; (2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite system, determine whether there is a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability available or that will be available to meet applicable instrument, spacecraft, or system requirements before completion of the critical design phase of such planned satellite system; (3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is or will be available as described in paragraph (2), determine whether and how such capability is in the national interest if developed as a solely governmental system; and (4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report detailing any determinations made under paragraphs (2) and (3). (f) Authorization of appropriations From amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 302 to carry out such section, not less than 15 percent of such amounts each fiscal year are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. . 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication Title III of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 304. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication (a) In general Consistent with other Federal agencies that contract and partner with private sector entities, the Under Secretary is authorized to use contracting mechanisms and enter into agreements that utilize multiyear contract options. In carrying out sections 302 and 303, the Under Secretary shall, to the greatest extent possible— (1) enter into year-long or multiyear contract options using contracting mechanisms that foster resiliency of datatypes purchased; (2) partner and contract with multiple observation service and data providers simultaneously to reduce risks of data gaps and improve mission robustness