Summary of the Bill

The bill titled "H. R. 788" aims to foster collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to jointly advance their research and development efforts. This legislation calls for these two government entities to engage in research activities, potentially through memorandums of understanding or other agreements. A notable element of the bill is its emphasis on the inclusion of small businesses in these efforts. The bill also mandates that within two years of its enactment, a report should be submitted to Congress outlining the accomplishments, future opportunities, and continued collaborative efforts. Notably, the legislation states that these activities are to follow existing research security laws and asserts that no additional funds will be provided under this act.

Significant Issues

Several issues have been identified with the provisions of this bill:

1. Lack of Guidelines for Small Business Participation: The bill emphasizes the involvement of small businesses in DOE and SBA joint activities, yet it fails to specify how these businesses will be prioritized or evaluated. This absence of clear guidelines could lead to favoritism or leave some small businesses disadvantaged.

2. Potential for Financial Mismanagement: The bill allows for reimbursable agreements between DOE, SBA, and other entities to enhance the effectiveness of research activities. However, it does not establish oversight mechanisms or spending limits, which could open the door to inefficient or wasteful use of funds.

3. Ambiguities in Research Security Implementation: The bill references compliance with broader research security laws without detailing how these will be enforced in the context of this collaboration. Such ambiguity might lead to challenges in maintaining legal compliance and meeting necessary security standards.

4. Lack of Accountability Measures: The absence of specific accountability or oversight provisions may hinder the effective tracking of goals and outcomes for the joint research and development initiatives.

Impact on the General Public

For the general public, this bill signifies an effort to energize collaborative innovation in energy and small business sectors, which could potentially lead to technological advancements and economic growth. By bringing together resources from the DOE and SBA, the hope is to create synergistic opportunities that benefit broader society, such as cleaner energy solutions and more robust business environments.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Small Businesses: If effectively implemented, the collaboration could open doors for small businesses to engage in significant research and development opportunities, potentially leading to growth and innovation. However, without detailed criteria for inclusion, some small businesses might find it difficult to navigate these opportunities or be overlooked entirely.

Government Agencies: For the DOE and SBA, the bill represents a formalized path to work together, pooling resources and objectives to achieve common goals. This could enhance the efficiency and impact of their respective missions. Nevertheless, without clear oversight and strategic accountability, these agencies might struggle with achieving their full potential under this collaboration.

Federal and Non-Federal Entities: Other stakeholders, including federal agencies and private sector partners, could benefit from participating in these joint activities. However, the possibility of inefficient financial arrangements due to the lack of spending limits could negatively impact these collaborations.

Ultimately, while the bill aims to bridge cross-sector cooperation, its effectiveness will largely depend on the resolution of these identified issues. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and clearly defined processes will be key to successfully harnessing the potential benefits envisioned by this legislation.