S. 2511 — what changed
Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018
From Reported in Senate to Engrossed in Senate. 1 section amended, 5 added, and 8 removed between Reported in Senate and Engrossed in Senate.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Administration— The term Administration means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Administrator— The term Administrator means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
changed
Cooperative activities of the Administration— The term terms cooperative activities of the Administration means cooperative activities between the Administration and an external entity, such as the Cooperative Institutes, Sea Grant Colleges, National Estuarine Research Reserves, the National Oceanographic Partnership Program established under chapter 665 of title 10, United States Code, and regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
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Curate the data and data curation—Data specifications— The terms curate the data and term data curation specifications shall encompass refer to the processes of conducting quality assurance type, resolution, periodicity, and quality control measures for data, capturing associated appropriate meta data, electronic storage and back up of the data, and ensuring accessibility data required by an program of the data.Administration.
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Test or training range—
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Data specifications— The term data specifications shall refer to the type, resolution, periodicity, and quality of data required by a program of the Administration.
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Program— The term Program means the program established under section 101(a).
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Test or training range—
renumbered
was (9)(2)
In general— The term test or training range means an area designated for operating unmanned maritime systems and other types of systems for the purpose of—
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was (9)(2)(3)
evaluating the performance of such systems; or
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was (9)(2)(4)
training personnel on operating procedures for such systems.
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was (9)(3)
Inclusions— The term test or training range may include specialized fixed or portable instrumentation for the operation of unmanned maritime systems and other types of systems.
added
Unmanned maritime systems—
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Unmanned maritime systems—
renumbered
was (10)(2)
In general— The term unmanned maritime systems means remotely operated or autonomous vehicles produced by the commercial sector—
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was (10)(2)(3)
designed to travel in the air, on or under the ocean surface, on land, or any combination, and that function without an on-board human presence; and
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that may include associated components such as control and communications, instrumentation, data transmission, and processing systems.
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that may include associated components such as control and communications, data transmission, and processing systems.
renumbered
was (10)(3)
Examples— The term unmanned maritime systems includes the following:
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was (10)(3)(3)
Unmanned undersea vehicles.
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was (10)(3)(4)
Unmanned surface vehicles.
removed
Unmanned aerial vehicles.
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was (10)(3)(6)
Autonomous underwater vehicles.
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was (10)(3)(7)
Autonomous surface vehicles.
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Treatment of aerial vehicles— The term unmanned maritime systems includes unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous aerial vehicles that are used to address maritime issues to the extent the Administrator determines it is necessary and appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Act.
removed
Autonomous aerial vehicles.
Sec. 101 Establishment of program on assessment and acquisition by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of unmanned maritime systems
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Establishment— The Administrator shall establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) a joint program office to coordinate the Administration’s research, assessment, and acquisition of unmanned maritime systems. The program established under this section shall also consider the use of unmanned maritime systems in cooperative activities of the Administration.
removed
Coordination within the Administration—
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Authority to establish coordinating committee— The Administrator shall establish a coordinating committee to ensure that the Program addresses requirements throughout the Administration.
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Included— In establishing a coordinating committee under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall ensure that representation in the committee is included from the following:
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The Office of Ocean Exploration (OER).
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The program office of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
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Such other offices of the Administration as the Administrator determines are actively engaged with unmanned maritime systems.
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Designation— A coordinating committee established under paragraph (1) shall be known as the “Unmanned Maritime Systems Ocean Technology Coordinating Committee”.
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Coordination with the Navy—
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In general— In carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall—
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make efforts to coordinate with the Secretary of the Navy to leverage expertise in the development and operational transition of unmanned maritime systems;
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align with, utilize, and inform the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Operations and the Oceanographer of the Navy’s strategic and operational priorities, particularly for missions and geography within the Administration’s purview;
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seek to utilize Naval unmanned systems test or training ranges, such as the Gulf of Mexico Unmanned Systems Test and Training Range of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and maximize interagency cooperation and sharing of best practices; and
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to formalize coordination, execute a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Navy that includes—
removed
incorporating consideration of priorities and requirements of the Administration into research and development activities conducted by the Secretary of the Navy;
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consultation intended to encourage and facilitate efforts by the Administration to partner with the Navy to procure unmanned maritime systems and to establish, instrument, and operate test or training ranges and related facilities;
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adopting procedures defined by the Secretary of the Navy for the Administration to access and utilize test or training ranges or related Naval facilities for purposes identified in paragraph (2)(B); and
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such other topics as the Administrator considers necessary or advisable, including mapping, bathymetry, observations, and ocean exploration.
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Location— The Administrator shall, if practicable, carry out the Program at a facility where the Navy and the Administration are co-located, for the following purposes:
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Gaining efficiencies through collaboration.
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Advancing development of unmanned maritime systems, including—
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systems research and development;
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systems testing;
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systems modifications; and
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systems integration.
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Accelerating transition from concept to manufacturing and acquisition.
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Coordination with other Federal agencies— In carrying out the Program, the Administrator and the Secretary of the Navy may utilize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, established under chapter 665 of title 10, United States Code, as a mechanism for providing interagency coordination for the advancement of unmanned maritime systems.
removed
Coordination with academic sector— In carrying out the Program, to the extent approved by the Secretary of the Navy, the Administrator or the Secretary of the Navy may coordinate and co-locate with an academic research institution, or consortium of academic research institutions, for the following purposes:
removed
Maximizing opportunities for research and development of unmanned maritime systems.
removed
Providing training in unmanned maritime systems as part of an accredited certificate or degree program of education.
removed
Facilitating the commercialization of unmanned maritime systems through public-private partnerships that includes academic research institutions, private industry, and public safety agencies.
removed
Arranging access to and use of additional facilities that support testing and assessment of or training with respect to unmanned maritime systems under environmental conditions of interest, increasing operational tolerance under such conditions, certifying operational capacity under such conditions, whether real or simulated, and training operators of unmanned maritime systems in real or simulated environments.
removed
Facilitating engagement with other academic institutions with interest or relevant expertise in unmanned maritime systems.
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Promoting information sharing between the academic, environmental, and military institutions to lead to more robust, mission-oriented unmanned maritime systems.
removed
Engagement with the private sector— Other than as described in subsection (e) and to the extent approved by the Secretary of the Navy, the Administrator or the Secretary of the Navy may, in carrying out the Program, to the extent practicable, coordinate and consult with the private sector—
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to support the commercialization of unmanned maritime systems; and
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to assist with their assessment of commercially available unmanned maritime systems to support the missions and goals of the Navy, the Administration, and cooperative activities of the Administration.
Sec. 102 Regular assessment of unmanned maritime systems to support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration missions
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In general— The Administrator, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, shall regularly assess publicly and commercially available unmanned maritime systems for potential use to support missions of the Administration.
removed
Science-Based assessments— The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) through the Assistant Administrator for all matters relating to assessment of the suitability of unmanned maritime systems to meet data specifications required by programs of the Administration.
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Assessment of operational utility— The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) through the Director for all matters relating to assessment of whether unmanned maritime systems are operationally reliable enough to make in situ observations required by programs of the Administration.
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Engagement— The Assistant Administrator and the Director shall jointly consult with the heads of other offices of the Administration, with the academic sector, and with developers and manufacturers of unmanned maritime systems to conduct the assessments under subsection (a).
Sec. 103 Acquisition of unmanned maritime systems
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In general— The Administrator shall coordinate and centralize the acquisition by the Administration of unmanned maritime systems to meet the prioritized list of data requirements identified under section 104(b)(2).
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Memoranda of understanding— In order to realize greater savings and efficiency, the Administrator may develop and execute a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary of the Navy to—
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participate in procurements conducted by that Office;
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accept decommissioned unmanned maritime systems from that Office;
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develop policies and procedures to share unmanned maritime systems; or
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provide for other means of creating efficiency and savings in Federal acquisition of unmanned maritime systems.
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Rule of construction— Nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify Federal procurement law.
Sec. 104 Annual report on unmanned maritime systems and effects on mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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In general— In carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every four years thereafter, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the effects of unmanned maritime systems on the mission of the Administration.
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Contents— Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
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An inventory of current unmanned maritime systems used by programs of the Administration, a summary of the data they have returned, and the benefits realized from having such data.
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A prioritized list of data requirements of the Administration that could be met with unmanned maritime systems, and the estimated cost of acquiring such systems and data.
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Appropriate committees of Congress defined— In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
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the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
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the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 105 Authorization of appropriations and additional authorities
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Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this title.
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Additional authorities— In carrying out this title, the Administrator may—
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enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions;
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notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, accept donations and voluntary and uncompensated services;
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accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies;
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utilize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program established under chapter 665 of title 10, United States Code, to accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies, to accept donations, and to enter into contracts and award grants; and
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promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and appropriate.
Sec. 201 Public availability of data collected by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using unmanned maritime systems
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Available to the public—
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In general— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Administrator shall make available, free of charge, to the public all data collected by the Administrator with the use of unmanned maritime systems.
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Exception— The Administrator shall not make data described in paragraph (1) available as described in such paragraph if—
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the Secretary of the Navy determines that the data is subject to a restriction on availability, in whole or in part and on a term or permanent basis, relating to national security; or
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the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, determines the data is subject to a restriction on availability due to the need for protection of intellectual property or for pre-publication academic use.
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Program of curation and distribution of data—
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Availability— The Administrator, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services and the Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service jointly, shall use existing secure infrastructure such as the Integrated Ocean Observing System—
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to curate, distribute, store, and backup data described in subsection (a)(1); and
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to facilitate joint projects under section 203.
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Distribution— In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall use efforts that were in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, such as the data management framework of the Integrated Ocean Observing System for Federal and non-Federal partnerships, to make data made available under subsection (a)(1) easily accessible to a wide range of users and stakeholders.
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Storage and backup— In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall use the data centers of the National Environmental and Satellite Data Information Service and the data assembly centers of the National Ocean Service that were in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act to store and backup the data described in subsection (a)(1).
Sec. 202 Public engagement on matters relating to data collected by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using unmanned maritime systems
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In general— Subject to subsection (b), the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services and the Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service shall jointly engage in cooperative activities of the Administration and with other interested users or potential users, including users from the academic, commercial, government, and not-for-profit sectors, as well as the general public to ensure that—
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data are made available under section 201 in formats that are—
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useful; and
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to the extent practicable, consistent and interoperable with data collected by the Integrated Ocean Observing System;
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users and potential users of data made available under section 201 are aware of the range of data available under such section; and
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the Administration—
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develops a better understanding of data needs from users and potential users; and
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anticipates future data infrastructure needs to meet growing demands for access to data sets of the Administration from commercial applications.
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Approval of Secretary of the Navy— Cooperative activities may be carried out under subsection (a) only to the extent that the Secretary of the Navy approves data made available under section 201 for release to the public after the Secretary determines there are no national security implications relating to that data.
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Technical assistance— The Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services and the Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service shall jointly provide technical assistance to users or potential users on accessing the data provided under section 201.
Sec. 203 Facilitating joint projects between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and private industry on unmanned maritime systems
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In general— In carrying out the program required by section 201(b)(1), the Administrator shall develop and implement a process to facilitate joint projects among private industry, research institutions, and other non-Federal entities with unmanned maritime systems expertise for the following purposes:
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Improving ocean observing capabilities to monitor the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the ocean.
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Increasing cost effectiveness of developing technologies relating to unmanned maritime systems.
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Seeking efficiencies in data collection and management through in the development and deployment of unmanned maritime systems.
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Expanding global capabilities of ocean technology.
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Capitalizing on emerging technological advances.
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Use of existing partnerships— The Administrator may consider using partnerships in existence on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, such as such partnerships established through the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, for carrying out this section.
Sec. 3 Coordination regarding assessment and acquisition by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of unmanned maritime systems
added
added
Establishment— The Administrator shall direct the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (in this Act referred to as “OAR”) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (in this Act referred to as “OMAO”)—
added
to coordinate the Administration’s research, assessment, and acquisition of unmanned maritime systems; and
added
to consider the use of unmanned maritime systems in cooperative activities of the Administration.
added
Coordination within the Administration—
added
Authority to establish coordinating committee— The Administrator shall establish a coordinating committee to ensure that OAR and OMAO address requirements throughout the Administration.
added
Included— In establishing a coordinating committee under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall ensure that representation in the committee is included from the following:
added
The Office of Ocean Exploration (OER).
added
The program office of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
added
Such other offices of the Administration as the Administrator determines are actively engaged with unmanned maritime systems.
added
Designation— A coordinating committee established under paragraph (1) shall be known as the “Unmanned Maritime Systems Ocean Technology Coordinating Committee”.
added
Coordination with the Navy—
added
In general— In carrying out this Act, the Administrator shall—
added
make efforts to coordinate with the Secretary of the Navy to leverage expertise in the development and operational transition of unmanned maritime systems;
added
align with, utilize, and inform the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Operations and the Oceanographer of the Navy’s strategic and operational priorities, particularly for missions and geography within the Administration’s purview;
added
seek to utilize Naval unmanned systems test or training ranges, such as the Gulf of Mexico Unmanned Systems Test and Training Range of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and maximize interagency cooperation and sharing of best practices; and
added
to formalize coordination, execute a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Navy that includes—
added
incorporating consideration of priorities and requirements of the Administration into research and development activities conducted by the Secretary of the Navy;
added
consultation intended to encourage and facilitate efforts by the Administration to partner with the Navy to procure unmanned maritime systems and to establish, instrument, and operate test or training ranges and related facilities;
added
adopting procedures defined by the Secretary of the Navy for the Administration to access and utilize test or training ranges or related Naval facilities for purposes identified in paragraph (2)(B); and
added
such other topics as the Administrator considers necessary or advisable, including mapping, bathymetry, observations, and ocean exploration.
added
Location— The Administrator shall, if practicable, carry out the activities authorized by this Act at a facility where the Navy and the Administration are co-located, for the following purposes:
added
Gaining efficiencies through collaboration.
added
Advancing development of unmanned maritime systems, including—
added
systems research and development;
added
systems testing;
added
systems modifications; and
added
systems integration.
added
Accelerating transition from concept to manufacturing and acquisition.
added
Coordination with other Federal agencies— In carrying out this Act, the Administrator and the Secretary of the Navy may utilize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, established under chapter 665 of title 10, United States Code, as a mechanism for providing interagency coordination for the advancement of unmanned maritime systems.
added
Coordination with academic sector— In carrying out this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, may coordinate and co-locate with an academic research institution, or consortium of academic research institutions, for the following purposes:
added
Maximizing opportunities for research and development of unmanned maritime systems.
added
Providing training in unmanned maritime systems as part of an accredited certificate or degree program of education.
added
Facilitating the commercialization of unmanned maritime systems through public-private partnerships that includes academic research institutions, private industry, and public safety agencies.
added
Arranging access to and use of additional facilities that support testing and assessment of or training with respect to unmanned maritime systems under environmental conditions of interest, increasing operational tolerance under such conditions, certifying operational capacity under such conditions, whether real or simulated, and training operators of unmanned maritime systems in real or simulated environments.
added
Facilitating engagement with other academic institutions with interest or relevant expertise in unmanned maritime systems.
added
Promoting information sharing between the academic, environmental, and military institutions to lead to more robust, mission-oriented unmanned maritime systems.
added
Engagement with the private sector— Other than as described in subsection (e), the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, may, in carrying out this Act, to the extent practicable, coordinate and consult with the private sector—
added
to support the commercialization of unmanned maritime systems; and
added
to assist with their assessment of commercially available unmanned maritime systems to support the missions and goals of the Navy, the Administration, and cooperative activities of the Administration.
Sec. 4 Regular assessment of unmanned maritime systems to support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration missions
added
added
In general— The Administrator, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, shall regularly assess publicly and commercially available unmanned maritime systems for potential use to support missions of the Administration.
added
Science-based assessments— The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) through the Assistant Administrator for all matters relating to assessment of the suitability, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of unmanned maritime systems to meet data specifications required by programs of the Administration.
added
Assessment of operational utility— The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) through the Director for all matters relating to assessment of whether unmanned maritime systems are operationally reliable, feasible, and cost effective enough to make observations required by programs of the Administration.
added
Engagement— The Assistant Administrator and the Director shall jointly—
added
convene and consult the Unmanned Maritime Systems Ocean Technology Coordinating Committee established under section 3(b); and
added
consult with the heads of other offices of the Administration, the academic sector, and developers and manufacturers of unmanned maritime systems to conduct the assessments under subsection (a).
Sec. 5 Acquisition of unmanned maritime systems
added
added
In general— The Administrator shall coordinate and centralize the acquisition by the Administration of unmanned maritime systems to meet the prioritized list of data requirements identified by OAR and OMAO in carrying out this Act in their regular assessments and approved by the Unmanned Maritime Systems Ocean Technology Coordinating Committee established under section 3(b).
added
Memoranda of understanding— In order to realize greater savings and efficiency, the Administrator may develop and execute a memorandum of agreement with the Secretary of the Navy to—
added
participate in procurements conducted by the signatories to the memorandum of understanding;
added
accept decommissioned unmanned maritime systems from the Navy;
added
develop policies and procedures to share unmanned maritime systems; or
added
provide for other means of creating efficiency and savings in Federal acquisition of unmanned maritime systems.
added
Rule of construction— Nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify Federal procurement law.
Sec. 6 Reports on unmanned maritime systems and usage for mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
added
added
In general— In carrying out this Act, the Administrator shall, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 4 years thereafter, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the usage of unmanned maritime systems for the mission of the Administration.
added
Contents— Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
added
An inventory of current unmanned maritime systems used by programs of the Administration, a summary of the data they have returned, and the benefits realized from having such data.
added
A prioritized list of data requirements of the Administration that could be met with unmanned maritime systems, and the commercially available unmanned maritime systems with the operational capabilities to collect such data.
added
Appropriate committees of Congress defined— In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
added
the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
added
the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 7 Funding and additional authorities
added
added
Funding— The Administrator shall carry out this Act using existing amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Administration.
added
Additional authorities— In carrying out this Act, the Administrator may—
added
enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with any domestic or foreign government;
added
notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, accept donations and voluntary and uncompensated services;
added
accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies;
added
utilize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program established under chapter 665 of title 10, United States Code, to accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies, to accept donations, and to enter into contracts and award grants;
added
under an agreement entered into under paragraph (1), transfer funds appropriated to carry our this Act to any organization;
added
use, with their consent, with or without reimbursement, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of—
added
any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States;
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any State or local government or tribal government; or
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any foreign government or international organization; and
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promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and appropriate.