derive funds for obligations and expenditures for research and development relating to national defense sealift vessels from the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Navy account. (2) To derive funds for obligations and expenditures for operation, maintenance, and lease or charter of national defense sealift vessels from the Operation and Maintenance, Navy account. (3) To use funds in the account referred to in paragraph (1) for obligations and expenditures described in that paragraph, and to use funds in the account referred to in paragraph (2) for obligations and expenditures described in that paragraph, without the transfer of such funds to the National Defense Sealift Fund. (c) Limitation The authorities in subsection (b) may be used under the pilot program only with respect to applicable amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. (d) Continuing availability of NDSF funds Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of amounts available in the National Defense Sealift Fund for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for use for the purposes of the Fund under section 2218(c) of title 10, United States Code, in such fiscal years. (e) Reports (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the pilot program, the Secretary, the Commander of the United States Transportation Command, and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration each shall submit to the congressional defense committees an independent report on the pilot program. (2) Elements Each report shall include the following: (A) A description of lessons learned from the pilot program regarding the efficacy of funding national defense sealift vessel requirements using the accounts specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) rather than the National Defense Sealift Fund. (B) An assessment of potential operational, financial, and other significant impacts if the pilot program is made permanent. (C) Such recommendations as the official submitting such report