“ In General- The Administrator shall enter into agreements on a periodic basis with the National Academies for independent assessments, also known as decadal surveys, to take stock of the status and opportunities for Earth and space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and to recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas over the next decade. (b) Independent Cost Estimates- The agreements described in subsection (a) shall include independent estimates of the life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed in the decadal surveys whenever possible. ”

“ The study shall-- (A) examine space weather impacts on, at a minimum, communications, navigation, avionics, and human health in flight; (B) assess the benefits of space weather information and services to reduce aviation costs and maintain safety; and (C) provide recommendations on how NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other relevant agencies, can most effectively carry out research and monitoring activities related to space weather and aviation. ”

“ Creating a network of economic development organizations to increase the awareness and enhance the effectiveness of the program nationwide. (c) Report- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the efforts and accomplishments of the program established under subsection (a) in support of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program. ”

“ The report required by this section shall include information regarding existing, pending, and planned engine developments across a broad spectrum of thrust capabilities, including propulsion for sub-orbital, small, medium, and heavy-lift space launch vehicles. ”

“ EXCEPTION TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENT. Section 526 (a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17142 (a) ) does not prohibit NASA from entering into a contract to purchase a generally available fuel that is not an alternative or synthetic fuel or predominantly produced from a nonconventional petroleum source, if--
(1) the contract does not specifically require the contractor to provide an alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source ”

“ Creating a network of academic institutions, aerospace contractors, and NASA centers that will commit to donating appropriate technical assistance to small businesses, giving preference to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. ”