5 U.S.C. § 312 — Agency evidence-building plan

(a) Requirement. Each agency^* head must include, in the strategic plan required by section 306, a plan for finding and answering policy questions related to its programs, policies, and regulations. The plan must contain: (1) a list of policy questions the agency wants to build evidence^* for; (2) a list of data the agency plans to collect, use, or get to support evidence-based policymaking; (3) a list of methods and analysis approaches it may use; (4) a list of challenges to building evidence, including any laws or other rules that limit access to relevant data; (5) a description of the steps the agency will take to do items (1) and (2); and (6) any other information the Director^* requires by guidance.

(b) Evaluation^* Plan. Along with the yearly performance plan required by title 31, section 1115(b), each agency head must issue an evaluation plan. It describes what the agency will do under subsection (a) during the next fiscal year. This plan must: (1) describe the key questions for each major evaluation study the agency plans to start next year; (2) describe key data collections or acquisitions the agency plans to start next year; and (3) include any other information required by the Director's guidance under subsection (a)(6).

(c) Consultation. While making the plan required by subsection (a), the agency head must consult with stakeholders. This includes the public, other agencies, state^* and local governments, and outside researchers.