View all text of Subchapter X [§ 16391 - § 16396]
§ 16392. Technology Infrastructure Program
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Program
(2) Technology cluster
(3) Technology-related business concernThe term “technology-related business concern” means a for-profit corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, or small business concern that—
(A) conducts scientific or engineering research;
(B) develops new technologies;
(C) manufactures products based on new technologies; or
(D) performs technological services.
(b) Establishment
(c) PurposeThe purpose of the Program shall be to improve the ability of National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities to support departmental missions by—
(1) stimulating the development of technology clusters that can support departmental missions at the National Laboratories or single-purpose research facilities;
(2) improving the ability of National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities to leverage and benefit from commercial research, technology, products, processes, and services; and
(3) encouraging the exchange of scientific and technological expertise between—
(A) National Laboratories or single-purpose research facilities; and
(B) entities that can support departmental missions at the National Laboratories or single-purpose research facilities, such as—
(i) institutions of higher education;
(ii) technology-related business concerns;
(iii) nonprofit institutions; and
(iv) agencies of State, tribal, or local governments.
(d) Projects
(e) Program requirements
(1) In general
(2) EntitiesEach project shall include at least one of each of the following entities:
(A) A business.
(B) An institution of higher education.
(C) A nonprofit institution.
(D) An agency of a State, local, or tribal government.
(3) Cost-sharing
(A) In general
(B) Sources
(C) Research and development expenses
(4) Competitive selection
(5) Accounting
(6) Duration
(f) Selection criteria
(1) Departmental missions
(2) Other criteriaIn selecting a project to receive Federal funds, the Secretary shall consider—
(A) the potential of the project to promote the development of a commercially sustainable technology cluster following the period of investment by the Department, which will derive most of the demand for its products or services from the private sector, and which will support departmental missions at the participating National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility;
(B) the potential of the project to promote the use of commercial research, technology, products, processes, and services by the participating National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to achieve its mission or the commercial development of technological innovations made at the participating National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility;
(C) the extent to which the project involves a wide variety and number of institutions of higher education, nonprofit institutions, and technology-related business concerns that can support the missions of the participating National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility and that will make substantive contributions to achieving the goals of the project;
(D) the extent to which the project focuses on promoting the development of technology-related business concerns that are small businesses or involves such small businesses substantively in the project; and
(E) such other criteria as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(g) AllocationIn allocating funds for projects approved under this section, the Secretary shall provide—
(1) the Federal share of the project costs; and
(2) additional funds to the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility managing the project to permit the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to carry out activities relating to the project, and to coordinate the activities with the project.
(h) Report to Congress
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 109–58, title X, § 1002, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 927.)