[House Report 118-209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
118th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 118-209
======================================================================
DOE AND NSF INTERAGENCY RESEARCH ACT
_______
September 21, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2980]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 2980) to provide for Department of
Energy and National Science Foundation research and development
coordination, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and
recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Legislative History.............................................. 4
Section-by-Section............................................... 4
Related Committee Hearings....................................... 4
Committee Consideration.......................................... 5
Roll Call Votes.................................................. 5
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch..................... 7
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the
Committee...................................................... 7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 7
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 7
Federal Advisory Committee Act................................... 7
Unfunded Mandate Statement....................................... 7
Earmark Identification........................................... 7
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 7
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 8
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 8
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``DOE and NSF Interagency Research
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to
as the ``Secretary'') and the Director of the National Science
Foundation (in this section referred to as the ``Director'') shall
carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development
activities focused on the joint advancement of Department of Energy and
National Science Foundation mission requirements and priorities.
(b) Memorandum of Understanding.--The Secretary and the Director
shall coordinate the activities under subsection (a) through the
establishment of a memorandum of understanding, or other appropriate
interagency agreement. Such memorandum or agreement, as the case may
be, shall require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process,
which considers applications from Federal agencies, National
Laboratories, institutions of higher education, non-profit
institutions, and other appropriate entities.
(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities under subsection
(a), the Secretary and the Director may--
(1) conduct collaborative research in a variety of focus
areas, such as--
(A) basic plasma science and engineering, including
applications in astrophysics, materials science, fusion
science, and accelerator science;
(B) fundamental biological and computational science
and engineering, including computational neuroscience
and neuromorphic computing, including in collaboration
with the program authorized under section 306 of the
Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (42
U.S.C. 18644);
(C) modeling and simulation, machine learning,
artificial intelligence, data assimilation, large-scale
data analytics, predictive analysis, and advanced
computational, storage, and networking capabilities in
order to optimize algorithms for purposes related to
energy and climate;
(D) quantum information sciences, including quantum
computing and quantum network infrastructure, including
in collaboration with the programs authorized under
sections 403 and 404 of the National Quantum Initiative
Act (15 U.S.C. 8853 and 8854);
(E) energy and materials science and engineering,
including artificial photosynthesis, plasma, solar
fuels, and fusion, including in collaboration with the
programs authorized under sections 303 and 307 of the
Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (42
U.S.C. 18641 and 18645), and section 973 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16313);
(F) advanced manufacturing technologies, including
efficient storage systems and alternatives to high-
temperature processing, for the purposes of optimizing
energy consumption, including in collaboration with the
program authorized under section 975 of the Department
of Energy Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C.
16315);
(G) microelectronics, including novel chip
architectures, memory systems, and interconnects; and
(H) advanced physics, including high energy and
particle physics, accelerator research and development,
and high performance computational tools, including in
collaboration with the programs authorized under
section 303 of the Department of Energy Research and
Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18641);
(2) promote collaboration, open community-based development,
and data and information sharing between Federal agencies,
National Laboratories, institutions of higher education,
nonprofit institutions, and other appropriate entities by
providing the necessary access and secure data and information
transfer capabilities;
(3) support research infrastructure, including new facilities
and equipment, as the Secretary and Director determine
necessary; and
(4) organize education, training, and research initiatives
relating to STEM education and workforce development,
including--
(A) internships, fellowships, and other research or
work-based learning opportunities;
(B) educational programming for students at all
levels, especially experiential and project-based
learning opportunities; and
(C) professional development opportunities for
educators and researchers.
(d) Agreements.--In carrying out the activities under subsection (a),
the Secretary and the Director are authorized to--
(1) carry out reimbursable agreements between the Department
of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and other entities
in order to maximize the effectiveness of research and
development; and
(2) collaborate with other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
(e) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment
of this section, the Secretary and the Director shall submit to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report detailing the following:
(1) Interagency coordination between each Federal agency
involved in the research and development activities carried out
under this section.
(2) Potential opportunities to expand the technical
capabilities of the Department of Energy and the National
Science Foundation.
(3) Collaborative research achievements.
(4) Areas of future mutually beneficial successes.
(5) Continuation of coordination activities between the
Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
(f) Research Security.--The activities authorized under this section
shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of
the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted
as division B of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C.
19231 et seq.)).
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
The purpose of this bill is to authorize the longstanding
research partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). H.R. 2980
directs DOE and NSF to carry out cross-cutting and
collaborative research and development activities focused on
the joint advancement of DOE and NSF mission requirements and
priorities, through a memorandum of understanding or other
appropriate interagency agreement. It also directs the
Secretary and Director to submit a report to Congress on these
activities.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The DOE's Office of Science is the nation's largest federal
sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences, addressing
mission-critical challenges through innovative science
discovery and advanced technology development. The Office
operates ten of DOE's world-leading national laboratories,
manages 29 national scientific user facilities, and supports
25,000 researchers from industry, universities, national
laboratories, and other federal agencies.
NSF makes up approximately 25% of all federally supported
academic basic research in all fields of science and
engineering, except the medical sciences. NSF supports
scientists, engineers, and educators through over 11,000 awards
to approximately 2,000 universities and colleges. Similarly,
NSF funds facilities construction and equipment acquisition
such as telescopes, through cooperative agreements with various
agencies, individual organizations, and consortia.
Both agencies share a common goal to advance U.S.
leadership science and technology research and development. The
DOE and NSF have established joint coordination activities,
programs, and collaborations to maximize impacts by leveraging
each other's investments in research. Working together on
future challenges, these agencies can improve the fields of
advanced physics, fusion science, biological and computational
science and engineering, artificial intelligence, quantum
information sciences, advanced manufacturing technologies,
microelectronics, among many others.
As international competition grows and new opportunities
for government-wide coordination and collaboration emerge,
there is a need to strengthen these types of interagency
research partnerships and preserve them for the next
generation. This legislation would codify the essential
research partnership between DOE and NSF, allowing both
agencies to extend their collaboration within a well-vetted
framework of scientific and engineering fields, education and
workforce development, and infrastructure maintenance.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
On April 27, 2023, Rep. Haley Stevens and Rep. James Baird
introduced H.R. 2980, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act.
Additional cosponsors include Mr. Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
On June 15, 2023, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met to consider H.R. 2980. Chairman Lucas moved that
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 2980, as amended, to
the House of Representatives, with the recommendation that the
bill be approved. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 29-0.
SECTION-BY-SECTION
Section 1. Short title
The short title of this legislation is ``DOE and NSF
Interagency Research Act''.
Section 2. Department of Energy and National Science Foundation
Research and Development Coordination
This section directs the Secretary of Energy and the
Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out cross-
cutting and collaborative research and development activities
focused on the joint advancement DOE and USDA mission
requirements and priorities, through a memorandum of
understanding or the appropriate interagency agreement. Directs
the Secretary and Director to, in carrying out these
activities, conduct collaborative research over a range of
focus areas; provide access and secure data and information
transfer capabilities to promote collaboration, open community-
based development and data and information sharing between
Federal agencies, National Laboratories, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit institutions, and other entities; support
research infrastructure; and organize education, training and
research initiatives relating to STEM education and workforce
development. Requires the Secretary and Director to submit to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, a report detailing coordination
activities carried out under this section, collaborative
research achievements, and potential opportunities to expand
technical capabilities, among other areas. Requires that the
activities authorized under this section be applied in a manner
consistent with the research security provisions under subtitle
D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (enacted as division B of the CHIPS Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.)).
RELATED COMMITTEE HEARINGS
On March 8, 2023, Chairman Frank Lucas presiding, the House
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing
titled, ``Innovation through Collaboration: The Department of
Energy's Role in the U.S. Research Ecosystem'' to examine the
role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the federal
research enterprise by exploring interagency research
partnerships between DOE and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among
others.
Witnesses:
Dr. Harriet Kung, Deputy Director for
Science Programs in the Office of Science, the U.S.
Department of Energy
Mr. James L. Reuter, Associate Administrator
for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dr. Michael C. Morgan, Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Environmental Observation and
Prediction, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Dr. Sean L. Jones, Assistant Director for
the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
the National Science Foundation
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On June 15, 2023, the Committee met in open session and
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 2980, as amended, by
a recorded vote of 29 yeas to 0 nays, a quorum being present.
Two amendments to H.R. 2980 were proposed by Rep. Bowman
(D-NY). The first sought to include hardware and networking in
research on optimizing algorithms; the second added language
which is intended to further education, training, research, and
professional development opportunities. Both amendments were
agreed to via voice vote.
ROLL CALL VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the
recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and
amendments thereto. The following reflects the record votes
taken during the Committee consideration:
APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that H.R. 2980 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
STATEMENT OF OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE COMMITTEE
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of H.R.
2980 is to authorize the longstanding research partnership
between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National
Science Foundation (NSF). H.R. 2980 directs DOE and NSF to
carry out crosscutting and collaborative research and
development activities focused on the joint advancement of DOE
and NSF mission requirements and priorities, through a
memorandum of understanding or other appropriate interagency
agreement.
DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that no provision of H.R. 2980 establishes or
reauthorizes a program of the Federal Government known to be
duplicative of another Federal program, including any program
that was included in a report to Congress pursuant to section
21 of Public Law 111-139 or identified in the most recent
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
UNFUNDED MANDATE STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
EARMARK IDENTIFICATION
Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 2980 does not include any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY,
AND TAX EXPENDITURES
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that H.R. 2980 would result in no new or increased budget
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or
revenues.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XII and section 402 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the following cost estimate for H.R. 2980 from the
Director of the Congressional budget Office:
H.R. 2980 would require the Department of Energy (DOE) and
the National Science Foundation (NSF) to collaborate on
research and development activities that focus on a variety of
topics, including plasma science, advanced physics, quantum
information sciences, and advanced manufacturing. In addition,
the bill would require DOE and the NSF to promote data sharing,
support research infrastructure, and organize initiatives for
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and
training. Within two years of enactment, the bill would require
the agencies to report to the Congress on those efforts.
In January 2023, DOE and the NSF entered into a memorandum
of understanding to collaborate on most of the research and
development topics covered under the bill. Based on that
memorandum and information from DOE and the NSF, CBO expects
that the bill's requirements are largely being met under
current law. As a result, CBO estimates that implementing H.R.
2980 would have an insignificant cost, mostly for the report.
Any spending would be subject to the availability of
appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Willow Latham-
Proenca. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
[all]