Implementation of a National Materials R&D Policy

Legislation has been proposed which would establish a national policy on materials research and development. A House of Representatives bill approached materials policy from the standpoint of materials research and development. It directed that materials be specifically addressed in the 5-year science outlook required by the National Science and Technology Policy Act of 1976. GAO believed this feature of the House-passed bill should be retained. Another feature that should be retained is the central role which must be played by the Office of Science and Technology Policy in coordinating the widely-dispersed materials research and development conducted by the federal government. GAO also believed that the references in the House-passed bill to the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 were appropriate and should be retained. There is a need to reemphasize to the executive branch the importance of the congressional intent behind the objectives specified in this act. Irrespective of the whether the scope of the House bill is expanded, GAO believed the starting point in the development of a materials policy process should be at the point where national material and research and development needs are identified. Legislation in this area should emphasize a linkage between the President's submission to the Congress of a program plan and recommendations to fulfill the objectives of the act, and the development of the 5-year science outlook.