) A description of how such research 
                        activity may inform programming that promotes 
                        student academic achievement in STEM.
                            (v) An evaluation plan to determine the 
                        impact and efficacy of activities being 
                        researched.
            (4) Consideration.--In awarding grants under this section, 
        the Director shall give consideration to applicants which, for 
        the purpose of grant activity, include or partner with an 
        organization that has extensive experience and expertise in 
        increasing the participation of underrepresented students in 
        STEM.
    (f) Accountability and Dissemination.--
            (1) Evaluation.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Director 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 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.
    (g) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall 
consult, cooperate, and coordinate, to enhance program effectiveness 
and to avoid duplication, with the programs and policies of other 
relevant Federal agencies.
    (h) Definition of Groups Underrepresented in STEM Fields.--In this 
section, the term ``groups underrepresented in STEM fields'' has the 
meaning given the term ``underrepresented in science and engineering'' 
in section 637.4(b) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 306. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INCLUSION IN STEM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Foundation shall carry out 
a program to award merit-reviewed, competitive grants to institutions 
of higher education, or consortia thereof, to establish not less than 1 
Center of Excellence (referred to in this section as the ``Center''), 
to collect, maintain, and disseminate information to increase 
participation of women and groups underrepresented in STEM fields (as 
defined in section 305(d)(4)).
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Center 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.
    (c) Program.--The Director of the Foundation shall establish each 
Center through a merit-reviewed, competitive award to an eligible 
entity for at least 3, but not more than to 5 years.
    (d) Public Domain.--All program information developed, collected, 
or maintained by a Center, except for personally identifiable 
information, is and shall remain part of the public domain.
    (e) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an eligible institution shall prepare and submit to the 
Director an application at such a time, in such form, and containing 
such information as the Director may require.
    (f) Activities.--Activities of a Center may include--
            (1) conducting and disseminating research on--
                    (A) systemic factors and institutional policies 
                that impede or facilitate the recruitment, retention, 
                and success of underrepresented groups in STEM fields; 
                and
                    (B) best practices for mitigating the systemic 
                factors and institutional policies that impede 
                inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM fields;
            (2) collaborating with institutions of higher education, 
        Federal agencies, industry, and relevant stakeholders to 
        develop policies and practices to facilitate the recruitment, 
        retention, and success of underrepresented groups in STEM;
            (3) providing educational opportunities for STEM faculty 
        members, staff, students, trainees, fellows, and administrators 
        to learn about inclusion in STEM and to improve STEM mentoring;
            (4) developing and hosting intra- or interinstitutional 
        workshops, and providing ongoing support to workshop 
        participants, to propagate best practices in recruiting, 
        retaining, and advancing STEM faculty members, staff, students, 
        trainees, fellows, and administrators from underrepresented 
        groups at institutions of higher education;
            (5) assessing the effectiveness of efforts funded by a 
        Center or related efforts designed to increase inclusion in 
        STEM;
            (6) assessing how modern STEM learning environments can 
        increase the inclusion, engagement, and retention of students 
        in STEM fields, particularly for women and groups 
        underrepresented in STEM fields; and
            (7) such other actions as a Center determines are necessary 
        to further the inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM.

SEC. 307. NIST EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

    (a) Repeals.--The National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by striking section 18 (15 U.S.C. 278g-1); and
            (2) by striking section 19A (15 U.S.C. 278g-2a).
    (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 internships for STEM high school 
        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 nor more than 120 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 underrepresented 
minorities 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)(1) 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. 308. 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. 309. 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 underrepresented 
groups 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 of Effectiveness.--The authority provided by 
subsection (a) terminates effective on the date that is 10 years after 
the date that the working group is established.

SEC. 310. 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 student's 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).
    (c) Broader Impacts.--Section 526(a)(6) of the America COMPETES Act 
of 2010 (Public Law 111-358; 124 Stat. 4019) is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(6) Improved undergraduate STEM education and 
        instruction.''.

SEC. 311. 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.
    (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 traditionally 
                underrepresented in computer science and STEM fields; 
                and
                    (D) instructional materials and 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 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) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means an institution of higher education or a 
nonprofit research organization.

                TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

SEC. 401. PRIZE COMPETITION AUTHORITY UPDATE.

    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'' each place it appears; 
                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'';
                    (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--
                    ``(A) negotiate a license for the use of 
                intellectual property developed by a registered 
                participant in a prize competition; or
                    ``(B) require a registered participant in a prize 
                competition to provide an open license to the public 
                for the use of the intellectual property if that 
                requirement is disclosed prior to registration.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Electronic consent.--The Federal Government may 
        obtain consent to the intellectual property and licensing terms 
        of a prize competition from participants during the online 
        registration for the 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) 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, addressing societal needs, providing 
        hands-on learning in STEM, and connecting members of the public 
        directly to Federal agency missions and to each other; and
            (3) granting Federal agencies the direct, explicit 
        authority to use crowdsourcing and citizen science will 
        encourage its appropriate use to advance 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.
    (b) 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.
    (c) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.--
            (1) In general.--The head of each Federal agency, or the 
        heads of multiple Federal agencies working cooperatively, may 
        utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science to conduct activities 
        designed to advance the mission of the respective Federal 
        agency or the joint mission of Federal agencies, as applicable.
            (2) Voluntary services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
        title 31, United States Code, the head of a Federal agency may 
        accept, subject to regulations issued by the Director of the 
        Office of Personnel Management, 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 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 agency is authorized 
                to 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 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 
                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 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 agency shall notify all participants--
                            (i) of the expected uses of the data 
                        compiled through the project;
                            (ii) if the Federal 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 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) Scientific integrity.--Federal agencies coordinating 
        crowdsourcing or citizen science projects under this section 
        shall make all practicable efforts to ensure that participants 
        adhere to all relevant scientific integrity or other applicable 
        ethics policies.
            (10) Multisector partnerships.--The head of each Federal 
        agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science under this 
        section, or the heads of multiple Federal agencies working 
        cooperatively, may enter into a contract or other agreement to 
        share administrative duties for such activities 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 
        agency, or the heads of multiple Federal 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 activities 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)(ii) 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, shall, at no cost 
                to Federal 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 agencies to 
                carry out the activities under this section.
                    (B) Additional guidance.--The head of each Federal 
                agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science 
                under this section is encouraged--
                            (i) to consult any guidance provided by the 
                        Director of the Office of Science and 
                        Technology Policy, including the Federal 
                        Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Toolkit;
                            (ii) to designate a coordinator for that 
                        Federal agency's crowdsourcing and citizen 
                        science projects; and
                            (iii) to share best practices with other 
                        Federal agencies, including participation of 
                        staff in the Federal Community of Practice for 
                        Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.
    (d) 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 
        a 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 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 agency during 
                the most recently completed 2 fiscal years, including a 
                description of the proposed goals of each crowdsourcing 
                and citizen science project;
                    (B) the participation rates, submission levels, 
                number of consents, or any other statistic that might 
                be considered relevant in each crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science project;
                    (C) a description of--
                            (i) the resources (including personnel and 
                        funding) that were used in the execution of 
                        each crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                            (ii) the 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 
                        agency;
                    (D) a summary of the use of crowdsourcing and 
                citizen science by all Federal agencies, including 
                interagency and multisector partnerships; and
                    (E) any other information that the Director of the 
                Office of Science and Technology Policy considers 
                relevant.
    (e) 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 agencies that use crowdsourcing or citizen science 
        authorized under this section to carry out a project.

SEC. 403. NIST OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY UPDATE.

    Section 2(b)(4) of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) to enter into and perform such contracts, including 
        cooperative research and development arrangements, grants, 
        cooperative agreements, real property leases, or other 
        transactions, as may be necessary in furtherance of the 
        purposes of this Act and on such terms as the Director 
        considers appropriate;''.

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

    Section 10(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278(a)) is amended--
            (1) 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
            (2) in the third sentence, by striking ``National Bureau of 
        Standards'' and inserting ``National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology''.

                         TITLE V--MANUFACTURING

SEC. 501. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) 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 community colleges, 
        when appropriate; 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).
    ``(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 objections and 
                operational procedures as the Secretary deems 
                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, an 
                institution 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 
                        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 deemed 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.--The Secretary may continue to provide 
                financial assistance under subsection (e) for a Center 
                during the probation period.
            ``(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, 
                at a minimum--
                            ``(i) membership;
                            ``(ii) composition;
                            ``(iii) term limits;
                            ``(iv) conflicts of interest; and
                            ``(v) whether to limit board members 
                        serving on multiple boards under this section.
            ``(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; and
                                    ``(II) at least 5 other members 
                                shall be from United States small 
                                businesses in the manufacturing sector.
                            ``(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 request in each year.
                    ``(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.''.
    (b) 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 women and minorities.
                    ``(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).''.
    (c) GAO Report.--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 Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report analyzing--
            (1) 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);
            (2) the engagement in services and the characteristics of 
        services provided by 2 types of Centers, including volume and 
        type of service; and
            (3) whether the cost-sharing ratio has any effect on the 
        services provided by either type of Center.
    (d) 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''.
    (e) 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.

SEC. 502. FEDERAL LOAN GUARANTEES FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN 
              MANUFACTURING.

    Section 26(o) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3721(o)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before ``To the 
        maximum'' and indenting appropriately; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Access to capital.--The Secretary, in coordination 
        with the Small Business Administration and the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology, shall identify any gaps 
        in the access of small or medium-sized manufacturers to capital 
        for the use or production of innovative technologies that the 
        program could fill, and develop marketing materials and conduct 
        outreach to target those gaps.''.

    TITLE VI--INNOVATION, COMMERCIALIZATION, 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; and
            (4) researchers other than those funded by the Foundation 
        may also benefit from the education and training described in 
        paragraph (3).
    (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 commercialization 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 and commercialization 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 Grants Program.--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 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; and
                    (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.
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