§6337 Critical Technology Partnerships and Cooperative Research and Development Centers

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must, as much as possible, make sure research and development of dual-use critical technology done under atomic energy defense work happens through cooperative research and development agreements or other arrangements that involve Department of Energy laboratories and outside partners. If Congress provides money, the Administrator must create a cooperative research and development center at each national security laboratory to promote joint research, develop technology, and move that technology to users beyond the labs. The Administrator must enter into CRADAs with government, public, academic, or private partners and may contract to build, buy, manage, or lease facilities. Definitions (one line each): "Dual-use critical technology" = technology critical to atomic energy defense that has military and nonmilitary uses and meets the defense-critical-technology definition in section 4801. "Cooperative research and development agreement" = the term in section 12(d) of the Stevenson‑Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a(d)). "Other entities" = eligible firms or consortia, alone or with colleges, other federal agencies, state agencies, or other eligible parties. "Atomic energy defense activities" = does not include activities covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982, for the Naval nuclear propulsion program.