[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations]
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration Regulatory Plan]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
Statement of Regulatory Priorities
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was 
established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. The 
purpose of NASA is to carry out aeronautical and space activities of 
the United States. In order to carry out the purpose, NASA is 
authorized to conduct research for the solution of problems of flight 
within and outside the Earth's atmosphere; to develop, construct, test, 
and operate aeronautical and space vehicles for research purposes; to 
operate a space transportation system including the space shuttle, 
upper stages, space station, and related equipment; and to perform such 
other activities as may be required for the exploration of space. The 
term ``aeronautical and space vehicles'' means aircraft, missiles, 
satellites, and other space vehicles, together with related equipment, 
devices, components, and parts. NASA conducts activities required for 
the exploration of space with manned and unmanned vehicles and arranges 
for the most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering 
resources of the United States with other nations engaged in 
aeronautical and space activities for peaceful purposes.
NASA's mission, as documented in its Strategic Plan dated May 1994, is 
to explore, use, and enable the development of space for human 
enterprise; advance scientific knowledge and understanding of the 
Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe and use the environment of 
space for research; and research, develop, verify, and transfer 
advanced aeronautics, space, and related technologies.
The following are narrative descriptions of the most important 
regulations being planned for publication in the Federal Register 
during fiscal year 1995.
NASA is testing the MidRange Procurement Procedure (48 CFR Part 1871) 
from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 1997. This simplified procedure covers 
procurements between $25,000 and $500,000 in annual value. The test 
began at Marshall Space Flight Center and is being expanded to cover 
other NASA Centers. The test uses best-value selection and seeks to 
establish a NASA Acquisition Bulletin Board that will reduce the time 
it takes to award contracts. Features of the test which are successful 
will be adopted permanently.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), 48 CFR chapter 1, contains 
procurement regulations that apply to NASA and other Federal Agencies. 
NASA implements and supplements FAR requirements through the NASA FAR 
Supplement, 48 CFR chapter 18. NASA plans to revise the NASA FAR 
Supplement, consistent with recommendations of the National Performance 
Review (NPR). For example, 48 CFR part 1845 implements and supplements 
FAR part 45, Government Property. Experience with this regulatory 
material over the last several years, coupled with the NPR emphasis on 
new approaches to the operation of the Federal Government, has made 
revision of Part 1845 necessary. The planned review and rewrite will 
have the objectives of simplifying, shortening, and clarifying Part 
1845, while increasing the responsibility of regulation users to 
implement more general policy guidance. A similar approach will be 
taken in revising other NASA FAR Supplement parts. In addition, 
improved procedures, developed by NASA's Procurement Reinvention 
Laboratory in the Headquarters Acquisition Division, will be considered 
in revising the NASA FAR Supplement.
The NASA supplemental executive agency standards of ethical conduct 
regulations, to be issued jointly with the Office of Government Ethics 
(OGE) in a new chapter of 5 CFR, after OGE approval, will supplement 
the new OGE executive branch standards of ethical conduct, codified at 
5 CFR part 2635. The supplemental regulations will set forth NASA-
specific provisions under applicable law and regulation which are 
needed to round out the executive branchwide ethical standards.
NASA is working on technical amendments to refine and clarify the 
contractual cross-waiver of liability in NASA agreements involving 
launch services.
A final rule for procedures for NASA alcohol testing programs will be 
published to implement the Civil Space Employee Testing Act of 1991 
which requires NASA to establish an employee alcohol testing program.
A notice of proposed rulemaking for crime control for child care 
programs will establish NASA policy and requirements for the 
development and implementation of child care programs in compliance 
with the Crime Control Act of 1990. This action will reduce risk to 
children under the age of 18 in NASA-sponsored child care programs by 
ensuring that criminal history background checks are conducted on child 
care workers who provide child care services at NASA-sponsored child 
care centers.
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