Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 116 Part 4.djvu/639

 PUBLIC LAW 107-368—DEC. 19, 2002 116 STAT. 3067 SEC. 25. STUDY ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING DATA DISCREPANCIES. (a) STUDY.— The Director, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of other Federal agencies, shall enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the source of discrepancies in Federal reports on obligations and actual expenditures of Federal research and development funding. (b) CONTENTS.— The study shall— (1) examine the relevance and accuracy of reporting classifications and definitions used in the reports described in subsection (a); (2) examine whether the classifications and definitions are used consistently across Federal agencies for data gathering; (3) examine whether and how Federal agencies use reports described in subsection (a), and describe any other sources of similar data used by those agencies; (4) recommend alternatives for modifications to the current reporting process and system that would— (A) accommodate emerging fields of science and changing practices in the conduct of research and development; (B) minimize, to the extent possible, the burden imposed on the reporters of these data; (C) increase the consistency of application of the system across the Federal agencies including the Office of Management and Budget and the Foundation; (D) encourage the use of new technologies to increase accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of the reported data between the agencies and the research performers; and (E) overcome systemic shortfalls; and (5) recommend an implementation timeline for the modifications recommended under paragraph (4), and recommend specific responsibilities for the program and budget offices in the agencies, taking into consideration required changes to the current computer systems and processes used by the agencies. (c) SUBMISSION. —The Director shall submit a report on the results of the study to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate within one year after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) IMPLEMENTATION. —Within 6 months after the completion of the study required by subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a plan for implementation of the recommendations of the study. SEC. 26. PLANNING GRANTS. The Director is authorized to accept planning proposals from applicants who are within.075 percentage points of the current eligibility level for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Such proposals shall be reviewed by the Foundation 42 USC 1864 note. Contracts. Reports. DeadHne. Deadline. 42 USC 1862q note.

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