National Aeronautics and Space Administration September 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NASA is updating the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) with the goal of eliminating unnecessary regulation, streamlining overly-burdensome regulation, clarifying language, and simplifying processes where possible. This proposed rule is the second in a series and includes updates and revisions to 14 parts of the NFS. On January 18, 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13563, Improving Regulations and Regulatory Review, directing agencies to develop a plan for a retrospective analysis of existing regulations. The revisions to this proposed rule are part of NASA's retrospective plan under E.O. 13563 completed in August 2011.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB) will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement concerning OMB Circular A-119. A notice was published in the Federal Register at 79 FR 38892 on July 9, 2014. No comments were received.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is deleting existing drug-free workplace requirements for financial assistance in one Title of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and moving it to another Title, consistent with the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) guidance on drug-free workplace requirements for financial assistance. Further, NASA is implementing, and thereby giving regulatory effect to, the OMB guidance on drug-free workplace requirements for financial assistance.

This notice is issued in accordance with 51 U.S.C. 20144(c). The Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) Challenge is scheduled and teams that wish to compete may now register. Centennial Challenges is a program of prize competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies of interest and value to NASA and the nation. The 2015 MAV Challenge is a prize competition designed to encourage development of new technologies or application of existing technologies in unique ways to autonomously collect and launch a sample cache using robotics and solid propulsion rocketry. NASA is providing the prize purse.

NASA announces its annual invitation for public nominations for service on NASA science advisory subcommittees. The five science advisory subcommittees report to the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), a Federal Advisory Committee. U.S. citizens may submit self-nominations for consideration to fill unscheduled intermittent vacancies on NASA's science advisory subcommittees. NASA's science advisory subcommittees have member vacancies from time to time throughout the year, and NASA will consider self-nominations to fill such intermittent vacancies. Nominees will only be contacted should a vacancy arise and it is judged that their area(s) of expertise is appropriate for that unscheduled vacancy. NASA is committed to selecting members to serve on its science advisory subcommittees based on their individual expertise, knowledge, experience, and current/past contributions to the relevant subject area. The following qualifications/experience are highly desirable in nominees, and should be clearly presented in their self-nomination letters: At least 10 years post-Ph.D. research experience including publications in the scientific field of the subcommittee for which they are nominated, or comparable experience; Leadership in scientific and/or education and public outreach fields as evidenced by award of prizes, invitation to national and international meetings as speaker, organizer of scientific meetings/workshops, or comparable experience; Participation in NASA programs either as member of NASA mission science team, Research & Analysis program, membership on an advisory/working group or a review panel, or comparable experience; Good knowledge of NASA programs in the scientific field of the subcommittee for which they are applying, including the latest NASA Science Plan (available as a link from https://science.nasa.gov/about- us/science-strategy/), or comparable experience; and, Knowledge of the latest Decadal Survey conducted by the National Research Council or other relevant advisory reports for the scientific field of the subcommittee. Nominees from any category of organizations or institutions within the U.S. are welcome, including, but not limited to, educational, industrial, and not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. Nominees need not be presently affiliated with any organization or institution. These are not full-time positions and the likelihood that an unscheduled vacancy will occur in the coming year is unknown at this time. Successful nominees will be required to attend meetings of the subcommittee approximately two or three times a year, either in person (NASA covers travel-related expenses for this non-compensated appointment) or via telecon and/or virtual meeting medium. Successful nominees who are not already U.S. Government employees will become Special Government Employees (SGEs). All successful nominees will be required to submit a confidential financial disclosure form, and undergo a conflict of interest review by the NASA Office of the General Counsel, before their appointment is finalized.

NASA is amending its regulations by adding a subpart for traffic enforcement regulations, authorities, and procedures at all NASA Centers and component facilities. Changes are being made to align this part with NASA objectives in the protection of its people and property. Establishing a traffic safety program is essential for the protection and security of NASA bases, stations, facilities laboratories and of its aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and similar vehicles and of its real and personal property, including property in the custody of NASA contractors and subcontractors.

Patent applications on 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.

Patent applications on 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.

Patent applications on 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.

NASA announces its annual invitation for public nominations for service on NASA Federal advisory committees. U.S. citizens may submit self-nominations for consideration as potential members of NASA's Federal advisory committees. NASA's Federal advisory committees have member vacancies from time to time throughout the year, and NASA will consider self-nominations to fill such intermittent vacancies. NASA is committed to selecting members to serve on its Federal advisory committees based on their individual expertise, knowledge, experience, and current/past contributions to the relevant subject area.