Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988

Citation: Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 100-418.

Overview
In response to concerns over the development and application of new technology, the Act contained several provisions designed to foster technology transfer. The law redesignated the National Bureau of Standards as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and mandated the establishment of (among other things): (1) an Advanced Technology Program (ATP) to encourage public-private cooperative efforts in the development of industrial technology and to promote the use of NIST technology and expertise; (2) Regional Manufacturing Technology Transfer Centers; and (3) a Clearinghouse on State and local innovation related activities. The set-aside for operation of the Federal Laboratory Consortium created in Pub. L. No. 99-502 was also increased from 0.005% of the laboratory R&D budget to 0.008%.