While waiting for Congress, work with agencies like NIST, DOE, and HHS to lay groundwork.
Use existing agency programs to lay groundwork so the Center of Excellence can move quickly once authorized. Push tight interagency coordination and scoped pilots (such as NIIMBL-adjacent work) that demonstrate practical value without pretending a full center exists. This reduces launch lag, but it must be managed carefully to avoid duplicative, sub-scale efforts.
Why this works
- Preparatory work shortens launch time.
- Some modest actions can start under existing programs (e.g., NIIMBL starts a project called “Center of Excellence pilot” focusing on one domain).
- If appropriation is delayed, agencies might shift some discretionary funds to partial efforts (though that’s limited).
Families USA
AdvocacyVoice for health care consumers
Families USA is a leading national nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to achieving high-quality, affordable health care and improved health for all Americans. Founded in 1981, Families USA amplifies the voices of health care consumers in policy debates:. It played a key role in shaping and defending the Affordable Care Act and continues to push for expanding coverage, lowering health costs, and addressing health equity.
Mechanism
About LobbyingHow Families USA uses funding
- Convene an interagency working group to define mission, governance, and lead roles.
- Identify existing programs that can host limited pilots aligned to the center’s goals.
- Secure permissible discretionary or pilot funds for partial efforts that shorten launch time.
- Build a launch-ready implementation plan for when authorization arrives.
- Coordinate across agencies to prevent overlap and clarify who owns what.
- Document early outputs so they inform authorizing and appropriations decisions.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Interagency blueprint drafted
Near termMission, governance, and lead roles are documented.
- 2
Pilot scope approved
Near termA limited pilot plan is selected within existing authority.
- 3
Pilot underway
After approvalEarly projects launch and produce usable outputs.
- 4
Authorization handoff executed
OngoingBlueprint informs bill drafting and funding decisions.