MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 823. MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (a) In General.— Title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating chapter 149 as chapter 150; (2) by redesignating section 2511 as section 2521; and (3) by inserting after chapter 148 the following new chapter: “CHAPTER 149— MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY “Sec. “2511. Definitions. “2512. Management and planning. “2513. National Defense Manufacturing Technology Plan. “2514. Research and implementation. “2515. Computer-integrated manufacturing technology. “2516. Concurrent engineering. “2517. Manufacturing extension programs. “§ 2511. Definitions “In this chapter: “(1) The term ‘manufacturing technology’ means development of techniques and processes designed to improve manufacturing quality, productivity, and practices, including quality control, shop floor management, inventory management and worker training, as well as manufacturing equipment and software. “(2) The term ‘manufacturing extension programs’ means publicly-chartered organizations and services to transfer technology and help modernize small manufacturers through research, education and training, and outreach activities. “§ 2512. Management and planning “The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, shall— “(1) provide centralized Department of Defense policy guidance and direction to the military departments and the Defense Agencies on all matters relating to manufacturing technology; and 104 STAT. 1601 “(2) direct the development and implementation of Department of Defense plans, programs, projects, and policies that promote the development and application of advanced technologies to manufacturing processes, tools, and equipment. “§ 2513. National Defense Manufacturing Technology Plan “(a) The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, shall develop and implement a National Defense Manufacturing Technology Plan (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Plan’). Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition shall perform the duty of the Secretary under this subsection. “(b) The Plan shall— “(1) provide guidance (formulated in coordination with the Department of Commerce and other relevant public and private organizations) to the military departments and Defense Agencies and to the Department of Energy on the goals, priorities, and approaches to be taken in the defense manufacturing technology program; “(2) provide a link between the manufacturing technology program and the industrial preparedness programs conducted by the Department of Defense and similar and related activities undertaken by government or the private sector, including programs, projects and activities carried out by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to section 25 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 5121(b) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 2781 note); “(3) contain an analysis of the role of manufacturing extension services in— “(A) improving the manufacturing quality, productivity, technology, and practices of defense industry subtier suppliers; and “(B) disseminating to such suppliers such Department of Defense manufacturing concepts as best manufacturing practices, product data exchange specifications, computer-aided acquisition and logistics support, and rapid acquisition of manufactured parts; and “(4) contain a description of how the Secretary of Defense will coordinate with each Federal agency and department in implementing the Plan. “(c) In developing the Plan, the Secretaries referred to in subsection (a) shall consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the Office of Technology Assessment, the National Research Council, the Defense Science Board, industrial associations and organizations, and other entities. “(d) The manufacturing technology program conducted by the Department of Defense may include only the projects and activities that are covered by the Plan and any projects or activities that, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, have a higher priority than the projects and activities covered by the Plan. “§ 2514. Research and implementation “The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, and other relevant Federal104 STAT. 1602 departments and agencies, shall enhance basic research in scientific disciplines relating to manufacturing technology— “(1) by promoting research on those technologies applicable to improving manufacturing processes in colleges and universities in the United States, and in associated centers of excellence; and “(2) by creating technology transfer and education and training mechanisms to ensure that the results of this research are readily available to United States industry. “§ 2515. Computer-integrated manufacturing technology “The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, shall promote the use of computer-integrated manufacturing in order to improve manufacturing quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and reduce production lead times. “§ 2516. Concurrent engineering “The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, shall enhance Department of Defense use of concurrent engineering practices in the design and development of weapon systems. “§ 2517. Manufacturing extension programs “The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy, shall promote the improvement of the subtier defense industry through use of manufacturing extension programs and other existing organizations chartered to help small manufacturers for the purpose of disseminating such Department of Defense manufacturing concepts as best manufacturing practices, product data exchange specification, computer-aided acquisition and logistics support, and rapid acquisition of manufactured parts. Manufacturing extension programs so used shall include programs carried out by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to section 25 of the Act of March 3, 1901 (15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 5121(b) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 2781 note).”. (b) Technical Amendments.— (1) The table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle A of title 10, United States Code, and the beginning of part IV of such subtitle are each amended by striking out the item relating to chapter 149 and inserting in lieu thereof the following new items: “149.Manufacturing Technology 2511 “150.Issue to Armed Forces 2521”. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 150 of such title, as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking out the item relating to section 2511 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “2521. Reserve components: supplies, services, and facilities.”.