REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED UNDER ITAR FOR SATELLITE-BASED FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH In its report on the OSTP budget (House Report 106-674, pp. 63-64), the House Appropriations Committee wrote Public Law 105-261 transferred responsibility for satellite technology export licensing from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State as part of the International traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). An unfortunate and unintended consequence of that move has been that university-based fundamental science and engineering research, widely disseminated and unclassified, has become subject to overly restrictive and inconsistent ITAR direction. The result has been critical delays in NASA-funded research projects and has forced some universities to forgo participation in such projects. Such research traditionally has been excluded from export controls under the fundamental research exception. The Committee finds the current situation to be unacceptable and directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, in consultation with the NASA Administrator and the Secretary of State, to expeditiously issue clarification of ITAR that ensures that university collaborations and exchanges vital to the continued success of federally funded research are allowed to continue in a manner consistent with the long-standing fundamental research exception. OSTP solicits input from all interested parties about the impacts of recent changes in satellite technology export licensing on research. The information is being collected for the purpose of determining the existence and extent of any difficulties and will not be used as part of any regulatory process. No contracts are planned on this subject. Information should be mailed to Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Security and International Affairs Division, Washington, DC 20502 or provided electronically to ostpinfo@OSTP.EOP.GOV. The point of contact is V.L. Teplitz (202-456-6058). Posted 08/04/00 (D-SN482708).

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