Technology Infrastructure Program

In this section: The term “Program” means the Technology Infrastructure Program established under subsection (b). The term “technology cluster” means a concentration of technology-related business concerns, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit institutions, that reinforce each other’s performance in the areas of technology development through formal or informal relationships. The term “technology-related business concern” means a for-profit corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, or small business concern that— The Secretary shall establish a Technology Infrastructure Program in accordance with this section. The purpose of the Program shall be to improve the ability of National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities to support departmental missions by— encouraging the exchange of scientific and technological expertise between— entities that can support departmental missions at the National Laboratories or single-purpose research facilities, such as— The Secretary shall authorize the director of each National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to implement the Program at the National Laboratory or facility through one or more projects that meet the requirements of subsections (e) and (f). Each project funded under this section shall meet the requirements of this subsection. Each project shall include at least one of each of the following entities: The costs of carrying out projects under this section shall be shared in accordance with section 16352 of this title. The calculation of costs paid by the non-Federal sources for a project shall include cash, personnel, services, equipment, and other resources expended on the project after the commencement of the project. Independent research and development expenses of Government contractors that qualify for reimbursement under section 31.205–18(e) of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, issued pursuant to section 1303(a)(1) of title 41, may be credited towards costs paid by non-Federal sources to a project, if the expenses meet the other requirements of this section. A project under this section shall be competitively selected using procedures determined by the Secretary. Any participant that receives funds under this section may use generally accepted accounting principles for maintaining accounts, books, and records relating to the project. No Federal funds shall be made available under this section for a construction project or for any project with a duration of more than 5 years. The Secretary shall allocate funds under this section only if the Director of the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility managing the project determines that the project is likely to improve the ability of the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to achieve technical success in meeting departmental missions. In selecting a project to receive Federal funds, the Secretary shall consider— In allocating funds for projects approved under this section, the Secretary shall provide— Not later than July 1, 2008, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on whether the Program should be continued and, if so, how the program should be managed. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for activities under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.