Federal Advanced Manufacturing Programs
Examining H.R. 1421: The Advancing Innovative Manufacturing Act of 2013
By Kevin Opp
Last week the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology examined the state of federal advanced manufacturing programs with a particular emphasis on the effects of H.R. 1421, the Advancing Innovative Manufacturing Act of 2013.
Committee members opened the hearing with bipartisan appreciation of the semiconductor industry, citing it as an area for continued growth and investment and as a model for other advanced manufacturing efforts. They understood the unique challenges advanced manufacturers face and the positive role the Federal government has in promoting innovation.
TechVision21 is pleased that the Committee recognizes H.R. 1421 can deliver a return on taxpayer investment by bridging relationship between the private sector and federally funded research in order to build the innovation capacity of domestic manufacturers. In particular, the Committee praised the bill’s support of industry wide technology roadmaps, formal authorization for NIST to address precompetitive challenges, and initiation of a pilot program to provide SME’s with innovation vouchers redeemable at federal laboratories or research institutions, an innovative policy that’s found success in 12 other countries so far.
We are encouraged by the subcommittee’s support for this important bill. Advanced manufacturing programs must be industry-driven, and use the convening authority of the federal government to build coordinated industry-wide technology roadmaps; use caution against singling out specific technology winners; and allow for greater access to R&D infrastructure, all of which is achieved by H.R. 1421.
http://democrats.science.house.gov/bill/hr-1421-advancing-innovative-manufacturing-act-2013