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Managing America: Authorizations

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Week Ending May 4, 2006

H.R.1868 To authorize appropriations for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and for other purposes.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology maintains the national standards of measurements and sets standards for many of society’s technologies such as standardizing the thread on light bulbs to ensure they all fit the same outlet or making sure that all CD players function at the same speed. NIST was established in 1901 to assist industry in developing and improving technology, assure product liability and to aid in preparing new scientific inventions for the commercial market. By next fiscal year the NIST Director shall provide to Congress a three year plan for NIST with an emphasis on scientific and technical research and services, industrial services and construction of research facilities. The Manufacturing Extension partnership program is continued with an advisory board to provide advice on the MEP programs and their soundness and produce a report to Congress on the MEP status. The Institute a Technology Innovation Program is established to help businesses produce high-risk technologies. Several fellowship programs aimed at increasing study of manufacturing sciences and new technologies are created

The NIST MEP program lends technological and other advice and provides grants to small manufacturing businesses. The Board will institute a competitiveness program to urge attention to and solutions for projects related to the MEP program including supply chain integrations and quality management. Awards would be granted for projects that utilize innovative or collaborative approaches to the problem, improve competitiveness, contribute to long-term, regional economic stability. No matching contribution is due such awards.

The Institute Technology Innovation Program would assist US businesses and academia in accelerating the development and application of challenging, high-risk technologies that promise widespread economic benefits. The ITIP will have an advisory board of 10 members with at least seven from US technical industry.  The projects are also considered high-payoff. Eligible small businesses would be small and medium sized involved in R & D and joint ventures. Single grants may be up to $3 million over three years with a federal share of no more than 50%. Joint venture grants range to $9 million over five years with a 50% federal share. Intellectual property rights will remain with the grantee and partners if any until expiration of the first patent on the project. Up to 1.5% per annum is set aside funds for research fellowships.

The advisory board will give the NIST Director advice on programs. Plans and policies, review the Innovation Program efforts to assess economic impact, report on general health of the program recommend what innovations to be pursued.

The bill establishes the Collaborative Manufacturing Research Pilot grants program to include one manufacturing partner and one non-industry partner for the purpose of inspiring cost-sharing and multidisciplinary efforts. Funds may only cover one third of the partnership expenses. Also established is the Manufacturing Fellowship Program to award postdoctoral research fellowships related to manufacturing sciences and senior research fellowships to established researchers in industry or academia who want to pursue studies relating to manufacturing sciences at the Institute.

Amendments below....

Sponsor:  Rep. David Wu (D-OR-1^st)

Vote: Passed House 385 to 23 May 3, 2007 (RC 301). The motion to recommit the bill with instructions failed 190 to 216 May 3, 2007 (RC 300)

Cost to the taxpayers: (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) $470,879,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(2) $497,750,000 for fiscal year 2009; and

(3) $537,569,000 for fiscal year 2010.

(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) $7,860,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(2) $8,096,000 for fiscal year 2009; and

(3) $8,339,000 for fiscal year 2010.

(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) $93,865,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(2) $86,371,000 for fiscal year 2009; and

(3) $49,719,000 for fiscal year 2010.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for Industrial Technology Services activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology--

(1) $222,968,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which--

(A) $110,000,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and

(B) $112,968,000 shall be 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), of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act;

(2) $263,505,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which--

(A) $141,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and

(B) $122,005,000 shall be 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), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; and

(3) $282,266,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which--

(A) $150,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation Program under section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and

(B) $131,766,000 shall be 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), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act.

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