§3105 New contracts and grants and merit-based selection procedures

Summary

Congress says executive agencies should not be forced by law to give a new contract or a new research, development, test, or evaluation grant to a specific non‑Federal entity. Any program, project, or technology named in law should be awarded using merit‑based selection. A contract or grant is "new" unless it simply continues work the same entity already did under a prior contract or grant. A law cannot be read to require such a specific award unless it clearly names this rule, identifies the exact entity, and says the award is required despite the policy. This rule does not apply when the National Academy of Sciences is hired to study or experiment and report to Congress or a federal agency.