Other Reporting Requirements

Management and Performance Challenges

As required by the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, the following is the Inspector General’s Statement Concerning NSF’s Most Serious Management and Performance Challenges. It is followed by the Director’s Response.

Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996

Net Accounts Receivable totaled $4,654,371 at September 30, 2000. Of that amount, $3,996,660 was receivable from other federal agencies. The remaining $657,711 was receivable from the public. NSF fully participates in the Department of the Treasury Cross-Servicing Program. In accordance with the Debt Collection Improvement Act, this program allows NSF to refer debts that are delinquent more than 180 days to the Department of the Treasury for appropriate action to collect those accounts. Additionally, NSF seeks Department of Justice concurrence for action on items over $100,000.

Civil Monetary Penalty Act

There were no Civil Monetary Penalties assessed by NSF during the relevant financial statement reporting period.

Prompt Payment Act

NSF continues to strive for the highest levels of electronic fund transfers (EFT) payments required by the Prompt Payment Act. Payroll, vendor and grantee payment transactions are made by EFT. Only payments made to foreign banks were made by paper check. Interest payments under the Prompt Payment Act in fiscal year 2000 were minimal.

Patents and Inventions Resulting From NSF Support

The NSF’s Accountability Report also serves as the Foundation’s Annual Report. As such, the following information about inventions is being reported in compliance with Section 3(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended [42 U.S.C. 1862(f)]:

In FY 2000, the Foundation received 358 invention disclosures. Rights to these inventions were allocated in accordance with Chapter 18 of Title 35 of the United States Code, commonly called the “Bayh-Dole Act.”