National Security Innovation Act

“2358c. National Security Innovation Network

“(a) Establishment—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a program office to be known as the “National Security Innovation Network” (referred to in this section as the “Network”). The Secretary shall establish the Network within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering or within the office of another principal staff assistant to the Secretary.

“(b) Head of Network—The head of the Network shall be an individual designated by the Secretary of Defense.

“(c) Responsibilities—The responsibilities of the Network shall be—

“(1) to maintain a network throughout the United States that connects the Department of Defense to academic institutions, commercial accelerators and incubators, commercial innovation hubs, and nonprofit entities with missions and capabilities relating to national security innovation;

“(2) to expand the national security innovation base through integrated, project-based problem solving that leads to novel concept and solution development for the Department and facilitates dual-use ventures with national security and commercial utility;

“(3) to work in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, other principal staff assistants within the Office of the Secretary, and the Secretaries of the military departments to create new pathways and models of national security service that facilitate term, temporary, and permanent employment within the Department for—

“(A) students and graduates in the fields of science, technology, arts, engineering, and mathematics;

“(B) early-career and mid-career technologists; and

“(C) entrepreneurs for purposes of project-based work;

“(4) to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to complex problems, particularly through dual-use ventures, and facilitate partnerships between early stage ventures and the Department of Defense, by increasing transparency, and access to the Department for early stage ventures with the goal of improved acquisition and procurement outcomes;

“(5) to generate novel concepts and solutions to problems and requirements articulated by entities within the Department through programs that combine end users from the Department, students and faculty from academic institutions, and the early-stage venture community;

“(6) to establish physical locations throughout the United States through which the Network will connect with academic partners and private funding sources for the purposes of carrying out the responsibilities described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and

“(7) to carry out such other activities as the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the head of the Network, determines to be relevant to such responsibilities.

“(d) Authorities—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense may use the following authorities:

“(1) Section 1599g of title 10, United States Code, relating to public-private talent exchanges.

“(2) Section 2368 of such title, relating to Centers for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnerships.

“(3) Section 2374a of such title, relating to prizes for advanced technology achievements.

“(4) Section 2521 of such title, relating to the Manufacturing Technology Program.

“(5) Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) and section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, relating to cooperative research and development agreements.

“(6) Such other authorities as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(e) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter.”