,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #biif ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,august #b1 #bjac ,mr4 ,reed 7for himself and ,mr4 ,kennedy7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,appropriations1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,secretary of ,commerce to establish the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,revitalize ,american ,manufacturing and ,innovation ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,in #bjaa1 manufacturing contributed #a1hjj1jjj1jjj1jjj to the ,nation's economy and accounted for #dg percent of all ,united ,states exports4 7#b7 ,if ranked as its own country1 the ,united ,states manufacturing sector would be the #ajth largest economy in the world4 7#c7 ,american manufacturers employ more than #aa1jjj1jjj1jjj ,americans in jobs with wages and benefits that are one-third higher than the wages and benefits in other sectors4 7#d7 ,manufacturing has the highest multiplier effect1 with every dollar in final sales of manufactured products resulting in #a4cd in output from other sectors4 7#e7 ,as the source of nearly one-third of the ,united ,states investment in research and development manufacturing1 firms drive innovation in the ,united ,states4 7#f7 ,countries such as ,korea1 ,japan1 and ,germany have a larger share of the advanced manufacturing sector than the ,united ,states4 ,each of these countries has a positive trade balance in advanced manufacturing products4 ,in contrast1 the ,united ,states had an #ha1jjj1jjj1jjj trade deficit in #bjaj4 7#g7 ,the ,united ,states share of research and development spending dropped from #dc4a percent in #aiih to #cg4c percent in #bjjh1 while ,china's share of research and development spending increased from #c percent to #aa4d percent during the same period4 7#h7 ,according to a survey by the ,council on ,competitiveness1 chief executive officers view the quality and availability of scientists1 researchers1 and engineers and the quality and availability of skilled production workers as the first and second most important drivers of competitiveness4 7#i7 ,according to the ,organization for ,economic ,co-,operation and ,development1 the ,united ,states ranked #bgth out of #bi developed countries in the percentage of students who earned bachelor's degrees in science and engineering in #bjji4 7#aj7 ,colleges in ,china and ,india award more #d-year engineering bachelor's degrees than ,united ,states colleges4 #c4 ,establishment of ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bga et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #cd as section #ce2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cc 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghr7 the following3 #cd4 ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation 7a7 ,establishment of ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,commerce shall establish within the ,institute a program to be known as the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,program74 7#b7 ,purposes of program ,the purposes of the ,program are-- 7,a7 to improve the competitiveness of ,united ,states manufacturing and to increase domestic production2 7,b7 to stimulate ,united ,states leadership in advanced manufacturing research1 innovation1 and technology2 7,c7 to facilitate the transition of innovative technologies into scalable1 cost-effective1 and high-performing manufacturing capabilities2 7,d7 to facilitate access by manufacturing enterprises to capital-intensive infrastructure1 including high-performance computing1 in order to improve the speed with which such enterprises commercialize new processes and technologies2 7,e7 to accelerate the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce2 7,f7 to facilitate peer exchange of and the documentation of best practices in addressing advanced manufacturing challenges2 and 7,g7 to leverage non-,federal sources of support to promote a stable and sustainable business model without the need for long-term ,federal funding4 7#c7 ,support ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall carry out the purposes set forth in paragraph 7#b7 by supporting-- 7,a7 the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation established under subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 the establishment of centers for manufacturing innovation4 7#d7 ,director ,the ,secretary shall carry out the ,program through the ,director4 7b7 ,establishment of ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation 7#a7 ,in general ,as part of the ,program1 the ,secretary of ,commerce shall establish a network of centers for manufacturing innovation4 7#b7 ,designation ,the network established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be known as the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation 7referred to in this section as the ,network74 7c7 ,centers for manufacturing innovation 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 a center for manufacturing innovation is a center that-- 7,a7 has been established by a person to address challenges in advanced manufacturing and to assist manufacturers in retaining or expanding industrial production and jobs in the ,united ,states2 7,b7 has a predominant focus on a manufacturing process1 novel material1 enabling technology1 supply chain integration methodology1 or another relevant aspect of advanced manufacturing1 as determined by the ,secretary1 with the potential-- 7i7 to improve the competitiveness of ,united ,states manufacturing2 7ii7 to accelerate investment in advanced manufacturing production capacity in the ,united ,states2 and 7iii7 to enable the commercial application of new technologies or industry-wide manufacturing processes2 and 7,c7 includes active participation among representatives from multiple industrial entities1 research universities1 community colleges1 and such other entities as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 which may include career and technical education schools1 ,federal laboratories1 ,state1 local1 and tribal governments1 businesses1 educational institutions1 and nonprofit organizations4 7#b7 ,activities ,activities of a center for manufacturing innovation may include the following3 7,a7 ,research1 development1 and demonstration projects1 including proof-of-concept development and prototyping1 to reduce the cost1 time1 and risk of commercializing new technologies and improvements in existing technologies1 processes1 products1 and research and development of materials to solve pre-competitive industrial problems with economic or national security implications4 7,b7 ,development and implementation of education and training courses1 materials1 and programs4 7,c7 ,development of innovative methodologies and practices for supply chain integration and introduction of new technologies into supply chains4 7,d7 ,outreach and engagement with small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises1 in addition to large manufacturing enterprises4 7,e7 ,such other activities as the ,secretary1 in consultation with ,federal departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing1 considers consistent with the purposes described in subsection 7a77#b74 7#c7 ,additional centers for manufacturing innovation ,the ,national ,additive ,manufacturing ,innovation ,institute and pending manufacturing centers under interagency review shall be considered centers for manufacturing innovation4 7d7 ,financial assistance ,to establish and support centers for manufacturing innovation 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the ,program1 the ,secretary of ,commerce shall award financial assistance to a person to assist the person in planning1 establishing1 or supporting a center for manufacturing innovation4 7#b7 ,application ,a person seeking financial assistance under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the ,secretary an application therefor at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,open process ,in soliciting applications for financial assistance under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall ensure an open process that will allow for the consideration of all applications relevant to advanced manufacturing regardless of technology area4 7#d7 ,selection 7,a7 ,competitive1 merit review ,in awarding financial assistance under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall use a competitive1 merit review process4 7,b7 ,collaboration ,in awarding financial assistance under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall1 acting through the ,national ,program ,office established under subsection 7e77#a71 collaborate with ,federal departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing4 7,c7 ,considerations ,in selecting a person who submitted an application under paragraph 7#b7 for an award of financial assistance under paragraph 7#a7 the ,secretary shall consider1 at a minimum1 the following3 7i7 ,the potential of the center for manufacturing innovation to advance domestic manufacturing and the likelihood of economic impact in the predominant focus areas of the center for manufacturing innovation4 7ii7 ,the commitment of continued financial support1 advice1 participation1 and other contributions from non-,federal sources1 to provide leverage and resources to promote a stable and sustainable business model without the need for long-term ,federal funding4 7iii7 ,how the center for manufacturing innovation will engage with small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises1 to improve the capacity of such enterprises to commercialize new processes and technologies4 7iv7 ,how the center for manufacturing innovation will carry out educational and workforce activities that meet industrial needs related to the predominant focus areas of the center for manufacturing innovation4 7v7 ,how the center for manufacturing innovation will advance economic competitiveness4 7vi7 ,how the center for manufacturing innovation will strengthen and leverage the assets of a region4 7#e7 ,limitation on period for awards ,no award of financial assistance may be made under paragraph 7#a7 to a center of manufacturing innovation after the #g-year period beginning on the date on which the ,secretary first awards financial assistance to a center under such paragraph4 7e7 ,national ,program ,office 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,commerce shall establish1 within the ,institute1 the ,national ,office of the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,national ,program ,office71 which shall oversee and carry out the ,program4 7#b7 ,functions ,the functions of the ,national ,program ,office are-- 7,a7 to oversee the planning1 management1 and coordination of the ,program2 7,b7 to enter into memorandums of understanding with ,federal departments and agencies1 whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing1 to carry out the purposes described in subsection 7a77#b72 7,c7 to develop1 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of the ,revitalize ,american ,manufacturing and ,innovation ,act of #bjac1 and update not less frequently than once every #c years thereafter1 a strategic plan to guide the ,program2 7,d7 to establish such procedures1 processes1 and criteria as may be necessary and appropriate to maximize cooperation and coordinate of the activities of the ,program with programs and activities of other ,federal departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing2 7,e7 to establish a clearinghouse of public information related to the activities of the ,program2 and 7,f7 to act as a convener of the ,network4 7#c7 ,recommendations ,in developing and updating the strategic plan under paragraph 7#b77;,c71 the ,secretary shall solicit recommendations and advice from a wide range of stakeholders1 including industry1 small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises1 research universities1 community colleges1 and other relevant organizations and institutions4 7#d7 ,report to congress ,the ,secretary shall transmit the strategic plan required under paragraph 7#b77;,c7 to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#e7 ,hollings ,manufacturing ,extension ,partnership ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,national ,program ,office incorporates the ,hollings ,manufacturing ,extension ,partnership into ,program planning to ensure that the results of the ,program reach small- and medium-sized entities4 7#f7 ,detailees ,any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,national ,program ,office without reimbursement4 ,such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 7f7 ,reporting and auditing 7#a7 ,annual reports to the ,secretary 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,commerce shall require recipients of financial assistance under subsection 7d77#a7 to annually submit a report to the ,secretary that describes the finances and performance of the center for manufacturing innovation for which such assistance was awarded4 7,b7 ,elements ,each report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 an accounting of expenditures of amounts awarded to the recipient under subsection 7d77#a72 and 7ii7 a description of the performance of the center for manufacturing innovation with respect to-- 7,i7 its goals1 plans1 financial support1 and accomplishments2 and 7,,ii7 how the center for manufacturing innovation has furthered the purposes described in subsection 7a77#b74 7#b7 ,annual reports to ,congress 7,a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that describes the performance of the ,program during the most recent #a-year period4 7,b7 ,elements ,each report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include1 for the period covered by the report-- 7i7 a summary and assessment of the reports received by the ,secretary under paragraph 7#a72 7ii7 an accounting of the funds expended by the ,secretary under the ,program2 and 7iii7 an assessment of the ,program with respect to the purposes described in subsection 7a77#b74 7#c7 ,triennial assessment by ,,gao 7,a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once every #c years1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress an assessment of the operation of the ,program during the most recent #c-year period4 7,b7 ,elements ,each assessment submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include1 for the period covered by the report-- 7i7 a review of the management1 coordination1 and industry utility of the ,program2 7ii7 an assessment of the extent to which the ,program has furthered the purposes described in subsection 7a77#b72 and 7iii7 such recommendations for legislative and administrative action as the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate to improve the ,program4 7g7 ,additional authorities 7#a7 ,appointment of personnel and contracts ,the ,secretary of ,commerce may appoint such personnel and enter into such contracts1 financial assistance agreements1 and other agreements as the ,secretary considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the ,program including support for research and development activities involving a center for manufacturing innovation4 7#b7 ,transfer of funds ,the ,secretary may transfer to other ,federal agencies such sums as the ,secretary considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the ,program4 7#c7 ,authority of other agencies ,in the event that the ,secretary exercises the authority to transfer funds to another agency under paragraph 7#b71 such agency may award and administer all aspects of financial assistance awards under this section4 7#d7 ,use of resources ,in furtherance of the purposes of the ,program1 the ,secretary may use1 with the consent of a covered entity and with or without reimbursement1 the land1 services1 equipment1 personnel1 and facilities of such covered entity4 7#e7 ,acceptance of resources ,in addition to amounts appropriated to carry out the ,program1 the ,secretary may accept funds1 services1 equipment1 personnel1 and facilities from any covered entity to carry out the ,program4 7#f7 ,covered entity ,for purposes of this subsection1 a covered entity is any ,federal department1 ,federal agency1 instrumentality of the ,united ,states1 ,state1 local government1 tribal government1 ,territory or possession of the ,united ,states1 or of any political subdivision thereof1 or international organization1 or any public or private entity or individual4 7h7 ,patents ,chapter #ah of title #ce1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall not apply if financial assistance is awarded under this section solely for the purpose of planning1 establishing1 or supporting new or existing centers for manufacturing innovation4 7i7 ,funding 7#a7 ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,fund 7,a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states a fund to be known as the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,fund 7referred to in this paragraph as the ,fund74 7,b7 ,elements ,there shall be deposited in the ,fund1 which shall constitute the assets of the ,fund1 amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out the ,program4 7,c7 ,availability ,amounts deposited in the ,fund shall be available to the ,secretary of ,commerce1 at the discretion of the ,secretary1 or the ,secretary's delegee1 to carry out the ,program without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #fjj1jjj1jjj to the ,secretary of ,commerce to carry out this section4 7#c7 ,administrative expenses ,the ,secretary of ,commerce may use not more than #e percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph 7#b7 to pay the salaries1 expenses1 and other administrative costs incurred by the ,secretary under this section4 7#d7 ,rescission ,there is hereby rescinded1 from appropriated discretionary funds that remain available for obligation as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 #fjj1jjj1jjj4 4