§18972 Promoting Domestic Production of Technologies Developed Under Manufacturing Usa Program

Summary

Agency heads and the Secretary of Defense must work with the Commerce Secretary to make rules that encourage U.S. companies to make technologies developed by the Manufacturing USA Network here at home. The rules must help match developers with U.S. manufacturers and financing, give incentives to move intellectual property and products to U.S. makers, help with supplier scouting and supply chain building (including using the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership), review and approve or deny foreign-owned entities joining institutes (especially from countries of concern like the People’s Republic of China), and favor federal buying of these domestically made goods and technologies when appropriate. The rules must allow case-by-case waivers for reasons like cost, availability, mission or technical needs, emergencies, operational needs, legal or treaty obligations, or other important factors. A company from the People’s Republic of China may not take part without such a waiver. The law uses the word “company” as defined in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The Secretary must also get advice from the United States Manufacturing Council (International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce) about investing in and supporting the manufacturing workforce in the Manufacturing USA Program.