---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18371"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18371"
heading: "Interagency collaboration implementation approach"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18371"
units:
  - "Chapter 159 — Space Exploration, Technology, and Science"
  - "Subchapter VI — Earth Science"
---

# §18371. Interagency collaboration implementation approach


The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of [OSTP](/usc/42/18302.md?p=9) shall establish a mechanism to ensure greater coordination of the research, operations, and activities relating to civilian Earth observation of those [Agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), including [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6), that have active programs that either contribute directly or indirectly to these areas. This mechanism should include the development of a strategic implementation plan that is updated at least every 3 years, and includes a process for external independent advisory input. This plan should include a description of the responsibilities of the various [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) roles in Earth observations, recommended cost-sharing and procurement arrangements between [Agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and other entities, including international arrangements, and a plan for ensuring the provision of sustained, long term space-based climate observations. The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall provide a report to Congress within 90 days after October 11, 2010, on the implementation plan for this mechanism.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VII, § 702, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2830.)