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(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—In implementing any such 
activities pursuant to subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall— 
(1) conduct updated market research on the 
commercial lunar economy and identify any changes 
since the last market analysis; 
(2) assess NASA’s needs from and role in and 
contribution to the commercial lunar delivery mar-
ket; 
(3) based on such needs identified in paragraph 
(2), assess the effectiveness of the task order ap-
proach in advancing commercial development of 
lunar delivery services, including an assessment of 
the appropriate number of providers necessary to 
support NASA commercial lunar delivery needs, and 
identify any challenges and recommendations for im-
provement; and 
(4) strengthen procedures related to the selec-
tion, manifesting, interfaces, and requirements of 
payloads and other relevant factors that could con-
tribute to minimizing future NASA-directed changes 
to projects following commercial lunar payload serv-
ice contract awards. 
(e) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Not later than 90 days 
from the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
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trator shall, informed by the activities conducted under 
subsection (c), prepare and implement a management plan 
with clear leadership authority and responsibility for the 
program authorized in subsection (b). 
(f) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 180 days from the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the imple-
mentation of the management plan in subsection (d). 
(g) COORDINATION.—The Administrator shall ensure 
coordination between Mission Directorates and the Moon 
to Mars Program on the administration of the program 
in subsection (b) to ensure alignment of goals for lunar 
delivery services. 
SEC. 613. PLANETARY AND LUNAR OPERATIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) existing NASA lunar and Martian orbital 
missions are operating well beyond their planned 
mission lifespans; 
(2) NASA relies on this aging infrastructure for 
observations, communications relay, and other oper-
ations to support critical NASA missions; and 
(3) the United States plans to increase its ac-
tivities on and around both the Moon and Mars in 
coming years. 
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(b) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan 
to ensure continuity of operations and sufficient observa-
tional and operational capabilities on and around the 
Moon and Mars necessary to continue to enable a robust 
science program and human exploration program for the 
Moon and Mars well into the future. Such plan shall con-
sider opportunities to engage both private and inter-
national partners in future operations. 
SEC. 614. MARS SAMPLE RETURN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, subject 
to the availability of appropriations, lead a Mars Sample 
Return program to enable the return to Earth of scientif-
ically-selected samples from the surface of Mars for study 
in terrestrial laboratories, consistent with the rec-
ommendations of the National Academies decadal surveys 
for planetary science. 
(b) APPROACH.—The Administrator shall pursue the 
program in subsection (a) on a timeline and in a manner 
necessary to— 
(1) Sustain United States leadership in the sci-
entific exploration of Mars; 
(2) maintain NASA capabilities to land and op-
erate robotic spacecraft on the surface of Mars; 
(3) preserve the relevant unique and long-term 
institutional expertise; and 
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(4) maintain a balanced and robust planetary 
science division portfolio without requiring signifi-
cant increases to the NASA budget. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN.—The Administrator 
shall, as soon as practicable and no later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, transmit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a plan and timeline 
for the implementation of a Mars Sample Return program 
pursuant to this section with the goal of enabling the high-
est scientific return for the resources invested. Such plan 
shall include a design and mission architecture and estab-
lish realistic cost and schedule estimates to enable such 
goal. 
SEC. 615. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING. 
Not later than 90 days from the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report 
to the appropriate committees of Congress that includes 
the results of any study or studies conducted in the last 
five years regarding the technical feasibility of safely re-
boosting the Hubble Space Telescope, including any such 
studies regarding the technical feasibility of using private 
sector capabilities. 
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SEC. 616. GREAT OBSERVATORIES MISSION AND TECH-
NOLOGY MATURATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator may es-
tablish a Great Observatories Mission and Technology 
Maturation project (referred to in this section as a 
‘‘Project’’) to mature the large-scale space-based mission 
concepts and technologies needed for a future astrophysics 
mission, as informed by the recommendations of the most 
recent decadal survey in astronomy and astrophysics. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—A project established under sub-
section (b) shall inform the design and development of fu-
ture large-scale space-based Astrophysics missions by con-
ducting activities which may include— 
(1) assessing the appropriate scope for any fu-
ture mission; 
(2) determining the range of capabilities and 
technology readiness of such capabilities needed for 
a mission; and 
(3) informing the development and maturation 
of science and technologies needed for such mission. 
(c) COSTS.—The independent life-cycle cost estimate 
conducted under section 30307 of title 51, United States 
Code, as amended by this Act, for a large-scale space- 
based mission resulting from successful completion of a 
Project established under subsection (b) shall include an 
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accounting of all costs spent on maturation of the mission 
through such Project. 
(d) REPORT.—Starting on February 1, 2025, and 
continuing annually thereafter, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the progress and impacts of any Projects established 
under subsection (b) within Astrophysics programs. 
SEC. 617. NANCY GRACE ROMAN TELESCOPE. 
The Administrator shall continue development of the 
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as directed in sub-
section 10823(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 
117–167). 
SEC. 618. CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY. 
The Administrator shall, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, take no action to reduce or otherwise preclude con-
tinuation of the science operations of the Chandra X-Ray 
Telescope prior to the completion and consideration of the 
next triennial review of mission extensions for the Astro-
physics division conducted pursuant to section 30504 of 
title 51, United States Code and NASA’s ongoing oper-
ations paradigm change review. 
SEC. 619. HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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(1) NASA heliophysics research advances the 
scientific understanding of the Sun, its impact on 
the Earth and near-Earth environment, and the 
Sun’s interactions with other bodies in the solar sys-
tem, the interplanetary medium, and the interstellar 
medium; 
(2) fundamental science supported by the 
Heliophysics division is critical to improving space 
weather observations forecasting capabilities, which 
contribute to— 
(A) fortifying national security and other 
critically important space-based and ground- 
based assets; 
(B) improving the resilience of the Na-
tion’s energy infrastructure; and 
(C) protecting human health in space; and 
(3) the Heliophysics Division should continue to 
maximize the scientific return on investment of its 
portfolio through maintaining a balanced portfolio 
that includes research and analysis, including multi-
disciplinary research initiatives, technology develop-
ment, space-based missions and suborbital flight 
projects that include both directed and strategic mis-
sions and principal investigator-led, competitively so-
licited missions, informed by the science priorities 
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and guidance of the most recent decadal survey in 
solar and space physics. 
(b) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT.—The Administrator 
shall seek to— 
(1) maintain a regular Explorer Announcement 
of Opportunity cadence and alternate between small 
and mid-sized missions; and 
(2) enable a regular selection of Missions of Op-
portunity. 
SEC. 620. STUDY ON COMMERCIAL SPACE WEATHER DATA. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator, in consultation with 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, shall conduct a study of the extent 
to which commercially-available data could advance space 
weather research, including the relevant space weather re-
search priorities of the most recent decadal survey on solar 
and space physics. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study shall include— 
(1) an assessment of commercial capabilities 
and commercial data that meets or exceeds the 
science and technical standards and requirements of 
the Administration, which may include— 
(A) data that is generated or able to be 
generated by commercial providers; 
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(B) commercially-available small space-
craft; 
(C) opportunities for hosted NASA pay-
loads on commercial spacecraft; and 
(D) commercial solutions for data proc-
essing applicable to space weather science; 
(2) recommendations and opportunities for the 
Federal Government to facilitate the use of commer-
cially available options for space weather data rel-
evant to advancing the Administration’s space 
weather research and development activities con-
sistent with the most recent National Academies 
decadal survey, without reducing quality of data; 
and 
(3) options, where appropriate, for potential 
partnerships or use of NASA prize authority and 
competitions, as appropriate and practicable, to ob-
tain access to such data identified in paragraph (1) 
that— 
(A) meets or exceeds the science and tech-
nical standards and requirements of the Admin-
istration; and 
(B) are not duplicative of activities con-
ducted pursuant to chapter 606 of title 51, 
United States Code. 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a report to the appropriate committees of Congress con-
taining the results of the study provided under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 621. GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission 
could enable scientific discoveries that will transform un-
derstanding of the processes that govern the dynamics of 
the Earth’s upper atmospheric envelope that surrounds 
and protects the planet. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than September 5, 
2024, the Administrator shall transmit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report regarding the schedule 
and budget profile to launch the Geospace Dynamics Con-
stellation mission by the end of the decade to fulfill the 
recommendations of the heliophysics decadal survey. 
SEC. 622. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR WILDLAND 
FIRE SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT, AND MITIGA-
TION. 
(a) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Administrator, 
acting 
through the Associate Director of the Earth Science Divi-
sion for Earth Action, shall establish a project for science 
and technology development for wildland fire management 
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and 
mitigation 
(referred 
to 
in 
this 
section 
as 
‘‘FireSense’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of FireSense is to co- 
develop, deploy, and support NASA’s application of ad-
vanced science, data, and technology capabilities to enable 
measurable improvement in United States wildland fire 
management and mitigation across the fire cycle, includ-
ing pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire phases. 
(c) OBJECTIVES.—In establishing FireSense, the Ad-
ministrator shall seek input from relevant stakeholders 
and shall align FireSense with the goal for NASA’s Earth 
science and applications program set forth in section 
60501 of title 51, United States Code, consider relevant 
recommendations of the most recent decadal survey on 
Earth science and applications from space, and shall, to 
the extent practicable, focus on the following objectives: 
(1) Enhanced predictive modeling and early 
warning systems for wildland fire detection and pre-
vention. 
(2) Developing remote sensing technologies and 
data analysis tools to monitor fire-prone areas. 
(3) Transitioning wildland fire management 
technologies to operational users, including agencies, 
private sector entities, and academic institutions. 
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(4) Conducting research to understand the im-
pacts of climate change on wildland fire frequency 
and intensity. 
(5) Supporting post-fire recovery and ecosystem 
restoration through advanced technologies and data. 
(6) Providing necessary technical assistance to 
operational users to receive, process, and make use 
of wildland fire science, data, and technology re-
sources. 
(7) Any additional objectives as determined nec-
essary by the Administrator to satisfy the purpose 
described in subsection (b). 
(d) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—In implementing 
FireSense, the Administrator shall, as practicable and ap-
propriate, coordinate with relevant Federal, State, and 
local agencies to support wildland fire science, data, and 
technology development activities across all phases of the 
fire cycle, including prevention, detection, response, and 
recovery. 
(e) OPERATIONAL
SUPPORT.—The Administrator 
shall, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with 
other relevant Federal agencies, continue to provide nec-
essary scientific and technical support to enhance wildland 
fire mitigation efforts to operational users, including the 
following: 
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(1) Relevant Federal agencies, as determined 
appropriate by the Administrator. 
(2) State, local, and Tribal governments and or-
ganizations. 
(3) Private sector entities. 
(4) Academic institutions, including colleges, 
universities, and wildland fire research institutions. 
(f) DATA SHARING AND COLLABORATION.—The Ad-
ministrator shall facilitate the sharing of data, tools, and 
research findings with operational users and other rel-
evant stakeholders to ensure effective use of NASA’s capa-
bilities in wildland fire management. 
(g) FIRESENSE PROJECT EVALUATION.—The Ad-
ministrator shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of 
FireSense and make necessary adjustments to improve its 
impact on wildland fire management. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 
five years, the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report on the activities 
and accomplishments of FireSense, including the fol-
lowing: 
(1) An assessment of interagency coordination 
efforts. 
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(2) FireSense’s impact on wildland fire man-
agement efforts. 
(3) A list of emerging wildland fire manage-
ment technologies and opportunities that may be 
considered for further research, development, dem-
onstration, and deployment. 
(4) An assessment of existing challenges to ef-
fective coordination with operational users, including 
State, local, and Tribal governments. 
SEC. 623. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY 
THE NATIONAL WILDLAND FIRE MANAGE-
MENT AND MITIGATION COMMISSION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Wildland fires pose a significant threat to 
public safety, property, and natural resources. 
(2) The National Wildland Fire Management 
and Mitigation Commission (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Commission’’) has provided critical rec-
ommendations for enhancing wildland fire science, 
data, and technology resources. 
(3) The Administration, through the Science 
Mission Directorate, has the capability to support 
and enhance wildland fire management through its 
advanced research and technological expertise. 
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(b) INCORPORATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
Administrator, in accordance with the goal for NASA’s 
Earth science and applications program set forth in sec-
tion 60501 of title 51, United States Code, and relevant 
recommendations of the most recent decadal survey on 
Earth science and applications from space, shall incor-
porate the recommendations of the Commission, to the ex-
tent practicable, which may include continuing to carry 
out the following: 
(1) Enhancing the collection, analysis, and dis-
semination of data related to wildland fires, includ-
ing satellite and remote sensing data. 
(2) Supporting research and development 
projects aimed at improving wildland fire prediction, 
prevention, response, and recovery. 
(3) Developing and deploying technologies that 
can assist in monitoring, detecting, and mitigating 
wildland fires. 
(4) Conducting studies on the impact of climate 
change on wildland fire behavior, frequency, and in-
tensity. 
(c) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall continue to coordinate, as practicable, with 
other Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities to integrate 
the Commission’s recommendations into broader wildland 
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fire management efforts. Such coordination may include 
the following: 
(1) Facilitating the sharing of wildland fire-re-
lated data and research findings with relevant agen-
cies and stakeholders. 
(2) Participating in joint initiatives and projects 
aimed at enhancing wildland fire management capa-
bilities. 
(d) EVALUATION.—The Administrator shall conduct 
periodic evaluations of NASA’s efforts to incorporate the 
Commission’s recommendations and make adjustments as 
necessary to maximize the effectiveness of such rec-
ommendations to support wildland fire mitigation and 
management efforts. 
(e) REPORTING.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
detailing the activities undertaken by NASA to implement 
the Commission’s recommendations, including the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A summary of research and development 
projects initiated or supported. 
(2) An assessment of the impact of such activi-
ties on wildland fire management and mitigation ef-
forts. 
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(3) Any challenges or obstacles encountered in 
implementing such recommendations. 
TITLE VII—STEM EDUCATION 
SEC. 701. NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOW-
SHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Title 51, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 40303, by striking subsections (d) 
and (e); 
(2) in section 40304— 
(A) by striking subsection (c) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(c) SOLICITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
issue a solicitation from space grant consortia for 
the award of grants or contracts under this section 
at the conclusion of the award cycle for fiscal Year 
2020 to 2024. The Administrator shall implement 
the allocation guidance from section 40304(e) during 
each fiscal year covered by the award cycle. 
‘‘(2) PROPOSALS.—A lead institution of a space 
grant consortium that seeks a grant or contract 
under this section shall submit, on behalf of such 
space grant consortium, an application to the Ad-
ministrator at such time and in such manner and 
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accompanied by such information as the Adminis-
trator may require. 
‘‘(3) AWARDS.—The Administrator shall award 
1 or more multi-year grants or contracts, disbursed 
in annual installments, to the lead institution of an 
eligible space grant consortium of— 
‘‘(A) each of the 50 States of the United 
States; 
‘‘(B) the District of Columbia; and 
‘‘(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.’’; 
and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
following: 
‘‘(e) ALLOCATION OF FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION.—To carry 
out the purposes set forth in section 40301 of this 
title, each fiscal year, of the funds appropriated for 
this program of that fiscal year, the Administrator 
shall allocate not less than 85 percent among eligible 
space grant consortia as follows: 
‘‘(A) The space grant consortia identified 
in paragraph 40304(c)(3) shall each receive an 
equal share. 
‘‘(B) The territories of Guam and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands shall each receive funds equal to 
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one-fifth of the share for each space grant con-
sortium. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, of 
the funds made available for the National Space 
Grant College and Fellowship Program, the Ad-
ministrator shall allocate not more than 10 per-
cent for the administration of the program. 
‘‘(B) COSTS
COVERED.—The funds allo-
cated under paragraph (1)(A) of this section 
shall cover all costs of the Administration asso-
ciated with the administration of the National 
Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, 
including— 
‘‘(i) direct costs to the program, in-
cluding costs relating to support services 
and civil service salaries and benefits; 
‘‘(ii) indirect general and administra-
tive costs of centers and facilities of the 
Administration; and 
‘‘(iii) indirect general and administra-
tive costs of the Administration head-
quarters. 
‘‘(3) SPECIAL
OPPORTUNITIES.—Each fiscal 
year, of the funds made available for the National 
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Space Grant College and Fellowship program, the 
Administrator shall allocate not more than 5 percent 
to lead institutions of Space Grant Consortia for 
grants to carry out innovative approaches and pro-
grams to further science and education relating to 
the missions of the Administration pursuant to sub-
section (b).’’. 
(b) REVIEW.—The Administrator shall make ar-
rangements for an independent external review of the Na-
tional Space Grant College and Fellowship Program to— 
(1) evaluate its management, accomplishments, 
approach to funding allocation as described in sec-
tion 40303(e) of title 51, United States Code, and 
responsiveness to the purposes and goals defined in 
chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code; 
(2) consider the benefits partnerships with local 
education agencies, including those in underserved 
and rural areas, may provide; and 
(3) propose any statutory updates that may be 
needed to implement recommendations of the review. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than nine months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit a report on the independent external review of 
the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Pro-
gram described in subsection (a) to the Committee on 
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Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 702. SKILLED TECHNICAL WORKFORCE EDUCATION 
OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may conduct 
or support STEM engagement activities that focus on ex-
panding opportunities for students to pursue skilled tech-
nical workforce occupations in space and aeronautics. 
(b) LEVERAGING EXISTING PROGRAMS.—The Ad-
ministrator, in conducting activities pursuant to sub-
section (a), shall consider leveraging, as appropriate, exist-
ing programs of NASA or other Federal programs and 
interagency initiatives, such as the Manufacturing USA 
program under section 34 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s). 
(c) INCLUSION.—Activities under subsection (a) may 
include outreach activities that engage secondary and 
post-secondary students, including students at institutions 
of higher education, two-year colleges, and high schools, 
and students in vocational or career and technical edu-
cation programs, and that— 
(1) expose students to careers that require ca-
reer and technical education; 
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(2) encourage students to pursue careers that 
require career and technical education; and 
(3) provide students hands-on learning opportu-
nities to view the manufacturing, assembly, and test-
ing of NASA-funded space and aeronautical systems, 
as the Administrator considers appropriate and with 
consideration of relevant factors such as workplace 
safety, mission needs, and the protection of sensitive 
and proprietary technologies. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the NASA’s activities, and any planned activities, con-
ducted pursuant to this section. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(2) SKILLED
TECHNICAL
WORKFORCE.—The 
term ‘‘skilled technical workforce’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 4(b)(3) of the Innovations 
in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act (42 
U.S.C. 1862p note; Public Law 115–402). 
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TITLE VIII—POLICY/NASA 
SEC. 801. MAJOR PROGRAMS. 
Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended in subsection (a)(1) by striking ‘‘7120.5E, dated 
August 14, 2012’’ and inserting ‘‘7120.5F, dated August 
3, 2021’’. 
SEC. 802. NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
(a) CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.—Section 20113(g) 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding 
‘‘and Congress’’ after ‘‘advice to the Administration’’. 
(b) SUNSET.—Effective September 30, 2028, section 
20113(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘and Congress’’. 
SEC. 803. NASA ASSESSMENT OF EARLY COST ESTIMATES. 
Not later than 12 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a review of the 
development, application, and assessment of early cost es-
timates made prior to preliminary design review for NASA 
missions. The review may include— 
(1) an assessment of NASA processes related to 
the formation and evaluation of proposed and early- 
stage cost estimates; 
(2) an evaluation of NASA’s monitoring and 
management of cost estimates throughout mission 
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development, in accordance with section 10861(b)(4) 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117– 
167); and 
(3) any such recommendations as the Comp-
troller General determines appropriate. 
SEC. 804. INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE. 
Section 30307 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘anal-
ysis’’ and inserting ‘‘estimate’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Before any funds may be 
obligated for implementation’’ and inserting 
‘‘After the Administrator completes the prelimi-
nary design review’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘analysis’’ and inserting 
‘‘estimate’’; and 
(C) by inserting after the first sentence, 
‘‘No funds may be obligated for implementation 
of the project before the Administrator reports 
the results of the life-cycle cost estimate to 
Congress.’’. 
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SEC. 805. OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY, POLICY, AND STRAT-
EGY REPORT. 
Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually there-
after, the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy shall 
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress a report describing the efforts of the Office during 
the previous calendar year and priorities of the Office for 
the upcoming calendar year, as practicable. 
SEC. 806. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TRANSFER TO NASA OF 
FUNDS FROM OTHER AGENCIES FOR SCI-
ENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING RESEARCH OR 
EDUCATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (f) of section 20113 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘In the performance of its func-
tions’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the performance of its 
functions’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT.—Funds available to any de-
partment or agency of the Federal Government for 
scientific or engineering research or education, or 
the provision of facilities therefor, shall, subject to 
the approval of the head of such department or 
agency or as delegated pursuant to such depart-
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ment’s or agency’s regulation, be available for trans-
fer, in whole or in part, to the Administration for 
such use as is consistent with the purposes for which 
such funds were appropriated. Funds so transferred 
shall be merged with the appropriation to which 
transferred, except that such transferred funds shall 
be limited to the awarding of grants or cooperative 
agreements for scientific or engineering research or 
education.’’. 
(b) ANNUAL
INFORMATION
ON
FUNDS
TRANS-
FERRED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than two years 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the 
Administrator shall include in the annual budget 
justification materials of the Administration, as sub-
mitted to Congress with the President’s budget re-
quest under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code, information describing the activities conducted 
under subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51, 
United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), 
during the immediately preceding fiscal year. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The information referred to in 
paragraph (1) shall contain a description of each 
transfer of funds under the authority provided for in 
paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 20113 of 
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(1) A summary of the value of the authority 
provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of 
section 209113 of title 51, United States Code (as 
added and amended, respectively, by this section), 
including the extent to which such authority has 
benefited the Administration and its ability to meet 
its needs, achieve its mission, or more effectively 
conduct interagency collaborations. 
(2) An identification of any barriers or chal-
lenges to implementing such authority, or otherwise 
to managing funding required to conduct joint pro-
grams and award jointly funded grants and coopera-
tive agreements by the administration with other 
Federal departments and agencies to advance the 
missions of each such department and agency. 
SEC. 807. PROCEDURE FOR LAUNCH SERVICES RISK MITI-
GATION. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement for an independent external assess-
ment of the effectiveness and efficiency of NASA’s ap-
proach towards launch services risk mitigation in the Ad-
ministration’s Procedural Requirements 8610.7D. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days from the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress the following: 
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(1) The report of the assessment conducted 
under subsection (a). 
(2) NASA response to the findings of the re-
port, if any. 
SEC. 808. REPORT ON MERITS AND OPTIONS FOR ESTAB-
LISHING AN INSTITUTE RELATING TO SPACE 
RESOURCES. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and Sec-
retary shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the merits of, and options for, 
establishing an institute relating to space resources to ad-
vance the objectives of NASA and the Department in 
maintaining United States preeminence in space. Such ob-
jectives shall include the following: 
(1) Identifying, developing, and distributing 
space resources, including by encouraging the devel-
opment of foundational science, industrial capability, 
and technology. 
(2) Reducing the technological and business 
risks associated with identifying, developing, and dis-
tributing space resources. 
(3) Research to maximize the responsible use of 
space resources. 
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(4) Developing options for using space re-
sources to carry out the following. 
(A) Support current and future space ar-
chitectures, programs, business, and missions. 
(B) Enable such architectures, programs, 
business, and missions that would not otherwise 
be possible. 
(C) Supplement the supply of such re-
sources available on Earth. 
(b) ADDITIONAL MATTERS.—The report required 
under subsection (a) shall also include the following as-
sessments of the Administrator and the Secretary: 
(1) Whether a virtual or physical institute relat-
ing to space resources is most cost effective and ap-
propriate. 
(2) Whether partnering with institutions of 
higher education and the aerospace industry, and 
the extractive industry as appropriate, would be ef-
fective in increasing information available to the in-
stitute with respect to advancing the objectives de-
scribed in such subsection. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of Commerce. 
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(2) EXTRACTIVE
INDUSTRY.—The term ‘‘ex-
tractive industry’’ means companies and individuals 
involved in the processes of extracting, including 
mining, quarrying, drilling, and dredging, raw, nat-
ural materials or energy sources. 
(3) INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
(5) SPACE RESOURCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘space re-
source’’ means an abiotic resource in situ in 
outer space. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘space re-
source’’ includes a raw, natural material or en-
ergy source. 
SEC. 809. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS AND NOTICES.—Any 
report or notice provided to Congress by NASA shall be 
provided to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
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concurrently with its delivery to any other Committee or 
office. 
(b) REPORTS ON INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.—If 
the United States becomes a signatory to an international 
agreement concerning outer space activities, the Adminis-
trator shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report containing a copy of such agreement. 
SEC. 810. CONTRACT FLEXIBILITY. 
Congress finds that NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 
1852.242-72, Denied Access to NASA Facilities instructs 
that for the period that NASA facilities were not acces-
sible to contractor employees, the contracting officer may 
adjust the contract performance or delivery schedule, fore-
go the work, reschedule the work, or consider requests for 
equitable adjustment to the contract. 
SEC. 811. GAO REPORT. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall transmit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a review of fire and emergency services at NASA 
launch and reentry facilities that assesses the following: 
(1) Current capabilities and projected demands 
for NASA-provided fire and emergency services. 
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(2) How demand for NASA-provided fire and 
emergency services have been impacted by the fol-
lowing: 
(A) An increased rate of launch and re-
entry operations. 
(B) An increased number of leases with 
commercial launch and reentry service providers 
for use of NASA property. 
(3) Current fire and emergency services pro-
vided by commercial providers to support launch and 
reentry operations that are conducted— 
(A) to fulfill a contractual obligation with 
NASA; or 
(B) for non-NASA purposes using NASA- 
leased property. 
(4) Whether NASA-provided and commercially- 
provided fire and emergency services are able to 
meet current and projected demands and support all 
fire response areas on NASA property. 
SEC. 812. NASA PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT PROGRAM. 
Section 20113 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(o) PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT PROGRAM.— 
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‘‘(1) ASSIGNMENT AUTHORITY.—Under policies 
and procedures prescribed by the Administration, 
the Administrator may, with the agreement of a pri-
vate sector entity and the consent of an employee of 
the Administration or of such entity, arrange for the 
temporary assignment of such employee of the Ad-
ministration to such private sector entity, or of such 
employee of such entity to the Administration, as 
the case may be. 
‘‘(2) AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall provide for a written agreement among 
the Administration, the private sector entity, 
and the employee concerned regarding the 
terms and conditions of the employee’s assign-
ment under this subsection. The agreement 
shall— 
‘‘(i) require that the employee of the 
Administration, upon completion of the as-
signment, will serve in the Administration, 
or elsewhere in the civil service if approved 
by the Administrator, for a period equal to 
twice the length of the assignment; 
‘‘(ii) provide that if the employee of 
the Administration or of the private sector 
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entity (as the case may be) fails to carry 
out the agreement, such employee shall be 
liable to the United States for payment of 
all expenses of the assignment, unless such 
failure was for good and sufficient reason, 
as determined by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(iii) contain language ensuring that 
such employee of the Administration or of 
the private sector entity (as the case may 
be) does not improperly use predecisional 
or draft deliberative information that such 
employee may be privy to or aware of re-
lated to Administration programing, budg-
eting, resourcing, acquisition, or procure-
ment for the benefit or advantage of the 
private sector entity. 
‘‘(B) TREATMENT.—An amount for which 
an employee is liable under subparagraph (A) 
shall be treated as a debt due the United 
States. 
‘‘(C) WAIVER.—The Administrator may 
waive, in whole or in part, collection of a debt 
described in subparagraph (B) based on a de-
termination that the collection would be against 
equity and good conscience and not in the best 
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interests of the United States, after taking into 
account any indication of fraud, misrepresenta-
tion, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of 
the employee concerned. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION.—An assignment under this 
section may, at any time and for any reason, be ter-
minated by the Administration or the private-sector 
entity concerned, as the case may be. 
‘‘(4) DURATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An assignment under 
this subsection shall be for a period of not less 
than three months and not more than two 
years, renewable up to a total of three years. 
An employee of the Administration may not be 
assigned under this subsection for more than a 
total of three years inclusive of all such assign-
ments. 
‘‘(B) EXTENSION.—An assignment under 
this subsection may be for a period in excess of 
two years, but not more than three years, if the 
Administrator determines that such assignment 
is necessary to meet critical mission or program 
requirements. 
‘‘(5) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall establish policies and procedures relating 
to assignments under this subsection. 
‘‘(B) ELEMENTS.—Policies and procedures 
established pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall 
address the following: 
‘‘(i) The nature and elements of writ-
ten agreements with participants in assign-
ments under this subsection. 
‘‘(ii) Criteria for making such assign-
ments, including the needs of the Adminis-
tration relating thereto. 
‘‘(iii) How the Administration will 
oversee such assignments, in particular 
with respect to paragraphs (2)(A)(iii), 
(7)(C), and (7)(D). 
‘‘(iv) Criteria for issuing waivers. 
‘‘(v) How expenses under paragraph 
(2)(A)(ii) would be determined. 
‘‘(vi) Guidance for participants in 
such assignments. 
‘‘(vii) Mission Directorate, Office, and 
organizational structure to implement and 
manage such assignments. 
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‘‘(viii) Any other necessary policies, 
procedures, or guidelines to ensure such 
assignments comply with all relevant statu-
tory authorities and ethics rules, and effec-
tively contribute to one or more of the Ad-
ministration’s missions. 
‘‘(C) INHERENTLY
GOVERNMENTAL
AC-
TIVITIES.—Assignments made under this sub-
section shall not have responsibilities or per-
form duties or decision making regarding Ad-
ministration activities that are inherently gov-
ernmental, pursuant to subpart 7.500 of title 
48, Code of Federal Regulations, and Office of 
Management and Budget review. 
‘‘(6) STATUS
OF
FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES
AS-
SIGNED TO PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An employee of the 
Administration who is assigned to a private sec-
tor entity under this subsection shall be consid-
ered, during the period of such assignment, to 
be on detail to a regular work assignment in 
the Administration for all purposes. The written 
agreement established under paragraph (2)(A) 
shall address the specific terms and conditions 
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related to such employee’s continued status as 
a Federal employee. 
‘‘(B) CERTIFICATION.—In establishing a 
temporary assignment of an employee of the 
Administration to a private sector entity, the 
Administrator shall certify that such temporary 
assignment shall not have an adverse or nega-
tive impact on the mission of the Administra-
tion or organizational capabilities associated 
with such assignment. 
‘‘(7) TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS
FOR
PRIVATE 
SECTOR EMPLOYEES.—An employee of a private sec-
tor entity who is assigned to the Administration 
under this subsection— 
‘‘(A) shall continue to receive pay and ben-
efits from the private sector entity from which 
such employee is assigned and shall not receive 
pay or benefits from the Administration, except 
as provided in subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(B) is deemed to be an employee of the 
Administration for the purposes of— 
‘‘(i) chapters 73 and 81 of title 5; 
‘‘(ii) sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 
208, 209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654, 1905, 
and 1913 of title 18, except that such sec-
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tion 209 does not apply to any salary, or 
contribution or supplementation of salary 
made pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph; 
‘‘(iii) 
sections 
1343, 
1344, 
and 
1349(b) of title 31; 
‘‘(iv) the Federal Tort Claims Act and 
any other Federal tort liability statute; 
‘‘(v) the Ethics in Government Act of 
1978; and 
‘‘(vi) chapter 21 of title 41; 
‘‘(C) shall not have access to any trade se-
crets or any other nonpublic information which 
is of commercial value to the private sector en-
tity from which such employee is assigned; 
‘‘(D) may not perform work that is consid-
ered inherently governmental in nature, in ac-
cordance with paragraph (5)(C); and 
‘‘(E) may not be used to circumvent— 
‘‘(i) section 1710 of title 41, United 
States Code; or 
‘‘(ii) any limitation or restriction on 
the size of the Administration’s civil serv-
ant workforce. 
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‘‘(8) ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall ensure that— 
‘‘(A) the normal duties and functions of an 
employee of the Administration who is assigned 
to a private sector entity under this subsection 
can be reasonably performed by other employ-
ees of the Administration without the perma-
nent transfer or reassignment of other per-
sonnel of the Administration; 
‘‘(B) normal duties and functions of such 
other employees of the Administration are not, 
as a result of and during the course of such 
temporary assignment, performed or augmented 
by contractor personnel in violation of section 
1710 of title 41; and 
‘‘(C) not more than two percent of the Ad-
ministration’s civil servant workforce may par-
ticipate in an assignment under this subsection 
at the same time. 
‘‘(9) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—The Adminis-
trator shall implement a system to identify, mitigate, 
and manage any conflicts of interests that may arise 
as a result of an employee’s assignment under this 
subsection. 
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‘‘(10) PROHIBITION
AGAINST
CHARGING
CER-
TAIN
COSTS
TO
THE
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.—A 
private-sector entity may not charge the Administra-
tion or any other agency of the Federal Government, 
as direct or indirect costs under a Federal contract, 
the costs of pay or benefits paid by the entity to an 
employee assigned to the Administration under this 
subsection for the period of the assignment con-
cerned. 
‘‘(11) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out this 
subsection, the Administrator shall take into consid-
eration— 
‘‘(A) the question of how assignments 
under this subsection might best be used to 
help meet the needs of the Administration with 
respect to the training of employees; and 
‘‘(B) where applicable, areas of particular 
private sector expertise, such as cybersecurity. 
‘‘(12) NASA REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 
30 of each year, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
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portation of the Senate a report summarizing 
the implementation of this subsection. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—Each report under sub-
paragraph (A) shall include, with respect to the 
annual period to which such report relates, the 
following: 
‘‘(i) Information relating to the total 
number of employees of private sector enti-
ties assigned to the Administration, and 
the total number of employees of the Ad-
ministration assigned to private sector en-
tities. 
‘‘(ii) A brief description and assess-
ment of the talent management benefits 
evidenced from such assignments, as well 
as any identified strategic human capital 
and operational challenges, including the 
following: 
‘‘(I) An identification of the 
names of the private sector entities to 
and from which employees were as-
signed. 
‘‘(II) A complete listing of posi-
tions such employees were assigned to 
and from. 
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‘‘(III) An identification of as-
signed roles and objectives of such as-
signments. 
‘‘(IV) Information relating to the 
durations of such assignments. 
‘‘(V) Information relating to as-
sociated pay grades and levels. 
‘‘(iii) An assessment of impacts of 
such assignments on the Administration 
workforce and workforce culture. 
‘‘(iv) An identification of the number 
of Administration staff and budgetary re-
sources required to implement this sub-
section. 
‘‘(13) FEDERAL ETHICS.—Nothing in this sub-
section shall affect existing Federal ethics rules ap-
plicable to Federal personnel. 
‘‘(14) GAO REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three 
years after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
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ate a report summarizing the implementation of 
this subsection. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The report under sub-
paragraph (A) shall include the following: 
‘‘(i) A review of the implementation of 
this subsection, according to law and the 
Administration policies and procedures es-
tablished for assignments under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(ii) Information relating to the ex-
tent to which such assignments adhere to 
best practices relating to public-private tal-
ent exchange programs. 
‘‘(iii) A determination as to whether 
there should be limitations on the number 
of individuals participating in such assign-
ments. 
‘‘(iv) Information relating to the ex-
tent to which the Administration complies 
with statutory requirements and ethics 
rules, and appropriately handles potential 
conflicts of interest and access to non-
public information with respect to such as-
signments. 
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‘‘(v) Information relating to the extent 
to which such assignments effectively con-
tribute to one or more of the Administra-
tion’s missions. 
‘‘(vi) Information relating to Adminis-
tration resources, including employee time, 
dedicated to administering such assign-
ments, and whether such resources are suf-
ficient for such administration.’’. 
SEC. 813. REPORT ON SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
describing the following: 
(1) Intellectual property considerations in Space 
Act agreements. 
(2) Feedback shared by industry groups regard-
ing intellectual property considerations in Space Act 
agreements. 
(3) Differences between NASA policies regard-
ing intellectual property in Space Act agreements 
and policies utilized in similar situations by other 
Federal agencies. 
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘Space 
Act agreements’’ means agreements entered into by NASA 
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pursuant to its authorities under the National Aeronautics 
and Space Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–568). 
SEC. 814. MENTORING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish 
a comprehensive NASA-wide mentoring program for early- 
career, mid-level, and senior-level employees at all NASA 
Centers and NASA Headquarters to ensure a robust pipe-
line for NASA’s civil servant workforce and support the 
preparation of employees, including those from popu-
lations that are historically underrepresented in STEM, 
for promotion and leadership roles. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the imple-
mentation of the subsection (a). 
SEC. 815. DRINKING WATER WELL REPLACEMENT FOR 
CHINCOTEAGUE, VIRGINIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Administrator may enter into an agree-
ment, as appropriate, with the Town of Chincoteague, Vir-
ginia, for a period of up to five years, for reimbursement 
of the Town of Chincoteague’s costs directly associated 
with the development of a plan for removal of drinking 
water wells currently situated on NASA-administered 
property and the establishment of alternative drinking 
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water wells which are located on property under the ad-
ministrative control, either through lease, ownership, or 
easement, of the Town of Chincoteague. Such agreement 
shall, to the extent practicable, include the three remain-
ing wells to be removed and relocated, the location of the 
site to which such wells would be relocated or are planned 
to be relocated, and a current estimated cost of the reloca-
tion, including for the purchase, lease, or use of additional 
property, engineering, design, permitting, and construc-
tion. 
(b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator, in coordination with the heads or other ap-
propriate representatives of relevant entities, shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress the agreement 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 816. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit the 
ability of a NASA employee to discuss scientific research 
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performed by such employee in accordance with NASA’s 
scientific integrity policies. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 23, 
2024. 
Attest: 
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 
Clerk. 
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