H. R. 4664—34
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 classi-
fications and definitions used in the reports described in sub-
section (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 develop-
ment;
(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 Manage-
ment 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 modi-
fications 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 agen-
cies.
(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, Edu-
cation, 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 Competi-
tive Research. Such proposals shall be reviewed by the Foundation
H. R. 4664—35
to determine their merit for support under the Experimental Pro-
gram to Stimulate Competitive Research or any other appropriate
program.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.