49–006 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 114–121 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFICIENCY ACT 

MAY 19, 2015.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. SMITH of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and 

Technology, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1119] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom was 

referred the bill (H.R. 1119) to improve the efficiency of Federal research and development, and for other purposes, having considered 

the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Committee Statement and Views ........................................................................... 2 

Section-by-Section .................................................................................................... 4 

Explanation of Amendments ................................................................................... 4 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 4 

Application of Law to the Legislative Branch ....................................................... 4 

Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee ...... 5 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 5 

Duplication of Federal Programs ............................................................................ 5 

Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings ..................................................................... 5 

Federal Advisory Committee Act ............................................................................ 5 

Unfunded Mandate Statement ............................................................................... 5 

Earmark Identification ............................................................................................ 5 

Committee Estimate ................................................................................................ 5 

Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .................... 6 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Research and Development Efficiency Act’’. 

SEC. 2. REGULATORY EFFICIENCY. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 


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(1) high and increasing administrative burdens and costs in Federal research 

administration, particularly in the higher education sector where most federally 

sponsored research is performed, are eroding funds available to carry out basic 

scientific research; 

(2) progress has been made over the last decade in streamlining the preaward grant application process through Grants.gov, the Federal Government’s 

website portal; 

(3) post-award administrative costs have grown as Federal research agencies 

have continued to impose agency-unique compliance and reporting requirements 

on researchers and research institutions; 

(4) facilities and administration costs at research universities can exceed 50 

percent of the total value of Federal research grants, and it is estimated that 

nearly 30 percent of the funds invested annually in federally funded research 

is consumed by paperwork and other administrative processes required by Federal agencies; and 

(5) it is a matter of critical importance to American competitiveness that administrative costs of federally funded research be streamlined so that a higher 

proportion of taxpayer dollars flow into direct research activities. 

(b) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 

establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council, to include the Office of Management and Budget. The working group 

shall be responsible for reviewing Federal regulations affecting research and research universities and making recommendations on how to— 

(1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative Federal regulations and 

reporting requirements; 

(2) minimize the regulatory burden on United States institutions of higher 

education performing federally funded research while maintaining accountability for Federal tax dollars; and 

(3) identify and update specific regulations to refocus on performance-based 

goals rather than on process while still meeting the desired outcome. 

(c) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out the responsibilities under subsection (b), 

the working group shall take into account input and recommendations from nonFederal stakeholders, including federally funded and nonfederally funded researchers, institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies and associations, 

nonprofit research institutions, industry, including small businesses, federally funded research and development centers, and others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of scientific research. 

(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and 

annually thereafter for 3 years, the Director shall report to the Committee on 

Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on what steps have been 

taken to carry out the recommendations of the working group established under 

subsection (b). 

COMMITTEE STATEMENT AND VIEWS

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The purpose of H.R. 1119, the Research and Development Efficiency Act, sponsored by Representative Barbara Comstock (R–VA– 

10), Chairwoman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee of 

the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, is to improve the efficiency of Federal research and development. 

The bill requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a working group under the National 

Science and Technology Council to review federal regulations that 

affect research and research universities. The working group is 

tasked with making recommendations on how to harmonize, 

streamline, and eliminate duplicative Federal regulations and reporting requirements, and make recommendations on how to minimize the regulatory burden on research institutions. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

In 2012, the National Research Council produced a report, in response to a bipartisan bicameral request, highlighting ten recVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 May 21, 2015 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR121.XXX HR121

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1http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsb1418/nsb1418.pdf. 

2http://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/pgasite/documents/webpage/ 

pgal087667.pdf. 

ommendations for the future of U.S. research universities. One of 

the recommendations from that report was to ‘‘reduce or eliminate 

regulations that increase administrative costs, impede research 

productivity, and deflect creative energy without substantially improving the research environment.’’ 1

The Federal Demonstration Partnership 2012 Faculty Workload 

Survey, released in April 2014, found that principal investigators 

(PIs) of federally sponsored research projects spend, on average, 42 

percent of their time on associated administrative tasks. A similar 

study conducted seven years prior in 2005 also yielded the identical 

42% response. According to the 2012 survey, the most common administrative tasks were those ‘‘related to federal project finances, 

personnel, and effort reporting.’’ 2

On May 1, 2014, the National Science Board Task Force on Administrative Burdens publically released a report highlighting a 

growing complaint that there has been an increasing administrative workload placed on federally funded researchers at U.S. institutions, which they say is interfering with the conduct of science. 

The Task Force offered several recommendations in its report, including to eliminate or modify ineffective regulations, and to harmonize and streamline requirements. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

In the 113th Congress, Rep. Larry Bucshon, then-Chairman of 

the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, 

Space, and Technology Committee, introduced H.R. 5056, the Research and Development Efficiency Act, on July 10, 2014. It passed 

by voice vote on the House floor on July 14, 2014, and was referred 

to the Senate on July 15, 2014. 

COMMITTEE VIEWS

For several years, the research community has expressed concern 

that time spent on administrative and reporting requirements for 

federal research seriously cuts into lab time and therefore negatively affects the science conducted under those grants. A June 

2014 hearing by the Oversight Subcommittee and Research and 

Technology Subcommittee highlighted these concerns through testimony from witnesses representing the National Science Board, the 

Federal Demonstration Partnership and the National Science 

Foundation’s Office of Inspector General among others. H.R. 1119 

is a step toward addressing these concerns as it directs the Administration to take steps to cut through administrative red tape to ensure our nation’s research investments are efficient and effective. 

However, the effort to reduce bureaucracy should not be interpreted to mean that it occurs at the expense of transparency and 

accountability. Sufficient administrative and reporting requirements are necessary so Congress can effectively exercise its oversight responsibilities relative to federally funded grants, and federal offices, and so that the Offices of the Inspectors General have 

the tools necessary to perform grant audits. 


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SECTION-BY-SECTION

Section 1. Short title 

Research and Development Efficiency Act. 

Section 2. Regulatory efficiency 

This section includes a sense of Congress highlighting the problems with higher administrative costs for performing research. 

This section requires the Director of OSTP to establish a working 

group under the National Science and Technology Council to review federal regulations affecting research and research universities. The working group, which will include the Office of Management and Budget, is tasked with making recommendations on how 

to harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative Federal regulations and reporting requirements, as well as recommendations on 

how to minimize the regulatory burden on institutions of higher 

education performing federally funded research. The working group 

will also identify and update specific regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather than on process, while still meeting 

the desired outcome. The working group is instructed to take into 

account input and recommendations from non-Federal stakeholders. 

The Director of OSTP must report to Congress within a year of 

enactment, and annually thereafter for three years, on what steps 

have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the working 

group. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

An amendment offered by Representative Daniel Lipinski (D–IL– 

03), Ranking Member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 

was adopted by voice vote and is incorporated in the base text of 

H.R. 1119. The amendment requires the OSTP working group to 

make recommendations to identify and update regulations to 

refocus on performance-based goals and not bureaucratic processes. 

This amendment is in keeping with the spirit of the legislation to 

minimize the regulatory burden on U.S. institutions of higher education so that researchers may spend more time on scientific work. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On March 4, 2015, the Committee met in open session and ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 1119, as amended, by voice 

vote, a quorum being present. 

APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104–1 requires a description of 

the application of this bill to the legislative branch where the bill 

relates to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services and accommodations. This bill improves the efficiency 

of Federal research and development. As such this bill does not relate to employment or access to public services and accommodations. 


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STATEMENT OF OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF

THE COMMITTEE

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committees oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, H.R. 1119 requires the Director of OSTP 

to establish a working group under the National Science and Technology Council to review federal regulations affecting research and 

research universities. 

DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

No provision of H.R. 1119 establishes or reauthorizes a program 

of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the 

Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 

21 of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS

The Committee estimates that enacting H.R. 1119 does not direct 

the completion of any specific rule makings within the meaning of 

5 U.S.C. 551. 

FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT

The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish or 

authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within the 

definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b). 

UNFUNDED MANDATE STATEMENT

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded Mandate 

Reform Act, P.L. 104–4) requires a statement as to whether the 

provisions of the reported include unfunded mandates. In compliance with this requirement the Committee has received a letter 

from the Congressional Budget Office included herein. 

EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

H.R. 1119 does not include any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule 

XXI. 

COMMITTEE ESTIMATE

Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out H.R. 

1119. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its 

report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the 


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Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of 

the Congressional Budget Act. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST

ESTIMATE

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements 

of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for 

H.R. 1119 from the Director of Congressional Budget Office: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, March 12, 2015. 

Hon. LAMAR SMITH, 

Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1119, the Research and 

Development Efficiency Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Marin Burnett. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 1119—Research and Development Efficiency Act 

H.R. 1119 would require the Director of the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a working group that would 

be tasked with making recommendations on how to streamline federal regulations and reporting requirements for persons and institutions seeking to perform federally funded research. The working 

group would have to seek input and recommendations from nonfederal stakeholders. Within one year of enactment, OSTP also 

would be required to report to the Congress on what steps have 

been taken to carry out the recommendations of the working group. 

CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1119 would have no significant cost because the activities specified in the bill are generally 

consistent with activities already carried out by OSTP and other 

agencies that would probably participate in the proposed working 

group. 

Enacting H.R. 1119 would not affect direct spending or revenues; 

therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

H.R. 1119 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Marin Burnett. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

Æ 


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