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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 278g-5. Enterprise integration initiative
(a) Establishment
The Director shall establish an initiative for advancing
enterprise integration within the United States. In carrying out
this section, the Director shall involve, as appropriate, the
various units of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, including the National Institute of Standards and
Technology laboratories (including the Building and Fire Research
Laboratory), the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program
established under sections 278k and 278l of this title, and the
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program. This initiative shall
build upon ongoing efforts of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology and of the private sector, shall involve consortia
that include government and industry, and shall address the
enterprise integration needs of each United States major
manufacturing industry at the earliest possible date.
(b) Assessment
For each major manufacturing industry, the Director may work with
industry, trade associations, professional societies, and others as
appropriate, to identify enterprise integration standardization and
implementation activities underway in the United States and abroad
that affect that industry and to assess the current state of
enterprise integration within that industry. The Director may
assist in the development of roadmaps to permit supply chains
within the industry to operate as an integrated electronic
enterprise. The roadmaps shall be based on voluntary consensus
standards.
(c) Reports
Within 180 days after November 5, 2002, and annually thereafter,
the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the National Institute of
Standards and Technology's activities under subsection (b) of this
section.
(d) Authorized activities
In order to carry out this Act, the Director may work with
industry, trade associations, professional societies, and others as
appropriate -
(1) to raise awareness in the United States, including
awareness by businesses that are majority owned by women,
minorities, or both, of enterprise integration activities in the
United States and abroad, including by the convening of
conferences;
(2) on the development of enterprise integration roadmaps;
(3) to support the development, testing, promulgation,
integration, adoption, and upgrading of standards related to
enterprise integration including application protocols; and
(4) to provide technical assistance and, if necessary,
financial support to small- and medium-sized businesses that set
up pilot projects in enterprise integration.
(e) Manufacturing Extension Program
The Director shall ensure that the Manufacturing Extension
Program is prepared to advise small- and medium-sized businesses on
how to acquire the expertise, equipment, and training necessary to
participate fully in supply chains using enterprise integration.
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