[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 114 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14935]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1260


NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook--Unsolicited 
Proposals

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the NASA Grant and Cooperative 
Agreement Handbook to consolidate existing coverage regarding 
unsolicited proposals awarded as grants or cooperative agreements under 
a single new section.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 13, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Brundage, NASA Headquarters, Code 
HC, Washington, DC, (202) 358-0481, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Coverage regarding unsolicited proposals awarded as grants or 
cooperative agreements is set out in different sections of NASA's Grant 
and Cooperative Agreement Handbook. This change consolidates and 
clarifies that coverage in a new Sec.  1260.17.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NASA certifies that this final rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the 
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
because the changes merely consolidates existing guidance.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this final rule 
does not impose any new recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or collection of information from offerors, contractors, 
or members of the public that require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et. seq.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1260

    Grant programs--science and technology.

Tom Luedtke,
Assistant Administrator for Procurement.
    Accordingly, 14 CFR part 1260 is amended as follows:

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1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 1260 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1), Pub. L. 97-258, 96 Stat. 1003 
(31 U.S.C. 6301, et seq.,) and OMB Circular A-110.

PART 1260--GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

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1. In section 1260.10, revise paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  1260.10  Proposals.

    (a) * * *
    (2) An unsolicited proposal. (See Sec.  1260.17.)

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2. In section 1260.11, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  1260.11  Evaluation and selection.

    (d) For unsolicited proposals, see Sec.  1260.17.

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3. Add section 1260.17 to read as follows:


Sec.  1260.17  Evaluation and selection of unsolicited proposals.

    (a) Unsolicited proposals are for new and innovative ideas. Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48 CFR Subpart 15.6 and NASA FAR 
Supplement (NFS) 48 CFR Subpart 1815.6 set out NASA's procedures for 
their submission and evaluation. Consult ``Guidance for the Preparation 
and Submission of Unsolicited Proposals'' (see http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/hq/library/unSol-Prop.html) for additional information. NASA recommends 
contact with NASA technical personnel before submission of an 
unsolicited proposal to determine if preparation is warranted. These 
discussions should be limited to understanding NASA's need for research 
and do not jeopardize the unsolicited status of any subsequently 
submitted proposal.
    (b) NASA will evaluate unsolicited proposals the same whether 
awarded as grants or contracts. However, the requirement to synopsize 
set out in FAR Part 5 does not apply to grants.
    (c) All unsolicited proposals recommended for acceptance as grants 
shall be supported by a Justification for Acceptance of an Unsolicited 
Proposal (JAUP) prepared by the cognizant technical office. The JAUP 
shall be submitted for the approval of the grant officer after review 
and concurrence at a level above the technical officer. However, review 
and concurrence are not required for technical officers at a division 
chief or higher level. The grant officer's signature awarding the grant 
constitutes approval of the JAUP.
    (d) If an unsolicited proposal will not be funded, NASA will notify 
in writing the organization or person that submitted it. The method of 
notification is at the discretion of the grant officer. Proposals will 
be returned only when requested.
    (e) Because unsolicited proposals are awarded without competition, 
written justifications for equipment and travel shall be submitted by 
the technical office to the grant officer when more than half of the 
proposed budget is for equipment, travel, and their associated indirect 
costs. The grant officer's signature awarding the grant constitutes 
approval of the justification.

[FR Doc. 03-14935 Filed 6-12-03; 8:45 am]
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