(a) Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The adherence of NASA to program cost and schedule targets and discipline across NASA programs remains a concern.

(2) The James Webb Space Telescope has exceeded its cost estimate.

(3) In 2007 the Government Accountability Office issued a report on NASA’s high risk acquisition performance.

(4) In response, NASA prepared a corrective action plan two years ago.

(b) Reports

(1) Reports required

Not later than 90 days after October 11, 2010, and not later than April 30 of each year thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation during the preceding year for the corrective action plan referred to in subsection (a)(4).

(2) Elements

Each report under this subsection shall set forth, for the year covered by such report, the following:

(A) A description of each NASA program that has exceeded its cost baseline by 15 percent or more or is more than 2 years behind its projected development schedule.

(B) For each program specified under subparagraph (A), a plan for such decrease in scope or requirements, or other measures, to be undertaken to control cost and schedule, including any cost monitoring or corrective actions undertaken pursuant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155),1 and the amendments made by that Act.

Terms Used In 42 USC 18442

  • Baseline: Projection of the receipts, outlays, and other budget amounts that would ensue in the future without any change in existing policy. Baseline projections are used to gauge the extent to which proposed legislation, if enacted into law, would alter current spending and revenue levels.