[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6302-S6303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PRYOR (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Warner):
  S. 1425. A bill to enhance the defense nanotechnology research and 
development program; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senator 
Collins from Maine and Senator Warner from Virginia to introduce 
legislation to strengthen the Department of Defense nanotechnology 
initiative. I greatly appreciate their strong leadership on this issue 
and their understanding of the importance of how the development of 
nanotechnology will impact our armed forces in the future.
  This bill, the Defense Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 
2007, sustains the Department's nanotechnology research and development 
program while at the same time transitioning the technologies developed 
into products that can enhance the United States military capability.
  The Department of Defense has done a tremendous job conducting 
nanotechnology research and development. Examples of this 
nanotechnology research include improved energy absorbing body armor, 
lightweight batteries, and novel chemical and biological sensor. I 
believe now is the time to start the transition of this research into 
new technologies and products to protect our military personnel and 
enhance our war fighting capability.
  The Department of Defense has a long history of successfully 
supporting innovative nanotechnology research efforts for the future 
advancement of the war fighter and battle systems. Congress established 
the defense nanotechnology research program Section 246 of the Bob 
Stump National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2003, Public 
Law 107-314, which this bill updates and enhances. Section 246 requires 
the Secretary of Defense to carry out a defense nanotechnology research 
and development program in coordination with other Federal agencies 
performing nanotechnology research and development activities 
established by the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development 
Act, Public Law 108-153. The investment strategy described in the 
National Nanotechnology Initiative, or NNI, Strategic Plan identifies 
and defines 7 major subject categories, or program component areas, 
relating to areas of investment that are critical to accomplishing the 
overall goals of the NNI. The Department of Defense has organized its 
nanotechnology research to align with these 7 program component areas 
and each year since 2004 has submitted to Congress an annual report on 
the nanotechnology programs within the Department of Defense.
  This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to act through the Under 
Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, who shall 
supervise the planning, management, and coordination of the program. We 
believe this office can best achieve the goals of maintaining a state-
of-the-art research and development program while simultaneously 
accomplishing technology transition. The bill directs the Department to 
coordinate all nanoscale research and development within the Department 
of Defense with other departments and agencies of the United States 
that are involved in the NNI and with the National Nanotechnology 
Coordination Office, NNCO, including providing appropriate funds to 
support the NNCO. The bill also directs the Department to develop a 
strategic plan for defense nanotechnology research and development that 
integrates with the NNI strategic plan, issue policy guidance each year 
to the defense agencies and services that prioritizes the Program's 
research initiatives, state a clear strategy for transitioning the 
research into products needed by the Department of Defense, and develop 
a plan to transition nanoscale research and development within the 
Department of Defense, including the Small Business Innovative Research 
and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, to the 
Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology program.

  Finally, the bill requires the Department to submit a biennial report 
to the congressional defense committees describing the Department's 
coordination with the other departments and agencies participating in 
the NNI, a review of the findings relating to the Department by the NNI 
triennial external review, an assessment of the Department's technology 
transition from research to enhanced war fighting capability, an 
evaluation of nanotechnology used in foreign defense systems, and an 
appraisal of the defense nanotechnology manufacturing and industrial 
base. Because there is a need for metrics and goals to ensure that the 
Department's nanotechnology program is well structured and successfully 
developing needed defense technologies, the bill requires a review by 
the Government Accountability Office of the overall Department 
nanotechnology program.
  Nanotechnology is one of the next great scientific frontiers with the 
potential to enable novel applications that can enhance war fighting 
and battle system capabilities. I am proud to say that in Arkansas 
several universities including the University of Arkansas, the 
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Arkansas State University 
are performing research and technology development in support of the 
Department of Defense nanotechnology program. One example of particular 
note is the Center for Ferroelectric Electronic-Photonic Nanodevices 
that is developing new nanomagnetic devices for high performance 
information and communication technology. Our Arkansas small businesses 
are also contributing to the defense nanotechnology industrial base by 
developing novel nanoscale materials, devices, and products.
  I am very excited by the future nanotechnology holds for Arkansas and 
the United States. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee I 
look forward to working to strengthen the Department of Defense 
nanotechnology program.

[[Page S6303]]

  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1425

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

     SECTION 1. ENHANCEMENT OF DEFENSE NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) Program Purposes.--Subsection (b) of section 246 of the 
     Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2003 (Public Law 107-314; 116 Stat. 2500; 10 U.S.C. 2358 
     note) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in nanoscale research 
     and development'' and inserting ``in the National 
     Nanotechnology Initiative and with the National 
     Nanotechnology Coordination Office under section 3 of the 
     21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 
     U.S.C. 7502)''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``portfolio of 
     fundamental and applied nanoscience and engineering research 
     initiatives'' and inserting ``portfolio of nanotechnology 
     research and development initiatives''.
       (b) Program Administration.--
       (1) Administration through under secretary of defense for 
     acquisition, technology, and logistics.--Subsection (c) of 
     such section is amended--
       (A) by striking ``the Director of Defense Research and 
     Engineering'' and inserting ``the Under Secretary of Defense 
     for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics''; and
       (B) by striking ``The Director'' and inserting ``The Under 
     Secretary''.
       (2) Other administrative matters.--Such subsection is 
     further amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the Department's 
     increased investment in nanotechnology and the National 
     Nanotechnology Initiative; and'' and inserting ``investments 
     by the Department and other departments and agencies 
     participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 
     nanotechnology research and development;'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) oversee interagency coordination of the program with 
     other departments and agencies participating in the National 
     Nanotechnology Initiative, including providing appropriate 
     funds to support the National Nanotechnology Coordination 
     Office.''.
       (c) Program Activities.--Such section is further amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (d); and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection (d):
       ``(d) Activities.--Activities under the program shall 
     include the following:
       ``(1) The development of a strategic plan for defense 
     nanotechnology research and development that is integrated 
     with the strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology 
     Initiative.
       ``(2) The issuance on an annual basis of policy guidance to 
     the military departments and the Defense Agencies that--
       ``(A) establishes research priorities under the program;
       ``(B) provides for the determination and documentation of 
     the benefits to the Department of Defense of research under 
     the program; and
       ``(C) sets forth a clear strategy for transitioning the 
     research into products needed by the Department.
       ``(3) Advocating for the transition of nanotechnologies in 
     defense acquisition programs, including the development of 
     nanomanufacturing capabilities and a nanotechnology defense 
     industrial base.''.
       (d) Reports.--Such section is further amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Reports.--(1) Not later than March 1 of each of 2009, 
     2011, and 2013, the Under Secretary of Defense for 
     Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall submit to the 
     congressional defense committees a report on the program.
       ``(2) Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the 
     following:
       ``(A) A review of--
       ``(i) the long-term challenges and specific technical goals 
     of the program; and
       ``(ii) the progress made toward meeting such challenges and 
     achieving such goals.
       ``(B) An assessment of current and proposed funding levels 
     for the program, including an assessment of the adequacy of 
     such funding levels to support program activities.
       ``(C) A review of the coordination of activities under the 
     program within the Department of Defense, with other 
     departments and agencies of the United States, and with the 
     National Nanotechnology Initiative.
       ``(D) A review and analysis of the findings and 
     recommendations relating to the Department of Defense of the 
     most recent triennial external review of the National 
     Nanotechnology Program under section 5 of the 21st Century 
     Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 1704), 
     and a description of initiatives of the Department to 
     implement such recommendations.
       ``(E) An assessment of technology transition from 
     nanotechnology research and development to enhanced 
     warfighting capabilities, including contributions from the 
     Department of Defense Small Business Innovative Research and 
     Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and the 
     Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology program, and 
     an identification of acquisition programs and deployed 
     defense systems that are incorporating nanotechnologies.
       ``(F) An assessment of global nanotechnology research and 
     development in areas of interest to the Department, including 
     an identification of the use of nanotechnologies in any 
     foreign defense systems.
       ``(G) An assessment of the defense nanotechnology 
     manufacturing and industrial base and its capability to meet 
     the near and far term requirements of the Department.
       ``(H) Such recommendations for additional activities under 
     the program to meet emerging national security requirements 
     as the Under Secretary considers appropriate.
       ``(3) Each report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in 
     unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.''.
       (e) Comptroller General Report on Program.--Not later than 
     March 31, 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report 
     setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of 
     the progress made by the Department of Defense in achieving 
     the purposes of the defense nanotechnology research and 
     development program required by section 246 of the Bob Stump 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (as 
     amended by this section).
                                 ______