National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant a partially exclusive patent license in the United States to practice the inventions described and claimed in U.S. Patent Number 8,987,632 B2 titled ``Modification of Surface Energy via Direct Laser Ablative Surface Patterning,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17769-1; and U.S. Patent Number 10,259,077 B2 titled ``Modification of Surface Energy via Direct Laser Ablative Surface Patterning,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17769-2, to Genetoo, Inc., having its principal place of business in Gaithersburg, MD. The fields of use may be limited to for performing laser ablation, on the surface of surgical implants, to enhance specific patterns and to avoid bacteria growth, and/or similar field(s) of use thereto. NASA has not yet made a determination to grant the requested license and may deny the requested license even if no objections are submitted within the comment period.

NASA is publishing, in final form, a new term and condition regarding sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. NASA's intention to develop and implement this new term and condition was specified in the Federal Register of July 17, 2019, FR Doc. 2019-15088, on page 34206. The many hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education and other organizations that receive NASA funds are responsible for fully investigating complaints under and for compliance with federal non- discrimination laws, regulations, and executive orders. The implementation of new reporting requirements is necessary to help ensure research environments to which NASA provides funding are free from sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, NASA is bolstering our policies, guidelines, and communications. These requirements are intended, first, to better ensure that organizations funded by NASA clearly understand expectations and requirements. In addition, NASA seeks to ensure that recipients of grants and cooperative agreements respond promptly and appropriately to instances of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault.

NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant a co-exclusive patent license in the United States to practice the invention described and claimed in U.S. Patent Application entitled, ``Method for Simulation of Flow in Fluid Flow Network Having One-Dimensional and Multi-Dimensional Flow Components'', MFS-33798-1, to MODE Technology Group, having its principal place of business in Denver, CO. The fields of use may be limited. The patent rights in these inventions have been assigned to the United States of American as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA has not yet made a determination to grant the requested license and may deny the requested license even if no objections are submitted within the comment period.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This Committee reports to the NAC.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a revision and renewal of a previously approved information collection requirement regarding reporting purchases from sources outside the United States.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DOD, GSA, and NASA. 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 the rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-05, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2020-05, which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-05. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Aeronautics Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This meeting will be held for soliciting, from the aeronautics community and other persons, research and technical information relevant to program planning.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Human Exploration and Operations Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This Committee reports to the NAC.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Planetary Science Advisory Committee. The meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting, from the scientific community and other persons, scientific and technical information relevant to program planning.

NASA has officially released the 2020 NASA Technology Taxonomy via the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist website. The Technology Taxonomy provides a structure for articulating the technology development disciplines needed to enable future NASA missions. This update to the previous structure uses a technology discipline-based approach that aligns like-technologies independent of their application within the NASA mission portfolio. The Taxonomy serves as a common technology communication tool across the Agency and with its partners in other government agencies, academia, industry, and around the world.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Astrophysics Advisory Committee. This Committee reports to the Director, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. The meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting, from the scientific community and other persons, scientific and technical information relevant to program planning.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, DoD, GSA, and NASA invite the public to comment on a revision and renewal concerning examination of records by Comptroller General and contract audit. DoD, GSA, and NASA invite comments on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of Federal Government acquisitions, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. OMB has approved this information collection for use through April 30, 2020. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant a partially exclusive patent license in the United States to practice the inventions described and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 8,167,204 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Damage Location Sensing System,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17593-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,086,593 B2 for an invention entitled ``Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System,'' NASA Case Number LAR-16908-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,159,774 B2 for an invention entitled ``Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17280-1; U.S. Patent No. 8,430,327 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Sensing System Using Open-Circuit, Electrically-Conductive Spiral-Trace Sensor,'' NASA Case Number LAR- 17294-1; U.S. Patent No. 8,042,739 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Tamper Detection Sensor and Sensing System,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17444-1; U.S. Patent No. 7,814,786 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Sensing System for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Attributes of Contents in a Container,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17488-1; U.S. Patent No. 8,673,649 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Chemical Sensor and Sensing Method for Use Therewith,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17579-1; U.S. Patent No. 9,329,149 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Chemical Sensor and Sensing Method for Use Therewith,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17579-2; U.S. Patent No. 9,733,203 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Chemical Sensing Method,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17579-3; U.S. Patent No. 8,179,203 B2 for an invention entitled ``Wireless Electrical Device Using Open-Circuit Elements Having No Electrical Connections,'' NASA Case Number LAR-17711-1; and U.S. Patent No. 10,193,228 B2 for an invention entitled ``Antenna for Near Field Sensing and Far Field Transceiving,'' NASA Case Number LAR- 18400-1, to Gyra Systems, Inc., having its principal place of business in La Mesa, CA. The fields of use may be limited to package monitoring quality sensors to detect changes in product quality and authenticity, such as pharmaceutical, food, beverage, tobacco, and cosmetics products and/or similar field(s) of use thereto. NASA has not yet made a determination to grant the requested license and may deny the requested license even if no objections are submitted within the comment period.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a forthcoming meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DOD, GSA, and NASA. 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 the rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-04, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2020-04, which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-04. 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.regulations.gov.

NASA is proposing to amend the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NFS) to add new text that requires covered contractors and subcontractors at all tiers to use electronic parts that are currently in production and purchased from the original manufacturers of the parts, their authorized dealers, or suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers. If the contractor does not purchase electronic parts as described above, they must purchase the parts from a NASA identified supplier or contractor-approved supplier. The contractor will then assume responsibility and be required to inspect, test and validate authentication of the parts. The contractor will also be required to obtain traceability information and provide this information to the contracting officer upon request. The selection of contractor-approved suppliers is subject to review and audit by the contracting officer.