,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dgbe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #bd1 #bjbj,mr4 ,coons 7for himself and ,mr4 ,cassidy7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to establish programs to facilitate the commercial application of clean energy and related technologies in the ,united ,states4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act of #bjbj4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,,title ,i--,national clean energy technology transfer programs,sec4 #aja4 ,energy ,innovation ,corps ,program4,sec4 #ajb4 ,clean energy technology transfer coordination4,,title ,,ii--,technology development at ,national ,laboratories,sec4 #bja4 ,lab ,partnering ,service ,pilot ,program4,sec4 #bjb4 ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,program4,sec4 #bjc4 ,small business voucher program4,sec4 #bjd4 ,entrepreneurial leave program4,sec4 #bje4 ,outside employment and activities for ,national ,laboratory employees4,,title ,,iii--,department of ,energy modernization,sec4 #cja4 ,management of large demonstration projects4,sec4 #cjb4 ,streamlining prize competitions4,sec4 #cjc4 ,extension of other transaction authority4,sec4 #cjd4 ,milestone-based demonstration projects4,sec4 #cje4 ,cost-sharing4,sec4 #cjf4 ,special hiring authority for scientific1 engineering1 and project management personnel4,,title ,,iv--,reports,sec4 #dja4 ,updated technology transfer execution plan report4,sec4 #djb4 ,report on short- and long-term metrics4,sec4 #djc4 ,report on technology transfer gaps4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,clean energy technology ,the term clean energy technology means a technology that1 as determined by the ,secretary1 significantly-- 7,a7 reduces energy use2 7,b7 increases energy efficiency2 7,c7 reduces greenhouse gas emissions2 7,d7 reduces emissions of other pollutants2 or 7,e7 mitigates other negative environmental consequences4 7#b7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,energy4 7#c7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#d7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 ,i ,national clean energy technology transfer programs #aja4 ,energy ,innovation ,corps ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible participant ,the term eligible participant means-- 7,a7 an employee of a ,national ,laboratory2 7,b7 a researcher2 7,c7 a student2 and 7,d7 a clean energy entrepreneur1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary1 acting through the ,technology ,transfer ,coordinator appointed under section #ajja7;a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;a774 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall carry out a program1 to be known as the ,energy ,innovation ,corps ,program 7referred to in this section as ,energy ,i-,corps71 to support entrepreneurial and commercial application education1 training1 professional development1 and mentorship4 7c7 ,purposes ,the purposes of ,energy ,i-,corps are-- 7#a7 to help eligible participants develop entrepreneurial skills2 and 7#b7 to accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies4 7d7 ,activities ,in carrying out ,energy ,i-,corps1 the ,secretary shall support1 including through grants-- 7#a7 market analysis and customer discovery for clean energy technologies2 7#b7 entrepreneurial and commercial application education1 training1 and mentoring activities1 including workshops1 seminars1 and short courses2 7#c7 engagement with private sector entities to identify future research and development activities2 and 7#d7 any other activities that the ,secretary determines to be relevant to the purposes described in subsection 7c74 7e7 ,state and local partnerships ,in carrying out ,energy ,i-,corps1 the ,secretary may engage in partnerships with ,national ,laboratories1 ,state and local governments1 economic development organizations1 and nonprofit organizations to broaden access to ,energy ,i-,corps and support activities relevant to the purposes described in subsection 7c74 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out ,energy ,i-,corps-- 7#a7 for eligible participants described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a71 #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe2 and 7#b7 for eligible participants described in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d7 of subsection 7a77#a71 #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 #ajb4 ,clean energy technology transfer coordination 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,technology ,transfer ,coordinator appointed under section #ajja7;a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;a771 shall support the coordination of relevant technology transfer programs1 including programs authorized under this title and section #bjb1 that advance the commercial application of clean energy technologies nationally and across all energy sectors4 7b7 ,activities ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 facilitate the sharing of information on best practices for successful operation of clean energy technology transfer programs2 7#b7 coordinate resources and improve cooperation among clean energy technology transfer programs2 7#c7 organize national platforms or events for showcasing innovative companies and entrepreneurs and promoting networking with prospective investors and partners2 7#d7 facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and startup companies and ,department programs related to clean energy technology transfer2 and 7#e7 facilitate the development of metrics to measure the impact of clean energy technology transfer programs on-- 7,a7 advancing the development1 demonstration1 and commercial application of clean energy technologies2 7,b7 job creation and workforce development1 including in low-income communities2 7,c7 increasing the competitiveness of the ,united ,states in the clean energy sector1 including in manufacturing2 and 7,d7 the advancement of clean energy technology companies led by entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 ,,ii ,technology development at ,national ,laboratories #bja4 ,lab ,partnering ,service ,pilot ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,pilot program ,the term pilot program means the ,lab ,partnering ,service ,pilot ,program established under subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary1 acting through the ,technology ,transfer ,coordinator appointed under section #ajja7;a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;a774 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program1 to be known as the ,lab ,partnering ,service ,pilot ,program-- 7#a7 to provide services that encourage and support partnerships between the ,national ,laboratories and public and private sector entities2 and 7#b7 to improve communication of research1 development1 demonstration1 and commercial application projects and opportunities at the ,national ,laboratories to potential partners4 7c7 ,existing program ,the pilot program may be established within1 or as an expansion of1 an existing ,department program4 7d7 ,activities ,in carrying out the pilot program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 conduct outreach to and engage with relevant public and private sector entities2 7#b7 identify and disseminate best practices for strengthening connections between the ,national ,laboratories and public and private sector entities2 and 7#c7 develop a website to disseminate information on-- 7,a7 different partnering mechanisms for working with the ,national ,laboratories2 7,b7 ,national ,laboratory experts and research areas2 and 7,c7 ,national ,laboratory facilities and user facilities4 7e7 ,coordination ,in carrying out the pilot program1 the ,secretary shall coordinate with the ,directors and dedicated technology transfer staff of the ,national ,laboratories1 with a focus on matchmaking services for individual projects led by the ,national ,laboratories4 7f7 ,metrics ,the ,secretary shall collaborate with program evaluation experts to develop metrics to determine-- 7#a7 the effectiveness of the pilot program in achieving the purposes described in subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 the number and types of partnerships established between public and private sector entities and the ,national ,laboratories compared to historical trends4 7g7 ,funding employee partnering activities ,the ,secretary shall delegate to the ,directors of the ,national ,laboratories the authority to establish1 without regard to title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any regulation issued under that title1 a mechanism for compensating ,national ,laboratory employees providing services under the pilot program4 7h7 ,duration ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the pilot program shall operate for not less than #c years4 7i7 ,evaluation ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the pilot program terminates1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report that-- 7#a7 evaluates the success of the pilot program in achieving the purposes of the pilot program2 and 7#b7 includes an analysis of the performance of the pilot program based on the metrics developed under subsection 7f74 7j7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #c1gjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbc1 of which #a1gjj1jjj for each fiscal year shall be used to carry out subsection 7g74 #bjb4 ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered program ,the term covered program means a lab-embedded entrepreneurship program established or supported by an eligible entity using a grant awarded under the program4 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,b7 a nonprofit organization2 7,c7 an institution of higher education2 and 7,d7 a federally owned corporation4 7#c7 ,entrepreneurial fellow ,the term entrepreneurial fellow means an individual participating in a covered program4 7#d7 ,program ,the term program means the ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,program authorized under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,program ,the ,secretary shall continue the program within the ,office of ,energy ,efficiency and ,renewable ,energy known as the ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,program1 under which the ,secretary1 or a designee of the ,secretary at a ,national ,laboratory1 shall award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing or supporting a covered program4 7c7 ,purpose ,the purpose of a covered program is to provide entrepreneurial fellows with access to ,national ,laboratory research facilities1 expertise1 and mentorship-- 7#a7 to perform research and development2 and 7#b7 to gain expertise that may be required or beneficial for the commercial application of research ideas4 7d7 ,entrepreneurial fellows 7#a7 ,in general ,in participating in a covered program1 an entrepreneurial fellow shall be provided-- 7,a7 by the ,secretary or an eligible entity1 with-- 7i7 opportunities for entrepreneurial training1 professional development1 and networking through exposure to leaders from academia1 industry1 government1 and finance1 who may serve as advisors to or partners of an entrepreneurial fellow2 7ii7 financial and technical support for research1 development1 and commercial application activities2 7iii7 fellowship awards to cover costs of living1 health insurance1 and travel stipends for the duration of the fellowship2 and 7iv7 any other resources determined appropriate by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 by an eligible entity with-- 7i7 access to the facilities and expertise of staff of a ,national ,laboratory2 7ii7 engagement with external stakeholders2 and 7iii7 market and customer development opportunities4 7#b7 ,priority ,in carrying out a covered program1 an eligible entity shall give priority to supporting entrepreneurial fellows with respect to professional development and development of a relevant technology4 7e7 ,metrics ,the ,secretary shall support the development of short-term and long-term metrics to assess the effectiveness of covered programs in achieving the purposes of the program4 7f7 ,coordination2 interagency collaboration ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 oversee the planning and coordination of grants awarded under the program2 and 7#b7 collaborate with other ,federal agencies1 including the ,department of ,defense1 regarding opportunities for ,federal agencies to partner with covered programs4 7g7 ,best practices ,the ,secretary shall identify and disseminate to eligible entities best practices for achieving the purposes of the program4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 #bjc4 ,small business voucher program ,section #ajjc of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcic7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e71 respectively1 and indenting appropriately2 7,b7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 7as so redesignated7-- 7i7 by striking and may require the ,director of a single-purpose research facility and inserting the ,director of each single-purpose research facility1 and the ,director of each covered facility2 and 7ii7 by striking ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,definition of covered facility ,in this subsection1 the term covered facility means a national security laboratory or nuclear weapons production facility 7as those terms are defined in section #djjb of the ,atomic ,energy ,defense ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #beja77 that the ,administrator of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration determines is within the mission of a program established under subsection 7b7 or 7c74 7#b7 ,responsibilities ,the ,secretary 2 and 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b7 7as so designated7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,i7 by striking increase and inserting encourage2 7,,ii7 by striking collaborative research1 and inserting research1 development1 demonstration1 commercial application activities1 including product development12 and 7,,iii7 by striking ,laboratory or single-purpose research facility and inserting ,laboratory1 single-purpose research facility1 or covered facility1 as applicable2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,i7 by striking ,laboratory or single-purpose research facility and inserting ,laboratory1 single-purpose research facility1 or covered facility1 as applicable12 and 7,,ii7 by striking procurement and collaborative research along with and inserting the activities described in subparagraph 7,a7 and2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,i7 by inserting facilities1 before training2 and 7,,ii7 by striking procurement and collaborative research activities and inserting the activities described in subparagraph 7,a72 7iv7 in subparagraph 7,d7 7as so redesignated71 by striking ,laboratory or single-purpose research facility and inserting ,laboratory1 single-purpose research facility1 or covered facility1 as applicable12 and 7v7 in subparagraph 7,e7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,i7 by striking for the program under subsection 7b7 and inserting and metrics for the programs under subsections 7b7 and 7c72 and 7,,ii7 by striking ,laboratory or single-purpose research facility and inserting ,laboratory1 single-purpose research facility1 or covered facility1 as applicable2 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7c7 and 7d7 as subsections 7d7 and 7e71 respectively2 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,small business voucher program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,covered facility ,the term covered facility means a national security laboratory or nuclear weapons production facility 7as those terms are defined in section #djjb of the ,atomic ,energy ,defense ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #beja77 that the ,administrator of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration determines is within the mission of the program4 7,b7 ,director ,the term ,director means-- 7i7 the ,director of a ,national ,laboratory2 7ii7 the ,director of a single-purpose research facility2 and 7iii7 the ,director of a covered facility4 7,c7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,technology ,transfer ,coordinator appointed under section #ajja7;a71 and in consultation with the ,directors1 shall establish a program to provide small business concerns with vouchers-- 7,a7 to achieve the goal described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a72 and 7,b7 to improve the products1 services1 and capabilities of small business concerns in the mission space of the ,department4 7#c7 ,vouchers ,vouchers provided under the program shall be used at ,national ,laboratories1 single-purpose research facilities1 and covered facilities for-- 7,a7 research1 development1 demonstration1 technology transfer1 or commercial application activities2 or 7,b7 any other activity that the applicable ,director determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,expedited contracting ,the ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,directors1 shall establish a streamlined approval process for expedited contracting between-- 7,a7 a small business concern selected to receive a voucher under the program2 and 7,b7 a ,national ,laboratory1 single-purpose research facility1 or covered facility4 7#e7 ,cost-sharing requirement ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall require cost-sharing in accordance with section #ihh4 7#f7 ,annual report ,the ,secretary shall include in the annual report required under section #ajja7;h77#b7 a description of the implementation and progress of the program1 including1 for the year covered by the report1 the number and locations of small business concerns that have received vouchers under the program4 2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7e7 7as so redesignated71 by striking this section and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting subsection 7c7 #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe44 #bjd4 ,entrepreneurial leave program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall delegate to each ,director of a ,national ,laboratory the authority to carry out an entrepreneurial leave program 7referred to in this section as a leave program7 to allow employees of the ,national ,laboratory to take1 for the purpose of advancing the commercial application of energy and related technologies relevant to the mission of the ,department1 and notwithstanding any provision of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any regulation issued under that title-- 7#a7 a full leave of absence1 with the option to return to the same or comparable position not more than #c years after the date on which the full leave of absence begins2 or 7#b7 a partial leave of absence4 7b7 ,termination authority ,notwithstanding any provision of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any regulation issued under that title1 each ,director of a ,national ,laboratory may remove any ,national ,laboratory employee who participates in a leave program if the employee is found to violate the terms by which that employee is employed4 7c7 ,licensing ,to reduce barriers to participation in a leave program1 the ,secretary shall require each ,director of a ,national ,laboratory to establish streamlined mechanisms for facilitating the licensing of technology that is the focus of a ,national ,laboratory employee who participates in a leave program4 7d7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall include in each updated technology transfer execution plan submitted under section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;h77#b77 information on the implementation of the leave program1 including1 for the year covered by the report-- 7#a7 the number of employees that have participated in the program at each ,national ,laboratory2 and 7#b7 the number of employees that have taken a permanent leave of absence4 #bje4 ,outside employment and activities for ,national ,laboratory employees 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall delegate to each ,director of a ,national ,laboratory the authority to allow an employee of that ,national ,laboratory1 notwithstanding any provision of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any regulation issued under that title-- 7#a7 to engage in and receive compensation for outside employment1 including providing consulting services1 relating to licensing technologies developed at a ,national ,laboratory or an area of expertise of the employee at the ,national ,laboratory2 7#b7 to engage in other outside activities related to the area of expertise of the employee at the ,national ,laboratory2 and 7#c7 in the course of that outside employment or activity1 to access the ,national ,laboratories under the same contracting mechanisms as nonlaboratory employees and entities1 in accordance with appropriate conflict of interest protocols4 7b7 ,requirements ,if a ,director of ,national ,laboratory elects to use the authority delegated under subsection 7a71 the ,director1 or a designee1 shall-- 7#a7 require employees to obtain approval from the ,director or the designee prior to engaging in the outside employment or activity described in that subsection2 7#b7 develop and require appropriate conflict of interest protocols for employees that engage in that outside employment or activity2 and 7#c7 maintain the authority to terminate an employee engaging in that outside employment or activity if the employee is found to violate the applicable terms of employment1 including conflict of interest protocols4 7c7 ,restrictions ,an employee of a ,national ,laboratory engaging in outside employment or activity permitted under subsection 7a7 may not1 in the course of or due to that outside employment or activity-- 7#a7 sacrifice1 hamper1 or impede the duties of the employee at the ,national ,laboratory2 7#b7 use ,national ,laboratory equipment1 property1 or resources unless that use is in accordance with a ,national ,laboratory contracting mechanism1 such as a cooperative research and development agreement or a strategic partnership project1 under which all relevant conflict of interest requirements apply2 or 7#c7 use the position of the employee at a ,national ,laboratory to provide an unfair competitive advantage to an outside employer or startup activity4 7d7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall include in each updated technology transfer execution plan submitted under section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;h77#b77 information on the use of the authority delegated under this section4 ,,iii ,department of ,energy modernization #cja4 ,management of large demonstration projects 7a7 ,definition of covered project ,in this section1 the term covered project means a ,department demonstration project that receives or is eligible to receive not less than #ej1jjj1jjj in funding from the ,department4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the heads of relevant ,department program offices1 shall establish a program to conduct project management and oversight of covered projects1 including by-- 7#a7 conducting evaluations of covered project proposals prior to selection of a project for funding2 7#b7 conducting independent oversight of the execution of a covered project after funding has been awarded for that project2 and 7#c7 ensuring a balanced portfolio of investments in clean energy technology demonstration projects4 7c7 ,duties ,the head of the program established under subsection 7b71 in coordination with the heads of relevant ,department program offices1 shall-- 7#a7 evaluate covered project proposals1 including scope1 technical specifications1 maturity of design1 funding profile1 estimated costs1 proposed schedule1 proposed technical and financial milestones1 and potential for commercial success based on economic and policy projections2 7#b7 develop independent cost estimates of covered project proposals1 if appropriate2 7#c7 recommend to the ,director of a program office whether to fund a covered project proposal1 as appropriate2 7#d7 oversee the execution of covered projects1 including reconciling estimated costs compared to actual costs2 7#e7 conduct reviews of ongoing covered projects1 including-- 7,a7 evaluating the progress of a covered project based on the proposed schedule and technical and financial milestones2 and 7,b7 providing those evaluations to the ,secretary2 and 7#f7 assess lessons learned and implement improvements to evaluate and oversee covered projects4 7d7 ,project termination ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 if a covered project receives an unfavorable review under subsection 7c77#e71 the ,director of the ,department program office funding that project1 or a designee of that ,director1 may cease funding the project and reallocate the remaining funds to a new or existing covered project carried out by that program office4 7e7 ,employees ,to carry out the program established under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary-- 7#a7 shall appoint at least #b full-time employees2 and 7#b7 may hire personnel pursuant to section #cjf4 7f7 ,coordination ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall coordinate with-- 7#a7 project management and acquisition management entities within the ,department1 including the ,office of ,project ,management2 and 7#b7 professional organizations in project management1 construction1 cost estimation1 and other relevant fields4 7g7 ,report by ,secretary ,the ,secretary shall include in each updated technology transfer execution plan submitted under section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;h77#b77 information on the implementation of and progress made under the program established under subsection 7b71 including1 for the year covered by the report-- 7#a7 the covered projects under the purview of the program2 and 7#b7 the review of each covered project under subsection 7c77#e74 7h7 ,report by ,comptroller ,general ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives an evaluation of the operation of the program established under subsection 7b71 including-- 7#a7 the processes and procedures used to evaluate covered project proposals and oversee covered projects2 and 7#b7 any recommended changes to the program1 including to-- 7,a7 the processes and procedures described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 the structure of the program1 for the purpose of better carrying out the program4 #cjb4 ,streamlining prize competitions ,section #ajjh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcif7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 and 7f7 as subsections 7g7 and 7f71 respectively1 and moving those subsections so as to appear in alphabetical order2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following3 7e7 ,coordination ,in carrying out a program under subsection 7a71 and for any prize competition carried out under section #bd of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgai71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 designate at least #a full-time employee to serve as a ,department-wide point of contact for the program or prize competition1 as applicable2 7#b7 issue ,department-wide guidance on the design1 development1 and implementation of a prize competition2 7#c7 collect and disseminate best practices on the design and administration of a prize competition2 7#d7 streamline contracting mechanisms for the implementation of a prize competition2 and 7#e7 provide training and prize competition design support1 as necessary1 to ,department staff to develop prize competitions and challenges4 7f7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall include in the annual report required under section #ajja7;h77#b7 a description of1 with respect to the programs carried out under subsection 7a7 and prize competitions carried out under section #bd of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgai71 for each year covered by the report-- 7#a7 each program and prize competition carried out2 7#b7 the total amount of prizes awarded and the total amount of private sector contributions1 if applicable2 7#c7 the methods used for solicitation and evaluation2 and 7#d7 the manner in which each prize competition advances the mission of the ,department4 4 #cjc4 ,extension of other transaction authority ,section #fdf7;g77#aj7 of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gbef7;g77#aj77 is amended by striking #bjbj and inserting #bjcj4 #cjd4 ,milestone-based demonstration projects 7a7 ,in general ,pursuant to section #fdf7;g7 of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gbef7;g771 the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall award funds to eligible entities1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to carry out milestone-based demonstration projects that require technical and financial milestones to be met before the eligible entity is awarded funds4 7b7 ,proposals ,an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary a proposal to carry out a milestone-based demonstration project at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7#a7 a business plan1 which may include a plan for scalable manufacturing2 7#b7 a plan for raising private sector investment2 and 7#c7 proposed technical and financial milestones1 including estimated project timelines and total costs4 7c7 ,awards 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award funds of a predetermined amount under subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 for projects that successfully meet project milestones2 and 7,b7 for expenses determined reimbursable by the ,secretary1 in accordance with terms negotiated for the award of funds4 7#b7 ,cost responsibility ,an eligible entity that receives funds under subsection 7a7 shall be responsible for the costs of the milestone-based demonstration project until-- 7,a7 the applicable technical and financial milestones are achieved2 or 7,b7 reimbursable expenses are reviewed and verified by the ,department4 7#c7 ,failure to meet milestones ,if an eligible entity that receives funds under subsection 7a7 does not meet the milestones of the milestone-based demonstration project1 the ,secretary or a designee may cease funding the project and reallocate the remaining funds to new or existing milestone-based demonstration projects4 7d7 ,project management ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 including in assessing the completion of milestones in each milestone-based demonstration project awarded funds under the program1 the ,secretary-- 7#a7 shall consult with experts that represent diverse perspectives and professional experiences1 including experts from the private sector1 to ensure a complete and thorough review2 7#b7 shall communicate regularly with selected eligible entities2 and 7#c7 may allow for flexibilities in adjusting the technical and financial milestones of a milestone-based demonstration project as the demonstration project matures4 7e7 ,cost-,sharing ,each milestone-based demonstration project awarded funds under subsection 7a7 shall require cost-sharing in accordance with section #ihh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afceb74 7f7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall include in each updated technology transfer execution plan submitted under section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;h77#b77 information on the implementation of and progress made under the program established under subsection 7a71 including1 for the year covered by the report1 each milestone-based demonstration project awarded funds under the program4 #cje4 ,cost-sharing 7a7 ,termination date extension for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions ,section #ihh7;b77#d77;,b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afceb7;b77#d77;,b77 is amended by striking this paragraph and inserting the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act of #bjbj4 7b7 ,reports ,section #ajh7;b7 of the ,department of ,energy ,research and ,innovation ,act 7,public ,law #aae-bdf2 #acb ,stat4 #cacd7 is amended by striking this ,act each place it appears and inserting the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act of #bjbj4 #cjf4 ,special hiring authority for scientific1 engineering1 and project management personnel 7a7 ,in general ,without regard to the civil service laws1 the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 make appointments of scientific1 engineering1 and professional personnel to assist the ,department in meeting specific project or research needs2 7#b7 fix the basic pay of an employee appointed under paragraph 7#a7 at a rate to be determined by the ,secretary1 but not in excess of the rate of pay for level ,,ii of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecac of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7#c7 pay an employee appointed under paragraph 7#a7 payments in addition to basic pay1 except that the total amount of additional payments for any #ab-month period shall not exceed the lesser of-- 7,a7 #be1jjj2 7,b7 the amount equal to #be percent of the annual rate of basic pay of that employee2 and 7,c7 the amount of the limitation in a calendar year under section #ecjg7;a77#a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,term ,with respect to an employee appointed under subsection 7a77#a7-- 7#a7 the term of such an employee shall be for a period that is not longer than #c years1 unless a longer term is explicitly authorized under law2 and 7#b7 notwithstanding any provision of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or any regulation issued under that title1 the ,secretary may remove any such employee at any time based on-- 7,a7 the performance of the employee2 or 7,b7 changing project or research needs of the ,department4 ,,iv ,reports #dja4 ,updated technology transfer execution plan report ,section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;h77#b77 is amended by striking ,congress and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following3 ,congress-- 7,a7 an updated execution plan2 and 7,b7 a report that1 for the year covered by the report-- 7i7 describes progress toward meeting the goals set forth in the execution plan2 7ii7 describes the funds expended under subsection 7e72 and 7iii7 contains any other information required to be included in the report-- 7,i7 under this title2 and 7,,ii7 under the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act of #bjbj4 4 #djb4 ,report on short- and long-term metrics ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report that1 with respect to each program established under sections #aja and #bjb-- 7#a7 includes an evaluation of the program2 and 7#b7 describes the extent to which the program is achieving the purposes of the program1 based on relevant short-term and long-term metrics1 including any metrics developed under the program1 if applicable4 #djc4 ,report on technology transfer gaps ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 seek to enter into an agreement with the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine to study existing programmatic gaps in the commercial application of technologies among ,national ,laboratories under programs supported by the ,department2 and 7#b7 submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the findings of the study under paragraph 7#a74