Amending the NASA Research Grant Handbook To Address Education Grants, Training Grants, and Reduce the Threshold for Incremental Funding of Grants

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1260

Amending the NASA Research Grant Handbook To Address Education

Grants, Training Grants, and Reduce the Threshold for Incremental

Funding of Grants

AGENCY: Office of Procurement, Procurement Policy Division, National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: NASA has revised its Research Grant Handbook to define

education and training grants, permit the award of education grants,

and decrease the threshold for incremental funding of grants. This

regulation is issued as an interim rule to ensure immediate correction

of deficiencies in the NASA Research Grant Handbook in these areas.

DATES: This Interim Rule is effective July 18, 1994. Comments are due

on or before September 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Tom O'Toole, NASA

Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Procurement Policy Division (Code

HP), Washington, DC 20546.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom O'Toole, telephone: (202) 358-0478.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Research Grant Handbook, 14 CFR Part 1260, NHB 5800.1C, does

not currently apply to training grants, does not specifically address

education grants, and does not adequately distinguish these types of

grants from the research grants generally covered in the Handbook.

Education grants are now covered by the Research Grant Handbook. They

may be negotiated and awarded by all Agency grant offices. Training

Grants remain outside the scope of the Research Grant Handbook. The

award of training grants will continue to be accomplished by NASA

Headquarters.

The Research Grant Handbook currently provides for incremental

funding of grants exceeding $1 million in annual funding. This notice

reduces that amount to $50,000.

Availability of NASA Grant Handbook

The NASA Research Grant Handbook, of which this regulation will

become a part, is codified in 14 CFR Part 1260 and is available in its

entirety on a subscription basis from the Superintendent of Documents,

Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, (202) 783-3238. Cite

GPO Subscription Stock Number 933-001-00000-8. It is not distributed to

the public, whether in whole or in part, directly by NASA.

Impact

NASA certifies that this interim rule will not have a significant

economic effect on a substantial number of small entities within the

meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This

rule does not impose any reporting or recordkeeping requirements

subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1260

Grants.

Tom Luedtke,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Procurement.

Accordingly, 14 CFR Part 1260 is amended as follows:

PART 1260--GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 1260 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: Public Law 97-258, 31 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.

Subpart 1--General

2. Section 1260.102 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1260.102 Applicability.

This part 1260 establishes policies and procedures for all research

and education grants and cooperative agreements awarded by the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to educational institutions

and nonprofit organizations. It does not cover training grants,

facilities grants, grants for the Centers for the Commercial

Development of Space, or contracts.

Subpart 2--Definitions

3. Section 1260.201 is amended by adding the following definitions

in alphabetical order:

Sec. 1260.201 Definitions.

* * * * *

Education Grant. An agreement that provides funds to an educational

institution or other nonprofit organization to accomplish a public

purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute within

one or more of the following areas: (1) Capturing student interest in

science, mathematics, technology, or related fields; (2) improving

student performance in science, mathematics, or technology; (3)

enhancing the skill, knowledge, or ability of teachers or faculty

members in science, mathematics or technology; (4) supporting national

educational reform movements; (5) conducting pilot programs or research

to increase participation and/or to enhance performance in science,

mathematics, or technology education at all levels; and (6) developing

instructional materials, (e.g., teacher guides, printed publications,

computer software, and videotapes) or networked information services

for education. No substantial involvement is expected between NASA and

the grantee.

* * * * *

Training Grant. An agreement that provides funds to an educational

institution or other nonprofit organization to accomplish a public

purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute solely

by providing scholarships, fellowships, or stipends to students or

faculty. No substantial involvement is expected between NASA and the

grantee.

* * * * *

Subpart 3--The Process

4. In section 1260.302, paragraph (d) is amended by revising the

introductory text to read as follows:

Sec. 1260.302 Evaluation and selection.

* * * * *

(d) Incremental funding. Grants with anticipated annual funding

exceeding $50,000 may be funded for less than the amount and period of

performance stated in the proposal provided:

* * * * *

5. Section 1260.303 is amended by adding paragraphs (i) to read as

follows:

Sec. 1260.303 Award procedures.

* * * * *

(i) Education grants. The grant officer shall include in education

grants the special condition in Sec. 1260.422(i).

Subpart 4--Provisions and Special Conditions

6. Section 1260.422 is amended by adding paragraph (i) to read as

follows:

Sec. 1260.422 Special conditions.

* * * * *

(i) See Sec. 1260.303(i).

Education Grant (July 1994)

This is an Education Grant. References in other provisions of this

grant to ``research,'' ``research work,'' and ``technical,'' shall be

deemed to refer to the efforts or results obtained under this grant.

[FR Doc. 94-17336 Filed 7-15-94; 8:45 am]

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