FINDINGS AND PURPOSES

SEC. 3132. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES (a) Findings.—Congress finds that— (1) technology advancement is a key component in the growth of the United States industrial economy, and a strong industrial base is an essential element of the security of this country; (2) there is a need to enhance United States competitiveness in both domestic and international markets; (3) innovation and the rapid application of commercially valuable technology are assuming a more significant role in near-term marketplace success; (4) the Federal laboratories and other facilities have outstanding capabilities in a variety of advanced technologies and skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians who could contribute substantially to the posture of United States industry in international competition; (5) improved opportunities for cooperative research and development agreements between contractor-managers of certain Federal laboratories and the private sector in the United States, 103 STAT. 1675consistent with the program missions at those facilities, particularly the national security functions involved in atomic energy defense activities, would contribute to our national well-being; and (6) more effective cooperation between those laboratories and the private sector in the United States is required to provide speed and certainty in the technology transfer process. (b) Purposes.—The purposes of this part are to— (1) enhance United States national security by promoting technology transfer between Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories and the private sector in the United States; and (2) enhance collaboration between universities, the private sector, and Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories in order to foster the development of technologies in areas of significant economic potential.