H.R. 108 — Space Research Innovation Act

This section establishes the short title of the Act as the “Space Research Innovation Act.”

This section directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator to establish a university-affiliated research center to support NASA capabilities and to use that center to fund analyses and engineering support for cis-lunar and deep-space missions and interplanetary research. It requires the center to be accountable for the technical quality of its work and to have expertise in convening academic and private-sector groups to support research and public-private partnerships. It also directs the Administrator to develop policies and procedures governing participant selection, the award of cooperative agreements or other contracts, the use of competitive and sole-source awards, and the technical capabilities required. Eligible participants include institutions of higher education under 20 U.S.C. § 1002, operators of federally funded research and development centers, and nonprofit or not-for-profit research institutions.