t program to support and
promote--
(1) the ability of emergency response providers and
relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and
(2) interoperable emergency communications
capabilities among emergency response providers and
relevant government officials, including by--
(A) supporting research on a competitive
basis, including through the Directorate of
Science and Technology and Homeland Security
Advanced Research Projects Agency; and
(B) considering the establishment of a
Center of Excellence under the Department of
Homeland Security Centers of Excellence Program
focused on improving emergency response
providers' communication capabilities.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program established
under subsection (a) include--
(1) supporting research, development, testing, and
evaluation on emergency communication capabilities;
(2) understanding the strengths and weaknesses of
the public safety communications systems in use;
(3) examining how current and emerging technology
can make emergency response providers more effective,
and how Federal, State, local, and tribal government
agencies can use this technology in a coherent and
cost-effective manner;
(4) investigating technologies that could lead to
long-term advancements in emergency communications
capabilities and supporting research on advanced
technologies and potential systemic changes to
dramatically improve emergency communications; and
(5) evaluating and validating advanced technology
concepts, and facilitating the development and
deployment of interoperable emergency communication
capabilities.
(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the term
``interoperable'', with respect to emergency communications,
has the meaning given the term in section 1808.

SEC. 316. [6 U.S.C. 195B] NATIONAL BIOSURVEILLANCE INTEGRATION CENTER.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish, operate,
and maintain a National Biosurveillance Integration Center
(referred to in this