[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 162 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13800-S13802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH:
  S. 2134. A bill to strengthen existing programs to assist 
manufacturing innovation and education, to expand outreach programs for 
small and medium-sized manufacturers, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Kohl and DeWine 
to introduce the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005.
  The manufacturing sector is a critical component of our economy and 
an engine of job creation for millions of Americans. Investment and 
continued growth in this industry is vital in order to strengthen 
manufacturing in the United States and increase our global 
competitiveness.
  Through a number of measures, my legislation is aimed at further 
improving productivity, advancing technology and increasing the 
competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing industry.
  My bill authorizes funding through fiscal year 2008 for the 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST).
  MEP is a nationwide network with centers in all 50 states that 
provide assistance to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers 
succeed by providing expertise and services customized to meet their 
critical needs.
  Small and medium sized manufacturers in my home State of Oregon have 
benefited from the efforts of the Oregon MEP resulting in increased 
jobs, investment and overall productivity. In 2004, the Oregon MEP 
helped manufacturers generate new or retain sales of $6,835,400 and a 
save costs of $18,736,000. MEP's assistance has yielded similar success 
for countless manufacturers in states across the country.
  In addition to authorizing funding for MEP, this bill will amend 
partnership to include a mechanism for review and re-competition of MEP 
Centers and establish an additional competitive grant program from 
which these centers can obtain supplemental funding for manufacturing-
related projects.
  The National Institute of Standards and Technology with its expertise 
in technology, measurement and standards helps U.S. industry 
manufacture leading products and deliver high quality services. NIST 
has aided U.S. companies in competing in domestic and foreign markets 
through technology-based innovations in areas such as biotechnology, 
information technology and advanced manufacturing. NIST's capabilities 
will allow them to make further valuable contributions with emerging 
technologies in the future.
  My bill establishes programs aimed at enhancing research and 
advancements in the manufacturing industry including a fellowship 
program and a manufacturing research pilot program, which involves 
cost-sharing collaborations aimed at developing new processes and 
materials to improve manufacturing performance and productivity.
  The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) which supports research and 
development of high-risk, cutting edge technologies is authorized 
funding in this legislation. ATP partners with private sector entities 
to invest in early stage, innovative technologies that enable U.S. 
companies to develop next generation products and services that improve 
the quality of life for all of us. These public-private partnerships 
lead to innovations that otherwise could not be developed by a single 
entity.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Manufacturing Technology 
Competitiveness Act of 2005 and ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2134

       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 ``Manufacturing Technology 
     Competitiveness Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

       The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating the first section 32 (15 U.S.C. 271 
     note; as redesignated by Public Law 105-309) as section 34; 
     and
       (2) by inserting before the section redesignated by 
     paragraph (1) the following:

     ``SEC. 33. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

       ``(a) Authority.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a 
     Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants program to make awards to 
     partnerships consisting of participants described in 
     paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3). 
     Awards shall be made on a peer-reviewed, competitive basis.
       ``(2) Participants.--The partnerships described in this 
     paragraph shall include at least--
       ``(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; and
       ``(B) 1 nonindustry partner.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program established 
     under this section is to foster cost-shared collaborations 
     among firms, educational institutions, research institutions, 
     State agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the 
     development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing 
     technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this 
     section shall conduct applied research to develop new 
     manufacturing processes, techniques, or materials that would 
     contribute to improved performance, productivity, and the 
     manufacturing competitiveness of the United States, and build 
     lasting alliances among collaborators.
       ``(b) Program Contribution.--An award made under this 
     section shall provide for not more than one-third of the 
     costs of the partnership. Not more than an additional one-
     third of such costs may be obtained directly or indirectly 
     from other Federal sources.
       ``(c) 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. 
     Such applications shall describe at a minimum--
       ``(1) how each partner will participate in developing and 
     carrying out the research agenda of the partnership;
       ``(2) the research that the grant will fund; and
       ``(3) how the research to be funded with the award will 
     contribute to improved performance, productivity, and the 
     manufacturing competitiveness of the United States.
       ``(d) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applications for 
     awards under this section, the Director shall consider at a 
     minimum--
       ``(1) the degree to which projects will have a broad impact 
     on manufacturing;
       ``(2) the novelty and scientific and technical merit of the 
     proposed projects; and
       ``(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to 
     successfully carry out the proposed research.
       ``(e) Distribution.--In selecting applications under this 
     section the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, 
     a distribution of overall awards among a variety of 
     manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm sizes.
       ``(f) Duration.--In carrying out this section, the Director 
     shall conduct a single pilot competition to solicit and make 
     awards. Each award shall be for a 3-year period.''.

     SEC. 3. MANUFACTURING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

       Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The 
     Director is authorized''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Manufacturing Fellowship Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--To promote the development of a 
     robust research community working at the leading edge of 
     manufacturing sciences, the Director shall establish a 
     program to award--
       ``(A) postdoctoral research fellowships at the Institute 
     for research activities related to manufacturing sciences; 
     and
       ``(B) senior research fellowships to established 
     researchers in industry or at institutions of higher 
     education who wish to pursue studies related to the 
     manufacturing sciences at the Institute.

[[Page S13801]]

       ``(2) Applications.--To be eligible for an award under this 
     subsection, an individual shall submit an application to the 
     Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Director may require.
       ``(3) Stipend levels.--Under this section, the Director 
     shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fellowships 
     at a level consistent with the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 
     Program, and senior research fellowships at levels consistent 
     with support for a faculty member in a sabbatical 
     position.''.

     SEC. 4. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION.

       (a) Manufacturing Center Evaluation.--Section 25(c)(5) of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
     U.S.C. 278k(c)(5)) is amended by inserting ``A Center that 
     has not received a positive evaluation by the evaluation 
     panel shall be notified by the panel of the deficiencies in 
     its performance and may be placed on probation for one year, 
     after which time the panel may reevaluate the Center. If the 
     Center has not addressed the deficiencies identified by the 
     panel, or shown a significant improvement in its performance, 
     the Director may conduct a new competition to select an 
     operator for the Center or may close the Center.'' after 
     ``sixth year at declining levels.''.
       (b) Federal Share.--Section 25(d) of the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(d)) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may 
     be appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the 
     Centers program, the Secretary and Director also may accept 
     funds from other Federal departments and agencies and under 
     section 2(c)(7) from the private sector for the purpose of 
     strengthening United States manufacturing. Such funds, if 
     allocated to a Center, shall not be considered in the 
     calculation of the Federal share of capital and annual 
     operating and maintenance costs under subsection (c).''.
       (c) Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive Grant 
     Program.--Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards 
     and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subsections:
       ``(e) Competitive Grant Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within 
     the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under this 
     section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive 
     awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the 
     purposes described in paragraph (3).
       ``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under 
     this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such 
     Centers.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
     subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging 
     manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
     National Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized 
     manufacturers. One or more themes for the competition may be 
     identified, which may vary from year to year, depending on 
     the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous 
     competitions. These themes shall be related to projects 
     associated with manufacturing extension activities, including 
     supply chain integration and quality management, or extend 
     beyond the traditional areas.
       ``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
     subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, 
     and containing such information as the Director shall 
     require, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership National Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection shall be 
     peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall 
     select proposals to receive awards--
       ``(A) that utilize innovative or collaborative approaches 
     to solving the problem described in the competition;
       ``(B) that will improve the competitiveness of industries 
     in the region in which the Center or Centers are located; and
       ``(C) that will contribute to the long-term economic 
     stability of that region.
       ``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
     this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching 
     contribution.
       ``(f) Audits.--A center that receives assistance under this 
     section shall submit annual audits to the Secretary in 
     accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-
     133 and shall make such audits available to the public on 
     request.''.
       (d) Programmatic and Operational Plan.--Not later than 120 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall 
     transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a 3-year programmatic and 
     operational plan for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
     program under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l). The 
     plan shall include comments on the plan from the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership State partners and the 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MANUFACTURING 
                   SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

       (a) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, 
     or other appropriate Federal agencies, for the Manufacturing 
     Extension Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
     278k and 278l)--
       (1) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, of which not more 
     than $1,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
     under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e));
       (2) $115,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, of which not more 
     than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
     under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e)); and
       (3) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which not more 
     than $4,100,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
     under section 25(e) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(e)).
       (b) Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot Grants 
     Program.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Commerce for the Collaborative Manufacturing 
     Research Pilot Grants program under section 33 of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology Act--
       (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (c) Fellowships.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing Fellowships at 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology under 
     section 18(b) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act, as added by section 3 of this Act--
       (1) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (2) $1,750,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.

     SEC. 6. TECHNICAL WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Director of the National Science Foundation, from sums 
     otherwise authorized to be appropriated, for the programs 
     established under section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced-
     Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i)--
       (A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $5,000,000 of which 
     may be used to support the education and preparation of 
     manufacturing technicians for certification;
       (B) $57,750,000 for fiscal year 2007, $5,000,000 of which 
     may be used to support the education and preparation of 
     manufacturing technicians for certification; and
       (C) $60,600,000 for fiscal year 2008, $5,000,000 of which 
     may be used to support the education and preparation of 
     manufacturing technicians for certification.
       (2) Distribution.--Funds appropriated under this subsection 
     shall be made available, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     to diverse institutions, including historically Black 
     colleges and universities and other minority-serving 
     institutions.
       (b) Amendments.--Section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced-
     Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i) is amended--
       (1) in subsections (a)(1) and (c)(2), by inserting ``, 
     including manufacturing,'' after ``advanced-technology 
     fields''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, including manufacturing'' after 
     ``advanced-technology fields'' each place the term appears, 
     other than in subsections (a)(1) and (c)(2).

     SEC. 7. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

       (a) Laboratory Activities.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the scientific 
     and technical research and services laboratory activities of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $426,267,000 for fiscal year 2006, of which--
       (A) $50,833,000 shall be for Electronics and Electrical 
     Engineering;
       (B) $28,023,000 shall be for Manufacturing Engineering;
       (C) $52,433,000 shall be for Chemical Science and 
     Technology;
       (D) $46,706,000 shall be for Physics;
       (E) $33,500,000 shall be for Material Science and 
     Engineering;
       (F) $24,321,000 shall be for Building and Fire Research;
       (G) $68,423,000 shall be for Computer Science and Applied 
     Mathematics;
       (H) $20,134,000 shall be for Technical Assistance;
       (I) $48,326,000 shall be for Research Support Activities;
       (J) $29,369,000 shall be for the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research; and
       (K) $18,543,000 shall be for the National Nanomanufacturing 
     and Nanometrology Facility;
       (2) $447,580,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $456,979,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (b) Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program.--There 
     are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award 
     program under section 17 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a)--
       (1) $5,654,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (2) $5,795,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $5,939,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (c) Construction and Maintenance.--There are authorized to 
     be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for construction 
     and maintenance of facilities of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology--
       (1) $58,898,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (2) $61,843,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $63,389,000 for fiscal year 2008.

[[Page S13802]]

     SEC. 8. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     Advanced Technology Program under section 28 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) 
     $140,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
       (b) Report on Elimination.--Not later than 3 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress a report detailing the impacts of the possible 
     elimination of the Advanced Technology Program on the 
     laboratory programs at the National Institute of Standards 
     Technology.
       (c) Loss of Funding.--At the time of the President's budget 
     request for fiscal year 2007, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report on how the Department of Commerce plans to 
     absorb the loss of Advanced Technology Program funds to the 
     laboratory programs at the National Institute of Standards 
     and Technology, or otherwise mitigate the effects of this 
     loss on its programs and personnel.

     SEC. 9. STANDARDS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Program Authorized.--(1) As part of the Teacher Science 
     and Technology Enhancement Institute Program, the Director of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall 
     carry out a Standards Education program to award grants to 
     institutions of higher education to support efforts by such 
     institutions to develop curricula on the role of standards in 
     the fields of engineering, business, science, and economics. 
     The curricula should address topics such as--
       (A) development of technical standards;
       (B) demonstrating conformity to standards;
       (C) intellectual property and antitrust issues;
       (D) standardization as a key element of business strategy;
       (E) survey of organizations that develop standards;
       (F) the standards life cycle;
       (G) case studies in effective standardization;
       (H) managing standardization activities; and
       (I) managing organizations that develop standards.
       (2) Grants shall be awarded under this section on a 
     competitive, merit-reviewed basis and shall require cost-
     sharing from non-Federal sources.
       (b) Selection Process.--(1) An institution of higher 
     education seeking funding 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. The 
     application shall include at a minimum--
       (A) a description of the content and schedule for adoption 
     of the proposed curricula in the courses of study offered by 
     the applicant; and
       (B) a description of the source and amount of cost-sharing 
     to be provided.
       (2) In evaluating the applications submitted under 
     paragraph (1) the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
       (A) the level of commitment demonstrated by the applicant 
     in carrying out and sustaining lasting curricula changes in 
     accordance with subsection (a)(1); and
       (B) the amount of cost-sharing provided.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the 
     Teacher Science and Technology Enhancement Institute program 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $773,000 for fiscal year 2006;
       (2) $796,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
       (3) $820,000 for fiscal year 2008.
                                 ______