42 U.S.C. § 13502 — National Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Program

(a) Program direction. The Secretary had to set up a 5-year National Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Program, following sections 13541 and 13542. This program must foster commercializing advanced manufacturing technology that improves energy efficiency and productivity in manufacturing. At minimum, it must speed up private-sector use of advanced manufacturing technology that improves productivity, quality, and control in manufacturing processes, in ways that foster economic growth, energy efficiency, and competitiveness. It must include field demonstrations big enough and numerous enough to prove technical and economic feasibility. (b) Program plan. Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the Secretary — after consulting industry, colleges, Department of Energy national laboratories, and professional and technical groups — had to give Congress a 5-year plan to guide this section's work. The Secretary must update and resubmit this plan to Congress every two years. (c) Proposals. Within 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Secretary had to ask for proposals matching the 5-year plan; one or more parties could submit a proposal. Proposals had to include: (A) an explanation of how the proposal would speed up commercializing advanced manufacturing technology to improve energy efficiency in the building, industry, and transportation sectors; (B) evidence the proposer considered whether Department of Energy national laboratories' unique abilities warranted collaborating with them, and how much collaboration is proposed; (C) a description of how much the proposal involves collaborating with relevant industry or other groups; and (D) evidence the proposers can carry out and finish the project. (d) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized whatever sums are needed for this section, drawn from section 13451(e) — including national laboratory participation in proposals under (c).