SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NASA OFFICE OF PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.

SEC. 1113. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NASA OFFICE OF PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.(a) Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation.—It is the sense of Congress that it is important for NASA to maintain an Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation that has as its mission:(1) To develop strategic plans for NASA in accordance with section 306 of title 5, United States Code.(2) To develop annual performance plans for NASA in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, United States Code.(3) To provide analysis and recommendations to the Administrator on matters relating to the planning and programming phases of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution system of NASA.(4) To provide analysis and recommendations to the Administrator on matters relating to acquisition management and program oversight, including cost-estimating processes, contractor cost reporting processes, and contract performance assessments.(b) Objectives.—It is further the sense of Congress that in performing those functions, the objectives of the Office should be the following:(1) To align NASA’s mission, strategic plan, budget, and performance plan with strategic goals and institutional requirements of NASA.(2) To provide objective analysis of programs and institutions of NASA—(A) to generate investment options for NASA; and(B) to inform strategic decision making in NASA.(3) To enable cost-effective, strategically aligned execution of programs and projects by NASA.(4) To perform independent cost estimation in support of NASA decision making and establishment of standards for agency cost analysis.(5) To ensure that budget formulation and execution are consistent with strategic investment decisions of NASA.(6) To provide independent program and project reviews that address the credibility of technical, cost, schedule, risk, and management approaches with respect to available resources.(7) To facilitate progress by NASA toward meeting the commitments of NASA.