106 STAT. 5120 PUBLIC LAW 102-588 —NOV. 4, 1992 Grants. 42 USC 2467b. 42 USC 2467b note. that geographic areas of the United States that currently do not successfully participate in competitive space and aeronautical research activities are enabled to become more competitive; and (3) programs to improve competitive capabilities should be a part of the research and the educational activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. SEC. 304. REQUIREMENTS. (a) COMPETITION. —Making use of the existing infrastructure established in eligible States by the National Science Foundation, the Administrator shall conduct a merit grant competition among the eligible States in areas of research important to the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. With respect to a grant application by an eligible State, the Administrator shall consider— (1) the application's merit and relevance to the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (2) the potential for the grant to serve as a catalyst to enhance the ability of researchers in the State to become more competitive for regular National Aeronautics and Space Administration funding; (3) the potential for the grant to improve the environment for science, mathematics, and engineering education in the State; and (4) the need to assure the maximum distribution of grants among eligible States, consistent with merit. (b) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS.— The Administrator shall endeavor, where appropriate, to supplement grants made under subsection (a) with such grants for fellowships, traineeships, equipment, or instrumentation as are available. (c) ELIGIBLE STATES DEFINED. — In this section, the term "eligible State" means a State designated by the Administrator as eligible to compete in the Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. In carrying out the programs listed in section 102(a), the Administrator should ensure that up to $10,000,000 from the appropriations authorized for "Research and Development", for fiscal year 1993 are also used for purposes of establishing and developing an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research on Space and Aeronautics. TITLE IV—HIGH RISK RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION SEC. 401. ACQUISITION POLICY ASSESSMENT. (a) ASSESSMENT. —Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination as necessary with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council, shall carry out an assessment of the allocation of risk between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractors for future research and development contracts in order to identify options for allocating risk for correction of defects in materials and workmanship or other failures to conform to contract requirements.
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