Appendix A Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 Public Law 105–261—Oct. 17, 1998
SEC. 214. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
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FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM BUDGET.—It is the sense of Congress that, for each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2008, it should be an objective of the Secretary of Defense to increase the budget for the Defense Science and Technology Program for the fiscal year over the budget for that program for the preceding fiscal year by a percent that is at least two percent above the rate of inflation as determined by the Office of Management and Budget.
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GUIDELINES FOR THE DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.—
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RELATIONSHIP OF DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TO UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.—It is the sense of Congress that the following should be key objectives of the Defense Science and Technology Program:
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The sustainment of research capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the Department of Defense.
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The education and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers in disciplines that are relevant to future defense systems, particularly through the conduct of basic research.
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The continued support of the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and research programs at historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions.
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RELATIONSHIP OF THE DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TO COMMERCIAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.
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It is the sense of Congress that, in supporting projects within the Defense Science and Technology Program, the Secretary of Defense should attempt to leverage commercial research, technology, products, and processes for the benefit of the Department of Defense.
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It is the sense of Congress that funds made available for projects and programs of the Defense Science and Technology Program should be used only for the benefit of the Department of Defense, which includes—
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the development of technology that has only military applications;
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the development of militarily useful, commercially viable technology; and
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the adaptation of commercial technology, products, or processes for military purposes.
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SYNERGISTIC MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should have the flexibility to allocate a combination of funds available for the Department of Defense for basic and applied research and for advanced development to support any individual project or program within the Defense Science and Technology Pro-
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gram, but such flexibility should not change the allocation of funds in any fiscal year among basic and applied research and advanced development.
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MANAGEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.—It is the sense of Congress that—
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management and funding for the Defense Science and Technology Program for each military department should receive a level of priority and leadership attention equal to the level received by program acquisition, and the Secretary of each military department should ensure that a senior official in the department holds the appropriate title and responsibility to ensure effective oversight and emphasis on science and technology;
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to ensure an appropriate long-term focus for investments, a sufficient percentage of science and technology funds should be directed toward new technology areas, and annual reviews should be conducted for ongoing research areas to ensure that those funded initiatives are either integrated into acquisition programs or discontinued when appropriate;
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the Secretary of each military department should take appropriate steps to ensure that sufficient numbers of officers and civilian employees in the department hold advanced degrees in technical fields; and
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of particular concern, the Secretary of the Air Force should take appropriate measures to ensure that sufficient numbers of scientists and engineers are maintained to address the technological challenges faced in the areas of air, space, and information technology.
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STUDY.—
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REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of Defense, in cooperation with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study on the technology base of the Department of Defense.
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MATTERS COVERED.—The study shall—
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result in recommendations on the minimum requirements for maintaining a technology base that is sufficient, based on both historical developments and future projections, to project superiority in air and space weapons systems and in information technology;
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address the effects on national defense and civilian aerospace industries and information technology of reducing funding below the goal described in subsection (a); and
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result in recommendations on the appropriate levels of staff with baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees, and the optimal ratio of civilian and military staff holding such degrees, to ensure that science and technology functions of the Department of Defense remain vital.
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REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date on which the study required under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study.
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DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
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The term “Defense Science and Technology Program” means basic and applied research and advanced development.
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The term “basic and applied research” means work funded in program elements for defense research and development under Department of Defense category 6.1 or 6.2.
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The term “advanced development” means work funded in program elements for defense research and development under Department of Defense category 6.3.
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