Foreign Science and Technology Assessment Act of 2005

Establishment

There is established within the Department of State an Office of Foreign Science and Technology Assessment.

Director

The head of the Office shall be a Director, who shall be the Science Advisor to the Secretary of State.

Purpose

The purpose of the Office shall be to assess foreign science and technologies that have the capability to cause a loss of high technology industrial leadership in the United States.

Operation

In preparing an assessment of science and technology for a foreign country, the Director shall utilize, to the extent feasible, United States entities capable of operating effectively within such foreign country.

Availability of assessments

The Director shall make each assessment of foreign science and technology prepared by the Office available to the public in a timely manner.

Authorities

In order to gain access to technical knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to prepare an assessment of foreign science and technology, the Secretary of State may utilize individuals and enter into contracts or other arrangements to acquire needed expertise with any agency or instrumentality of the United States, with any State, territory, possession, or any political subdivision thereof, or with any person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution, with or without reimbursement, and without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5) or section 3324 of title 31, United States Code.

Establishment

The Secretary of State shall establish a Foreign Science and Technology Assessment Panel.

Purpose

The purpose of the Panel shall be to provide advice on assessments performed by the Office of Foreign Science and Technology Assessment, including review of foreign science and technology assessment reports, methodologies, subjects of study, and the means of improving the quality and timeliness of the Office.

Membership

The Panel shall consist of 5 members who, by reason of professional background and experience, are specially qualified to provide advice on the activities of science and technology in foreign countries as such activities apply to the United States.

Appointment

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President, shall appoint the panel members.

Term

A member shall be appointed to the Panel for a term of 3 years.

Authority to accept services

Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of State may accept and employ voluntary and uncompensated services (except for reimbursement of travel expenses) for the purposes of the Panel. An individual providing such a voluntary and uncompensated service may not be considered a Federal employee, except for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, with respect to job-incurred disability and title 28, United States Code, with respect to tort claims.