§6337 Critical Technology Partnerships and Cooperative Research and Development Centers

Summary

Require the Secretary of Energy to, as much as possible, carry out research and development of dual-use critical technology under atomic energy defense activities through cooperative research and development agreements or other partnerships that include Department of Energy laboratories and outside parties. The Administrator must set up a cooperative research and development center at each national security laboratory if Congress provides money for it. Each center must promote joint scientific work, develop technology, and help get that technology to users beyond the labs. The Administrator must make 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 the Secretary of Energy says is essential to atomic energy defense, has military and nonmilitary uses, and is a defense critical technology as defined in section 4801. Cooperative research and development agreement — as defined 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 that can partner with DOE labs, alone or with U.S. colleges, other federal or state agencies, or other appropriate parties. Atomic energy defense activities do not include activities covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982, about the Naval nuclear propulsion program.