[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 48838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20921]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1260

RIN 2700-AC74


NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook--Investigative 
Requirements

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule proposes to amend the existing ``Investigative 
Requirements'' provision of the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement 
Handbook to require recipients of grants and cooperative agreements to 
ensure that individuals needing access to a NASA Center, facility, or 
computer system, or to NASA technical information, provide the personal 
background and biographical information requested by NASA.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before October 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to Paul 
Brundage, NASA Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Contract Management 
Division (Code HK), Washington DC 20546.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Brundage, (202) 358-0481, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    NASA sometimes, albeit infrequently, requires information for 
investigations of individuals working on grants and cooperative 
agreements in order to determine whether to permit, deny, or restrict 
access to a NASA Center, facility, or computer system, or to NASA 
technical information. The provision at 1260.35, Investigative 
Requirements, is inserted in all grants and cooperative agreements to 
ensure recipients provide the information requested by NASA for any 
required investigation. This proposed change is needed because 
recipients of grants and cooperative agreements, especially educational 
institutions, often do not maintain or have access to the types of 
information required by the provision at 1260.35 about their staff, 
faculty, and students because of policy and legal restrictions. Instead 
of requiring the recipients to obtain and submit personal information, 
this proposed rule makes it clear that the individuals needing access 
may provide the requisite information directly to NASA. This proposed 
rule also clarifies that access is to NASA Centers, facilities, 
computer systems, and NASA technical information.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NASA certifies that this proposed 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 
there are few grants and cooperative agreements that require access to 
NASA Centers, facilities, and computer systems, or to NASA technical 
information. Furthermore, only a small portion of NASA's grants and 
cooperative agreements are awarded to small entities as defined in the 
statute.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this proposed 
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 CFR Part 1260

    Grant Programs--Science and Technology.

Tom Luedtke,
Assistant Administrator for Procurement.

    Accordingly, 14 CFR part 1260 is proposed to be amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 1260 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 1260--GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

    2. Section 1260.35 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1260.35  Investigative requirements.

Investigative Requirements

(XX/XX)

    (a) NASA reserves the right to perform security checks and to deny 
or restrict access to a NASA Center, facility, or computer system, or 
to NASA technical information, as NASA deems appropriate. To the extent 
the Recipient needs such access for performance of the work, the 
Recipient shall ensure that individuals needing such access provide the 
personal background and biographical information requested by NASA. 
Individuals failing to provide the requested information will be denied 
such access.
    (b) All requests to visit a NASA Center or facility must be 
submitted in a timely manner in accordance with instructions provided 
by that Center or facility.

[FR Doc. 03-20921 Filed 8-14-03; 8:45 am]
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