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

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 695
114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3084

                          [Report No. 114-389]

   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

                            December 1, 2016

                Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>

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

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

<DELETED>Sec. 101. Reaffirmation of merit-based peer review.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. Transparency and accountability.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. EPSCoR reaffirmation and update.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. Cybersecurity research.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Networking and information technology research and 
                            development update.
<DELETED>Sec. 106. High-energy physics coordination.
<DELETED>Sec. 107. Laboratory program improvements.
<DELETED>Sec. 108. International activities.
<DELETED>Sec. 109. Standard Reference Data Act update.
<DELETED>Sec. 110. NSF mid-scale project investments.
<DELETED>Sec. 111. Oversight of NSF large-scale research facility 
                            projects.
<DELETED>Sec. 112. Conflicts of interest.
<DELETED>Sec. 113. Management of the NSF Antarctic Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 114. NIST campus security.
   <DELETED>TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

<DELETED>Sec. 201. Interagency working group on research regulation.
<DELETED>Sec. 202. Scientific and technical collaboration.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. NIST grants and cooperative agreements update.
<DELETED>Sec. 204. Repeal of certain obsolete reports.
<DELETED>Sec. 205. Repeal of certain provisions.
    <DELETED>TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH 
                               EDUCATION

<DELETED>Sec. 301. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program update.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Space grants.
<DELETED>Sec. 303. STEM Education Advisory Panel.
<DELETED>Sec. 304. Committee on STEM Education.
<DELETED>Sec. 305. Grant programs to expand STEM opportunities.
<DELETED>Sec. 306. Centers of excellence for inclusion in STEM.
<DELETED>Sec. 307. NIST education and outreach.
<DELETED>Sec. 308. Presidential awards for excellence in STEM 
                            mentoring.
<DELETED>Sec. 309. Working group on inclusion in STEM fields.
<DELETED>Sec. 310. Improving undergraduate STEM experiences.
<DELETED>Sec. 311. Computer science education research.
            <DELETED>TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

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

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

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

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act, unless expressly provided 
otherwise:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the 
        National Science Foundation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) NIST.--The term ``NIST'' means the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

         <DELETED>TITLE I--MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 101. REAFFIRMATION OF MERIT-BASED PEER REVIEW.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) evaluating proposals on the basis of the 
        Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria 
        assures that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) proposals funded by the Foundation are 
                of high quality and advance scientific knowledge; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the Foundation's overall funding 
                portfolio addresses societal needs through research 
                findings or through related activities; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 102. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that the Foundation has 
improved transparency and accountability of the outcomes made through 
the merit review process.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Guidance.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--The guidance under paragraph 
        (1) shall require that each abstract for a Foundation-funded 
        research project--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) provide a clear justification for any 
                Federal funds that will be expended, including by--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) describing how the project--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) reflects the mission 
                                statement of the Foundation; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) addresses both of the 
                                National Science Board-approved merit 
                                review criteria; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) clearly identifying the 
                        research priorities of the project in a manner 
                        that can be easily understood by both technical 
                        and nontechnical audiences; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) be publicly available at the time of 
                award.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Examination.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the National Science Board shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) examine the efforts by the Foundation to 
        improve transparency and accountability in the merit review 
        process; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 103. EPSCOR REAFFIRMATION AND UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Section 517(a) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9(a)) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``The National'' and 
                inserting ``the National''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``education,'' and 
                inserting ``education'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Sense of Congress.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress 
        that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) EPSCoR should maintain its 
                experimental component by supporting innovative methods 
                for improving research capacity and 
                competitiveness.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) consider modifications to EPSCoR proposal 
        solicitation, award type, and project evaluation--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to more closely align with current 
                agency priorities and initiatives;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to focus EPSCoR funding on achieving 
                critical scientific, infrastructure, and educational 
                needs of that agency;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to encourage collaboration between 
                EPSCoR-eligible institutions and researchers, including 
                with institutions and researchers in other States and 
                jurisdictions;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) to improve communication between 
                State and Federal agency proposal reviewers; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) to continue to reduce administrative 
                burdens associated with EPSCoR;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) consider modifications to EPSCoR award 
        structures--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to emphasize long-term investments 
                in building research capacity, potentially through the 
                use of larger, renewable funding opportunities; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to allow the agency, States, and 
                jurisdictions to experiment with new research and 
                development funding models; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) consider modifications to the mechanisms 
        used to monitor and evaluate EPSCoR awards--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to identify and disseminate best 
                practices; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to harmonize metrics across 
                participating Federal agencies, as 
                appropriate.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Congressional reports.--Section 517 of the 
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-
        9), as amended, is further amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking subsection (c);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by redesignating subsections (d) 
                through (g) as subsections (c) through (f), 
                respectively;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                        ``Experimental Programs to Stimulate 
                        Competitive Research'' and inserting 
                        ``EPSCoR''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in subparagraphs (A), 
                                (D), and (E), by striking ``EPSCoR and 
                                Federal EPSCoR-like programs'' and 
                                inserting ``each EPSCoR'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in subparagraph (E), 
                                by striking ``EPSCoR or Federal EPSCoR-
                                like programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) in subparagraph (G), 
                                by striking ``EPSCoR programs'' and 
                                inserting ``each EPSCoR'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by amending subsection (d), as 
                redesignated, to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Federal Agency Reports.--Each Federal agency that 
administers an EPSCoR shall submit to Congress, as part of its Federal 
budget submission--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) a description of the program strategy and 
        objectives;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) a description of the awards made in the 
        previous fiscal year, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the total amount made available, by 
                State, under EPSCoR;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the total amount of agency funding 
                made available to all institutions and entities within 
                each EPSCoR State;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the efforts and accomplishments to 
                more fully integrate the EPSCoR States in major agency 
                activities and initiatives;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) the percentage of EPSCoR reviewers 
                from EPSCoR States; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the number of programs or large 
                collaborator awards involving a partnership of 
                organizations and institutions from EPSCoR and non-
                EPSCoR States; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Definition of EPSCoR.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) EPSCoR.--The term `EPSCoR' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the Established Program to Stimulate 
                Competitive Research established by the Foundation; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) a program similar to the Established 
                Program to Stimulate Competitive Research at another 
                Federal agency.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 
        113 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
        1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g) is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking 
                ``experimental'' and inserting 
                ``established'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``the 
                program'' and inserting ``the Program''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 104. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subparagraph (O), by striking ``and'' at 
        the end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(Q) security of election-dedicated 
                voting system software and hardware; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(R) role of the human factor in 
                cybersecurity and the interplay of computers and humans 
                and the physical world.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) NIST Cybersecurity Priorities.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) research information systems for 
                future cybersecurity needs; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) coordinate with relevant stakeholders 
                to develop a process--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) to research and identify or, 
                        if necessary, develop cryptography standards 
                        and guidelines for future cybersecurity needs, 
                        including quantum-resistant cryptography 
                        standards; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) to provide recommendations to 
                        Congress, Federal agencies, and industry for a 
                        secure and smooth transition to the standards 
                        under clause (i).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Voting.--Section 2(c) of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is 
        amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (16) 
                through (23) as paragraphs (17) through (24), 
                respectively; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by inserting after paragraph (15) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 105. NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        inserting ``In general.--'' before ``The President'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at 
        the end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(J) provide for research on the 
                interplay of computing and people, including social 
                computing and human-robot interaction;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(L) provide for the understanding of the 
                science, engineering, policy, and privacy protection 
                related to networking and information 
                technology;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(M) provide for the understanding of the 
                human facets of cyber threats and secure cyber 
                systems;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(N) provide for the transition of high-
                performance computing in hardware, system software, 
                development tools, and applications into development 
                and operations; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) ensure that the Program includes 
        foundational and interdisciplinary information technology 
        research and development activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Strategic Plans.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Updates.--The heads of the applicable 
        agencies and departments shall update the strategic plans as 
        appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Contents.--Each strategic plan shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) across Federal agencies and 
                        departments;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) across Program Component 
                        Areas; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) place emphasis on innovative and 
                high-risk projects having the potential for substantial 
                societal returns on the research investment.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Recommendations.--In developing and updating 
        strategic plans, the heads of the applicable agencies and 
        departments shall solicit recommendations and advice from--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the advisory committee under 
                subsection (b); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the strategic plans developed under 
        subsection (e)(1); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) each update under subsection 
        (e)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Research Coordination.--Section 101(a)(2) of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(2)) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        inserting ``Requirements.--'' before ``The Director''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) provide for the coordination of 
                Federal networking and information technology research, 
                development, networking, and other activities--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) among the applicable 
                        agencies and departments under the Program; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Budget.--Section 101(a)(3) of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511(a)(3)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
        inserting ``Contents of annual reports.--'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking clauses (i) 
        through (xi) and inserting the following--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the Department of 
                        Commerce;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the Department of 
                        Defense;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the Department of 
                        Education;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the Department of 
                        Energy;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the Department of Health and 
                        Human Services;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) the Department of Homeland 
                        Security;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the Department of 
                        Justice;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the Environmental 
                        Protection Agency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) the National Aeronautics 
                        and Space Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(x) the National Archives and 
                        Records Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(xi) the National Science 
                        Foundation; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(xii) such other agencies and 
                        departments as the President or the Director 
                        considers appropriate;'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``is 
        submitted,'' and inserting ``is submitted, the levels for the 
        previous fiscal year,'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subparagraph (D)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``is submitted,'' and 
                inserting ``is submitted, the levels for the previous 
                fiscal year,''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as 
        subparagraph (F); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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);''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 5501)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraphs (2) and (5), by striking 
                ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology, including 
                high-performance computing,''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``high-
                performance computing'' and inserting ``networking and 
                information technology, including high-performance 
                computing'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 5502)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``high-performance 
                        computing and'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology and''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``high-
                        performance computing network'' and inserting 
                        ``networking and information 
                        technology'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 5503)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking 
                ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (6), by striking 
                ``National High-Performance Computing'' and inserting 
                ``Networking and Information Technology Research and 
                Development''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), 
                (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (5), (3), (4), (6), and 
                (7), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in section 101 (15 U.S.C. 5511)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking ``national 
                high-performance computing'' and inserting ``networking 
                and information technology research and 
                development'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in the heading, by striking 
                        ``National High-Performance Computing'' and 
                        inserting ``Networking and Information 
                        Technology Research and 
                        Development'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in the matter 
                                preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
                                ``National High-Performance Computing'' 
                                and inserting ``Networking and 
                                Information Technology Research and 
                                Development'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in subparagraph (A), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing, including networking'' and 
                                inserting ``networking and information 
                                technology'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) in subparagraphs (B) 
                                and (C), by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing'' and inserting ``high-end 
                                computing, including high-performance 
                                computing,''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) in subparagraph (G), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing'' and inserting ``networking 
                                and information technology, including 
                                high-performance computing,''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in subparagraph (A), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing research, development, 
                                networking'' and inserting ``networking 
                                and information technology research and 
                                development'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in subparagraph (E), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing and networking systems'' and 
                                inserting ``high-end computing and 
                                networking systems''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) in subparagraph (F), 
                                by striking ``high-performance 
                                computing'' and inserting ``high-end, 
                                including high-performance 
                                computing'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 
                ``Committee on Science and Technology'' and inserting 
                ``Committee on Science, Space, and Technology''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking 
                ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in section 202(a) (15 U.S.C. 5522(a)), by 
        striking ``high-performance computing'' and inserting 
        ``networking and information technology'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) in section 203 (15 U.S.C. 5523(a))--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``high-performance 
                computing and networking'' and inserting ``networking 
                and information technology''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``high-performance 
                computing systems'' and inserting ``high-end, including 
                high-performance computing systems'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) in section 204 (15 U.S.C. 5524)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (a)(1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``high-performance computing systems 
                        and networks'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology systems'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``high-performance computing systems 
                        in networks'' and inserting ``networking and 
                        information technology systems''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking ``high-performance computing systems'' 
                        and inserting ``networking and information 
                        technology''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in the heading, by striking 
                        ``High-performance Computing and Network'' and 
                        inserting ``Network and Information Technology 
                        Security''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``sensitive 
                        information in Federal computer systems'' and 
                        inserting ``agency information and information 
                        systems''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) in section 207 (15 U.S.C. 5527)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking 
                ``section 2315(a) of title 10'' and inserting ``section 
                3552(b)(6)(A) of title 44''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``high-
                performance computing systems'' and inserting 
                ``networking and information technology''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Additional Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                        ``Advisory committee.--'' before ``The 
                        President shall'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in paragraph (2), by 
                        inserting ``Additional duties.--'' before ``In 
                        addition to''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in paragraph (3), by 
                        inserting ``FACA.--'' before ``Section 14''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                        ``Reports.--'' before ``Each Federal''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in paragraph (2), by 
                        inserting ``OMB review.--'' before ``The 
                        Office''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Miscellaneous.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) National research and education 
                network.--Section 102 of the High-Performance Computing 
                Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5512) is repealed.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Next generation internet.--Section 103 
                of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
                U.S.C. 5513) is repealed.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 106. HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS COORDINATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Physical Science 
Subcommittee include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate 
        international cooperation, and foster the development of the 
        physical sciences in the United States, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in high-energy physics research, 
                including underground science and engineering 
                research;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in physical infrastructure and 
                facilities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in information and analysis; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in coordination activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Responsibilities.--In regard to coordinating Federal 
efforts related to high-energy physics research, the Physical Science 
Subcommittee shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) provide recommendations on planning for 
        construction and stewardship of large facilities participating 
        in high-energy physics;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) provide recommendations on research 
        coordination and collaboration among the programs and 
        activities of Federal agencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) develop, and update as necessary, a strategic 
        plan to guide Federal programs and activities in support of 
        high-energy physics research, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the efforts taken in support of 
                subsection (b) since the last strategic plan;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) an evaluation of the current research 
                needs for maintaining United States leadership in high-
                energy physics; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) an identification of future priorities 
                in the area of high-energy physics.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 107. LABORATORY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) interactions with academia, international 
        researchers, and industry; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) commercial and industrial 
        applications.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) include performance metrics for the 
        dissemination of fundamental research results, measurements, 
        and standards research results to industry, including 
        manufacturing, and other interested parties;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) document any positive benefits of research on 
        the competitiveness of the parties described in paragraph (1); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) clarify the current approach to the technology 
        transfer activities of NIST.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 108. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 17(a) of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g(a)) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 109. STANDARD REFERENCE DATA ACT UPDATE.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>``SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

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

<DELETED>SEC. 110. NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) The Foundation funds major research 
        facilities, infrastructure, and instrumentation that provide 
        unique capabilities at the frontiers of science and 
        engineering.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Modern and effective research infrastructure 
        is critical to maintaining United States leadership in science 
        and engineering.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) The 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal 
        Survey recommended a vigorous mid-scale innovations 
        program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Mid-Scale Projects.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Foundation shall evaluate the 
        existing and future needs, across all disciplines supported by 
        the Foundation, for mid-scale projects.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Strategy.--The Director of the Foundation 
        shall develop a strategy to meet the needs identified in 
        paragraph (1).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 111. OVERSIGHT OF NSF LARGE-SCALE RESEARCH FACILITY 
              PROJECTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Facilities Oversight.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        the Director shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) prioritize the scientific outcomes of 
                large-scale research facility projects and the internal 
                management and financial oversight of the 
                projects;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) coordinate the sharing of the best 
                management practices and lessons learned from large-
                scale research facility projects.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Facilities Full Life-Cycle Costs.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Cost Oversight.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Pre-award analysis.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Director of the 
                Foundation and the National Science Board may not 
                approve any proposed large-scale research facility 
                project unless--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) an analysis of the proposed 
                        budget has been conducted to ensure the 
                        proposal is complete and reasonable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the analysis under clause (i) 
                        follows the Government Accountability Office 
                        Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) except as provided under 
                        subparagraph (C), an analysis of the accounting 
                        systems has been conducted;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Audits.--A Foundation analysis under 
                subparagraph (A)(i) may include an audit.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Construction oversight.--The Director shall 
        require for each large-scale research facility project--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) periodic external reviews on project 
                management and performance;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) adequate internal controls, policies, 
                and procedures, and reliable accounting systems in 
                preparation for the incurred cost audits under 
                subparagraph (D);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) annual incurred cost submissions of 
                financial expenditures; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) an incurred cost audit of the 
                project--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) at the completion of the 
                        construction phase.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Operations cost estimate.--The Director shall 
        require an independent cost estimate of the operational 
        proposal for each large-scale research facility 
        project.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Contingency.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Foundation shall strengthen 
        internal controls to improve oversight of contingency on a 
        large-scale research facility project.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
        Act, the Foundation shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) retain control over a portion of the 
                budget contingency funds of each awardee;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) distribute the retained funds with 
                other incremental funds as needed; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) track contingency use.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Oversight Implementation Progress.--The Director of 
the Foundation shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) this section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 112. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 113. MANAGEMENT OF THE NSF ANTARCTIC PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Review.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Issues to be examined.--In conducting the 
        review, the Director shall examine, at a minimum, the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Implementation by the Foundation of 
                issues and recommendations identified by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) the National Research 
                        Council report, Future Science Opportunities in 
                        Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, issued 
                        September 2011.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Efforts by the Foundation to track its 
                progress in addressing the issues and recommendations 
                under subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 114. NIST CAMPUS SECURITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

        <DELETED>TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN 
                          REDUCTION</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 201. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON RESEARCH 
              REGULATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Federally funded grants are increasingly 
        competitive, with the Foundation funding only approximately 1 
        in every 5 grant proposals.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) The time spent on the activities described in 
        paragraph (3) affects efficiency and reduces valuable research 
        time.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Responsibilities.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Working Group shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) regularly review relevant, 
                administration-related regulations imposed on federally 
                funded researchers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) recommend those regulations or 
                processes that may be eliminated, streamlined, or 
                otherwise improved for the purpose described in 
                subsection (c).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Grant review.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Working Group, in 
                consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, 
                shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) conduct a comprehensive review 
                        of Federal science agency grant proposal 
                        documents; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) develop, to the extent 
                        practicable, a simplified, uniform grant format 
                        to be used by all Federal science 
                        agencies.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Considerations.--In developing the 
                uniform grant format, the Working Group shall consider 
                whether to implement--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) procedures for preliminary 
                        project proposals in advance of peer-review 
                        selection;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) increased use of ``Just-In-
                        Time'' procedures for documentation that does 
                        not bear directly on the scientific merit of a 
                        proposal;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) simplified initial budget 
                        proposals in advance of peer review selection; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) detailed budget proposals for 
                        applicants that peer review selection 
                        identifies as likely to be funded.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Centralized researcher profile database.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                centralized database under subparagraph (A), the 
                Working Group shall consider incorporating existing 
                investigator databases.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Grant proposals.--To the extent 
                practicable, all grant proposals shall utilize the 
                centralized researcher profile database established 
                under subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Requirements.--Each investigator 
                shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) be responsible for ensuring 
                        the investigator's profile is current and 
                        accurate; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) be assigned a unique 
                        identifier linked to the database and 
                        accessible to all Federal funding 
                        agencies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Centralized assurances repository.--The 
        Working Group shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) establish a central repository for all 
                of the assurances required for Federal research grants; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) provide guidance to universities and 
                Federal science agencies on the use of the centralized 
                assurances repository.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Comprehensive review.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Working Group, in 
                consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, 
                shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) conduct a comprehensive review 
                        of the mandated progress reports for federally 
                        funded research; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) develop a strategy to 
                        simplify investigator progress 
                        reports.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Considerations.--In developing the 
                strategy, the Working Group shall consider limiting 
                progress reports to performance outcomes.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Consultation.--In carrying out its responsibilities 
under subsection (d)(1), the Working Group shall consult with academic 
researchers outside the Federal Government, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) federally funded researchers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) nonfederally funded researchers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) institutions of higher education and their 
        representative associations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) scientific and engineering disciplinary 
        societies and associations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) nonprofit research institutions;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) industry, including small 
        businesses;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) federally funded research and development 
        centers; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) members of the public with a stake in ensuring 
        effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the 
        performance of scientific research.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 202. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COLLABORATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Authority.--Laboratory, test center, and field center 
directors and other similar heads of offices may approve scientific and 
technical workshop attendance if--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) that attendance would meet the mission of the 
        laboratory or test center; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) sufficient laboratory or test center funds are 
        available for that purpose.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Attendance Policies.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (19) through (24) 
        as paragraphs (22) through (27), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(19) host, participate in, and support 
        scientific and technical workshops (as defined in section 202 
        of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(20) collect and retain any fees charged by the 
        Secretary for hosting a scientific and technical workshop 
        described in paragraph (19);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 203. NIST GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS 
              UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 204. REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Repeal of Certain Obsolete Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) NIST reports.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                        ``(1) In general.--'' and indenting 
                        appropriately; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking paragraph 
                        (2).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Three-year programmatic planning 
                document.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Multiagency report on innovation acceleration 
        research.--Section 1008 of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 
        6603) is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking subsection (c); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by redesignating subsection (d) as 
                subsection (c).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) NSF reports.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking paragraph (4); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by redesignating paragraph 
                        (5) as paragraph (4).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) National Nanotechnology Initiative Reports.--The 21st 
Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et 
seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by amending section 2(c)(4) (15 U.S.C. 
        7501(c)(4)) to read as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the near-term and long-term 
                objectives for the Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the anticipated schedule for 
                achieving the near-term objectives;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the metrics that will be used to 
                assess progress toward the near-term and long-term 
                objectives;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) how the Program will move results 
                out of the laboratory and into application for the 
                benefit of society;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the Program's support for long-term 
                funding for interdisciplinary research and development 
                in nanotechnology; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) the allocation of funding for 
                interagency nanotechnology projects;'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by amending section 4(d) (15 U.S.C. 7503(d)) 
        to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7504)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking 
                ``triennial'' and inserting ``quadrennial'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subsection (a), in the matter 
                preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subsection (b), by striking 
                ``triennial'' and inserting ``quadrennial'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in subsection (c), by striking 
                ``triennial'' and inserting ``quadrennial''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) by amending subsection (d) to read as 
                follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Report.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as 
        follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment 
and Facilities Construction.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Development of priorities.--The Director 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) submit the list described in 
                subparagraph (A) to the Board for approval.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking subsection (e);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as 
        subsections (b) and (c), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, 
        to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 205. REPEAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Technology Innovation Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 28 of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is 
        repealed.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Conforming amendments.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Additional award criteria.--Section 
                4226(b) of the Small Business Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 
                278n note) is repealed.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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,''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

    <DELETED>TITLE III--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH 
                          EDUCATION</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 301. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 
              UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(k) STEM Teacher Service and Retention.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop and 
        implement practices for increasing the proportion of 
        individuals receiving fellowships under this section who--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) fulfill the service obligation 
                required under subsection (h); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) remain in the teaching profession in 
                a high need local educational agency beyond the service 
                obligation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Practices.--The practices described under 
        paragraph (1) may include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) increasing recruitment from high 
                need districts;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) establishing a system to better 
                collect, track, and respond to data on the career 
                decisions of individuals receiving fellowships under 
                this section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) conducting research to better 
                understand factors relevant to teacher service and 
                retention; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) conducting pilot programs to improve 
                teacher service and retention.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 302. SPACE GRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Administrative Costs.--Section 40303 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Program Administration Costs.--In carrying out the 
provisions of this chapter, the Administrator--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants 
        and contracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) a description of why the Administrator did 
        not meet the cost target under subsection (d); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 303. STEM EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Members.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
        shall be composed of not less than 11 members.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Appointment.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Qualifications.--Members shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) primarily be individuals from 
                        academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, 
                        and industry, including in-school, out-of-
                        school, and informal education practitioners; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Responsibilities.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Assessment.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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)).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Considerations.--In its advisory role, 
                the STEM Education Advisory Panel shall consider--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the appropriateness of 
                        criteria used by Federal agencies to evaluate 
                        the effectiveness of Federal STEM education 
                        programs and activities;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) how Federal agencies 
                        incentivize colleges and universities to 
                        improve retention of STEM students.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 304. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Responsibilities.--Section 101(b) of the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) review the measures used by a Federal agency 
        to evaluate its STEM education activities and 
        programs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) request and review feedback from States on 
        how the States are utilizing Federal STEM education programs 
        and activities; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Reports.--Section 101 of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``(c) Report.--'' and inserting 
        ``(d) Reports.--'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``(b) Responsibilities of OSTP.--
        '' and inserting ``(c) Responsibilities of OSTP.--''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (d), as redesignated--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; 
                and'' and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, 
        and terminations of STEM education programs or activities in 
        the upcoming fiscal year; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) a description of any significant new STEM 
        education public-private partnerships.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 305. GRANT PROGRAMS TO EXPAND STEM 
              OPPORTUNITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Economic projections by the Bureau of Labor 
        Statistics indicate that by 2018, there could be 2.4 million 
        unfilled STEM jobs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) it is critical to our Nation's economic 
        leadership and global competitiveness that we educate, train, 
        and retain more scientists and engineers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) there is currently a disconnect between the 
        availability of and growing demand for STEM-skilled 
        workers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) women, minorities, and persons with 
        disabilities are the largest untapped STEM talent pools in the 
        United States; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) given the shifting demographic landscape, the 
        United States should encourage full participation of 
        individuals described in paragraph (3) in STEM 
        fields.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Program To Broaden Participation in STEM Fields.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Use of funds.--Activities supported by grants 
        under this section may include the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Online workshops.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Mentoring programs that partner 
                science, technology, engineering, or mathematics 
                professionals with applicable students.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Internships for applicable 
                undergraduate and graduate students in STEM 
                fields.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Conducting outreach programs that 
                provide applicable elementary school and secondary 
                school students with opportunities to increase their 
                exposure to STEM fields.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) Programs to increase the recruitment 
                and retention of underrepresented faculty.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) Such additional programs as the 
                Director of the Foundation may consider 
                appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Grant Program for Grades K Through 8.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Use of funds.--Activities supported by grants 
        under this section may include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) development and implementation of 
                programming described in paragraph (1) for the purpose 
                of research;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) use of a variety of engagement 
                methods, including cooperative and hands-on 
                learning;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) exposure of students who are members 
                of groups underrepresented in STEM fields to role 
                models, including near-peers, in STEM fields;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) mentors;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) training of informal learning 
                educators and youth-serving professionals using 
                evidence-based methods consistent with the target 
                student population being served;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) attendance of underrepresented 
                students at events, competitions, and academic programs 
                to provide content expertise and encourage career 
                exposure in STEM;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) activities designed to engage parents 
                of underrepresented students;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (K) acquisition of instructional materials 
                or technology-based tools to conduct applicable grant 
                activity.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Applications.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Requirements.--The application shall 
                include, at a minimum, the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) A description of the target 
                        audience to be served by the program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) A description of the process 
                        for recruitment and selection of students, as 
                        appropriate.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) A description of how such 
                        research activity may inform programming that 
                        engages underrepresented students in grades 
                        kindergarten through 8 in STEM.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) A description of how such 
                        research activity may inform programming that 
                        promotes student academic achievement in 
                        STEM.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) An evaluation plan to 
                        determine the impact and efficacy of activities 
                        being researched.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Accountability and Dissemination.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Evaluation.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Requirements.--In conducting the 
                evaluation under subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) use a common set of benchmarks 
                        and assessment tools to identify best practices 
                        and materials developed or demonstrated by the 
                        research; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the results of the evaluation; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) any recommendations for administrative 
                and legislative action that could optimize the 
                effectiveness of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 306. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INCLUSION IN 
              STEM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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)).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Activities.--Activities of a Center may include--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conducting and disseminating research on--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) systemic factors and institutional 
                policies that impede or facilitate the recruitment, 
                retention, and success of underrepresented groups in 
                STEM fields; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) best practices for mitigating the 
                systemic factors and institutional policies that impede 
                inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM 
                fields;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) assessing the effectiveness of efforts funded 
        by a Center or related efforts designed to increase inclusion 
        in STEM;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) such other actions as a Center determines are 
        necessary to further the inclusion of underrepresented groups 
        in STEM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 307. NIST EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Repeals.--The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking section 18 (15 U.S.C. 278g-1); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking section 19A (15 U.S.C. 278g-
        2a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to ensure corporate memory of and expertise 
        in the fundamental ongoing work, and on developing new 
        capabilities in priority areas;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) to maintain high overall technical 
        competence;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) to improve staff diversity;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) to balance emphases on the noncore and core 
        areas; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) to improve the ability of the Institute to 
        compete in the marketplace for qualified personnel.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Volunteers.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Director may establish a 
        program to use volunteers in carrying out the programs of the 
        Institute.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is to be without compensation; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) will not be used to displace any 
                current employee or act as a substitute for any future 
                full-time employee of the Institute.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Research Fellowships.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) United States citizens for research 
                and technical activities of the Institute, including 
                programs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Educational Outreach Activities.--The Director may--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) facilitate education programs for 
        undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, 
        and academic and industry employees;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) sponsor summer internships for STEM high 
        school teachers as appropriate;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) develop programs for graduate student 
        internships and visiting faculty researchers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) document publications, presentations, and 
        interactions with visiting researchers and sponsoring interns 
        as performance metrics for improving and continuing 
        interactions with those individuals; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) facilitate laboratory tours and provide 
        presentations for educational, industry, and community 
        groups.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Organization.--The post-doctoral fellowship program 
shall include not less than 20 nor more than 120 new fellows per fiscal 
year.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Savings Clauses.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 308. PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM 
              MENTORING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 309. WORKING GROUP ON INCLUSION IN STEM FIELDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) policies providing flexibility for scientists 
        and engineers that are also caregivers, particularly on the 
        timing of research grants;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) policies to address the proper handling of 
        claims of sexual harassment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) policies to minimize the effects of implicit 
        bias and other systemic factors in hiring, promotion, 
        evaluation and the workplace in general; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) other evidence-based strategies that the 
        working group considers effective for promoting diversity and 
        inclusion in the STEM fields.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Council of Advisors on Science and 
        Technology;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) federally funded and nonfederally funded 
        researchers, institutions of higher education, scientific 
        disciplinary societies, and associations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) nonprofit research institutions;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) industry, including small 
        businesses;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) federally funded research and development 
        centers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) nongovernmental organizations; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) such other members of the public interested in 
        promoting a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM 
        workforce.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 310. IMPROVING UNDERGRADUATE STEM EXPERIENCES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Improved undergraduate STEM education and 
        instruction.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 311. COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Grant Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Director of the Foundation 
        shall award grants to eligible entities to research computer 
        science education and computational thinking.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Research.--The research described in paragraph 
        (1) may include the development or adaptation, piloting or full 
        implementation, and testing of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) models of preservice preparation for 
                teachers who will teach computer science and 
                computational thinking;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) scalable and sustainable models of 
                professional development and ongoing support for the 
                teachers described in subparagraph (A);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the 
term ``eligible entity'' means an institution of higher education or a 
nonprofit research organization.</DELETED>

       <DELETED>TITLE IV--LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 401. PRIZE COMPETITION AUTHORITY UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Prizes'' and by inserting ``Prize 
                Competitions'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting 
                ``competition'' after ``prize''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking 
                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize 
                competitions'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (f)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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,'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by 
                inserting ``prize'' before ``competition'' each place 
                it appears; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking 
                ``prize'' and inserting ``cash prize purse or non-cash 
                prize award'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (g)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``prize'' and inserting ``cash prize 
                purse''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' 
        before ``competition'' each place it appears;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in subsection (i)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition'' each place it 
                appears;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
                paragraph (4); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Waivers.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--An agency may waive the 
                requirement under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in subsection (j)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as 
                follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Licenses.--As appropriate and to further the 
        goals of a prize competition, the Federal Government may--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) negotiate a license for the use of 
                intellectual property developed by a registered 
                participant in a prize competition; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) in subsection (k)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each 
                competition'' and inserting ``each prize competition'' 
                each place it appears;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competitions'' each place it 
                appears;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) in subsection (m)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
                follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prize 
                awards'' and inserting ``cash prize purses or non-cash 
                prize awards'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by amending subparagraph (A) 
                        to read as follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in the matter 
                                preceding clause (i), by striking ``a 
                                prize'' and inserting ``a cash prize 
                                purse or non-cash prize 
                                award'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in clause (i), by 
                                inserting ``competition'' after 
                                ``prize''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) in clause (ii), by 
                                inserting ``or State, United States 
                                territory, local, or tribal 
                                government'' after ``private''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) by striking ``a 
                                prize'' and inserting ``a cash prize 
                                purse or a non-cash prize award''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) by striking ``Science 
                                and Technology'' and inserting 
                                ``Science, Space, and Technology''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``cash prizes'' and inserting ``cash 
                        prize purses or non-cash prize 
                        awards'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) in subsection (n)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking 
                ``Service'' and inserting ``Services'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting ``for both for-profit and 
                nonprofit entities and State, United States territory, 
                local, and tribal government entities,'' after 
                ``contract vehicle'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) in subsection (p)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Annual'' 
                and inserting ``Biennial'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``each year'' and 
                        inserting ``every other year'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``Science and 
                        Technology'' and inserting ``Science, Space, 
                        and Technology''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by striking ``fiscal year'' 
                        and inserting ``2 fiscal years''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``The report for a 
                        fiscal year'' and inserting ``A 
                        report'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (C)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in the heading, by 
                                striking ``prizes'' and inserting 
                                ``prize purses or non-cash prize 
                                awards''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) by striking ``cash 
                                prizes'' each place it appears and 
                                inserting ``cash prize purses or non-
                                cash prize awards''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 402. CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) enabling the formulation of research 
                questions;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) creating and refining project 
                design;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) conducting scientific 
                experiments;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) collecting and analyzing 
                data;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) interpreting the results of 
                data;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) developing technologies and 
                applications;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) making discoveries; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) solving problems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means 
        any individual or other entity that has volunteered in a 
        crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this 
        section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) are performed voluntarily as a part of 
                a crowdsourcing or citizen science project authorized 
                under paragraph (1);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) are not financially compensated for 
                their time; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) will not be used to displace any 
                employee of the Federal Government.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Consent, registration, and terms of use.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Data.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Notice.--As part of the consent 
                process, the Federal agency shall notify all 
                participants--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) of the expected uses of the 
                        data compiled through the project;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) if the Federal agency will 
                        retain ownership of such data;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) if and how the data and 
                        results from the project would be made 
                        available for public or third party use; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) if participants are 
                        authorized to publish such data.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Liability.--Each participant in a 
        crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this section 
        shall agree--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to assume any and all risks associated 
                with such participation; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) a for-profit or nonprofit private 
                sector entity, including a private institution of 
                higher education;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) a State, tribal, local, or foreign 
                government agency, including a public institution of 
                higher education; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a public-private 
                partnership.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) may use funds appropriated by 
                Congress;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) may publicize projects and solicit and 
                accept funds or in-kind support for such activities 
                from--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) other Federal 
                        agencies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) for-profit or nonprofit 
                        private sector entities, including private 
                        institutions of higher education; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) State, tribal, local, or 
                        foreign government agencies, including public 
                        institutions of higher education; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) may not give any special consideration 
                to any entity described in subparagraph (B)(ii) in 
                return for such funds or in-kind support.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) Facilitation.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Additional guidance.--The head of each 
                Federal agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen 
                science under this section is encouraged--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) to designate a coordinator 
                        for that Federal agency's crowdsourcing and 
                        citizen science projects; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) to share best practices with 
                        other Federal agencies, including participation 
                        of staff in the Federal Community of Practice 
                        for Crowdsourcing and Citizen 
                        Science.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Report.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Information included.--The report required 
        under paragraph (1) shall include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a description of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the resources (including 
                        personnel and funding) that were used in the 
                        execution of each crowdsourcing and citizen 
                        science project;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the activities for which such 
                        resources were used; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) how the obligations and 
                        expenditures relating to the project's 
                        execution were allocated among the accounts of 
                        the Federal agency;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) a summary of the use of crowdsourcing 
                and citizen science by all Federal agencies, including 
                interagency and multisector partnerships; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) any other information that the 
                Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
                considers relevant.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to affect the authority to conduct 
        crowdsourcing and citizen science authorized by any other 
        provision of law; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 403. NIST OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY UPDATE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    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:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 404. NIST VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 
              UPDATE.</DELETED>

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

               <DELETED>TITLE V--MANUFACTURING</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 501. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP 
              IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION 
              PARTNERSHIP.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The 
        term `appropriate committees of Congress' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                Technology of the House of Representatives.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Center.--The term `Center' means a 
        manufacturing extension center that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is created under subsection (b); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is affiliated with an eligible 
                entity that applies for and is awarded financial 
                support under subsection (e).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Hollings manufacturing extension partnership 
        or program.--The term `Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership' or `Program' means the program established under 
        subsection (b).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) MEP advisory board.--The term `MEP Advisory 
        Board' means the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
        Board established under subsection (n).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Objective.--The objective of the Program shall be to 
enhance competitiveness, productivity, and technological performance in 
United States manufacturing through--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the transfer of manufacturing technology and 
        techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through 
        them, to manufacturing companies throughout the United 
        States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) efforts to make new manufacturing technology 
        and processes usable by United States-based small and medium-
        sized companies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the active dissemination of scientific, 
        engineering, technical, and management information about 
        manufacturing to industrial firms, including small and medium-
        sized manufacturing companies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the utilization, when appropriate, of the 
        expertise and capability that exists in Federal agencies, other 
        than the Institute, and federally sponsored 
        laboratories;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) the promotion and expansion of certification 
        systems offered through industry, associations, and community 
        colleges, when appropriate; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) the growth in employment and wages at United 
        States-based small and medium-sized companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Activities.--The activities of a Center shall 
include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Financial Assistance.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Applications.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Program description.--The Secretary shall 
        establish and update, as necessary--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a description of the 
                Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the application 
                procedures;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) performance metrics;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) criteria for determining qualified 
                applicants;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) criteria for choosing recipients of 
                financial assistance from among the qualified 
                applicants;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) procedures for determining allowable 
                cost share contributions; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) such other program policy objections 
                and operational procedures as the Secretary deems 
                necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Cost sharing.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) is programmatically 
                        reasonable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) will help accomplish 
                        programmatic objectives; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) is allocable under Program 
                        procedures under subsection (f)(2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Merit review of applications.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                subject each application to merit review.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the quality of service to 
                        be provided;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the geographical diversity 
                        and extent of the service area; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the type and percentage of 
                        funding from other sources under paragraph 
                        (3).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Evaluations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Third and eighth year evaluations by 
        panel.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Composition.--The Secretary shall 
                ensure that each evaluation panel appointed under 
                subparagraph (A) is composed of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) private experts, none of 
                        whom are connected with the Center evaluated by 
                        the panel; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Federal 
                        officials.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Chairperson.--For each evaluation 
                panel appointed under subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
                shall appoint a chairperson who is an official of the 
                Institute.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Fifth year evaluations by secretary.--In the 
        fifth year of operation of a Center, the Secretary shall 
        conduct a review of the Center.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Performance measurement.--In evaluating a 
        Center an evaluation panel or the Secretary, as applicable, 
        shall measure the performance of the Center against--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the objective specified in 
                subsection (c);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the performance metrics under 
                subsection (f)(2)(C); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) such other criterion as deemed 
                appropriate by the Secretary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Positive evaluations.--If an evaluation of a 
        Center is positive, the Secretary may continue to provide 
        financial assistance for the Center--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) in the case of an evaluation 
                occurring in the third year of a Center, through the 
                fifth year of the Center;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) in the case of an evaluation 
                occurring in the fifth year of a Center, through the 
                eighth year of the Center; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) in the case of an evaluation 
                occurring in the eighth year of a Center, through the 
                tenth year of the Center.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Other than positive evaluations.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Notice and reevaluation.--If a 
                Center receives an evaluation that is other than 
                positive, the evaluation panel or Secretary, as 
                applicable, shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) notify the Center of the 
                        reason, including any deficiencies in the 
                        performance of the Center identified during the 
                        evaluation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) reevaluate the Center not 
                        later than 1 year after the date of the notice 
                        under clause (i).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Failure to remedy.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Reapplication Competition for Financial Assistance 
After 10 Years.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j) Operational Requirements.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Information on the business 
                operation of any participant in the Program or of a 
                client of a Center.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Trade secrets of any client of a 
                Center.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(k) Oversight Boards.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Standards.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Director shall 
                establish appropriate standards for each board 
                described under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Considerations.--In establishing the 
                standards, the Director shall take into account the 
                type and organizational structure of an eligible 
                entity.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Requirements.--The standards shall 
                address, at a minimum--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) membership;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) composition;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) term limits;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) conflicts of interest; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) whether to limit board 
                        members serving on multiple boards under this 
                        section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Membership.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--Each board established 
                under paragraph (1) shall be composed of members as 
                follows:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) The membership of each board 
                        shall be representative of stakeholders in the 
                        region in which the Center is 
                        located.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Limitation.--A member of a board 
                established under paragraph (1) may not serve on more 
                than 1 board established under that 
                paragraph.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Bylaws.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--Each board established 
                under paragraph (1) shall adopt and submit to the 
                Director bylaws to govern the operation of the 
                board.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(m) MEP Advisory Board.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within 
        the Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
        Board.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Membership.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Composition.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The MEP 
                        Advisory Board shall consist of not fewer than 
                        10 members appointed by the Director and 
                        broadly representative of 
                        stakeholders.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Requirements.--Of the 
                        members appointed under clause (i)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) at least 2 members 
                                shall be employed by or on an advisory 
                                board for a Center; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) at least 5 other 
                                members shall be from United States 
                                small businesses in the manufacturing 
                                sector.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Limitation.--No member of 
                        the MEP Advisory Board shall be an employee of 
                        the Federal Government.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Term.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (C), the term of office of each member of 
                the MEP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Meetings.--The MEP Advisory Board shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) meet not less than biannually; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) provide to the Director--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) advice on the activities, 
                        plans, and policies of the Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) assessments of the 
                        soundness of the plans and strategies of the 
                        Program; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) assessments of current 
                        performance against the plans of the 
                        Program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) FACA applicability.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Exception.--Section 14 of the 
                Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the 
                MEP Advisory Board.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Annual report.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(n) Small Manufacturers.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Evaluation of obstacles.--As part of the 
        Program, the Director shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) identify obstacles that prevent 
                small manufacturers from effectively competing in the 
                global market;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) implement a comprehensive plan to 
                train the Centers to address the obstacles identified 
                in paragraph (2); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) facilitate improved communication 
                between the Centers to assist such manufacturers in 
                implementing appropriate, targeted solutions to the 
                obstacles identified in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 25A. COMPETITIVE AWARDS PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under 
this section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Purpose, Themes, and Reimbursement.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Reimbursement.--Centers may be reimbursed 
        for costs incurred by the Centers under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Selection.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Peer review and competitively awarded.--The 
        Director shall ensure that awards under this section are peer 
        reviewed and competitively awarded.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Geographic diversity.--The Director shall 
        endeavor to have broad geographic diversity among selected 
        proposals.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Criteria.--The Director shall select 
        applications to receive awards that the Director determines 
        will achieve one or more of the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Improve the competitiveness of 
                industries in the region in which the Center or Centers 
                are located.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Create jobs or train newly hired 
                employees.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Recruit a diverse manufacturing 
                workforce, including through outreach to women and 
                minorities.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Program Contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
this section shall not be required to provide a matching 
contribution.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Duration.--The duration of an award under this 
section shall be for not more than 3 years.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Definitions.--The terms used in this section have 
the meanings given the terms in section 25 (15 U.S.C. 
278k).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the engagement in services and the 
        characteristics of services provided by 2 types of Centers, 
        including volume and type of service; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) whether the cost-sharing ratio has any effect 
        on the services provided by either type of Center.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Definitions.--Section 2199(3) of title 10, 
        United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``regional center'' and 
                inserting ``manufacturing extension center'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by inserting ``and best business 
                practices'' before ``referred''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by striking ``25(a)'' and inserting 
                ``25(b)''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 502. FEDERAL LOAN GUARANTEES FOR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES 
              IN MANUFACTURING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 26(o) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3721(o)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before ``To 
        the maximum'' and indenting appropriately; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.''.</DELETED>

   <DELETED>TITLE VI--INNOVATION, COMMERCIALIZATION, AND TECHNOLOGY 
                           TRANSFER</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 601. INNOVATION CORPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) The I-Corps program model has a strong record 
        of success that should be replicated at all Federal science 
        agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) commercialization of federally funded research 
        can improve the Nation's competitiveness, grow the economy, and 
        benefit society;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) I-Corps should continue to build a network of 
        entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, and institutions and support 
        specialized education and training; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) researchers other than those funded by the 
        Foundation may also benefit from the education and training 
        described in paragraph (3).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) I-Corps Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Expansion of i-corps.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Director--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) may establish an agreement 
                        with another Federal science agency--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) to make researchers, 
                                students, and institutions funded by 
                                that agency eligible to participate in 
                                the I-Corps program; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) to assist that agency 
                                with the design and implementation of 
                                its own program that is similar to the 
                                I-Corps program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the training for researchers, 
                        students, and institutions selected for the I-
                        Corps program; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the locations that Federal 
                        science agency designates as regional and 
                        national infrastructure for science and 
                        engineering entrepreneurship.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Follow-on commercialization grants.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) prototype or proof-of-concept 
                        development; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) such activities as the 
                        Director considers necessary to build local, 
                        regional, and national infrastructure for 
                        science and engineering 
                        entrepreneurship.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 602. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) commercialization of federally funded research 
        may benefit society and the economy; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) not-for-profit organizations support the 
        commercialization of federally funded research by providing 
        useful business and technical expertise to 
        researchers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under 
this section may include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) identifying Foundation-sponsored research and 
        technologies that have the potential for accelerated 
        commercialization;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) developing multidisciplinary innovation 
        ecosystems which involve and are responsive to specific needs 
        of academia and industry; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) providing professional development, mentoring, 
        and advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and 
        technology and business development to innovators.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Eligibility.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The following organizations may 
        be eligible for grants under this section:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Institutions of higher 
                education.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Public or nonprofit technology 
                transfer organizations.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) A nonprofit organization that partners 
                with an institution of higher education.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) A consortia of two or more of the 
                organizations described under subparagraphs (A) through 
                (C).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Lead organizations.--Any eligible organization 
        under paragraph (1) may apply as a lead organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 603. OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY 
              INNOVATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following 
findings:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Publicly traded companies focused on optics 
        and photonics in the United States enable more than $3 trillion 
        in revenue annually.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) each Federal science agency, as appropriate, 
        should--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) partner with the private sector and 
                academia to leverage knowledge and resources to 
                maximize opportunities for innovation in optics and 
                photonics;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (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.</DELETED>

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.
Sec. 3. Authorization of appropriations.

                   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.
Sec. 115. Federal coordination of sustainable chemistry research and 
                            development.

        TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION

Sec. 201. Interagency working group on research regulation.
Sec. 202. Scientific and technical collaboration.
Sec. 203. NIST grants and cooperative agreements update.
Sec. 204. Repeal of certain obsolete reports.
Sec. 205. Repeal of certain provisions.
Sec. 206. Grant subrecipient transparency and oversight.
Sec. 207. Micro-purchase threshold for procurement solicitations by 
                            research institutions.

    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.
Sec. 312. Informal STEM education.
Sec. 313. Developing STEM apprenticeships.
Sec. 314. NSF report on broadening participation.
Sec. 315. NOAA ocean and atmospheric science education programs.

                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.
Sec. 503. Manufacturing communities.

    TITLE VI--INNOVATION, COMMERCIALIZATION, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Sec. 601. Innovation corps.
Sec. 602. Translational research grants.
Sec. 603. Optics and photonics technology innovations.
Sec. 604. Authorization of appropriations for the Regional Innovation 
                            Program.

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 920 
        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).

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Fiscal Year 2017.--
            (1) National institute of standards and technology.--There 
        is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce 
        $974,000,000 for NIST for fiscal year 2017.
            (2) National science foundation.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Foundation $7,510,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2017.
    (b) Fiscal Year 2018.--
            (1) National institute of standards and technology.--There 
        is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce 
        $1,013,000,000 for NIST for fiscal year 2018.
            (2) National science foundation.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Foundation $7,810,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2018.

                   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 non-
                        technical 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) and (E), 
                                by striking ``EPSCoR and Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (II) in subparagraph (D), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR and other Federal 
                                EPSCoR-like programs'' and inserting 
                                ``each EPSCoR'';
                                    (III) in subparagraph (E), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR or Federal EPSCoR-
                                like programs'' and inserting ``each 
                                EPSCoR''; and
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (G), by 
                                striking ``EPSCoR programs'' and 
                                inserting ``each EPSCoR''; and
                    (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.--'' before ``The annual'';
            (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) by striking paragraph (5);
                    (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ``National High-
                Performance Computing'' and inserting ``Networking and 
                Information Technology Research and Development''; and
                    (D) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and 
                (7) as paragraphs (4), (3), (5), and (6), 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)(1) (15 U.S.C. 5521(a)(1)), 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 
                related 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, 
        related 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) 1 or more digital data objects that 
                        serve--
                                    ``(I) to calibrate or characterize 
                                the performance of a detection or 
                                measurement system; or
                                    ``(II) to interpolate or 
                                extrapolate, or both, data described in 
                                subparagraph (A) through (C); and
                    ``(B) that is critically evaluated as to its 
                reliability under section 3 of this Act.
            ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.''.

SEC. 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 
research, instruments, 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) 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.

SEC. 115. FEDERAL COORDINATION OF SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Importance of Sustainable Chemistry.--It is the sense of 
Congress that--
            (1) the science of chemistry is vital to improving the 
        quality of human life and plays an important role in addressing 
        critical global challenges, including water quality, energy, 
        health care, and agriculture;
            (2) sustainable chemistry can reduce risk to human health 
        and the environment, reduce waste and improve pollution 
        prevention, promote safe and efficient manufacturing, and 
        promote efficient use of resources in developing new materials, 
        processes, and technologies that support viable long-term 
        solutions;
            (3) sustainable chemistry can stimulate innovation, 
        encourage new and creative approaches to problems, create jobs, 
        and save money; and
            (4) a coordinated national effort on sustainable chemistry 
        will allow for a greater return on Federal research investment 
        in this space.
    (b) National Coordination for Sustainable Chemistry.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy shall convene an entity under the 
        National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility 
        to coordinate Federal programs and activities in support of 
        sustainable chemistry, including, as appropriate, at the 
        National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the 
        Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
        the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
        Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and 
        other related Federal agencies.
            (2) Chairs.--The entity described in paragraph (1) shall be 
        chaired by representatives from the National Science 
        Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, or other 
        agencies, as appropriate.
            (3) Duties.--
                    (A) In general.--The entity described in paragraph 
                (1) shall--
                            (i) develop a working definition of 
                        sustainable chemistry, after seeking advice and 
                        input from stakeholders as described in clause 
                        (iv);
                            (ii) coordinate and support existing 
                        Federal research, development, education, and 
                        training efforts in sustainable chemistry;
                            (iii) develop a strategic plan to guide 
                        Federal programs and activities in support of 
                        sustainable chemistry research, development, 
                        technology transfer, education, and training as 
                        described in subsection (c), including support 
                        for public-private partnerships; and
                            (iv) as appropriate, consult and coordinate 
                        with stakeholders qualified to provide advice 
                        and information on the development of the 
                        definition of sustainable chemistry and the 
                        strategic plan.
                    (B) Stakeholders.--In choosing the stakeholders 
                described in subparagraph (A)(iv), the entity described 
                in paragraph (1) is strongly encouraged to include 
                representatives from--
                            (i) industry (including small- and medium-
                        sized enterprises from across the value chain);
                            (ii) the scientific community (including 
                        the National Academy of Sciences, scientific 
                        professional societies, and academia);
                            (iii) the defense community;
                            (iv) State, tribal, and local governments;
                            (v) State or regional sustainable chemistry 
                        programs;
                            (vi) non-governmental organizations; and
                            (vii) other appropriate organizations.
    (c) Strategic Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the entity described in subsection 
        (b)(1) shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
        Public Works and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate, a 5-year strategic plan that 
        shall include--
                    (A) a summary of Federally funded sustainable 
                chemistry research, development, demonstration, 
                technology transfer, commercialization, education, and 
                training activities;
                    (B) a summary of the financial resources allocated 
                to sustainable chemistry activities;
                    (C) an evaluation of best practices and 
                coordination among participating agencies; and
                    (D) a framework for advancing sustainable 
                chemistry, including strategies for and benefits of 
                Federal support for--
                            (i) sustainable chemistry research and 
                        development conducted at Federal and national 
                        laboratories, Federal agencies, and public and 
                        private institutions of higher education;
                            (ii) technology transfer and 
                        commercialization of sustainable chemistry, 
                        including incentives and impediments to 
                        development of sustainable chemicals, best 
                        practices, and costs and benefits;
                            (iii) education and training of 
                        undergraduate and graduate students and 
                        professional scientists and engineers, 
                        including through partnerships with industry, 
                        in sustainable chemistry science and 
                        engineering;
                            (iv) economic, legal, and other appropriate 
                        social science research to identify barriers to 
                        commercialization and methods to advance 
                        commercialization of sustainable chemistry; and
                            (v) public-private partnerships in support 
                        of sustainable chemistry research, development, 
                        education, and training.
            (2) Submission to gao.--The entity described in subsection 
        (b)(1) shall submit the strategic plan described in paragraph 
        (1) to the Government Accountability Office for consideration 
        in future Congressional inquiries.
    (d) Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research.--Subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, the Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall continue to carry out the Sustainable 
Chemistry Basic Research program authorized under section 509 of the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-
3).

        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) non-federally 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 of 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; and
                    ``(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 its assessments under subsection (c) and its recommendations for 
ways to improve the Program.''; and
            (3) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7504)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``triennial'' and 
                inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``triennial'' and inserting 
                ``quadrennial'';
                    (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``triennial'' 
                and inserting ``quadrennial'';
                    (D) in subsection (c), by striking ``triennial'' 
                and inserting ``quadrennial''; and
                    (E) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        the first evaluation under subsection (a) is received, and 
        quadrennially thereafter, the Director of the National 
        Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall report to the 
        President its assessments under subsection (c) and its 
        recommendations for ways to improve the Program.
            ``(2) Congress.--Not later than 30 days after the date the 
        President receives the report under paragraph (1), the Director 
        of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit a 
        copy of the report to Congress.''.
    (c) Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction.--Section 
14 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
U.S.C. 1862n-4) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment and 
Facilities Construction.--
            ``(1) Development of priorities.--The Director shall--
                    ``(A) develop a list indicating by number the 
                relative priority for funding under the major research 
                equipment and facilities construction account that the 
                Director assigns to each project the Board has approved 
                for inclusion in a future budget request; and
                    ``(B) submit the list described in subparagraph (A) 
                to the Board for approval.
            ``(2) Criteria.--The Director shall include in the criteria 
        for developing the list under paragraph (1) the readiness of 
        plans for construction and operation, including confidence in 
        the estimates of the full life-cycle cost (as defined in 
        section 2 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
        of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) and the proposed schedule of 
        completion.
            ``(3) Updates.--The Director shall update the list prepared 
        under paragraph (1) each time the Board approves a new project 
        that would receive funding under the major research equipment 
        and facilities construction account and periodically submit any 
        updated list to the Board for approval.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (e);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read as 
        follows:
    ``(c) Board Approval of Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
Projects.--The Board shall explicitly approve any project to be funded 
out of the major research equipment and facilities construction account 
before any funds may be obligated from such account for such 
project.''.

SEC. 205. REPEAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

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

SEC. 206. GRANT SUBRECIPIENT TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT.

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

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

    (a) Micro-purchase Threshold.--The micro-purchase threshold for 
procurement activities administered under sections 6303 through 6305 of 
title 31, United States Code, awarded by the National Science 
Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology to institutions of 
higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), or related or affiliated nonprofit 
entities, or to nonprofit research organizations or independent 
research institutes is--
            (1) $10,000 (as adjusted periodically to account for 
        inflation); or
            (2) such higher threshold as determined appropriate by the 
        head of the relevant executive agency and consistent with audit 
        findings under chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, 
        internal institutional risk assessment, or State law.
    (b) Uniform Guidance.--The Uniform Guidance shall be revised to 
conform with the requirements of this section. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, the term ``Uniform Guidance'' means the uniform 
administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements 
for Federal awards contained in part 200 of title 2 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

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

SEC. 301. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE.

    Section 10A of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(k) STEM Teacher Service and Retention.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall develop and implement 
        practices for increasing the proportion of individuals 
        receiving fellowships under this section who--
                    ``(A) fulfill the service obligation required under 
                subsection (h); and
                    ``(B) remain in the teaching profession in a high 
                need local educational agency beyond the service 
                obligation.
            ``(2) Practices.--The practices described under paragraph 
        (1) may include--
                    ``(A) partnering with nonprofit or professional 
                associations or with other government entities to 
                provide individuals receiving fellowships under this 
                section with opportunities for professional 
                development, including mentorship programs that pair 
                those individuals with currently employed and recently 
                retired science, technology, engineering, mathematics, 
                or computer science professionals;
                    ``(B) increasing recruitment from high need 
                districts;
                    ``(C) establishing a system to better collect, 
                track, and respond to data on the career decisions of 
                individuals receiving fellowships under this section;
                    ``(D) conducting research to better understand 
                factors relevant to teacher service and retention, 
                including factors specifically impacting the retention 
                of teachers from underrepresented groups, including 
                women and minorities; 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, organizations representing groups 
                underrepresented in STEM fields, such as women and 
                minorities, 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 a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) a description of all consolidations and terminations 
        of Federal STEM education programs and activities implemented 
        in the previous fiscal year, including an explanation for the 
        consolidations and terminations;
            ``(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, and 
        terminations of STEM education programs or activities in the 
        upcoming fiscal year; and
            ``(8) a description of any significant new STEM education 
        public-private partnerships.''.

SEC. 305. 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, engineers, and computer scientists;
            (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, mathematics, or computer 
                science 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 inter-institutional 
        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 non-federally 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) non-governmental 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 
Reauthorization 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 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM 
curricula and instruction.
    (d) Metrics.--The Director of the Foundation shall develop metrics 
to measure the success of the grant program funded under this section 
in achieving program goals.
    (e) Report.--The Director of the Foundation shall report, in the 
annual budget submission to Congress, on the success of the program as 
measured by the metrics in subsection (d).
    (f) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means an institution of higher education or a 
nonprofit research organization.

SEC. 312. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION.

    (a) National STEM Partnership Grants.--The Director of the National 
Science Foundation may award, through a cross-Directorate process 
including the Directorate for Education and Human Resources and at 
least one additional Directorate of the Foundation, competitive, merit-
reviewed grants to support a national partnership of institutions 
involved in informal STEM learning.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include--
            (1) fostering and implementing on-going partnerships 
        between institutions involved in informal STEM learning, 
        institutions of higher education, and education research 
        centers; and
            (2) developing, adapting, and making available informal 
        STEM education activities and educational materials for broad 
        implementation.

SEC. 313. DEVELOPING STEM APPRENTICESHIPS.

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

``SEC. 28. STEM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

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

SEC. 314. NSF REPORT ON BROADENING PARTICIPATION.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
National Science Foundation shall--
            (1) review data on the participation in Foundation 
        activities of institutions serving groups that are 
        underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, 
        and tribal populations; and
            (2) submit to Congress a report on the findings from such 
        review and a recommendation or recommendations regarding how 
        the Foundation could improve outreach and inclusion of these 
        groups in Foundation activities.

SEC. 315. NOAA OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

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

                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 1 or more of 
                the following types of activities'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``competition'' 
                after ``prize''; and
                    (D) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking 
                ``prizes'' and inserting ``prize competitions'';
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``in the Federal Register'' and inserting ``on 
                a publicly accessible Government website, such as 
                www.challenge.gov,'';
                    (B) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by inserting 
                ``prize'' before ``competition''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``prize'' and 
                inserting ``cash prize purse or non-cash prize award'';
            (3) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``prize'' and inserting ``cash prize purse''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition'';
            (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``prize'' before 
        ``competition'' each place it appears;
            (5) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``prize'' 
                before ``competition'' each place it appears;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Waivers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An agency may waive the 
                requirement under paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) List.--The Director shall include a list of 
                all of the waivers granted under this paragraph during 
                the preceding fiscal year, including a detailed 
                explanation of the reason for granting the waiver.'';
            (6) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``prize'' before 
                ``competition'';
                    (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'';
                    (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, increasing cost effectiveness to maximize 
        the return on taxpayer dollars, addressing societal needs, 
        providing hands-on learning in STEM, and connecting members of 
        the public directly to Federal 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) Multi-sector 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 (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 multi-sector 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, 
        including efforts to assist small- and medium-sized 
        manufacturing businesses in creating new apprenticeships or 
        utilizing existing apprenticeships, such as facilitating 
        training and providing access to information and experts, to 
        address workforce needs and skills gaps; 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; and
                    ``(E) criteria for choosing recipients of financial 
                assistance from among the qualified applicants.
                    ``(F) procedures for determining allowable cost 
                share contributions; and
                    ``(G) such other program policy objectives and 
                operational procedures as the Secretary considers 
                necessary.
            ``(3) Cost sharing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be considered for financial 
                assistance under this section, an applicant shall 
                provide adequate assurances that the applicant and if 
                applicable, the applicant's partnering organizations, 
                will obtain funding for not less than 50 percent of the 
                capital and annual operating and maintenance funds 
                required to establish and support the Center from 
                sources other than the financial assistance provided 
                under subsection (e).
                    ``(B) Agreements with other entities.--In meeting 
                the cost-sharing requirement under subparagraph (A), an 
                eligible entity may enter into an agreement with 1 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 considered 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Positive evaluations.--If an evaluation of a Center 
        is positive, the Secretary may continue to provide financial 
        assistance for the Center--
                    ``(A) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                third year of a Center, through the fifth year of the 
                Center;
                    ``(B) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                fifth year of a Center, through the eighth year of the 
                Center; and
                    ``(C) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the 
                eighth year of a Center, through the tenth year of the 
                Center.
            ``(5) Other than positive evaluations.--
                    ``(A) Probation.--If an evaluation of a Center is 
                other than positive, the Secretary shall put the Center 
                on probation during the period beginning on the date 
                that the Center receives notice under subparagraph 
                (B)(i) and ending on the date that the reevaluation is 
                complete under subparagraph (B)(iii).
                    ``(B) Notice and reevaluation.--If a Center 
                receives an evaluation that is other than positive, the 
                evaluation panel or Secretary, as applicable, shall--
                            ``(i) notify the Center of the reason, 
                        including any deficiencies in the performance 
                        of the Center identified during the evaluation;
                            ``(ii) assist the Center in remedying the 
                        deficiencies by providing the Center, not less 
                        frequently than once every 3 months, an 
                        analysis of the Center, if considered 
                        appropriate by the panel or Secretary, as 
                        applicable; and
                            ``(iii) reevaluate the Center not later 
                        than 1 year after the date of the notice under 
                        clause (i).
                    ``(C) Continued support during period of 
                probation.--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 1 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 1 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.''.

SEC. 503. MANUFACTURING COMMUNITIES.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Made in 
America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2016''.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Manufacturing community support program.--The term 
        ``Manufacturing Community Support Program'' means the program 
        established under subsection (c).
            (2) Participating agency.--The term ``participating 
        agency'' means a Federal agency that elects to participate in 
        the Manufacturing Community Support Program.
            (3) Participating program.--The term ``participating 
        program'' means a program identified by a participating agency 
        under subsection (d)(1)(C).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
    (c) Program to Designate and Support Manufacturing Communities.--
The Secretary shall establish a program to improve the competitiveness 
of United States manufacturing by--
            (1) designating consortiums as manufacturing communities 
        under subsection (e); and
            (2) supporting manufacturing communities, as so designated, 
        under subsection (d).
    (d) Support for Designated Manufacturing Communities.--
            (1) Preferential consideration.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (D), if a member of a consortium designated as a 
                manufacturing community under subsection (e) seeks 
                financial or technical assistance under a participating 
                program of a participating agency, the head of such 
                agency may give preferential consideration to such 
                member with respect to the awarding of such financial 
                or technical assistance if--
                            (i) such head considers the award of the 
                        financial or technical assistance consistent 
                        with the economic development strategy of the 
                        consortium; and
                            (ii) the member otherwise meets all 
                        applicable requirements for the financial or 
                        technical assistance.
                    (B) Participating agencies.--The Secretary shall 
                invite other Federal agencies to become participating 
                agencies of the Manufacturing Community Support 
                Program.
                    (C) Participating programs.--The head of each 
                participating agency shall identify all programs 
                administered by such participating agency that are 
                applicable to the Manufacturing Community Support 
                Program.
                    (D) Multiple members of the same consortium seeking 
                the same financial or technical assistance.--
                            (i) In general.--If a participating agency 
                        receives applications for the same financial or 
                        technical assistance from more than 1 member of 
                        the same consortium designated as a 
                        manufacturing community under subsection (e), 
                        the head of such agency may determine how 
                        preference will be given under subparagraph 
                        (A), including by requiring the consortium to 
                        select which of the members should be given 
                        preference.
                            (ii) Coordination.--If the head of a 
                        participating agency determines that more than 
                        1 member of a consortium should be given 
                        preference under subparagraph (A) for financial 
                        or technical assistance, he or she may require 
                        such members to demonstrate coordination with 
                        each other in developing their applications for 
                        the financial or technical assistance.
                    (E) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
                of the enactment of this Act, the head of each 
                participating agency shall submit a report to the 
                Secretary that specifies how the head will give 
                preferential consideration under subparagraph (A).
            (2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may make a Federal 
        point of contact available to each consortium designated as a 
        manufacturing community under subsection (e) to help the 
        members of the consortium access Federal funds and technical 
        assistance.
            (3) Financial and technical assistance.--
                    (A) In general.--Under the Manufacturing Community 
                Support Program, the head of a participating agency may 
                award financial or technical assistance to a member of 
                a consortium designated as a manufacturing community 
                under subsection (e) as he or she considers appropriate 
                for purposes of such program and consistent with the 
                economic development strategy of the consortium.
                    (B) Use of funds.--
                            (i) In general.--A recipient of financial 
                        or technical assistance under subparagraph (A) 
                        may use such financial or technical assistance 
                        to support an investment in an ecosystem that 
                        will improve the competitiveness of United 
                        States manufacturing.
                            (ii) Investments supported.--Investments 
                        supported under this subparagraph may include--
                                    (I) infrastructure;
                                    (II) access to capital;
                                    (III) promotion of exports and 
                                foreign direct investment;
                                    (IV) equipment or facility 
                                upgrades;
                                    (V) workforce training or 
                                retraining;
                                    (VI) energy or process efficiency;
                                    (VII) business incubators;
                                    (VIII) site preparation;
                                    (IX) advanced research;
                                    (X) supply chain development; and
                                    (XI) small business assistance.
            (4) Coordination.--
                    (A) Coordination by secretary of commerce.--The 
                Secretary shall coordinate with the heads of the 
                participating agencies to identify programs under 
                paragraph (1)(C)(i).
                    (B) Inter-agency coordination.--The heads of the 
                participating agencies shall coordinate with each 
                other--
                            (i) to leverage complementary activities, 
                        including from non-Federal sources, such as 
                        philanthropies; and
                            (ii) to avoid duplication of efforts.
    (e) Designation of Manufacturing Communities.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (7), for 
        purposes of the Manufacturing Community Support Program, the 
        Secretary shall designate eligible consortiums (as described in 
        paragraph (2)) as manufacturing communities through a 
        competitive process.
            (2) Eligible consortiums.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible consortium is a 
                consortium that--
                            (i) represents a region defined by the 
                        consortium in accordance with subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) includes at least 1--
                                    (I) institution of higher 
                                education;
                                    (II) a private sector entity; and
                                    (III) a government entity;
                            (iii) may include 1 or more--
                                    (I) private sector partners;
                                    (II) institutions of higher 
                                education;
                                    (III) government entities;
                                    (IV) economic development and other 
                                community and labor groups;
                                    (V) financial institutions; or
                                    (VI) utilities;
                            (iv) has, as a lead applicant--
                                    (I) a district organization (as 
                                defined in section 300.3 of title 13, 
                                Code of Federal Regulations, or 
                                successor regulation);
                                    (II) an Indian tribe (as defined in 
                                section 4 of the Indian Self-
                                Determination and Education Assistance 
                                Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)) or a consortium 
                                of Indian tribes;
                                    (III) a State or a political 
                                subdivision of a State, including a 
                                special purpose unit of a State or 
                                local government engaged in economic or 
                                infrastructure development activities, 
                                or a consortium of political 
                                subdivisions;
                                    (IV) an institution of higher 
                                education or a consortium of 
                                institutions of higher education; or
                                    (V) a public or private nonprofit 
                                organization or association that has an 
                                application that is supported by a 
                                State, a political subdivision of a 
                                State, or a native community.
                    (B) Regions.--Subject to approval by the Secretary, 
                a consortium may define the region that it represents 
                if the region--
                            (i) is large enough to contain critical 
                        elements of the key technologies or supply 
                        chain prioritized by the consortium; and
                            (ii) is small enough to enable close 
                        collaboration among members of the consortium.
            (3) Duration.--Each designation under paragraph (1) shall 
        be for a period of 2 years.
            (4) Renewal.--
                    (A) In general.--Upon receipt of an application 
                submitted under subparagraph (B), the Secretary may 
                renew a designation made under paragraph (1) for up to 
                2 additional 2-year periods. Any designation as a 
                manufacturing community or renewal of such designation 
                that is in effect before the date of the enactment of 
                this Act shall count toward the limit set forth in this 
                subparagraph.
                    (B) Application for renewal.--An eligible 
                consortium seeking a renewal under subparagraph (A) 
                shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Secretary may require.
                    (C) Modifications authorized.--The Secretary may 
                renew a designation under subparagraph (A) for an 
                eligible consortium that--
                            (i) has changed its composition, either by 
                        adding or removing members; or
                            (ii) as part of its application under 
                        subparagraph (B), submits a revision to the 
                        plan submitted under paragraph (5)(B)(iv) or 
                        the strategy submitted under paragraph 
                        (5)(B)(v).
                    (D) Evaluation for renewal.--In determining whether 
                to renew a designation of an eligible consortium under 
                paragraph (1), the Secretary shall assess the eligible 
                consortium based upon--
                            (i) the performance of the consortium 
                        against the terms of the consortium's most 
                        recent designation under paragraph (1) and any 
                        post-designation awards the consortium may have 
                        received;
                            (ii) the progress the consortium has made 
                        with respect to project-specific metrics the 
                        consortium proposed in the consortium's 
                        application for the most recent designation 
                        under paragraph (1), particularly with respect 
                        to those metrics that were designed to help 
                        communities track their own progress;
                            (iii) whether any changes to the 
                        composition of the eligible consortium or 
                        revisions to the plan or strategy described in 
                        subparagraph (C)(ii) would improve the 
                        competitiveness of United States manufacturing; 
                        and
                            (iv) such other criteria as the Secretary 
                        considers appropriate.
            (5) Application for designation.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible consortium seeking a 
                designation under paragraph (1) shall submit an 
                application to the Secretary at such time and in such 
                manner as the Secretary may require.
                    (B) Contents.--Each application submitted to the 
                Secretary under subparagraph (A) include--
                            (i) a description of the regional 
                        boundaries of the consortium;
                            (ii) a description of the manufacturing 
                        concentration of the consortium, including an 
                        assessment of how the manufacturing 
                        concentration of the consortium competitively 
                        ranks nationally according to measures relating 
                        to employment, sales, location quotients for an 
                        industry's level of concentration, or such 
                        other measures as the Secretary considers 
                        appropriate;
                            (iii) an integrated assessment of the local 
                        industrial ecosystem of the region of the 
                        consortium, which may include assessment of 
                        workforce and training, supplier network, 
                        research and innovation, infrastructure or site 
                        development, trade and international 
                        investment, operational improvements, and 
                        capital access components needed for 
                        manufacturing activities in such region;
                            (iv) an evidence-based plan for developing 
                        components of such ecosystem (selected by the 
                        consortium) by making--
                                    (I) specific investments to address 
                                gaps in such ecosystem; and
                                    (II) the manufacturing of the 
                                region of the consortium uniquely 
                                competitive;
                            (v) a description of the investments the 
                        consortium proposes and the implementation 
                        strategy the consortium intends to use to 
                        address gaps in such ecosystem;
                            (vi) a description of the outcome-based 
                        metrics, benchmarks, and milestones that the 
                        consortium will track and the evaluation 
                        methods the consortium will use while 
                        designated as a manufacturing community to 
                        gauge performance of the strategy of the 
                        consortium to improve the manufacturing in the 
                        region of the consortium; and
                            (vii) such other matters as the Secretary 
                        considers appropriate.
            (6) Evaluation of applications.--The Secretary shall 
        evaluate each application received under paragraph (5) to 
        determine--
                    (A) whether the applicant demonstrates a 
                significant level of regional cooperation in their 
                proposal; and
                    (B) how the manufacturing concentration of the 
                applicant competitively ranks nationally according to 
                measures described in paragraph (5)(B)(ii).
            (7) Certain communities previously recognized.--Each 
        consortium that was designated as a manufacturing community by 
        the Secretary in carrying out the Investing in Manufacturing 
        Communities Partnership initiative of the Department of 
        Commerce before the date of the enactment of this Act shall be 
        deemed a manufacturing community designated under this 
        subsection if such consortium is still designated as a 
        manufacturing community by the Secretary as part of such 
        initiative.
    (f) Receipt of Transferred Funds.--The Secretary may accept amounts 
transferred to the Secretary from the head of another participating 
agency to carry out this section.

    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 multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems 
        which involve and are responsive to specific needs of academia 
        and industry;
            (5) funding the establishment of proof-of-concept and 
        prototype development in partnership with academia to advance 
        technologies; and
            (6) 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 2 or more of the organizations 
                described under subparagraphs (A) through (C).
            (2) Lead organizations.--Any eligible organization under 
        paragraph (1) may apply as a lead organization.
    (e) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
require.

SEC. 603. OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS.

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

SEC. 604. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE REGIONAL INNOVATION 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 27(g)(2) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722(g)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Authorization levels.--From amounts appropriated for 
        economic development assistance programs, the Secretary may use 
        $30,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2017 and 2018 for 
        grants under this section.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 695

114th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 3084

                          [Report No. 114-389]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                            December 1, 2016

                       Reported with an amendment