15 U.S.C. § 8517 — Observing System Simulation Experi-

Page 2430 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 8517 1 So in original. § 8517. Observing System Simulation Experi- ments (a) In general In support of the requirements of section 8516 of this title, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall under- take Observing System Simulation Experi- ments, or such other quantitative assessments as the Assistant Administrator considers appro- priate, to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits of observing capabilities and systems. Technical and scientific Observing Sys- tem Simulation Experiment evaluations— (1) may include assessments of the impact of observing capabilities on— (A) global weather prediction; (B) hurricane track and intensity fore- casting; (C) tornado warning lead times and accu- racy; (D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm outbreaks; and (E) prediction of storms that have the po- tential to cause extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from 6 hours to 1 week; and (2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal agencies, the United States weather industry, and academic partners to ensure the technical and scientific merit of re- sults from Observing System Simulation Ex- periments or other appropriate quantitative assessment methodologies. (b) Requirements Observing System Simulation Experiments shall quantitatively— (1) determine the potential impact of pro- posed space-based, suborbital, and in situ ob- serving systems on analyses and forecasts, in- cluding potential impacts on extreme weather events across all parts of the Nation; (2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; and (3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various observing systems and combina- tions of observing systems in providing data necessary to protect life and property. (c) Implementation Observing System Simulation Experiments— (1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisi- tion of major Government-owned or Govern- ment-leased operational observing systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000; and (2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000. (d) Priority Observing System Simulation Ex- periments (1) Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation Not later than 30 days after April 18, 2017, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall complete an Ob- serving System Simulation Experiment to as- sess the value of data from Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation. (2) Geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation Not later than 120 days after April 18, 2017, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall complete an Ob- serving System Simulation Experiment to as- sess the value of data from a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation. (e) Results Upon completion of all Observing System Sim- ulation Experiments, the Assistant Adminis- trator shall make available to the public the re- sults an assessment 1 of related private and pub- lic sector weather data sourcing options, includ- ing their availability, affordability, and cost-ef- fectiveness. Such assessments shall be developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51. (Pub. L. 115–25, title I, § 107, Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 96.) § 8518. Computing resource efficiency improve- ment and annual report (a) Computing resources (1) In general In acquiring computing capabilities, includ- ing high performance computing technologies and supercomputing technologies, that enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- istration to meet its mission requirements, the Under Secretary shall, when appropriate and cost-effective, assess and prioritize op- tions for entering into multi-year lease agree- ments for computing capabilities over options for purchasing computing hardware outright. (2) Acquisition In carrying out the requirements of para- graph (1), the Under Secretary shall structure multi-year lease agreements in such a manner that the expiration of the lease is set for a date on or around— (A) the expected degradation point of the computing resources; or (B) the point at which significantly in- creased computing capabilities are expected to be available for lease. (3) Pilot programs (A) In general In order to more efficiently and effectively meet the mission requirements of the Na- tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tion, the Under Secretary may create 1 or more pilot programs for assessing new or in- novative information and technology capa- bilities and services. (B) Program requirements Any program created under paragraph (3) shall assess only those capabilities and serv- ices that— (i) meet or exceed the standards and re- quirements of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including for processing speed, cybersecurity, and over- all reliability; or