
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: 49USC330]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                SUBTITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
                  CHAPTER 3--GENERAL DUTIES AND POWERS
 
                      SUBCHAPTER II--ADMINISTRATIVE
 
Sec. 330. Research contracts

    (a) The Secretary of Transportation may make contracts with 
educational institutions, public and private agencies and organizations, 
and persons for scientific or technological research into a problem 
related to programs carried out by the Secretary. Before making a 
contract, the Secretary must require the institution, agency, 
organization, or person to show that it is able to carry out the 
contract.
    (b) In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
        (1) give advice and assistance the Secretary believes will best 
    carry out the duties and powers of the Secretary;
        (2) participate in coordinating all research started under this 
    section;
        (3) indicate the lines of inquiry most important to the 
    Secretary; and
        (4) encourage and assist in establishing and maintaining 
    cooperation by and between contractors and between them and other 
    research organizations, the Department of Transportation, and other 
    departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States 
    Government.

    (c) The Secretary may distribute publications containing information 
the Secretary considers relevant to research carried out under this 
section.

(Pub. L. 97-449, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2427.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
330(a)................................  49:1657(q)(1).                   Oct. 1
5, 1966, Pub. L. 89-670, Sec.
                                                                          9(q)(
1)-(3), 80 Stat. 947.
                                        49:1657(q)(2) (1st sentence).
330(b)................................  49:1657(q)(2) (less 1st
                                         sentence).
330(c)................................  49:1657(q)(3).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (a), the words ``may make contracts'' are substituted 
for ``is authorized to enter into contracts'' to eliminate unnecessary 
words. The words ``the conduct of'' before ``scientific'' are omitted as 
surplus. The words ``a problem'' are substituted for ``any aspect of the 
problems'' because of the style of the revised title. The words 
``carried out by the Secretary'' are substituted for ``of the Department 
which are authorized by statute'' because the Secretary of 
Transportation is vested with all duties and powers. The words ``Before 
making a contract'' are substituted for ``with which he expects to enter 
into contracts pursuant to this subsection'' for clarity and to 
eliminate unnecessary words. The words ``is able to carry out the 
contract'' are substituted for ``have the capability of doing effective 
work'' for clarity.
    In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words ``In carrying out 
this section'' are added for clarity. In clause (1), the word ``give'' 
is substituted for ``furnish'' before ``such advice'' for consistency. 
The words ``duties and powers of the Secretary'' are substituted for 
``mission of the Department'' for clarity and consistency. In clause 
(4), the word ``contractors'' is substituted for ``the institutions, 
agencies, organizations, or persons'' to eliminate unnecessary words. 
The words ``departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United 
States Government'' are substituted for ``Federal agencies'' for clarity 
and consistency.
    In subsection (c), the words ``considers relevant'' are substituted 
for ``as he deems pertinent'' as more precise. The words ``from time to 
time'' before ``disseminate'' and ``in the form of reports or . . . to 
public or private agencies or organizations, or individuals'' before 
``such information'' are omitted as unnecessary.


                          Conflicts of Interest

    Pub. L. 106-159, title I, Sec. 101(g), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1752, 
provided that:
    ``(1) Compliance with regulation.--In awarding any contract for 
research, the Secretary shall comply with section 1252.209-70 of title 
48, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the 
enactment of this section [Dec. 9, 1999]. The Secretary shall require 
that the text of such section be included in any request for proposal 
and contract for research made by the Secretary.
    ``(2) Study.--
        ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to 
    determine whether or not compliance with the section referred to in 
    paragraph (1) is sufficient to avoid conflicts of interest in 
    contracts for research awarded by the Secretary and to evaluate 
    whether or not compliance with such section unreasonably delays or 
    burdens the awarding of such contracts.
        ``(B) Consultation.--In conducting the study under this 
    paragraph, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with the 
    Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, the 
    Comptroller General, the heads of other Federal agencies, research 
    organizations, industry representatives, employee organizations, 
    safety organizations, and other entities.
        ``(C) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act [Dec. 9, 1999], the Secretary shall transmit 
    to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
    Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
    House of Representatives a report on the results of the study 
    conducted under this paragraph.''
