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119th Congress

Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Chapter 81 — High-Performance Computing

§ 5503. Definitions

Statutory text

As used in this chapter, the term—

(1)

“cyber-physical systems” means physical or engineered systems whose networking and information technology functions and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or other means to enable safe and effective, real-time performance in safety-critical and other applications;

(2)

“Director” means the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(3)

“Grand Challenge” means a fundamental problem in science or engineering, with broad economic and scientific impact, whose solution will require the application of networking and information technology resources and multidisciplinary teams of researchers;

(4)

“high-end computing” means the most advanced and capable computing systems, including their hardware, storage, networking and software, encompassing both massive computational capability and large-scale data analytics to solve computational problems of national importance that are beyond the capability of small- to medium-scale systems, including computing formerly known as high-performance computing;

(5)

“Internet” means the international computer network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable data networks;

(6)

“networking and information technology” means high-end computing, communications, and information technologies, high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, high-end computing systems software and applications software, and the management of large data sets;

(7)

“participating agency” means an agency described in section 5511(a)(3)(C) of this title;

(8)

“Program” means the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program described in section 5511 of this title; and

(9)

“Program Component Areas” means the major subject areas under which related individual projects and activities carried out under the Program are grouped.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Pub. L. 102–194 § 4 · 105 Stat. 1594

    Enacted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503

    Pub. L. 102–194, § 4, Dec. 9, 1991, 105 Stat. 1595

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Pub. L. 102–194, § 4, Dec. 9, 1991, 105 Stat. 1595

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Act, the term— (1) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (2) “Grand Challenge” means a fundamental problem in science or engineering, with broad economic and scientific impact, whose solution will require the application of high-performance computing resources; (3) “high-performance computing” means advanced computing, communications, and information technologies, including scientific workstations, supercomputer systems (including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems), high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, and applications and systems software; (4) “Network” means a computer network referred to as the National Research and Education Network established under section 102; and (5) “Program” means the National High-Performance Computing Program described in section 101.

  2. Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998

    Pub. L. 105–305 § 7(b) · 112 Stat. 2919

    1. Added · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(4)(6)

      Pub. L. 105–305 added par. (4)

    2. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(4)(6)

      Pub. L. 105–305 redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pars. (4) to (6). Pub. L. 105–305 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Additional Definition for the 1991 Act.— Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs(5) and (6), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: “(4) ‘Internet’ means the international computer network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet switched data networks;”.

  3. America COMPETES Act

    Pub. L. 110–69 § 7024(a)(2)(A) · 121 Stat. 572

    Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(2)

    Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(A), inserted “and multidisciplinary teams of researchers” after “high-performance computing resources”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (2). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(A), inserted “and multidisciplinary teams of researchers” after “high-performance computing resources”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting “and multidisciplinary teams of researchers” after “high-performance computing resources”;

  4. America COMPETES Act

    Pub. L. 110–69 § 7024(a)(2)(B) · 121 Stat. 572

    1. Struck · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(B), struck out “scientific workstations,” after “technologies, including” and “(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)” after “supercomputer systems”

    2. Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(B), substituted “applications” for “and applications”

    3. Inserted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(B), inserted “, and the management of large data sets” after “systems software”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (3). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(B), struck out “scientific workstations,” after “technologies, including” and “(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)” after “supercomputer systems”, substituted “applications” for “and applications”, and inserted “, and the management of large data sets” after “systems software”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) by striking “scientific workstations,”; (ii) by striking “(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)”; (iii) by striking “and applications” and inserting “applications”; and (iv) by inserting “, and the management of large data sets” after “systems software”;

  5. America COMPETES Act

    Pub. L. 110–69 § 7024(a)(2)(C) · 121 Stat. 572

    Struck · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(4)

    Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(C), struck out “packet switched” before “data networks”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (4). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(C), struck out “packet switched” before “data networks”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking “packet switched”;

  6. America COMPETES Act

    Pub. L. 110–69 § 7024(a)(2)(D) · 121 Stat. 572

    Added · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(7)

    Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(D)–(F), added par. (7)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (7). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(D)–(F), added par. (7).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (D) by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (5);

  7. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(2) · 130 Stat. 2969

    1. Added · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(1); 15 U.S.C. § 5503(2)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (3), added par. (1)

    2. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(1); 15 U.S.C. § 5503(2)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (3), redesignated former par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pars. (1), (2). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (3), added par. (1) and redesignated former par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively;

  8. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(1) · 130 Stat. 2969

    1. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), (4), redesignated par. (2) as (3)

    2. Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), (4), substituted “networking and information technology” for “high-performance computing”

    3. Struck · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(3)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), (4), struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “ ‘high-performance computing’ means advanced computing, communications, and information technologies, including supercomputer systems, high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, applications and systems software, and the management of large data sets;”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (3). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), (4), redesignated par. (2) as (3), substituted “networking and information technology” for “high-performance computing”, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “ ‘high-performance computing’ means advanced computing, communications, and information technologies, including supercomputer systems, high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, applications and systems software, and the management of large data sets;”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5);

  9. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(5) · 130 Stat. 2969

    Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(4)

    Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (4). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (5) by inserting after paragraph (3), as redesignated, the following: “(4) ‘high-end computing’ means the most advanced and capable computing systems, including their hardware, storage, networking and software, encompassing both massive computational capability and large-scale data analytics to solve computational problems of national importance that are beyond the capability of small- to medium-scale systems, including computing formerly known as high-performance computing;” ;

  10. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(1) · 130 Stat. 2969

    1. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(5)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), redesignated par. (4) as (5)

    2. Struck · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(5)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “ ‘Network’ means a computer network referred to as the National Research and Education Network established under section 5512 of this title;”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (5). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “ ‘Network’ means a computer network referred to as the National Research and Education Network established under section 5512 of this title;”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5);

  11. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(6) · 130 Stat. 2969

    Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(6); 15 U.S.C. § 5503(7)

    Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(6), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(6), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the following: “(6) ‘networking and information technology’ means high-end computing, communications, and information technologies, high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, high-end computing systems software and applications software, and the management of large data sets; “(7) ‘participating agency’ means an agency described in section 101(a)(3)(C);” ; and

  12. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(2) · 130 Stat. 2969

    1. Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(8)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (7), redesignated par. (6) as (8)

    2. Substituted · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(8)

      Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (7), substituted “Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program” for “National High-Performance Computing Program”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (8). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (7), redesignated par. (6) as (8) and substituted “Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program” for “National High-Performance Computing Program”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively;

  13. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–329 § 105(d)(2) · 130 Stat. 2969

    Redesignated · 15 U.S.C. § 5503(9)

    Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), redesignated par. (7) as (9)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Par. (9). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), redesignated par. (7) as (9).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively;

21 of 21 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Amendments1998–2017 · 3 rounds

2017

Pars. (1), (2). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (3), added par. (1) and redesignated former par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Par. (3). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), (4), redesignated par. (2) as (3), substituted “networking and information technology” for “high-performance computing”, and struck out former par. (3) which read as follows: “ ‘high-performance computing’ means advanced computing, communications, and information technologies, including supercomputer systems, high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and experimental systems, applications and systems software, and the management of large data sets;”.

Par. (4). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(5), added par. (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Par. (5). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(1), (2), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “ ‘Network’ means a computer network referred to as the National Research and Education Network established under section 5512 of this title;”.

Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(6), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively.

Par. (8). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), (7), redesignated par. (6) as (8) and substituted “Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program” for “National High-Performance Computing Program”.

Par. (9). Pub. L. 114–329, § 105(d)(2), redesignated par. (7) as (9).

2007

Par. (2). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(A), inserted “and multidisciplinary teams of researchers” after “high-performance computing resources”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(B), struck out “scientific workstations,” after “technologies, including” and “(including vector supercomputers and large scale parallel systems)” after “supercomputer systems”, substituted “applications” for “and applications”, and inserted “, and the management of large data sets” after “systems software”.

Par. (4). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(C), struck out “packet switched” before “data networks”.

Par. (7). Pub. L. 110–69, § 7024(a)(2)(D)–(F), added par. (7).

1998

Pars. (4) to (6). Pub. L. 105–305 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.

Credits

1991–2017 · 4 acts
  1. 1991Pub. L. 102–194, § 4, , 105 Stat. 1595
  2. 1998Pub. L. 105–305, § 7(b), , 112 Stat. 2924
  3. 2007Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7024(a)(2), , 121 Stat. 689
  4. 2017Pub. L. 114–329, title I, § 105(d), , 130 Stat. 2977.
Show as published

(Pub. L. 102–194, § 4, , 105 Stat. 1595; Pub. L. 105–305, § 7(b), , 112 Stat. 2924; Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7024(a)(2), , 121 Stat. 689; Pub. L. 114–329, title I, § 105(d), , 130 Stat. 2977.)

Parsed from the official OLRC USLM XML in data/usc_all/usc15.xml · release point 119-108 · OLRC build 2026-09-09

USLM identifier /us/usc/t15/s5503