If it was a tango dance, the bill dazzles with its steps. With precision and elegance, it stipulates the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272) be amended in order to create synergy between the National Institute, the Manufacturing USA Network, the Small Business Administration, and the Made in America Office. The objective? Identify domestic manufacturers and investors who can take Federal research and churn out commercial products ‘Made in America.’
However, that’s only one side of the coin. On the reverse, the bill requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct a thorough study within 540 days of the bill being enacted – a deep dive that would gauge the efficiency of Federal research’s commercialization by domestic manufacturers. Can you visualize the hurdles manufacturing entities face in transforming this research into commercial products? And importantly, how much does investment influence this process?
The bill then ups its ante by proposing an amendment to Section 204 of title 35, United States Code, giving preference to U.S. industry. In this legislation-sized tango, this section dances the following conditions: one, any product developed from the patent must be ‘manufactured substantially’ in the U.S. Two, if it’s not commercially feasible or if required domestic licenses can’t be obtained, waivers can be given by Federal agencies, except when the product ends up being manufactured in countries detrimental to U.S. national security.
Lastly, the act executes elaborate pirouettes by proposing tweaks in the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. Here, its spotlight shines brightly on ensuring products from the Directorate’s funded research will be manufactured domestically. It also foreshadows developing competitive innovations for the global market while maximizing economic benefit by ensuring said innovations are made in the USA.
It is clear the bill quilts together a foreseeable future where Federal research forges a deep bond with domestic manufacturing. But it doesn’t climax without taking into account possible roadblocks – the hurdles for home-grown manufacturers and the availability of investors to fund the transformation of Federal research into commercial products.
In essence, the “Invent Here, Make Here Act of 2023” attempts to build a prolific symbiosis between innovation from Federal research and domestic manufacturing industry – a move that could see America’s commercial productivity increase. However, for this legislation to dance its way into law, it must first take the leading steps in the legislative waltz – awaiting consideration by other houses, potential inputs from distinctive organizations, industries, and demographic groups, to finally culminate into a harmonious law aimed at stimulating U.S. commercial production.
