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(2) how such criteria relate to the agency’s pol-
icy of budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level; 
and 
(3) the Administration’s criteria for waiving the 
policy of budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level 
and alternative strategies and mechanisms aimed at 
controlling program and project costs when a waiver 
is granted. 
SEC. 705. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report de-
scribing— 
(1) the Administration’s procedures for con-
ducting independent reviews of projects and pro-
grams at lifecycle milestones and how the Adminis-
tration ensures the independence of the individuals 
who conduct those reviews prior to their assignment; 
(2) the internal and external entities inde-
pendent of project and program management that 
conduct reviews of projects and programs at life 
cycle milestones; and 
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(3) how the Administration ensures the inde-
pendence of such entities and their members. 
SEC. 706. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, while protecting national secu-
rity’’ after ‘‘research community’’. 
SEC. 707. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINIS-
TRATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academy of Public Admin-
istration to assess the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory 
Council and to make recommendations to Congress for 
any change to— 
(1) the functions of the Council; 
(2) the appointment of members to the Council; 
(3) qualifications for members of the Council; 
(4) duration of terms of office for members of 
the Council; 
(5) frequency of meetings of the Council; 
(6) the structure of leadership and Committees 
of the Council; and 
(7) levels of professional staffing for the Coun-
cil. 
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In carrying out the assessment, the Academy shall also 
assess the impacts of broadening the Council’s role to ad-
vising Congress, and any other issues that the Academy 
determines could potentially impact the effectiveness of 
the Council. The Academy shall consider the past activities 
of the NASA Advisory Council, as well as the activities 
of other analogous Federal advisory bodies in conducting 
its assessment. The results of the assessment, including 
any recommendations, shall be transmitted to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(b) CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.—Section 20113(g) 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘and Congress’’ after ‘‘advice to the Administration’’. 
(c) SUNSET.—Effective on September 30, 2015, sec-
tion 20113(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘and Congress’’. 
SEC. 708. COST ESTIMATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that realistic cost estimating is critically important 
to the ultimate success of major space development 
projects. The Administration has devoted significant ef-
forts over the past 5 years to improving its cost estimating 
capabilities, but it is important that the Administration 
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continue its efforts to develop and implement guidance in 
establishing realistic cost estimates. 
(b) GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA.—The Administrator 
shall provide to programs and projects, and in a manner 
consistent with the Administration’s Space Flight Pro-
gram and Project Management Requirements— 
(1) guidance on when an Independent Cost Es-
timate and Independent Cost Assessment should be 
used; and 
(2) the criteria to be used to make such a de-
termination. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a re-
port— 
(1) describing efforts to enhance internal cost 
estimation and assessment expertise; 
(2) describing the mechanisms the Administra-
tion is using and will continue to use to ensure that 
adequate resources are dedicated to cost estimation; 
(3) listing the steps the Administration is un-
dertaking to advance consistent implementation of 
the joint cost and schedule process; 
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(4) identifying criteria used by programs and 
projects in determining when to conduct an Inde-
pendent Cost Estimate and Independent Cost As-
sessment; and 
(5) listing— 
(A) the costs of each individual Inde-
pendent Cost Estimate or Independent Cost As-
sessment activity conducted in fiscal year 2012, 
fiscal year 2013, and fiscal year 2014; 
(B) the purpose of the activity; 
(C) identification of the primary Adminis-
tration unit or outside body that conducted the 
activity; and 
(D) key findings and recommendations. 
(d) UPDATED REPORT.—Subsequent to submission 
of the report under subsection (c), for each subsequent 
year, the Administrator shall provide an update of listed 
elements in conjunction with subsequent congressional 
budget justifications. 
SEC. 709. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF IN-
TEREST IN MAJOR ADMINISTRATION ACQUI-
SITION PROGRAMS. 
(a) REVISED REGULATIONS REQUIRED.—Not later 
than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall revise the Administration Supple-
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