TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has favorably reported, with amendments, Senate Bill 1325, the Technology Administration Authorization Act for FY 1998-2000. The bill was originally introduced by Senator Frist (R-TN) in October of 1997.

The Bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Commerce for activities that fall under the auspices of the Technology Administration (TA). Total funding of $681,400,00 in FY 1998, $683,836,000 in FY 1999, and $688,610,000 in FY 2000 has been authorized in the bill.

The bill authorizes $192.5 million for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) in FY 1998, $204 million in FY 1999, and $210.12 million in FY 2000. The bill authorizes $113.5 million for the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) in FY 1998, and $114.37 million in FY 1999 and 2000.

S.1325 with its amendments would make several changes to the NIST Act, specifically, changing the process by which ATP operates. The bill would:

• Require reviewers to make a determination that the research projects in questions would not go forward in a timely manner without federal assistance, and that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to secure private market funding for the research project involved;
• Restrict large business' participation to joint ventures only, and require that all joint ventures would have to include one or more small business;
• Eliminate all focused program competitions. All awards would be based on general open competitions; and,
• Require that a study be undertaken by the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering which would perform a thorough review of the effectiveness of ATP.

In regards to MEP, the bill lifts the current six year sunset provision subject to a bi-annual review. The period would be extended beyond six years if the MEP center receives a positive evaluation through a review of procedures and criteria established by NIST. The federal proportion of funding received by each center after the sixth year would not exceed one-third of the total funding for capital and annual operating expenses and maintenance costs.

Other programs that would either be expanded by the bill or created include the following:

• The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) would be established to strengthen the technological competitiveness of States that have historically received less federal research and development funds than those received by a majority of the states;
• The Malcolm Baldridge quality award would be expanded to encompass awards for health care providers and education providers; and,
• A Teacher Science and Technology Enhancement Institute Program would be created to provide for the professional development of elementary, middle, and secondary mathematics and science teachers.

It has yet to be determined when the bill will be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

For more information, visit the Thomas Legislative homepage at http://thomas.loc.gov.