When it comes to discoveries unknown comets, NASA is generally about the last to know. Hundreds of amateurs are looking so why would NASA waste the time and money?
Frankly I think its a near ideal situation. Amateurs find them and NASA takes a gander.
You are quite wrong on this. Computer automation has
rendered the amateur astronomer all but obsolete nowadays,
in terms of finding unknown comets.
The SOHO satellite, while studying the Sun, found about 200 alone.
Of course, many of them were taking their final plunge into the Sun...
Then add in all the NEO projects that pick them up as well, and
amateurs don't stand a chance, except by very rare luck.
I think an Aussie has the record at 17 comets for an amateur, and
unless there's a total technological breakdown, no human will
ever come close to matching, let alone breaking it.