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<NIS.NSF.NET> [NSFNET] NRENBILL.TXT
The House-Senate compromise version of S. 272, the
High-Performance Computing Act, passed the House on
November 20, 1991, the Senate on November 22, 1991,
and was signed by the President on December 9, 1991.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A bill to provide for a coordinated Federal program to
ensure continued United States leadership in
high-performance computing
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "High-Performance
Computing Act of 1991".
SEC. 2. FINDINGS
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Advances in computer science and technology are vital
to the Nation's prosperity, national and economic security,
industrial production, engineering, and scientific advancement
(2) The United States currently leads the world in the
development and use of high-performance computing for
national security, industrial productivity, science and
engineering, but that lead is being challenged by foreign
competitors.
(3) Further research and development, expanded
educational programs, improved computer research
networks, and more effective technology transfer from
government to industry are necessary for the United
States to reap fully the benefits of high-performance
computing.
(4) A high-capacity and high speed national research
and education computer network would provide
researchers and educators with access to computer
and information resources and act as a test bed for
further research and development of high-capacity
and high-speed computer networks.
(5)Several Federal agencies have ongoing high
performance computing programs, but improved
long-term interagency coordination, cooperation, and
planning would enhance the effectiveness of these
programs.
(6) A 1991 report entitled "Grand Challenges: High-
Performance Computing and Communications" by the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, outlining a
research and development strategy for high-performance
computing, provides a framework for a multiagency
high-performance computing program. Such a program would
provide American researchers and educators with the computer
and information resources they need, and demonstrate how
advanced computers, high-capacity and high-speed networks,
and electronic data bases can improve the national information
infrastructure for use by all Americans.
SEC 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to help ensure the continued leadership
of the United States in high-performance computing and its
applications by--
(1) expanding Federal support for research,
development, and application of high-performance
computing in order to--
(A) establish a high-capacity and high-speed National Research
and Education Network;
(B) expand the number of researchers, educators, and
students with training in high-performance computing and
access to high-performance computing resources;
(C) promote the further development of an information
infrastructure of data bases, services, access mechanisms,
and research facilities available for use through the Network;
(D) stimulate research on software technology;
(E) promote the more rapid development and wider
distribution of computer software tools and applications
software;
(F) accelerate the development of computing systems and
subsystems;
(G) provide for the application of high-performance
computing to Grand Challenges;
(H) invest in basic research and education, and promote
the inclusion of high-performance computing into
educational institutions at all levels; and
(I) promote greater collaboration among government,
Federal laboratories, industry, high-performance
computing centers, and universities; and
(2) improving the interagency planning and coordination of
Federal research and development on high- performance
computing and maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal
Government's high-performance computing efforts.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act, the term--
(1) "Director" means the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy;
(2) "Grand Challenge" means a fundamental problem in
science or engineering, with broad economic and scientific
impact, whose solution will require the application of
high-performance computing resources;
(3) "high-performance computing" means advanced
computing, communications, and information technologies,
including scientific workstations, supercomputer systems
(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel
systems), high-capacity and high-speed networks, special
purpose and experimental systems, and applications and
systems software;
(4) "Network" means a computer network referred to as
the National Research and Education Network established
under section 102; and
(5) "Program" means the National High-Performance
Computing Program described in section 101
TITLE I--HIGH_PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND THE
NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK
SEC. 101. NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING
PROGRAM.
(a) NATIONAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING
PROGRAM.--(1) The President shall implement a National
High-Performance Computing Program, which shall.
(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal
high-performance computing research, development,
networking, and other activities; and
(B) provide for interagency coordination of Federal
high-performance computing research, development,
networking, and other activities undertaken pursuant
to the Program
(2) The Program shall--
(A) provide for the establishment of policies for
management and access to the Network;
(B) provide for oversight of the operation and
evolution of the Network;
(C) promote connectivity among computer networks
of Federal agencies and departments;
(D) provide for efforts to increase software availability,
productivity, capability, portability, and reliability;
(E) Provide for improved dissemination of Federal agency
data and electronic information;
(F) provide for acceleration of the development of high-
performance computing systems, subsystems, and
associated software;
(G) provide for the technical support and research and
development for high-performance computing software
and hardware needed to address Grand Challenges;
(H) provide for educating and training additional
undergraduate and graduate students in software engineering,
computer science, library and information science, and
computational science; and
(I) provide
(i) for the security requirements, policies, and standards
necessary to protect Federal research computer networks
and information resources accessible through Federal
research computer networks, including research required
to establish security standards for high-performance
computing systems and networks; and
(ii) that agencies and departments identified in the
annual report submitted under paragraph (3)(A) shall
define and implement a security plan consistent with the
Program and with applicable law.
(3) The Director shall--
(A) submit to the Congress an annual report, along with
the President's annual budget request, describing the
implementation of the Program;
(B) provide for interagency coordination of the Program;
and
(C) consult with academic, State, industry, and other
appropriate groups conducting research on and using
high-performance computing.
(4) The annual report submitted under paragraph (3)(A)
shall--
(A) include a detailed description of the goals and priorities
established by the President for the Program;
(B) set forth the relevant programs and activities, for the
fiscal year with respect to which the budget submission
applies, of each Federal agency and department, including--
(i) the Department of Agriculture
(ii) the Department of Commerce;
(iii) the Department of Defense;
(iv) the Department of Education;
(v) the Department of Energy;
(vi) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(vii) the Department of the Interior;
(viii) the Environmental Protection Agency;
(ix) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(x) the National Science Foundation;
(xi) such other agencies and departments as the
President or the Director considers appropriate;
(C) describe the levels of Federal funding for
the fiscal year during which such report is submitted,
and the levels proposed for the fiscal year with
respect to which the budget submission applies, for
specific activities, including education, research,
hardware and software development, and
support for the establishment of the Network;
(D) describe the levels of Federal funding for
each agency and department participating in the
Program for the fiscal year during which such report
is submitted, and the levels proposed for the fiscal
year with respect to which the budget submission
applies; and
(E) include an analysis of the progress made
toward achieving the goals and priorities established
for the Program.
(b) HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.--The President shall establish an
advisory Committee on high-performance computing
consisting of non-Federal members, including
representatives of the research, education and library
communities, network providers, and industry, who
are specially qualified to provide the Director with
advice and information on high-performance
computing. The recommendations of the advisory
committee shall be considered in reviewing and
revising the Program. The advisory committee
shall provide the Director with an independent
assessment of--
(1) progress made in implementing the Program;
(2) the need to revise the Program;
(3) the balance between the components of the
Program;
(4) whether the research and development undertaken
pursuant to the Program is helping to maintain United
States leadership in computing technology; and
(5) other issues identified by the Director.
(c) OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.--
(1) Each Federal agency and department participating
in the Program shall, as part of its annual request for
appropriations to the Office of Management and
Budget, submit a report to the Office of Management
and Budget, identifying which--
(A) identifies each element of its high-performance
computing activities which contributes directly to the
Program or benefits from the Program; and
(B) states the portion of its request for appropriations
that is allocated to each such element.
(2) The Office of Management and Budget shall review
each such report in light of the goals, priorities, and
agency and departmental responsibilities set forth in the
annual report submitted under subsection (a) (3) (A), and
shall include, in the President's annual budget estimate,
a statement of the portion of each appropriate agency's or
department's annual budget estimate relating to its
activities undertaken pursuant to the Program.
SEC. 102. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.--As part of the Program, the
National Science Foundation, the Department of the
Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department
of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and other agencies participating in
the Program shall support the establishment of the
National Research and Education Network, portions of
(b) ACCESS.--Federal agencies shall work with private
network service providers, State and local agencies,
libraries, educational institutions and organizations,
and others, as appropriate in order to ensure that the
researchers, educators, and students have access, as
appropriate, to the Network. The Network is provide
users with appropriate access to high-performance
computing systems, electronic information resources,
other research facilities, and libraries. The Network
shall provide access, to the extent practicable, to electronic
information resources maintained by libraries, research
facilities, publishers, and affiliated organizations.
(c) NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS.--The Network shall--
(1) be developed and deployed with the computer,
telecommunications, and information industries;
(2) be designed, developed, and operated in collaboration
with potential users in government, industry, and
research institutions and educational institutions;
(3) be designed, developed, and operated in a
manner which fosters and maintains competition and
private sector investment in high-speed data
networking within the telecommunications industry;
(4) be designed, developed, and operated in a
manner which promotes research and development
leading to development of commercial data
communications and telecommunications standards,
whose development will encourage the establishment of
privately operated high-speed commercial networks;
(5) be designed and operated so as to ensure the
continued application of laws that provide network
and information resources security measures, including
those that protect copyright and other intellectual
property rights, and those that control access to data
bases and protect national security;
(6) have accounting mechanisms which allow
users or groups of users to be charged for their
usage of copyrighted materials available over the
Network and, where appropriate and technically feasible,
for their usage of the Network;
(7) ensure the interoperability of Federal and non-Federal
computer networks, to the extent appropriate, in a way
that allows autonomy for each component network;
(8) be developed by purchasing standard commercial
transmission and network services from vendors
whenever feasible, and by contracting for customized
services when not feasible, in order to minimize
Federal investment in network hardware;
(9) support research and development of networking
software and hardware; and
(10) serve as a test bed for further research and
development of high-capacity and high-speed computing
networks and demonstrate how advanced computers, high-
capacity and high-speed computing networks, and data
bases can improve the national information infrastructure.
(d) DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITY.--As part of the Program, the Department
of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency, shall support research and development of advanced
fiber optics technology, switches, and protocols needed to
develop the Network.
(e) INFORMATION SERVICES.--The Director shall assist the
President in coordinating the activities of appropriate agencies
and departments to promote the development of information
services that could be provided over the Network. These
services may include the provision of directories of users
and services on computer networks, data bases of
unclassified Federal scientific data, training of users of
data bases and computer networks, access to commercial
information services for users of the Network, and
technology to support computer-based collaboration that
allows researchers and educators around the Nation to
share information and instrumentation.
(f) USE OF GRANT FUNDS--All Federal agencies and
departments are authorized to allow recipients of Federal
research grants to use grant moneys to pay for computer
networking expenses.
(g) REPORT TO CONGRESS.--Within one year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Director shall report to the
Congress on--
(1) effective mechanisms for providing operating
funds for the maintenance and use of the Network,
including user fees, industry support, and continued
Federal investment;
(2) the future operation and evolution of the Network;
(3) how commercial information services providers could
be charged for access to the Network, and how Network
users could be charged for such commercial information
services;
(4) the technological feasibility of allowing commercial
information service providers to use the Network and
other federally funded research networks;
(5) how to protect the copyrights of material distributed
over the Network; and
(6) appropriate policies to ensure the security of resources
available on the Network and to protect the privacy of users
of networks.
TITLE II--AGENCY ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the
Program described in TITLE I--
(1) the National Science Foundation shall provide computing
and networking infrastructure support for all science and
engineering disciplines, and support basic research and human
resource development in all aspects of high-performance
computing and advanced high-speed computer networking.
(2) to the extent that colleges, universities, and libraries
cannot connect to the Network with the assistance of the
private sector, the National Science Foundation shall have
primary responsibility for assisting colleges, universities,
and libraries to connect to the Network;
(3) the National Science Foundation shall serve as the
primary source of information on access to and use of the
Network; and
(4) the National Science Foundation shall upgrade the National
Science Foundation funded network, assist regional networks
to upgrade their capabilities, and provide other Federal
departments and agencies the opportunity to connect to the
National Science Foundation funded network.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.-- From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation for the purposes of the Program $213,000,000 for
fiscal year 1992; $262,000,000 for fiscal year 1993;
$305,000,000 for fiscal year 1994; $354,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995; and $413,000,000 for fiscal year 1996
SEC. 202. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
ADMINISTRATION.ACTIVITIES.
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the
Program described in title I the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration shall conduct basic and applied
research in high-performance computing, particularly in
the field of computational science, with emphasis on aero-
space sciences, earth and space sciences, and remote
exploration and experimentation.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration for the purposes of the Program
$72,000,000 for fiscal year 1992; $107,000,000 for fiscal
year 1993; $134,000,000 for fiscal year 1994;
$151,000,000 for fiscal year 1995; and $145,000,000 for
fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.ACTIVITIES
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the Program
described in Title I, the Secretary of Energy shall--
(1) perform research and development on, and systems
evaluations of, high-performance computing and
communications systems;
(2) conduct computational research with emphasis
on energy applications;
(3) support basic research, education, and human
resources in computational science; and
(4) provide for networking infrastructure support for
energy-related mission activities.
(b) COLLABORATIVE CONSORTIA.--In accordance with the
Program, the Secretary of Energy shall establish High-
Performance Computing Research and Development Collaborative
Consortia by soliciting and selecting proposals. Each
Collaborative Consortium shall--
(1) conduct research directed at scientific and technical
problems whose solutions require the application of
high-performance computing and communications resources;
(2) promote the testing and uses of new types of high-
performance computing and related software and equipment;
(3) serve as a vehicle for participating vendors of high-
performance computing systems to test new ideas and
technology in a sophisticated computing environment; and
(4) be led by a Department of Energy national laboratory,
and include participants from Federal agencies and
departments, researchers, private industry, educational
institutions, and others as the Secretary of Energy may deem
appropriate.
(c) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.--The results of research and
development carried out under this section shall be
transferred to the private sector and others in accordance
with applicable law.
(d) ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.--Within one year after
the date of enactment of this Act and every year thereafter,
the Secretary of Energy shall transmit to the Congress a
report on activities taken to carry out this Act.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--(1) There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for
for the purposes of this the Program $93,000,000 for fiscal
year 1992; $110,000,000 for fiscal year 1993;
$138,000,000 for fiscal year 1994; $157,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995; and $168,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Energy for fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996,
such funds as may be necessary to carry out the activities that
are not part of the Program but are authorized by this section.
SEC. 204. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES.
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the
Program described in Title I--
(1) the National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall
(A) conduct basic and applied measurement
research needed to support various high-performance
computing systems and networks;
(B) develop and propose standards and guidelines,
and develop measurement techniques and test methods,
for the interoperability of high-performance computing
systems in networks and for common user interfaces to
systems; and
(C) be responsible for developing benchmark tests and
standards for high performance computing systems and
software; and
(2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall conduct basic and applied research in weather
prediction and ocean sciences, particularly in development
of new forecast models, in computational fluid dynamics,
and in the incorporation of evolving computer
architectures and networks into the systems that carry
out agency missions.
(b) HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND NETWORK
SECURITY.--Pursuant to the Computer Security Act of 1987
(Public Law 100-235; 101 Stat. 1724), The National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall be responsible for developing
and proposing standards and guidelines needed to
assure the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive
information in Federal computer systems.
(c) STUDY OF IMPACT OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT
REGULATIONS.--(l) The Secretary of Commerce shall
conduct a study to--
(A) evaluate the impact of Federal procurement regulations
that require that contractors providing software to the
Federal Government share the rights to proprietary software
development tools that the contractors use to develop the
software; and
(B) determine whether such regulations discourage
development of improved software development tools and
techniques.
(2) The Secretary of Commerce shall, within one year
after the date of enactment of this Act, report to the
Congress regarding the results of the study conducted
under paragraph (1).
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are
authorized to be appropriated--
(1) to the National Institute of Standards and
Technology for the purposes of the Program $3,000,000
for fiscal year 1992; $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1993;
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994; $6,000,000 for
fiscal year 1995; and $7,000,000 for fiscal year1996.
(2) to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration for the purposes of the Program
$2,500,000 for fiscal year 1992; $3,000,000 for fiscal
year 1993; $3,500,000 for fiscal year 1994;
$4,000,000 for fiscal year 1995; and $4,500,000 for
fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 205. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.ACTIVITIES
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the
Program described in title I, the Environmental
Protection Agency shall conduct basic and applied
research directed toward the advancement and
dissemination of computational techniques and software
tools which form the core of ecosystem, atmospheric
chemistry, and atmospheric dynamics models.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental
Protection Agency for the purposes of the Program
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 1992; $5,500,000 for fiscal
year 1993; $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1994; $6,500,000
for fiscal year 1995; and $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1996
SEC. 206. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.--As part of the Program
described in title I, the Secretary of Education is authorized
to conduct basic and applied research in computational
research with an emphasis on the coordination of activities
with libraries, school facilities, and education research
groups with respect to the advancement and dissemination
of computational science and the development, evaluation and
application of software capabilities.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--From
sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
Education for the purposes of this section $1,500,000 for
fiscal year 1992; $1,700,000 for fiscal year 1993;
$1,900,000 for fiscal year 1994; $2,100,000 for fiscal year
1995; and $2,300,000 for fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 207. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(A) NONAPPLICABILITY.--Except to the extent the
appropriate Federal Agency or department head
determines, the provisions of this Act shall not apply to--
(1) programs or activities regarding computer systems
that process classified information; or
(2) computer systems the function, operation, or use
of which are those delineated in paragraphs (1) through
(5) of section 2315(a) of title 10, United States Code.
(b) ACQUISITION OF PROTOTYPE AND EARLY PRODUCTION
MODELS.--In accordance with Federal contracting law,
Federal agencies and departments participating in the
Program may acquire prototype or early production
models of new high-performance computing systems
and subsystems to stimulate hardware and software
development. Items of computing equipment acquired
under this subsection shall be considered research computers
for purposes of applicable acquisition regulations.
SEC. 208. FOSTERING UNITED STATES COMPETITIVENESS IN
HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
(a) FINDINGS.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) High-performance computing and associated technologies
are critical to the United States economy.
(2) While the United States has led the development of high-
performance computing, United States industry is facing
increasing global competition.
(3) Despite existing international agreements on fair
competition and nondiscrimination in government
procurements, there is increasing concern that such
agreements are not being honored, that more aggressive
enforcement of such agreements is needed, and that
additional steps may be required to ensure fair global
competition, particularly in high-technology fields such
as high-performance computing and associated technologies.
(4) It is appropriate for Federal agencies and departments to
use the funds authorized for the Program in a manner which
most effectively fosters the maintenance and development of
United States leadership in high-performance computers
and associated technologies in and for the benefit of the
United States.
(5) It is appropriate for Federal agencies and departments
to use the funds authorized for the Program in a manner,
consistent with the Trade Agreements Act of 1979
(19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), which most effectively fosters
reciprocal competitive procurement treatment by foreign
governments for United States high-performance computing
and associated technology products and suppliers.
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.--
(1) REPORT.--The Director shall submit an annual report
to Congress that identifies--
(A) any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or
cooperative research and development agreement (as
defined under section 12(d)(1) of the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a(d)(1))
made or entered into by any Federal agency or department
for research and development under the Program with--
(i)any company other than a company that is either
incorporated or located in the United States, and that has
majority ownership by individuals who are citizens of the
United States; or
(ii) any educational institution or nonprofit institution
located outside the United States; and
(B) any procurement exceeding $1,000,000 by any Federal
agency or department under the Program for--
(i) unmanufactured articles, materials, or supplies mined
outside the United States; or
(ii) manufactured articles, materials, or supplies other
than those manufactured in the United States substantially
all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or
manufactured in the United States, under the meaning of
title III of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d;
popularly known as the Buy American Act) as amended by
the Buy American Act of 1988.
(2) CONSOLIDATION OF REPORTS.--The report required by
this subsection may be included with the report required
by section 101(a)(3)(A).
(c) REVIEW OF SUPERCOMPUTER AGREEMENT.--
(1) REPORT.--The Under Secretary for Technology
Administration of the Department of Commerce (in this
subsection referred to as the "Under Secretary") shall
conduct a comprehensive study of the revised "Procedures
to Introduce Supercomputers" and the accompanying
exchange of letters between the United States and Japan
dated June 15, 1990 (commonly referred to as the
"Supercomputer Agreement") to determine whether the
goals and objectives of such Agreement have been met and
to analyze the effects of such Agreement on United States
and Japanese supercomputer manufacturers. Within 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under
Secretary shall submit a report to Congress containing the
results of such study.
(2) CONSULTATION.--In conducting the comprehensive
study under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall
consult with appropriate Federal agencies and departments
and with United States manufacturers of supercomputers
and other appropriate private sector entities.
(d) APPLICATION OF BUY AMERICAN ACT.--This Act does
not affect the applicability of title III of the Act of March 3,
1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d; popularly known as the Buy
American Act), as amended by the Buy American Act of 1988,
to procurements by Federal agencies and departments
undertaken as a part of the Program.