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United States industrial base for development and produc-
tion of engines to meet United States Government and com-
mercial requirements for space launch vehicles. The Report
required by this section shall include information regarding
existing, pending, and planned engine developments across
a broad spectrum of thrust capabilities, including propul-
sion for sub-orbital, small, medium, and heavy-lift space
launch vehicles.
SEC. 1120. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PRECURSOR INTER-
NATIONAL SPACE STATION RESEARCH.
It is the Sense of Congress that NASA is taking posi-
tive steps to utilize the Space Shuttle as a platform for pre-
cursor International Space Station research by maximizing
to the extent practicable the use of middeck accommoda-
tions, including soft stowage, for near-term scientific and
commercial applications on remaining Space Shuttle
flights, and the Administrator is strongly encouraged to
continue to promote the effective utilization of the Space
Shuttle for precursor research within the constraints of the
International Space Station assembly requirements.
SEC. 1121. LIMITATION ON FUNDING FOR CONFERENCES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated not more than $5,000,000 for any expenses related
to conferences, including conference programs, travel costs,
and related expenses. No funds authorized under this Act
†
may be used to support a Space Flight Awareness Launch
Honoree Event conference. The total amount of the funds
available under this Act for other Space Flight Awareness
Honoree-related activities in fiscal year 2009 may not ex-
ceed 1⁄2 of the total amount of funds from all sources obli-
gated or expended on such activities in fiscal year 2008.
(b) QUARTERLY REPORTS.—The Administrator shall
submit quarterly reports to the Inspector General of NASA
regarding the costs and contracting procedures relating to
each conference held by NASA during fiscal year 2009 for
which the cost to the Government is more than $20,000.
Each report shall include, for each conference described in
that subsection held during the applicable quarter—
(1) a description of the subject of and number of
participants attending, the conference, including the
number of NASA employees attending and the num-
ber of contractors attending at agency expense;
(2) a detailed statement of the costs to the Gov-
ernment relating to the conference, including—
(A) the cost of any food or beverages;
(B) the cost of any audio-visual services;
and
(C) a discussion of the methodology used to
determine which costs relate to the conference;
and
†
D) cost of any room, board, travel, and per
diem expenses; and
(3) a description of the contracting procedures
relating to the conference, including—
(A) whether contracts were awarded on a
competitive basis for that conference; and
(B) a discussion of any cost comparison
conducted by NASA in evaluating potential con-
tractors for that conference.
SEC. 1122. REPORT ON NASA EFFICIENCY AND PERFORM-
ANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to Congress a report that con-
tains a review of NASA programs and associated activities
with an annual funding level of more than $50,000,000 that
appear to be similar in scope and purpose to other activities
within the Federal government, that includes—
(1) a brief description of each NASA program
reviewed and its subordinate activities;
(2) the annual and cumulative appropriation
amounts expended for each program reviewed and its
subordinate activities since fiscal year 2005;
†
(3) a brief description of each Federal program
and its subordinate activities that appears to have a
similar scope and purpose to a NASA program; and
(4) a review of the formal and informal processes
by which NASA coordinates with other Federal agen-
cies to ensure that its programs and activities are not
duplicative of similar efforts within the Federal gov-
ernment and that the programs and activities meet
the core mission of NASA, and the degree of trans-
parency and accountability afforded by those proc-
esses.
(b) DUPLICATIVE
PROGRAMS.—If the Comptroller
General determines, under subsection (a)(4), that any defi-
ciency exists in the NASA procedures intended to avoid or
eliminate conflict or duplication with other Federal agency
activities, the Comptroller General shall include a rec-
ommendation as to how such procedures should be modified
to ensure similar programs and associated activities can
be consolidated, eliminated, or streamlined within NASA
or within other Federal agencies to improve efficiency.
Attest:
Secretary.