II
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1425
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 17, 2007
Mr. Pryor (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Warner) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To enhance the defense nanotechnology research and development program.
Enhancement of defense nanotechnology research and development program
Program purposes
Subsection (b) of section 246 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–314; 116 Stat. 2500; 10 U.S.C. 2358 note) is amended—
in paragraph (2),
by striking in nanoscale research and development
and inserting
in the National Nanotechnology Initiative and with the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office under section 3 of the 21st Century
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7502)
;
and
in paragraph (3),
by striking portfolio of fundamental and applied nanoscience and
engineering research initiatives
and inserting portfolio of
nanotechnology research and development initiatives
.
Program administration
Administration through Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
Subsection (c) of such section is amended—
by striking
the Director of Defense Research and Engineering
and inserting
the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics
; and
by striking
The Director
and inserting The Under
Secretary
.
Other administrative matters
Such subsection is further amended—
in paragraph (2),
by striking the Department's increased investment in nanotechnology and
the National Nanotechnology Initiative; and
and inserting
investments by the Department and other departments and agencies
participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative in nanotechnology
research and development;
;
in paragraph (3),
by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
;
and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
oversee interagency coordination of the program with other departments and agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative, including providing appropriate funds to support the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.
.
Program activities
Such section is further amended—
by striking subsection (d); and
by adding at the end the following new subsection (d):
Activities
Activities under the program shall include the following:
The development of a strategic plan for defense nanotechnology research and development that is integrated with the strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology Initiative.
The issuance on an annual basis of policy guidance to the military departments and the Defense Agencies that—
establishes research priorities under the program;
provides for the determination and documentation of the benefits to the Department of Defense of research under the program; and
sets forth a clear strategy for transitioning the research into products needed by the Department.
Advocating for the transition of nanotechnologies in defense acquisition programs, including the development of nanomanufacturing capabilities and a nanotechnology defense industrial base.
.
Reports
Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Reports
Not later than March 1 of each of 2009, 2011, and 2013, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the program.
Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
A review of—
the long-term challenges and specific technical goals of the program; and
the progress made toward meeting such challenges and achieving such goals.
An assessment of current and proposed funding levels for the program, including an assessment of the adequacy of such funding levels to support program activities.
A review of the coordination of activities under the program within the Department of Defense, with other departments and agencies of the United States, and with the National Nanotechnology Initiative.
A review and analysis of the findings and recommendations relating to the Department of Defense of the most recent triennial external review of the National Nanotechnology Program under section 5 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 1704), and a description of initiatives of the Department to implement such recommendations.
An assessment of technology transition from nanotechnology research and development to enhanced warfighting capabilities, including contributions from the Department of Defense Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology program, and an identification of acquisition programs and deployed defense systems that are incorporating nanotechnologies.
An assessment of global nanotechnology research and development in areas of interest to the Department, including an identification of the use of nanotechnologies in any foreign defense systems.
An assessment of the defense nanotechnology manufacturing and industrial base and its capability to meet the near and far term requirements of the Department.
Such recommendations for additional activities under the program to meet emerging national security requirements as the Under Secretary considers appropriate.
Each report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
.
Comptroller General report on program
Not later than March 31, 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of the progress made by the Department of Defense in achieving the purposes of the defense nanotechnology research and development program required by section 246 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (as amended by this section).