,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #cej #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dfjf ,report ,no4 #aag-dec ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ba1 #bjba,ms4 ,ross 7for herself and ,mr4 ,meijer7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,august #ai1 #bjbb;,additional sponsors3 ,ms4 ,bonamici and ,mr4 ,bowman ,august #ai1 #bjbb,reported with an amendment1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic,for text of introduced bill1 see copy of bill as introduced on ,july #ba1 #bjba ,a ,,bill ,to establish programs and authorities 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 ,act4 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 ,p,r,o,g,r,a,m,s,sec4 #aja4 ,national clean energy incubator program4,sec4 #ajb4 ,clean energy technology university prize competition4,sec4 #ajc4 ,clean energy technology transfer coordination4,title ,,ii--,,supporting ,,technology ,,development ,,at ,,the ,,national ,l,a,b,o,r,a,t,o,r,i,e,s,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 ,national laboratory employee outside employment authority4,sec4 #bjf4 ,signature authority4,title ,,iii--,,department ,,of ,,energy ,m,o,d,e,r,n,i,z,a,t,i,o,n,sec4 #cja4 ,office of technology transitions4,sec4 #cjb4 ,management of demonstration projects4,sec4 #cjc4 ,streamlining prize competitions4,sec4 #cjd4 ,cost-share waiver extension4,sec4 #cje4 ,special hiring authority for scientific1 engineering1 and project management personnel4,sec4 #cjf4 ,technology transfer reports and evaluation4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,clean energy technology ,the term clean energy technology means a technology that significantly reduces energy use1 increases energy efficiency1 reduces greenhouse gas emissions1 reduces emissions of other pollutants1 or mitigates other negative environmental consequences of energy production1 transmission or use4 7#b7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,energy4 7#c7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of each ,national ,laboratory and the ,director of each ,department of ,energy single-purpose research facility4 7#d7 ,economically distressed area ,the term economically distressed area has the meaning described in section #cja7;a7 of the ,public ,works and ,economic ,development ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa7;a774 7#e7 ,grant ,the term grant means a grant award1 cooperative agreement award1 or any other financial assistance arrangement that the ,secretary of ,energy determines to be appropriate4 7#f7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife1 as amended 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#g7 ,national laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given that term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 ,i ,,national ,,clean ,,energy ,,technology ,,transfer ,,programs #aja4 ,national clean energy incubator program 7a7 ,clean energy incubator defined ,in this section1 the term clean energy incubator-- 7#a7 means any entity that is designed to accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies by providing-- 7,a7 physical workspace1 labs1 and prototyping facilities to support clean energy startups or established clean energy companies2 or 7,b7 companies developing such technologies with support1 resources1 and services1 including-- 7i7 access to business education and counseling2 7ii7 mentorship opportunities2 and 7iii7 other services rendered for the purpose of aiding the development and commercial application of a clean energy technology2 and 7#b7 may include a program within or established by a ,national ,laboratory1 an institution of higher education or a ,state1 local1 or tribal government4 7b7 ,program establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,chief ,commercialization ,officer established in section #ajja7;a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;a771 shall establish a ,clean ,energy ,incubator ,program 7herein referred to as the program7 to competitively award grants to clean energy incubators4 7c7 ,clean energy incubator selection ,in awarding grants to clean energy incubators under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 prioritize funding clean energy incubators that-- 7#a7 partner with entities that carry out activities relevant to the activities of such incubator and that operate at the local1 ,state1 and regional levels2 7#b7 support the commercial application activities of startup companies focused on physical hardware1 computational1 or integrated hardware and software technologies2 7#c7 are located in geographically diverse regions of the ,united ,states2 7#d7 are located in1 or partner with entities located in1 economically-distressed areas2 7#e7 support the development of entities focused on expanding clean energy tools and technologies to rural1 ,tribal1 and low-income communities2 7#f7 support the commercial application of technologies being developed by clean energy entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds2 and 7#g7 have a plan for sustaining activities of the incubator after grant funds received under this program have been expended4 7d7 ,award limits ,the ,secretary shall not award more than #d1jjj1jjj to one or more incubators in one given ,state1 per fiscal year4 7e7 ,duration ,each grant under subsection 7b7 shall be for a period of no longer than #e years1 subject to the availability of appropriations4 7f7 ,use of funds ,an entity receiving a grant under this section may use grant amounts for operating expenses4 7g7 ,renewal ,an award made to a clean energy incubator under this section may be renewed for a period of not more than #c years1 subject to merit review4 7h7 ,evaluation ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation of the program established under this section that includes analyses of the performance of the clean energy incubators4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #ae1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 #ajb4 ,clean energy technology university prize competition 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a nonprofit entity1 an institution of higher education1 or an entity working with one or more institutes of higher education4 7#b7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an institution described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7b7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program1 known as the ,clean ,energy ,technology ,university ,prize1 to award funding for eligible entities to carry out regional and one national clean energy technology prize competitions1 under section #bd of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgai74 ,in carrying out such prize competitions1 students shall compete to develop a business model for furthering the commercial application of an innovative clean energy technology4 7c7 ,training funding ,in carrying out this program1 the ,secretary may provide funding to train participating students in skills needed for the successful commercial application of clean energy technologies1 including through virtual training sessions4 7d7 ,prioritization ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to eligible entities that work with students at minority-serving institutions4 7e7 ,coordination ,in carrying out this program1 the ,secretary shall coordinate and partner with other clean energy technology prize competitions4 ,in doing so1 the ,secretary may develop and disseminate best practices for administering prize competitions under this section4 7f7 ,report ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall report annually on the progress and implementation of the program established under section 7b74 7g7 ,evaluation ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation on the long-term outcomes of the program established under this section and the progress towards achieving the purposes of the program in subsection 7b74 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section #a1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 #ajc4 ,clean energy technology transfer coordination 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,chief ,commercialization ,officer established in section #ajja 7a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia 7a771 shall support the coordination of relevant technology transfer programs that advance the commercial application of clean energy technologies nationally and across all energy sectors4 ,in particular1 the ,secretary may support activities to-- 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 facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and start-up companies and the variety of programs related to clean energy technology transfer under the ,department2 and 7#d7 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 increasing the competitiveness of ,united ,states in the clean energy sector1 including in manufacturing2 and 7,c7 commercial application of clean energy technologies being developed by entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the activities in this section #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 ,,ii ,,supporting ,,technology ,,development ,,at ,,the ,,national ,,laboratories #bja4 ,lab partnering service pilot program ,section #ijjb of division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary #b1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbd to carry out subsections 7a71 7b71 and 7c71 and #a1gjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbd for ,national ,laboratory employees to provide services under subsection 7d74 4 #bjb4 ,lab-embedded entrepreneurship program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall competitively award grants to ,national ,laboratories for the purpose of establishing or supporting ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,programs4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of such programs are to provide entrepreneurial fellows with access to ,national ,laboratory research facilities1 ,national ,laboratory expertise1 and mentorship to perform research and development and gain expertise that may be required or beneficial for the commercial application of research ideas4 7c7 ,entrepreneurial fellows ,an entrepreneurial fellow participating in a program described in subsection 7a7 shall be provided with-- 7#a7 opportunities for entrepreneurial training1 professional development1 and exposure to leaders from academia1 industry1 government1 and finance who may serve as advisors to or partners of the fellow2 7#b7 financial and technical support for research1 development1 and commercial application activities2 7#c7 fellowship awards to cover costs of living1 health insurance1 and travel stipends for the duration of the fellowship2 and 7#d7 any other resources determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7d7 ,program activities ,each ,national ,laboratory that receives funding under this section shall support entrepreneurial fellows by providing-- 7#a7 access to facilities and expertise within the ,national ,laboratory2 7#b7 engagement with external stakeholders2 and 7#c7 market and customer development opportunities4 7e7 ,administration ,national ,laboratories that receive grants under this section shall prioritize the support and success of the entrepreneurial fellow with regards to professional development and development of a relevant technology4 7f7 ,partnerships ,in carrying out a ,lab-,embedded ,entrepreneurship ,program1 a ,national ,laboratory may partner with an external entity1 including-- 7#a7 a nonprofit organization2 7#b7 an institution of higher education2 7#c7 a federally-owned corporation2 or 7#d7 a consortium of #b or more entities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c74 7g7 ,metrics ,the ,secretary shall support the development of short-term and long-term metrics to assess the effectiveness of programs receiving a grant under subsection 7a7 in achieving the purposes of the program in subsection 7a74 7h7 ,evaluation ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 not later than #c years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs under subsection 7a7 based on the metrics developed pursuant to subsection 7g74 7i7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall oversee the planning and coordination of grants under subsection 7a7 and shall identify and disseminate best practices for achieving the purposes of subsection 7a7 to ,national ,laboratories that receive grants under this section4 7j7 ,interagency collaboration ,the ,secretary shall collaborate with other executive branch agencies1 including the ,department of ,defense and other agencies with ,federal laboratories1 regarding opportunities to partner with ,national ,laboratories receiving a grant under subsection 7a74 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 #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 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking 1 and may require the ,director of a single-purpose research facility1 and inserting 7as defined in section #b7 and the ,director of each single-purpose research facility2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking increase and inserting encourage2 and 7ii7 by striking collaborative research1 and inserting research1 development1 demonstration1 and commercial application activities1 including product development12 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking procurement and collaborative research and inserting the activities described in paragraph 7#a72 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 by inserting facilities1 before training2 and 7ii7 by striking procurement and collaborative research activities and inserting the activities described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,e7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking for the program under subsection 7b7 and inserting and metrics for the programs under subsections 7b7 and 7c72 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 ,director ,the term ,director means-- 7i7 the ,director of each ,national ,laboratory2 and 7ii7 the ,director of each single-purpose research facility4 7,b7 ,national laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b4 7,c7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under paragraph 7#b74 7,d7 ,small business concern ,the term small business concern has the meaning given such term in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb74 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,chief ,commercialization ,officer appointed under section #ajja7;a71 and in consultation with the ,directors1 shall establish a program to provide small business concerns with vouchers under paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 to achieve the goal described in subsection 7a77#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 ,under the program1 the ,directors are authorized to provide to small business concerns vouchers to be used at ,national ,laboratories and single-purpose research facilities for-- 7,a7 research1 development1 demonstration1 technology transfer1 or commercial application activities2 or 7,b7 any other activities that the applicable ,director determines appropriate4 7#d7 ,expedited approval ,the ,secretary1 working with the ,directors1 shall establish a stream-lined approval process for financial assistance agreements signed between-- 7,a7 small business concerns selected to receive a voucher under the program2 and 7,b7 the ,national ,laboratories and single-purpose research facilities4 7#e7 ,cost-sharing requirement ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall require cost-sharing in accordance with section #ihh4 7#f7 ,report ,in accordance with section #ijjg of division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall report annually on the progress and implementation of the small business voucher program established under this section1 including the number and locations of small businesses that received grants under this program4 2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7e7 7as so redesignated71 by striking for activities under this section and inserting for activities under subsection 7b7 and inserting before the period at the end and for activities under subsection 7c7 #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 #bjd4 ,entrepreneurial leave program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall delegate to ,directors the authority to carry out an entrepreneurial leave program 7referred to in this section as the program7 to allow ,national ,laboratory employees to take a full leave of absence from their position1 with the option to return to that or a comparable position up to #c years later1 or a partial leave of absence1 to advance the commercial application of energy and related technologies relevant to the mission of the ,department4 7b7 ,termination authority ,directors shall retain the authority to terminate ,national ,laboratory employees that participate in the program if such employees are found to violate terms prescribed by the ,national ,laboratory at which such employee is employed4 7c7 ,licensing ,to reduce barriers to participation in the program1 the ,secretary shall delegate to the ,directors the requirement to establish streamlined mechanisms for facilitating the licensing of technology that is the focus of ,national ,laboratory employees who participate in the program4 7d7 ,report ,in accordance with section #ijjg of division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall report annually on the utilization of this authority at ,national ,laboratories1 including the number of employees who participate in this program at each ,national ,laboratory and the number of employees who take a permanent leave from their positions at ,national ,laboratories as a result of participating in this program4 7e7 ,federal ethics ,nothing in this section shall affect existing ,federal ethics rules applicable to ,federal personnel4 #bje4 ,national laboratory employee outside employment authority 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall delegate to ,directors of ,national ,laboratories the authority to allow their employees-- 7#a7 to engage in outside employment1 including start-up companies based on licensing technologies developed at ,national ,laboratories and consulting in their areas of expertise1 and receive compensation from such entities2 and 7#b7 to engage in outside activities related to their areas of expertise at the ,national ,laboratory and may allow employees1 in their employment capacity at such outside employment1 to access the ,national ,laboratories under the same contracting mechanisms as non-,laboratory employees and entities1 in accordance with appropriate conflict of interest protocols4 7b7 ,requirements ,if a ,director elects to use the authority granted by subsection 7a7 of this section1 the ,director1 or their designee1 shall-- 7#a7 require employees to disclose to and obtain approval from the ,director or their designee prior to engaging in any outside employment2 7#b7 develop and require appropriate conflict of interest protocols for employees that engage in outside employment2 and 7#c7 maintain the authority to terminate employees engaging in outside employment if they are found to violate terms1 including conflict of interest protocols1 mandated by the ,director4 7c7 ,additional restrictions ,employees engaging in outside employment may not-- 7#a7 allow such activities to interfere with or impede their duties at the ,national ,laboratory2 7#b7 engage in activities related to outside employment using ,national ,laboratory government equipment1 property1 or resources1 unless such activities are performed under ,national ,laboratory contracting mechanisms1 such as ,cooperative ,research and ,development ,agreements or ,strategic ,partnership ,projects1 whereby all conflicts of interest requirements apply2 or 7#c7 use their position at a ,national ,laboratory to provide an unfair competitive advantage to an outside employer or start-up activity4 7d7 ,federal ethics ,nothing in this section shall affect existing ,federal ethics rules applicable to ,federal personnel4 #bjf4 ,signature authority 7a7 ,in general ,subject to subsections 7b7 and 7c71 the ,secretary shall delegate to ,directors of the ,national ,laboratories signature authority with respect to any agreement described in subsection 7b7 the total cost of which1 including the ,national ,laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share1 is less than #a1jjj1jjj1 if such an agreement falls within the scope of-- 7#a7 the strategic plan for the ,national ,laboratory or a master scope of work that has been approved by the ,department2 or 7#b7 the most recent budget approved by ,congress for ,department activities to be carried out by the ,national ,laboratory4 7b7 ,agreements ,subsection 7a7 applies to-- 7#a7 a cooperative research and development agreement2 7#b7 a strategic partnership project2 7#c7 prize competitions2 7#d7 an agreement for commercializing technology2 or 7#e7 any other agreement determined to be appropriate by the ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,directors of the ,national ,laboratories4 7c7 ,administration 7#a7 ,accountability ,the ,director of the affected ,national ,laboratory and the affected contractor shall carry out an agreement under this section in accordance with applicable policies of the ,department1 including by ensuring that the agreement does not compromise any national security1 economic1 or environmental interest of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,certification ,the ,director of the affected ,national ,laboratory and the affected contractor shall certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this section does not present1 or minimizes1 any apparent conflict of interest1 and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest1 as a result of the agreement under this section4 7#c7 ,availability of records ,not later than #cj days after the date on which a ,director of a ,national ,laboratory enters an agreement under this section1 such ,director shall submit to the ,secretary for monitoring and review all records of the ,national ,laboratory relating to the agreement4 7d7 ,approval ,upon granting the signature authority under in subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may not require any additional reviews or approvals of draft agreements1 statements of work1 or other documents for agreements that meet the criteria under subsection 7a74 7e7 ,exception ,this section does not apply to any agreement with a foreign-controlled entity or entity under the majority control of any foreign entity4 7f7 ,report ,in accordance with section #ijjg of division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall submit annually information on the number and types of agreements signed using the authorities granted under this section4 7g7 ,evaluation ,not later than #c years after the enactment of this ,act the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,committee of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation of the efficacy of reducing administrative burden for agreements signed using the authorities granted under this section4 7h7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ab of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgaj;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 respectively1 and indenting the subparagraphs appropriately2 7,b7 by striking ,each ,federal agency and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 each ,federal agency 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,exception ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 in accordance with section #bjf of the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act1 approval by the ,secretary of ,energy shall not be required for any agreement proposed to be entered into by a ,national ,laboratory of the ,department of ,energy1 the total cost of which1 including the ,national ,laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share1 is less than #a1jjj1jjj4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking subsection 7a77#a7 each place it appears and inserting subsection 7a77#a77;,a74 ,,iii ,,department ,,of ,,energy ,,modernization #cja4 ,office of technology transitions ,section #ajja7;a7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,hiring and management ,to carry out the program authorized in this section1 the ,under ,secretary for ,science may appoint personnel using the authorities in section #cje of the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act4 7#g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4 4 #cjb4 ,management of demonstration projects 7a7 ,management of ,department of ,energy demonstration projects ,the ,secretary1 shall establish a program to conduct project management and oversight of demonstration projects that receive or are eligible to receive funding from the ,department1 in coordination with relevant staff from ,department program offices1 including the ,office of ,technology ,transitions1 the ,loan ,program ,office1 and all applied program offices4 ,the purposes of this program are to-- 7#a7 conduct evaluation of demonstration project proposals prior to selection of a project for funding2 7#b7 conduct independent oversight of the execution of a demonstration project once funding has been awarded for such project2 and 7#c7 ensure a balanced portfolio of investments in clean energy technology demonstration projects4 7b7 ,demonstration project management employees 7#a7 ,authority ,in carrying out the program under subsection 7a71 the ,under ,secretary for ,science shall appoint at least #d full time employees to achieve the purposes of the program outlined in subsection 7a7 in coordination with relevant staff at ,department program offices4 7#b7 ,hiring authority ,to carry out the program authorized in this section1 the ,under ,secretary for ,science may hire personnel using the authorities in section #cje of this ,act4 7c7 ,duties ,in carrying out the program in subsection 7a71 employees under this section shall work with relevant staff from ,department program offices to-- 7#a7 evaluate demonstration project proposals1 including the 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 demonstration project proposals1 when appropriate2 7#c7 recommend to the director of a program office whether to fund a demonstration project proposal2 7#d7 oversee the execution of the demonstration projects that receive funding from the ,department under this section and conduct reviews of ongoing projects1 which may include reconciling estimated costs as compared to actual costs and evaluating progress of the project based on the proposed schedule and technical and financial milestones1 and provide such reviews to the ,secretary2 and 7#e7 assess lessons learned and implement improvements to evaluate and oversee demonstration projects carried out under this section4 7d7 ,additional authority ,the ,secretary may carry out and manage demonstration projects directly through the program established in subsection 7a74 7e7 ,project termination ,should an ongoing demonstration project receive an unfavorable review under subsection 7c77#d71 the director of a ,department program office or their designee may cease funding the demonstration project and reallocate the remaining funds to new or existing demonstration projects carried out by that program office4 7f7 ,coordination ,in establishing and carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall coordinate with project management and acquisition management entities within the ,department1 including the ,office of ,project ,management1 and relevant professional organizations in project management1 construction1 cost estimation1 and other relevant fields4 7g7 ,reporting ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall report annually on the utilization of the authority granted under this section1 including-- 7#a7 a summary of any demonstration projects currently being carried out under this section2 and 7#b7 the reviews under subsection 7c77#d7 of any ongoing demonstration projects carried out under this section4 7h7 ,evaluation by comptroller general ,not later than #c years after the date of the enactment of this ,act the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation on the operation of the program established under this section1 including-- 7#a7 the processes and procedures used to evaluate demonstration project proposals and oversee demonstration projects that receive funding under this section2 7#b7 any recommended changes to the program1 including the structure and the processes and procedures used to evaluate and oversee demonstration projects that receive funding under this section2 and 7#c7 any recommended changes to the structure of this program to improve the success in meeting the program purposes under subsection 7a74 #cjc4 ,streamlining prize competitions 7a7 ,reporting ,section #ajjh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcif7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,report ,in accordance with section #ijjg of ,division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj71 the ,secretary shall report annually on a description of any prize competitions carried out using the authority under this section1 the total amount of prizes awarded along with any private sector contributions1 the methods used for solicitation and evaluation1 and a description of how each prize competition advanced the mission of the ,department4 4 7b7 ,technical ,amendment ,section #ajjh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcif7 is amended by redesignating the second subsection 7e7 7relating to authorization of appropriations7 as subsection 7f74 #cjd4 ,cost-share waiver extension 7a7 ,in general ,section #ihh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcea7 is amended in subsection 7b77#d77;,b7 by striking this paragraph and inserting the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act4 7b7 ,report ,section #ajh7;b7 of the ,department of ,energy ,research and ,innovation ,act is amended in subsection 7b7 by striking this ,act each place it appears and inserting the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act4 #cje4 ,special hiring authority for scientific1 engineering1 and project management personnel 7a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary for ,science shall have the authority to-- 7#a7 make appointments of not more than #fj scientific1 engineering1 and professional personnel1 without regard to civil service laws1 to assist the ,department in meeting specific project or research needs2 7#b7 fix the basic pay of any employee appointed under this section at a rate to be determined by the ,under ,secretary at rates not in excess of ,level ,,ii of the ,executive ,schedule 7,,ex-,,ii7 under section #ecaa of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code without regard to the civil service laws2 and 7#c7 pay any employee appointed under this section payments in addition to basic pay1 except that the total amount of additional payments paid to an employee under this subsection for any #ab-month period shall not exceed the lesser of the following amounts3 7,a7 #be1jjj4 7,b7 ,the amount equal to #be percent of the annual rate of basic pay of that employee4 7,c7 ,the amount of the limitation that is applicable for a calendar year under section #ecjg7;a77#a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,term 7#a7 ,in general ,the term of any employee appointed under this section shall not exceed #c years unless otherwise authorized in law4 7#b7 ,termination ,the ,under ,secretary for ,science shall have the authority to terminate any employee appointed under this section at any time based on performance or changing project or research needs of the ,department4 #cjf4 ,technology transfer reports and evaluation ,section #ijjg of division ,z of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjba 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj7 is amended as follows3 7a7 ,annual report ,as part of the updated technology transfer execution plan required each year under section #ajja7;h77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afcia7;g77#b771 the ,secretary of ,energy 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary7 shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate a report on the progress and implementation of programs established under sections #ijja1 #ijjb1 #ijjc1 #ijjd1 and #ijje of this ,act and under sections #ajb1 #bjc1 #bjd1 #bje1 #bjf1 and #cjb of the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act4 7b7 ,evaluation ,not later than #c years after the enactment of this ,act and every #c years thereafter the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate an evaluation on the extent to which programs established under sections #ijja1 #ijjb1 #ijjc1 #ijjd1 and #ijje of this ,act and sections #aja1 #ajb1 #ajc1 and #bjb of the ,energizing ,technology ,transfer ,act are achieving success based on relevant short-term and long-term metrics4 4 ,august #ai1 #bjbb,reported with an amendment1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed