Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, all research and development carried out by or through the Office shall be carried out on a competitive basis.
Federal agencies shall, upon request from the Office and in accordance with Federal law, provide the Office with any data, reports, or other information requested, unless compliance with such request is otherwise prohibited by law.
Decisions concerning publications issued by the Office shall rest solely with the Director of the Office.
The Office may transfer funds to other Federal agencies or provide funding to non-Federal entities through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to carry out its duties under this section: Provided, That any such transfer or provision of funding shall be carried out in accordance with section 605 of Public Law 107–77.