
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC14713]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
 CHAPTER 141--COMMERCIAL SPACE OPPORTUNITIES AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 
        SUBCHAPTER I--PROMOTION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE OPPORTUNITIES
 
Sec. 14713. Acquisition of space science data


(a) Acquisition from commercial providers

    The Administrator shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying 
the scientific or educational requirements of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal 
agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, 
space science data from a commercial provider.

(b) Treatment of space science data as commercial item under acquisition 
        laws

    Acquisitions of space science data by the Administrator shall be 
carried out in accordance with applicable acquisition laws and 
regulations (including chapters 137 and 140 of title 10). For purposes 
of such law and regulations, space science data shall be considered to 
be a commercial item. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
preclude the United States from acquiring, through contracts with 
commercial providers, sufficient rights in data to meet the needs of the 
scientific and educational community or the needs of other government 
activities.

(c) Definition

    For purposes of this section, the term ``space science data'' 
includes scientific data concerning--
        (1) the elemental and mineralogical resources of the moon, 
    asteroids, planets and their moons, and comets;
        (2) microgravity acceleration; and
        (3) solar storm monitoring.

(d) Safety standards

    Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Federal 
Government from requiring compliance with applicable safety standards.

(e) Limitation

    This section does not authorize the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration to provide financial assistance for the development of 
commercial systems for the collection of space science data.

(Pub. L. 105-303, title I, Sec. 105, Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2852.)
