Sponsors (4)
The bill encourages DOE–SBA collaboration and clearer small‑business access to DOE R&D while preserving Congressional control over spending and transparency — but by barring new appropriations it risks limiting implementation, slowing projects, and favoring certain firms.
Taxpayers and state governments retain control over federal spending because the Act bars new appropriations to implement it, limiting open‑ended federal obligations.
American consumers, workers, and researchers could gain access to more commercialized clean‑energy and other technologies as DOE and SBA coordinate applied R&D and share technical capabilities.
Qualified small businesses gain clearer opportunities to participate in DOE-funded R&D through formal inclusion requirements in memoranda of understanding, potentially increasing contract and commercialization chances.
Federal agencies, state partners, and intended beneficiaries may receive no new funding to implement the Act, limiting program effectiveness and forcing initiatives to compete for existing appropriations, which could delay or reduce services.
Taxpayers could face higher costs if joint R&D activities expand reimbursable arrangements or otherwise require additional federal resources beyond current budgets.
Federal employees, researchers, and partners may experience slower project starts because added interagency coordination and MOU negotiations introduce administrative delays before R&D begins.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to enter into one or more memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or similar agreements to carry out joint research and development (R&D) activities that advance each agency’s missions and include small business participation. The agencies may use reimbursable agreements, collaborate with other federal agencies, and must apply activities consistent with existing R&D competition and innovation law. The covered officials must submit a report to Congress within two years describing coordination, achievements, opportunities to expand capabilities, and plans for continued cooperation. The Act explicitly prohibits any new appropriations to implement its requirements, so activities must be funded from existing authorities or through reimbursable arrangements.
Introduced January 28, 2025 by Nicholas LaLota · Last progress February 26, 2025