51 U.S.C. § 60502 — Transitioning experimental research into operational services

(a) Interagency Process. The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy must consult with the Administrator^*, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration^*, and other relevant stakeholders to create a process. When appropriate, the process must move the Administration's Earth science and space weather missions or sensors into operational status. It must also coordinate the agencies' yearly budget requests as needed to carry out the transitions. This section does not define the term "Administration."

(b) Responsible Agency Official. The Administrator and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must each name an agency official. That official is responsible for, and has authority to lead, the Administration's or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's transition activities and coordination between agencies.

(c) Plan. For each mission or sensor found appropriate for transition under subsection (a), the Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must send Congress a joint transition plan. The plan must include the strategy, milestones, and budget needed to carry out the transition. They must send it no later than 60 days after the mission or sensor successfully completes its critical design review.