Title 15 › Chapter 63— TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION › § 3719
Agency means a federal agency. Director means the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Federal agency here does not include the legislative branch. Head of an agency means the leader of a federal agency. Heads of agencies may run prize competitions to spur innovation that helps their work. Prizes can be for one clear solution, to showcase many ideas, to change participant behavior or skills, or other types the agency thinks will help. Agencies must ask lots of people inside and outside government before picking topics, advertise widely, and post a public notice (for example on challenge.gov) that says the subject, who can enter, how to register, the prize amount (cash or non-cash), and how winners will be chosen. To win cash, entrants must register, follow the rules, private organizations must be incorporated and based in the United States, individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and federal employees or agencies in the scope of their work cannot win. Using federal facilities or talking to federal staff does not make someone ineligible if those resources are fairly available to all entrants. Participants must accept risks and generally waive claims against the government except for willful misconduct, and must carry liability insurance or show financial responsibility unless the agency waives that requirement (the Director must list waivers yearly). The government will not take ownership of an entrant’s intellectual property without written consent but may try to license it. Agencies must name qualified, conflict-free judges and can hire outside groups to run competitions. Funding can come from federal appropriations and nonfederal sources. Prize funds stay available until spent. A competition cannot be announced until all prize money is appropriated or committed in writing. Increases in prize amounts need the same notice and funding. Prizes over $50,000,000 need 30 days’ notice to certain Congressional committees. Any award over $1,000,000 needs the agency head’s approval. GSA must provide government-wide support and a contract vehicle within 180 days after January 6, 2017. The government is not responsible for entrants’ compliance with other federal laws. Every other year by March 1, the Director must report to two Congressional committees about the past two fiscal years’ competitions, covering goals, why prizes were used, funding and private contributions, how entries were solicited and judged, resources used and accounting, how each prize helped the agency’s mission, and future opportunities for competitions.
Full Legal Text
Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 3719
Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60