H. R. 1273—2
(3) A nation that is not technologically literate cannot
compete in the emerging global economy.
(4) A coordinated commitment to mathematics and science
instruction at all levels of education is a necessary component
of successful efforts to produce technologically literate citizens.
(5) Professional development is a necessary component of
efforts to produce system-wide improvements in mathematics,
engineering, and science education in secondary, elementary,
and postsecondary settings.
(6)(A) The mission of the National Science Foundation is
to provide Federal support for basic scientific and engineering
research, and to be a primary contributor to mathematics,
science, and engineering education at academic institutions
in the United States.
(B) In accordance with such mission, the long-term goals
of the National Science Foundation include providing leadership
to—
(i) enable the United States to maintain a position
of world leadership in all aspects of science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology;
(ii) promote the discovery, integration, dissemination,
and application of new knowledge in service to society;
and
(iii) achieve excellence in United States science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology education at all levels.
(b) CORE STRATEGIES.—In carrying out activities designed to
achieve the goals described in subsection (a), the Foundation shall
use the following core strategies:
(1) Develop intellectual capital, both people and ideas, with
particular emphasis on groups and regions that traditionally
have not participated fully in science, mathematics, and
engineering.
(2) Strengthen the scientific infrastructure by investing
in facilities planning and modernization, instrument acquisi-
tion, instrument design and development, and shared-use
research platforms.
(3) Integrate research and education through activities that
emphasize and strengthen the natural connections between
learning and inquiry.
(4) Promote partnerships with industry, elementary and
secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and univer-
sities, other agencies, State and local governments, and other
institutions involved in science, mathematics, and engineering
to enhance the delivery of math and science education and
improve the technological literacy of the citizens of the United
States.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) FISCAL YEAR 1998.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $3,505,630,000 for fiscal year 1998.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $2,576,200,000 shall be made available to carry
out Research and Related Activities, of which—
(i) $370,820,000 shall be made available for
Biological Sciences;
H. R. 1273—3
(ii) $289,170,000 shall be made available for
Computer and Information Science and Engineering;
(iii) $360,470,000 shall be made available for
Engineering;
(iv) $455,110,000 shall be made available for
Geosciences;
(v) $715,710,000 shall be made available for
Mathematical and Physical Sciences;
(vi) $130,660,000 shall be made available for
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, of which
up to $1,000,000 may be made available for the United
States-Mexico Foundation for Science;
(vii) $165,930,000 shall be made available for
United States Polar Research Programs;
(viii) $62,600,000 shall be made available for
United States Antarctic Logistical Support Activities;
(ix) $2,730,000 shall be made available for the
Critical Technologies Institute; and
(x) $23,000,000 shall be made available for the
Next Generation Internet program;
(B) $632,500,000 shall be made available to carry out
Education and Human Resources Activities;
(C) $155,130,000 shall be made available for Major
Research Equipment;
(D) $136,950,000 shall be made available for Salaries
and Expenses; and
(E) $4,850,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 1999.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $3,773,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $2,846,800,000 shall be made available to carry
out Research and Related Activities, of which—
(i) $417,820,000 shall be made available for
Biological Sciences;
(ii) $331,140,000 shall be made available for
Computer and Information Science and Engineering,
including $25,000,000 for the Next Generation Internet
program;
(iii) $400,550,000 shall be made available for
Engineering;
(iv) $507,310,000 shall be made available for
Geosciences;
(v) $792,030,000 shall be made available for
Mathematical and Physical Sciences;
(vi) $150,260,000 shall be made available for
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, of which
up to $2,000,000 may be made available for the United
States-Mexico Foundation for Science;
(vii) $182,360,000 shall be made available for
United States Polar Research Programs;
(viii) $62,600,000 shall be made available for
United States Antarctic Logistical Support Activities;
(ix) $2,730,000 shall be made available for the
Critical Technologies Institute; and
H. R. 1273—4
(B) $683,000,000 shall be made available to carry out
Education and Human Resources Activities;
(C) $94,000,000 shall be made available for Major
Research Equipment;
(D) $144,000,000 shall be made available for Salaries
and Expenses; and
(E) $5,200,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
(c) FISCAL YEAR 2000.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $3,886,190,000 for fiscal year 2000.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $2,935,024,000 shall be made available to carry
out Research and Related Activities, of which up to—
(i) $2,000,000 may be made available for the
United States-Mexico Foundation for Science; and
(ii) $25,000,000 may be made available for the
Next Generation Internet program;
(B) $703,490,000 shall be made available to carry out
Education and Human Resources Activities;
(C) $94,000,000 shall be made available for Major
Research Equipment;
(D) $148,320,000 shall be made available for Salaries
and Expenses; and
(E) $5,356,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
SEC. 103. PROPORTIONAL REDUCTION OF RESEARCH AND RELATED
ACTIVITIES AMOUNTS.
If the amount appropriated pursuant to section 102(a)(2)(A)
or (b)(2)(A) is less than the amount authorized under that para-
graph, the amount available for each scientific directorate under
that paragraph shall be reduced by the same proportion.
SEC. 104. CONSULTATION AND REPRESENTATION EXPENSES.
From appropriations made under authorizations provided in
this Act, not more than $10,000 may be used in each fiscal year
for official consultation, representation, or other extraordinary
expenses. The Director shall have the discretion to determine the
expenses (as described in this section) for which the funds described
in this section shall be used. Such a determination by the Director
shall be final and binding on the accounting officers of the Federal
Government.
SEC. 105. UNITED STATES MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAM
LIMITATION.
No funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be used for
the United States Man and the Biosphere Program, or related
projects.
TITLE II—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. NATIONAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.
(a) FACILITIES PLAN.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 1, of each year,
the Director shall, as part of the annual budget request, prepare
H. R. 1273—5
and submit to Congress a plan for the proposed construction
of, and repair and upgrades to, national research facilities.
(2) CONTENTS OF THE PLAN.—The plan shall include—
(A) estimates of the costs for the construction, repairs,
and upgrades described in paragraph (1);
(B) estimates of the costs for the operation and mainte-
nance of existing and proposed new facilities; and
(C) in the case of proposed new construction and for
major upgrades to existing facilities, funding profiles, by
fiscal year, and milestones for major phases of the construc-
tion.
(3) SPECIAL RULE.—The plan shall include cost estimates
in the categories of construction, repair, and upgrades—
(A) for the year in which the plan is submitted to
Congress; and
(B) for not fewer than the succeeding 4 years.
(b) STATUS OF FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION.—The plan
required under subsection (a) shall include a status report for
each uncompleted construction project included in current and pre-
vious plans. The status report shall include data on cumulative
construction costs by project compared with estimated costs, and
shall compare the current and original schedules for achievement
of milestones for the major phases of the construction.
SEC. 202. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.
(a) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACT
OF 1950 AMEND-
MENTS.—The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C.
1861 et seq.) is amended—
(1) in section 4(g) (42 U.S.C. 1863(g))—
(A) by striking ‘‘the appropriate rate provided for
individuals in grade GS–18 of the General Schedule under
section 5332’’ and inserting ‘‘the maximum rate payable
under section 5376’’; and
(B) by redesignating the second subsection (k) as
subsection (l);
(2) in section 5(e) (42 U.S.C. 1864(e)) by striking paragraph
(2), and inserting the following:
‘‘(2) Any delegation of authority or imposition of conditions
under paragraph (1) shall be promptly published in the Federal
Register and reported to the Committee on Labor and Human
Resources, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House
of Representatives.’’;
(3) in section 14(c) (42 U.S.C. 1873(c))—
(A) by striking ‘‘shall receive’’ and inserting ‘‘shall be
entitled to receive’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘the rate specified for the daily rate
for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332’’
and inserting ‘‘the maximum rate payable under section
5376’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘For the pur-
poses of determining the payment of compensation under
this subsection, the time spent in travel by any member
of the Board or any member of a special commission shall
H. R. 1273—6
be deemed as time engaged in the business of the Founda-
tion. Members of the Board and members of special commis-
sions may waive compensation and reimbursement for
traveling expenses.’’; and
(4) in section 15(a) (42 U.S.C. 1874(a)), by striking ‘‘Atomic
Energy Commission’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of Energy’’.
(b) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION ACT, 1976
AMENDMENTS.—Section 6(a) of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act, 1976 (42 U.S.C. 1881a(a)) is amended by striking
‘‘social,’’ the first place it appears.
(c) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION ACT
OF
1988 AMENDMENTS.—Section 117(a) of the National Science Founda-
tion Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1881b(a)) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (1)(B)(v) and inserting the
following:
‘‘(v) from schools established outside the several States
and the District of Columbia by any agency of the Federal
Government for dependents of the employees of such agency.’’;
and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ‘‘Science and Engineer-
ing 
Education’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘Education 
and 
Human
Resources’’.
(d) SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ACT
AMENDMENTS.—The Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885 et seq.) is amended—
(1) in section 34 (42 U.S.C. 1885b)—
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting the
following:
‘‘Participation in Science and Engineering of Minorities and
Persons with Disabilities’’;
and
(B) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:
‘‘(b) The Foundation is authorized to undertake or support
programs and activities to encourage the participation of persons
with disabilities in the science and engineering professions.’’; and
(2) in section 36 (42 U.S.C. 1885c)—
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘minorities,’’ and all
that follows through ‘‘in scientific’’ and inserting ‘‘minori-
ties, and persons with disabilities in scientific’’;
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) by striking ‘‘with the concurrence of the
National Science Board’’; and
(ii) by striking the second sentence and inserting
the following: ‘‘In addition, the Chairman of the
National Science Board may designate a member of
the Board as a member of the Committee.’’;
(C) by striking subsections (c) and (d);
(D) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
‘‘(c) The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and
evaluating all Foundation matters relating to opportunities for the
participation in, and the advancement of, women, minorities, and
persons with disabilities in education, training, and science and
engineering research programs.’’;
H. R. 1273—7
(E) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f ) as
subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
(F) in subsection (d), as so redesignated by sub-
paragraph (E), by striking ‘‘additional’’.
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The second subsection (g) of
section 3 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 is repealed.
SEC. 203. INDIRECT COSTS.
(a) MATCHING FUNDS.—Matching funds required pursuant to
section 204(a)(2)(C) of the Academic Research Facilities Moderniza-
tion Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862c(a)(2)(C)) shall not be considered
facilities costs for purposes of determining indirect cost rates under
Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21.
(b) REPORT.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy, in consultation with other Federal
agencies the Director deems appropriate, shall prepare a
report—
(A) analyzing the Federal indirect cost reimbursement
rates (as the term is defined in Office of Management
and Budget Circular A–21) paid to universities in compari-
son with Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates paid
to other entities, such as industry, government laboratories,
research hospitals, and nonprofit institutions;
(B)(i) analyzing the distribution of the Federal indirect
cost reimbursement rates by category (such as administra-
tion, facilities, utilities, and libraries), and by the type
of entity; and
(ii) determining what factors, including the type of
research, influence the distribution;
(C) analyzing the impact, if any, that changes in Office
of Management and Budget Circular A–21 have had on—
(i) the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates,
the rate of change of the Federal indirect cost
reimbursement rates, the distribution by category of
the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates, and
the distribution by type of entity of the Federal indirect
cost reimbursement rates; and
(ii) the Federal indirect cost reimbursement (as
calculated in accordance with Office of Management
and Budget Circular A–21), the rate of change of the
Federal indirect cost reimbursement, the distribution
by category of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement,
and the distribution by type of entity of the Federal
indirect cost reimbursement;
(D) analyzing the impact, if any, of Federal and State
law on the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates;
(E)(i) analyzing options to reduce or control the rate
of growth of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates,
including options such as benchmarking of facilities and
equipment cost, elimination of cost studies, mandated
percentage 
reductions 
in 
the 
Federal 
indirect 
cost
reimbursement; and
(ii) assessing the benefits and burdens of the options
to the Federal Government, research institutions, and
researchers; and
(F) analyzing options for creating a database—
H. R. 1273—8
(i) for tracking the Federal indirect cost reimburse-
ment rates and the Federal indirect cost reimburse-
ment; and
(ii) for analyzing the impact that changes in
policies with respect to Federal indirect cost reimburse-
ment will have on the Federal Government, research-
ers, and research institutions.
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The report prepared under para-
graph (1) shall be submitted to Congress not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 204. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Persons temporarily employed by or at the Foundation shall
be subject to the same financial disclosure requirements and related
sanctions under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App.) as are permanent employees of the Foundation in equivalent
positions.
SEC. 205. NOTICE.
(a) NOTICE
OF REPROGRAMMING.—If any funds appropriated
pursuant to the amendments made by this Act are subject to
a reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to
the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House
of Representatives, notice of that action shall concurrently be pro-
vided to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, the Committee on Labor and Human Resources
of the Senate, and the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives.
(b) NOTICE OF REORGANIZATION.—Not later than 15 days before
any major reorganization of any program, project, or activity of
the National Science Foundation, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall provide notice to the Committees on
Science and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Committees on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Labor
and Human Resources of the Senate, and Appropriations of the
Senate.
SEC. 206. ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS.
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) EDUCATIONALLY
USEFUL
FEDERAL
EQUIPMENT.—The
term ‘‘educationally useful Federal equipment’’ means comput-
ers and related peripheral tools and research equipment that
is appropriate for use in schools.
(2) SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘school’’ means a public or private
educational institution that serves any of the grades of kinder-
garten through grade 12.
(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of the Congress that the
Director should, to the greatest extent practicable and in a
manner consistent with applicable Federal law (including
Executive Order No. 12999), donate educationally useful Fed-
eral equipment to schools in order to enhance the science and
mathematics programs of those schools.
(2) REPORTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Direc-
tor shall prepare and submit to the President a report
that meets the requirements of this paragraph. The
H. R. 1273—9
President shall submit that report to Congress at the same
time as the President submits a budget request to Congress
under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.
(B) CONTENTS
OF
REPORT.—The report prepared by
the Director under this paragraph shall describe any dona-
tions of educationally useful Federal equipment to schools
made during the period covered by the report.
SEC. 207. REPORT ON RESERVIST EDUCATION ISSUES.
(a) CONVENING APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES.—The Director
of the National Science Foundation, with the assistance of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall convene appropriate
officials of the Federal Government and appropriate representatives
of the postsecondary education community and of members of
reserve components of the Armed Forces for the purpose of discuss-
ing and seeking a consensus on the appropriate resolution to prob-
lems relating to the academic standing and financial responsibilities
of postsecondary students called or ordered to active duty in the
Armed Forces.
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall transmit to the Congress a report
summarizing the results of the convening individuals under
subsection (a), including any consensus recommendations resulting
therefrom as well as any significant opinions expressed by each
participant that are not incorporated in such a consensus
recommendation.
SEC. 208. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE.
(a) AMENDMENT.—Section 822 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (42 U.S.C. 6686) is
amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘Critical Technologies Institute’’ in the
section heading and ‘‘Critical Technologies Institute’’ in sub-
section (a), and inserting ‘‘Science and Technology Policy
Institute’’ and ‘‘Science and Technology Policy Institute’’,
respectively;
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘As determined by the
chairman of the committee referred to in subsection (c), the’’
and inserting ‘‘The’’;
(3) by striking subsection (c), and redesignating subsections
(d), (e), (f ), and (g) as subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f ), respec-
tively;
(4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated by paragraph (3)
of this subsection—
(A) by inserting ‘‘science and’’ after ‘‘developments and
trends in’’ in paragraph (1);
(B) by striking ‘‘with particular emphasis on’’ in
paragraph (1) and inserting ‘‘including ’’;
(C) by inserting ‘‘and developing and maintaining
relevant informational and analytical tools’’ before the
period at the end of paragraph (1);
(D) by striking ‘‘to determine’’ and all that follows
through ‘‘technology policies’’ in paragraph (2) and inserting
‘‘with particular attention to the scope and content of the
Federal science and technology research and development
portfolio as it affects interagency and national issues’’;
(E) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
H. R. 1273—10
‘‘(3) Initiation of studies and analysis of alternatives avail-
able for ensuring the long-term strength of the United States
in the development and application of science and technology,
including appropriate roles for the Federal Government, State
governments, private industry, and institutions of higher
education in the development and application of science and
technology.’’;
(F) by inserting ‘‘science and’’ after ‘‘Executive branch
on’’ in paragraph (4)(A); and
(G) by amending paragraph (4)(B) to read as follows:
‘‘(B) to the interagency committees and panels of the
Federal Government concerned with science and tech-
nology.’’;
(5) by striking ‘‘subsection (d)’’ in subsection (d), as redesig-
nated by paragraph (3) of this subsection, and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (c)’’;
(6) by striking ‘‘Committee’’ in each place it appears in
subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (3) of this sub-
section, and inserting ‘‘Institute’’;
(7) by striking ‘‘subsection (d)’’ in subsection (f ), as redesig-
nated by paragraph (3) of this subsection, and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (c)’’; and
(8) by striking ‘‘Chairman of Committee’’ each place it
appears in subsection (f ), as redesignated by paragraph (3)
of this subsection, and inserting ‘‘Director of Office of Science
and Technology Policy’’.
(b) CONFORMING USAGE.—All references in Federal law or regu-
lations to the Critical Technologies Institute shall be considered
to be references to the Science and Technology Policy Institute.
SEC. 209. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM.
With the year 2000 fast approaching, it is the sense of the
Congress that the Foundation should—
(1) give high priority to correcting all 2-digit date-related
problems in its computer systems to ensure that those systems
continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and beyond;
(2) assess immediately the extent of the risk to the oper-
ations of the Foundation posed by the problems referred to
in paragraph (1), and plan and budget for achieving Year
2000 compliance for all of its mission-critical systems; and
(3) develop contingency plans for those systems that the
Foundation is unable to correct in time.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.