[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9649-S9655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEARS 1998, 1999 
                                AND 2000

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 388, S. 1325.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1325) to authorize appropriations for the 
     Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce for 
     fiscal years 1988 and 1999, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, with amendments, as follows:
  (The parts of the bill intended to be stricken are shown in boldface 
brackets and the parts of the bill intended to be inserted are shown in 
italic.)

                                S. 1325

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

     SECTION L. SHORT TITLE.

       [This title may be cited as the ``Technology Administration 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999''.]
       This Act may be cited as the Technology Administration 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, and 2000.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
       (2) Major reorganization.--With respect to the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the term ``major 
     reorganization'' means any reorganization of the Institute 
     that involves the reassignment of more than 25 percent of the 
     employees of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Commerce.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR SCIENTIFIC AND 
                   TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

       (a) Laboratory Activities.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of Commerce for use by the 
     Secretary of Commerce for the Scientific and Technical 
     Research and Services laboratory activities of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) [$278,352,000 for fiscal year 1998; and] $271,900,000 
     for fiscal year 1998;
       (2) $287,658,000 for fiscal year [1999.] 1999; and
       (3) $296,287,000 for fiscal year 2000.
       (b) Construction and Maintenance.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Department of Commerce for use by the Secretary of 
     Commerce for construction and maintenance of facilities of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (A) [$16,692,000 for fiscal year 1998; and] $95,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 1998;
       (B) $67,000,000 for fiscal year [1999.] 1999; and
       (C) $56,700,000 for fiscal year 2000.
       (2) Prohibition.--None of the funds authorized by paragraph 
     (1)(B) for construction of facilities may be obligated unless 
     the Secretary of Commerce has certified to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Science of the House of Representatives that the 
     obligation of funds is consistent with a plan for meeting the 
     needs of the facilities of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology that the Secretary has transmitted 
     to those committees.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE 
                   UNDER SECRETARY FOR TECHNOLOGY.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department 
     of Commerce for use by the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     activities of the Under Secretary for Technology, the Office 
     of Technology Policy, and the Office of Air and Space 
     Commercialization (as established under section 415 of this 
     title)--
       (1) [$9,230,000 for fiscal year 1998; and] $8,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 1998;
       (2) $10,807,400 for fiscal year [1999.] 1999; and
       (3) $11,132,000 for fiscal year 2000.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL 
                   TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department 
     of Commerce for use by the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     industrial technology services activities of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) [$309,040,000] $306,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, of 
     which--
       (A) [$198,000,000] $192,500,000 shall be for the Advanced 
     Technology Program under section 28 of the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n); and
       (B) [$111,040,000] $113,500,000 shall be for the 
     manufacturing extension partnerships program under sections 
     25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l); [and]
       (2) $318,371,000 for fiscal year 1999, of which--
       (A) $204,000,000 shall be for the Advanced Technology 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n); and
       (B) $114,371,000 shall be for the manufacturing extension 
     partnerships program under sections [5] 25 and 26 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k and [278l).] 278l); and
       (3) $324,491,000 for fiscal year 2000, of which--
       (A) $210,120,000 shall be for the Advanced Technology 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n); and
       (B) $114,371,000 shall be for the manufacturing extension 
     partnerships program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l).

     SEC. 6. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ACT 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)'';
       (ii) by inserting ``and be of a nature and scope that would 
     not be pursued in a timely manner without Federal 
     assistance'' after ``technical merit''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Each applicant for a contract or award under the 
     Program shall certify that the applicant has made an effort 
     to secure private market funding for the research project 
     involved. That certification shall include a written 
     narrative description of the efforts made by the applicant to 
     secure that funding.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(12) A large business may participate in a research 
     project that is the subject of a contract or award under 
     paragraph (3) only as a

[[Page S9650]]

     member of a joint venture that includes 1 or more small 
     businesses as members.'';
       (2) in subsection (j)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (5); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) the term `large business' means a business that--
       ``(A) is not a small business; and
       ``(B) has gross annual revenues in an amount greater than 
     $2,500,000,000;
       ``(3) the term `medium business' means a business that--
       ``(A) is not a small business; and
       ``(B) has gross annual revenues in an amount less than or 
     equal to $2,500,000,000;
       ``(4) the term `small business' means a small business 
     concern, as described in section 3(a)(1) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(1)); and'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (m); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
       ``(j) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(B) and subsection 
     (d)(3), the Director may grant an extension beyond the 
     applicable deadline specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) or 
     (d)(3) for a joint venture or single applicant recipient of 
     assistance to expend Federal funds to complete the project 
     assisted with that assistance, if that extension--
       ``(1) is granted with no additional cost to the Federal 
     Government; and
       ``(2) is in the interest of the Federal Government.
       ``(k)(1) The Secretary, acting through the Director, may 
     vest title to tangible personal property in any recipient of 
     financial assistance under this section if--
       ``(A) the property is purchased with funds provided under 
     this section; and
       ``(B) the Secretary, acting through the Director, 
     determines that the vesting of such property furthers the 
     objectives of the Institute.
       ``(2) Vesting under this subsection shall--
       ``(A) be subject to such limitations as are prescribed by 
     the Secretary, acting through the Director; and
       ``(B) be made without further obligation to the United 
     States Government.

     In carrying out this section, the Secretary, acting through 
     the Director, shall ensure that the requirements of Circular 
     No. A-110 issued by the Office of Management and Budget are 
     met with respect to the valuation of cost-share items used by 
     participants in the [Program.''.] Program.
       ``(l) Awards Based on Competition.--All amounts 
     appropriated for grants under subsection (b) for fiscal years 
     beginning after the date of enactment of the Technology 
     Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, 
     and 2000 shall be used for grants awarded on the basis of 
     general open competition.''.
       (b) Additional Amendment.--
       (1) In general.--Section 28(d)(11)(A) of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278n(d)(11)(A)) is amended by striking the period at the end 
     of the first sentence and inserting the following: ``or any 
     other university or nonprofit awardee or subawardee (as those 
     terms are defined by the Secretary) receiving financial 
     assistance under this section, as agreed by the parties, 
     notwithstanding the requirements of chapter 18 of title 35, 
     United States Code.''.
       (2) Applicability.--The amendment made by this subsection 
     shall apply only with respect to assistance for which 
     solicitations for proposals are made after the date of 
     enactment of this title.

     SEC. 7. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM CENTER 
                   EXTENSION.

       Section 25(c)(5) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(5)) is amended by striking 
     ``, which are designed'' and all that follows through 
     ``operation of a Center.'' and inserting ``. After the sixth 
     year, a Center may receive additional financial support under 
     this section if that Center has received a positive 
     evaluation through a review, under procedures and criteria 
     established by the Institute. The review referred to in the 
     preceding sentence shall be required not later than 2 years 
     after the sixth year, and not less frequently than every 2 
     years thereafter. The funding received by a Center for a 
     fiscal year under this section after the sixth year of 
     operation shall be for capital and annual operating expenses 
     and maintenance costs. The proportion of funding that the 
     Center receives after the sixth year of operation from funds 
     made available to carry out this section for the costs 
     referred to in the preceding sentence shall not exceed the 
     proportion of that funding received by the Center for each of 
     those costs during the sixth year of operation of the 
     Center.''.

     SEC. 8. MALCOLM BALDRIGE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD.

       Section 17(c)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a(c)(1)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Health care providers.
       ``(E) Education providers.''.

     SEC. 9. NEXT GENERATION INTERNET.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), none 
     of the funds authorized by this title, or any other Act 
     enacted before the date of enactment of this Act, may be used 
     for the programs and activities for the Internet project 
     known as the ``Next Generation Internet''.
       (b) Exception.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), funds 
     described in that subsection may be used for the continuation 
     of programs and activities related to Next Generation 
     Internet that were funded and carried out during fiscal year 
     1997.

     SEC. 10. NOTICE.

       (a) Notice of Reprogramming.--If any funds appropriated 
     pursuant to the amendments made by this Act are subject to a 
     reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives, notice of that action shall concurrently 
     be provided to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (b) Notice of Reorganization.--Not later than 15 days 
     before any major reorganization of any program, project, or 
     activity of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, the Director shall provide notice to the 
     Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Science 
     and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 11. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM.

       With the year 2000 rapidly approaching, it is the sense of 
     Congress that the Director should--
       (1) give high priority to correcting all 2-digit date-
     related problems in the computer systems of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology to ensure that those 
     systems continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and 
     in subsequent years;
       (2) as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
     this title, assess the extent of the risk to the operations 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology posed 
     by the problems referred to in paragraph (1), and plan and 
     budget for achieving compliance for all of the mission-
     critical systems of the system by the year 2000; and
       (3) develop contingency plans for those systems that the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology is unable to 
     correct by the year 2000.

     SEC. 12. ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) Educationally useful federal equipment.--The term 
     ``educationally useful Federal equipment'' means computers 
     and related peripheral tools and research equipment that is 
     appropriate for use in schools.
       (2) School.--The term ``school'' means a public or private 
     educational institution that serves any of the grades of 
     kindergarten through grade 12.
       (b) Sense of Congress--
       (1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
     Director should, to the greatest extent practicable and in a 
     manner consistent with applicable Federal law (including 
     Executive Order No. 12999), donate educationally useful 
     Federal equipment to schools in order to enhance the science 
     and mathematics programs of those schools.
       (2) Reports--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the 
     Director shall prepare and submit to the President a report. 
     The President shall submit the report to Congress at the same 
     time as the President submits a budget request to Congress 
     under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.
       (B) Contents of report.--The report prepared by the 
     Director under this paragraph shall describe any donations of 
     educationally useful Federal equipment to schools made during 
     the period covered by the report.

     SEC. 13. TEACHER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT INSTITUTE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 19 the following:

     ``SEC. 19A. (a) The Director shall establish within the 
     Institute a teacher science and technology enhancement 
     program.
       ``(b) The purpose of the program under this section shall 
     be to provide for professional development of mathematics and 
     science teachers of elementary, middle, and secondary schools 
     (as those terms are defined by the Director), including 
     providing for the improvement of those teachers with respect 
     to the teaching of science--
       ``(1) teaching strategies;
       ``(2) self-confidence; and
       ``(3) the understanding of science and the impacts of 
     science on commerce.
       ``(c) In carrying out the program under this section, the 
     Director shall focus on the areas of--
       ``(1) scientific measurements;
       ``(2) tests and standards development;
       ``(3) industrial competitiveness and quality;
       ``(4) manufacturing;
       ``(5) technology transfer; and
       ``(6) any other area of expertise of the Institute that the 
     Director determines to be appropriate.
       ``(d) The Director shall develop and issue procedures and 
     selection criteria for participants in the program. Each such 
     participant shall be a teacher described in subsection (b).
       ``(e) The Director shall issue awards under the program to 
     participants. In issuing the awards, the Director shall 
     ensure that the maximum number of participants practicable 
     participate in the program. In order

[[Page S9651]]

     to ensure a maximum level of participation of participants, 
     the program under this section shall be conducted on an 
     annual basis during the summer months, during the period of 
     time when a majority of elementary, middle, and secondary 
     schools have not commenced a school year.
       ``(f) The program shall provide for teachers participation 
     in activities at the Institute laboratory facilities of the 
     Institute.''.
       (b) Availability of Funds.--The following amounts of the 
     funds made available by appropriations pursuant to section 
     3(a) shall be used to carry out the teacher science and 
     technology enhancement program under section 19A of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section:
       (1) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.
       (2) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1999.

     SEC. 14. JOINT STUDY BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND 
                   THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Contract.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
     enter into a contract with the National Academy of Science 
     and the National Academy of Engineering to provide for a 
     joint study to be conducted by those academies under this 
     section.
       (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
     be construed to apply the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
     U.S.C. App.) to the National Academy of Science or the 
     National Academy of Engineering.
       (b) Study Panel.--In carrying out the study under this 
     section, the appropriate officials of the National Academy of 
     Science and the National Academy of Engineering shall 
     establish a study panel. The members appointed to the study 
     panel shall include--
       (1) industry and labor leaders;
       (2) entrepreneurs;
       (3) individuals who--
       (A) have previously served as government officials; and
       (B) have recognized expertise and experience with respect 
     to civilian research and technology; and
       (4) individuals with recognized expertise and experience 
     with respect to science and technology, including individuals 
     who have had experience working with or for a Federal 
     laboratory.
       (c) Contents of Study.--The study conducted under this 
     section shall--
       (1) provide for a thorough review of the effectiveness of 
     the Advanced Technology Program (referred to in this section 
     as the ``Program'') under section 28 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n);
       (2) carry out a root cause analysis to determine--
       (A) which aspects of the Program have been effective in 
     stimulating the development of technology; and
       (B) strategies used to conduct the Program that have 
     failed; and
       (3) examine alternative approaches to accomplish the 
     purposes of the Program.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the Secretary of 
     Commerce enters into contracts under subsection (a) for the 
     conduct of the joint study under this section, the study 
     panel established under subsection (b) shall prepare, and 
     submit to the Secretary of Commerce, for transmittal to the 
     President and Congress, a study that includes the findings of 
     the panel with respect to the results of the study.

     SEC. 15. OFFICE OF AIR AND SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Department of Commerce an Office of Air and Space 
     Commercialization (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Office'').
       (b) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director, 
     who shall be a senior executive and shall be compensated at a 
     level in the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of 
     title 5, United States Code, as determined by the Secretary 
     of Commerce.
       (c) Functions of the Office; Duties of the Director.--The 
     Office shall be the principal unit for the coordination of 
     space-related issues, programs, and initiatives within the 
     Department of Commerce. The primary responsibilities of the 
     Director, in carrying out the functions of the Office, shall 
     include--
       (1) promoting commercial provider investment in space 
     activities by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating 
     information on space markets, and conducting workshops and 
     seminars to increase awareness of commercial space 
     opportunities;
       (2) assisting United States commercial providers in the 
     efforts of those providers to conduct business with the 
     United States Government;
       (3) acting as an industry advocate within the executive 
     branch of the Federal Government to ensure that the Federal 
     Government meets the space-related requirements of the 
     Federal Government, to the fullest extent feasible, with 
     respect to commercially available space goods and services;
       (4) ensuring that the United States Government does not 
     compete with United States commercial providers in the 
     provision of space hardware and services otherwise available 
     from United States commercial providers;
       (5) promoting the export of space-related goods and 
     services;
       (6) representing the Department of Commerce in the 
     development of United States policies and in negotiations 
     with foreign countries to ensure free and fair trade 
     internationally in the area of space commerce; and
       (7) seeking the removal of legal, policy, and institutional 
     impediments to space commerce.

     SEC. 16. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Stevenson Wydler 
     Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
     Technology.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary, shall establish a program to be known as the 
     Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology 
     (referred to in this subsection as the `program'). The 
     purpose of the program shall be to strengthen the 
     technological competitiveness of those States that have 
     historically received less Federal research and development 
     funds than those received by a majority of the States.
       ``(2) Arrangements.--In carrying out the program, the 
     Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, shall--
       ``(A) enter into such arrangements as may be necessary to 
     provide for the coordination of the program through the State 
     committees established under the Experimental Program to 
     Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science 
     Foundation; and
       ``(B) cooperate with--
       ``(i) any State science and technology council established 
     under the program under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) representatives of small business firms and other 
     appropriate technology-based businesses.
       ``(3) Grants.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary, 
     acting through the Under Secretary, may make grants or enter 
     into cooperative agreements to provide, for--
       ``(A) technology research and development;
       ``(B) technology transfer from university research;
       ``(C) technology deployment and diffusion; and
       ``(D) the strengthening of technological capabilities 
     through consortia comprised of--
       ``(i) technology-based small business firms;
       ``(ii) industries and emerging companies;
       ``(iii) universities; and
       ``(iv) State and local development agencies and entities.
       ``(4) Requirements for making awards.--
       ``(A) In general.--In making grant awards under this 
     subsection, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary, shall ensure that the awards are awarded on a 
     competitive basis that includes a review of the merits of the 
     activities that are the subject of the award.
       ``(B) Matching requirement.--The non-Federal share of the 
     activities (other than planning activities) carried out under 
     a grant under this subsection shall be not less than 25 
     percent of the cost of those activities.
       ``(5) Criteria for states.--With respect to States that 
     participate in the program, the Secretary, acting through the 
     Under Secretary, shall establish criteria for achievement by 
     each State that participates in the program. Upon the 
     achievement of all such criteria, a State shall cease to be 
     eligible to participate in the program.
       ``(6) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, in carrying 
     out this section, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary, shall coordinate the program with other programs 
     of the Department of Commence.
       ``(7) Report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of the Technology Administration Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999, the Under Secretary shall 
     prepare and submit a report that meets the requirements of 
     this paragraph to the Secretary. Upon receipt of the report, 
     the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(B) Requirements for report.--The report prepared under 
     this paragraph shall contain with respect to the program--
       ``(i) a description of the structure and procedures of the 
     program;
       ``(ii) a management plan for the program;
       ``(iii) a description of the merit-based review process to 
     be used in the program;
       ``(iv) milestones for the evaluation of activities to be 
     assisted under the program in each of fiscal years 1998 and 
     1999;
       ``(v) an assessment of the eligibility of each State that 
     participates in the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
     Competitive Research of the National Science Foundation to 
     participate in the program under this subsection; and
       ``(vi) the evaluation criteria with respect to which the 
     overall management and effectiveness of the program will be 
     evaluated pursuant to paragraph (8).
       ``(8) Evaluation.--Not earlier than the date that is 4 
     years after the date on which the program is established, the 
     Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, shall carry 
     out an evaluation of the program. In carrying out the 
     evaluation the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, 
     shall apply the criteria described in paragraph 
     (7)(B)(vi).''.
       (b) Funding.--Of the amounts made available by 
     appropriations pursuant to section 4--
       (1) for fiscal year 1998, $1,650,000 shall be used to carry 
     out the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
     Technology established under section 5(f) of the Stevenson

[[Page S9652]]

     Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section; and
       (2) for fiscal year 1999, $3,000,000 shall be used to carry 
     out the program referred to in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 17. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AS ALTERNATIVE 
                   QUALITY AUTHORITY.

       Any fastener used on an aircraft or component, system, 
     subassembly, or part of an aircraft that has been 
     manufactured or altered by, or under the direction and 
     control of, the holder of a Type Certificate, Production 
     Certificate, Parts Manufacturer Approval, or Technical 
     Standard Order Authorization issued by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, or manufactured or altered subject to a 
     quality assurance program approved by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, is deemed to comply with the provisions of 
     the Fastener Quality Act (15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) and any 
     regulation issued thereunder.

     SEC. 18. INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC RESEARCH CENTER.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 1999 and 2000 for the Federal share of the 
     administrative costs of the International Arctic Research 
     Center.

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee 
amendments be agreed to.
  The committee amendments were agreed to.


                 Amendments Nos. 3486 and 3487, en bloc

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I understand Senator Frist has two 
amendments at the desk, and I ask for their consideration en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Washington [Mr. Gorton], for Mr. Frist, 
     proposes amendments numbered 3486 and 3487, en bloc.

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading 
of the amendments be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendments are as follows:


                           Amendment no. 3486

   (Purpose: To make minor and technical corrections in the bill as 
                   reported, and for other purposes)

       On page 11, line 2, after ``receives'' insert ``from the 
     government''.
       On page 11 strike lines 5 through 7 and insert the 
     following: ``shall not exceed one-third of the total costs of 
     operation of a center under the program.''.
       On page 26 strike lines 6 through 18 and insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 17. FASTENER QUALITY ACT STANDARDS.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 15 of the Fastener Quality Act (15 
     U.S.C. 5414) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) Transitional Rule.--'' before ``The 
     requirements of this Act''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Aircraft Exemption.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this Act shall not 
     apply to fasteners specifically manufactured or altered for 
     use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those 
     fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal 
     Aviation Administration, except as provided in paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     fasteners represented by the fastener manufacturer as having 
     been manufactured in conformance with standards or 
     specifications established by a consensus standards 
     organization or a Federal agency other than the Federal 
     Aviation Administration.''.
       (b) Delayed Implementation of Regulations.--The regulations 
     issued under the Fastener Quality Act by the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology on April 14, 1998, and 
     any other regulations issued by the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology pursuant to the Fastener Quality 
     Act, shall not take effect until after the later of June 1, 
     1999, or the expiration of 120 days after the Secretary of 
     Commerce transmits to the Committee on Science and the 
     Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, and to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate, a report on--
       (1) changes in fastener manufacturing processes that have 
     occurred since the enactment of the Fastener Quality Act;
       (2) a comparison of the Fastener Quality Act to other 
     regulatory programs that regulate the various categories of 
     fasteners, and an analysis of any duplication that exists 
     among programs; and
       (3) any changes in that Act that may be warranted because 
     of the changes reported under paragraphs (1) and (2).

     The report required by this section shall be transmitted to 
     the Committee on Science and the Committee on Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, by February 1, 
     1999.


                           amendment no. 3487

       On page 17, strike lines 11 through 15.

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
amendments be agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendments (Nos. 3486 and 3487) were agreed to.


                           Amendment No. 3488

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask for the immediate consideration of 
Senator McCain's amendment which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Washington [Mr. Gorton], for Mr. McCain, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 3488.

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading 
of the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:

       On page 11, after line 13, insert the following:
       ``(F) Environmental technology providers.''.

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
be agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 3488) was agreed to.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read a third time and passed, as amended; that the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; that the title amendment be agreed 
to; and that any statements relating to the bill be placed at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 1325), as amended, was considered read the third time 
and passed, as follows:

                                S. 1325

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Technology Administration 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, and 2000''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
       (2) Major reorganization.--With respect to the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, the term ``major 
     reorganization'' means any reorganization of the Institute 
     that involves the reassignment of more than 25 percent of the 
     employees of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Commerce.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR SCIENTIFIC AND 
                   TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

       (a) Laboratory Activities.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Department of Commerce for use by the 
     Secretary of Commerce for the Scientific and Technical 
     Research and Services laboratory activities of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $271,900,000 for fiscal year 1998;
       (2) $287,658,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
       (3) $296,287,000 for fiscal year 2000.
       (b) Construction and Maintenance.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Department of Commerce for use by the Secretary of 
     Commerce for construction and maintenance of facilities of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (A) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
       (B) $67,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
       (C) $56,700,000 for fiscal year 2000.
       (2) Prohibition.--None of the funds authorized by paragraph 
     (1)(B) for construction of facilities may be obligated unless 
     the Secretary of Commerce has certified to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Science of the House of Representatives that the 
     obligation of funds is consistent with a plan for meeting the 
     needs of the facilities of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology that the Secretary has transmitted 
     to those committees.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE 
                   UNDER SECRETARY FOR TECHNOLOGY.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department 
     of Commerce for use by the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     activities of the Under Secretary for Technology, the Office 
     of Technology Policy, and the Office of Air and Space 
     Commercialization (as established under section 415 of this 
     title)--
       (1) $8,500,000 for fiscal year 1998;
       (2) $10,807,400 for fiscal year 1999; and
       (3) $11,132,000 for fiscal year 2000.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL 
                   TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department 
     of Commerce for use by the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     industrial technology services activities of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $306,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, of which--
       (A) $192,500,000 shall be for the Advanced Technology 
     Program under section 28 of the

[[Page S9653]]

     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278n); and
       (B) $113,500,000 shall be for the manufacturing extension 
     partnerships program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l);
       (2) $318,371,000 for fiscal year 1999, of which--
       (A) $204,000,000 shall be for the Advanced Technology 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n); and
       (B) $114,371,000 shall be for the manufacturing extension 
     partnerships program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l); and
       (3) $324,491,000 for fiscal year 2000, of which--
       (A) $210,120,000 shall be for the Advanced Technology 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n); and
       (B) $114,371,000 shall be for the manufacturing extension 
     partnerships program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l).

     SEC. 6. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ACT 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)'';
       (ii) by inserting ``and be of a nature and scope that would 
     not be pursued in a timely manner without Federal 
     assistance'' after ``technical merit''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Each applicant for a contract or award under the 
     Program shall certify that the applicant has made an effort 
     to secure private market funding for the research project 
     involved. That certification shall include a written 
     narrative description of the efforts made by the applicant to 
     secure that funding.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(12) A large business may participate in a research 
     project that is the subject of a contract or award under 
     paragraph (3) only as a member of a joint venture that 
     includes 1 or more small businesses as members.'';
       (2) in subsection (j)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (5); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) the term `large business' means a business that--
       ``(A) is not a small business; and
       ``(B) has gross annual revenues in an amount greater than 
     $2,500,000,000;
       ``(3) the term `medium business' means a business that--
       ``(A) is not a small business; and
       ``(B) has gross annual revenues in an amount less than or 
     equal to $2,500,000,000;
       ``(4) the term `small business' means a small business 
     concern, as described in section 3(a)(1) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(1)); and'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (m); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
       ``(j) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(B) and subsection 
     (d)(3), the Director may grant an extension beyond the 
     applicable deadline specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) or 
     (d)(3) for a joint venture or single applicant recipient of 
     assistance to expend Federal funds to complete the project 
     assisted with that assistance, if that extension--
       ``(1) is granted with no additional cost to the Federal 
     Government; and
       ``(2) is in the interest of the Federal Government.
       ``(k)(1) The Secretary, acting through the Director, may 
     vest title to tangible personal property in any recipient of 
     financial assistance under this section if--
       ``(A) the property is purchased with funds provided under 
     this section; and
       ``(B) the Secretary, acting through the Director, 
     determines that the vesting of such property furthers the 
     objectives of the Institute.
       ``(2) Vesting under this subsection shall--
       ``(A) be subject to such limitations as are prescribed by 
     the Secretary, acting through the Director; and
       ``(B) be made without further obligation to the United 
     States Government.

     In carrying out this section, the Secretary, acting through 
     the Director, shall ensure that the requirements of Circular 
     No. A-110 issued by the Office of Management and Budget are 
     met with respect to the valuation of cost-share items used by 
     participants in the Program.
       ``(l) Awards Based on Competition.--All amounts 
     appropriated for grants under subsection (b) for fiscal years 
     beginning after the date of enactment of the Technology 
     Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1998, 1999, 
     and 2000 shall be used for grants awarded on the basis of 
     general open competition.''.
       (b) Additional Amendment.--
       (1) In general.--Section 28(d)(11)(A) of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278n(d)(11)(A)) is amended by striking the period at the end 
     of the first sentence and inserting the following: ``or any 
     other university or nonprofit awardee or subawardee (as those 
     terms are defined by the Secretary) receiving financial 
     assistance under this section, as agreed by the parties, 
     notwithstanding the requirements of chapter 18 of title 35, 
     United States Code.''.
       (2) Applicability.--The amendment made by this subsection 
     shall apply only with respect to assistance for which 
     solicitations for proposals are made after the date of 
     enactment of this title.

     SEC. 7. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM CENTER 
                   EXTENSION.

       Section 25(c)(5) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(5)) is amended by striking 
     ``, which are designed'' and all that follows through 
     ``operation of a Center.'' and inserting ``. After the sixth 
     year, a Center may receive additional financial support under 
     this section if that Center has received a positive 
     evaluation through a review, under procedures and criteria 
     established by the Institute. The review referred to in the 
     preceding sentence shall be required not later than 2 years 
     after the sixth year, and not less frequently than every 2 
     years thereafter. The funding received by a Center for a 
     fiscal year under this section after the sixth year of 
     operation shall be for capital and annual operating expenses 
     and maintenance costs. The proportion of funding that the 
     Center receives from the Government after the sixth year of 
     operation from funds made available to carry out this section 
     for the costs referred to in the preceding sentence shall not 
     exceed one-third of the total costs of operation of a center 
     under the program.''.

     SEC. 8. MALCOLM BALDRIGE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD.

       Section 17(c)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a(c)(1)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Health care providers.
       ``(E) Education providers.
       ``(F) Environmental technology providers.''.

     SEC. 9. NEXT GENERATION INTERNET.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), none 
     of the funds authorized by this title, or any other Act 
     enacted before the date of enactment of this Act, may be used 
     for the programs and activities for the Internet project 
     known as the ``Next Generation Internet''.
       (b) Exception.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), funds 
     described in that subsection may be used for the continuation 
     of programs and activities related to Next Generation 
     Internet that were funded and carried out during fiscal year 
     1997.

     SEC. 10. NOTICE.

       (a) Notice of Reprogramming.--If any funds appropriated 
     pursuant to the amendments made by this Act are subject to a 
     reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives, notice of that action shall concurrently 
     be provided to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of 
     the House of Representatives.
       (b) Notice of Reorganization.--Not later than 15 days 
     before any major reorganization of any program, project, or 
     activity of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, the Director shall provide notice to the 
     Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Science 
     and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 11. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM.

       With the year 2000 rapidly approaching, it is the sense of 
     Congress that the Director should--
       (1) give high priority to correcting all 2-digit date-
     related problems in the computer systems of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology to ensure that those 
     systems continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and 
     in subsequent years;
       (2) as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
     this title, assess the extent of the risk to the operations 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology posed 
     by the problems referred to in paragraph (1), and plan and 
     budget for achieving compliance for all of the mission-
     critical systems of the system by the year 2000; and
       (3) develop contingency plans for those systems that the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology is unable to 
     correct by the year 2000.

     SEC. 12. ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) Educationally useful federal equipment.--The term 
     ``educationally useful Federal equipment'' means computers 
     and related peripheral tools and research equipment that is 
     appropriate for use in schools.
       (2) School.--The term ``school'' means a public or private 
     educational institution that serves any of the grades of 
     kindergarten through grade 12.
       (b) Sense of Congress--
       (1) In general.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
     Director should, to the greatest extent practicable and in a 
     manner consistent with applicable Federal law (including 
     Executive Order No. 12999), donate educationally useful 
     Federal equipment to schools in order to enhance the science 
     and mathematics programs of those schools.
       (2) Reports--

[[Page S9654]]

       (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the 
     Director shall prepare and submit to the President a report. 
     The President shall submit the report to Congress at the same 
     time as the President submits a budget request to Congress 
     under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.
       (B) Contents of report.--The report prepared by the 
     Director under this paragraph shall describe any donations of 
     educationally useful Federal equipment to schools made during 
     the period covered by the report.

     SEC. 13. TEACHER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT INSTITUTE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 19 the following:

     ``Sec. 19A. (a) The Director shall establish within the 
     Institute a teacher science and technology enhancement 
     program.
       ``(b) The purpose of the program under this section shall 
     be to provide for professional development of mathematics and 
     science teachers of elementary, middle, and secondary schools 
     (as those terms are defined by the Director), including 
     providing for the improvement of those teachers with respect 
     to the teaching of science--
       ``(1) teaching strategies;
       ``(2) self-confidence; and
       ``(3) the understanding of science and the impacts of 
     science on commerce.
       ``(c) In carrying out the program under this section, the 
     Director shall focus on the areas of--
       ``(1) scientific measurements;
       ``(2) tests and standards development;
       ``(3) industrial competitiveness and quality;
       ``(4) manufacturing;
       ``(5) technology transfer; and
       ``(6) any other area of expertise of the Institute that the 
     Director determines to be appropriate.
       ``(d) The Director shall develop and issue procedures and 
     selection criteria for participants in the program. Each such 
     participant shall be a teacher described in subsection (b).
       ``(e) The Director shall issue awards under the program to 
     participants. In issuing the awards, the Director shall 
     ensure that the maximum number of participants practicable 
     participate in the program. In order to ensure a maximum 
     level of participation of participants, the program under 
     this section shall be conducted on an annual basis during the 
     summer months, during the period of time when a majority of 
     elementary, middle, and secondary schools have not commenced 
     a school year.
       ``(f) The program shall provide for teachers participation 
     in activities at the Institute laboratory facilities of the 
     Institute.''.
       (b) Availability of Funds.--The following amounts of the 
     funds made available by appropriations pursuant to section 
     3(a) shall be used to carry out the teacher science and 
     technology enhancement program under section 19A of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section:
       (1) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.
       (2) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1999.

     SEC. 14. JOINT STUDY BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND 
                   THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING.

       (a) Contract.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
     enter into a contract with the National Academy of Science 
     and the National Academy of Engineering to provide for a 
     joint study to be conducted by those academies under this 
     section.
       (b) Study Panel.--In carrying out the study under this 
     section, the appropriate officials of the National Academy of 
     Science and the National Academy of Engineering shall 
     establish a study panel. The members appointed to the study 
     panel shall include--
       (1) industry and labor leaders;
       (2) entrepreneurs;
       (3) individuals who--
       (A) have previously served as government officials; and
       (B) have recognized expertise and experience with respect 
     to civilian research and technology; and
       (4) individuals with recognized expertise and experience 
     with respect to science and technology, including individuals 
     who have had experience working with or for a Federal 
     laboratory.
       (c) Contents of Study.--The study conducted under this 
     section shall--
       (1) provide for a thorough review of the effectiveness of 
     the Advanced Technology Program (referred to in this section 
     as the ``Program'') under section 28 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n);
       (2) carry out a root cause analysis to determine--
       (A) which aspects of the Program have been effective in 
     stimulating the development of technology; and
       (B) strategies used to conduct the Program that have 
     failed; and
       (3) examine alternative approaches to accomplish the 
     purposes of the Program.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the Secretary of 
     Commerce enters into contracts under subsection (a) for the 
     conduct of the joint study under this section, the study 
     panel established under subsection (b) shall prepare, and 
     submit to the Secretary of Commerce, for transmittal to the 
     President and Congress, a study that includes the findings of 
     the panel with respect to the results of the study.

     SEC. 15. OFFICE OF AIR AND SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Department of Commerce an Office of Air and Space 
     Commercialization (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Office'').
       (b) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director, 
     who shall be a senior executive and shall be compensated at a 
     level in the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of 
     title 5, United States Code, as determined by the Secretary 
     of Commerce.
       (c) Functions of the Office; Duties of the Director.--The 
     Office shall be the principal unit for the coordination of 
     space-related issues, programs, and initiatives within the 
     Department of Commerce. The primary responsibilities of the 
     Director, in carrying out the functions of the Office, shall 
     include--
       (1) promoting commercial provider investment in space 
     activities by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating 
     information on space markets, and conducting workshops and 
     seminars to increase awareness of commercial space 
     opportunities;
       (2) assisting United States commercial providers in the 
     efforts of those providers to conduct business with the 
     United States Government;
       (3) acting as an industry advocate within the executive 
     branch of the Federal Government to ensure that the Federal 
     Government meets the space-related requirements of the 
     Federal Government, to the fullest extent feasible, with 
     respect to commercially available space goods and services;
       (4) ensuring that the United States Government does not 
     compete with United States commercial providers in the 
     provision of space hardware and services otherwise available 
     from United States commercial providers;
       (5) promoting the export of space-related goods and 
     services;
       (6) representing the Department of Commerce in the 
     development of United States policies and in negotiations 
     with foreign countries to ensure free and fair trade 
     internationally in the area of space commerce; and
       (7) seeking the removal of legal, policy, and institutional 
     impediments to space commerce.

     SEC. 16. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Stevenson Wydler 
     Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
     Technology.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary, shall establish a program to be known as the 
     Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology 
     (referred to in this subsection as the `program'). The 
     purpose of the program shall be to strengthen the 
     technological competitiveness of those States that have 
     historically received less Federal research and development 
     funds than those received by a majority of the States.
       ``(2) Arrangements.--In carrying out the program, the 
     Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, shall--
       ``(A) enter into such arrangements as may be necessary to 
     provide for the coordination of the program through the State 
     committees established under the Experimental Program to 
     Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science 
     Foundation; and
       ``(B) cooperate with--
       ``(i) any State science and technology council established 
     under the program under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) representatives of small business firms and other 
     appropriate technology-based businesses.
       ``(3) Grants.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary, 
     acting through the Under Secretary, may make grants or enter 
     into cooperative agreements to provide, for--
       ``(A) technology research and development;
       ``(B) technology transfer from university research;
       ``(C) technology deployment and diffusion; and
       ``(D) the strengthening of technological capabilities 
     through consortia comprised of--
       ``(i) technology-based small business firms;
       ``(ii) industries and emerging companies;
       ``(iii) universities; and
       ``(iv) State and local development agencies and entities.
       ``(4) Requirements for making awards.--
       ``(A) In general.--In making grant awards under this 
     subsection, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary, shall ensure that the awards are awarded on a 
     competitive basis that includes a review of the merits of the 
     activities that are the subject of the award.
       ``(B) Matching requirement.--The non-Federal share of the 
     activities (other than planning activities) carried out under 
     a grant under this subsection shall be not less than 25 
     percent of the cost of those activities.
       ``(5) Criteria for states.--With respect to States that 
     participate in the program, the Secretary, acting through the 
     Under Secretary, shall establish criteria for achievement by 
     each State that participates in the program. Upon the 
     achievement of all such criteria, a State shall cease to be 
     eligible to participate in the program.
       ``(6) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, in carrying 
     out this section, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary,

[[Page S9655]]

     shall coordinate the program with other programs of the 
     Department of Commence.
       ``(7) Report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of the Technology Administration Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999, the Under Secretary shall 
     prepare and submit a report that meets the requirements of 
     this paragraph to the Secretary. Upon receipt of the report, 
     the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(B) Requirements for report.--The report prepared under 
     this paragraph shall contain with respect to the program--
       ``(i) a description of the structure and procedures of the 
     program;
       ``(ii) a management plan for the program;
       ``(iii) a description of the merit-based review process to 
     be used in the program;
       ``(iv) milestones for the evaluation of activities to be 
     assisted under the program in each of fiscal years 1998 and 
     1999;
       ``(v) an assessment of the eligibility of each State that 
     participates in the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
     Competitive Research of the National Science Foundation to 
     participate in the program under this subsection; and
       ``(vi) the evaluation criteria with respect to which the 
     overall management and effectiveness of the program will be 
     evaluated pursuant to paragraph (8).
       ``(8) Evaluation.--Not earlier than the date that is 4 
     years after the date on which the program is established, the 
     Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, shall carry 
     out an evaluation of the program. In carrying out the 
     evaluation the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, 
     shall apply the criteria described in paragraph 
     (7)(B)(vi).''.
       (b) Funding.--Of the amounts made available by 
     appropriations pursuant to section 4--
       (1) for fiscal year 1998, $1,650,000 shall be used to carry 
     out the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
     Technology established under section 5(f) of the Stevenson 
     Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section; and
       (2) for fiscal year 1999, $3,000,000 shall be used to carry 
     out the program referred to in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 17. FASTENER QUALITY ACT STANDARDS.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 15 of the Fastener Quality Act (15 
     U.S.C. 5414) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) Transitional Rule.--'' before ``The 
     requirements of this Act''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Aircraft Exemption.--
       ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this Act shall not 
     apply to fasteners specifically manufactured or altered for 
     use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those 
     fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal 
     Aviation Administration, except as provided in paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
     fasteners represented by the fastener manufacturer as having 
     been manufactured in conformance with standards or 
     specifications established by a consensus standards 
     organization or a Federal agency other than the Federal 
     Aviation Administration.''.
       (b) Delayed Implementation of Regulations.--The regulations 
     issued under the Fastener Quality Act by the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology on April 14, 1998, and 
     any other regulations issued by the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology pursuant to the Fastener Quality 
     Act, shall not take effect until after the later of June 1, 
     1999, or the expiration of 120 days after the Secretary of 
     Commerce transmits to the Committee on Science and the 
     Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, and to 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate, a report on--
       (1) changes in fastener manufacturing processes that have 
     occurred since the enactment of the Fastener Quality Act;
       (2) a comparison of the Fastener Quality Act to other 
     regulatory programs that regulate the various categories of 
     fasteners, and an analysis of any duplication that exists 
     among programs; and
       (3) any changes in that Act that may be warranted because 
     of the changes reported under paragraphs (1) and (2).
     The report required by this section shall be transmitted to 
     the Committee on Science and the Committee on Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, by February 1, 
     1999.

     SEC. 18. INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC RESEARCH CENTER.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 1999 and 2000 for the Federal share of the 
     administrative costs of the International Arctic Research 
     Center.

  The title was amended so as to read:

       A Bill to authorize appropriations for the Technology 
     Administration of the Department of Commerce for fiscal years 
     1998, 1999, and 2000, and for other purposes.

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