SUBCHAPTER VIII—ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Part A—Contracts
§2781. Costs not allowed under covered contracts
(a) In general
The following costs are not allowable under a covered contract:
(1) Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any costs directly associated with such costs (such as tickets to shows or sports events, meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities).
(2) Costs incurred to influence (directly or indirectly) legislative action on any matter pending before Congress or a State legislature.
(3) Costs incurred in defense of any civil or criminal fraud proceeding or similar proceeding (including filing of any false certification) brought by the United States where the contractor is found liable or has pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of fraud or similar proceeding (including filing of false certification).
(4) Payments of fines and penalties resulting from violations of, or failure to comply with, Federal, State, local, or foreign laws and regulations, except when incurred as a result of compliance with specific terms and conditions of the contract or specific written instructions from the contracting officer authorizing in advance such payments in accordance with applicable regulations of the Secretary of Energy.
(5) Costs of membership in any social, dining, or country club or organization.
(6) Costs of alcoholic beverages.
(7) Contributions or donations, regardless of the recipient.
(8) Costs of advertising designed to promote the contractor or its products.
(9) Costs of promotional items and memorabilia, including models, gifts, and souvenirs.
(10) Costs for travel by commercial aircraft or by travel by other than common carrier that is not necessary for the performance of the contract and the cost of which exceeds the amount of the standard commercial fare.
(b) Regulations; costs of information provided to Congress or State legislatures and related costs
(1) Not later than 150 days after November 8, 1985, the Secretary of Energy shall prescribe regulations to implement this section. Such regulations may establish appropriate definitions, exclusions, limitations, and qualifications. Such regulations shall be published in accordance with
(2) In any regulations implementing subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may not treat as not allowable (by reason of such subsection) the following costs of a contractor:
(A) Costs of providing to Congress or a State legislature, in response to a request from Congress or a State legislature, information of a factual, technical, or scientific nature, or advice of experts, with respect to topics directly related to the performance of the contract.
(B) Costs for transportation, lodging, or meals incurred for the purpose of providing such information or advice.
(c) "Covered contract" defined
In this section, "covered contract" means a contract for an amount more than $100,000 entered into by the Secretary of Energy obligating funds appropriated for national security programs of the Department of Energy.
(d) Effective date
Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to costs incurred under a covered contract on or after 30 days after the regulations required by subsection (b) are issued.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (b)(1).
2003—
Subsec. (b)(1).
1987—Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Regulations
§2782. Prohibition and report on bonuses to contractors operating defense nuclear facilities
(a) Prohibition
The Secretary of Energy may not provide any bonuses, award fees, or other form of performance- or production-based awards to a contractor operating a Department of Energy defense nuclear facility unless, in evaluating the performance or production under the contract, the Secretary considers the contractor's compliance with all applicable environmental, safety, and health statutes, regulations, and practices for determining both the size of, and the contractor's qualification for, such bonus, award fee, or other award. The prohibition in this subsection applies with respect to contracts entered into, or contract options exercised, after November 29, 1989.
(b) Regulations
The Secretary of Energy shall promulgate regulations to implement subsection (a) not later than March 1, 1990.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2013—Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsec. (d).
2003—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
§2782a. Assessments of emergency preparedness of defense nuclear facilities
The Secretary of Energy shall include, in each award-fee evaluation conducted under section 16.401 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, of a management and operating contract for a Department of Energy defense nuclear facility in 2016 or any even-numbered year thereafter, an assessment of the adequacy of the emergency preparedness of that facility, including an assessment of the seniority level of management and operating contractor employees that participate in emergency preparedness exercises at that facility.
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§2783. Contractor liability for injury or loss of property arising out of atomic weapons testing programs
(a) Short title
This section may be cited as the "Atomic Testing Liability Act".
(b) Federal remedies applicable; exclusiveness of remedies
(1) Remedy
The remedy against the United States provided by
(2) Exclusivity
The remedies referred to in paragraph (1) shall be exclusive of any other civil action or proceeding for the purpose of determining civil liability arising from any act or omission of the contractor without regard to when the act or omission occurred. The employees of a contractor referred to in paragraph (1) shall be considered to be employees of the Federal Government, as provided in
(c) Procedure
A contractor against whom a civil action or proceeding described in subsection (b) is brought shall promptly deliver all processes served upon that contractor to the Attorney General of the United States. Upon certification by the Attorney General that the suit against the contractor is within the provisions of subsection (b), a civil action or proceeding commenced in a State court shall be removed without bond at any time before trial by the Attorney General to the district court of the United States for the district and division embracing the place wherein it is pending and the proceedings shall be deemed a tort action brought against the United States under the provisions of section 1346(b), 2401(b), or 2402, or
(d) Actions covered
The provisions of this section shall apply to any action, within the provisions of subsection (b), which is pending on November 5, 1990, or commenced on or after such date. Notwithstanding
(e) "Contractor" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "contractor" includes a contractor or cost reimbursement subcontractor of any tier participating in the conduct of the United States atomic weapons testing program for the Department of Energy (or its predecessor agencies, including the Manhattan Engineer District, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Energy Research and Development Administration). Such term also includes facilities which conduct or have conducted research concerning health effects of ionizing radiation in connection with the testing under contract with the Department of Energy (or any of its predecessor agencies).
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (b)(1).
2003—
Subsec. (d).
§2784. Notice-and-wait requirement applicable to certain third-party financing arrangements
(a) Notice-and-wait requirement
The Secretary of Energy may not enter into an arrangement described in subsection (b) until 30 days after the date on which the Secretary notifies the congressional defense committees in writing of the proposed arrangement.
(b) Covered arrangements
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), an arrangement referred to in subsection (a) is any alternative financing arrangement, third-party financing arrangement, public-private partnership, privatization arrangement, private capital arrangement, or other financing arrangement that—
(A) is entered into in connection with a project conducted using funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Energy to carry out programs necessary for national security; and
(B) involves a contractor or Federal agency obtaining and charging to the Department of Energy as an allowable cost under a contract the use of office space, facilities, or other real property assets with a value of at least $5,000,000.
(2) Exception
An arrangement referred to in subsection (a) does not include an arrangement that—
(A) involves the Department of Energy or a contractor acquiring or entering into a capital lease for office space, facilities, or other real property assets; or
(B) is entered into in connection with a capital improvement project undertaken as part of an energy savings performance contract under
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§2785. Publication of contractor performance evaluations leading to award fees
(a) In general
The Administrator shall take appropriate actions to make available to the public, to the maximum extent practicable, contractor performance evaluations conducted by the Administration of management and operating contractors of the nuclear security enterprise that results in the award of an award fee to the contractor concerned.
(b) Format
Performance evaluations shall be made public under this section in a common format that facilitates comparisons of performance evaluations between and among similar management and operating contracts.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
§2786. Enhanced procurement authority to manage supply chain risk
(a) Authority
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Energy may—
(1) carry out a covered procurement action or special exclusion action; and
(2) notwithstanding any other provision of law, limit, in whole or in part, the disclosure of information relating to the basis for carrying out a covered procurement action or special exclusion action.
(b) Requirements
The Secretary may exercise the authority under subsection (a) only after—
(1) obtaining a risk assessment that demonstrates that there is a significant supply chain risk to a covered system;
(2) making a determination in writing, in unclassified or classified form, that—
(A) the use of the authority under subsection (a) is necessary to protect national security by reducing supply chain risk;
(B) less restrictive measures are not reasonably available to reduce the supply chain risk; and
(C) in a case in which the Secretary plans to limit disclosure of information under subsection (a)(2), the risk to national security of the disclosure of the information outweighs the risk of not disclosing the information; and
(3) submitting to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than seven days after the date on which the Secretary makes the determination under paragraph (2), a notice of such determination, in classified or unclassified form, that includes—
(A) the information required by
(B) a summary of the risk assessment required under paragraph (1); and
(C) a summary of the basis for the determination, including a discussion of less restrictive measures that were considered and why such measures were not reasonably available to reduce supply chain risk.
(c) Notifications
If the Secretary has exercised the authority under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) notify appropriate parties of the covered procurement action or special exclusion action and the basis for the action only to the extent necessary to carry out the covered procurement action or special exclusion action;
(2) notify other Federal agencies responsible for procurement that may be subject to the same or similar supply chain risk, in a manner and to the extent consistent with the requirements of national security; and
(3) ensure the confidentiality of any notifications under paragraph (1) or (2).
(d) Limitation of review
No action taken by the Secretary under the authority under subsection (a) shall be subject to review in any Federal court.
(e) Delegation of authority
The Secretary may delegate the authority under this section to—
(1) in the case of the Administration, the Administrator; and
(2) in the case of any other component of the Department of Energy, the Senior Procurement Executive of the Department.
(f) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term "appropriate congressional committees" means—
(A) the congressional defense committees; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(2) Covered item of supply
The term "covered item of supply" means an item—
(A) that is purchased for inclusion in a covered system; and
(B) the loss of integrity of which could result in a supply chain risk for a covered system.
(3) Covered procurement
The term "covered procurement" means the following:
(A) A source selection for a covered system or a covered item of supply involving either a performance specification, as described in subsection (a)(3)(B) of
(B) The consideration of proposals for and issuance of a task or delivery order for a covered system or a covered item of supply, as provided in
(C) Any contract action involving a contract for a covered system or a covered item of supply if the contract includes a clause establishing requirements relating to supply chain risk.
(4) Covered procurement action
The term "covered procurement action" means, with respect to an action that occurs in the course of conducting a covered procurement, any of the following:
(A) The exclusion of a source that fails to meet qualification requirements established pursuant to
(B) The exclusion of a source that fails to achieve an acceptable rating with regard to an evaluation factor providing for the consideration of supply chain risk in the evaluation of proposals for the award of a contract or the issuance of a task or delivery order.
(C) The withholding of consent for a contractor to subcontract with a particular source or the direction to a contractor for a covered system to exclude a particular source from consideration for a subcontract under the contract.
(5) Covered system
The term "covered system" means the following:
(A) National security systems (as defined in
(B) Nuclear weapons and components of nuclear weapons.
(C) Items associated with the design, development, production, and maintenance of nuclear weapons or components of nuclear weapons.
(D) Items associated with the surveillance of the nuclear weapon stockpile.
(E) Items associated with the design and development of nonproliferation and counterproliferation programs and systems.
(6) Special exclusion action
The term "special exclusion action" means an action to prohibit, for a period not to exceed two years, the award of any contracts or subcontracts by the Administration or any other component of the Department of Energy related to any covered system to a source the Secretary determines to represent a supply chain risk.
(7) Supply chain risk
The term "supply chain risk" means the risk that an adversary may sabotage, maliciously introduce unwanted function, or otherwise subvert the design, integrity, manufacturing, production, distribution, installation, operation, or maintenance of a covered system or covered item of supply so as to surveil, deny, disrupt, or otherwise degrade the function, use, or operation of the system or item of supply.
(g) Termination
The authority under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2028.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
Subsec. (f)(6), (7).
Subsec. (g).
2019—Subsecs. (e) to (g).
2018—Subsec. (f)(5)(A).
Subsec. (g).
2014—Subsec. (g)(1).
§2787. Cost-benefit analyses for competition of management and operating contracts
(a) Briefings on requests for proposals
Not later than 7 days after issuing a request for proposals for a contract to manage and operate a facility of the Administration, the Administrator shall brief the congressional defense committees on the preliminary assessment of the Administrator of the costs and benefits of the competition for the contract, including a preliminary assessment of the matters described in subsection (c) with respect to the contract.
(b) Reports after transition to new contracts
If the Administrator awards a new contract to manage and operate a facility of the Administration, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the matters described in subsection (c) with respect to the contract by not later than 30 days after the completion of the period required to transition to the contract.
(c) Matters described
The matters described in this subsection, with respect to a contract, are the following:
(1) A clear and complete description of the cost savings the Administrator expects to result from the competition for the contract over the life of the contract, including associated analyses, assumptions, and information sources used to determine such expected cost savings.
(2) A description of any key limitations or uncertainties that could affect such costs savings, including costs savings that are anticipated but not fully known.
(3) The costs of the competition for the contract, including the immediate costs of conducting the competition, the costs of the transition to the contract from the previous contract, and any increased costs over the life of the contract.
(4) A description of any disruptions or delays in mission activities or deliverables resulting from the competition for the contract.
(5) A clear and complete description of the benefits expected by the Administrator with respect to mission performance or operations resulting from the competition.
(6) How the competition for the contract complied with the Federal Acquisition Regulation regarding federally funded research and development centers, if applicable.
(7) The factors considered and processes used by the Administrator to determine—
(A) whether to compete or extend the previous contract; and
(B) which activities at the facility should be covered under the contract rather than under a different contract.
(8) With respect to the matters included under paragraphs (1) through (7), a detailed description of the analyses conducted by the Administrator to reach the conclusions presented in the report, including any assumptions, limitations, and uncertainties relating to such conclusions.
(9) Any other matters the Administrator considers appropriate.
(d) Information quality
Each briefing required by subsection (a) and report required by subsection (b) shall be prepared in accordance with—
(1) the information quality guidelines of the Department of Energy that are relevant to the clear and complete presentation of the matters described in subsection (c); and
(2) best practices of the Government Accountability Office and relevant industries for cost estimating, if appropriate.
(e) Review of reports by Comptroller General of the United States
(1) Initial review
The Comptroller General of the United States shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees that includes a review of each report required by subsection (b) not later than 180 days after the report is submitted to such committees.
(2) Comprehensive review
(A) Determination
The Comptroller General shall determine, in consultation with the congressional defense committees, whether to conduct a comprehensive review of a report required by subsection (b).
(B) Submission
The Comptroller General shall submit a comprehensive review conducted under subparagraph (A) of a report required by subsection (b) to the congressional defense committees not later than 3 years after that report is submitted to such committees.
(C) Elements
A comprehensive review conducted under subparagraph (A) of a report required by subsection (b) shall include an assessment, based on the most current information available, of the following:
(i) The actual cost savings achieved compared to cost savings estimated under subsection (c)(1), and any increased costs incurred under the contract that were unexpected or uncertain at the time the contract was awarded.
(ii) Any disruptions or delays in mission activities or deliverables resulting from the competition for the contract compared to the disruptions and delays estimated under subsection (c)(4).
(iii) Whether expected benefits of the competition with respect to mission performance or operations have been achieved.
(iv) Such other matters as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.
(f) Applicability
(1) In general
The requirements for briefings under subsection (a) and reports under subsection (b) shall apply with respect to requests for proposals issued or contracts awarded, as applicable, by the Administrator during fiscal years 2019 through 2032.
(2) Naval reactors
The requirements for briefings under subsection (a) and reports under subsection (b) shall not apply with respect to a management and operations contract for a Naval Reactor facility.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2023—Subsec. (f)(1).
Part B—Research and Development
§2791. Laboratory-directed research and development programs
(a) Authority
Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories that are funded out of funds available to the Department of Energy for national security programs are authorized to carry out laboratory-directed research and development.
(b) Regulations
The Secretary of Energy shall prescribe regulations for the conduct of laboratory-directed research and development at such laboratories.
(c) Funding
Of the funds provided by the Department of Energy to a national security laboratory for national security activities, the Secretary shall provide a specific amount, of not less than 5 percent and not more than 7 percent of such funds, to be used by the laboratory for laboratory-directed research and development.
(d) "Laboratory-directed research and development" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "laboratory-directed research and development" means research and development work of a creative and innovative nature which, under the regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (b), is selected by the director of a laboratory for the purpose of maintaining the vitality of the laboratory in defense-related scientific disciplines.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (c).
2003—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Pilot Program on Unavailability for Overhead Costs of Amounts Specified for Laboratory-Directed Research and Development
§2791a. Laboratory-directed research and development
Of the funds made available by the Department of Energy for activities at government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories funded in this Act or subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts, the Secretary may authorize a specific amount, not to exceed 8 percent of such funds, to be used by such laboratories for laboratory directed research and development: Provided, That the Secretary may also authorize a specific amount not to exceed 4 percent of such funds, to be used by the plant manager of a covered nuclear weapons production plant or the manager of the Nevada Site Office for plant or site directed research and development: Provided further, That notwithstanding Department of Energy order 413.2A, dated January 8, 2001, beginning in fiscal year 2006 and thereafter, all DOE laboratories may be eligible for laboratory directed research and development funding.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, is div. C of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the appropriation act cited as the credit to this section, and not as part of the Atomic Energy Defense Act which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Similar Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in the following appropriation acts:
Funding for Laboratory Directed Research and Development
§2791b. Charges to individual program, project, or activity
Of the funds authorized by the Secretary of Energy for laboratory directed research and development, no individual program, project, or activity funded by this or any subsequent Act making appropriations for Energy and Water Development for any fiscal year may be charged more than the statutory maximum authorized for such activities: Provided, That this section shall take effect not earlier than October 1, 2015.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, is div. D of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, and also as part of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, and not as part of the Atomic Energy Defense Act which comprises this chapter.
§2792. Limitations on use of funds for laboratory directed research and development purposes
(a) Limitation on use of weapons activities funds
No funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Energy in any fiscal year after fiscal year 1997 for weapons activities may be obligated or expended for activities under the Department of Energy Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program, or under any Department of Energy technology transfer program or cooperative research and development agreement, unless such activities support the national security mission of the Department of Energy.
(b) Limitation on use of certain other funds
No funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Energy in any fiscal year after fiscal year 1997 for defense environmental cleanup may be obligated or expended for activities under the Department of Energy Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program, or under any Department of Energy technology transfer program or cooperative research and development agreement, unless such activities support the defense environmental cleanup mission of the Department of Energy.
(c) Limitation on use of funds for overhead
A national security laboratory may not use funds made available under
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is comprised of section 4812 of
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (c).
2013—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c) to (e).
2003—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
§2793. Report on use of funds for certain research and development purposes
(a) Report required
Not later than February 1 each year, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the funds expended during the preceding fiscal year on activities under the Department of Energy Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program. The purpose of the report is to permit an assessment of the extent to which such activities support the national security mission of the Department of Energy.
(b) Plant-directed research and development
(1) In general
The report required by subsection (a) shall include, with respect to plant-directed research and development, the following:
(A) A financial accounting of expenditures for such research and development, disaggregated by nuclear weapons production facility.
(B) A breakdown of the percentage of research and development conducted by each such facility that is plant-directed research and development.
(C) An explanation of how each such facility plans to increase the availability and utilization of funds for plant-directed research and development.
(2) Plant-directed research and development defined
In this subsection, the term "plant-directed research and development" means research and development selected by the director of a nuclear weapons production facility.
(c) Preparation of report
Each report shall be prepared by the officials responsible for Federal oversight of the funds expended on activities under the program.
(d) Criteria used in preparation of report
Each report shall set forth the criteria utilized by the officials preparing the report in determining whether or not the activities reviewed by such officials support the national security mission of the Department.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2021—Subsecs. (b) to (d).
2013—
2003—Subsec. (a).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1).
§2794. Critical technology partnerships and cooperative research and development centers
(a) Partnerships
For the purpose of facilitating the transfer of technology, the Secretary of Energy shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that research on and development of dual-use critical technology carried out through atomic energy defense activities is conducted through cooperative research and development agreements, or other arrangements, that involve laboratories of the Department of Energy and other entities.
(b) Cooperative research and development centers
(1) Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Administrator shall establish a cooperative research and development center described in paragraph (2) at each national security laboratory.
(2) A cooperative research and development center described in this paragraph is a center to foster collaborative scientific research, technology development, and the appropriate transfer of research and technology to users in addition to the national security laboratories.
(3) In establishing a cooperative research and development center under this subsection, the Administrator—
(A) shall enter into cooperative research and development agreements with governmental, public, academic, or private entities; and
(B) may enter into a contract with respect to constructing, purchasing, managing, or leasing buildings or other facilities.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "dual-use critical technology" means a technology—
(A) that is critical to atomic energy defense activities, as determined by the Secretary of Energy;
(B) that has military applications and nonmilitary applications; and
(C) that is a defense critical technology (as defined in
(2) The term "cooperative research and development agreement" has the meaning given that term by
(3) The term "other entities" means—
(A) firms, or a consortium of firms, that are eligible to participate in a partnership or other arrangement with a laboratory of the Department of Energy, as determined in accordance with applicable law and regulations; or
(B) firms, or a consortium of firms, described in subparagraph (A) in combination with one or more of the following:
(i) Institutions of higher education in the United States.
(ii) Departments and agencies of the Federal Government other than the Department of Energy.
(iii) Agencies of State governments.
(iv) Any other persons or entities that may be eligible and appropriate, as determined in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
(4) The term "atomic energy defense activities" does not include activities covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982, pertaining to the Naval nuclear propulsion program.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is set out as a note under
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
2014—Subsec. (a).
2013—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(C).
"(i)(I) appears on the list of national critical technologies contained in a biennial report on national critical technologies submitted to Congress by the President pursuant to
"(II) has not been expressly deleted from such list by such a report subsequently submitted to Congress by the President; or
"(ii)(I) appears on the list of critical technologies contained in an annual defense critical technologies plan submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to
"(II) has not been expressly deleted from such list by such a plan subsequently submitted to Congress by the Secretary."
Subsec. (c)(3)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(5).
2011—
Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsec. (c)(5).
1993—Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii)(I).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Pilot Program on Technology Commercialization
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) An identification of opportunities for accelerating technology transfer from national security laboratories to the marketplace.
"(B) If the Secretary chooses to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a), a description of the plan to carry out such program.
"(C) If the Secretary chooses not to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a), a description of why the program will not be carried out.
"(d)
"(1) The term 'appropriate congressional committees' means the following:
"(A) The Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.
"(B) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
"(C) The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
"(2) The term 'national security laboratory' has the meaning given that term in section 3281 of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act (
§2795. University-based research collaboration program
(a) Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The maintenance of scientific and engineering competence in the United States is vital to long-term national security and the defense and national security missions of the Department of Energy.
(2) Engaging the universities and colleges of the Nation in research on long-range problems of vital national security interest will be critical to solving the technology challenges faced within the defense and national security programs of the Department of Energy in the next century.
(3) Enhancing collaboration among the national laboratories, universities and colleges, and industry will contribute significantly to the performance of these Department of Energy missions.
(b) Program
The Secretary of Energy shall establish a university program at a location that can develop the most effective collaboration among national laboratories, universities and colleges, and industry in support of scientific and engineering advancement in key Department of Energy defense and national security program areas.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly set out as a note under
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (c).
2003—Subsec. (c).
§2796. Limitation on establishing an enduring bioassurance program within the Administration
(a) In general
The Administrator may not establish, administer, manage, or facilitate a program within the Administration for the purposes of executing an enduring national security research and development effort to broaden the role of the Department of Energy in national biodefense.
(b) Rule of construction
The limitation described in subsection (a) shall not be interpreted—
(1) to prohibit the establishment of a bioassurance program for the purpose of executing enduring national security research and development in any component of the Department of Energy other than the Administration or in any other Federal agency; or
(2) to impede the use of resources of the Administration, including resources provided by a national security laboratory or a nuclear weapons production facility site, to support the execution of a bioassurance program, if such support is provided—
(A) on a cost-reimbursable basis to an entity that is not a component of the Department of Energy; and
(B) in a manner that does not interfere with mission of such laboratory or facility.
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Part C—Facilities Management
§2811. Transfers of real property at certain Department of Energy facilities
(a) Transfer regulations
(1) The Secretary of Energy shall prescribe regulations for the transfer by sale or lease of real property at Department of Energy defense nuclear facilities for the purpose of permitting the economic development of the property.
(2) The Secretary may not transfer real property under the regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) until—
(A) the Secretary submits a notification of the proposed transfer to the congressional defense committees; and
(B) a period of 30 days has elapsed following the date on which the notification is submitted.
(b) Indemnification
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) and subject to subsection (c), in the sale or lease of real property pursuant to the regulations prescribed under subsection (a), the Secretary may hold harmless and indemnify a person or entity described in paragraph (2) against any claim for injury to person or property that results from the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant as a result of Department of Energy activities at the defense nuclear facility on which the real property is located. Before entering into any agreement for such a sale or lease, the Secretary shall notify the person or entity that the Secretary has authority to provide indemnification to the person or entity under this subsection. The Secretary shall include in any agreement for such a sale or lease a provision stating whether indemnification is or is not provided.
(2) Paragraph (1) applies to the following persons and entities:
(A) Any State that acquires ownership or control of real property of a defense nuclear facility.
(B) Any political subdivision of a State that acquires such ownership or control.
(C) Any other person or entity that acquires such ownership or control.
(D) Any successor, assignee, transferee, lender, or lessee of a person or entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(3) To the extent the persons and entities described in paragraph (2) contributed to any such release or threatened release, paragraph (1) shall not apply.
(c) Conditions
(1) No indemnification on a claim for injury may be provided under this section unless the person or entity making a request for the indemnification—
(A) notifies the Secretary in writing within two years after such claim accrues;
(B) furnishes to the Secretary copies of pertinent papers received by the person or entity;
(C) furnishes evidence or proof of the claim;
(D) provides, upon request by the Secretary, access to the records and personnel of the person or entity for purposes of defending or settling the claim; and
(E) begins action within six months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered mail, of notice of final denial of the claim by the Secretary.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the date on which a claim accrues is the date on which the person asserting the claim knew (or reasonably should have known) that the injury to person or property referred to in subsection (b)(1) was caused or contributed to by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant as a result of Department of Energy activities at the defense nuclear facility on which the real property is located.
(d) Authority of Secretary
(1) In any case in which the Secretary determines that the Secretary may be required to indemnify a person or entity under this section for any claim for injury to person or property referred to in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may settle or defend the claim on behalf of that person or entity.
(2) In any case described in paragraph (1), if the person or entity that the Secretary may be required to indemnify does not allow the Secretary to settle or defend the claim, the person or entity may not be indemnified with respect to that claim under this section.
(e) Relationship to other law
Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting or modifying in any way
(f) Definitions
In this section, the terms "hazardous substance", "release", and "pollutant or contaminant" have the meanings provided by
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (f).
2003—Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
§2812. Engineering and manufacturing research, development, and demonstration by managers of certain nuclear weapons production facilities
(a) Authority for programs at nuclear weapons productions facilities
The Administrator shall authorize the head of each nuclear weapons production facility to establish an Engineering and Manufacturing Research, Development, and Demonstration Program under this section.
(b) Projects and activities
The projects and activities carried out through the program at a nuclear weapons production facility under this section shall support innovative or high-risk design and manufacturing concepts and technologies with potentially high payoff for the nuclear security enterprise. Those projects and activities may include—
(1) replacement of obsolete or aging design and manufacturing technologies;
(2) development of innovative agile manufacturing techniques and processes; and
(3) training, recruitment, or retention of essential personnel in critical engineering and manufacturing disciplines.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly set out as a note under
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (a).
2013—
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c) to (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Activities at Covered Nuclear Weapons Facilities
"(1) The Kansas City Plant, Kansas City, Missouri.
"(2) The Y–12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
"(3) The Pantex Plant, Amarillo, Texas.
"(4) The Savannah River Plant, South Carolina.
"(5) The Nevada Test Site."
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
§2813. Pilot program relating to use of proceeds of disposal or utilization of certain Department of Energy assets
(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to encourage the Secretary of Energy to dispose of or otherwise utilize certain assets of the Department of Energy by making available to the Secretary the proceeds of such disposal or utilization for purposes of defraying the costs of such disposal or utilization.
(b) Use of proceeds to defray costs
(1) Notwithstanding
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the cost of a sale, lease, or disposal shall include—
(A) the cost of administering the sale, lease, or disposal;
(B) the cost of recovering or preparing the asset concerned for the sale, lease, or disposal; and
(C) any other cost associated with the sale, lease, or disposal.
(c) Covered transactions
Subsection (b) applies to the following transactions:
(1) The sale of heavy water at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, that is under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(2) The sale of precious metals that are under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(3) The lease of buildings and other facilities located at the Hanford Reservation, Washington, that are under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(4) The lease of buildings and other facilities located at the Savannah River Site that are under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(5) The disposal of equipment and other personal property located at the Rocky Flats Defense Environmental Technology Site, Colorado, that is under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(6) The disposal of materials at the National Electronics Recycling Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee that are under the jurisdiction of the Defense Environmental Management Program.
(d) Applicability of disposal authority
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the application of subchapter II of
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly set out as a note under
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (e).
2003—Subsec. (d).
§2814. Department of Energy energy parks program
(a) In general
The Secretary of Energy may establish a program to permit the establishment of energy parks on former defense nuclear facilities.
(b) Objectives
The objectives for establishing energy parks pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
(1) To provide locations to carry out a broad range of projects relating to the development and deployment of energy technologies and related advanced manufacturing technologies.
(2) To provide locations for the implementation of pilot programs and demonstration projects for new and developing energy technologies and related advanced manufacturing technologies.
(3) To set a national example for the development and deployment of energy technologies and related advanced manufacturing technologies in a manner that will promote energy security, energy sector employment, and energy independence.
(4) To create a business environment that encourages collaboration and interaction between the public and private sectors.
(c) Consultation
In establishing an energy park pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with—
(1) the local government with jurisdiction over the land on which the energy park will be located;
(2) the local governments of adjacent areas; and
(3) any community reuse organization recognized by the Secretary at the former defense nuclear facility on which the energy park will be located.
(d) Report required
Not later than 120 days after January 7, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the program under subsection (a). The report shall include such recommendations for additional legislative actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to facilitate the development of energy parks on former defense nuclear facilities.
(e) Defense nuclear facility defined
In this section, the term "defense nuclear facility" has the meaning given the term "Department of Energy defense nuclear facility" in
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, and not as part of the Atomic Energy Defense Act which comprises this chapter.
Part D—Other Matters
§2821. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–239, div. C, title XXXI, §3131(q)(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2183
Section,
§2822. Payment of costs of operation and maintenance of infrastructure at Nevada National Security Site
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and effective as of September 30, 1996, the costs associated with operating and maintaining the infrastructure at the Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, with respect to any activities initiated at the site after that date by the Department of Defense pursuant to a work-for-others agreement may be paid for from funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Energy for activities at the Nevada National Security Site.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2013—
§2823. University-based defense nuclear policy collaboration program
(a) Program
The Administrator shall carry out a program under which the Administrator establishes a policy research consortium of institutions of higher education and nonprofit entities in support of implementing and innovating the defense nuclear policy programs of the Administration. The Administrator shall establish and carry out such program in a manner similar to the program established under
(b) Purposes
The purposes of the consortium under subsection (a) are as follows:
(1) To shape the formulation and application of policy through the conduct of research and analysis regarding defense nuclear policy programs.
(2) To maintain open-source databases on issues relevant to understanding defense nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, nuclear deterrence, foreign nuclear programs, and nuclear security.
(3) To facilitate the collaboration of research centers of excellence relating to defense nuclear policy to better distribute expertise to specific issues and scenarios regarding such threats.
(c) Duties
(1) Support
The Administrator shall ensure that the consortium established under subsection (a) provides support to individuals described in paragraph (2) through the use of nongovernmental fellowships, scholarships, research internships, workshops, short courses, summer schools, and research grants.
(2) Individuals described
The individuals described in this paragraph are graduate students, academics, and policy specialists, who are focused on policy innovation related to—
(A) defense nuclear nonproliferation;
(B) arms control;
(C) nuclear deterrence;
(D) the study of foreign nuclear programs;
(E) nuclear security; or
(F) educating and training the next generation of defense nuclear policy experts.
(