A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Aerospace and Defense Development Act of 2013".
B. There is hereby created within the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, the Center for Aerospace and Defense Supplier Quality (CADSQ), and the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute (OAI) whose purpose shall be to create a partnership of service providers to more effectively respond to the needs of the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in the areas of education and training, research, and economic development. The CADSQ and OAI will focus available resources to promote cooperation and collaboration among businesses, manufacturers, military installations, commercial aviation, educational institutions, nonprofit research institutions, and state government for the purpose of strengthening the economy of the State of Oklahoma. Contingent upon the availability of funds, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission may employ established program processes or may contract with other qualified entities to operate the CADSQ and the OAI.
C. The CADSQ is designed to serve as a conduit between the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in Oklahoma, as well as commercial and military aviation, to promote quick response to opportunities that will:
1. Increase contracts between companies in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in Oklahoma and the Department of Defense and its prime contractors;
2. Create and retain more high-wage, high-skill jobs;
3. Strengthen collaborations between businesses and aviation, aerospace and defense interests;
4. Reduce the flow of federal defense contract dollars out-of-state;
5. Expand the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in Oklahoma;
6. Provide engineering and technical assistance;
7. Provide more suppliers for Oklahoma military installations and the aviation, aerospace and defense industries; and
8. Reduce costs for the Department of Defense and Oklahoma military installations, and increase the competitiveness of aviation, aerospace and defense businesses in Oklahoma.
D. In order to streamline the use of resources with the goal of eliminating duplication of efforts, the OAI shall act as a clearinghouse of information and activities concerning the aviation, aerospace and defense industries. The OAI will provide a focal point to coordinate the plans and activities of state agencies, task forces, departments, boards, commissions, and other entities that have responsibilities or duties regarding the aviation, aerospace and defense industries with the goal of eliminating duplication of effort.
E. The OAI shall create a partnership of education and training providers to meet the specific needs of the aviation, aerospace and defense industries to build a credentialed work force for the future. Participating educational institutions shall act cooperatively to create complementary activities.
F. The OAI shall include a center for applied research and will primarily undertake applied research, development and technology transfer that have long-term potential for commercial development. The center shall build upon institutional strengths and conduct activity in areas of research in which the participating research institutions and businesses have achieved or have true promise of attaining a standard of excellence in applied research and development.
G. The OAI shall support and foster the growth of the aviation, aerospace and defense industries. The OAI shall acquire aerospace executive expertise and provide consulting services to the aviation, aerospace and defense industries, government agencies and organizations across the State of Oklahoma in order to strengthen the policy framework, economic development initiatives and activities of the state.
H. The OAI may accept funding that includes, but is not limited to:
1. Monetary contributions;
2. Contractual arrangements;
3. In-kind services;
4. Federal- and state-appropriated dollars;
5. Private and public foundation grants; and
6. Fee-for-service products.
Added by Laws 2006, c. 263, § 1, eff. July 1, 2006. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 180, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. Renumbered from § 5060.3a of Title 74 by Laws 2008, c. 180, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2008. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 417, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2013, c. 343, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.