Sec. 904. FAA and NASA advanced aviation technologies pilot program
474 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/s/1939/rs/section-904A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in this section referred to as the NASA Administrator ), shall establish a pilot program to facilitate the appointment of individuals from NASA to the FAA to serve in temporary technical discipline expert positions relating to advanced aviation technologies (in this section referred to as the program ).
In developing the program, the Administrator shall consider— existing mechanisms of collaboration between FAA and NASA relating to aeronautics programs, advisory committees, and work groups; the degree to which FAA and NASA facilitate partnerships between subject matter experts to support the research and development, testing, and certification of advanced aviation technologies; and how temporary appointments under the program may be best used to enhance the technical capacity of the FAA and technical partnerships between agencies.
The Administrator, in coordination with the NASA Administrator, shall identify qualifying projects or activities at the FAA that would benefit from temporary appointments of highly qualified, experienced professionals under the program to enhance technical capacity, knowledge, skills, and abilities relating to research and development, certification, and the safe deployment of advanced aviation technologies. The Administrator and NASA Administrator shall jointly establish the terms and conditions of service under the program and issue relevant guidelines related to the responsibilities and duration of service of participating NASA personnel.
In approving NASA personnel for participation in the program, the NASA Administrator shall certify that the temporary appointment of such personnel shall not have an adverse impact on the post-assignment employment duties of relevant NASA personnel or an undue adverse impact on the mission of the agency. The Administrator shall make clear that any responsibilities of NASA personnel participating in the program constitute serving in temporary technical discipline expert positions at the FAA and are subject to FAA conflict-of-interest policies and supervision.
Any individuals employed by NASA who are participating in the program shall continue to receive pay and benefits from NASA and shall not receive pay or benefits from the FAA for the duration of the program. In supporting the participation of NASA personnel, the Administrator and NASA Administrator may authorize the use of NASA technical services, equipment, software, and facilities without reimbursement to facilitate cooperation between agencies under the program. The Comptroller General shall conduct a comprehensive review of the program that includes evaluation of the impact of the program on improving coordination on projects and sharing of technical expertise between agencies relating to advanced aviation technologies.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1), along with recommendations for such future action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.