Skip to main content

Cloud laboratory pilot program

Division A · Title II: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION · Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations

Plain-language summaryAI

The Department of Defense will start a pilot program to create cloud laboratories that use automation to run ongoing experiments and collect high-quality data for authorized researchers. Within one year, at least one cloud laboratory must be operational, and within three years, at least two more will be established competitively, with at least one focusing on biotechnology research. The Secretary of Defense must also submit a plan detailing how these labs will be set up and how security concerns will be addressed.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 232.
Source →PrevNext

(a) Cloud laboratory pilot program

(1) Program required

(A) In general

The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program to support the establishment of cloud laboratories at the Department of Defense.

(B) Requirements

Each cloud laboratory supported under the pilot program shall generate high-quality data that shall be collected for use and analysis by authorized researchers.

(2) Implementation

(A) Initial laboratory

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish at least one fully operational cloud laboratory.

(B) Additional laboratories

Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, establish not fewer than two additional fully operational cloud laboratories.

(C) Biotechnology-focused laboratory

At least one of the cloud laboratories established under this paragraph shall be focused on advancing research and development of biotechnology.

(3) Implementation plan

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:

(A)

A plan to establish the cloud laboratories.

(B)

A plan for building in considerations related to cybersecurity, biosecurity, and research security from the beginning of development for each cloud laboratory.

(b) Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term artificial intelligence has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 ( Public Law 116–283 ; 15 U.S.C. 9401 ).

(2)

The term authorized researcher refers to an individual who has been appropriately authorized to access data generated by the cloud laboratories supported under the pilot program, as determined by the Secretary using an authorization process established by the Secretary for such purpose.

(3)

The term cloud laboratory means a physical laboratory that is equipped with automation and data storage to conduct continuous experiments.

(4)

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense.