National laboratories in the United States are well-known for leading research in a broad range of fields, like nuclear physics, advanced computing and materials science. But the technological developments that grow from this research are equally important for private markets, and as such national labs play a key role in technology transfer. Non-government contractors work closely with national labs on a variety of research goals, and in many cases these collaborations result in important innovations in commercial technology.
This week, Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced the America Implementing New National Opportunities to Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy and Science (INNOVATES) Act, with the goal of making it easier for national labs to work with the private sector to create new technologies and enhance technology commercialization. The act contains general imperatives to improve performance, operations and management at national labs, make technology transfer faster and more efficient, and allows the Department of Energy more flexibility to support applied research and development activities conducted by universities and nonprofits. One provision extends the duration of a pilot program giving lab directors the capacity to execute R&D agreements with NGOs. Another allows directors to directly approve agreements under $1 million as long as they don’t compromise national security, economic or environmental issues. Additionally, labs are encouraged to give startups and small businesses more information about and access to their research facilities, which the bill’s proposers hope will spur job creation and benefit the economy.
The bill is partly based on the recommendations made in a joint report by Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Center for American Progress, and the Heritage Foundation titled “Turning the Page: Reimagining the National Labs in the 21st Century Innovation Economy”. The bill (S. 1973) has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.