National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning service contracting. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 5818 on February 3, 2006. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a renewal of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding authorized negotiators. The clearance currently expires on October 31, 2006. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

This final rule amends 14 CFR 1260.20(e), ``Provisions,'' and the introductory paragraph to Exhibit E (Commercial Space Centers Program Grants/Cooperative Agreements Intellectual Property) to clarify that the ``Patent Rights'' and ``Rights in DataCSC Program'' special conditions in Exhibit E are to be used in all grants or cooperative agreements awarded to Commercial Space Centers (CSC) under the Space Development and Commercial Research (SDCR) Program instead of (rather than in addition to) the general conditions for Patent Rights (Sec. 1260.28) and Rights in Data (Sec. 1260.30). In addition, this final rule makes an administrative change to correct a cross-reference error in paragraph (e) of the general condition entitled, ``Patent Rights,'' Sec. 1260.28.

This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c)(1) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant a partially exclusive license in the United States to practice the inventions described and claimed in ``Biochemical Sensors Using Carbon Nanotube Arrays,'' ARC-15205, to NanoWater, Inc., having its principal place of business in Seattle, WA. The patent rights in this invention have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective partially-exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning use of data universal numbering system (DUNS) as primary contractor identification. The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the nine-digit identification number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services to an establishment. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 75453 on December 20, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are issuing corrections to FAR Case 2004-031, Fast Payment Procedures (Item IX), which was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 20308 and 20309, April 19, 2006.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a meeting of the NASA Advisory Council.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning corporate aircraft costs. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 7743, on February 14, 2006. No comments were received. This OMB clearance expires on June 30, 2006. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09 which amend the FAR. An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2005-09 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at https://www.acqnet.gov/far.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by revising fast payment procedures. The revision permits, but does not require, fast payment when invoices and/or outer shipping containers are not marked ``Fast Pay'' provided the contract includes the ``Fast Payment Procedure'' clause. As highlighted in the clause, if the clause is in the contract, the invoices will no longer be rejected, as is the current practice. Instead, they will be paid using either fast payment or normal payment procedures. In addition, the revision deletes the requirement for marking invoices ``No Receiving Report Prepared.''

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to remove the sanctions against certain European Union (EU) countries.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to adopt as final without change, the interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify that prime contractors must confirm that a subcontractor representing itself as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concern is certified, consistent with the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 632 et. seq., as amended.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to convert to a final rule without change, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise the definition of ``Information technology'' to reflect the changes to the definition resulting from the enactment of Public Law 108-199, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. Section 535(b) of Division F of Public Law 108-199 permanently revises the term ``Information technology'', which is defined at 40 U.S.C. 11101, to add ``analysis and evaluation'' and to clarify the term ``ancillary equipment.''

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. The FAC, including the SECG, is available via the Internet at https://www.acqnet.gov/far.

Each Federal agency is required by the Privacy Act of 1974 to publish description of the systems of records it maintains containing personal information when a system is substantially revised, deleted, or created. In this notice, NASA provides the required information for a new system of records that will enable NASA civil servants and support contractors to evaluate education programs. The information collected is used in the administration of Federal funded Training Programs and is used to document the nomination of participants and completion of training; and it serves as the principal repository of personal, fiscal, and administrative information about participants and the programs in which they participate. In order to measure the reach of NASA's Education Programs, some requested personal information such as gender, nationality, disability, and ethnicity is only requested on a voluntary basis. Finally, in order to assess training program effectiveness and to determine necessary changes/improvements to its programs, NASA needs to be able to contact program participants and principal investigators and is collecting and maintaining personal data in order to do so.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning Buy American ActFree Trade AgreementsIsraeli Trade Act Certificate. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 3826 on January 24, 2006. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c)(1) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, worldwide license to practice the invention described in Invention Disclosure KSC-12899 entitled ``Gas Phase Oxidation of NO to NO2'' to Phoenix Systems International, having its principal place of business in Pine Brook, New Jersey. The patent rights in this invention will be assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning change order accounting. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 2914, January 18, 2006. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a forthcoming meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA intends to conduct scoping and prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The purpose of this proposed mission would be to place a mobile science laboratory (rover) on the surface of Mars to assess the biological potential of at least one target environment, characterize the geology of the landing region, investigate planetary processes of relevance to past habitability, including the role of water, and characterize the broad spectrum of the surface radiation environment. The proposed MSL mission is currently planned for launch during September or October 2009 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida, onboard an expendable launch vehicle from either the Atlas V or Delta IV class of vehicles. The baseline mission plan would include the use of one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for rover electrical power and could use several radioisotope heater units (RHUs) for thermal control of critical rover components while on the surface of Mars. Some science instruments may require the use of very small quantities of radioactive material for instrument calibration or for the conduct of an experiment. Environmental impacts to be considered in the EIS are those impacts associated with a normal launch from CCAFS, and radiological and non- radiological risks associated with a launch accident.

The inventions listed below assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and are available for licensing.

The invention listed below is assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark office, and is available for licensing.

The inventions listed below are assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and are available for licensing.

This rule adopts as final, with a minor editorial change, the proposed rule published in the Federal Register (70 FR 33726-33727) on June 9, 2005. This final rule amends the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to add Alternate I to the ``Major Breach of Safety or Security'' clause. Alternate I deletes references to termination for default and makes other changes to be consistent with the FAR termination clauses prescribed for use with educational or nonprofit institutions performing research and development work on a nonprofit or no-fee basis, and in contracts for commercial items.