DOE and SBA Research Act

This bill, titled the DOE and SBA Research Act, creates a formal framework for joint research and development activities between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The core idea is to have DOE and SBA enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or similar agreements to pursue cross-cutting R&D that supports both agencies’ missions, with a focus on including small businesses in the work. The act allows reimbursable agreements and collaboration with other federal agencies to maximize impact, and it requires a congressionally delivered report within two years detailing coordination efforts, potential expansion of capabilities, collaborative achievements, and future areas of mutual benefit. It also directs that the activities comply with established federal research security standards and adheres to budgetary rules that prohibit new funding for the act. In short, the bill seeks to formalize and accelerate joint DOE-SBA R&D activities without creating new appropriations. Note: The bill text shown indicates it had been passed by the House on February 25, 2025, but the header lists the status as “Introduced.” This discrepancy reflects the document’s presentation and may warrant checking the latest official legislative status for accuracy.