ment of prototypes and new processes to 
meet specific requirements; or 
(iii) development of data, products, 
technology, or services not currently avail-
able in the marketplace and that cannot 
otherwise 
be 
procured 
commercially 
through ordinary business channels; and 
(B) may include— 
(i) research in the physical and nat-
ural sciences; 
(ii) applied research; 
(iii) technology development; and 
(iv) social science research. 
SEC. 503. GEOSPATIAL RESEARCH PLAN. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall develop a plan, to be known as the ‘‘Geospatial Re-
search Plan’’, to provide a coordinated and integrated ap-
proach to the investment of the United States in 
geospatial research and development activities in the 5- 
year period beginning on the date of the issuance of the 
Plan. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In the Geospatial Research 
Plan, the Administrator shall collaborate with a wide 
range of interested persons to identify and recommend in-
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vestments in geospatial research and development activi-
ties that will— 
(1) facilitate the establishment the National 
Spatial Data Infrastructure; 
(2) facilitate the maintenance of a current and 
accurate National Spatial Data Infrastructure; 
(3) enhance the ability to store and archive 
geospatial data; 
(4) increase public access to and dissemination 
of stored and archived geospatial data; 
(5) improve sensor and other data collection 
technologies; 
(6) improve the ability to acquire, visualize, 
analyze, and apply geospatial data; 
(7) improve the durability and extend the life of 
geospatial infrastructure; 
(8) address geospatial requirements necessary 
to meet national needs, Government programs, and 
emerging public policy issues, including but not lim-
ited to— 
(A) protecting and enhancing the environ-
ment; 
(B) building and maintaining the physical 
infrastructure of the United States; 
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(C) managing land and real property as-
sets and resources related thereto; 
(D) providing for the national defense and 
homeland security; 
(E) managing housing and financial serv-
ices systems; 
(F) producing and utilizing energy in a 
safe and efficient manner; 
(G) preparing for, responding to, and re-
covering from natural and anthropogenic emer-
gencies; 
(H) conducting the Census; 
(I) administering the system of justice; and 
(J) providing for new forms of communica-
tion; and 
(9) meet any other research and development 
needs of the Federal Government and geospatial 
data producers and users. 
(c) ESTIMATED FUNDING LEVELS AND BENEFIT.— 
In the Geospatial Research Plan, the Administrator shall 
describe, for each activity identified under subsection 
(b)— 
(1) the anticipated annual funding levels for the 
activity for the period described in subsection (a); 
and 
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(2) the benefit the Administrator expects to 
gain from the activity by the end of the period de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—The Administrator shall en-
sure that the Geospatial Research Plan— 
(1) includes and integrates the research and de-
velopment activities of the National Geospatial Tech-
nology Administration; 
(2) defines the respective roles and responsibil-
ities of Federal, State, local, regional, tribal, private 
sector, academic, and nonprofit institutions in 
geospatial research and development activities; and 
(3) takes into account the activities of other 
Federal, State, private sector, and nonprofit institu-
tions, and avoids unnecessary duplication with such 
activities. 
SEC. 504. POLICY DIRECTIVES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVEL-
OPMENT. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY DIRECTIVES.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall develop policy directives 
for implementation by the Federal Government of 
geospatial research and development activities through in-
novative partnerships, cooperative research and develop-
ment agreements, and other means. 
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(b) CONTENTS OF POLICY DIRECTIVES.—The policy 
directives developed under subsection (a) shall provide 
for— 
(1) simplified, standardized, and timely solicita-
tions; 
(2) a simplified, standardized funding process 
that provides for— 
(A) the timely receipt and review of pro-
posals; 
(B) outside peer review of proposals, if ap-
propriate; 
(C) protection of proprietary information 
provided in proposals; 
(D) selection of awardees; 
(E) retention of data rights generated in 
the performance of the contract by a business 
concern; 
(F) transfer of the right to intellectual 
property provided by the National Geospatial 
Technology Administration to the private sector 
partner; 
(G) cost sharing; and 
(H) cost principles and payment schedules; 
(3) ensuring that research and development ac-
tivities of government, universities, and nonprofit in-
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stitutions do not duplicate or compete with those of 
the private sector; and 
(4) the prompt commercialization of the results 
of geospatial research and development activities. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR
LEGISLATION.—The 
Administrator shall propose to Congress any recommenda-
tions for legislation to authorize innovative partnerships 
not authorized under existing law. 
SEC. 505. ANNUAL REPORT. 
The Administrator shall submit to appropriate com-
mittees of Congress an annual report, in conjunction with 
the President’s annual budget request as set forth in sec-
tion 1105 of title 31, United States Code, describing the 
amount spent in the last completed fiscal year on 
geospatial research and development and the amount pro-
posed in the current budget for geospatial research and 
development. 
Æ 
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