Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987

(Measure indefinitely postponed in Senate)

Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Title I: National Institute of Technology - Amends specified Federal law (known as the National Bureau of Standards Act) to establish in the Department of Commerce the National Institute of Technology (the Institute), a science, engineering, and technology laboratory to replace the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology). Provides that the Institute shall: (1) continue the Bureau's traditional function of providing measurements, calibrations, and quality control techniques for industry; and (2) assist industry with the development of new generic technologies necessary to improve manufacturing and overcome scientific and technical barriers to the rapid commercialization of scientific discoveries and innovations. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary), through the Institute, to undertake: (1) a range of functions, particularly in research and information dissemination; and (2) specified activities to carry out such functions, including research on all of the telecommunications sciences.

Repeals specified provisions of other Federal laws relating to the Bureau.

Requires the Director of the Institute (the Director) to: (1) keep specified congressional committees fully and currently informed with regard to all Institute activities; and (2) report on all changes in policies regarding fees for currently offered standard reference materials and calibration services.

Authorizes the Director periodically to contract with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences for advice and studies.

Title II: Technology Extension Activities - Establishes within the Institute an Office of Extension Services to: (1) act as a point of contact for State and local governments and for private sector business, particularly small business; (2) work with specified Federal agencies to ensure that State and local governments and U.S. businesses have information about Federal research and development programs and results; and (3) administer the program of the Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology and the Pilot State Technology Extension Program.

Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to provide assistance for the creation and support of regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. Provides that the objective of the Centers is to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through specified means, including the transfer to the Centers of new basic manufacturing technology and techniques developed at the Institute and, through the Centers, to manufacturing companies throughout the United States.

Limits Federal support of any such Center to 50 percent of annual costs for a six-year period. Permits nonprofit institutions to apply for such support. Directs the Secretary to submit each application to merit review, peer review, or other similar process, taking specified factors into consideration. Requires each Center that receives a grant to be evaluated during its third year of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from providing further funding to a Center unless the evaluation is positive.

Applies to the promotion of technology from Center research specified Federal law entitling nonprofit organizations to keep the legal rights to inventions which may result from federally funded research.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 for the Centers program.

Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to establish a three-year Pilot State Technology Extension Program to assist State-operated activities that demonstrate innovative methods by which the Federal Government and the States can work together to help improve the technology and competitiveness of American business. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to States that propose innovative new State activities to transfer federally funded research, technology, and expertise to businesses within those States. Sets forth application requirements. Directs the Secretary to select and approve, using specified criteria, not more than 15 States (or regional consortia of States) to receive Program grants. Permits grants for periods of one to three years, beginning in FY 1988. Sets forth grant conditions, including a required State contribution. Requires annual State reports on the Program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the Program at the end of FY 1990.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out the Program.

Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish within the Office of the Secretary of Commerce a Clearinghouse on State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on these initiatives.

Title III: Advanced Technology Program - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary, through the Director of the Institute and with the advice of the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation, to establish an Advanced Technology Program to assist U.S. industry in creating the generic technology necessary to: (1) commercialize economically significant new scientific discoveries and technologies rapidly; and (2) refine advanced manufacturing technologies. Directs the Secretary, for such purposes and subject to specified limitations, to enter into contracts with small businesses and to aid the creation and operation of joint research and development ventures by U.S. companies. Sets forth provisions for advisory mechanisms.

Title IV: Reports on Semiconductors, Superconductors, and Advanced Manufacturing Technology - Directs the President, at the time of the FY 1989 budget request, to report to the Congress on the President's policies and budget proposals regarding research in semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing technology, fiber optics and optical-electronic technologies generally, and superconducting materials.

Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts with the National Academies of Engineering and Sciences for a thorough review of all major policy issues regarding U.S. semiconductor technology and commercial and national defense applications of superconductors. Provides for a semiconductor review panel and a superconductor review panel. Requires the panels to report to the President and the Congress.

Title V: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the National Bureau of Standards Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1988 for the National Institute of Technology (the Institute) for: (1) measurement research and technology; (2) engineering materials and manufacturing; (3) materials science and engineering; (4) computer science and technology; (5) research support activities; and (6) research facilities. Reserves specified amounts of such funds for specified activities under these categories. Allows transfers of funds among line items.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 from certain sums authorized but not appropriated for the Cold Neutron Source Facility for FY 1987. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions for such Facility.

Authorizes necessary appropriations for FY 1988 to make adjustments in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits. Authorizes an additional 440 full-time positions for the Institute.

Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for FY 1988 for: (1) the Office of Productivity, Technology, and Innovation; (2) the Japanese technical literature program; and (3) patent licensing activities of the National Technical Information Service.

Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1988 through 1990 for the Clearinghouse on State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation.

Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1988 for the Advanced Technology Program.

Title VI: Miscellaneous Amendments - Establishes within the Department of Commerce the Office of Barter and Countertrade. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Director and provide necessary staff for the Office. Sets forth Office functions, including organizing and disseminating international barter and countertrade information in a manner useful to businesses, educational institutions, and export-related Federal and State governmental agencies.

Amends the International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act of 1974 to shorten from 180 days to 90 days after the receipt of a complaint, the period after which the Secretary of Transportation must take action in response to a complaint about unjustifiable or unreasonable discriminatory, predatory, or anticompetitive practices of foreign governments. Directs the Secretary, in considering any such complaint, to: (1) solicit the views of the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in addition to those of the State Department; and (2) provide any affected air carrier or foreign air carrier with reasonable notice and opportunity to file written evidence and argument. Directs the Secretary, within 120 days after receiving a complaint, to report to specified congressional committees on actions taken.

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to investigate the effects on national security, or essential commerce affecting national security, of: (1) certain mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers by or with foreign persons which involve persons engaged in interstate commerce in the United States; and (2) efforts by or with foreign persons to gain control of persons engaged in U.S. interstate commerce. Requires that all relevant information be provided to the Secretary. Provides for the confidentiality of such information. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Defense and other appropriate Federal officers. Authorizes the Secretary to hold public hearings and to apply in U.S. district courts for all necessary injunctive relief and compliance orders as to foreign persons.

Directs the Secretary, within 45 days after beginning such an investigation, to report findings and recommendations to the President. Authorizes the President, subject to provisions for congressional disapproval, to restrict, suspend, or prohibit such acquisition, merger, takeover, or other attempt to gain control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States so that such control will not threaten to impair the national security or essential commerce affecting national security. Authorizes the President to seek appropriate relief in U.S. district courts. Sets forth considerations which the Secretary and the President must make. Requires the President to submit to the Congress a report of the intended action and the Secretary's report. Directs the President to commence the action unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 calendar days after receipt of such report.

Title VII: Conforming and Further Miscellaneous Amendments - Prohibits the National Institute of Technology from implementing a policy of charging fees to research associates in the absence of express statutory authority to do so.

Directs the Board of Assessment of the Institute to assess emerging technologies expected to require metrology research by the Institute.

Requires the Director of the Institute to submit to specified congressional committees a plan detailing how the Institute will: (1) make small businesses more aware of the Institute's activities and research; and (2) seek to increase application of its research by small businesses, especially in manufacturing.

Prohibits contracting out, or otherwise transferring from the Federal Government, activities or functions of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) that are not currently performed by contractors, unless the transfer is expressly authorized by statute. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report recommendations for improvements in NTIS to specified congressional committees by December 31, 1987.

Establishes within the Department of Commerce a Commerce, Science, and Technology Fellowship Program to provide a select group of executive branch employees with an opportunity to learn how the legislative and executive branches function through work experiences of up to one year. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act on the Department's plans for implementing such Program in FY 1988.