§20136 Contributions awards

Summary

The Administrator can give money awards to people for scientific or technical work that helps the Administration’s aeronautical and space activities. People (the law’s term “person,” which is defined in section 20135(a)) can apply, or the Administrator can start the process on their own. All applications go to the Inventions and Contributions Board, which must hold a hearing for the applicant and then send a recommendation to the Administrator about any award. When deciding the amount and rules for an award, the Administrator must consider the contribution’s value to the United States, how much the applicant spent to develop it, any prior payments the applicant received for its use (not counting government salary), and any other relevant facts. If more than one person claims the same contribution, the Administrator will decide each person’s interest and split the award fairly. An applicant must give up any other claims for payment from the United States or from a foreign government under a treaty or agreement, anywhere in the world, except for the award itself. No award over $100,000 can be paid unless the Administrator sends a full report to the appropriate Congressional committees and waits 30 calendar days of Congress’s regular session after they receive it.