The NSF Act (42 U.S.C. 1870(d)) provides that advance, progress, or other payments which relate to scientific activities or scientific information may be made without regard to the provisions of section 3324 of title 31 of the United States Code.
[49 FR 46745, Nov. 28, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 51022, Sept. 30, 1996]
Advance payments may be made in any amount not exceeding the contract price, provided (a) the amount of the advance payment is based upon an analysis of the financing required by the contractor for the contract and does not exceed reasonable financial requirements between payments, and (b) such advance payment is appropriate in order to contract for the required work.