SUBCHAPTER I—LABORATORY MODERNIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
§18611. Sense of Congress on accelerating energy innovation
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) although important progress has been made in cost reduction and deployment of clean energy technologies, accelerating clean energy innovation will help meet critical competitiveness, energy security, and environmental goals;
(2) accelerating the pace of clean energy innovation in the United States calls for—
(A) supporting existing research and development programs at the Department and the world-class National Laboratories;
(B) exploring and developing new pathways for innovators, investors, and decision-makers to leverage the resources of the Department for addressing the challenges and comparative strengths of geographic regions; and
(C) recognizing the financial constraints of the Department, regularly reviewing clean energy programs to ensure that taxpayer investments are maximized;
(3) the energy supply, demand, policies, markets, and resource options of the United States vary by geographic region;
(4) a regional approach to innovation can bridge the gaps between local talent, institutions, and industries to identify opportunities and convert United States investment into domestic companies; and
(5) Congress, the Secretary, and energy industry participants should advance efforts that promote international, domestic, and regional cooperation on the research and development of energy innovations that—
(A) provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy for everyone;
(B) promote economic growth;
(C) are critical for energy security; and
(D) are sustainable without government support.
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§18612. Restoration of laboratory directed research and development program
(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary shall ensure that laboratory operating contractors do not allocate costs of general and administrative overhead to laboratory directed research and development.
(b) Exception for national security laboratories
This section shall not apply to the national security laboratories with respect to which section 3119 1 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 3119 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 3119 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§18613. Research grants database
(a) In general
The Secretary shall establish and maintain a public database, accessible on the website of the Department, that contains a searchable listing of each unclassified research and development project contract, grant, cooperative agreement, task order for a federally funded research and development center, or other transaction administered by the Department.
(b) Requirements
Each listing described in subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, for each listed project, the Department office carrying out the project, the project name, an abstract or summary of the project, funding levels, project duration, contractor or grantee name (including the names of any subcontractors), and expected objectives and milestones.
(c) Relevant literature and patents
The Secretary shall provide information through the public database established under subsection (a) on relevant literature and patents that are associated with each research and development project contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or other transaction, of the Department.
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§18614. Technology transfer and transitions assessment
Not later than 1 year after September 28, 2018, and as often as the Secretary determines to be necessary thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes recommended changes to the policy of the Department and legislative changes to
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§18615. Agreements for commercializing technology pilot program
(a) In general
The Secretary shall carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program of the Department, as announced by the Secretary on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this section.
(b) Terms
Each agreement entered into pursuant to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall provide to the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory, to the maximum extent determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, increased authority to negotiate contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, payment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty collaborations.
(c) Eligibility
(1) In general
Any director of a National Laboratory may enter into an agreement pursuant to the pilot program referred to in subsection (a).
(2) Agreements with non-Federal entities
To carry out paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall permit the directors of the National Laboratories to execute agreements with a non-Federal entity, including a non-Federal entity already receiving Federal funding that will be used to support activities under agreements executed pursuant to paragraph (1), provided that such funding is solely used to carry out the purposes of the Federal award.
(3) Restriction
The requirements of
(A) the agreement is a funding agreement (as that term is defined in section 201 of that title); and
(B) at least one of the parties to the funding agreement is eligible to receive rights under that chapter.
(d) Submission to Secretary
Each affected director of a National Laboratory shall submit to the Secretary, with respect to each agreement entered into under this section—
(1) a summary of information relating to the relevant project;
(2) the total estimated costs of the project;
(3) estimated commencement and completion dates of the project; and
(4) other documentation determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(e) Certification
The Secretary shall require the contractor of the affected National Laboratory to certify that each activity carried out under a project for which an agreement is entered into under this section—
(1) is not in direct competition with the private sector; and
(2) does not present, or minimizes, any apparent conflict of interest, and avoids or neutralizes any actual conflict of interest, as a result of the agreement under this section.
(f) Extension
The pilot program referred to in subsection (a) shall be extended until September 30, 2019.
(g) Reports
(1) Overall assessment
Not later than 60 days after the date described in subsection (f), the Secretary, in coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that—
(A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot program referred to in subsection (a);
(B) identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the pilot program;
(C) assesses the potential for program activities to interfere with the responsibilities of the National Laboratories to the Department; and
(D) provides a recommendation regarding the future of the pilot program.
(2) Transparency
The Secretary, in coordination with directors of the National Laboratories, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report that accounts for all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract or award to carry out agreements pursuant to this section.
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