STUDY OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

SEC. 1821. STUDY OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. (a) In General.—The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Public Administration under which the Academy shall conduct a study to assess management practices for research, development, and demonstration programs at the Department. (b) Scope of the Study.—The study shall consider— (1) management practices that act as barriers between the Office of Science and offices conducting mission-oriented research; (2) recommendations for management practices that would improve coordination and bridge the innovation gap between the Office of Science and offices conducting mission-oriented research; (3) the applicability of the management practices used by the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to research programs at the Department; (4) the advisability of creating an agency within the Department modeled after the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; (5) recommendations for management practices that could best encourage innovative research and efficiency at the Department; and (6) any other relevant considerations. (c) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under this section.