§6686. Critical Technologies Institute

(a) Establishment

There shall be established a federally funded research and development center to be known as the "Critical Technologies Institute" (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Institute").

(b) Incorporation

As determined by the chairman of the committee referred to in subsection (c) of this section, the Institute shall be-

(1) administered as a separate entity by an organization currently managing another federally funded research and development center; or

(2) incorporated as a nonprofit membership corporation.

(c) Operating Committee

(1) The Institute shall have an Operating Committee composed of six members as follows:

(A) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, who shall chair the committee.

(B) The Director of the National Institutes of Health.

(C) The Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology.

(D) The Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency.

(E) The Director of the National Science Foundation.

(F) The Under Secretary of Energy having responsibility for science and technology matters.

(2) The Operating Committee shall meet not less than four times each year.

(d) Duties

The duties of the Institute shall include the following:

(1) The assembly of timely and authoritative information regarding significant developments and trends in technology research and development in the United States and abroad, with particular emphasis on information relating to the technologies identified in the most recent biennial report submitted to Congress by the President pursuant to section 6683(d) of this title.

(2) Analysis and interpretation of the information referred to in paragraph (1) to determine whether such developments and trends are likely to affect United States technology policies.

(3) Initiation of studies and analyses (including systems analyses and technology assessments) of alternatives available for ensuring long-term leadership by the United States in the development and application of the technologies referred to in paragraph (1), including appropriate roles for the Federal Government, State governments, private industry, and institutions of higher education in the development and application of such technologies.

(4) Provision, upon the request of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, of technical support and assistance-

(A) to the committees and panels of the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology that provide advice to the Executive branch on technology policy; and

(B) to the committees and panels of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology that are responsible for planning and coordinating activities of the Federal Government to advance the development of critical technologies and sustain and strengthen the technology base of the United States.

(e) Consultation on Institute activities

In carrying out the duties referred to in subsection (d) of this section, personnel of the Institute shall-

(1) consult widely with representatives from private industry, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions; and

(2) to the maximum extent practicable, incorporate information and perspectives derived from such consultations in carrying out such duties.

(f) Annual reports

The committee shall submit to the President an annual report on the activities of the committee under this section. Each report shall be in accordance with requirements prescribed by the President.

(g) Sponsorship

(1) The Director of the National Science Foundation shall be the sponsor of the Institute.

(2) The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the chairman of the committee, shall enter into a sponsoring agreement with respect to the Institute. The sponsoring agreement shall require that the Institute carry out such functions as the chairman of the committee may specify consistent with the duties referred to in subsection (d) of this section. The sponsoring agreement shall be consistent with the general requirements prescribed for such a sponsoring agreement by the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy.

( Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title VIII, §822, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1598 ; Pub. L. 102–25, title VII, §704(a)(5), Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 118 ; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VIII, §822(c)(1), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1433 ; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §803, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1701 .)

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991, and not as part of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

1993-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–160 amended heading and text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of pars. (1) to (4) relating to the composition, designation of chairman, terms of service, and meetings of the Operating Committee.

1991-Pub. L. 102–190 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions establishing "Critical Technologies Institute" and providing for incorporation, Board of Trustees, duties of Institute, sponsorship of Institute, deadline for certain actions, and funding.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 102–25, §704(a)(5)(A), substituted "appropriated pursuant to this Act" for "available for the Department of Defense" and struck out "in the first fiscal year in which the Institute begins operations" after "activities of the Institute".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 102–25, §704(a)(5)(B), struck out "for each fiscal year after the fiscal year referred to in paragraph (1)" after "for the Institute".

Effective Date of 1991 Amendments

Section 822(c)(2), (3) of Pub. L. 102–190 provided that:

"(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as of November 5, 1990.

"(3) The sponsoring agreement required by subsection (g) of section 822 of Public Law 101–510 [subsec. (g) of this section], as amended by paragraph (1), shall be entered into not later than February 15, 1992."

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–25 applicable as if included in enactment of Pub. L. 101–510, see section 704(e) of Pub. L. 102–25, set out as a note under section 12321 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Authorization of Appropriations

Section 822(d)(2) of Pub. L. 102–190 provided that: "There is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year after fiscal year 1991 for the Institute such sums as may be necessary for the operation of the Institute."