Title 14—Aeronautics and Space--Volume 5

§ 1216.100 Purpose and policy.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the procedures in this part is to integrate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) decision-making processes. The procedures in this part describe the process by which NASA determines what actions are subject to NEPA's procedural requirements and the applicable level of NEPA review; ensure that relevant environmental information is identified and considered early in the process in order to ensure informed decision making; enable NASA to conduct coordinated, consistent, predictable and timely environmental reviews; reduce unnecessary burdens and delays; and implement NEPA's mandates regarding lead and cooperating agency roles, page and time limits, and sponsor preparation of environmental documents.

(b) Procedural and interpretive rule. This part sets forth NASA's procedures for implementing NEPA and NASA's interpretation of certain key terms in NEPA. It does not, nor does it intend to, govern the rights and obligations of any party outside the Federal Government. It does, however, establish the procedures under which NASA will fulfill its requirements under NEPA.

(c) Consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). In accord with NEPA sec. 102(2)(B), 42 U.S.C. 4332(B), NASA will consult with CEQ while developing or revising proposed NEPA implementing procedures under this part, including establishment of new, or revision of existing, categorical exclusions as set forth in subpart 1216.3 of this part.

§ 1216.101 Applicability.

(a) Applicability. This part is applicable to all organizational elements of NASA.

(b) Authority. Nothing contained in this part is intended to or should be construed to limit NASA's existing authorities or legal responsibilities.

§ 1216.200 Determine when NEPA applies.

(a) NEPA applies to major Federal actions as defined in section 111(10) of NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4336e (10). The terms “major” and “Federal action,” each have independent force. NEPA applies only when both criteria are met. Such a determination is inherently bound up in the facts and circumstances of each individual situation and is thus reserved to the discretion of NASA in each instance.

(b) NASA will determine that NEPA does not apply to a proposed agency action when:

(1) The activities or decision do not result in final agency action under the Administrative Procedure Act, see 5 U.S.C. 704, or other relevant statute that also includes a finality requirement.

(2) The proposed activity or decision is exempted from NEPA by law.

(3) Compliance with NEPA would clearly and fundamentally conflict with the requirements of another provision of law.

(4) In circumstances where Congress by statute has prescribed decisional criteria with sufficient completeness and precision such that NASA retains no residual discretion to alter its action based on the consideration of environmental factors, thus that function of NASA is nondiscretionary within the meaning of NEPA sec. 106(a)(4) and/or sec. 111(10)(B)(vii) (42 U.S.C. 4336(a)(4) and 4336e(10)(B)(vii), respectively), and NEPA does not apply to the action in question.

(5) The proposed action is an action for which another statute's requirements serve the function of agency compliance with the Act.

(6) NEPA does not apply to response actions taken under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

§ 1216.201 Determine the appropriate level of NEPA review.

(a) If NASA determines that NEPA applies to a proposed activity or decision, NASA will then determine the appropriate level of NEPA review in the following sequence and manner. At all steps in the following process, NASA will consider the proposed action or project at hand and its effects.

(1) If NASA has established, or adopted pursuant to NEPA sec. 109, 42 U.S.C. 4336c, a categorical exclusion that covers the proposed action, NASA will analyze whether to apply the categorical exclusion to the proposed action and apply the categorical exclusion, if appropriate, pursuant to subpart 1216.3 of this part.

(2) If another agency has already established a categorical exclusion that covers the proposed action, NASA will commence the process to adopt that exclusion pursuant to § 1216.300(c) so that it can be applied to the proposed action at issue, and to future activities or decisions of that type.

(3) If the proposed action warrants the establishment of a new categorical exclusion, or the revision of an existing categorical exclusion, NASA will consider whether to establish or revise and then apply the categorical exclusion to the proposed action and to future activities or decisions of that type.

(4) If NASA or another Federal agency has already analyzed the proposed action in an existing environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, NASA will consider the options outlined in § 1216.602 and rely on the existing NEPA analysis.

(5) If NASA cannot apply a categorical exclusion to or rely on an existing NEPA analysis for the proposed action, NASA will consider the proposed action's reasonably foreseeable effects consistent with paragraph (b) of this section, and then will:

(i) If the proposed action is not likely to have reasonably foreseeable significant effects or the significance of the effects is unknown, develop an environmental assessment, as described in subpart 1216.4 of this part; or

(ii) If the proposed action is likely to have reasonably foreseeable significant effects, develop an environmental impact statement, as described in subpart 1216.5 of this part.

(b) When considering whether the reasonably foreseeable effects of the proposed action are significant, NASA will analyze the potentially affected environment and degree of the effects of the action. NASA may use any reliable data source and will not undertake new research unless it is essential to evaluating alternatives and the cost and time of obtaining it are not unreasonable.

(1) In considering the potentially affected environment, NASA may consider, as appropriate to the specific action, the scope of affected area (national, regional, or local) and its resources (e.g., natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources; and environmental media).

(2) In considering the degree of the effects, NASA may consider the following, as appropriate to the specific action:

(i) Both short- and long-term effects.

(ii) Both beneficial and adverse effects.

(iii) Effects on public health and safety.

(iv) Economic effects.

(v) Effects on the quality of life of the American people.

§ 1216.202 NEPA and agency decision making.

(a) Planning. NEPA is a procedural statute intended to ensure Federal agencies consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions in the decision-making process. Full and early integration of the NEPA process with NASA project and program planning improves agency decisions.

(b) Limitations on actions during the NEPA process. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, until NASA issues a record of decision or finding of no significant impact, or makes a categorical exclusion determination, as applicable, NASA will take no action concerning a proposed action that would have an adverse environmental effect; or limit the choice of reasonable alternatives.

(c) Actions developed by non-Federal project sponsor. If NASA is considering a proposed action from a non-Federal entity and becomes aware that the non-Federal project sponsor is about to take an action within NASA's jurisdiction that would meet either of the criteria in paragraph (b) of this section, NASA will promptly notify the non-Federal project sponsor that NASA will take appropriate action to ensure that the objectives and procedures of NEPA are achieved. This section does not preclude development by non-Federal project sponsors of plans or designs or performance of other activities necessary to support an application for Federal, State, Tribal, or local permits or assistance. When considering a proposed action for Federal funding, NASA may authorize such activities, including but not limited to, acquisition of interests in land (e.g., fee simple, rights-of-way, and conservation easements), purchase of long lead-time equipment, and purchase options made by non-Federal project sponsors.

(d) Non-Federal project sponsor preparation of environmental documents. A non-Federal project sponsor may prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under NASA's supervision. NASA's requirements for third-party- prepared environmental assessments and environmental impact statements are included in subpart 1216.8 of this part. For proposed actions that are initially developed by non-Federal entities, NASA will:

(1) Coordinate with the non-Federal project sponsor at the earliest reasonable time in the planning process to inform the project sponsor what information NASA will need to comply with NEPA and establish a schedule for completing steps in the NEPA review process, consistent with NEPA's statutory deadlines and any internal agency NEPA schedule requirements.

(2) Begin the NEPA process by determining whether NEPA applies, as described in § 1216.200, and if it does, determine the appropriate level of NEPA review, as described in § 1216.201.

(e) Real Estate Actions. NASA must comply with this subpart when considering issuance of a permit, license, enhanced use lease (EUL), easement, right of way, or grant, to a Federal or a non-Federal party, as may be applicable, and seek such Federal or non-Federal party's assistance in obtaining necessary information and completing the NEPA process.

§ 1216.300 Preparation of categorical exclusions.

(a) Generally. This section describes the process NASA uses for establishing and revising categorical exclusions, for adopting other agencies' categorical exclusions, and for applying categorical exclusions to a proposed agency action. NASA's categorical exclusions are listed in paragraph (g) of this section.

(b) Establishing and revising categorical exclusions. To establish or revise a categorical exclusion, NASA will determine that the category of actions normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. In making this determination, NASA will:

(1) Develop a substantiation record containing information to support its determination.

(2) Consult with CEQ on its proposed categorical exclusion, including the substantiation record, for a period not to exceed 30 days prior to providing public notice.

(3) Provide public notice in the Federal Register of NASA's establishment or revisions of the categorical exclusion, including the location (e.g., website) of availability of the substantiation record.

(c) Adopting categorical exclusions from other Federal agencies. Consistent with NEPA sec. 109, 42 U.S.C. 4336c, NASA may adopt a categorical exclusion listed in another agency's NEPA procedures. When adopting a categorical exclusion, NASA will:

(1) Identify the categorical exclusion listed in another agency's NEPA procedures that covers its category of proposed or related actions.

(2) Consult with the agency that established the categorical exclusion to ensure that the proposed adoption of the categorical exclusion is appropriate.

(3) Provide public notification of the categorical exclusion that NASA is adopting, including a brief description of the proposed action or category of proposed actions to which NASA intends to apply the adopted categorical exclusion.

(4) Document the adoption of the categorical exclusion on a public-facing website and include in future updates to this part.

(d) Removal of categorical exclusions. To remove a categorical exclusion from paragraph (g) of this section, NASA will:

(1) Develop a written explanation for the removal;

(2) Consult with CEQ on its proposed removal of the categorical exclusion, including the written explanation (typically for a period of 30 days) prior to providing public notice; and

(3) Provide public notice of NASA's removal of the categorical exclusion and the written explanation in the Federal Register. NASA may provide notice of the availability of the explanation in the Federal Register (i.e., as a link to an agency website) if NASA prepares the explanation as a separate document.

(e) Applying categorical exclusions. A proposed action may be categorically excluded if the action fits within the categories listed in paragraph (g) of this section, and does not involve any extraordinary circumstances in which a normally excluded action may have a reasonably foreseeable significant effect. If NASA determines that it cannot apply a categorical exclusion to the proposed action, NASA will prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, as appropriate.

(1) If an extraordinary circumstance is not present, NASA will determine that the categorical exclusion applies to the proposed agency action and conclude review.

(2) If an extraordinary circumstance is present, NASA may nevertheless apply the categorical exclusion and conclude review if NASA either:

(i) Determines that, notwithstanding the extraordinary circumstance, the proposed agency action is not likely to result in reasonably foreseeable adverse significant effects; or

(ii) Modifies the proposed agency action to avoid those effects.

(3) Extraordinary circumstances include situations where the proposed action:

(i) Has a reasonable likelihood of having a significant effect on public health and safety.

(ii) Imposes uncertain or unique environmental risks.

(iii) Is of significantly greater scope or size than is normal for the category of action.

(iv) Has a reasonable likelihood of having effects that would violate Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws, or other enforceable requirements applicable to environmental protection.

(v) May significantly affect sensitive resources, such as, but not limited to, federally listed threatened or endangered species, their designated critical habitat, wilderness areas, floodplains, wetlands, aquifer recharge areas, coastal zones, wild and scenic rivers, and significant fish or wildlife habitat, unless the impact has been resolved through another environmental review process (e.g., the Clean Water Act (CWA) or the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)).

(vi) May significantly affect national natural landmarks or cultural or historic resources, including, but not limited to, property listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, unless the impact has been resolved through another review process (e.g., the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)).

(4) NASA may apply multiple categorical exclusions to the constituent parts of a single action but must consider whether the aggregate impacts of the constituent parts could give rise to an extraordinary circumstance or result in reasonably foreseeable significant effects.

(f) Documentation of categorical exclusion determinations. In cases where NASA has determined that a Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) is required, NASA will document its evaluation, which includes the extraordinary circumstance review.

(g) List of categorical exclusions. NASA has established or adopted the following categorical exclusions:

(1) Administrative Activities including:

(i) Personnel actions, organizational changes, and procurement of routine goods and services.

(ii) Program budget proposals, disbursements, and transfer or reprogramming of funds.

(iii) Preparing documents, including design and feasibility studies, analytical supply and demand studies, reports and recommendations, master and strategic plans, and other advisory documents.

(iv) Preparing and disseminating information, including document mailings, publications, classroom materials, conferences, speaking engagements, websites, and other educational/informational activities.

(v) Software development, data analysis, and/or testing, including computer modeling.

(vi) Interpretations, amendments, and modifications to contracts, grants, or other awards.

(vii) Field studies, including water sampling, monitoring wells, cultural resources surveys, biological surveys, geologic surveys, modeling or simulations, routine data collection and analysis, and/or temporary equipment.

(2) Operations and Management Activities including:

(i) Routine maintenance, minor construction or rehabilitation, minor demolition, minor modification, minor repair, and continuing or altered operations at, or of, existing NASA or NASA-funded or approved facilities and equipment, such as buildings, roads, grounds, utilities, communication systems, and ground support systems (e.g., space tracking and data systems). This includes routine operations such as security, public health and safety, and environmental services.

(ii) Installing or removing equipment, including component parts, at existing government or private facilities.

(iii) Contributing equipment, software, technical advice, exchanging data, and consulting with other agencies and public and private entities.

(iv) NASA ceremonies, commemorative events, and memorial services.

(v) Routine packaging, labeling, storage, transportation, and disposal of materials and wastes, in accordance with applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws or requirements. Examples include but are not limited to hazardous, non-hazardous, and other regulated materials and wastes.

(vi) Habitat and species management activities conducted within the boundaries of NASA-controlled properties in accordance with applicable Federal, State, or local requirements. Examples include but are not limited to restoration of unique or critical habitat; thinning or brush control to improve growth of natural habitat, reduce invasive species, or reduce fire hazard; prescribed burning to reduce natural fuel build-up, reduce invasive species, or improve native plant vigor; planting appropriate vegetation that does not include noxious weeds or invasive plants; or wildlife management activities (REC required).

(vii) Small-scale, short-term cleanup actions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or other authorities to reduce risk to human health or the environment from the release or imminent and substantial threat of release of a hazardous substance other than high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, including treatment (such as incineration, encapsulation, physical or chemical separation, and compaction), recovery, storage, or disposal of wastes at existing facilities currently handling the type of waste involved in the action.

(viii) Replacement of existing energy sources with alternative or renewable energy sources that comply with existing permit conditions.

(ix) Routine maintenance, repair, and operation of vessels (including unmanned autonomous surface vessels), aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems), overland/surface transportation vehicles, and other transportation systems as applicable. Examples include but are not limited to transportation or relocation of NASA equipment and hardware by barge, aircraft, or surface transportation system (e.g., tractor trailer or railroad); retrieval of spent solid rocket boosters by vessel; repair or overhaul of vessel, aircraft, or surface transportation systems that do not result in a change in the environmental impacts of their normal operation.

(x) Construction of electric powerlines approximately 10 miles in length or less, or approximately 20 miles in length or less within previously disturbed or developed powerline or pipeline rights-of-way.

(xi) Construction and subsequent operation of short (generally less than 20 miles in length) pipeline segments conveying materials (such as air, brine, carbon dioxide, geothermal system fluids, hydrogen gas, natural gas, nitrogen gas, oil, produced water, steam, and water) between existing source facilities and existing receiving facilities (such as facilities for use, reuse, transportation, storage, and refining), provided that the pipeline segments are within previously disturbed or developed rights-of-way.

(xii) The installation, modification, operation, or decommissioning of commercially available solar photovoltaic systems:

(A) Located on a building or other structure (such as rooftop, parking lot or facility, or mounted to signage, lighting, gates, or fences); or

(B) Located within a previously disturbed or developed area. Covered actions would be in accordance with applicable requirements (such as land use and zoning requirements) in the proposed project area and would be consistent with applicable plans for the management of wildlife and habitat, including plans to maintain habitat connectivity, and incorporate appropriate control technologies and best management practices.

(xiii) Decisions to decommission or temporarily discontinue use of equipment:

(A) Decisions to decommission or temporarily discontinue use of vessels and aircraft. This does not preclude the need to review decommissioning under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

(B) Decisions to decommission or temporarily discontinue use of equipment, not including vessels or aircraft. This does not preclude the need to review decommissioning under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (REC required).

(xiv) Environmental restoration, remediation, pollution prevention, and mitigation activities conducted in conformance with applicable laws, regulations and permit requirements, including activities such as noise mitigation, landscaping, natural resource management activities, replacement or improvement to storm water oil/water separators, installation of pollution containment systems, slope stabilization, and contaminated soil removal or remediation activities.

(xv) Assembly or construction of facilities or stations that are consistent with existing land use and zoning requirements, do not result in a major change in traffic density on existing rail or highway facilities, and result in approximately less than ten acres of surface disturbance, such as storage and maintenance facilities, freight or passenger loading and unloading facilities or stations, parking facilities, passenger platforms, canopies, shelters, pedestrian overpasses or underpasses, paving, or landscaping.

(xvi) Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian areas or other water bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled. Examples include but are not limited to:

(A) Repairing an existing water control structure that is no longer functioning properly with minimal dredging, excavation, or placement of fill, and does not involve releasing hazardous substances;

(B) Installing a newly-designed structure that replaces an existing culvert to improve aquatic organism passage and prevent resource and property damage where the road or trail maintenance level does not change;

(C) Removing a culvert and installing a bridge to improve aquatic and/or terrestrial organism passage or prevent resource or property damage where the road or trail maintenance level does not change; and

(D) Removing a small earthen and rock fill dam with a low hazard potential classification that is no longer needed.

(xvii) Acquisition, installation, modification, routine repair and replacement, and operation of utility (e.g., water, sewer, and electrical) and communication systems, mobile antennas, data processing cable and similar electronic equipment that use existing rights-of-way, easements, distribution systems, facilities, or previously disturbed land (REC required).

(xviii) New construction or equipment installation or alterations (interior and exterior) to or construction of an addition to an existing structure that is like existing land use if the area to be disturbed has no more than five cumulative acres of new surface disturbance. The following conditions must be met:

(A) The structure and proposed use are compatible with applicable Federal, Tribal, State, and local planning and zoning standards.

(B) The site and scale of construction or improvement is consistent with those of existing, adjacent, or nearby buildings.

(C) The construction or improvement will not result in uses that exceed existing support infrastructure capacities (roads, sewer, water, parking, etc.).

(xix) Demolition of non-historic buildings, structures, or other improvements and repairs that result in disposal of debris therefrom, or removal of a part thereof for disposal, in accordance with applicable regulations, including those regulations applying to removal of asbestos containing materials, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead based paint, and other special hazard items (REC required).

(xx) Routine installation and use of radars, telemetry systems, communications equipment, and other essentially similar facilities and equipment within a launch facility, mobile platform, military installation, training area, or previously disturbed area that conform to current American National Standards Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE) guidelines for maximum permissible exposure to electromagnetic fields.

(xxi) Performing interior and exterior construction within the five -foot line of a building without changing the land use of the existing building.

(xxii) Installing, operating, modifying, and routinely repairing and replacing utility and communications systems, data processing cable, and similar electronic equipment that use existing rights of way, easements, distribution systems, or facilities.

(xxiii) Hosting or participating in public events (e.g., air shows, open houses, Earth Day events, and athletic events) where no permanent changes to existing infrastructure (e.g., road systems, parking, and sanitation systems) are required to accommodate all aspects of the event.

(xxiv) Abatement of hazardous materials from existing facilities, including asbestos and lead-based paint, conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements established for the protection of human health and the environment. Examples include containment, removal, and disposal of lead-based paint or asbestos tiles and asbestos-containing materials from existing facilities, and remediation of hazardous materials in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements as part of facility and space management activities.

(xxv) Renovation, addition, repair, alteration, and demolition projects affecting buildings, roads, airfields, grounds, equipment, and other facilities, including subsequent disposal of debris, which may be contaminated with hazardous materials such as PCBs, lead, or asbestos. Hazardous materials shall be disposed of at approved sites in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations.

(3) Research, Development, and Science Activities including:

(i) Research, development, testing, and evaluation in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws or requirements and E.O.s. This includes the research, development, testing, and evaluation of scientific instruments proposed for use on spacecraft, aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems), sounding rockets, balloons, laboratories, watercraft, or other outdoor activities.

(ii) Use of small quantities of radioactive materials used for instrument detectors, calibration, and other purposes. Materials may be associated with the proposed use on spacecraft, aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems), sounding rockets, balloons, laboratories, watercraft, or other outdoor activities.

(iii) Use of lasers for research and development, scientific instruments and measurements, and distance and ranging, where such use meets all applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws or requirements and E.O.s. This includes lasers associated with spacecraft, aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems), sounding rockets, balloons, laboratories, watercraft, or other outdoor activities.

(iv) Use of non-space nuclear system payloads on various platforms (e.g., launch vehicle, sounding rocket, scientific balloon, and aircraft) (REC required).

(v) Return of samples from solar system bodies (e.g., asteroids, comets, planets, dwarf planets, and planetary moons) to Earth when categorized as an Unrestricted Earth Return. NASA defines this activity as collecting extraterrestrial materials from solar system bodies, deemed by scientific opinion to have no indigenous life forms, and returning those samples to Earth (REC required).

(vi) Outdoor tests and experiments for the development, quality assurance, or reliability of materials and equipment under controlled conditions. Covered actions include, but are not limited to, burn tests (such as tests of electric cable fire resistance or the combustion characteristics of fuels), impact tests (such as pneumatic ejector tests using earthen embankments or concrete slabs designated and routinely used for that purpose), or drop, puncture, water-immersion, or thermal tests. Covered actions would not involve source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials, except encapsulated sources manufactured to applicable standards that contain source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials may be used for nondestructive actions such as detector/sensor development and testing and first responder field training.

(4) Real and Personal Property Activities including:

(i) Acquisition, transfer, or disposal of any personal property, or personal property rights or interests.

(ii) Granting or accepting easements, leases, licenses, rights-of-entry, and permits to use NASA property, or any non-NASA property, for activities that would be categorically excluded in accordance with this section (REC required).

(iii) Transfer or disposal of real property, property rights, or interests if a resulting change in use is a use that would be categorically excluded under this section (REC required).

(iv) Transferring real property administrative control to another Federal agency, including the return of public domain lands to the Department of the Interior (DoI) or other Federal agencies, and reporting of property as excess and surplus to the General Services Administration (GSA) for disposal, when the agency receiving administrative control (or GSA, following receipt of a report of excess) shall complete any necessary NEPA review prior to any change in land use (REC required).

(v) Acquisition of real property (including facilities) where the land use will not change substantially (REC required).

(vi) Change in the facility status of real property assets (e.g., active or inactive).

(vii) Reductions, realignments, or relocation of personnel into existing federally owned or commercially leased space that does not involve a substantial change affecting the supporting infrastructure (e.g., no increase in vehicular traffic beyond the capacity of the supporting road network to accommodate such an increase).

(viii) Determination by NASA that NASA controlled personal property, including vessels and aircraft, is “excess property”, as that term is defined in the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 102(3)), and any subsequent transfer of such property to another Federal agency's administrative control or conveyance of the United States' title in such property to a non-Federal entity.

(5) Aircraft and Airfield Activities including:

(i) Periodic aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems) flight activities, including training and research and development, which are routine and comply with applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local laws or requirements, and E.O.s.

(ii) Relocation of similar aircraft (including unmanned aircraft systems) not resulting in a substantial increase in total flying hours, number of aircraft operations, operational parameters (e.g., noise), or permanent personnel or logistics support requirements at the receiving installation (REC required).

(iii) Supersonic flying aircraft operations over land and above 30,000 feet Mean Sea Level, or over water and above 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level and more than 15 nautical miles from land (REC required).

(h) Reliance. Reliance on categorical exclusion determination of other agencies. NASA may also rely on another agency's determination that a categorical exclusion applies to a particular proposed agency action if the agency action covered by that determination and NASA's proposed action are substantially the same, or if NASA's proposed action is a subset of the agency action covered by that determination. NASA will document its reliance on another agency's categorical exclusion determination in a REC.

§ 1216.400 Preparation of environmental assessments.

(a) Generally. If an action is subject to NEPA, and, unless NASA finds that the proposed action is excluded from having to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement pursuant to a categorical exclusion, or by another provision of law, NASA will prepare an environmental assessment with respect to a proposed agency action that does not have a reasonably foreseeable significant effect on the quality of the human environment, or if the significance of such effect is unknown.

(b) Elements. For providing evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact, environmental assessments will briefly discuss the:

(1) Purpose and need for the proposed agency action.

(2) Alternatives to the extent required by NEPA sec. 102(2)(H), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(H).

(3) The reasonably foreseeable effects of the proposed agency action for each of the alternatives considered.

(c) Agency actions normally requiring an environmental assessment. The following classes of actions normally require environmental assessments, but likely do not require an environmental impact statement:

(1) Altering the ongoing operations at a NASA Center where the significance of the environmental effect(s) is unknown.

(2) Construction or modifications of facilities that represent a major change to an existing master plan and could result in a change in the environmental effect(s).

(3) Actions that are expected to result in major changes to established land use that could potentially result in impacts to the environment.

(4) Launching a spacecraft containing a space nuclear system. Space nuclear systems include radioisotope power systems, such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators and radioisotope heater units, and fission systems used for surface power and spacecraft propulsion.

(d) Page limits. (1) The text of an environmental assessment will not exceed 75 pages, not including citations, appendices, explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, and other means of graphically displaying quantitative or geospatial information.

(2) Appendices are to be used for voluminous materials, such as scientific tables, collections of data, statistical calculations, and the like, which substantiate the analysis provided in the environmental assessment. Appendices are not to be used to provide additional substantive analysis because that would circumvent congressionally mandated page limits.

(3) Environmental assessments will be formatted for an 8.5”x11” page with one-inch margins using a word processor with 12-point proportionally spaced font, single spaced. Footnotes may be in 10-point font. Such size restrictions do not apply to explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, and other means of graphically displaying quantitative or geospatial information, although pages containing such material do count towards the page limit when an item of graphical material is larger than 8.5”x11”, each such item will count as one page.

(4) The breadth and depth of analysis in an environmental assessment will be tailored to ensure that the environmental analysis does not exceed this page limit. In this regard, as part of the finalization of the environmental assessment, a re-certification will be incorporated into the environmental assessment certifying that NASA has considered the factors mandated by NEPA; that the environmental assessment represents NASA's good-faith effort to prioritize documentation of the most important considerations required by the statute within the congressionally mandated page limits; that this prioritization reflects NASA's expert judgment; and that any considerations addressed briefly or left unaddressed were, in NASA's judgment, comparatively not of a substantive nature that meaningfully informed the consideration of environmental effects and the resulting decision on how to proceed.

(e) Deadlines. NASA will complete the final environmental assessment not later than the date that is one year after the date on which NASA provides notice on a public-facing website that an environmental assessment will be prepared. The environmental assessment will be published, unless the deadline is extended, at the latest, on the day the deadline elapses in as substantially complete form as is possible.

(f) Deadline extensions. If NASA determines it cannot meet the deadline prescribed by NEPA sec. 107(g)(1)(B), 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(B), it must consult with the non-Federal entity, if any, pursuant to NEPA sec. 107(g)(2), 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(2). After such consultation, if needed, it may establish a new deadline. Cause for establishing a new deadline is only established if the environmental assessment is so incomplete, at the time at which NASA determines it cannot meet the statutory deadline, that issuance would, in NASA's view, result in inadequate analysis. Such new deadline must provide only so much additional time as is necessary to complete such environmental assessment. The announcement of the new deadline will specify the reason why the environmental assessment was not able to be completed under the statutory deadline and whether the non-Federal entity, if any, consented to the new deadline.

(g) Certification related to deadline. When the environmental assessment is published, a certification will be incorporated into the environmental assessment certifying that the resulting environmental assessment represents NASA's good-faith effort to fulfill NEPA's requirements within the congressional timeline; that such effort is substantially complete; that, in NASA's expert opinion, it has thoroughly considered the factors mandated by NEPA; and that, in NASA's judgement, the analysis contained therein is adequate to inform and reasonably explain NASA's final decision regarding the proposed Federal action.

(h) Scope of analysis. (1) In preparing the environmental assessment, NASA will focus its analysis on whether the environmental effects of the action or project at hand are significant.

(2) Similarly, NASA will document in the environmental assessment where and how it drew a reasonable and manageable line relating to its consideration of any environmental effects from the action or project at hand that extend outside the geographical territory of the project or might materialize later in time.

§ 1216.401 Findings of no significant impact.

(a) NASA will prepare a finding of no significant impact if NASA determines, based on the environmental assessment, not to prepare an environmental impact statement because the proposed action or project at hand will not have significant effects. The finding of no significant impact will:

(1) Include the environmental assessment or incorporate it by reference.

(2) Document the reasons why NASA has determined that the selected alternative will not have a significant adverse effect on the quality of the human environment.

(3) State the authority for any mitigation that NASA has assumed and any applicable monitoring or enforcement provisions. If NASA finds no significant effects based on mitigation, the mitigated finding of no significant impact will state any mitigation requirements enforceable by the agency or voluntary mitigation commitments that will be undertaken to avoid significant effects.

(4) Identify any other environmental documents related to the finding of no significant impact.

(5) State that an environmental impact statement will not be prepared, concluding the NEPA process for that action.

(b) The agency will make the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact available on a public-facing website.

§ 1216.500 Preparation of environmental impact statements.

(a) NASA shall prepare an environmental impact statement for actions that are likely to significantly impact the quality of the human environment, including actions for which an environmental assessment demonstrates that significant environmental impacts will potentially occur which will not be reduced or eliminated by changes to the proposed action or mitigation of its potentially significant environmental impacts. Whether an impact rises to the level of “significant” is a matter of NASA's expert judgment. An environmental impact statement shall be prepared and published in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 4332(C) and § 1216.601.

(b) NASA actions normally requiring an environmental impact statement include:

(1) Development and operation of new NASA-developed launch vehicles or space transportation systems.

(2) Management, including recovery, transport, and curation, of sample returns to Earth from solar system bodies (such as asteroids, comets, planets, dwarf planets, and planetary moons) that would receive a Restricted Earth Return categorization. NASA requires such a mission to include additional measures to ensure any potential indigenous life form would be contained so it could not adversely impact humans or Earth's environment.

(3) Substantial construction projects expected to result in significant adverse effect(s) on the quality of the human and natural environment when such construction and its effects are not within the scope of an existing master plan.

(c) During the process of preparing an environmental impact statement, NASA:

(1) Will obtain the comments of:

(i) Any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact of the action or project at hand or is authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards that govern the action or project at hand.

(ii) Appropriate State, Tribal, and local agencies that are authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards.

(2) May request the comments of:

(i) State, Tribal, or local governments that may be affected by the proposed action.

(ii) Any agency that has requested it receive statements on actions of the kind proposed.

(iii) The non-Federal project sponsor, if any.

(iv) The public, including by affirmatively soliciting comments in a manner designed to inform those persons or organizations who may be interested in or affected by the proposed action.

(d) The process of obtaining and requesting comments in paragraph (c) of this section may be undertaken at any time that is reasonable in the process of preparing the environmental impact statement. NASA will ensure that the process of obtaining and requesting comments, and NASA's analysis of and response to those comments, does not cause NASA to violate the congressionally mandated deadline for completion of an environmental impact statement.

(e) NASA will address any substantive comments received consistent with paragraph (c) of this section in the environmental impact statement. Based on substantive comments and/or recommendations, NASA may consider such responses by:

(1) Modifying alternatives, including the proposed action.

(2) Developing and evaluating alternatives not previously considered.

(3) Supplementing, improving, or modifying analyses, to include consideration of science or literature not previously considered.

(4) Making factual corrections.

(5) The agency may provide brief rationale for taking no action, such as:

(i) The comment is outside the scope of what is being proposed.

(ii) There is no cause-effect relationship between the actions the agency is proposing and the issue raised and/or recommendation made.

(iii) The commenter misinterpreted the information provided.

(iv) The recommendation made does not comply with applicable laws or regulations and/or is not technically or economically feasible to implement.

(v) The comment was received outside the timeframe provided for such comments.

§ 1216.501 Purpose and need.

The environmental impact statement will include the purpose and need for the proposed agency action based on NASA's statutory authority. When the proposed agency action concerns a non-Federal project sponsor, the purpose and need for the proposed agency action will also be informed by the goals of the non-Federal project sponsor.

§ 1216.502 Analysis within the environmental impact statement.

(a) The environmental impact statement will include a detailed statement on:

(1) A reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed agency action, including an analysis of any adverse environmental impacts of not implementing the proposed agency action in the case of a no action alternative, that are, in NASA's expert judgment, technically and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need of the proposal.

(2) Reasonably foreseeable environmental effects of the proposed agency action and alternatives including the no action alternative.

(3) Any reasonably foreseeable adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented.

(4) The relationship between local short-term uses of the human environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity.

(5) Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of Federal resources which would be involved in the proposed agency action should it be implemented.

(6) Any means identified to mitigate adverse environmental effects of the proposed action. NASA is mindful in this respect that NEPA itself does not require or authorize NASA to impose any mitigation measures in environmental impact statements.

(b) The environmental impact statement will define a scope of analysis.

(1) In preparing the environmental impact statement, NASA will focus its analysis on whether the environmental effects of the action or project at hand are significant.

(2) Similarly, NASA will document in the environmental impact statement where and how it drew a reasonable and manageable line relating to its consideration of any environmental effects from the action or project at hand that extend outside the geographical territory of the project or might materialize later in time.

(c) Environmental impact statements will discuss effects in proportion to their significance. With respect to issues that are not of a substantive nature, lack a close causal connection, and do not meaningfully inform the consideration of environmental effects and the resulting decision on how to proceed, there will be no more than the brief possible discussion to explain why those issues are not substantive and therefore not worthy of any further analysis. Environmental impact statements will be analytic, concise, and no longer than necessary to comply with NEPA considering the congressionally mandated page limits and deadlines.

§ 1216.503 Page limits.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the text of an environmental impact statement will not exceed 150 pages, not including citations, appendices, explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, and other means of graphically displaying quantitative or geospatial information.

(b) An environmental impact statement for a proposed agency action of extraordinary complexity is strictly prohibited from exceeding 300 pages, not including any citations, appendices, explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, and other means of graphically displaying quantitative or geospatial information. NASA will determine at the earliest possible stage of preparation of an environmental impact statement whether the conditions for exceeding the page limit in paragraph (a) of this section are present.

(c) Appendices are to be used for voluminous materials, such as scientific tables, collections of data, statistical calculations, and the like, which substantiate the analysis provided in the environmental impact statement. Appendices are not to be used to provide additional substantive analysis, because that would circumvent the congressionally mandated page limits.

(d) Environmental impact statements will be prepared on 8.5″ x 11″ paper with one-inch margins using a word processor with 12-point proportionally spaced font, single spaced. Footnotes may be in 10-point font. Such size restrictions do not apply to explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, tables, and other means of graphically displaying quantitative or geospatial information, although pages containing such material do count towards the page limit when an item of graphical material is larger than 8.5″ x 11″, each such item will count as one page.

(e) The breadth and depth of analysis in an environmental impact statement will be tailored to ensure that the environmental impact statement does not exceed these page limits. In this regard, as part of the finalization of the environmental impact statement, a certification will be incorporated into the environmental impact statement certifying that NASA has considered the factors mandated by NEPA; that the environmental impact statement represents NASA's good-faith effort to prioritize documentation of the most important considerations required by the statute within the congressionally mandated page limits; that this prioritization reflects NASA's expert judgment; and that any considerations addressed briefly or left unaddressed were, in NASA's judgment, comparatively unimportant or frivolous.

§ 1216.504 Deadlines.

(a) NASA will complete the final environmental impact statement not later than the date that is two years after the date on which NASA provides notice of intent on a public-facing website that an environmental impact statement will be prepared.

(b) The environmental impact statement will be published (unless the deadline is extended) on the day the deadline elapses, in as substantially complete form as is possible.

(c) If NASA determines it cannot meet the deadline prescribed by NEPA sec. 107(g)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(A), it must consult with the non-Federal project sponsor, if any, pursuant to NEPA sec. 107(g)(2), 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(2). After such consultation, if needed, it may establish a new deadline. Cause for establishing a new deadline is only established if the environmental impact statement is so incomplete, at the time at which NASA determines it cannot meet the statutory deadline, that issuance would, in NASA's view, result in an inadequate analysis. Such new deadline must provide only so much additional time as is necessary to complete such environmental impact statement. The announcement of the new deadline will specify the reason why the environmental impact statement was not able to be completed under the statutory deadline and whether the non-Federal project sponsor, if any, consented to the new deadline.

(d) When the environmental impact statement is published, a certification will be incorporated into the environmental impact statement certifying that the resulting environmental impact statement represents NASA's good-faith effort to fulfill NEPA's requirements within the congressional timeline; that such effort is substantially complete; and that, in NASA's expert opinion, it has thoroughly considered the factors mandated by NEPA; and that, in NASA's judgment, the analysis contained therein is adequate to inform and reasonably explain NASA's final decision regarding the proposed Federal action.

§ 1216.505 Publication of the environmental documents.

NASA will publish the entire environmental impact statement and record of decision on a public-facing NASA website. During the process of preparing the environmental impact statement, NASA may publish such draft, pre-decisional materials as in its judgment may assist in fulfilling its responsibilities under NEPA and this subpart. NASA will also file with EPA as required under § 1216.701.

§ 1216.600 Lead, cooperating, and participating agencies.

(a) NASA shall serve as the lead Federal agency for proposed actions which it proposes and over which no other Federal agency has jurisdiction by law to permit, approve, or authorize a required aspect of the proposed action. When serving as the lead agency, NASA is ultimately responsible for completing the NEPA process and will determine and document the scope of the project at hand. When a joint lead relationship is established pursuant to NEPA sec. 107(a)(1)(B), 42 U.S.C. 4336a(a)(1)(B), NASA and the other joint lead agency or agencies are collectively responsible for completing the NEPA process.

(b) If NASA shares responsibility with another Federal agency for NEPA compliance, NASA and the other agency shall, prior to issuing a notice to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, determine by letter or memorandum, which agency shall be the lead agency based on consideration of the:

(1) Magnitude of each agency's involvement.

(2) Project approval or disapproval authority.

(3) Expertise concerning the proposed action's environmental effects.

(4) Duration of each agency's involvement.

(5) Sequence of each agency's involvement.

(c) In deciding under paragraph (b) of this section, NASA and other participating Federal agencies may agree to appoint such State, Tribal, or local agencies as joint lead agencies as the involved Federal agencies determine to be necessary.

(d) When serving as the lead agency, NASA may, with respect to a proposed agency action, designate any Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal to serve as a cooperating agency. A cooperating agency may, not later than a date specified in the schedule established by NASA, submit comments on the environmental document being prepared for the proposed action.

(e) NASA may request other Federal, State, Tribal, or local agencies to serve as participating agencies in the NEPA process where the Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency has particularized knowledge regarding an aspect of the project that will beneficially inform development of the environmental document and subsequent final agency decision making on the proposed action. A participating agency may, not later than a date specified in the schedule established by NASA, submit comments on the environmental document being prepared for the proposed action.

(f) To the extent practicable, NASA will prepare a single, coordinated environmental document for NEPA actions with joint, cooperating, and participating agencies.

§ 1216.601 Public notice during the NEPA process.

(a) For every environmental impact statement prepared by NASA, the following requirements, at a minimum, shall be implemented:

(1) Publication of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on a public-facing website. The notice of intent for an environmental impact statement will include a request for public comments on alternatives or effects and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed agency action. In addition to a request for comment required for notices of intent for environmental impact statements, the notice of intent may include:

(i) The purpose and need for the proposed action;

(ii) A preliminary description of the proposed action and alternatives the environmental impact statement will consider;

(iii) A brief summary of expected effects;

(iv) Anticipated permits and other authorizations (i.e., anticipated related actions);

(v) A schedule for the decision-making process;

(vi) A description of the public scoping process, including any scoping meeting(s);

(vii) Contact information for a person within NASA who can answer questions about the proposed action and the environmental impact statement; and

(viii) Identification of any cooperating and participating agencies and any information that such agencies require in the notice to facilitate their decisions or authorizations.

(2) Publication of a notice of availability and notice of additional public meetings, and/or additional request for comments (collectively, “NOA”), as applicable, for the environmental impact statement on a public-facing website.

(i) The NOA may solicit public comment on the sufficiency of the environmental analysis set forth in the environmental impact statement, and should announce the date, time, and location of any public meetings, either in-person or virtual, concerning the proposed action.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) Publication of the record of decision, if applicable, on a public-facing website.

(b) For every environmental assessment prepared by NASA, the following requirements, at a minimum, shall be implemented:

(1) NASA will provide notice on a public-facing website that an environmental assessment will be prepared.

(2) NASA will make the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact available on a public-facing website.

(c) NASA may use an early and open process to determine the scope of issues for analysis in an environmental document, including identifying substantive issues that meaningfully inform the consideration of environmental effects and the resulting decision on how to proceed, eliminating from further study non-substantive issues, and determining whether connected actions should be addressed in the same environmental document. Scoping may begin as soon as practicable after the proposal for action is sufficiently developed for consideration. Scoping may include appropriate pre-application procedures or work conducted prior to publication of the notice of intent.

§ 1216.602 Programmatic environmental documents, tiering, reliance, and including material by reference.

(a) For actions that require environmental assessments or environmental impact statements, NASA will undertake programmatic-level analysis for actions that are similar in nature, broad in scope, or likely to have similar environmental effects, as applicable. Programmatic NEPA analyses may take place in the form of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

(b) Tiering from previously prepared environmental impact statements or environmental assessments is appropriate when it would eliminate repetitive discussions of the same issues and exclude from consideration issues already decided. Tiering from a programmatic-level NEPA document is appropriate for site- or project-specific actions that are included within the scope of the programmatic-level analysis.

(c) NASA may use programmatic environmental impact statements or environmental assessments without additional review for five years from the publication date unless there are substantial new circumstances or information about the significance of adverse effects that bear on the analysis

(d) After five years, NASA may use programmatic environmental impact statements and environmental assessments after the analysis and assumptions in the environmental impact statement or environmental assessment are reevaluated to ensure reliance of the analysis is still valid. Reevaluation will be documented in a record of environmental consideration or memorandum to the file, including explanation for why the analysis remains valid considering any new and substantial information or circumstances.

(e) NASA may rely on another Federal agency's environmental impact statement or environmental assessment, or portion thereof, if NASA conducts an independent review of the document and concludes that it meets the standards for an adequate environmental impact review, pursuant to this part and 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. When relying on an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or portion thereof, NASA will cite, briefly describe the content and relevance to the environmental document, and may make modifications that are necessary to render the relied-upon document, or portion thereof, fit for fulfilling NEPA's analytic requirements for the action at hand.

(1) If the actions covered by the original environmental impact statement or environmental assessment and the proposed action are substantially the same, NASA will republish the relied-upon statement or assessment.

(2) If the actions are not substantially the same, NASA may modify the statement or assessment as necessary to render the statement fit for fulfilling NEPA's analytic requirements for the action at hand, and publish the relied-upon statement or assessment, as modified. Where appropriate, NASA may solicit comment to the extent that solicitation of comment will assist NASA in expeditiously adapting the relied-upon statement or assessment so that it is fit for NASA's purposes.

(f) NASA shall include by reference material such as planning studies, analyses, or other relevant information, into an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment when the effect will be to cut down on bulk without impeding NASA and public review of the action. NASA shall cite the referenced material in the document and briefly describe its content. NASA shall not include material by reference unless it is reasonably available for inspection by potentially interested persons. NASA shall not include by reference material based on proprietary data that is not available for review and comment. NASA shall not use inclusion by reference to evade the statutory page limits.

§ 1216.603 Combining documents.

NASA will combine, to the fullest extent practicable, any NEPA document with any other Federal agency NEPA document to reduce duplication and paperwork.

§ 1216.604 Supplements to environmental documents.

(a) In cases where a major Federal action remains to occur, supplemental documentation may be required for previously prepared environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the following circumstances:

(1) If substantial changes are made to the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns.

(2) There are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action and its impacts.

(3) NASA determines that the purposes of NEPA will be furthered by doing so.

(b) The preparation of a supplemental environmental assessment or environmental impact statement shall be undertaken using the same procedural requirements as the initial document however, in the event a supplement to an environmental impact statement is required, public scoping shall not be required unless, at NASA's discretion, it is determined to be necessary or would otherwise further the purposes of NEPA.

(c) When it is unclear if an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement supplement is required, NASA may prepare a written reevaluation.

(1) The written reevaluation will discuss the circumstances that are pertinent to deciding whether to prepare a supplemental environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

(2) The written reevaluation will contain sufficient information for NASA to determine whether:

(i) An existing environmental assessment or environmental impact statement should be supplemented;

(ii) A new environmental assessment or environmental impact statement should be prepared; or

(iii) No further NEPA documentation is required.

(3) NASA shall make the determination and the related written reevaluation available to the public for information.

(d) When applicable, NASA shall incorporate the determination and supporting written reevaluation into the administrative record related to the action that is the subject of the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement supplement or determination.

§ 1216.605 Integrity and completeness of information.

(a) NASA will not undertake new scientific and technical research to inform its analyses unless it is essential to a reasoned choice among alternatives and the overall costs and time frame of such undertaking are not unreasonable. Rather, NASA will make use of reliable existing data and resources.

(b) When NASA is evaluating an action's reasonably foreseeable effects on the human environment, and there is incomplete or unavailable information that cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost or the means to obtain it are unknown, NASA will make clear in the relevant NEPA document that such information is lacking.

§ 1216.606 Integrating NEPA with other environmental requirements.

(a) To the fullest extent possible, NASA will prepare NEPA documents concurrently with and integrated with analyses and related surveys and studies required by other Federal statutes.

(b) NASA will combine a NEPA document with any other agency document to reduce duplication and paperwork. Thus, NASA may combine a NEPA document with related plans, rules, or amendments as a single consolidated document.

(c) If comments on a notice of intent or other aspects of a scoping process identify consultations, permits, or licenses necessary under other environmental laws, the NEPA document may contain a section briefly listing the applicable requirements and how NASA or a non-Federal entity has or will meet them (e.g., permits applied for or received, consultations initiated or concluded).

§ 1216.607 Mitigation and monitoring.

(a) When the analysis proceeds to an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement and mitigation measures are assumed for the purpose of avoiding or reducing the significance of environmental impacts, such mitigation measures will be identified in the finding of no significant impact or the record of decision.

(b) NASA or the non-Federal project sponsor shall implement mitigation measures (including adaptive management strategies, where appropriate) consistent with applicable finding of no significant impact and/or record of decision and as required shall monitor their implementation and effectiveness.

(c) The NASA responsible official or non-Federal project sponsor shall ensure that funding for such mitigation measures is included in the program or project budget.

§ 1216.608 Elimination of duplication with State, Tribal, and local procedures.

(a) NASA will cooperate with State, Tribal, and local agencies that are responsible for preparing environmental documents.

(b) To the fullest extent practicable unless specifically prohibited by law, NASA will cooperate with State, Tribal, and local agencies to reduce duplication between NEPA and State, Tribal, and local requirements, including through use of studies, analysis, and decisions developed by State, Tribal, or local agencies. Such cooperation may include:

(1) Joint planning processes.

(2) Joint environmental research and studies.

(3) Joint public meetings (except where otherwise provided by statute).

(4) Joint environmental documents.

§ 1216.609 Emergencies.

When NASA determines that emergency circumstances exist which make it necessary to take immediate response and/or recovery action(s) before preparing a NEPA analysis, then the following provisions apply:

(a) NASA may undertake immediate emergency response and/or recovery action(s) necessary to protect life, property, or important natural, cultural, or historic resources. When taking such action(s), NASA shall, to the extent practicable, mitigate reasonably foreseeable adverse environmental impacts.

(b) If NASA proposes emergency response and/or recovery actions that will continue beyond those needed to immediately protect life, property, and important natural, cultural, or historic resources, NASA shall determine the appropriate level of NEPA compliance.

(c) If continuation of the emergency actions will reasonably result in significant environmental impacts, NASA shall notify CEQ about alternative arrangements for compliance.

§ 1216.610 Classified actions.

(a) The classified status of a proposed action does not relieve NASA of the requirement to assess, document, and consider the environmental impacts of the proposed action.

(b) When classified information can reasonably be separated from other information and a meaningful environmental analysis can be produced, unclassified documents will be prepared and processed in accordance with this section. Classified portions will be kept separate and provided to properly cleared reviewers and decision makers in the form of a properly classified document that meets the requirements of this section to the extent permitted, given such classification.

§ 1216.700 Decision documents.

At the time of its decision on its proposed action, NASA may prepare and timely publish a concise public decision document, notifying the public that the decision maker has certified that NASA has considered all relevant information raised in the NEPA process and that the NEPA process has closed, pursuant to §§ 1216.400(e) and 1216.504.

§ 1216.701 Filing requirements.

NASA will file environmental impact statements together with comments and responses with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for publication in the Federal Register.

§ 1216.800 Procedures for non-Federal project sponsor-prepared environmental documents.

(a) A non-Federal project sponsor may request to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. If the request is approved, the non-Federal project sponsor shall undertake preparation of the environmental document under the supervision of NASA.

(b) The non-Federal project sponsor shall ensure that the environmental document's analysis is sufficient to meet the requirements of NEPA and this part, including the potential impacts on the natural and human environments and sufficient information that complies with all applicable Federal, Tribal, and State requirements for the protection of the environment.

(c) The non-Federal project sponsor shall coordinate with NASA on communications to other Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies with respect to permits, licenses, consultations, approvals, and authorizations associated with the proposed action.

(d) A non-Federal project sponsor must include a lifecycle analysis of the proposed action and alternatives (i.e., construction, operation, and decommissioning of the proposed project).

(e) NASA must approve the scope of analysis (e.g., natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources; and environmental media) required for completion of the appropriate environmental document. NASA will provide appropriate guidance and assist in environmental document preparation, to the extent that NASA's resources and policy priorities admit. NASA will work with the non-Federal project sponsor to define the purpose and need, and, when appropriate, to develop a reasonable range of alternatives to meet that purpose and need.

(f) NASA will decide whether an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement requires public engagement. If required, the non-Federal project sponsor shall coordinate with NASA in all aspects of the public engagement process, including, but not limited to, the publication of notices (intent, public meetings, availability of environmental documents) in publicly available media (i.e., local, regional, national news outlets of broad circulation; social media outlets; public-facing websites); the preparation of a public engagement plan; the preparation of all public meeting materials or media packages; and any other materials that support public engagement in the NEPA process.

(g) The non-Federal project sponsor shall allow the participation of joint, cooperating, or participating agencies, as appropriate.

(h) The non-Federal project sponsor may prepare a “confidential business information” (CBI) or “proprietary information” annex to the environmental document which it prepares. Upon review and approval by NASA, this information may be withheld from public dissemination, but the CBI/proprietary information annex will be incorporated as part of the final administrative record.

(i) The non-Federal project sponsor shall meet all requirements of this part, including the timeframes for completion of the environmental document as set forth in §§ 1216.400(e) and 1216.504(a). Major changes to the schedule or related matters will be documented through written correspondence.

(j) NASA shall assist in the preparation of the non-Federal project sponsor's environmental document, independently evaluate the environmental document, and be responsible for the environmental document's analytical and legal sufficiency. NASA shall be responsible for issuing any record of decision or finding of no significant impact as may be required.

(k) Non-Federal project sponsors intending to pay a fee for an expedited environmental impact statement or environmental assessment deadline pursuant to section 112 of NEPA for which NASA would be the lead agency should consult with NASA before submitting a request to the CEQ. NASA will use such consultation to assist the non-Federal project sponsor in providing an accurate description of the project as it relates to the anticipated environmental impact statement or environmental assessment-associated government costs and understanding the anticipated scope of the environmental review including whether to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.

§ 1216.900 Definitions.

As used in this part, terms have the meanings provided in NEPA sec. 111, 42 U.S.C. 4336e. In addition:

(a) Authorization means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by an agency that is required or authorized under Federal law to implement a proposed action.

(b) Connected action means a separate Federal action within the authority of NASA that is closely related to the proposed agency action and should be addressed in a single environmental document because the proposed agency action:

(1) Automatically triggers the separate Federal action, which independently would require the preparation of additional environmental documents.

(2) Cannot proceed unless the separate Federal action is taken previously or simultaneously.

(3) Is an interdependent part of a larger Federal action that includes a separate Federal action, which mutually depends on the larger Federal action for their justification.

(c) Council or CEQ means the Council on Environmental Quality.

(d) Effects or impacts means changes to the human environment from the proposed action or alternatives that are reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close geographic and temporal causal relationship to the proposed action or alternatives.

(1) Effects include ecological (e.g., effects on natural resources and on the components, structures, and functioning of affected ecosystems), aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic (e.g., effects on employment), social, or health effects. Effects appropriate for analysis under NEPA may be either beneficial or adverse, or both, with respect to these values.

(2) A “but for” causal relationship is insufficient to make an agency responsible for a particular effect under NEPA. Effects should generally not be considered if they are remote in time, geographically remote, or the product of a lengthy causal chain. Effects do not include those effects that the agency has no ability to prevent due to the limits of its regulatory authority, or that would occur regardless of the proposed action, or that would need to be initiated by a third party.

(e) Human environment means comprehensively the natural and physical environment and the relationship of present and future generations with that environment. (See also the definition of effects in paragraph (d) of this section.)

(f) Jurisdiction by law means agency authority to approve, veto, or finance all or part of the proposal.

(g) Major Federal action, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 4336e (10):

(1) In general. The term major Federal action means an action that the agency carrying out such action determines is subject to substantial Federal control and responsibility.

(2) Exclusion. the term major Federal action does not include:

(i) A non-Federal action—

(A) With no or minimal Federal funding; or

(B) With no or minimal Federal involvement where a Federal agency cannot control the outcome of the project;

(ii) Funding assistance solely in the form of general revenue sharing funds which do not provide Federal agency compliance or enforcement responsibility over the subsequent use of such funds;

(iii) Loans, loan guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance where a Federal agency does not exercise sufficient control and responsibility over the subsequent use of such financial assistance or the effect of the action;

(iv) Business loan guarantees provided by the Small Business Administration pursuant to section 7(a) or (b) and of the Small Business Act (U.S.C. 636(a)), or title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);

(v) Bringing judicial or administrative civil or criminal enforcement actions;

(vi) Extraterritorial activities or decisions, which means agency activities or decisions with effects located entirely outside of the jurisdiction of the United States; or

(vii) Activities or decisions that are non-discretionary and made in accordance with the agency's statutory authority.

(h) Mitigation means measures that avoid, minimize, or compensate for effects caused by a proposed action or alternatives as described in an environmental document or record of decision and that have a nexus to those effects. While NEPA requires consideration of mitigation, it does not mandate the form or assumption of any mitigation. Mitigation includes:

(1) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action.

(2) Minimizing effects by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation.

(3) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment.

(4) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action.

(5) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.

(i) NASA Responsible Official is the NASA official who will ensure that planning and decision-making for each proposed Agency action complies with the regulations in this subpart and with Agency NEPA policy and guidance.

(j) NEPA means the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.).

(k) Notice of intent means a public notice that an agency will prepare an environmental document and consider public comments.

(l) Participating agency means a Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency participating in an environmental review or authorization of an action.

(m) Reasonable alternatives mean a reasonable range of alternatives that are technically and economically feasible, meet the purpose and need for the proposed action, and, where applicable, meet the goals of the agency or the non-Federal project sponsor.

(n) Reasonably foreseeable means sufficiently likely to occur such that a person of ordinary prudence would take it into account in reaching a decision.

(o) Record of environmental consideration is a brief document that is used to describe a proposed action and explain why further environmental analysis is or is not required.

(p) Scope consists of the range of actions, alternatives, and effects to be considered in an environmental document. The scope of a NEPA document may depend on its relationships to other NEPA documents.

(q) Tiering refers to the coverage of general matters in broader environmental impact statements or environmental assessments (such as national program or policy statements) with subsequent narrower statements or environmental analyses (such as regional or basin-wide program statements or ultimately site-specific statements) incorporating by reference the general discussion and concentrating solely on the issues specific to the statement subsequently prepared.

§ 1216.1000 Severability.

The subparts of this part are separate and severable from one another. If any subpart or portion therein is stayed or determined to be invalid, or the applicability of any subpart or portion therein to any person or entity is held invalid, it is NASA's intention that the validity of the remainder of the subparts will not be affected, with the remaining subparts or portions therein to continue in effect.

§ 1217.100 Scope.

This part sets forth policy and procedures with respect to the use of the NASA's authority to certify to the U.S. Commissioner of Customs duty-free entry of articles into the United States for the use of NASA or for implementation of a NASA international program, including articles that will be launched into space, spare parts for such articles, ground support equipment, or uniquely associated equipment for use in connection with a NASA international program or launch service agreement. This part also sets forth NASA's procedures with respect to the use of its authority to bring foreign-owned articles and articles from space into the customs territory of the United States, and describes the nonimport status of such articles.

§ 1217.101 Applicability.

This part applies to qualifying articles entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption in the customs territory of the United States, and to articles brought into the customs territory of the United States by NASA from space or from foreign country as part of the NASA international program.

§ 1217.102 Background.

In order to encourage and facilitate the use of NASA's launch services for the exploration and use of space, section 116 of Public Law 97-446 provided for the duty-free entry into the United States of certain articles imported by NASA for its space-related activities or articles imported by another person or entity for the purpose of meeting its obligations under a launch services agreement with NASA. Such articles were certified by NASA to the Commissioner of Customs for duty-free entry to be launched into space or space parts or necessary and uniquely associated support equipment for use in connection with a launch into space. This exemption from duty was provided for in Subheading 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202). Also, HTSUS, Chapter VIII, U.S. note 1, pursuant to the same law, provided that return of articles by NASA from space to the United States would not be considered an importation, and similarly not be subject to a duty.

As a result of the Uruguay Round agreements of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, this authority was revised and expanded in scope. It now provides that imports of articles for NASA's use and articles imported to implement NASA's international programs, including articles to be launched into space, parts thereof, ground support equipment, and uniquely associated equipment for use in connection with NASA's international programs and launch service agreements would be eligible for duty-free customs entry upon certification by NASA to the Commissioner of Customs. The revised authorities also provided, in U.S. note 1 to subchapter VIII of chapter 98 of the HTSUS, that articles brought into the customs territory of the United States by NASA from space or from a foreign country as part of a NASA's international programs would not be considered imports or subject to customs entry requirements.

§ 1217.103 Authority to certify.

(a) The following NASA officials, their deputies, and designees within their respective organizations are authorized, under the conditions described herein, to make the certification to the Commissioner of Customs required for the duty-free entry of space articles pursuant to subheading HTSUS 9808.00.80.

(1) The NASA Assistant Administrator for Procurement is authorized to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States which are procured by NASA or by other U.S. Government agencies, or by U.S. Government contractors or subcontractors when title to the articles is or will be vested in the U.S. Government pursuant to the terms of the contract or subcontract. Requests for certification should be sent to: Office of Procurement, Attn: Director, Contract and Grant Policy Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

(2) The NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations is authorized to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States pursuant to international agreements. Requests for certification should be sent to: Office of International and Interagency Relations, Attn: Director, Export Control and Interagency Liaison Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

(3) The NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations is authorized to issue the certification for articles imported into the United States by persons or entities under agreements other than those identified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, including launch services agreements. Requests for certification should be sent to: Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Attn: Director, International Space Station Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

(b) Each certification by the officials identified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section shall receive the concurrence of the Office of the General Counsel.

(c) Subject to procedures established by the officials identified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section, as appropriate, the Center Procurement Officer or a Program Manager at a NASA Installation who is designated by an official identified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section may make the certification to the Commissioner of Customs required for the duty-free entry of space articles pursuant to subheading HTSUS 9808.00.80. Such procedures shall include the following requirements:

(1) All such certifications by designated Procurement Officers or Program Managers shall receive the concurrence of the Chief Counsel of the issuing NASA Installation; and

(2) All such certifications by designated Procurement Officers or Program Managers shall be promptly reported to an official identified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section, as appropriate.

[62 FR 6467, Feb. 12, 1997, as amended at 80 FR 45865, Aug. 3, 2015]

§ 1217.104 Certification forms.

To the extent an authorized NASA official approves a request for certification, that official shall sign a certificate in the following form:

(a) For articles procured by NASA, a Customs Service Form CF 7501 (Entry Summary) shall be completed, and the following certification shall be used:

Articles for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Item 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Program:

I hereby certify that the articles identified in [attached invoice] are being imported for the use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in accordance with 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Name Date

(b) For articles imported by NASA to implement international programs of NASA to which NASA will take title, or which remain the property of foreign entities under such programs, no entry is required pursuant to U.S. note 1 to HTSUS subchapter VIII of chapter 98. For such articles, the following certification shall be used:

Articles for Use in an International Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Item 9808.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Program: Foreign Owner(s) (if applicable):

In accordance with subheading 9808.00.80 and U.S. note 1 to subchapter VIII of chapter 98, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, I hereby certify that the above-described shipment is being brought into the customs territory of the United States as part of an international program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). No CF 7501 entry is required for this shipment. All articles contained in this shipment are, and shall remain, the property of NASA or of the foreign entities identified above. Except for articles consumed in the execution of the above-described Program, none of these articles will be made available for sale or other disposition to persons or institutions not directly involved in the Program identified above.

Name Date

(c) A blanket certificate for a series of imports under a specific NASA international program or procurement is authorized but shall require written verification by a NASA official designated by a Director of a receiving NASA Installation that the articles received meet the conditions of the certificate. The blanket certificate shall be in the form of the certifications set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate, but shall include the following paragraph at the end thereof:

Before this certification is used to obtain duty-free entry of these articles, a cognizant NASA official at the receiving NASA Installation, who is designated by the Installation Director, shall verify in writing that specifically identified articles to be entered on a particular date are the articles described in this certificate or its attachments. This verification and this certification shall be presented to the U.S. Customs Service at the time entry for the particular articles is sought.

Name Date

With respect to articles represented to be: procurements by NASA; or imports to implement international programs of NASA to which NASA will take title, or foreign-owned articles for use in a NASA international program, the NASA official issuing the blanket certificate shall review the proposed articles and approve their eligibility for duty-free entry. A description of these articles shall either be referred to in the blanket certificate and provided in Form CF 7501 (Entry Summary) for procurements or attached to the certificate for imports to implement NASA international programs, as appropriate.

§ 1217.105 Procedures.

(a) Requests for certification shall be forwarded to an appropriate NASA official or designee as provided for in § 1217.103 of this part.

(b) Each request for certification shall be accompanied by:

(1) A proposed certificate as provided for in § 1217.104 of this part;

(2) The information and documentation required by 19 CFR 10.102(a), including invoice documentation or a description of covered articles; and

(3) The anticipated date of entry of entry and port of entry for each article. If the article is to be transported in bond from the port of arrival to another port of entry in the United States, identify both ports.

(c) The signed certificate and its attachment(s) will be forwarded to the NASA Installation responsible for duty-free entry of the materials, unless issued at such Installation by an authorized official in accordance with § 1217.103(c) of this part. These documents shall be presented to an appropriated Customs official at the port(s) of entry. The procedures specified in 19 CFR 10.102 will be followed by the NASA Installation in obtaining duty-free entry at the Customs port(s) of entry. The NASA Installation should ensure that, at the time the articles are to be released after Customs entry, the custody of the imported articles is transferred directly from the carrier or from the U.S. Customs Service to the NASA Installation, its agent, or the launch service customer in the case of a Launch and Associated Services Agreement.

(d) If articles procured under contract by NASA are imported prior to compliance with these procedures and it is essential that the articles be released from Customs custody prior to such compliance, the procedures outlined in 19 CFR 10.101 may be followed by cognizant NASA officials to secure the release of the articles from Customs custody. To the extent applicable, the procedures in § 1217.105 of this part shall be followed when time permits to obtain duty-free entry for the articles released from Customs custody.

§ 1217.106 Articles brought into the United States by NASA from space.

Pursuant to U.S. note 1 subchapter VIII of chapter 98, HTSUS, articles brought into the customs territory of the United States by NASA from space shall not be considered an importation, and no certification or entry of such materials through U.S. Customs shall be required. This provision is applicable to articles brought to the U.S. from space whether or not the articles were launched into space aboard a NASA vehicle.

§ 1221.100 Scope.

This subpart sets forth the policy governing the use of the NASA Seal, the NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifiers, and the NASA Flags. This subpart also establishes and sets forth the concept and scope of the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and prescribes the policy and guidelines for implementation of the system. The NASA Graphics Standards Manual is accessible at https://communications.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/NASA_Graphics_Standards_v3-TAGGED-v3.pdf.

[85 FR 71828, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.101 Policy.

(a) The NASA Seal, the NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifiers, the NASA Flags, and the Agency's Unified Visual Communications System, as prescribed in § 1221.102 through § 1221.108 of this subpart, shall be used exclusively to represent NASA, its programs, projects, functions, activities, or elements. The use of any devices other than those provided by or subsequently approved in accordance with the provisions of this subpart is prohibited.

(b) The use of the devices prescribed in this section shall be governed by the provisions of this subpart. The use of the devices prescribed in this section for any purpose other than as authorized by this subpart is prohibited. Their misuse shall be subject to the penalties authorized by statute, as set forth in § 1221.115 and shall be reported as provided in § 1221.116.

(c) Any proposal for a new NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifier, or for modification to those prescribed in this section shall be processed in accordance with § 1221.114.

§ 1221.102 Establishment of the NASA Seal.

The NASA Seal was established by Executive Order 10849 (24 FR 9559), November 27, 1959, as amended by Executive Order 10942 (24 FR 4419), May 22, 1961. The NASA Seal, established by the President, is the Seal of the Agency and symbolizes the achievements and goals of NASA and the United States in aeronautical and space activities. The NASA Seal shall be used as set forth in § 1221.109.

§ 1221.103 Establishment of the NASA Insignia.

The NASA Insignia was designed by the Army Institute of Heraldry and approved by the Commission of Fine Arts and the NASA Administrator. It symbolizes NASA's role in aeronautics and space and is established by the NASA Administrator as the signature and design element for visual communications formerly reserved for the NASA Logotype. The NASA Insignia shall be used as set forth in §§ 1221.108, the NASA Graphics Standards Manual, and any accompanying style guides or related NASA directive or specification approved by the NASA Administrator and published subsequent hereto.

[85 FR 71828, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.104 Establishment of the NASA Logotype.

The NASA Logotype (also called “the Worm”) was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts and the NASA Administrator. It symbolizes NASA's role in aeronautics and space from 1975 to 1992 and was retired between 1992-2020. The NASA Logotype shall be used as set forth in § 1221.111.

[85 FR 71829, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.105 Establishment of NASA Program Identifiers.

A separate and unique identifier may be designed and approved in connection with or in commemoration of a major NASA program. Each approved identifier shall be officially identified by its title such as “Apollo,” “Skylab,” “Viking,” “Space Shuttle,” “Space Station,” or a major NASA anniversary. NASA Program Identifiers shall be used as set forth in § 1221.112 pursuant to approval as set forth in § 1221.114.

§ 1221.106 Establishment of the NASA Flag.

The NASA Flags for interior and exterior use were created by the NASA Administrator in January 1960. Complete design, size, and color of the NASA interior and exterior flags for manufacturing purposes are detailed in U.S. Army QMG Drawing 5-1-269, revision September 14, 1960. The NASA Flags shall be used as set forth in § 1221.113.

§ 1221.107 Establishment of the NASA Administrator's, Deputy Administrator's, and Associate Administrator's Flags.

(a) Concurrently with the establishment of the NASA Flag in January 1960, the NASA Administrator also established NASA Flags to represent the NASA Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Associate Administrator. Each of these flags conforms to the basic design of the NASA Flag except for the following:

(1) The size of the flag is 3 feet x 4 feet;

(2) The Administrator's Flag has four stars;

(3) The Deputy Administrator's Flag has three stars; and

(4) The Associate Administrator's Flag has two stars.

(b) Flags representing these senior officials shall be used as set forth in § 1221.113.

[85 FR 71830, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.108 Establishment of the NASA Unified Visual Communications System.

(a) The NASA Administrator directed the establishment of a NASA Unified Visual Communications System. The system, which is comprised of the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and any accompanying style guides or related NASA directive or specification, was developed under the Federal Design Improvement Program initiated by the President in May 1972. This system is the Agency-wide program by which NASA projects a contemporary, business-like, progressive, and forward-looking image through the use of effective design for improved communications. The system provides a professional and cohesive NASA identity by imparting continuity of graphics design in all layout, reproduction art, stationery, forms, publications, signs, films, video productions, vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft markings and other items. It creates a unified image which is representative and symbolic of NASA's progressive attitudes and programs.

(b) The Associate Administrator for Communications is responsible for the development and implementation of the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and any accompanying style guides for the Agency or related NASA directive or specification.

(c) The Associate Administrator for Communications has designated staff to implement and monitor Agency-wide design improvements in consonance with the NASA Graphics Standards Manual. Designated staff will develop and issue changes and additions to the Manual as required and as new design standards and specifications are developed and approved. The NASA Graphics Standards Manual can be downloaded at https://communications.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/NASA_Graphics_Standards_v3-TAGGED-v3.pdf.

(d) NASA Centers and Headquarters have designated staff to implement NASA's graphics standards and ensure compliance of the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and any accompanying Style Guides or related NASA directive or specification.

[85 FR 71830, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.109 Use of the NASA Seal.

(a) The Associate Administrator for Communications shall be responsible for custody of the NASA Impression Seal and custody of NASA replica (plaques) seals. The NASA Seal is restricted to the following:

(1) NASA award certificates and medals.

(2) NASA awards for career service.

(3) Security credentials and employee identification cards.

(4) NASA Administrator's documents; the Seal may be used on documents such as interagency or intergovernmental agreements and special reports to the President and Congress, and on other documents, at the discretion of the NASA Administrator.

(5) Plaques; the design of the NASA Seal may be incorporated in plaques for display in Agency auditoriums, presentation rooms, lobbies, offices of senior officials, and on the fronts of buildings occupied by NASA. A separate NASA seal in the form of a 15-inch, round, bronze-colored plaque on a walnut-colored wood base is also available, but prohibited for use in the above representational manner. It is restricted to use only as a presentation item by the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator.

(6) The NASA Flag and the NASA Administrator's, Deputy Administrator's, and Associate Administrator's Flags, which incorporate the design of the Seal.

(7) NASA prestige publications which represent the achievements or missions of NASA as a whole.

(8) Publications (or documents) involving participation by another Government agency for which the other Government agency has authorized the use of its seal.

(b) Use of the NASA Seal for any purpose other than as prescribed in this section is prohibited, except that the Associate Administrator for Communications may authorize, on a case-by-case basis, the use of the NASA Seal for purposes other than those prescribed when the Associate Administrator for Communications deems such use to be appropriate.

[85 FR 71830, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.110 Use of the NASA Insignia.

The NASA Insignia is authorized for use on the following:

(a) NASA articles. (1) NASA letterhead stationary.

(2) Films, videotapes, and sound recordings produced by or for NASA.

(3) Wearing apparel and personal property items used by NASA employees in the performance of their duties.

(4) Required uniforms of contractor employees when performing public affairs, guard or fire protection duties, and similar duties within NASA Installations or at other assigned NASA duty stations, and on any required contractor-owned vehicles used exclusively in the performance of these duties, when authorized by NASA contracting officers.

(5) Spacecraft, aircraft, automobiles, trucks and similar vehicles owned by, leased to, or contractor-furnished to NASA, or produced for NASA by contractors, but excluding NASA-owned vehicles used and operated by contractors for the conduct of contractor business.

(6) Equipment and facilities owned by, leased to, or contractor-furnished to NASA, such as machinery, major tools, ground handling equipment, office and shop furnishings (if appropriate), and similar items of a permanent nature, including those produced for NASA by contractors.

(7) NASA publications, including pamphlets, brochures, manuals, handbooks, house organs, bulletins, general reports, posters, signs, charts, exhibits, and items of similar nature for general use, as specified in the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and the NASA Insignia Standards Supplement.

(8) Briefcases or dispatch cases issued by NASA.

(9) Certificates covering authority to NASA and contractor security personnel to carry firearms.

(10) NASA occupied buildings when the use of the NASA Insignia is more appropriate than use of the NASA Seal.

(b) Personal articles—NASA employees. (1) Business calling cards of NASA employees may carry the imprint of the NASA Insignia.

(2) Limited usage on automobiles. If determined appropriate by the cognizant Installation official, it is acceptable to place a NASA Insignia sticker on personal automobiles where such identification will facilitate entry or control of such vehicles at NASA Installations or parking areas.

(3) Personal items used in connection with NASA employees' recreation association activities.

(4) Items for sale through NASA employees' nonappropriated fund activities subject to paragraph (c) of this section.

(5) NASA employees shall not use the NASA Insignia in any manner that would imply that NASA endorses a commercial product, service, or activity or that material of a nonofficial nature represents NASA's official position.

(c) Miscellaneous articles. (1) The manufacture and commercial sale of the NASA Insignia as a separate and distinct device in the form of an emblem, patch, insignia, badge, decal, vinylcal, cloth, metal, or other material which would preclude NASA's control over its use or application is prohibited.

(2) Use of the NASA Uniform Patches, which incorporate the NASA Insignia, is authorized only as prescribed in the NASA Graphics Standards Manual and the NASA Insignia Standards Supplement, for NASA personnel and NASA contractor personnel identification.

(3) No approval for use of the NASA Insignia will be authorized when its use can be construed as an endorsement by NASA of a product or service.

(4) Items bearing the NASA Insignia and NASA Logotype such as souvenirs, novelties, toys, models, clothing, and similar items (including items for sale through the NASA employees' nonappropriated fund activities) may be manufactured and sold only after the a request has been submitted to, and approved by, the NASA Office for Communications, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546.

(d) Use of the NASA Insignia for any other purpose than as prescribed in this section is prohibited, except that the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs may authorize on a case-by-case basis the use of the NASA Insignia for other purposes when the Associate Administrator for the Public Affairs deems such use to be appropriate.

[58 FR 58944, Nov. 5, 1993, as amended at 85 FR 71831, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.111 Use of the NASA Logotype.

The NASA Logotype which was retired from 1992-2020 can be used only in an authentic historical context, on merchandise in accordance with § 1221.110, paragraph (c), in the NASA graphics standards/style guide or with prior written approval of the NASA Administrator.

[85 FR 71831, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.112 Use of the NASA Program Identifiers.

(a) Official NASA Program Identifiers will be restricted to the uses set forth in this section and to such other uses as the Associate Administrator for Communications may specifically approve.

(b) Specific approval is given for the following uses:

(1) Use of exact reproductions of a badge in the form of a patch made of cloth or other material, or a decal, or a gummed sticker on articles of wearing apparel and personal property items; and

(2) Use of exact renderings of a badge on a coin, medal, plaque, or other commemorative souvenirs.

(c) The manufacture and sale or free distribution of identifiers for the uses approved or that may be approved under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are authorized.

(d) Portrayal of an exact reproduction of a badge in conjunction with the advertising of any product or service will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs.

(e) The manufacture, sale, or use of any colorable imitation of the design of an official NASA Program Identifier will not be approved.

[58 FR 58944, Nov. 5, 1993, as amended at 85 FR 71831, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.113 Use of the NASA Flags.

(a) The NASA Flag is authorized for use only as follows:

(1) On or in front of NASA buildings.

(2) At NASA ceremonies.

(3) At conferences (including display in NASA conference rooms).

(4) At governmental or public appearances of NASA executives.

(5) In private offices of senior officials.

(6) As otherwise authorized by the NASA Administrator or designee.

(7) The NASA Flag must be displayed with the United States Flag. When the United States Flag and the NASA Flag are displayed on a speaker's platform in an auditorium, the United States Flag must occupy the position of honor and be placed at the speaker's right as the speaker faces the audience, with the NASA Flag at the speaker's left.

(b) The NASA Administrator's, Deputy Administrator's and Associate Administrator's Flags shall be displayed with the United States Flag in the respective offices of these officials but may be temporarily removed for use at the discretion of the officials concerned.

[58 FR 58944, Nov. 5, 1993, as amended at 85 FR 71831, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.114 Approval of new or change proposals.

(a) Except for NASA Astronaut Mission Crew Badges/Patches, any proposal to change or modify the emblematic devices set forth in this subpart or to introduce a new emblematic device other than as prescribed in this subpart requires the written approval of the NASA Administrator with prior approval and recommendation of the NASA Associate Administrator for Communications.

(b) In addition to the written approval of the NASA Administrator, any proposal for a new or for a modification to the design of the NASA Insignia may also be submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for its advice as to the merit of the design. If approved in writing by the NASA Administrator and advice received from the Commission of Fine Arts, the NASA Insignia and the use of such NASA Insignia must be prescribed in this subpart and published in the Federal Register.

(c) Proposals to establish, change, or modify NASA Astronaut Crew Mission Badges/Patches requires the written approval of the Director, Flight Crew Operations, Johnson Space Center; Center Director, Johnson Space Center; and the Associate Administrator for Space Flight. Decals/patches/badges may be produced as soon as the approval cycle is completed.

[58 FR 58944, Nov. 5, 1993, as amended at 85 FR 71831, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 1221.115 Violations.

(a) NASA Seal. Any person who uses the NASA Seal in a manner other than as authorized in this subpart shall be subject to the provisions of Title 18 U.S.C. 1017.

(b) NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, and NASA Program Identifiers. Any person who uses the NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, or NASA Program Identifier in a manner other than as authorized in this subpart shall be subject to the provisions of title 18 U.S.C. 701.

§ 1221.116 Compliance and enforcement.

In order to ensure adherence to the authorized uses of the NASA Seal, the NASA Insignia, the NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifiers, and the NASA Flags as provided, in this subpart, a report of each suspected violation of this subpart (including the use of unauthorized NASA Insignias) or of questionable usages of the NASA Seal, the NASA Insignia, the NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifiers, or the NASA Flags, shall be submitted to the Inspector General, NASA Headquarters, in accordance with NASA Management Instruction 9810.1, “The NASA Investigations Program.”

§ 1221.200 Scope.

This subpart establishes procedures for nominating an astronaut for the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

§ 1221.201 Basis for award of the medal.

(a) The standard of award for the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is established by Pub. L. 91-76 (42 U.S.C. 2461) which provides that the President may award the Medal to any “astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and of mankind.”

(b) Only one Congressional Space Medal of Honor may be awarded to a person. However, for each succeeding act that would otherwise justify the award of the Medal, the President may award a suitable bar or other device.

(c) The Medal may be awarded to any person who is or has been designated to travel in space and who has distinguished himself or herself while undertaking duties in preparation for, execution of, or subsequent to, but in connection with, a space flight.

(d) The Medal may be awarded for actions occurring before the effective date of this subpart 1221.2, and, when appropriate, posthumously.

§ 1221.202 Description of the medal.

The description of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, which was designed by the Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army, is set forth in appendix A to this subpart. Each person awarded the Medal also shall receive a citation describing the basis for the award.

§ 1221.203 Nominations.

(a) Formal nominations for award of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on behalf of NASA will be made by the Administrator to the President.

(b) Any person may recommend to the Administrator that an astronaut be nominated for award of the Medal. Such a recommendation must be in writing, and must describe in concise detail the events believed to warrant award of the Medal. The recommendation should, if appropriate, be accompanied by supporting documentation, such as eyewitness statements, extracts from official records, sketches, photographs, etc.

(c) All recommendations for nominations submitted to the Administrator or made on his own initiative will be referred to the NASA Incentive Awards Board for the purpose of investigating and making findings of fact and giving advice to the Administrator.

(d) Any recommendation involving an astronaut who is a member of the armed services on active duty or who is employed by another agency of the Federal Government but temporarily assigned or detailed to NASA shall also be transmitted to the Secretary of Defense or the head of the employing agency, as appropriate, for his or her recommendation.

(e) The Administrator will forward to the President his recommendation, and that of the astronaut's employing agency, as appropriate.

§ 1221.204 Proceedings of the NASA Incentive Awards Board.

The NASA Incentive Awards Board shall thoroughly consider the facts giving rise to a recommendation for nomination and shall prepare a report for the Administrator. The Board should, to the extent practicable, coordinate its efforts with those of the astronaut's employing agency, as appropriate. Its final report must take into account any pertinent information submitted by the employing agency.

§ 1230.101 To what does this policy apply?

(a) Except as detailed in § 1230.104, this policy applies to all research involving human subjects conducted, supported, or otherwise subject to regulation by any Federal department or agency that takes appropriate administrative action to make the policy applicable to such research. This includes research conducted by Federal civilian employees or military personnel, except that each department or agency head may adopt such procedural modifications as may be appropriate from an administrative standpoint. It also includes research conducted, supported, or otherwise subject to regulation by the Federal Government outside the United States. Institutions that are engaged in research described in this paragraph and institutional review boards (IRBs) reviewing research that is subject to this policy must comply with this policy.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) Department or agency heads retain final judgment as to whether a particular activity is covered by this policy and this judgment shall be exercised consistent with the ethical principles of the Belmont Report. 62

62 The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.- Belmont Report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1979.

(d) Department or agency heads may require that specific research activities or classes of research activities conducted, supported, or otherwise subject to regulation by the Federal department or agency but not otherwise covered by this policy comply with some or all of the requirements of this policy.

(e) Compliance with this policy requires compliance with pertinent federal laws or regulations that provide additional protections for human subjects.

(f) This policy does not affect any state or local laws or regulations (including tribal law passed by the official governing body of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe) that may otherwise be applicable and that provide additional protections for human subjects.

(g) This policy does not affect any foreign laws or regulations that may otherwise be applicable and that provide additional protections to human subjects of research.

(h) When research covered by this policy takes place in foreign countries, procedures normally followed in the foreign countries to protect human subjects may differ from those set forth in this policy. In these circumstances, if a department or agency head determines that the procedures prescribed by the institution afford protections that are at least equivalent to those provided in this policy, the department or agency head may approve the substitution of the foreign procedures in lieu of the procedural requirements provided in this policy. Except when otherwise required by statute, Executive Order, or the department or agency head, notices of these actions as they occur will be published in the Federal Register or will be otherwise published as provided in department or agency procedures.

(i) Unless otherwise required by law, department or agency heads may waive the applicability of some or all of the provisions of this policy to specific research activities or classes of research activities otherwise covered by this policy, provided the alternative procedures to be followed are consistent with the principles of the Belmont Report. 63 Except when otherwise required by statute or Executive Order, the department or agency head shall forward advance notices of these actions to the Office for Human Research Protections, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or any successor office, or to the equivalent office within the appropriate Federal department or agency, and shall also publish them in the Federal Register or in such other manner as provided in department or agency procedures. The waiver notice must include a statement that identifies the conditions under which the waiver will be applied and a justification as to why the waiver is appropriate for the research, including how the decision is consistent with the principles of the Belmont Report.

63 Id.

(j) Federal guidance on the requirements of this policy shall be issued only after consultation, for the purpose of harmonization (to the extent appropriate), with other Federal departments and agencies that have adopted this policy, unless such consultation is not feasible.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Compliance dates and transition provisions:

(1) Pre-2018 Requirements. For purposes of this section, the pre-2018 Requirements means this subpart as published in the 2016 edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) 2018 Requirements. For purposes of this section, the 2018 Requirements means the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects requirements contained in this part. The general compliance date for the 2018 Requirements is January 21, 2019. The compliance date for § 1230.114(b) (cooperative research) of the 2018 Requirements is January 20, 2020.

(3) Research subject to pre-2018 requirements. The pre-2018 Requirements shall apply to the following research, unless the research is transitioning to comply with the 2018 Requirements in accordance with paragraph (l)(4) of this section:

(i) Research initially approved by an IRB under the pre-2018 Requirements before January 21, 2019;

(ii) Research for which IRB review was waived pursuant to § 1230.101(i) of the pre-2018 Requirements before January 21, 2019; and

(iii) Research for which a determination was made that the research was exempt under § 1230.101(b) of the pre-2018 Requirements before January 21, 2019.

(4) Transitioning research. If, on or after July 19, 2018, an institution planning or engaged in research otherwise covered by paragraph (l)(3) of this section determines that such research instead will transition to comply with the 2018 Requirements, the institution or an IRB must document and date such determination.

(i) If the determination to transition is documented between July 19, 2018, and January 20, 2019, the research shall:

(A) Beginning on the date of such documentation through January 20, 2019, comply with the pre-2018 Requirements, except that the research shall comply with the following:

(1) Section 1230.102(l) of the 2018 Requirements (definition of research) (instead of § 1230.102(d) of the pre-2018 Requirements);

(2) Section 1230.103(d) of the 2018 Requirements (revised certification requirement that eliminates IRB review of application or proposal) (instead of § 1230.103(f) of the pre-2018 Requirements); and

(3) Section 1230.109(f)(1)(i) and (iii) of the 2018 Requirements (exceptions to mandated continuing review) (instead of § 1230.103(b), as related to the requirement for continuing review, and in addition to § 1230.109, of the pre-2018 Requirements); and

(B) Beginning on January 21, 2019, comply with the 2018 Requirements.

(ii) If the determination to transition is documented on or after January 21, 2019, the research shall, beginning on the date of such documentation, comply with the 2018 Requirements.

(5) Research subject to 2018 Requirements. The 2018 Requirements shall apply to the following research:

(i) Research initially approved by an IRB on or after January 21, 2019;

(ii) Research for which IRB review is waived pursuant to paragraph (i) of this section on or after January 21, 2019; and

(iii) Research for which a determination is made that the research is exempt on or after January 21, 2019.

(m) Severability: Any provision of this part held to be invalid or unenforceable by its terms, or as applied to any person or circumstance, shall be construed so as to continue to give maximum effect to the provision permitted by law, unless such holding shall be one of utter invalidity or unenforceability, in which event the provision shall be severable from this part and shall not affect the remainder thereof or the application of the provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other dissimilar circumstances.

[82 FR 7270, Jan. 19, 2017, as amended at 83 FR 2891, Jan. 22, 2018; 83 FR 28511, June 19, 2018]

§ 1230.102 Definitions for purposes of this policy.

(a) Certification means the official notification by the institution to the supporting Federal department or agency component, in accordance with the requirements of this policy, that a research project or activity involving human subjects has been reviewed and approved by an IRB in accordance with an approved assurance.

(b) Clinical trial means a research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or behavioral health-related outcomes.

(c) Department or agency head means the head of any Federal department or agency, for example, the Secretary of HHS, and any other officer or employee of any Federal department or agency to whom the authority provided by these regulations to the department or agency head has been delegated.

(d) Federal department or agency refers to a federal department or agency (the department or agency itself rather than its bureaus, offices or divisions) that takes appropriate administrative action to make this policy applicable to the research involving human subjects it conducts, supports, or otherwise regulates (e.g., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the Central Intelligence Agency).

(e)(1) Human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research:

(i) Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or (ii) Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.

(2) Intervention includes both physical procedures by which information or biospecimens are gathered (e.g., venipuncture) and manipulations of the subject or the subject's environment that are performed for research purposes.

(3) Interaction includes communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and subject.

(4) Private information includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and information that has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and that the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (e.g., a medical record).

(5) Identifiable private information is private information for which the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the information.

(6) An identifiable biospecimen is a biospecimen for which the identity of the subject is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator or associated with the biospecimen.

(7) Federal departments or agencies implementing this policy shall:

(i) Upon consultation with appropriate experts (including experts in data matching and re-identification), reexamine the meaning of “identifiable private information,” as defined in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, and “identifiable biospecimen,” as defined in paragraph (e)(6) of this section. This reexamination shall take place within 1 year and regularly thereafter (at least every 4 years). This process will be conducted by collaboration among the Federal departments and agencies implementing this policy. If appropriate and permitted by law, such Federal departments and agencies may alter the interpretation of these terms, including through the use of guidance.

(ii) Upon consultation with appropriate experts, assess whether there are analytic technologies or techniques that should be considered by investigators to generate “identifiable private information,” as defined in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, or an “identifiable biospecimen,” as defined in paragraph (e)(6) of this section. This assessment shall take place within 1 year and regularly thereafter (at least every 4 years). This process will be conducted by collaboration among the Federal departments and agencies implementing this policy. Any such technologies or techniques will be included on a list of technologies or techniques that produce identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens. This list will be published in the Federal Register after notice and an opportunity for public comment. The Secretary, HHS, shall maintain the list on a publicly accessible Web site.

(f) Institution means any public or private entity, or department or agency (including federal, state, and other agencies).

(g) IRB means an institutional review board established in accord with and for the purposes expressed in this policy.

(h) IRB approval means the determination of the IRB that the research has been reviewed and may be conducted at an institution within the constraints set forth by the IRB and by other institutional and federal requirements.

(i) Legally authorized representative means an individual or judicial or other body authorized under applicable law to consent on behalf of a prospective subject to the subject's participation in the procedure(s) involved in the research. If there is no applicable law addressing this issue, legally authorized representative means an individual recognized by institutional policy as acceptable for providing consent in the nonresearch context on behalf of the prospective subject to the subject's participation in the procedure(s) involved in the research.

(j) Minimal risk means that the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.

(k) Public health authority means an agency or authority of the United States, a state, a territory, a political subdivision of a state or territory, an Indian tribe, or a foreign government, or a person or entity acting under a grant of authority from or contract with such public agency, including the employees or agents of such public agency or its contractors or persons or entities to whom it has granted authority, that is responsible for public health matters as part of its official mandate.

(l) Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities. For purposes of this part, the following activities are deemed not to be research:

(1) Scholarly and journalistic activities (e.g., oral history, journalism, biography, literary criticism, legal research, and historical scholarship), including the collection and use of information, that focus directly on the specific individuals about whom the information is collected.

(2) Public health surveillance activities, including the collection and testing of information or biospecimens, conducted, supported, requested, ordered, required, or authorized by a public health authority. Such activities are limited to those necessary to allow a public health authority to identify, monitor, assess, or investigate potential public health signals, onsets of disease outbreaks, or conditions of public health importance (including trends, signals, risk factors, patterns in diseases, or increases in injuries from using consumer products). Such activities include those associated with providing timely situational awareness and priority setting during the course of an event or crisis that threatens public health (including natural or man-made disasters).

(3) Collection and analysis of information, biospecimens, or records by or for a criminal justice agency for activities authorized by law or court order solely for criminal justice or criminal investigative purposes.

(4) Authorized operational activities (as determined by each agency) in support of intelligence, homeland security, defense, or other national security missions.

(m) Written, or in writing, for purposes of this part, refers to writing on a tangible medium (e.g., paper) or in an electronic format.

§ 1230.103 Assuring compliance with this policy—research conducted or supported by any Federal department or agency.

(a) Each institution engaged in research that is covered by this policy, with the exception of research eligible for exemption under § 1230.104, and that is conducted or supported by a Federal department or agency, shall provide written assurance satisfactory to the department or agency head that it will comply with the requirements of this policy. In lieu of requiring submission of an assurance, individual department or agency heads shall accept the existence of a current assurance, appropriate for the research in question, on file with the Office for Human Research Protections, HHS, or any successor office, and approved for Federal-wide use by that office. When the existence of an HHS-approved assurance is accepted in lieu of requiring submission of an assurance, reports (except certification) required by this policy to be made to department and agency heads shall also be made to the Office for Human Research Protections, HHS, or any successor office. Federal departments and agencies will conduct or support research covered by this policy only if the institution has provided an assurance that it will comply with the requirements of this policy, as provided in this section, and only if the institution has certified to the department or agency head that the research has been reviewed and approved by an IRB (if such certification is required by § 1230.103(d)).

(b) The assurance shall be executed by an individual authorized to act for the institution and to assume on behalf of the institution the obligations imposed by this policy and shall be filed in such form and manner as the department or agency head prescribes.

(c) The department or agency head may limit the period during which any assurance shall remain effective or otherwise condition or restrict the assurance.

(d) Certification is required when the research is supported by a Federal department or agency and not otherwise waived under § 1230.101(i) or exempted under § 1230.104. For such research, institutions shall certify that each proposed research study covered by the assurance and this section has been reviewed and approved by the IRB. Such certification must be submitted as prescribed by the Federal department or agency component supporting the research. Under no condition shall research covered by this section be initiated prior to receipt of the certification that the research has been reviewed and approved by the IRB.

(e) For nonexempt research involving human subjects covered by this policy (or exempt research for which limited IRB review takes place pursuant to § 1230.104(d)(2)(iii), (d)(3)(i)(C), or (d)(7) or (8)) that takes place at an institution in which IRB oversight is conducted by an IRB that is not operated by the institution, the institution and the organization operating the IRB shall document the institution's reliance on the IRB for oversight of the research and the responsibilities that each entity will undertake to ensure compliance with the requirements of this policy (e.g., in a written agreement between the institution and the IRB, by implementation of an institution-wide policy directive providing the allocation of responsibilities between the institution and an IRB that is not affiliated with the institution, or as set forth in a research protocol).

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.104 Exempt research.

(a) Unless otherwise required by law or by department or agency heads, research activities in which the only involvement of human subjects will be in one or more of the categories in paragraph (d) of this section are exempt from the requirements of this policy, except that such activities must comply with the requirements of this section and as specified in each category.

(b) Use of the exemption categories for research subject to the requirements of subparts B, C, and D: Application of the exemption categories to research subject to the requirements of 45 CFR part 46, subparts B, C, and D, is as follows:

(1) Subpart B. Each of the exemptions at this section may be applied to research subject to subpart B if the conditions of the exemption are met.

(2) Subpart C. The exemptions at this section do not apply to research subject to subpart C, except for research aimed at involving a broader subject population that only incidentally includes prisoners.

(3) Subpart D. The exemptions at paragraphs (d)(1), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) of this section may be applied to research subject to subpart D if the conditions of the exemption are met. Paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section only may apply to research subject to subpart D involving educational tests or the observation of public behavior when the investigator(s) do not participate in the activities being observed. Paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section may not be applied to research subject to subpart D.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) Except as described in paragraph (a) of this section, the following categories of human subjects research are exempt from this policy:

(1) Research, conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, that specifically involves normal educational practices that are not likely to adversely impact students' opportunity to learn required educational content or the assessment of educators who provide instruction. This includes most research on regular and special education instructional strategies, and research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.

(2) Research that only includes interactions involving educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public behavior (including visual or auditory recording) if at least one of the following criteria is met:

(i) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects;

(ii) Any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing, employability, educational advancement, or reputation; or

(iii) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an IRB conducts a limited IRB review to make the determination required by § 1230.111(a)(7).

(3)(i) Research involving benign behavioral interventions in conjunction with the collection of information from an adult subject through verbal or written responses (including data entry) or audiovisual recording if the subject prospectively agrees to the intervention and information collection and at least one of the following criteria is met:

(A) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects;

(B) Any disclosure of the human subjects' responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects' financial standing, employability, educational advancement, or reputation; or

(C) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an IRB conducts a limited IRB review to make the determination required by § 1230.111(a)(7).

(ii) For the purpose of this provision, benign behavioral interventions are brief in duration, harmless, painless, not physically invasive, not likely to have a significant adverse lasting impact on the subjects, and the investigator has no reason to think the subjects will find the interventions offensive or embarrassing. Provided all such criteria are met, examples of such benign behavioral interventions would include having the subjects play an online game, having them solve puzzles under various noise conditions, or having them decide how to allocate a nominal amount of received cash between themselves and someone else.

(iii) If the research involves deceiving the subjects regarding the nature or purposes of the research, this exemption is not applicable unless the subject authorizes the deception through a prospective agreement to participate in research in circumstances in which the subject is informed that he or she will be unaware of or misled regarding the nature or purposes of the research.

(4) Secondary research for which consent is not required: Secondary research uses of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, if at least one of the following criteria is met:

(i) The identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens are publicly available;

(ii) Information, which may include information about biospecimens, is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, the investigator does not contact the subjects, and the investigator will not re-identify subjects;

(iii) The research involves only information collection and analysis involving the investigator's use of identifiable health information when that use is regulated under 45 CFR parts 160 and 164, subparts A and E, for the purposes of “health care operations” or “research” as those terms are defined at 45 CFR 164.501 or for “public health activities and purposes” as described under 45 CFR 164.512(b); or

(iv) The research is conducted by, or on behalf of, a Federal department or agency using government-generated or government-collected information obtained for nonresearch activities, if the research generates identifiable private information that is or will be maintained on information technology that is subject to and in compliance with section 208(b) of the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. 3501 note, if all of the identifiable private information collected, used, or generated as part of the activity will be maintained in systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and, if applicable, the information used in the research was collected subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

(5) Research and demonstration projects that are conducted or supported by a Federal department or agency, or otherwise subject to the approval of department or agency heads (or the approval of the heads of bureaus or other subordinate agencies that have been delegated authority to conduct the research and demonstration projects), and that are designed to study, evaluate, improve, or otherwise examine public benefit or service programs, including procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs, possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures, or possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs. Such projects include, but are not limited to, internal studies by Federal employees, and studies under contracts or consulting arrangements, cooperative agreements, or grants. Exempt projects also include waivers of otherwise mandatory requirements using authorities such as sections 1115 and 1115A of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(i) Each Federal department or agency conducting or supporting the research and demonstration projects must establish, on a publicly accessible Federal Web site or in such other manner as the department or agency head may determine, a list of the research and demonstration projects that the Federal department or agency conducts or supports under this provision. The research or demonstration project must be published on this list prior to commencing the research involving human subjects.

(ii) [Reserved]

(6) Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies:

(i) If wholesome foods without additives are consumed, or

(ii) If a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

(7) Storage or maintenance for secondary research for which broad consent is required: Storage or maintenance of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens for potential secondary research use if an IRB conducts a limited IRB review and makes the determinations required by § 1230.111(a)(8).

(8) Secondary research for which broad consent is required: Research involving the use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens for secondary research use, if the following criteria are met:

(i) Broad consent for the storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens was obtained in accordance with § 1230.116(a)(1) through (4), (a)(6), and (d);

(ii) Documentation of informed consent or waiver of documentation of consent was obtained in accordance with § 1230.117;

(iii) An IRB conducts a limited IRB review and makes the determination required by § 1230.111(a)(7) and makes the determination that the research to be conducted is within the scope of the broad consent referenced in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section; and (iv) The investigator does not include returning individual research results to subjects as part of the study plan. This provision does not prevent an investigator from abiding by any legal requirements to return individual research results.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§§ 1230.105-1230.106 [Reserved]

§ 1230.107 IRB membership.

(a) Each IRB shall have at least five members, with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted by the institution. The IRB shall be sufficiently qualified through the experience and expertise of its members (professional competence), and the diversity of its members, including race, gender, and cultural backgrounds and sensitivity to such issues as community attitudes, to promote respect for its advice and counsel in safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects. The IRB shall be able to ascertain the acceptability of proposed research in terms of institutional commitments (including policies and resources) and regulations, applicable law, and standards of professional conduct and practice. The IRB shall therefore include persons knowledgeable in these areas. If an IRB regularly reviews research that involves a category of subjects that is vulnerable to coercion or undue influence, such as children, prisoners, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, consideration shall be given to the inclusion of one or more individuals who are knowledgeable about and experienced in working with these categories of subjects.

(b) Each IRB shall include at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas and at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas.

(c) Each IRB shall include at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution.

(d) No IRB may have a member participate in the IRB's initial or continuing review of any project in which the member has a conflicting interest, except to provide information requested by the IRB.

(e) An IRB may, in its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues that require expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRB. These individuals may not vote with the IRB.

§ 1230.108 IRB functions and operations.

(a) In order to fulfill the requirements of this policy each IRB shall:

(1) Have access to meeting space and sufficient staff to support the IRB's review and recordkeeping duties;

(2) Prepare and maintain a current list of the IRB members identified by name; earned degrees; representative capacity; indications of experience such as board certifications or licenses sufficient to describe each member's chief anticipated contributions to IRB deliberations; and any employment or other relationship between each member and the institution, for example, full-time employee, part-time employee, member of governing panel or board, stockholder, paid or unpaid consultant;

(3) Establish and follow written procedures for:

(i) Conducting its initial and continuing review of research and for reporting its findings and actions to the investigator and the institution;

(ii) Determining which projects require review more often than annually and which projects need verification from sources other than the investigators that no material changes have occurred since previous IRB review; and

(iii) Ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB of proposed changes in a research activity, and for ensuring that investigators will conduct the research activity in accordance with the terms of the IRB approval until any proposed changes have been reviewed and approved by the IRB, except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject.

(4) Establish and follow written procedures for ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB; appropriate institutional officials; the department or agency head; and the Office for Human Research Protections, HHS, or any successor office, or the equivalent office within the appropriate Federal department or agency of

(i) Any unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others or any serious or continuing noncompliance with this policy or the requirements or determinations of the IRB; and

(ii) Any suspension or termination of IRB approval.

(b) Except when an expedited review procedure is used (as described in § 1230.110), an IRB must review proposed research at convened meetings at which a majority of the members of the IRB are present, including at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas. In order for the research to be approved, it shall receive the approval of a majority of those members present at the meeting.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.109 IRB review of research.

(a) An IRB shall review and have authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove all research activities covered by this policy, including exempt research activities under § 1230.104 for which limited IRB review is a condition of exemption (under § 1230.104(d)(2)(iii), (d)(3)(i)(C), and (d)(7), and (8)).

(b) An IRB shall require that information given to subjects (or legally authorized representatives, when appropriate) as part of informed consent is in accordance with § 1230.116. The IRB may require that information, in addition to that specifically mentioned in § 1230.116, be given to the subjects when in the IRB's judgment the information would meaningfully add to the protection of the rights and welfare of subjects.

(c) An IRB shall require documentation of informed consent or may waive documentation in accordance with § 1230.117.

(d) An IRB shall notify investigators and the institution in writing of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research activity, or of modifications required to secure IRB approval of the research activity. If the IRB decides to disapprove a research activity, it shall include in its written notification a statement of the reasons for its decision and give the investigator an opportunity to respond in person or in writing.

(e) An IRB shall conduct continuing review of research requiring review by the convened IRB at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk, not less than once per year, except as described in § 1230.109(f).

(f)(1) Unless an IRB determines otherwise, continuing review of research is not required in the following circumstances:

(i) Research eligible for expedited review in accordance with § 1230.110;

(ii) Research reviewed by the IRB in accordance with the limited IRB review described in § 1230.104(d)(2)(iii), (d)(3)(i)(C), or (d)(7) or (8);

(iii) Research that has progressed to the point that it involves only one or both of the following, which are part of the IRB-approved study:

(A) Data analysis, including analysis of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, or

(B) Accessing follow-up clinical data from procedures that subjects would undergo as part of clinical care.

(2) [Reserved]

(g) An IRB shall have authority to observe or have a third party observe the consent process and the research.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.110 Expedited review procedures for certain kinds of research involving no more than minimal risk, and for minor changes in approved research.

(a) The Secretary of HHS has established, and published as a Notice in the Federal Register, a list of categories of research that may be reviewed by the IRB through an expedited review procedure. The Secretary will evaluate the list at least every 8 years and amend it, as appropriate, after consultation with other federal departments and agencies and after publication in the Federal Register for public comment. A copy of the list is available from the Office for Human Research Protections, HHS, or any successor office.

(b)(1) An IRB may use the expedited review procedure to review the following:

(i) Some or all of the research appearing on the list described in paragraph (a) of this section, unless the reviewer determines that the study involves more than minimal risk;

(ii) Minor changes in previously approved research during the period for which approval is authorized; or

(iii) Research for which limited IRB review is a condition of exemption under § 1230.104(d)(2)(iii), (d)(3)(i)(C), and (d)(7) and (8).

(2) Under an expedited review procedure, the review may be carried out by the IRB chairperson or by one or more experienced reviewers designated by the chairperson from among members of the IRB. In reviewing the research, the reviewers may exercise all of the authorities of the IRB except that the reviewers may not disapprove the research. A research activity may be disapproved only after review in accordance with the nonexpedited procedure set forth in § 1230.108(b).

(c) Each IRB that uses an expedited review procedure shall adopt a method for keeping all members advised of research proposals that have been approved under the procedure.

(d) The department or agency head may restrict, suspend, terminate, or choose not to authorize an institution's or IRB's use of the expedited review procedure.

§ 1230.111 Criteria for IRB approval of research.

(a) In order to approve research covered by this policy the IRB shall determine that all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) Risks to subjects are minimized:

(i) By using procedures that are consistent with sound research design and that do not unnecessarily expose subjects to risk, and

(ii) Whenever appropriate, by using procedures already being performed on the subjects for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

(2) Risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects, and the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result. In evaluating risks and benefits, the IRB should consider only those risks and benefits that may result from the research (as distinguished from risks and benefits of therapies subjects would receive even if not participating in the research). The IRB should not consider possible long-range effects of applying knowledge gained in the research (e.g., the possible effects of the research on public policy) as among those research risks that fall within the purview of its responsibility.

(3) Selection of subjects is equitable. In making this assessment the IRB should take into account the purposes of the research and the setting in which the research will be conducted. The IRB should be particularly cognizant of the special problems of research that involves a category of subjects who are vulnerable to coercion or undue influence, such as children, prisoners, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons.

(4) Informed consent will be sought from each prospective subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, in accordance with, and to the extent required by, § 1230.116.

(5) Informed consent will be appropriately documented or appropriately waived in accordance with § 1230.117.

(6) When appropriate, the research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of subjects.

(7) When appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data.

(i) The Secretary of HHS will, after consultation with the Office of Management and Budget's privacy office and other Federal departments and agencies that have adopted this policy, issue guidance to assist IRBs in assessing what provisions are adequate to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data.

(ii) [Reserved]

(8) For purposes of conducting the limited IRB review required by § 1230.104(d)(7)), the IRB need not make the determinations at paragraphs (a)(1) through (7) of this section, and shall make the following determinations:

(i) Broad consent for storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens is obtained in accordance with the requirements of § 1230.116(a)(1)-(4), (a)(6), and (d);

(ii) Broad consent is appropriately documented or waiver of documentation is appropriate, in accordance with § 1230.117; and

(iii) If there is a change made for research purposes in the way the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens are stored or maintained, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and to maintain the confidentiality of data.

(b) When some or all of the subjects are likely to be vulnerable to coercion or undue influence, such as children, prisoners, individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, or economically or educationally disadvantaged persons, additional safeguards have been included in the study to protect the rights and welfare of these subjects.

§ 1230.112 Review by Institution

Research covered by this policy that has been approved by an IRB may be subject to further appropriate review and approval or disapproval by officials of the institution. However, those officials may not approve the research if it has not been approved by an IRB.

§ 1230.113 Suspension or Termination of IRB Approval of Research.

An IRB shall have authority to suspend or terminate approval of research that is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB's requirements or that has been associated with unexpected serious harm to subjects. Any suspension or termination of approval shall include a statement of the reasons for the IRB's action and shall be reported promptly to the investigator, appropriate institutional officials, and the department or agency head.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.114 Cooperative Research.

(a) Cooperative research projects are those projects covered by this policy that involve more than one institution. In the conduct of cooperative research projects, each institution is responsible for safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects and for complying with this policy.

(b)(1) Any institution located in the United States that is engaged in cooperative research must rely upon approval by a single IRB for that portion of the research that is conducted in the United States. The reviewing IRB will be identified by the Federal department or agency supporting or conducting the research or proposed by the lead institution subject to the acceptance of the Federal department or agency supporting the research.

(2) The following research is not subject to this provision:

(i) Cooperative research for which more than single IRB review is required by law (including tribal law passed by the official governing body of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe); or

(ii) Research for which any Federal department or agency supporting or conducting the research determines and documents that the use of a single IRB is not appropriate for the particular context.

(c) For research not subject to paragraph (b) of this section, an institution participating in a cooperative project may enter into a joint review arrangement, rely on the review of another IRB, or make similar arrangements for avoiding duplication of effort.

§ 1230.115 IRB Records.

(a) An institution, or when appropriate an IRB, shall prepare and maintain adequate documentation of IRB activities, including the following:

(1) Copies of all research proposals reviewed, scientific evaluations, if any, that accompany the proposals, approved sample consent forms, progress reports submitted by investigators, and reports of injuries to subjects.

(2) Minutes of IRB meetings, which shall be in sufficient detail to show attendance at the meetings; actions taken by the IRB; the vote on these actions including the number of members voting for, against, and abstaining; the basis for requiring changes in or disapproving research; and a written summary of the discussion of controverted issues and their resolution.

(3) Records of continuing review activities, including the rationale for conducting continuing review of research that otherwise would not require continuing review as described in § 1230.109(f)(1).

(4) Copies of all correspondence between the IRB and the investigators.

(5) A list of IRB members in the same detail as described in § 1230.108(a)(2).

(6) Written procedures for the IRB in the same detail as described in § 1230.108(a)(3) and (4).

(7) Statements of significant new findings provided to subjects, as required by § 1230.116(c)(5).

(8) The rationale for an expedited reviewer's determination under § 1230.110(b)(1)(i) that research appearing on the expedited review list described in § 1230.110(a) is more than minimal risk.

(9) Documentation specifying the responsibilities that an institution and an organization operating an IRB each will undertake to ensure compliance with the requirements of this policy, as described in § 1230.103(e).

(b) The records required by this policy shall be retained for at least 3 years, and records relating to research that is conducted shall be retained for at least 3 years after completion of the research. The institution or IRB may maintain the records in printed form, or electronically. All records shall be accessible for inspection and copying by authorized representatives of the Federal department or agency at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.116 General Requirements for Informed Consent.

(a) General. General requirements for informed consent, whether written or oral, are set forth in this paragraph and apply to consent obtained in accordance with the requirements set forth in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section. Broad consent may be obtained in lieu of informed consent obtained in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section only with respect to the storage, maintenance, and secondary research uses of identifiable private information and identifiable biospecimens. Waiver or alteration of consent in research involving public benefit and service programs conducted by or subject to the approval of state or local officials is described in paragraph (e) of this section. General waiver or alteration of informed consent is described in paragraph (f) of this section. Except as provided elsewhere in this policy:

(1) Before involving a human subject in research covered by this policy, an investigator shall obtain the legally effective informed consent of the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative.

(2) An investigator shall seek informed consent only under circumstances that provide the prospective subject or the legally authorized representative sufficient opportunity to discuss and consider whether or not to participate and that minimize the possibility of coercion or undue influence.

(3) The information that is given to the subject or the legally authorized representative shall be in language understandable to the subject or the legally authorized representative.

(4) The prospective subject or the legally authorized representative must be provided with the information that a reasonable person would want to have in order to make an informed decision about whether to participate, and an opportunity to discuss that information.

(5) Except for broad consent obtained in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section:

(i) Informed consent must begin with a concise and focused presentation of the key information that is most likely to assist a prospective subject or legally authorized representative in understanding the reasons why one might or might not want to participate in the research. This part of the informed consent must be organized and presented in a way that facilitates comprehension.

(ii) Informed consent as a whole must present information in sufficient detail relating to the research, and must be organized and presented in a way that does not merely provide lists of isolated facts, but rather facilitates the prospective subject's or legally authorized representative's understanding of the reasons why one might or might not want to participate.

(6) No informed consent may include any exculpatory language through which the subject or the legally authorized representative is made to waive or appear to waive any of the subject's legal rights, or releases or appears to release the investigator, the sponsor, the institution, or its agents from liability for negligence.

(b) Basic elements of informed consent. Except as provided in paragraph (d), (e), or (f) of this section, in seeking informed consent the following information shall be provided to each subject or the legally authorized representative:

(1) A statement that the study involves research, an explanation of the purposes of the research and the expected duration of the subject's participation, a description of the procedures to be followed, and identification of any procedures that are experimental;

(2) A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject;

(3) A description of any benefits to the subject or to others that may reasonably be expected from the research;

(4) A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to the subject;

(5) A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained;

(6) For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any compensation and an explanation as to whether any medical treatments are available if injury occurs and, if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained;

(7) An explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and research subjects' rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the subject;

(8) A statement that participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled; and

(9) One of the following statements about any research that involves the collection of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens:

(i) A statement that identifiers might be removed from the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens and that, after such removal, the information or biospecimens could be used for future research studies or distributed to another investigator for future research studies without additional informed consent from the subject or the legally authorized representative, if this might be a possibility; or

(ii) A statement that the subject's information or biospecimens collected as part of the research, even if identifiers are removed, will not be used or distributed for future research studies.

(c) Additional elements of informed consent. Except as provided in paragraph (d), (e), or (f) of this section, one or more of the following elements of information, when appropriate, shall also be provided to each subject or the legally authorized representative:

(1) A statement that the particular treatment or procedure may involve risks to the subject (or to the embryo or fetus, if the subject is or may become pregnant) that are currently unforeseeable;

(2) Anticipated circumstances under which the subject's participation may be terminated by the investigator without regard to the subject's or the legally authorized representative's consent;

(3) Any additional costs to the subject that may result from participation in the research;

(4) The consequences of a subject's decision to withdraw from the research and procedures for orderly termination of participation by the subject;

(5) A statement that significant new findings developed during the course of the research that may relate to the subject's willingness to continue participation will be provided to the subject;

(6) The approximate number of subjects involved in the study;

(7) A statement that the subject's biospecimens (even if identifiers are removed) may be used for commercial profit and whether the subject will or will not share in this commercial profit;

(8) A statement regarding whether clinically relevant research results, including individual research results, will be disclosed to subjects, and if so, under what conditions; and

(9) For research involving biospecimens, whether the research will (if known) or might include whole genome sequencing (i.e., sequencing of a human germline or somatic specimen with the intent to generate the genome or exome sequence of that specimen).

(d) Elements of broad consent for the storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens. Broad consent for the storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens (collected for either research studies other than the proposed research or nonresearch purposes) is permitted as an alternative to the informed consent requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. If the subject or the legally authorized representative is asked to provide broad consent, the following shall be provided to each subject or the subject's legally authorized representative:

(1) The information required in paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(5), and (b)(8) and, when appropriate, (c)(7) and (9) of this section;

(2) A general description of the types of research that may be conducted with the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens. This description must include sufficient information such that a reasonable person would expect that the broad consent would permit the types of research conducted;

(3) A description of the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens that might be used in research, whether sharing of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens might occur, and the types of institutions or researchers that might conduct research with the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens;

(4) A description of the period of time that the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens may be stored and maintained (which period of time could be indefinite), and a description of the period of time that the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens may be used for research purposes (which period of time could be indefinite);

(5) Unless the subject or legally authorized representative will be provided details about specific research studies, a statement that they will not be informed of the details of any specific research studies that might be conducted using the subject's identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, including the purposes of the research, and that they might have chosen not to consent to some of those specific research studies;

(6) Unless it is known that clinically relevant research results, including individual research results, will be disclosed to the subject in all circumstances, a statement that such results may not be disclosed to the subject; and

(7) An explanation of whom to contact for answers to questions about the subject's rights and about storage and use of the subject's identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related harm.

(e) Waiver or alteration of consent in research involving public benefit and service programs conducted by or subject to the approval of state or local officials—(1) Waiver. An IRB may waive the requirement to obtain informed consent for research under paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, provided the IRB satisfies the requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this section. If an individual was asked to provide broad consent for the storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens in accordance with the requirements at paragraph (d) of this section, and refused to consent, an IRB cannot waive consent for the storage, maintenance, or secondary research use of the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.

(2) Alteration. An IRB may approve a consent procedure that omits some, or alters some or all, of the elements of informed consent set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section provided the IRB satisfies the requirements of paragraph (e)(3) of this section. An IRB may not omit or alter any of the requirements described in paragraph (a) of this section. If a broad consent procedure is used, an IRB may not omit or alter any of the elements required under paragraph (d) of this section.

(3) Requirements for waiver and alteration. In order for an IRB to waive or alter consent as described in this subsection, the IRB must find and document that:

(i) The research or demonstration project is to be conducted by or subject to the approval of state or local government officials and is designed to study, evaluate, or otherwise examine:

(A) Public benefit or service programs;

(B) Procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs;

(C) Possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures; or

(D) Possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs; and

(ii) The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver or alteration.

(f) General waiver or alteration of consent—(1) Waiver. An IRB may waive the requirement to obtain informed consent for research under paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, provided the IRB satisfies the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this section. If an individual was asked to provide broad consent for the storage, maintenance, and secondary research use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens in accordance with the requirements at paragraph (d) of this section, and refused to consent, an IRB cannot waive consent for the storage, maintenance, or secondary research use of the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.

(2) Alteration. An IRB may approve a consent procedure that omits some, or alters some or all, of the elements of informed consent set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section provided the IRB satisfies the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this section. An IRB may not omit or alter any of the requirements described in paragraph (a) of this section. If a broad consent procedure is used, an IRB may not omit or alter any of the elements required under paragraph (d) of this section.

(3) Requirements for waiver and alteration. In order for an IRB to waive or alter consent as described in this subsection, the IRB must find and document that:

(i) The research involves no more than minimal risk to the subjects;

(ii) The research could not practicably be carried out without the requested waiver or alteration;

(iii) If the research involves using identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, the research could not practicably be carried out without using such information or biospecimens in an identifiable format;

(iv) The waiver or alteration will not adversely affect the rights and welfare of the subjects; and

(v) Whenever appropriate, the subjects or legally authorized representatives will be provided with additional pertinent information after participation.

(g) Screening, recruiting, or determining eligibility. An IRB may approve a research proposal in which an investigator will obtain information or biospecimens for the purpose of screening, recruiting, or determining the eligibility of prospective subjects without the informed consent of the prospective subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, if either of the following conditions are met:

(1) The investigator will obtain information through oral or written communication with the prospective subject or legally authorized representative, or

(2) The investigator will obtain identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens by accessing records or stored identifiable biospecimens.

(h) Posting of clinical trial consent form. (1) For each clinical trial conducted or supported by a Federal department or agency, one IRB-approved informed consent form used to enroll subjects must be posted by the awardee or the Federal department or agency component conducting the trial on a publicly available Federal Web site that will be established as a repository for such informed consent forms.

(2) If the Federal department or agency supporting or conducting the clinical trial determines that certain information should not be made publicly available on a Federal Web site (e.g. confidential commercial information), such Federal department or agency may permit or require redactions to the information posted.

(3) The informed consent form must be posted on the Federal Web site after the clinical trial is closed to recruitment, and no later than 60 days after the last study visit by any subject, as required by the protocol.

(i) Preemption. The informed consent requirements in this policy are not intended to preempt any applicable Federal, state, or local laws (including tribal laws passed by the official governing body of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe) that require additional information to be disclosed in order for informed consent to be legally effective.

(j) Emergency medical care. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit the authority of a physician to provide emergency medical care, to the extent the physician is permitted to do so under applicable Federal, state, or local law (including tribal law passed by the official governing body of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe).

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.117 Documentation of informed consent.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, informed consent shall be documented by the use of a written informed consent form approved by the IRB and signed (including in an electronic format) by the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative. A written copy shall be given to the person signing the informed consent form.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the informed consent form may be either of the following:

(1) A written informed consent form that meets the requirements of § 1230.116. The investigator shall give either the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative adequate opportunity to read the informed consent form before it is signed; alternatively, this form may be read to the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative.

(2) A short form written informed consent form stating that the elements of informed consent required by § 1230.116 have been presented orally to the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, and that the key information required by § 1230.116(a)(5)(i) was presented first to the subject, before other information, if any, was provided. The IRB shall approve a written summary of what is to be said to the subject or the legally authorized representative. When this method is used, there shall be a witness to the oral presentation. Only the short form itself is to be signed by the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative. However, the witness shall sign both the short form and a copy of the summary, and the person actually obtaining consent shall sign a copy of the summary. A copy of the summary shall be given to the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative, in addition to a copy of the short form.

(c)(1) An IRB may waive the requirement for the investigator to obtain a signed informed consent form for some or all subjects if it finds any of the following:

(i) That the only record linking the subject and the research would be the informed consent form and the principal risk would be potential harm resulting from a breach of confidentiality. Each subject (or legally authorized representative) will be asked whether the subject wants documentation linking the subject with the research, and the subject's wishes will govern;

(ii) That the research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and involves no procedures for which written consent is normally required outside of the research context; or

(iii) If the subjects or legally authorized representatives are members of a distinct cultural group or community in which signing forms is not the norm, that the research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and provided there is an appropriate alternative mechanism for documenting that informed consent was obtained.

(2) In cases in which the documentation requirement is waived, the IRB may require the investigator to provide subjects or legally authorized representatives with a written statement regarding the research.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0990-0260)

§ 1230.118 Applications and proposals lacking definite plans for involvement of human subjects.

Certain types of applications for grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts are submitted to Federal departments or agencies with the knowledge that subjects may be involved within the period of support, but definite plans would not normally be set forth in the application or proposal. These include activities such as institutional type grants when selection of specific projects is the institution's responsibility; research training grants in which the activities involving subjects remain to be selected; and projects in which human subjects' involvement will depend upon completion of instruments, prior animal studies, or purification of compounds. Except for research waived under § 1230.101(i) or exempted under § 1230.104, no human subjects may be involved in any project supported by these awards until the project has been reviewed and approved by the IRB, as provided in this policy, and certification submitted, by the institution, to the Federal department or agency component supporting the research.

§ 1230.119 Research undertaken without the intention of involving human subjects.

Except for research waived under § 1230.101(i) or exempted under § 1230.104, in the event research is undertaken without the intention of involving human subjects, but it is later proposed to involve human subjects in the research, the research shall first be reviewed and approved by an IRB, as provided in this policy, a certification submitted by the institution to the Federal department or agency component supporting the research, and final approval given to the proposed change by the Federal department or agency component.

§ 1230.120 Evaluation and disposition of applications and proposals for research to be conducted or supported by a Federal department or agency.

(a) The department or agency head will evaluate all applications and proposals involving human subjects submitted to the Federal department or agency through such officers and employees of the Federal department or agency and such experts and consultants as the department or agency head determines to be appropriate. This evaluation will take into consideration the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained.

(b) On the basis of this evaluation, the department or agency head may approve or disapprove the application or proposal, or enter into negotiations to develop an approvable one.

§ 1230.121 [Reserved]

§ 1230.122 Use of Federal funds.

Federal funds administered by a Federal department or agency may not be expended for research involving human subjects unless the requirements of this policy have been satisfied.

§ 1230.123 Early termination of research support: Evaluation of applications and proposals.

(a) The department or agency head may require that Federal department or agency support for any project be terminated or suspended in the manner prescribed in applicable program requirements, when the department or agency head finds an institution has materially failed to comply with the terms of this policy.

(b) In making decisions about supporting or approving applications or proposals covered by this policy the department or agency head may take into account, in addition to all other eligibility requirements and program criteria, factors such as whether the applicant has been subject to a termination or suspension under paragraph (a) of this section and whether the applicant or the person or persons who would direct or has/have directed the scientific and technical aspects of an activity has/have, in the judgment of the department or agency head, materially failed to discharge responsibility for the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects (whether or not the research was subject to federal regulation).

§ 1230.124 Conditions.

With respect to any research project or any class of research projects the department or agency head of either the conducting or the supporting Federal department or agency may impose additional conditions prior to or at the time of approval when in the judgment of the department or agency head additional conditions are necessary for the protection of human subjects.

§ 1232.100 Scope.

This part establishes general policy for the care and use of vertebrate animals in the conduct of NASA activities.

§ 1232.101 Applicability.

This part applies to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities, and Technical and Service Support Centers and will be followed in all activities using animal subjects that are supported by NASA and conducted in NASA facilities, aircraft, or spacecraft, or activities, using animal subject conducted under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or joint endeavor agreement entered into by NASA and another Government agency, private entity, non-Federal public entity, or foreign entity which are included within the scope of this part.

§ 1232.102 Policy.

It is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) policy to comply with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89-544) which requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for use in research. To implement the provisions of this Act, NASA promulgated the following internal policies and requirements:

(a) NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 8910.1, Care and Use of Animals, describes the policy and responsibilities for conducting activities involving vertebrate animals. NPD 8910.1 is accessible at http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/; and

(b) NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8910.1, Care and Use of Animals, delineates the responsibilities and implements requirements for the Agency's use of animals in research, testing, teaching, and hardware development activities. NPR 8910.1 is accessible is access at http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

§ 1240.100 Purpose.

This subpart prescribes procedures for submitting applications for monetary awards to the Administrator of NASA for scientific and technical contributions which have significant value in the conduct of aeronautical and space activities pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 20136, and establishes the awards program consistent with the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, section 12, 15 U.S.C. 3710b(1).

[77 FR 27366, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.101 Scope.

This subpart applies to awards for any scientific or technical contribution, whether or not patentable, which is determined by the Administrator after referral to the Inventions and Contributions Board to have significant value in the conduct of aeronautical and space activities, upon submission of an application for award to NASA, or upon the Administrator's own initiative, under 51 U.S.C. 20136.

[77 FR 27366, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.102 Definitions.

As used in this subpart:

(a) Administrator means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(b) Board means the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board.

(c) Chairperson means the Chairperson of the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board.

(d) Commercial quality refers to computer software that is not in an experimental or beta phase of development, that performs in accordance with its specifications, and includes documentation describing the software's form and function.

(e) Contract means any contract, agreement, understanding, or other arrangement with NASA or another Government Agency on NASA's behalf, including any assignment, substitution of parties, or subcontract executed or entered into thereunder.

(f) Contractor means the party who has undertaken to perform work under a contract or subcontract.

(g) Innovation means a mathematical, engineering or scientific concept, idea, design, process, or product.

(h) Innovator means any person listed as a contributor, inventor, or author of an innovation.

(i) Invention includes any act, method, process, machine, manufacture, design, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, or any variety of plant, which is or may be patentable under the patent laws of the United States or any foreign country.

(j) Qualified User means any person that has legally acquired computer software and has the right to use it for a legal purpose.

(k) Verified means passing rigorous testing to ascertain whether the functionality claimed in the innovation's documentation is realized.

[67 FR 31120, May 9, 2002, as amended at 77 FR 27366, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.103 Criteria.

(a) Only those contributions to NASA which have been:

(1) Used in a NASA program or adopted or sponsored or supported by NASA, and

(2) Found to have significant value in the conduct of aeronautical and space activities, will be recommended for award under this subpart.

(b) In determining the amount, terms, and conditions of any award, the following criteria will be considered:

(1) The value of the contribution to the United States;

(2) The aggregate amount of any sums which have been expended by the applicant for the development of such contribution;

(3) The amount of any compensation (other than salary received for services rendered as an officer or employee of the Government) previously received by the applicant for or on account of the use of such contributions by the United States; and

(4) Such other factors as the Administrator shall determine to be material.

§ 1240.104 Applications for awards.

(a) Eligibility. Applications for award may be submitted by any person including any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, or other entity. An application for an award under this section is separate from application for an award under § 1240.105 and may be submitted whether or not the contribution is also eligible for an award under § 1240.105.

(b) Information required. Applications for award should be addressed to the Inventions and Contributions Board (herein referred to as the Board), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001, and will contain:

(1) The name and address of the applicant, the person's relationship to the contributor if the contribution is made by one other than the applicant, and the names and addresses of any others having information as to the value or usage of the contribution;

(2) A complete written description of the contribution, in the English language, using electronic media, accompanied by drawings, sketches, diagrams, or photographs illustrating the nature of the contribution and the technical and scientific principles upon which it is based, any available test or performance data or observations of pertinent scientific phenomena, and the aeronautics or space application of the contribution;

(3) The date and manner of any previous submittal of the contribution to any other United States Government agency, and the name of such agency;

(4) The aggregate amount of any sums which have been expended by the applicant for the development of the contribution;

(5) The nature and extent of any known use of the contribution by the United States and by any agency of the United States Government;

(6) The amount of any compensation (other than salary received for services rendered as an officer or employee of the Government) previously received by the applicant for or on account of the use of such contribution by the United States;

(7) Identification of any United States and foreign patents applied for or issued relating to the contribution; and

(8) An agreement to surrender all claims which such applicant may have for the use of such contribution by the Government.

(c) General. (1) Each contribution will be made the subject of a separate application in order that each contribution may be evaluated individually.

(2) Material constituting a possible hazard to safety or requiring unusual storage facilities should not be submitted, and will not be accepted. Models or intricate exhibits demonstrating the contribution will not be accepted unless specifically requested by the Board. In those few cases where such models or exhibits have been submitted pursuant to a request made by the Board, the same will be returned to the applicant upon written request from the applicant.

(3) It is the policy of the Board to use or disclose information contained in applications for awards for evaluation purposes only. Applications for awards submitted with restrictive legends or statements differing from this policy will be treated in accordance with the Board's policy.

[67 FR 31120, May 9, 2002, as amended at 77 FR 27366, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.105 Special initial awards—NASA and NASA contractor employees.

(a) Patent Application Awards. (1) When the Board receives written notice, in the manner prescribed by the Board, from the Agency Counsel for Intellectual Property or the Patent or Intellectual Property Counsel at a NASA Center that an invention made by an employee of NASA or a NASA contractor and reported to NASA in the manner prescribed by the Board is eligible for a patent application award, the Board may recommend to the Administrator or a designee that an award be made, including a specific recommended amount and distribution thereof for any multiple inventors, so long as the following eligibility conditions have been met:

(i) A nonprovisional U.S. patent application has been filed covering the invention and NASA has either an ownership interest in the invention or an irrevocable, royalty-free, license to practice the invention, or have the invention practiced for or on its behalf, throughout the world, or the invention has been assigned by NASA to a contractor under 35 U.S.C. 202(e); or

(ii) A continuation-in-part or divisional patent has been issued based on a patent application that is eligible for an award under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.

(2) No additional award will be given for a continuation patent application where an award was authorized for the parent application and the parent application will be or has been abandoned. In addition, awards will not be granted for provisional applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(b) or reissue applications under 35 U.S.C. 251.

(b) Software Release Awards. (1) When the Board receives written notice, in the manner prescribed by the procedures of the Board, that a NASA Center has approved the initial (first) release to a qualified user of a software package based on a software innovation made by an employee of NASA or a NASA contractor and reported to NASA in the manner prescribed by the procedures of the Board, the Board may recommend to the Administrator or designee that an award be made, including a specific amount and distribution thereof for any multiple innovators, so long as the following conditions have been met:

(i) NASA has either an ownership interest in the software or an irrevocable, royalty-free, license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute, perform and display the software, throughout the world for governmental purposes;

(ii) The software is of commercial quality as defined in § 1240.102; and

(iii) The software has been verified to perform the functions claimed in its documentation on the platform for which it was designed without harm to the systems or data contained within.

(2) Software that is the subject of a software release award is not eligible to receive a Tech Brief award based upon the publication of an announcement of availability in “NASA Tech Briefs.”

(3) Software release awards for modifications made to software for which the innovators have already received an initial software release award will be at the discretion of the Administrator or his designee, upon recommendation by the Board.

(c) Tech Briefs Awards. When the Board receives written notice, in the manner and format prescribed by the procedures of the Board, that a NASA Center has approved for publication a NASA Tech Brief based on an innovation made by an employee of NASA or a NASA contractor and reported to NASA in the manner and form prescribed by the procedures of the Board, the Board may recommend to the Administrator or designee that an award be made, including a specific amount and distribution thereof for any multiple innovators.

(d) When a Patent Application Award, a Software Release Award, and a Tech Brief Award have been authorized for the same contribution, the awards will be cumulative.

[77 FR 27366, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.106 Review and evaluation of contribution.

(a) A contribution will be initially reviewed by the Board on the basis of the material submitted by the applicant under § 1240.104(b).

(b) If it is determined that the contribution has been used in a NASA program, or adopted or sponsored or supported by NASA, the contribution will be evaluated for its significant value in the conduct of aeronautical or space activity.

(c) The Board will recommend an award for such contribution when, upon evaluation of its scientific and technical merits, it is determined to warrant an award of at least $500.

§ 1240.107 Notification by the Board.

(a) With respect to each completed application where the Board has recommended to the Administrator the granting of an award, and the Administrator has approved such award, the Board will notify the applicant of the amount and terms of the award. In the case of NASA employees or employees of NASA contractors, such notification will normally be made through the appropriate NASA field installation representative.

(b) Except for applications from NASA employees or employees of NASA contractors, where the Board does not propose to recommend to the Administrator the granting of an award, a notification will be provided which includes a brief statement of the reasons for such decision.

§ 1240.108 Reconsideration.

(a) With respect to each completed application, in those cases where the Board does not recommend an award, the applicant may, within such period as the Board may set but in no event less than 30 days from notification, request reconsideration of the Board's decision.

(b) If reconsideration has been requested within the prescribed time, the applicant will, within 30 days from the date of the request for reconsideration, or within any other time as the Board may set, file its statement setting forth the issues, points, authorities, arguments, and any additional material on which it relies.

(c) Upon filing of the reconsideration statement by the applicant, the case will be assigned for reconsideration by the Board upon the contents of the application, the record, and the reconsideration statement submitted by the applicant.

(d) If after reconsideration, the Board again does not propose to recommend the granting of an award, the applicant, after such notification by the Board, may request an oral hearing within the time set by the Board.

(e) An oral hearing without reconsideration may be granted upon determination of the Chairperson that good cause exists to do so.

[67 FR 31120, May 9, 2002, as amended at 77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.109 Hearing procedure.

(a) An Oral hearing held by the Board will be in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) If the applicant requests a hearing within the time set in accordance with § 1240.108(d) or (e), the Board will set a place and date for such hearing and notify the applicant.

(2) The applicant may be represented by an attorney or any other appropriately designated person.

(3) Hearings will be open to the public unless the applicant requests that a closed hearing be held.

(4) Hearings may be held before the full membership of the Board or before any panel of Board members designated by the Chairperson.

(5) Hearings will be conducted in an informal manner with the objective of providing the applicant with a full opportunity to present evidence and arguments in support of the application. Evidence may be presented through means of such witnesses, exhibits, and visual aids as are arranged for by the applicant. While proceedings will be ex parte, members of the Board and its counsel may address questions to witnesses called by the applicant, and the Board may, at its option, utilize the assistance and testimony of technical advisors or other experts.

(6) Subject to the provisions of § 1240.104(c)(2), the applicant will submit a copy of any exhibit or visual aid utilized unless otherwise directed by the Board. The Board may, at its discretion, arrange for a written transcript of the proceedings and a copy of such transcript will be made available by the recorder for purchase by the applicant.

(7) No funds are available to defray traveling expenses or any other cost incurred by the applicant.

§ 1240.110 Recommendation to, and action by, the Administrator.

(a) Upon a determination by the Board that a contribution merits an award, the Board will recommend to the Administrator or a designee the terms and conditions of the proposed award, including a specific amount and distribution thereof for any multiple contributors. The recommendation of the Board to the Administrator or designee will reflect the views of the majority of the Board members. Dissenting views may be transmitted with the majority opinion.

(b) The granting, denying or modification of any Board recommended award under this subpart will be at the sole discretion of the Administrator or his designee, who will determine the final terms and conditions of each award after consideration of the criteria in § 1240.103.

(c) In addition, the Board may recommend, and the Administrator or his designee may grant, non-monetary awards under other applicable laws and regulations.

[67 FR 31120, May 9, 2002, as amended at 77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.111 Release

Under subsection 20136(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, no award will be made to an applicant unless the applicant submits a duly executed release, in a form specified by the Administrator, of all claims the applicant may have to receive any compensation (other than the award recommended) from the United States Government for use of the contribution or any element thereof at any time by or on behalf of the United States, or by or on behalf of any foreign government pursuant to any existing or future treaty or agreement with the United States, within the United States, or at any other place.

[77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.112 Presentation of awards.

(a) Written acknowledgments to employees of NASA receiving awards will be provided by the appropriate Official-in-Charge at the Headquarters Office, by the Director of the cognizant NASA Center, or by a designee.

(b) Written acknowledgments to employees of NASA contractors receiving awards will be forwarded to contractor officials for suitable presentation.

(c) Monetary awards will be paid by check or electronic funds transfer.

[77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.113 Financial accounting.

NASA shall provide for appropriate database and accounting system(s) to ensure that award payments are recorded and disbursed in an orderly fashion and in the proper amounts to proper awardees.

[77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1240.114 Delegation of authority.

(a) The Chairperson, Inventions and Contributions Board, is delegated authority to approve and execute grants of awards for significant scientific or technical contributions not exceeding $2,000 per contributor, when in accordance with the recommendation of the Board and in conformity with applicable law and regulations.

(b) The Chairperson, Inventions and Contributions Board, is delegated authority to approve and execute grants of awards not exceeding $2,000 per awardee, upon the notification that:

(1) A Patent Application Award has been recommended by the Board pursuant to § 1240.105(a);

(2) A Software Release Award has been recommended by the Board pursuant to § 1240.105(b); or

(3) A Tech Briefs Award has been recommended by the Board pursuant to § 1240.105(c).

[77 FR 27367, May 10, 2012]

§ 1241.05 Purpose and scope.

(a) This part establishes a program and sets out the eligibility requirements and procedures to effectuate section 443 of the “To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act of 2017.”

(b) The purpose of this program is to provide medical monitoring and diagnosis of former U.S. Government astronauts and payload specialists for conditions the Administrator considers potentially associated with spaceflight and to provide treatment of former U.S. Government astronauts and payload specialists for conditions the Administrator considers associated with spaceflight.

§ 1241.10 Covered medical care.

(a) Subject to the limitations in paragraph (b) of this section, an eligible individual, as defined in § 1241.15, is eligible for:

(1) Monitoring and diagnosis for potentially spaceflight-associated conditions; and

(2) Treatment for spaceflight-associated conditions.

(b) Medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment authorized and described in paragraph (a) of this section will not be provided for any condition that is found by the NASA Administrator or designee to have resulted from a cause other than the eligible individual's participation in spaceflight-related activities. Should a condition be diagnosed that is not related to spaceflight, the individual will be referred to their primary care physician.

(c) Medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment authorized and described in paragraph (a) of this section may be provided by a local health care provider if the NASA Administrator or designee determines it is unadvisable for the eligible individual to travel to the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) due to the individual's condition or if it is otherwise advantageous to the Government.

(d) Medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment authorized and described in paragraph (a) of this section will be provided without a cost sharing obligation imposed on the eligible individual.

(e) NASA is a secondary payer.

§ 1241.15 Definitions.

Conditional Payment means a NASA payment to a medical provider or eligible individual to pay for the cost of medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. Such conditional payments may be made prior to a formal determination that a psychological or medical condition is spaceflight-associated if payment has not been made or cannot reasonably be expected to be made promptly by the primary payer.

Cost Sharing means a multiparty arrangement under which costs of a program are shared by the involved parties, according to an agreed upon formula. For this program, there is no cost sharing obligation by the eligible individual. The eligible individual is responsible for insurance premiums.

Diagnosis means the identification of a medical or psychological condition consistent with the exercise of professional clinical judgment and accepted standard of care by licensed health professionals.

Eligible Individual means a former United States Government astronaut, including a member of the Uniformed Services, or a former payload specialist who has flown in space, as defined in the TREAT Astronauts Act. The following individuals are specifically excluded from eligible individuals:

(1) Astronauts of other United States Government agencies;

(2) Employees of commercial spaceflight companies who were never employed by NASA nor a member of the Uniformed Services assigned to NASA;

(3) International partner astronauts;

(4) Employees of foreign governments;

(5) Private individuals or tourists who have flown in space; and

(6) Former astronauts, including members of the Uniformed Services, and former payload specialists who have not flown in space.

JSC means Johnson Space Center.

Monitoring means the NASA astronaut spaceflight exposure clinical assessment of medical and psychological health status by licensed health professionals.

Payload Specialist means an individual other than a NASA astronaut (commander, pilot, and mission specialist) whose presence was required onboard the space shuttle vehicle to perform specialized functions with respect to operation of one or more payloads or other essential mission activities.

Primary Payer means the entity, U.S. Government agency or private health insurer, which is responsible to make payment to the eligible individual first, up to the limits of its coverage or authority.

Program means the medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment authorized by the TREAT Astronauts Act.

Secondary Payer means the entity that pays after all primary payers have paid, up to the limits of their coverage. Secondary payments, as described in the TREAT Astronauts Act, are payments or reimbursement for the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment secondary to any obligation of the U.S. Government or any third party under any other provision of law or contractual agreement to pay for or provide such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment.

Spaceflight-Associated Condition means a medical or psychological condition that the NASA Administrator or designee designated by the NASA Administrator determines is at least as likely as not to have resulted from participation in spaceflight-related activities.

Treatment means the accepted standard of clinical care for a medical or psychological condition by licensed health professionals.

TREAT Astronauts Act means section 443 of the “To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act of 2017.”

TREAT Astronauts Act Board or TAAB means the internal NASA review board that provides recommendations to the NASA Administrator or designee as to whether or not a medical claim initiated by an eligible individual meets the standards for spaceflight association for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under the TREAT Astronauts Act.

U.S. Government Agency means “agency” as defined in 5 U.S.C. 551.

§ 1241.20 Eligibility.

(a) This section sets forth those persons who, by the provisions of the TREAT Astronauts Act, are eligible to participate in this program. A determination by the Administrator or designee that a person is eligible does not automatically entitle such a person to medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under the TREAT Astronauts Act.

(b) Only eligible individuals defined in § 1241.15 are entitled to medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this part.

(c) Participation in this program is strictly voluntary. NASA may not require an eligible individual to participate in this program.

§ 1241.25 Basic program.

(a) General—(1) Scope. Subject to all applicable definitions, conditions, limitations, or exclusions specified in this part, NASA will provide medical monitoring and diagnosis of potentially spaceflight-associated conditions and treatment of a spaceflight-associated conditions, as well as any associated travel expenses for the eligible individual's lifetime.

(2) Location of medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. (i) Medical monitoring will be provided for eligible individuals at the JSC.

(ii) When travel is inadvisable due to the health of the eligible individual or when otherwise advantageous to the Government, monitoring may be provided at a location other than the JSC.

(iii) Diagnosis and treatment will be provided for eligible individuals at locations determined by the medical appropriateness of the facility, patient preferences, cost effectiveness, and other pertinent factors.

(3) Right to information. As a condition precedent to participation in this program, NASA is entitled to receive copies of medical records from any physician, hospital or other person, health insurance company, institution, or entity (including a local, state, or U.S. Government agency) providing medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to the eligible individual for which claims or requests for approval for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment are submitted to NASA. As part of this condition precedent, NASA may require eligible individuals to complete such medical releases needed to facilitate obtaining such information as legally required by state and Federal law.

(b) Monitoring and Diagnosis. NASA will provide monitoring and diagnosis for eligible individuals for conditions potentially associated with spaceflight.

(1) Standardized monitoring will be offered routinely at the JSC.

(2) Individualized monitoring will be provided, as necessary.

(3) NASA may pay for and obtain autopsies of eligible individuals, who previously consented in writing or with consent of the next of kin, when such autopsy would contribute substantially to the knowledge of spaceflight physiology or pathology. NASA will coordinate with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System for such autopsies.

(c) Treatment. NASA will provide or arrange for the treatment of spaceflight-associated conditions.

(1) Treatment will be secondary to any services provided by primary payers.

(2) Should urgency dictate, NASA may provide for conditional payments for treatment.

(d) Exclusions and limitations. In addition to any definitions, requirements, conditions, or limitations enumerated and described in other sections of this part, the following are specifically excluded:

(1) Medical monitoring or diagnosis of an eligible individual for any medical or psychological condition that is not potentially associated with human spaceflight; and

(2) Treatment of an eligible individual for any medical or psychological condition that is not associated with human spaceflight.

§ 1241.30 Program participation and claims submission.

(a) General program participation. An eligible individual, or their authorized representative, who seek to participate in this program must provide the information set forth in paragraph (e)(2) of this section to NASA. The JSC Flight Medicine Clinic will assist eligible individuals through these processes.

(b) NASA's occupationally related medical monitoring services. (1) Eligible individuals will receive an annual invitation from NASA to participate in NASA's occupational surveillance program;

(2) [Reserved]

(c) Primary payer coverage of diagnosis and treatment services. (1) Former Civil Servants. Eligible individuals who were civil servant employees during their active astronaut or payload specialist career who believe they have sustained a spaceflight-associated condition and are seeking coverage for medical treatment under this part must submit a notice of injury and claim for compensation through their agency to the Department of Labor, Office of the Workers' Compensation Programs Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) consistent with 5 U.S.C. Chapter 81 and 20 CFR part 10 before making a claim under the TREAT Astronauts Act.

(2) Members of the Uniformed Services. Eligible individuals who were members of the Uniformed Services during their active astronaut or payload specialist career, or who are otherwise determined to be eligible by their Uniformed Service and who believe they have sustained a spaceflight-associated condition must contact their Service to determine eligibility for health and dental care and/or coverage through the Military Health System of the Department of Defense, consistent with 10 U.S.C. Chapter 55 and 32 CFR part 199 before making a claim under the TREAT Astronauts Act.

(3) Former Civil Servants who were also Members of the Uniformed Services. Eligible individuals whose active astronaut career spanned both military and civil service will first submit a notice to the Department of Labor who will work with the Department of Defense.

(4) Eligible individuals with claims denied or partially covered. If the eligible individual's claim under paragraphs (c)(1), (2), or (3) of this section is either denied or covered only in part by the primary payer, the eligible individual can apply for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this program.

(d) Diagnosis and Treatment or Other Benefits-Veterans. An eligible individual who is enrolled, or eligible to be enrolled, in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system may opt instead to seek his or her care and services through the VA. Under the TREAT Astronauts program, the eligible individual may seek reimbursement from NASA for any out-of-pocket copayment(s) he or she paid to VA for care of a condition that NASA determines is associated with spaceflight. The individual may also apply for disability compensation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, pursuant to 38 CFR part 3.

(e) Submitting claims for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this program—(1) Claim required. (i) No medical diagnosis and treatment may be extended under the TREAT Astronauts Act without submission of a complete claim form to the JSC Flight Medicine Clinic.

(ii) NASA will provide specific forms appropriate for making a claim for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. Claim forms may be obtained from the JSC Flight Medicine Clinic. Contact information can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/hhp/treat-act.

(2) Information required. Each claim for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this program will be in writing and include, at a minimum:

(i) Statement of eligibility describing the employment and spaceflight history that justifies medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this program;

(ii) History and diagnosis of medical or psychological condition;

(iii) Medical documentation in support of the claim. Healthcare providers must be licensed and permitted to practice under state law and not be on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities, found at: https://healthdata.gov/dataset/list-excluded-individuals-and-entities;

(iv) Documentation of the decisions and/or payments made by the primary payer (i.e., other U.S. Government agencies and/or private health insurer) regarding the claim;

(v) Justification for determination that the psychological or medical condition is associated with spaceflight;

(vi) Expenses for which they are seeking reimbursement, to include documentation of all out-of-pocket costs; and

(vii) The signature of the eligible individual or their authorized representative.

(3) Responsibility for perfecting claim. It is the responsibility of the eligible individual, authorized representative, or the authorized provider acting on behalf of the eligible individual to perfect a claim for submission. NASA will assist eligible individuals with claims submission, but is not authorized to prepare a claim on behalf of the eligible individual.

§ 1241.35 Claims review and decisions.

(a) NASA will establish the TREAT Astronauts Act Board (TAAB) to review claims for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under this program. This review is independent of any review conducted by primary payers.

(b) The TAAB will review each claim submitted by the eligible individual, in consultation with specialists, as appropriate. A typical case will be reviewed within 30 calendar days, but cases that are more complex may take additional time.

(c) The TAAB will make a recommendation to the Administrator or designee for each claim stating whether the condition is determined to be spaceflight associated.

(d) For those eligible individuals who have had other exposures in addition to those experienced during their career as active U.S. Government astronauts or payload specialists, the TAAB will consider that history when making its recommendation.

(e) The NASA Administrator or designee will review each claim and associated TAAB recommendation to determine whether the claim should be approved or denied. A typical case can be reviewed within 30 calendar days, but cases that are more complex may take additional time.

(f) The decision will be provided to the eligible individual within seven calendar days of the final decision by the NASA Administrator or designee. Decisions not in favor of the eligible individual will include information on how to request reconsideration.

(g) An eligible individual or their authorized representative may request reconsideration of the decision at any time if new information is obtained that enhances the claim. Reconsideration requests can be made to the JSC Flight Medicine Clinic.

(h) Requests for reconsideration are reviewed by the TAAB and decisions made by the Administrator or designee, following the same process described in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section.

§ 1241.40 Payment of approved claims.

(a) The NASA Administrator or designee is responsible for ensuring that medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to eligible individuals under this program is paid only to the extent described in this part.

(b) Payment for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment is applied secondarily to primary payers and may include the remaining out-of-pocket costs from primary payer coverage.

(c) NASA will pay necessary travel expenses related to this program consistent with the Federal Travel Regulations.

(d) NASA may provide conditional payments for medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment that is obligated to be paid by the U.S. Government or other primary payers prior to a final decision by NASA in accordance with § 1241.35. Such requests for conditional payments can be made to JSC Flight Medicine Clinic. Such payments are permitted when payment for such medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment has either not been made or will not be made promptly.

(1) NASA may seek to recover costs associated with conditional payments from the U.S. Government, private health insurance company, or other primary payer as allowable by law.

(2) If the claim is denied in accordance with § 1241.35, NASA may seek to recover such conditional payments from the eligible individual in accordance with 31 U.S.C. Chapter 37.

§ 1241.45 Collaboration with other agencies.

Copies of records generated from medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment collected by primary payer facilities and/or relevant health care providers will be acquired by NASA. NASA will collaborate with the Department of Defense Military Health System, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation and other entities for acquisition of copies of these medical records as allowed by law.

§ 1241.50 Records, confidentiality, privacy, and data use.

(a) Records on individuals created or obtained pursuant to this regulation that are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, will be maintained in accordance with the NASA's Privacy Act System of Records.

(b) NASA will, as necessary, enter into data sharing agreements with other agencies and/or entities to receive such data and/or seek signed medical releases from the eligible individuals, or their authorized representatives, in accordance with law.

(c) NASA's collection, use, and disclosure of this data will be in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, NASA's implementing regulations at 14 CFR part 1212, and NASA's privacy policies, where applicable.

§ 1245.100 Scope.

This subpart prescribes regulations for the waiver of rights of the Government of the United States to inventions made under NASA contract in conformity with section 20135 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. Chapter 201).

[80 FR 19197, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.101 Applicability.

The provisions of the subpart apply to all inventions made or which may be made under conditions enabling the Administrator to determine that the rights therein reside in the Government of the United States under section 20135(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. 20135(b)(1). The provisions do not apply to inventions made under any contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with a nonprofit organization or small business firm that are afforded the disposition of rights as provided in 35 U.S.C. 200-204 (Pub. L. 96-517, 94 Stat. 3019, 3020, 3022 and 3023; and Pub. L. 98-620, 98 Stat. 3364-3367).

[80 FR 19197, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.102 Definitions and terms.

As used in this subpart:

(a) Contract means any actual or proposed contract, agreement, understanding, or other arrangement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or another Government agency on NASA's behalf, including any assignment, substitution of parties, or subcontract executed or entered into thereunder, and including NASA grants awarded under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 1891-1893.

(b) Contractor means the party who has undertaken to perform work under a contract or subcontract.

(c) Invention means any, new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, or any variety of plant, which is or may be patentable under the Patent Laws of the United States of America or any foreign country.

(d) Class of inventions means inventions directed to a particular process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or to a narrowly drawn, focused area of technology.

(e) Made, when used in relation to any invention, means the conception or first actual reduction to practice of such invention.

(f) Practical application means to manufacture in the case of a composition or product, to practice in the case of a process or method, or to operate in the case of a machine or system; and, in each case, under such conditions as to establish that the invention is being utilized and that its benefits are to the extent permitted by law or Government regulations available to the public on reasonable terms.

(g) Board means the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board established by the Administrator of NASA within the Administration under section 305(f) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2457(f)).

(h) Chairperson means Chairperson of the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board.

(i) Petitioner means a contractor or prospective contractor who requests that the Administrator waive rights in an invention or class of inventions made or which may be made under a NASA contract. In the case of an identified invention, the petitioner may be the inventor(s).

(j) Government agency includes any executive department, independent commission, board, office, agency, administration, authority, Government corporation, or other Government establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States of America.

(k) Administrator means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or the Administrator's duly authorized representative.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19198, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.103 Policy.

(a) In implementing the provisions of section 20135(g) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. Chapter 201), and in determining when the interests of the United States would be served by waiver of all or any part of the rights of the United States in an invention or class of inventions made in the performance of work under NASA contracts, the Administrator will be guided by the objectives set forth in the National Aeronautics and Space Act, by the basic policy of the Presidential Memorandum and Statement of Government Patent Policy to the Heads of the Executive Departments and agencies dated February 18, 1983, by the goals and objectives of its current Authorization Act, Strategic Plan, and other pertinent National policies or laws, such as the National Space Policy of the United States of America. Any such waiver may be made upon such terms and under such conditions as the Administrator shall determine to be required for the protection of the interests of the United States. Among the most important goals are to provide incentives to foster inventiveness and encourage the reporting of inventions made under NASA contracts, to provide for the widest practicable dissemination of new technology resulting from NASA programs, and to promote early utilization, expeditious development, and continued availability of this new technology for commercial purposes and the public benefit. In applying this regulation, both the need for incentives to draw forth private initiatives and the need to promote healthy competition in industry must be weighed.

(b) Several different situations arise when waiver of all or any part of the rights of the United States with respect to an invention or class of invention may be requested and are prescribed in §§ 1245.104 through 1245.106. Under § 1245.104, advance waiver of any or all of the rights of the United States with respect to any invention or class of inventions which may be made under a contract may be requested prior to the execution of the contract, or within 30 days after execution of the contract. Waiver of rights to an identified invention made and reported under a contract are to be requested under § 1245.105, and may be requested under this provision even though a request under § 1245.104 was not made, or if made, was not granted. Waiver of foreign rights under § 1245.106 may be requested concurrently with domestic rights under § 1245.104 or § 1245.105, or may be made independently.

(c) With respect to inventions which may be or are made or conceived in the course of or under contracts for research, development or demonstration work awarded by NASA on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE) or in support of a DOE program, on a reimbursable basis pursuant to agreement between DOE and NASA, the waiver policy, regulations, and procedures of DOE will be applied. NASA will normally grant waiver of rights to inventions made under contracts awarded by NASA on behalf of, or in support of, programs funded by another Government agency, unless the funding agency recommends and justifies denial of the waiver. See §§ 1245.110(c) and 1245.111(b).

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19197, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.104 Advance waivers.

(a) The provisions of this section apply to petitions for waiver of domestic rights of the United States with respect to any invention or class of inventions which may be made under a contract.

(b) The NASA Inventions and Contributions Board normally will recommend grant of a request for advance waiver of domestic rights submitted prior to execution of contract or within 30 days after execution of the contract unless the Board finds that the interests of the United States will be better served by restricting or denying all or part of the requested rights in one or more of the following situations:

(1) When the contractor is not located in the United States or does not have a place of business in the United States or is subject to the control of a foreign government;

(2) When a determination has been made by Government authority which is authorized by statute or Executive order to conduct foreign intelligence or counter-intelligence activities that the restriction or denial of the requested rights to any inventions made in the performance of work under the contract is necessary to protect the security of such activities; or

(3) Where the Board finds that exceptional circumstances exist, such that restriction or denial of the requested rights will better promote one or more of the following objectives:

(i) Promoting the utilization of inventions arising from federally supported research and development;

(ii) Encouraging maximum participation of industry in federally-supported research and development;

(iii) Ensuring that inventions are used in a manner to promote free competition and enterprise;

(iv) Promoting the commercialization and public availability of inventions made in the United States by United States industry and labor; and

(v) Ensuring that the Government retains sufficient rights in federally supported inventions to meet the needs of the Government and protect the public against nonuse or unreasonable use of inventions.

(c)(1) An advance waiver, when granted, will be subject to the reservations set forth in § 1245.107. Normally, the reservations of § 1245.107(a), License to the Government, and § 1245.107(b), March-in rights, will apply. However, should one or more of the situations set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3), of this section exist, rather than denying the advance waiver request, the Board may recommend granting to the contractor only part of the requested rights, to the extent necessary to address the particular situation, consistent with the policy and goals of § 1245.103. In that event, the waiver grant will be subject to additional reservations as provided for in § 1245.107(c).

(2) To meet the National Aeronautics and Space Act standard of “any invention or class of inventions,” for advance waivers, the petition shall identify the invention(s) and/or class(es) of inventions that the Contractor believes will be made under the contract and for which waiver of rights is being requested. Therefore, the petition must be directed to a specific invention(s) or to inventions directed to a particular process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or to a narrowly drawn, focused area(s) of technology.

(3) An advance waiver, when granted, will apply only to inventions reported to NASA under the applicable terms of the contract and a designation made within 6 months of the time of reporting (or a reasonable time thereafter permitted for good cause shown) that the contractor elects title to the invention and intends to file or has filed a U.S. patent application. Such election will be made by notification in writing to the patent representative designated in the contract. Title to all other inventions made under the contract are subject to section 20135(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. 20135(b)(1). The granting of the advance waiver does not otherwise relieve a contractor of any of the invention identification or reporting requirements set forth in the applicable patent rights clause in the contract.

(4) The advance waiver shall extend to the invention claimed in any patent application filed on the reported invention, including any subsequent divisional or continuation application thereof, provided the claims of the subsequent application do not substantially change the scope of the reported invention.

(d) When a petition for waiver is submitted under paragraph (b) of this section, prior to contract execution, it will be processed expeditiously so that a decision on the petition may be reached prior to execution of the contract. However, if there is insufficient time or insufficient information is presented, or for other reasons which do not permit a recommendation to be made without unduly delaying execution of the contract, the Board will inform the contracting officer that no recommendation can be made prior to contract execution and the reasons therefor. The contracting officer will then notify the petitioner of the Board's action.

(e) A waiver granted pursuant to a petition submitted under this section shall extend to any contract changes, modifications, or supplemental agreements, so long as the purpose of the contract or the scope of work to be performed is not substantially changed.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19198, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.105 Waiver after reporting inventions.

(a) The provisions of this section apply to petitions for waiver of domestic rights to identified inventions which have been reported to NASA and to which a waiver of rights has not been granted pursuant to § 1245.104.

(b)(1) When an individual identified invention has been reported to NASA under the applicable terms of the contract and waiver of rights has not been granted under § 1245.104, the Board normally will recommend grant of a request for waiver of domestic rights to such invention if the request is received within 8 months of first disclosure to NASA (or such longer period that the Board may permit for good cause shown), unless the Board finds that one or more of the situations set forth in § 1245.104(b)(3)(i) through (v) exist. When granted, the waiver will be subject to the reservations set forth in § 1245.107 in the same manner as discussed in § 1245.104(c)(1).

(2) The waiver shall extend to the invention claimed in the patent application filed on the reported invention, including any subsequent divisional or continuation application thereof, provided the claims of the subsequent application do not substantially change the scope of the reported invention.

§ 1245.106 Waiver of foreign rights.

(a) The Board will consider the waiver of foreign rights in any designated country concurrently with the waiver of domestic rights when so requested under § 1245.104 or § 1245.105.

(b) The Board will also consider a separate request for foreign rights for an individual identified invention in any designated country if a request was not made pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or for countries not designated pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The Board will normally recommend the waiver of foreign rights be granted under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this section in any designated country unless:

(1) The Board finds that exceptional circumstances exist, such that restriction or denial of the requested foreign rights will better promote one or more of the objectives set forth in § 1245.104(b)(3)(i) through (v); or

(2) The Board finds that the economic interests of the United States will not be served thereby; or unless

(3) In the case of an individual identified invention under paragraph (b) of this section, NASA has determined, prior to the request, to file a patent application in the designated country.

(d) If, subsequent to the granting of the petition for foreign rights, the petitioner requests and designates additional countries in which it wishes to secure patents, the Chairperson may recommend such request, in whole or in part, without further action by the Board.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.107 Reservations.

(a) License to the Government. Any invention for which waiver of domestic or foreign rights has been granted under this subpart shall be subject to the reservation by the Administrator of an irrevocable, nonexclusive, nontransferable, royalty-free license for the practice of the invention throughout the world by or on behalf of the United States or any foreign government pursuant to any treaty or agreement with the United States.

(b) March-in rights. For any invention for which waiver of rights has been granted under this subpart, NASA has the same right as set forth in 35 U.S.C. 203 and 210, with the procedures set forth in § 1245.117 and 37 CFR 401.6, to require the contractor, an assignee, or exclusive licensee of the invention to grant a nonexclusive, partially exclusive, or exclusive license in any field of use to a responsible applicant or applicants, upon terms that are reasonable under the circumstances, and if the contractor, assignee, or exclusive licensee refuses such a request, NASA has the right to grant such a license itself if NASA determines that:

(1) Such action is necessary because the contractor or assignee has not taken, or is not expected to take within a reasonable time, effective steps to achieve practical application of the invention in such field of use;

(2) Such action is necessary to alleviate health or safety needs which are not reasonably satisfied by the contractor, assignee, or their licensees;

(3) Such action is necessary to meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations and such requirements are not reasonably satisfied by the contractor, assignee, or licensees; or

(4) Such action is necessary because the agreement required by the “Preference for United States industry” has not been obtained or waived or because a licensee of the exclusive right to use or sell any invention in the United States is in breach of such agreement.

(c) Additional reservations. In the event one or more of the situations set forth in § 1245.104 (b)(1) through (b)(3) exist, the Board may determine to recommend partial grant of the waiver request (rather than denial) by making the grant subject to additional reservations (than those set forth in (a) and (b) of this section) to the extent necessary to address the particular situation. Such additional reservations may include, but not be limited to, field-of-use or terrestrial-use limitations, or additions to the march-in rights.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.108 License to contractor.

(a) Each contractor reporting an invention is granted a revocable, nonexclusive, royalty-free license in each patent application filed in any country on the invention and in any resulting patent in which the Government acquires title. The license extends to the contractor's domestic subsidiaries and affiliates, if any, within the corporate structure of which the contractor is a party and includes the right to grant sublicenses of the same scope to the extent the contractor was legally obligated to do so at the time the contract was awarded. The license and right is transferable only with the approval of the Administrator except when transferred to the successor of that part of the contractor's business to which the invention pertains.

(b) The contractor's domestic license may be revoked or modified by the Administrator to the extent necessary to achieve expeditious practical application of the invention pursuant to an application for an exclusive license submitted in accordance with the Licensing of Government-Owned Inventions (37 CFR part 404). This license will not be revoked in that field of use and/or the geographical areas in which the contractor has achieved practical application and continues to make the benefits of the invention available to the public on reasonable terms. The license in any foreign country may be revoked or modified at the discretion of the Administrator to the extent the contractor, its licensees, or its domestic subsidiaries or affiliates have failed to achieve practical application in that foreign country.

(c) Before revocation or modification of the license, the contractor will be provided a written notice of the Administrator's intention to revoke or modify the license, and the contractor will be allowed 30 days (or any other time as may be allowed by the Administrator for good cause shown by the contractor) after the notice to show cause why the license should not be revoked or modified. The contractor shall have the right to appeal, in accordance with applicable regulations in 37 CFR part 404, any decision concerning the revocation or modification of its license.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.109 Assignment of title to NASA.

(a) The instrument of waiver set forth in § 1245.115(c) shall be voided by NASA with respect to the domestic title to any invention for which a patent application has not been filed within 1 year (or a reasonable time thereafter for good cause shown) from notification to NASA of election of title, as required by § 1245.104(c)(2), for an advanced waiver pursuant to § 1245.104, or within 1 year from the granting of a waiver for an individual invention granted pursuant to § 1245.105.

(b) The instrument of waiver set forth in § 1245.115(c) shall be voided by NASA with respect to title in any foreign country for which waiver has been granted pursuant to § 1245.106, if a patent application has not been filed in that country (or in the European Patent Office or under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and that country designated) within either 10 months (or a reasonable time thereafter for good cause shown) from the date a corresponding U.S. patent application has been filed or 6 months (or a reasonable time thereafter for good cause shown) from the date a license is granted by the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to file foreign patent applications where such filing has been prohibited by a Secrecy Order.

(c) In any country in which the waiver recipient decides not to continue prosecution of any application, to pay maintenance fees on, or defend in reexamination or opposition proceedings on a patent on a waived invention, the waiver recipient shall notify the patent representative within sufficient time for NASA to continue prosecution, pay the maintenance fee or defend the reexamination or opposition, and upon written request, convey title to NASA and execute all papers necessary for NASA to proceed with the appropriate action.

§ 1245.110 Content of petitions.

(a) Each request for waiver of domestic or foreign rights under § 1245.104, § 1245.105, or § 1245.106 shall be by petition to the Administrator and shall include:

(1) An identification of the petitioner, its place of business, and address;

(2) If the petitioner is represented by counsel, the name, address, and telephone number of the counsel;

(3) A citation to the section (§ 1245.104, § 1245.105, or § 1245.106) under which the petition is submitted, the nature and extent of the rights requested, and a positive statement that waiver of rights under the cited section is being requested;

(4) If the petitioner is an employee inventor of the contractor, a statement from the contractor that the contractor does not object to this petition.

(5) Information identifying the proposed contract or resulting contract, if any;

(6) A designation of the country or countries, the United States of America and/or foreign, in which waiver of title is requested;

(7) A copy of the invention disclosure if the request is for an individual identified invention (under § 1245.105);

(8) The name, address, and telephone number of the party with whom the Board is to communicate when the request is acted upon;

(9) Whether the petitioner is an entity of or under the control of a foreign government;

(10) The signature of the petitioner or its authorized representative; and

(11) The date of the petition.

(b) Advance waiver petitions shall also identify the invention(s) and/or class(es) of inventions that the Contractor believes will be made under the contract and for which waiver of rights is being requested, in accordance with § 1245.104(c)(2).

(c) No specific forms need be used. Requests for advanced waiver should, preferably, be included with the proposal, but in any event in advance of negotiations.

(d) Petitions for waiver under contracts funded by another agency. The content of the petitions for waiver of title to inventions made under contracts awarded by NASA on behalf of the Department of Energy under § 1245.103(c) shall follow the procedures and form prescribed by and shall be acted on by that agency. Petitions under contracts awarded by NASA on behalf of other agencies will be coordinated with the agency before action is taken by the Board.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.111 Submission of petitions.

(a) Petitions for advance waiver of domestic rights under § 1245.104 or for advance waiver of foreign rights under § 1245.106 presented prior to contract execution, must be submitted to the contracting officer. Any petition submitted by a prospective contractor and selected for negotiation of a contract will be processed and forwarded to the Board for consideration. All other petitions will be submitted to the patent representative designated in the contract for processing prior to forwarding to the Board.

(b) A copy of any waiver petitions submitted under § 1245.103(c) should be forwarded to the appropriate NASA field installation patent counsel, if not supplied earlier, for (1) transmittal to the Department of Energy for processing by that agency, or (2) coordination with other agencies, as applicable.

§ 1245.112 Notice of proposed Board action and reconsideration.

(a) Notice. Except as provided by § 1245.104(d), the Board will notify the petitioner, through the contracting officer, with respect to petitions for advance waiver prior to contract execution, and directly to the petitioner for all other petitions:

(1) When it proposes to recommend to the Administrator that the petition be:

(i) Granted in an extent different from that requested; or

(ii) Denied.

(2) Of the reasons for the recommended action adverse to or different from the waiver of rights requested by the petitioner.

(b) Request for reconsideration and statements required. (1) If, under paragraph (a) of this section, the Board notifies the petitioner that the Board proposes to recommend action adverse to or different from the waiver requested, the petitioner may, within the period as the Board may set, but not less than 15 days from the notification, request reconsideration by the Board.

(2) If reconsideration has been requested within the prescribed time, the petitioner shall, within 30 days from the date of the request for reconsideration, or within any other time as the Board may set, file its statement setting forth the points, authorities, arguments, and any additional material on which it relies.

(3) Upon filing of the reconsideration statement by the petitioner, the petition will be assigned for reconsideration by the Board upon the contents of the petition, the record, and the reconsideration statement submitted by the petitioner.

(4) The Board, after its reconsideration, will promptly notify the petitioner of its proposed recommendation to the Administrator. If the Board's proposed action is adverse to, or different from, the waiver requested, the petitioner may request an oral hearing within the time as the Board has set.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.113 Hearing procedure.

(a) If the petitioner requests an oral hearing within the time set, under § 1245.112(b)(4), the Board shall set the time and place for the hearing and shall notify the petitioner.

(b) Oral hearings held by the Board shall be open to the public and shall be held in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) Oral hearings shall be conducted in an informal manner, with the objective of providing the petitioner with a full opportunity to present facts and arguments in support of the petition. Evidence may be presented through means of witnesses, exhibits, and visual aids as are arranged for by the petitioner. Petitioner may be represented by any person including its attorney. While proceedings will be ex parte, members of the Board and its counsel may address questions to witnesses called by the petitioner, and the Board may, at its option, enlist the aid of technical advisors or expert witnesses. Any person present at the hearing may make a statement for the record.

(2) A transcript or equivalent record of the proceeding shall be arranged for by the Board. The petitioner shall submit for the record a copy of any exhibit or visual aid utilized during the hearing.

§ 1245.114 Findings and recommendations of the Board.

(a) Findings of the Board. The Board shall consider the petition, the NASA contract, if relevant, the goals cited in § 1245.103(a), the effect of the waiver on the objectives of the related NASA programs, and any other available facts and information presented to the Board by an interested party. The Board shall document its findings.

(b) Recommendation of the Board. (1) Except as provided in § 1245.104(d), after making the findings of fact, the Board shall formulate its proposed recommendation to the Administrator as to the grant of waiver as requested, the grant of waiver upon terms other than as requested, or denial of waiver.

(2) If the Board proposes to recommend, initially or upon reconsideration or after oral hearing, that the petition be granted in the extent requested or, in other cases, where the petitioner does not request reconsideration or a hearing during the period set for the action or informs the Board that the action will not be requested, or fails to file the required statements within the prescribed time, the Board shall transmit the petition, a summary record of hearing proceedings, if applicable, its findings of fact, and its recommendation to the Administrator.

§ 1245.115 Action by the Administrator.

(a) After receiving the transmittal from the Board, the Administrator shall determine, in accordance with the policy of § 1245.103, whether or not to grant any petition for waiver of rights to the petitioner.

(b) In the event of denial of the petition by the Administrator, a written notice of such denial will be promptly transmitted by the Board to the petitioner. The written notice will be accompanied with a statement of the grounds for denial.

(c) If the waiver is granted by the Administrator, the petitioner shall be sent for execution, an instrument of waiver confirmatory of the conditions and reservations of the waiver grant. The petitioner shall promptly return the executed copy of the instrument of waiver to the Chairperson.

§ 1245.116 Miscellaneous provisions.

(a) Filing of patent applications and reimbursement of costs. In order to protect the interests of the Government and the petitioner in inventions, a petitioner may file United States patent applications for such inventions prior to the Administrator's determination on a petition for waiver. If an application on an identified invention is filed during the pendency of the petition, or within 60 days prior to the receipt of a petition, NASA will reimburse the petitioner for any reasonable costs of the filing and patent prosecution that may have occurred, provided:

(1) Similar patent filing and prosecution costs are not normally reimbursed to the petitioner as direct or indirect costs chargeable to the Government contracts;

(2) The petition is ultimately denied with respect to domestic rights, or with respect to foreign and domestic rights, if both are requested, and

(3) Prior to reimbursement, petitioner assigns the application to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(b) Statement of Government rights. The waiver recipient shall include, within the specification of any United States patent application and any patent issuing thereon for a waived invention, the following statement:

The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under NASA Contract No. lll, and is subject to the provisions of Section 20135 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. Chapter 201).

(c) License to the Government. The waiver recipient shall return to NASA a duly executed and approved license to the Government (which will be prepared by the Government) fully confirming of all the rights, domestic and foreign, to which the Government is entitled.

(d) Patent filing and issuance information. The waiver recipient shall furnish to either the Chairperson or the patent representative, the filing date, serial number and title, and upon request, a copy of any domestic or foreign patent application including an English language version if filed in a language other than English, and a copy of the patent or patent number and issue date, for any waived invention.

(e) Transfer of rights. The waiver recipient shall notify the Chairperson prior to any transfer of principal rights in any waived invention to any party. Such transfer shall be subject to all rights reserved by the Government, and all obligations of the waiver recipient, as set forth in this subpart.

(f) Utilization reports. (1) The waiver recipient shall provide to the Chairperson upon request, and no more frequently than annually, reports on the utilization of a waived invention or on efforts at obtaining such utilization being made by the waiver recipient or its licensees or assigns. Such reports shall include information regarding the status of the development, date of first commercial sale or use, and such other data and information as the Chairperson may reasonably specify. No utilization reports need be submitted after the term of the patent.

(2) Such reports on the utilization of a waived invention, as well as information on the utilization or efforts at obtaining utilization obtained as part of a march-in proceeding under § 1245.117, shall be treated by NASA as commercial and financial information obtained from a person and privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552.

(g) Communications. Unless otherwise specifically set forth in this subpart, all communications relating to waived inventions, and all information and documents required to be submitted to NASA in this subpart, shall be furnished to the patent representative designated in the contract under which the waived invention was made.

(Recordkeeping and reporting requirements contained in paragraph (f) were approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2700-0050)

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.117 March-in and waiver revocation procedures.

(a) The exercise of march-in procedures shall be in conformance with 35 U.S.C. 203 and the applicable provisions of 37 CFR 401.6, entitled “Exercise of march-in rights for inventions made by nonprofit organizations and small business firms.”

(b) Whenever NASA receives information that it believes might warrant the exercise of march-in rights, before initiating any march-in proceeding, it shall notify the waiver recipient in writing of the information and request informal written or oral comments from the waiver recipient as well as information relevant to the matter. In the absence of any comments from the waiver recipient within 30 days, NASA may, at its discretion, proceed with the procedures set forth in 37 CFR 401.6. If a comment is received within 30 days, or later if NASA has not initiated the procedures, then NASA shall, within 60 days after it receives the comment, either initiate the procedures or notify the waiver recipient, in writing, that it will not pursue march-in rights on the basis of the available information.

(c) If march-in procedures are to be initiated, the Administrator of NASA, or designee, shall undertake or refer the matter for fact finding to the NASA Board of Contract Appeals (BCA) and its Chairperson.

(d) Fact-finding shall be conducted by the NASA BCA and its Chairperson in accordance with its procedures that are consistent with the procedures set forth in 37 CFR 401.6. Any portion of the march-in proceeding, including a fact-finding hearing that involves testimony or evidence relating to the utilization or efforts at obtaining utilization that are being made by the waiver recipient, its assignee, or licensees shall be closed to the public, including potential licensees. In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(5), NASA shall not disclose any such information obtained during a march-in proceeding to persons outside the Government except when such release is authorized by the waiver recipient (assignee or licensee).

(e) The preparation of written findings of fact and recommended determination by the Chairperson of the NASA BCA and the determination by the Administrator, or designee, of NASA shall be in accordance with 37 CFR 401.6.

(f) NASA may, at any time, terminate a march-in proceeding if it is satisfied that it does not wish to exercise march-in rights.

[52 FR 43748, Nov. 16, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 19199, Apr. 10, 2015]

§ 1245.118 Record of decisions.

The findings of fact and recommendations made to the Administrator by the Board with respect to each petition for waiver shall be recorded by the Board and be available to the public.

§ 1245.200 Purpose.

The purpose of this subpart is to set forth policies and procedures for the filing and disposition of claims of infringement of privately owned rights in patented inventions or copyrighted works asserted against NASA.

§ 1245.201 Objectives.

Whenever a claim of infringement of privately owned rights in patented inventions or copyrighted works is asserted against NASA, all necessary steps shall be taken to investigate and to administratively settle, deny, or otherwise dispose of such claim prior to suit against the United States. The General Counsel, or designee, is authorized to investigate, settle, deny, or otherwise dispose of all claims of patent and copyright infringement, pursuant to the above-cited statutory authority.

§ 1245.202 Contents of communication initiating claim.

(a) Requirements for claim. A patent or copyright infringement claim for compensation, asserted against the United States as represented by NASA under any of the applicable statutes cited above, must be actually communicated to and received by an organization, office, or within a NASA Center. Claims must be in writing and must include the following:

(1) An allegation of infringement.

(2) A request for compensation, either expressed or implied.

(3) A citation to the patent(s) or copyright(s) alleged to be infringed.

(4) In the case of a patent infringement claim, a sufficient designation to permit identification of the accused subject matter (e.g. article(s) or process(es)) alleged to infringe the patent(s), giving the commercial designation, if known to the claimant, or, in the case of a copyright infringement claim, the accused subject matter (e.g. act(s) or work(s)) alleged to infringe the copyright.

(5) In the case of a patent infringement claim, a designation of at least one claim of each patent alleged to be infringed or, in the case of a copyright infringement claim, a copy of each work alleged to be infringed.

(6) As an alternative to paragraphs (a)(4) and (5) of this section, certification that the claimant has made a bona fide attempt to determine the accused subject matter, which is alleged to infringe the patent(s), or the accused subject matter alleged to infringe the copyright(s), but was unable to do so, giving reasons and stating a reasonable basis for the claimant's belief that the patent(s) or copyright(s) is being infringed.

(b) Additional information for patent infringement claims. In addition to the information listed in paragraph (a) of this section, the following material and information generally are necessary in the course of processing a claim of patent infringement. Claimants are encouraged to furnish this information at the time of filing a claim to permit rapid processing and resolution of the claim.

(1) A copy of the asserted patent(s) and identification of all claims of the patent(s) alleged to be infringed.

(2) Identification of all procurements known to the claimants that involve the accused item(s) or process(es), including the identity of the vendor(s) or contractor(s) and the Government acquisition activity or activities.

(3) A detailed identification and description of the accused article(s) or process(es) used or acquired by the Government, particularly where the article(s) or process(es) relate to a component(s) or subcomponent(s) of an item acquired, and an element-by-element comparison of representative claim(s) with the accused article(s) or process(es). If available, the identification and description should include documentation and drawings to illustrate the accused article(s) or process(es) in sufficient detail to enable determining whether the claim(s) of the asserted patent(s) read on the accused article(s) or process(es).

(4) Names and addresses of all past and present licensees under the patent(s) and copies of all license agreements and releases involving the patent(s). In addition, an identification of all assignees of the patent(s).

(5) A list of all persons to whom notices of infringement have been sent, including all departments and agencies of the Government, and a statement of the status or ultimate disposition of each.

(6) A brief description of all litigation involving the patent(s) which was initiated at any time prior to the claim being filed and their present status. This includes any defenses or counterclaims made and positions maintained by opposing parties regarding invalidity of the patent(s).

(7) A description of Government employment or military service, if any, by the inventor(s) or patent owner(s) including a statement from the inventor(s) or patent owner(s) certifying whether the invention claimed in the patents was conceived or reduced to practice, in part or in whole, during Government employment and whether such inventor(s) or owner(s) occupied any position from which such inventor(s) or owner(s) was capable of ordering, influencing, or inducing use of the invention by the Government.

(8) A list of all contract(s) between the Government and inventor(s), patent owner(s), or anyone in privity with the patent owner(s), under which work relating to the patented subject matter was performed.

(9) Evidence of title to the asserted patent(s) or other right to make the claim.

(10) A copy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) file history of each patent, if it is available to the claimant. Indicate whether the patent has been the subject of any interference proceedings, certification of correction request, reexamination, or reissue proceedings at the USPTO, or lapsed for failure to pay any maintenance fee. In addition, the status of all corresponding foreign patents and patent applications and full copies of the same.

(11) Pertinent prior art known to the claimant not contained in the USPTO file, for example, publications and foreign prior art. In addition to the foregoing, if claimant can provide a statement that the investigation may be limited to the specifically identified accused article(s) or process(es) or to a specific acquisition (e.g. identified contract(s)), it may speed disposition of the claim. Claimants are also encouraged to provide information on any ancillary matters that may have a bearing on validity or infringement.

(c) Denial for refusal to provide information. In the course of investigating a claim, it may become necessary for NASA to request information in the control and custody of the claimant that is relevant to the disposition of the claim. Failure of the claimant to respond to a request for such information shall be sufficient reason alone for denying a claim.

§ 1245.203 Incomplete notice of infringement.

(a) If a communication alleging patent infringement or copyright infringement is received that does not meet the requirements set forth in § 1245.202(a), the sender shall be advised in writing by the Agency Counsel for Intellectual Property:

(1) That the claim for infringement has not been satisfactorily presented; and

(2) Of the elements necessary to establish a claim.

(b) A communication, in which no infringement is alleged in accordance with § 1245.202(a), such as a mere proffer of a license, shall not be considered a claim for infringement.

§ 1245.204 Indirect notice of infringement.

A communication by a patent or copyright owner to addressees other than those specified in § 1245.202(a), such as NASA contractors, including contractors operating Government-owned facilities, alleging that acts of infringement have occurred in the performance of a Government contract, grant, or other arrangement, shall not be considered a claim within the meaning of § 1245.202(a) until such communication meets the requirements specified therein.

§ 1245.205 Processing of administrative claims.

(a) Filing and forwarding of claims. All communications regarding claims should be addressed to: Agency Counsel for Intellectual Property, Office of the General Counsel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001. If any communication relating to a claim or possible claim of patent or copyright infringement is received by an agency, organization, office, or field installation within NASA, it shall be forwarded to the Agency Counsel for Intellectual Property.

(b) Disposition and notification. The General Counsel, or designee, shall investigate and administratively settle, deny, or otherwise dispose of each claim. When a claim is denied, the Agency shall so notify the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative and provide the claimant with the reasons for denying the claim. Disclosure of information shall be subject to applicable statutes, regulations, and directives pertaining to security, access to official records, and the rights of others.

(c) Termination of claims. If, while an administrative claim for patent or copyright infringement is pending against NASA, the claimant brings suit for patent or copyright infringement against the United States in the Court of Federal Claims based on the same facts or transactions as the administrative claim, the administrative claim shall thereupon be automatically dismissed, with no further action being required of NASA.

§ 1245.300 Scope of subpart.

This subpart establishes policy, criteria, and procedures concerning the NASA Foreign Patent Program.

§ 1245.301 Inventions under NASA contracts.

(a) Pursuant to § 1245.113, NASA has facilitated the filing of foreign patent applications by contractors by providing for the granting of a waiver of title to a contractor to any identified invention in countries other than the United States in the event the Administrator of NASA does not desire to file a patent application covering the invention in such countries. However, any such waiver is subject to the reservation by the Administrator of the license required to be retained by NASA under 51 U.S.C. 20135(g) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, as amended.

(b) Conversely, where the principal rights in an invention made under a NASA contract remain in the contractor by virtue of waiver, § 1245.19(a)(5) provides that the contractor, upon written request, will convey to the Administrator of NASA the entire right, title, and interest in the invention in any foreign country in which the contractor has elected not to file a patent application.

(c) With respect to inventions in which NASA has acquired and retained the principal rights, NASA will file patent applications in countries other than the United States on inventions selected in accordance with the criteria set forth in § 1245.303.

[30 FR 1844, Feb. 10, 1965, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1245.302 Inventions by NASA employees.

(a) The foreign rights of NASA and of the NASA employee making an invention are determinable in accordance with Executive Orders 9865 and 10096 and Government Patent Board Administrative Order No. 6 issued pursuant thereto.

(b) Where NASA acquires an assignment of the domestic rights in an invention made by a NASA employee, NASA will also obtain an option to acquire the foreign rights, including the right to file foreign patent applications on the invention.

(c) Where NASA is entitled to only a governmental license in the invention, the principal foreign rights in the invention are retained by the employee unless he agrees in writing to assign such rights to NASA.

§ 1245.303 Criteria.

The following categories of inventions will be considered for the filing of patent applications by NASA in countries other than the United States:

(a) Inventions which may be utilized abroad in governmental programs of the United States.

(b) Inventions which may be exploited abroad in the public interest by license to U.S. nationals or others.

(c) Inventions which may be utilized in applications type satellites, such as communications and meteorological satellites.

(d) Inventions considered to be basic discoveries or of major significance in an art.

(e) Inventions in fields which directly concern the public health or public welfare.

§ 1245.304 Procedures.

(a) The patent counsel at each NASA field installation will review all invention disclosures at the time of docketing and will expedite the processing and preparation of a U.S. patent application, if justified, on those inventions which appear to fall within the criteria set forth in § 1245.303. The patent counsel will make a recommendation as to whether or not foreign patent coverage appears justified at the time of assigning a priority evaluation to a disclosed invention.

(b) Preparation and filing of patent applications in foreign countries will be subject to approval of the Assistant General Counsel for Patent Matters, NASA Headquarters.

(c) The Office of Assistant General Counsel for Patent Matters will budget for and administer the filing of all patent applications in countries other than the United States.

(d) Coordination with other interested NASA offices will be undertaken by the Assistant General Counsel for Patent Matters.

§ 1250.100 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to effectuate the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (hereafter referred to as “the Act”) to the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, hereinafter referred to as NASA.

§ 1250.101 Applicability.

(a) Covered programs. (1) This part applies to any program for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by NASA, including the types of Federal financial assistance listed in appendix A to this part. The fact that a type of Federal assistance is not listed in appendix A shall not mean, if Title VI of the Act is otherwise applicable, that a program is not covered. Other types of Federal financial assistance under statutes now in force or hereafter enacted may be added to appendix A by notice published in the Federal Register.

(2) This part applies to money paid, property transferred, or other Federal financial assistance extended after the effective date of this part pursuant to an application approved prior to such effective date.

(b) Excluded activities. This part does not apply to (1) any Federal financial assistance by way of insurance or guaranty contracts, (2) money paid, property transferred, or other assistance extended before the effective date of this part, except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, (3) any assistance to any individual who is the ultimate beneficiary, (4) any employment practice, under any such program, of any employer, employment agency, or labor organization, except as provided in § 1250.103-3, (5) contracts not covered in the types of Federal financial assistance listed in appendix A, or (6) advances, V-loans, and other financial assistance made incident to NASA procurements not covered in the types of Federal financial assistance listed in appendix A.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.102 Definitions.

As used in this part—

(a) Administrator means the Administrator of the NASA.

(b) Applicant means one who submits an application, request, proposal, or plan required to be approved by a responsible NASA official, or by a primary recipient, as a condition to eligibility for Federal financial assistance; and the term application means such an application, request, proposal or plan.

(c) Facility includes all or any portion of structures, equipment, or other real or personal property or interests therein, and the provision of facilities includes the construction, expansion, renovation, remodeling, alteration or acquisition of facilities.

(d) Federal financial assistance includes (1) grants and loans of Federal funds, (2) the grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property, (3) the detail of Federal personnel, (4) the sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such sale or lease to the recipient, and (5) any Federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance.

(e) NASA means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(f) Primary recipient means any recipient which is authorized or required to extend Federal financial assistance to another recipient.

(g) Principal Compliance Officer means the Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Office of Organization and Management, NASA Headquarters, or any successor officer to whom the Administrator should delegate authority to perform the functions assigned to the Principal Compliance Officer by this part.

(h) Program or activity and program mean all of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (h)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:

(1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

(ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;

(2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or

(ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), system of vocational education, or other school system;

(3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—

(A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or

(B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or

(ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or

(4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (h)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(i) Recipient means any State, political subdivision of any State, or instrumentality of any State or political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any individual, in any State, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended, directly or through another recipient, including any successor, assign, or transferee thereof, but such term does not include any ultimate beneficiary.

(j) Responsible NASA official means:

(1) The heads of Offices at NASA Headquarters responsible for making grants, and contracts of the kind listed in appendix A; and

(2) Each Director of a field installation which makes or administers grants and contracts of the kind listed in appendix A, or any officer to whom he has delegated authority to act within the areas of responsibility assigned to him under this part.

(k) United States means the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the Canal Zone, and the territories and possessions of the United States, and the term State means any one of the foregoing.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17936, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003; 91 FR 40879, July 6, 2026]

§ 1250.103 Discrimination prohibited.

§ 1250.103-1 General.

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program to which this part applies.

§ 1250.103-2 Specific discriminatory acts prohibited.

(a) A recipient to which this part applies may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on ground of race, color, or national origin:

(1) Deny an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program;

(2) Provide any service, financial aid, or other benefit to an individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others under the program;

(3) In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient or applicant may not make selections with the purpose of excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under any program to which this regulation applies, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin; or with the purpose of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the Act or this regulation.

(4) Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in any matter related to his receipt of any service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program;

(5) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program;

(6) Treat an individual differently from others in determining whether he satisfies any admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, membership or other requirement or condition which individuals must meet in order to be provided any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program;

(7) Deny an individual an opportunity to participate in the program through the provision of services or otherwise or afford him an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others under the program (including the opportunity to participate in the program as an employee but only to the extent set forth in § 1250.103-3).

(b) As used in this section the services, financial aid, or other benefits provided under a program receiving Federal financial assistance shall be deemed to include any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided in or through a facility provided with the aid of Federal financial assistance.

(c) A recipient may not take action that is calculated to bring about indirectly what this part forbids it to accomplish directly.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17936, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003; 91 FR 40879, July 6, 2026]

§ 1250.103-3 Employment practices.

(a) Where a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance to a program to which this part applies is to provide employment, a recipient may not directly or through contractual or other arrangements subject an individual to discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in its employment practices under such program (including recruitment or recruitment advertising, employment, layoff or termination, upgrading, demotion, or transfer, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and use of facilities), including programs where a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance is (1) to assist such individuals through employment to meet expenses incident to the commencement or continuation of their education or training, or (2) to provide work experience which contributes to the education or training of such individuals.

(b) Employment opportunities provided in connection with any of the types of Federal financial assistance listed in appendix A, which opportunities are limited, or for which preference is given, to students, fellows, or other persons in training for the same or related employments, are programs of the kind described in paragraph (a)(1) and (2) of this section.

(c) The requirements applicable to construction employment under any such program shall be those specified in or pursuant to Executive Order 11246 or any Executive order which supersedes it.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17936, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003; 91 FR 40879, July 6, 2026]

§ 1250.103-4 Illustrative applications.

(a) In training grant services discrimination is forbidden in the selection or eligibility of individuals to be trained and in their treatment by the grantee during their training. In any case where selection is made from a predetermined group, such as the students in an institution, the group must have been selected without discrimination.

(b) In a research or training grant to a university for activities to be conducted in a graduate school, discrimination in the admission and treatment of students in the graduate school is prohibited and the prohibition extends to the entire university.

(c) Discrimination in the treatment of students or other trainees includes the prohibition of discrimination among the students or trainees in the availability or use of any academic, dormitory, eating, recreational, or other facilities of the grantee or other recipient.

(d) In a research or training grant, discrimination is prohibited with respect to the availability of any educational activity and any provision of medical or other services and any financial aid to individuals incident to the grant.

(e) Upon transfers of real or personal property for research or educational uses, discrimination is forbidden to the same extent as in the case of grants for the construction of facilities or the provision of equipment for like purposes.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003; 91 FR 40879, July 6, 2026]

§ 1250.103-5 Special benefits.

An individual shall not be deemed subjected to discrimination by reason of his exclusion from the benefits limited by Federal law to individuals of a particular race, color, or national origin different from his.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.103-6 Medical emergencies.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 1250.103 to 1250.103-5, a recipient of Federal financial assistance shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with § 1250.103-1, if immediate provision of a service or other benefit to an individual is necessary to prevent his death or serious impairment of his health, and such service or other benefit cannot be provided except by or through a medical institution which refuses or fails to comply with § 1250.103-1.

§ 1250.104 Assurances.

(a) General requirement. Every application for Federal financial assistance to which this part applies, and every application for Federal financial assistance to provide a facility shall, as a condition to its approval and the extension of any Federal financial assistance pursuant to the application, contain, be accompanied by, or identify and make reference to, an assurance that the program will be conducted or the facility operated in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part. If the assurance is not made a part of the application, the application shall identify the assurance which is applicable to the application. One assurance shall suffice for all applications of an applicant if the assurance complies with the conditions made applicable by this part to each such application for Federal financial assistance. Every assurance shall include provisions which give the United States a right to seek its judicial enforcement.

(b) Duration of assurances. The period of time to be covered by the assurances required under this § 1250.104 shall be as follows:

(1) Real property. In the case of an application for Federal financial assistance for providing real property or structures thereon, the assurance shall obligate the recipient, or in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits.

(2) Personal property. In the case of an application for Federal financial assistance for providing personal property, the assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which he retains ownership or possession of the property.

(3) Other kinds of Federal financial assistance. In the case of an application for any other kind of Federal financial assistance, the assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended pursuant to the application.

(c) Assurances for research, training, or educational programs. (1) In the case of application by an institution of higher education or any other organization for Federal financial assistance for a program or activity which involves participation by students, fellows or trainees, including but not limited to assistance for research, training, or the provision of facilities, the assurance required by this § 1250.104 shall extend to admission practices and to all other practices relating to the treatment of students or other participants.

(2) The assurances from such an applicant shall be applicable to the entire organization of the applicant.

(d) Assurances for construction of facilities. In the case of assistance for the construction of a facility, or part thereof, the assurance shall extend to the entire facility and to facilities operated in connection therewith. In grants to assist in the construction of facilities for the provision of research, training, or educational services, assurances will be required that services will be provided without discrimination, to the same extent that discrimination would be forbidden as a condition of grants for the support of such services. Thus, as a condition of grants for the construction of academic, research or other facilities at institutions of higher education, assurances will be required that there will be no discrimination in the admission or treatment of students. Also, see paragraph (c) of this section for the requirement as to the applicability of the assurance to the applicant's organization.

(e) Instrument effecting or recording transfers of real property. The instrument effecting or recording the transfer, shall contain a covenant running with the land assuring nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. Where no transfer of property is involved, but property is improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include such a covenant in any subsequent transfer of such property. Where the property is obtained from the Federal Government, such covenant may also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by NASA to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant where, in the discretion of the responsible NASA official, such a condition and right of reverter is appropriate to the statute under which the real property is obtained and to the nature of the grant and the grantee.

(f) Assurances for transfer of surplus real property. Transfers of surplus property are subject to regulations issued by the Administrator of General Services (41 CFR 101-6.2).

(g) Form of assurances. The responsible NASA officials shall specify the form of assurances required by this § 1250.104 and the extent to which like assurances will be required by subgrantees, contractors and subcontractors, transferees, successors in interest, and other participants in the program.

(h) Requests for proposals. Any request for proposals issued by NASA which relates to covered financial assistance listed in appendix A shall have set forth therein or have attached thereto the assurance prescribed in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section, and shall require that the proposer either include the assurance as a part of his signed proposal or identify and refer to an assurance already signed and submitted by the proposer.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.105 Compliance information.

(a) Cooperation and assistance. Each responsible NASA official shall to the fullest extent practicable seek the cooperation of recipients in obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide assistance and guidance to recipients to help them comply voluntarily with this part.

(b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and submit to the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee timely, complete and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in such form and containing such information, as the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee may determine to be necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with this part. In the case in which a primary recipient extends Federal financial assistance to any other recipient, such other recipient shall also submit such compliance reports to the primary recipient as may be necessary to enable the primary recipient to carry out its obligations under this part.

(c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit access by the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee during normal business hours to such of its books, records, accounts and other sources of information, and its facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. Where any information required of a recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person and that agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information.

(d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient shall make available to participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this part and its applicability to the program for which the recipient receives Federal financial assistance, and make such information available to them in such manner, as the Principal Compliance Officer finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protection against discrimination assured them by the Act and this part.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.106 Conduct of investigations.

(a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible NASA official or his designee shall from time to time review the practices of recipients to determine whether they are complying with this part.

(b) Complaints. Any person who believes himself or any specific class of individuals to be subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part may by himself or by a representative file with the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee a written complaint. A complaint must be filed not later than 90 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee.

(c) Investigations. The Principal Compliance Officer or his designee will make a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review, report, complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure to comply with this part. The investigation should include, where appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the recipient, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with this part occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination as to whether the recipient has failed to comply with this part.

(d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this part, the Principal Compliance Officer or his designee will so inform the recipient and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, action will be taken as provided for in § 1250.107.

(2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the responsible NASA official or his designee will so inform the recipient and the complainant, if any, in writing.

(e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by section 601 of the Act or this part, or because he has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of complainants shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.

§ 1250.107 Procedure for effecting compliance.

(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure to comply with this part, and if the noncompliance or threatened noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with this part may be effected by the suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance or by any other means authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not limited to, (1) a reference to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the United States under any law of the United States (including other titles of the Act), or any assurance or other contractual undertaking, and (2) any applicable proceeding under State or local law.

(b) Noncompliance with § 1250.104. If an applicant fails or refuses to furnish an assurance required under § 1250.104 or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that section, Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. NASA shall not be obligated to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency of the administrative proceedings under such subsection except that NASA shall continue assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such assistance is due and payable pursuant to an application therefor approved prior to the effective date of this part.

(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance. No order suspending, terminating or refusing to grant or continue Federal financial assistance shall become effective until (1) the responsible NASA official has advised the applicant or recipient of his failure to comply and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, (2) there has been an express finding on the record, after opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part, (3) the action has been approved by the Administrator pursuant to § 1250.109(e), and (4) the expiration of 30 days after the Administrator has filed with the committee of the House and the committee of the Senate having legislative jurisdiction over the program involved, a full written report of the circumstances and the grounds for such action. Any action to suspend or terminate or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom such a finding has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular program, or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has been so found.

(d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by any other means authorized by law shall be taken until (1) the Principal Compliance Officer has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, (2) the recipient or other person has been notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance and (3) the expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the recipient or other person. During this period of at least 10 days additional efforts shall be made to persuade the recipient or other person to comply with this part and to take such corrective action as may be appropriate.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973]

§ 1250.108 Hearings.

(a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing is required by § 1250.107(c), reasonable notice shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and either (1) fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice within which the applicant or recipient may request of the Principal Compliance Officer that the matter be scheduled for hearing or (2) advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been set down for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and place so fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit written information and argument for the record. The failure of an applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 602 of the Act and § 1250.107(c) of this part and consent to the making of a decision on the basis of such information as is available.

(b) Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be held at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, at a time fixed by the Principal Compliance Officer unless he determines that the convenience of the applicant or recipient or of NASA requires that another place be selected. Hearings shall be held before the Administrator, or, at his discretion, before a hearing examiner designated in conformity with 5 U.S.C. 3105 and 3344 (section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act).

(c) Right to counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the applicant or recipient and NASA shall have the right to be represented by counsel.

(d) Procedures, evidence, and record. (1) The hearing, decision, and any administrative review thereof shall be conducted in conformity with 5 U.S.C. 554-557 (section 5-8 of the Administrative Procedure Act), and in accordance with such rules of procedure as are proper (and not inconsistent with this section) relating to the conduct of the hearing, giving of notices subsequent to those provided for in paragraph (a) of this section, taking of testimony, exhibits, arguments, and briefs, requests for findings, and other related matters. Both NASA and the applicant or recipient shall be entitled to introduce all relevant evidence on the issues as stated in the notice for hearing or as determined by the officer conducting the hearing at the outset of or during the hearing.

(2) Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to hearings conducted pursuant to this part, but rules or principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where reasonably necessary by the officer conducting the hearing. The hearing officer may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. All documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent the substance thereof is stipulated for the record. All decisions shall be based upon the hearing record and written findings shall be made.

(e) Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or related facts are asserted to constitute non-compliance with this part with respect to two or more Federal statutes, authorities, or other means by which Federal financial assistance is extended and to which this part applies, or non-compliance with this part and the regulations of one or more other Federal departments or agencies issued under Title VI of the Act, the Administrator may, by agreement with such other departments or agencies where applicable, provide for the conduct of consolidated or joint hearings, and for the application to such hearings of rules of procedures not inconsistent with the part. Final decisions in such cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in accordance with § 1250.109.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.109 Decisions and notices.

(a) Decision by person other than the NASA Principal Compliance Officer. If the hearing is held by a hearing examiner, such hearing examiner shall either make an initial decision, if so authorized, or certify the entire record including his recommended findings and proposed decision to the Principal Compliance Officer for a final decision, and a copy of such initial decision or certification shall be mailed to the applicant or recipient. Where the initial decision is made by the hearing examiner, the applicant or recipient may, within 30 days of the mailing of such notice of initial decision, file with the Principal Compliance Officer his exceptions to the initial decision with his reasons therefor. In the absence of exceptions, the Principal Compliance Officer may on his own motion, within 45 days after the initial decision, serve on the applicant or recipient a notice that he will review the decision. Upon the filing of such exceptions or of such notice of review the Principal Compliance Officer shall review the initial decision and issue his own decision thereon including the reasons therefor. In the absence of either exceptions or a notice of review the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the Principal Compliance Officer.

(b) Decisions on record or review by the NASA Principal Compliance Officer. Whenever a record is certified to the Principal Compliance Officer for decision or he reviews the decision of a hearing examiner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or whenever the Administrator conducts the hearing, the applicant or recipient shall be given reasonable opportunity to file with him briefs or other written statements of its contentions, and a copy of the final decision of the Principal Compliance Officer shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.

(c) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a hearing is waived pursuant to § 1250.108, a decision shall be made by the Principal Compliance Officer on the record and a copy of such decision shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient, and to the complainant, if any.

(d) Rulings required. Each decision of a hearing officer or the Principal Compliance Officer shall set forth his ruling on each finding, conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement or requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.

(e) Approval by administrator. Any final decision of the NASA Principal Compliance Officer which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, or the imposition of any other sanction available under this part or the Act, shall promptly be transmitted to the Administrator, who may approve such decision, may vacate it, or remit or mitigate any sanction imposed.

(f) Content of orders. The final decision may provide for suspension or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, in whole or in part, to which this regulation applies, and may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and will effectuate the purposes of the Act and this part including provisions designed to assure that no Federal financial assistance to which this regulation applies will thereafter be extended to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to this part, or to have otherwise failed to comply with this part, unless and until it corrects its non-compliance and satisfies the Principal Compliance Officer that it will fully comply with this part.

(g) Post termination proceedings. (1) An applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order issued under paragraph (f) of this section shall be restored to full eligibility to receive Federal financial assistance if it satisfies the terms and conditions of that order for such eligibility or if it brings itself into compliance with this regulation and provides reasonable assurance that it will fully comply with this regulation.

(2) Any applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order entered pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section may at any time request the Principal Compliance Officer to restore fully the eligibility to receive Federal financial assistance. Any such request shall be supported by information showing that the applicant or recipient has met the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the Principal Compliance Officer determines that those requirements have been satisfied, he shall restore such eligibility.

(3) If the Principal Compliance Officer denies any such request, the applicant or recipient may submit a request for a hearing in writing, specifying why it believes such official to have been in error. It shall thereupon be given an expeditious hearing, with a decision on the record, in accordance with rules of procedure issued by the Principal Compliance Officer. The applicant or recipient will be restored to such eligibility if it proves at such a hearing that it satisfied the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. While proceedings under this paragraph are pending, the sanctions imposed by the order issued under paragraph (f) of this section shall remain in effect.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1250.110 Judicial review.

Action taken pursuant to section 602 of the Act is subject to judicial review as provided in section 603 of the Act.

§ 1250.111 Effect on other regulations; forms and instructions.

(a) Effect on other regulations. All regulations, orders, or like directions heretofore issued by any officer of NASA which impose requirements designed to prohibit any discrimination against individuals on the ground of race, color, or national origin under any program to which this part applies, and which authorize the suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance to any applicant for or recipient of such assistance for failure to comply with such requirements, are hereby superseded to the extent that such discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that nothing in this part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any obligation assumed or imposed under any such superseded regulation, order, instruction, or like direction prior to the effective date of this Instruction. Nothing in this part, however, shall be deemed to supersede any of the following (including future amendments thereof): (1) Executive Orders 10925 and 11246 and regulations or instructions issued thereunder, or (2) any other regulations or instructions, insofar as such other regulations or instructions prohibit discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in any program or situation to which this part is inapplicable, or prohibit discrimination on any other ground.

(b) Forms and instructions. Each responsible NASA official shall issue and promptly make available to interested persons forms and detailed instructions and procedures for effectuating this part as applied to financial assistance to which this part applies and for which he is responsible.

(c) Supervision and coordination. The Administrator may assign to officials of other departments or agencies of the Government, with the consent of such departments or agencies, responsibilities in connection with the effectuation of the purposes of Title VI of the Act and this part (other than responsibility for final decision as provided in § 1250.109), including the achievement of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within NASA and within the Executive Branch of the Government in the application of Title VI and this part to similar programs and in similar situations. Any action taken, determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of another department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility under this subsection shall have the same effect as though such action has been taken by the responsible official of this agency.

[30 FR 301, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17937, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 51350, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1251.100 Purpose and broad coverage.

(a) Purpose. This part effectuates section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

(b) Broad scope of coverage. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008's purpose (ADA Amendments Act) of reinstating a broad scope of protection under the ADA and section 504, the definition of “disability” applicable to this part shall be construed broadly in favor of expansive coverage to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of this part. The primary object of attention in cases brought under this part should be whether entities covered under section 504 have complied with their obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not whether the individual meets the definition of disability. The question of whether an individual meets the definition of disability under this part should not demand extensive analysis.

[81 FR 3709, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.101 Application.

This part applies to each recipient of Federal financial assistance from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and to each program or activity that receives such assistance.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1251.102 Definitions

As used in this part, the term:

(a) 2004 ADAAG means the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities requirements set forth in appendices B and D to 36 CFR part 1191 (2009).

(b) 2010 Standards means the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which consist of the 2004 ADAAG and the requirements contained in 28 CFR 35.151.

(c) Applicant for assistance means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved either by a NASA official or by a recipient, as a condition to becoming a recipient.

(d) Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity Programs for NASA.

(e) Auxiliary aids and services means services or devices that enable persons with sensory, manual, or speech disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or activities conducted by the recipient. Auxiliary aids and services include:

(1) Qualified interpreters onsite or through video remote interpreting (VRI) services; notetakers; real-time computer-aided transcription services; written materials; exchange of written notes; telephone handset amplifiers; assistive listening devices; assistive listening systems; telephones compatible with hearing aids; closed caption decoders; open and closed captioning, including real-time captioning; voice, text, and video-based telecommunications products and systems, including text telephones (TTYs), videophones, and captioned telephones, or equally effective telecommunications devices; videotext displays; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making aurally delivered information available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;

(2) Qualified readers; taped texts; audio recordings; Brailled materials and displays; screen reader software; magnification software; optical readers; secondary auditory programs (SAP); large print materials; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or have low vision;

(3) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and

(4) Other similar services and actions.

(f) Direct threat means a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a change to policies, practices or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services as provided in § 1251.110 of this part.

(g) Disability means the definition given that term in the Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II of the ADA at 28 CFR part 35.

(h) Drug means a controlled substance as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812).

(i) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or personal property or interest in such property.

(j) Federal financial assistance means any grant, loan, contract (other than a procurement contract or a contract of insurance or guaranty), or any other arrangement by which the agency provides or otherwise makes available assistance in the form of:

(1) Funds;

(2) Services of Federal personnel; or

(3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of such property, including:

(i) Transfers or leases of such property for less than fair market value or for reduced consideration; and

(ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of such property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government.

(k) Illegal use of drugs means the use of one or more drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). The term illegal use of drugs does not include the use of a drug taken under supervision by a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law.

(l) Individual with a disability means any individual who has a disability as defined in 28 CFR part 35. The term “individual with a disability” does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the recipient acts on the basis of such use.

(m) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (m)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:

(1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

(ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;

(2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or

(ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), system of vocational education, or other school system;

(3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—

(A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or

(B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or

(ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or

(4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (m)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(n) Qualified individual with a disability means:

(1) With respect to any aid, benefit, or service, provided under a program or activity subject to this part, an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodations in rules policies, or procedures, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision auxiliary aids or services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in, or receipt from, that aid, benefit, or service, and

(2) With respect to employment, the definition given that term in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulation at 29 CFR part 1630, implementing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which regulation is made applicable to this part by § 1251.2.

(o) Recipient means any state or its political subdivision, any instrumentality of a state or its political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which Federal financial assistance is extended directly or through another recipient, including any successor, assignee, or transferee of a recipient, but excluding the ultimate beneficiary of the assistance.

(p) Section 504 means section 504 of the Act.

(q) The Act means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93-112, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794 et seq.

[81 FR 3709, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.103 Discrimination prohibited.

(a) General. No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives Federal financial assistance.

(b) Discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) A recipient, in providing any aid, benefits, or services, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of disability:

(i) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;

(ii) Afford a qualified individual with a disability an opportunity to participate in or benefit from aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others;

(iii) Provide a qualified individual with a disability with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective as that provided to others;

(iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals with disabilities unless such action is necessary to provide qualified individuals with disabilities with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others;

(v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of disability in providing any aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program or activity;

(vi) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or

(vii) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with a disability in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving an aid, benefit, or service.

(2) For purposes of this part, aids, benefits, and services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the identical result or level of achievement for individuals with disabilities and individuals without disabilities, but must afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the person's needs.

(3) Recipients shall take appropriate steps to ensure that no individual with disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance because of the absence of auxiliary aids for individuals with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills.

(4) Despite the existence of separate or different aid, benefits, or services provided in accordance with this part, a recipient may not deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in such programs or activities that are not separate or different.

(5) A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration:

(i) That have the effect of subjecting qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination of the basis of disability;

(ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities; or

(iii) That perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies of the same State.

(6) In determining the site or location of a facility, an applicant for assistance or a recipient may not make selections:

(i) That have the effect of excluding individuals with disabilities from, denying them the benefits of, or otherwise subjecting them to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance; or

(ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities.

(7) As used in this section, the aid, benefit, or service provided under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance includes any aid, benefit, or service provided in or through a facility that has been constructed, expanded, altered, leased or rented, or otherwise acquired, in whole or in part, with Federal financial assistance.

(8) Recipients shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with their applicants, employees, and beneficiaries are available to persons with impaired vision and hearing.

(c) Aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal law. The exclusion of individuals without disabilities from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute of Executive order to individuals with disabilities from aid, benefits, or services limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of individuals with disabilities is not prohibited by this part.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1251.104 Assurances required.

(a) Assurances. An applicant for Federal financial assistance to which this part applies shall submit an assurance, on a form specified by the Associate Administrator, that the program or activity will be operated in compliance with this part. An applicant may incorporate these assurances by reference in subsequent applications to NASA.

(b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended in the form of real property or to provide real property or structures on the property, the assurance will obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used for the purpose for which Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits.

(2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide personal property, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.

(3) In all other cases, the assurance will obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.

(c) Covenants. (1) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from NASA, the instrument effecting or recording this transfer shall contain a covenant running with the land to assure nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits.

(2) Where no transfer of property is involved but property is purchased or improved with Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include the covenant described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section in the instrument effecting or recording any subsequent transfer of the property.

(3) Where Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of real property or interest in the property from NASA, the covenant shall also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by NASA to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant. If a transferee of real property proposes to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real property as security for financing construction of new, or improvement of existing facilities on the property for the purposes for which the property was transferred, the Associate Administrator may, upon request of the transferee and if necessary to accomplish such financing and upon such conditions as he or she deems appropriate, agree to forbear the exercise of such right to revert title for so long as the lien of such mortgage or other encumbrance remains effective.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003; 81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.105 Remedial action, voluntary action, and self-evaluation.

(a) Remedial action. (1) If the Associate Administrator finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 or this part, the recipient shall take such remedial action as the Associate Administrator deems necessary to overcome the effects to the discrimination.

(2) Where a recipient is found to have discriminated against persons on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 or this part and where another recipient exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, the Associate Administrator, where appropriate, may require either or both recipients to take remedial action.

(3) The Associate Administrator may, where necessary to overcome the effects of discrimination in violation of section 504 or this part, require a recipient to take remedial action:

(i) With respect to individuals with disabilities who are no longer participants in the recipient's program or activity but who were participants in the program or activity when such discrimination occurred; or

(ii) With respect to individuals with disabilities who would have been participants in the program or activity had the discrimination not occurred; or

(iii) With respect to individuals with disabilities presently in the program or activity, but not receiving full benefits or equal and integrated treatment within the program or activity.

(b) Voluntary action. A recipient may take steps, in addition to any action that is required by this part, to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in the recipient's program or activity by qualified individuals with disabilities.

(c) Self-evaluation. (1) A recipient shall, within 1 year of the effective date of this part; or within 1 year of first becoming a recipient:

(i) Evaluate, with the assistance of interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part;

(ii) Modify, after consultation with interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements of this part; and

(iii) Take, after consultation with interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted from adherence to these policies and practices.

(2) A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall, for at least 3 years, follow completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, maintain on file, make available for public inspection, and provide to the Associate Administrator upon request:

(i) A list of the interested persons consulted;

(ii) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and

(iii) A description of any modifications made and of any remedial steps taken.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003; 81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.106 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.

(a) Designation of responsible employee. A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall designate at least one person to coordinate its efforts to comply with this part.

(b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall adopt grievance procedures that incorporate appropriate due process standards and that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by this part. Such procedures need not to be established with respect to complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants for admission to postsecondary educational institutions.

§ 1251.107 Notice.

(a) A recipient that employs 15 or more persons shall take appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants, beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including those with vision or hearing disabilities, and unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability in violation of section 504 and this part. The notification shall state, where appropriate, that the recipient does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The notification shall also include an identification of the responsible employee designated pursuant to § 1251.106(a). A recipient shall make the initial notification required by this paragraph within 90 days of the effective date of this part. Methods of initial and continuing notification may include the posting of notices, transmission via electronic mail or text message, publication on the recipient's internet Web site, or in newspapers and magazines, placement of notices in recipient's publication, and distribution of memoranda or other written communications.

(b) If a recipient publishes or uses recruitment materials or publications containing general information that it makes available to participants, beneficiaries, applicants, or employees, it shall include in those materials or publications a statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section. A recipient may meet the requirement of this section and this paragraph either by including appropriate inserts in existing materials and publications or by revising and reprinting the materials and publications.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003; 81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.108 Administrative requirements for small recipients.

The Associate Administrator may require any recipient with fewer than 15 employees, or any class of such recipients, to comply with §§ 1251.106 and 1251.107, in whole or in part, when the Associate Administrator finds a violation of this part or finds that such compliance will not significantly impair the ability of the recipient or class of recipients to provide benefits or services.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.109 Effect of State or local law or other requirements and effect of employment opportunities.

(a) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any state or local law or other requirement that, on the basis of disability, imposes prohibitions or limits upon the eligibility of qualified individuals with disabilities to receive services or to practice any occupation or profession.

(b) The obligation to comply with this part is not obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or profession are or may be more limited for individuals with disabilities than for individuals without disabilities.

§ 1251.110 Direct threat.

(a) This part does not require a recipient to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, programs, or activities of that recipient when that individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

(b) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, a recipient must make an individualized assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: The nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services will mitigate the risk.

[81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.111 Reasonable accommodation.

A recipient shall make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the recipient can demonstrate that making the accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or result in an undue financial and administrative burden.

[81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.112 Communications.

(a) A recipient shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, beneficiaries, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as communications with others.

(b)(1) A recipient shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids or services where necessary to afford qualified individuals with disabilities, including applicants, participants, beneficiaries, and members of the public, an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity of the recipient.

(i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary, the recipient shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with a disability.

(ii) The recipient need not provide individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal nature.

(2) Where the recipient communicates with applicants and beneficiaries by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TTY's) or equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used to communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech impairments.

(c) This section does not require the recipient to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those circumstances where the recipient believes that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the recipient has the burden of proving that compliance with § 1251.112 would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the chief executive officer of the recipient or his or her designee after considering all of the recipient's resources available for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the recipient shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.

[81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.113 Illegal Use of Drugs

(a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part does not prohibit discrimination against an individual based on that individual's current illegal use of drugs.

(2) A recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of illegal use of drugs against an individual who is not engaging in current illegal use of drugs and who—

(i) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully;

(ii) Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program; or

(iii) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use.

(b) Health and drug rehabilitation services. (1) A recipient shall not deny health services, or services provided in connection with drug rehabilitation, to an individual on the basis of that individual's current illegal use of drugs, if the individual is otherwise entitled to such services.

(2) A drug rehabilitation or treatment program may deny participation to individuals who engage in illegal use of drugs while they are in the program.

(c) Drug testing. (1) This part does not prohibit a recipient from adopting or administering reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual who formerly engaged in the illegal use of drugs is not now engaging in current illegal use of drugs.

(2) Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall be construed to encourage, prohibit, restrict, or authorize the conduct of testing for the illegal use of drugs.

[81 FR 3711, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.200 Discrimination prohibited.

(a) General. No qualified individual shall, on the basis of disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any program or activity to which this part applies.

(b) Employment discrimination standards. The standards used to determine whether paragraph (a) of this section has been violated shall be the standards applied under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq.) and, as such sections relate to employment, the provisions of sections 501 through 504 and 510 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12201-12204 and 12210), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-325), as such standards are implemented in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulation at 29 CFR part 1630. The procedures to be used to determine whether paragraph (a) of this section has been violated shall be the procedures set forth in § 1251.400 of this part.

[81 FR 3712, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.201 Reasonable accommodation.

(a) A recipient shall make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee with disabilities unless the recipient can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of its program or activity.

(b) Reasonable accommodation may include:

(1) Making facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities; and

(2) Job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, the provision of readers or interpreters, and other similar actions.

(c) In determining pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of a recipient's programor activity, factors to be considered include:

(1) The overall size of the recipient's program or activity with respect to number of employees, number and type of facilities, and size of budget;

(2) The type of the recipient's operation, including the composition and structure of the recipient's workforce; and

(3) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed.

(d) A recipient may not deny any employment opportunity to a qualified applicant or employee with a disability if the basis for the denial is the need to make reasonable accommodation to the physical or mental limitations of the employee or applicant.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1251.202 Employment criteria.

(a) A recipient may not make use of any employment test or other selection criterion that screens out or tends to screen out individuals with disabilities or any class of individuals with disabilities unless:

(1) The test score or other selection criterion, as used by the recipient, is shown to be job-related for the position in question; and

(2) Alternative job-related tests of criteria that do not screen out or tend to screen out as many individuals with disabilities are not shown by the Associate Administrator to be available.

(b) A recipient shall select and administer tests concerning employment so as best to ensure that, when administered to an applicant or employee who has a disability that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's or employee's job skills, aptitude, or whatever other factor the test purports to measure, rather than reflecting the applicant's or employee's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure).

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 81 FR 3712, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.203 Preemployment inquiries.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a recipient may not conduct a preemployment medical examination or may not make preemployment inquiry of an applicant as to whether the applicant is a individual with a disabilityor as to the nature or severity of a disability. A recipient may, however, make preemployment inquiry into an applicant's ability to perform job-related functions.

(b) When a recipient is taking remedial action to correct the effects of past discrimination pursuant to § 1251.105(a), when a recipient is taking voluntary action to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in its Federally assisted program or activity pursuant to § 1251.105(b), or when a recipient is taking affirmative action pursuant to section 504 of the Act, the recipient may invite applicants for employment to indicate whether and to what extent they are handicapped, provided that:

(1) The recipient states clearly on any written questionnaire used for this purpose or makes clear orally if no written questionnaire is used that the information requested is intended for use solely in connection with its remedial action obligations or its voluntary of affirmative action efforts; and

(2) The recipient states clearly that the information is being requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, that refusal to provide it will not subject the applicant or employee to any adverse treatment, and that it will be used only in accordance with this part.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a recipient from conditioning an offer of employment on the results of a medical examination conducted prior to the employee's entrance on duty, provided that:

(1) All entering employees are subjected to such an examination regardless of disability; and

(2) The results of such an examination are used only in accordance with the requirements of this part.

(d) Information obtained in accordance with this section as to the medical condition or history of the applicant shall be collected and maintained on separate forms that shall be accorded confidentiality as medical records, except that:

(1) Supervisors and managers may be informed regarding restrictions on the work or duties of individuals with disabilities and regarding necessary accommodations;

(2) First aid and safety personnel may be informed, where appropriate, if the condition might require emergency treatment; and

(3) Government officials investigating compliance with the Act shall be provided relevant information upon request.

§ 1251.300 Discrimination prohibited.

No qualified individual with a disability shall, because a recipient's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with disabilities, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity to which this part applies.

§ 1251.301 Existing facilities.

(a) Accessibility. A recipient shall operate each program or activity to which his part applies so that when each part is viewed in its entirety it is readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. This paragraph does not require a recipient to make each of its existing facilities or every part of a facility accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(b) Methods. A recipient may comply with the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section through such means as redesign of equipment; reassignment of classes or other services to accessible buildings; assignment of aides to beneficiaries; home visits; delivery of health, welfare, or other social services at alternate accessible sites; alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities in conformance with the requirements of § 1251.302; or any other methods that result in making its program or activity accessible to individuals with disabilities. A recipient is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with paragraph (a) of this section. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall give priority to those methods that serve to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate.

(c) Time period. A recipient shall comply with the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section within 60 days of the effective date of this part except that where structural changes in facilities are necessary, such changes shall be made within 3 years of the effective date of this part, but in any event as expeditiously as possible.

(d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to facilities are necessary to meet the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall develop, within 6 months of the effective date of this part, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities. A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum:

(1) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that limit the accessibility of its program or activity to individuals with disabilities;

(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;

(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve full accessibility under paragraph (a) of this section and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than 1 year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and

(4) Indicate the person responsible for implementation of the plan.

(e) Safe harbor. For the purposes of complying with this section, elements that have not been altered in existing facilities on or after January 23, 2017, and that comply with the corresponding technical and scoping specifications for those elements in the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), Appendix A to 41 CFR part 101-19.6, 49 FR 31528, app. A (Aug. 7, 1984), are not required to be modified to be brought into compliance with the requirements set forth in the 2010 Standards.

(f) Notice of location of accessible facilities—(1) General. The recipient shall adopt and implement procedures to ensure that interested individuals, including individuals with vision or hearing disabilities, can obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(2) Signs at primary entrances. The recipient shall provide signs at a primary entrance to each of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to an accessible facility or a location at which they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each accessible entrance to a facility.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003; 81 FR 3712, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.302 New construction.

(a) Design and construction. Each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(b) Alteration. Each facility or part of a facility which is altered by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient after the effective date of this part in a manner that affects or could affect the usability of the facility or part of the facility shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be altered in such manner that the altered portion of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(c) Accessibility standards and compliance dates—(1) Applicable accessibility standards. (i) New construction and alterations undertaken prior to the compliance dates specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section must comply with either UFAS or the 2010 Standards.

(ii) New construction and alterations on or after the compliance dates specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section must comply with the 2010 Standards.

(iii) New construction and alterations of buildings or facilities undertaken in compliance with the 2010 Standards shall comply with the requirements for a “public building or facility” as defined in the 2010 Standards regardless of whether the recipient is a public or private entity.

(iv) Departures from particular requirements of either standard by the use of other methods shall be permitted when it is clearly evident that equivalent access to the facility or part of the facility is thereby provided.

(2) Compliance dates—(i) New Construction and alterations by recipients that are private entities. (A) New construction and alterations in which the last application for a building permit or permit extension for such construction or alterations is certified to be complete by a state, county, or local government (or, in those jurisdictions where the government does not certify completion of applications, if the date when the last application for a building permit or permit extension is received by the state, county, or local government) is prior to January 23, 2017, or if no permit is required, if the start of physical construction or alterations occurs prior to January 23, 2017, then such new construction and alterations must comply with either the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards or the 2010 Standards.

(B) New construction and alterations in which the last application for a building permit or permit extension for such construction or alterations is certified to be complete by a state, county, or local government (or, in those jurisdictions where the government does not certify completion of applications, if the date when the last application for a building permit or permit extension is received by the state, county, or local government) is on or after January 23, 2017, or if no permit is required, if the start of physical construction or alterations occurs on or after January 23, 2017, then such new construction and alterations shall comply with the 2010 Standards.

(ii) New construction and alterations by recipients that are public entities. (A) If physical construction or alterations commence prior to January 23, 2017, then such new construction and alterations must comply with either UFAS or the 2010 Standards.

(C) If physical construction or alterations commence on or after January 23, 2017, then such new construction and alterations shall comply with the 2010 Standards.

(3) For the purposes of this section, ceremonial groundbreaking or razing of structures prior to site preparation will not be considered to commence or start physical construction or alterations.

Table of Applicable Standards for Complying With 14 CFR 1251.302(c)

Compliance dates for new construction and alterations | Applicable standards for complying with 14 CFR 1251.302(c)

Prior to January 23, 2017 | UFAS or the scoping and technical requirements for a “public building or facility” in the 2010 Standards.

On or after January 23, 2017 | Scoping and technical requirements for a “public building or facility” in the 2010 Standards.

(4)[Reserved]

(5) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the employment or residence therein of persons with physical disabilities.

(6) This section does not require recipients to make building alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without removing or altering a load-bearing structural member.

[51 FR 26862, July 28, 1986, as amended at 55 FR 52138, 52140, Dec. 19, 1990; 81 FR 3712, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.400 Compliance Procedures.

(a) The investigative, compliance, and enforcement procedural provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) are hereby adopted and apply to this section 504 regulation. These procedures are found at §§ 1250.105 through 1250.110 of this chapter.

(b) The Agency shall ensure that complaints alleging violations of section 504 with respect to employment are processed according to the procedures established by the EEOC in 29 CFR part 1640 and the United States DOJ at 28 CFR part 37.

[81 FR 3713, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.501 Purpose.

The purpose of this regulation is to effectuate section 119 of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978, which amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities conducted by Executive agencies or the United States Postal Service.

§ 1251.502 Application.

This regulation (§§ 1251.501-1251.570) applies to all programs or activities conducted by the agency, except for programs or activities conducted outside the United States that do not involve individuals with disabilities in the United States.

§ 1251.503 Definitions.

As used in this part, the term:

(a) Assistant Attorney General means the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice.

(b) Auxiliary aids and services means services or devices that enable persons with sensory, manual, or speech disabilities to have an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or activities conducted by the agency. Auxiliary aids and services include:

(1) Qualified interpreters onsite or through Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services; notetakers; real-time computer-aided transcription services; written materials; exchange of written notes; telephone handset amplifiers; assistive listening devices; assistive listening systems; telephones compatible with hearing aids; closed caption decoders; open and closed captioning, including real-time captioning; voice, text, and video-based telecommunications products and systems, including text telephones (TTYs), videophones, and captioned telephones, or equally effective telecommunications devices; videotext displays; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making aurally delivered information available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;

(2) Qualified readers; taped texts; audio recordings; Brailled materials and displays; screen reader software; magnification software; optical readers; secondary auditory programs (SAP); large print materials; accessible electronic and information technology; or other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or have low vision;

(3) Acquisition or modification of equipment or devices; and

(4) Other similar services and actions.

(c) Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the complainant's name and address and describes the agency's alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the agency of the nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall describe or identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of discrimination.

(d) Direct threat means a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a change to policies, practices or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services as provided in § 1251.110 of this part.

(e) Disability means the definition given that term in the Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II of the ADA at 28 CFR part 35.

(f) Drug means a controlled substance as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812).

(g) Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, rolling stock or other conveyances, or other real or personal property.

(h) Historic preservation programs means programs conducted by the agency that have preservation of historic properties as a primary purpose.

(i) Historic properties means those properties that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or properties designated as historic under a statute of the appropriate state or local government body.

(j) Illegal use of drugs means the use of one or more drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). The term “illegal use of drugs” does not include the use of a drug taken under supervision by a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law.

(k) Individual with a disability means any person who meets the definition of “disability” under 28 CFR part 35.

(l) Qualified individual with a disability means any person who meets the definition of “qualified individual with a disability” under § 1251.102(i) of this part.

(m) Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 394 (29 U.S.C. 794)), as amended.

[81 FR 3713, Jan. 22, 2016]

§§ 1251.504-1251.509 [Reserved]

§ 1251.510 Self-evaluation.

(a) The agency shall, by September 6, 1989, evaluate its current policies and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not meet the requirements of this regulation and, to the extent modification of any such policies and practices is required, the agency shall proceed to make the necessary modifications.

(b) The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in the self-evaluation process by submitting comments (both oral and written).

(c) The agency shall, for at least three years following completion of the self-evaluation, maintain on file and make available for public inspection:

(1) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and

(2) A description of any modifications made.

§ 1251.511 Notice.

The agency shall make available to employees, applicants, participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such information regarding the provisions of this regulation and its applicability to the programs or activities conducted by the agency, and make such information available to them in such manner as the head of the agency finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured them by section 504 and this regulation.

§§ 1251.512-1251.529 [Reserved]

§ 1251.530 General prohibitions against discrimination.

(a) No qualified individual with disabilities shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the agency.

(b)(1) The agency, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of disability—

(i) Deny a qualified individual with disabilities the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;

(ii) Afford a qualified individual with disabilities an opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others;

(iii) Provide a qualified individual with disabilities with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others;

(iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals with disabilities than is provided to others unless such action is necessary to provide qualified individuals with disabilities with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others;

(v) Deny a qualified individual with disabilities the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards;

(vi) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with disabilities in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving the aid, benefit, or service.

(2) The agency may not deny a qualified individual with disabilities the opportunity to participate in programs or activities that are not separate or different, despite the existence of permissibly separate or different programs or activities.

(3) The agency may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration the purpose or effect of which would—

(i) Subject qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability; or

(ii) Defeat or substantially impair accomplishment of the objectives of a program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities.

(4) The agency may not, in determining the site or location of a facility, make selections the purpose or effect of which would—

(i) Exclude individuals with disabilities from, deny them the benefits of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the agency; or

(ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the objectives of a program or activity with respect to individuals with disabilities.

(5) The agency, in the selection of procurement contractors, may not use criteria that subject qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability.

(6) The agency may not administer a licensing or certification program in a manner that subjects qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability, nor may the agency establish requirements for the programs or activities of licensees or certified entities that subject qualified individuals with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability. However, the programs or activities of entities that are licensed or certified by the agency are not, themselves, covered by this regulation.

(c) The exclusion of individuals without disabilities from the benefits of a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to individuals with disabilities or the exclusion of a specific class of individuals with disabilities from a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of individuals with disabilities is not prohibited by this regulation.

(d) The agency shall administer programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.

§§ 1251.531-1251.539 [Reserved]

§ 1251.540 Employment.

(a) General. No qualified individual shall, on the basis of disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any program or activity to which this part applies.

(b) Employment discrimination standards. The standards used to determine whether paragraph (a) of this section has been violated shall be the standards applied under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12,111 et seq.) and, as such sections relate to employment, the provisions of sections 501 through 504 and 510 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12201-12204 and 12210), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-325), as such standards are implemented in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulation at 29 CFR part 1630, as amended.

[81 FR 3713, Jan. 22, 2016]

§§ 1251.541-1251.548 [Reserved]

§ 1251.549 Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.

Except as otherwise provided in § 1251.550, no qualified individual with disabilities shall, because the agency's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with disabilities, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the agency.

§ 1251.550 Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

(a) General. The agency shall operate each program or activity so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This paragraph does not—

(1) Necessarily require the agency to make each of its existing facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;

(2) In the case of historic preservation programs, require the Agency to take any action that would threaten or destroy the historic significance of historic properties.

(3) Require the agency to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of proving that compliance with § 1251.550(a) would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her designee after considering all agency resources available for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.

(b) Methods—(1) General. The agency may comply with the requirements of this section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites, alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities, use of accessible rolling stock, or any other methods that result in making its programs or activities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The agency is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section. The agency, in making alterations to existing buildings, shall meet accessibility requirements to the extent compelled by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any regulations implementing it. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirements of this section, the agency shall give priority to those methods that offer programs and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate.

(2) Historic preservation programs. In meeting the requirements of § 1251.550(a) in historic preservation programs, the agency shall give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals with disabilities. In cases where a physical alteration to an historic property is not required because of § 1251.550(a)(2) or (3), alternative methods of achieving program accessibility include—

(i) Using audio-visual materials and devices to depict those portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made accessible;

(ii) Assigning persons to guide individuals with disabilities into or through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made accessible; or

(iii) Adopting other innovative methods.

(c) Time period for compliance. The agency shall comply with the obligations established under this section by November 7, 1988, except that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken, such changes shall be made by September 6, 1991, but in any event as expeditiously as possible.

(d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the agency shall develop, by March 6, 1989, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting comments (both oral and written). A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum—

(1) Identify physical obstacles in the agency's facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals with disabilities;

(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;

(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and

(4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the plan.

[53 FR 25882, 25885, July 8, 1988, as amended at 81 FR 3713, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.551 Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.

Each building or part of a building that is constructed or altered by, on behalf of, or for the use of the agency shall be designed, constructed, or altered so as to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The definitions, requirements, and standards of the Architectural Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), as established in 41 CFR part 102-76, subpart C, apply to buildings covered by this section.

[81 FR 3714, Jan. 22, 2016]

§§ 1251.552-1251.559 [Reserved]

§ 1251.560 Communications.

(a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal entities, and members of the public.

(1) The agency shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where necessary to afford an individual with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity conducted by the agency.

(i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with disabilities.

(ii) The agency need not provide individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal nature.

(2) Where the agency communicates with applicants and beneficiaries by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's) or equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used to communicate with persons with impaired hearing.

(b) The agency shall ensure that interested persons, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities.

(c) The agency shall provide signage at a primary entrance to each of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to a location at which they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each primary entrance of an accessible facility.

(d) This section does not require the agency to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of proving that compliance with § 1251.560 would result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her designee after considering all agency resources available for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.

§§ 1251.561-1251.569 [Reserved]

§ 1251.570 Compliance procedures.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this section applies to all allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities conducted by the agency.

(b) The Agency shall process complaints alleging violations of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with respect to employment according to the procedures established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 29 CFR part 1640 pursuant to section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791).

(c) The Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity shall be responsible for coordinating implementation of this section. Complaints may be sent to the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20546.

(d) The agency shall accept and investigate all complete complaints for which it has jurisdiction. All complete complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination. The agency may extend this time period for good cause.

(e) If the agency receives a complaint over which it does not have jurisdiction, it shall promptly notify the complainant and shall make reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the appropriate Government entity.

(f) The agency shall notify the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board upon receipt of any complaint alleging that a building or facility that is subject to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), is not readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

(g) Within 180 days of the receipt of a complete complaint for which it has jurisdiction, the agency shall notify the complainant of the results of the investigation in a letter containing—

(1) Findings of fact and conclusions of law;

(2) A description of a remedy for each violation found; and

(3) A notice of the right to appeal.

(h) Appeals of the findings of fact and conclusions of law or remedies must be filed by the complainant within 90 days of receipt from the agency of the letter required by § 1251.570(g). The agency may extend this time for good cause.

(i) Timely appeals shall be accepted and processed by the head of the agency.

(j) The head of the agency shall notify the complainant of the results of the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the request. If the head of the agency determines that additional information is needed from the complainant, he or she shall have 60 days from the date of receipt of the additional information to make his or her determination on the appeal.

(k) The time limits cited in paragraphs (g) and (j) of this section may be extended with the permission of the Assistant Attorney General.

(l) The agency may delegate its authority for conducting complaint investigations to other Federal agencies, except that the authority for making the final determination may not be delegated to another agency.

[53 FR 25882, 25885, July 8, 1989, as amended at 81 FR 3714, Jan. 22, 2016]

§§ 1251.571-1251.579 [Reserved]

§ 1251.580 Direct threat.

(a) This part does not require the Agency to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, programs, or activities of that recipient when that individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

(b) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the Agency must make an individualized assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: The nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services will mitigate the risk.

[81 FR 3714, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.581 Reasonable accommodation.

The Agency shall make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the Agency can demonstrate that making the accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or result in an undue financial and administrative burden.

[81 FR 3714, Jan. 22, 2016]

§ 1251.582 Illegal use of drugs

(a) General. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part does not prohibit discrimination against an individual based on that individual's current illegal use of drugs.

(2) The Agency shall not discriminate on the basis of illegal use of drugs against an individual who is not engaging in current illegal use of drugs and who—

(i) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully;

(ii) Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program; or

(iii) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use.

(b) Health and drug rehabilitation services. (1) The Agency shall not deny health services, or services provided in connection with drug rehabilitation, to an individual on the basis of that individual's current illegal use of drugs, if the individual is otherwise entitled to such services.

(2) A drug rehabilitation or treatment program may deny participation to individuals who engage in illegal use of drugs while they are in the program.

(c) Drug testing. (1) This part does not prohibit the Agency from adopting or administering reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual who formerly engaged in the illegal use of drugs is not now engaging in current illegal use of drugs.

(2) Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall be construed to encourage, prohibit, restrict, or authorize the conducting of testing for the illegal use of drugs.

[81 FR 3714, Jan. 22, 2016]

§§ 1251.583-1251.999 [Reserved]

§ 1252.100 What is the purpose of NASA's age discrimination regulations?

The purpose of these regulations is to set out NASA's policies and to implement agencywide or agency procedures under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 according to the government-wide age discrimination regulations at 45 CFR part 90. (Published at 44 FR 33768, June 12, 1979.) The Act and the government-wide regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. The Act and the governmentwide regulations permit federally assisted programs or activities and recipients of Federal funds, to continue to use age distinctions and factors other than age which meet the requirements of the Act and the governmentwide regulations.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.102 To what programs or activities do these regulations apply?

(a) These regulations apply to each NASA recipient and to each program or activity operated by the recipient which receives Federal financial assistance provided by NASA.

(b) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 does not apply to:

(1) An age distinction contained in that part of a Federal, State, or local statute or ordinance adopted by an elected body which:

(i) Provides any benefits or assistance to persons based on age; or

(ii) Establishes criteria for participation in age-related terms; or

(iii) Describes intended beneficiaries or target groups in age-related terms.

(2) Any employment practice of any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or any labor-management joint apprenticeship training program, except for any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance for public service employment under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1974 (CETA) (29 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.103 Definitions.

As used in these regulations, the term:

(a) Act means the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended. (Title III of Pub. L. 94-135.)

(b) Action means any act, activity, policy, rule, standard, or method of administration; or the use of any policy, rule, standard, or method of administration.

(c) Age means how old a person is, or the number of elapsed years from the date of a person's birth.

(d) Age distinction means any action using age or an age-related term.

(e) Age-related term means a word or words which necessarily imply a particular age or range of ages (for example, “children,” “adult,” “older persons,” but not “student”).

(f) Discrimination means unlawful treatment based on age.

(g) NASA means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(h) Federal financial assistance means any grant, entitlement, loan, cooperative agreement contract (other than a procurement contract or a contract of insurance or guaranty), or any other arrangement by which the agency provides or otherwise makes available assistance in the form of:

(1) Funds;

(2) Services of Federal personnel; or interest in or use of property, including:

(i) Transfer or lease of property for less than fair market value or for reduced consideration; and

(ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government.

(i) FMCS means the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

(j) Recipient means any State or its political subdivision, any instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, organization, or other entity, or any person to which Federal financial assistance is extended, directly or through another recipient. Recipient includes any successor, assignee, or transferee, but excludes the ultimate beneficiary of the assistance.

(k) Administrator means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or designee.

(l) Subrecipient means any of the entities in the definition of “recipient” to which a recipient extents or passes on Federal financial assistance. A subrecipient is generally regarded as a recipient of Federal financial assistance and has all the duties of a recipient in these regulations.

(m) United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, the Canal Zone, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Marianas, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

(n) Program or activity means all of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (n)(1) through (4) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:

(1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

(ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;

(2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or

(ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), system of vocational education, or other school system;

(3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—

(A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or

(B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or

(ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or

(4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraph (n)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51351, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.200 Rules against age discrimination.

The rules stated in this section are limited by the exceptions contained in § 1252.201.

(a) General rule: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of age be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

(b) Specific rules: A recipient may not, in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements use age distinctions or take any other actions which have the effect, on the basis of age, of:

(1) Excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance; or

(2) Denying or limiting individuals in their opportunity to participate in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

(c) The specific forms of age discrimination listed in paragraph (b) of this section do not necessarily constitute a complete list.

§ 1252.201 Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the terms normal operation and statutory objective shall have the following meaning:

(1) Normal operation means the operation of a program or activity without significant changes that would impair its ability to meet its objectives.

(2) Statutory objective means any purpose of a program or activity expressly stated in any Federal statute, state statute or local statute or ordinance adopted by any elected, general purpose legislative body.

(b) Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A recipient is permitted to take an action otherwise prohibited by § 1252.200 if the action reasonably takes into account age as a factor necessary to the normal operation of the achievement of any statutory objective of a program or activity. An action reasonably takes into account age as a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory objective of a program or activity, if:

(1) Age is used as a measure of approximation of one or more other characteristics; and

(2) The other characteristic(s) must be measured or approximated in order for the normal operation of the program or activity to continue, or to achieve any statutory objective of the program or activity; and

(3) The other characteristic(s) can be reasonably measured or approximated by the use of age; and

(4) The other characteristic(s) are impractical to measure directly on an individual basis.

(c) Reasonable factors other than age. A recipient is permitted to take an action otherwise prohibited by § 1252.200 which is based on a factor other than age, even though that action may have a disproportionate effect on persons of different ages. An action may be based on a factor other than age only if the factor bears a direct and substantial relationship to the normal operation of the program or activity or to the achievement of a statutory objective.

§ 1252.202 Burden of proof.

The burden of proving that an age distinction or other action falls within the exceptions outlined in § 1252.201 (b) and (c) is on the recipient of Federal financial assistance.

§ 1252.203 Special benefits for children and the elderly.

If a recipient operating a program or activity provides special benefits to the elderly or to children, such use of age distinctions shall be presumed to be necessary to the normal operation of the program or activity, notwithstanding the provision of § 1252.10.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.300 General responsibilities of recipients.

Each NASA recipient must ensure that its programs or activities comply with these regulations.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.301 Notice to subrecipients.

Where a recipient passes on Federal financial assistance from NASA to subrecipients, the recipient shall provide the subrecipient written notice of their obligations under these regulations.

§ 1252.302 Assurance of compliance and recipient assessment of age distinctions.

(a) Each recipient of Federal financial assistance from NASA shall sign a written assurance as specified by NASA that it will comply with the Act and these regulations.

(b) Recipient assessment of age distinctions. (1) As part of a compliance review under § 91.41, NASA may require a recipient employing the equivalent of 15 or more employees to complete a written self-evaluation, in a manner specified by the responsible Agency official, of any age distinction imposed in its program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from NASA to assess the recipient's compliance with the Act.

(2) Whenever an assessment indicates a violation of the Act and the NASA regulations, the recipient shall take corrective action.

§ 1252.303 Information requirements.

(a) Keep records in a form that contains information which NASA determines may be necessary to ascertain whether the recipient is complying with the Act and these regulations.

(b) Provide to NASA, upon request, information and reports which NASA determines are necessary to ascertain whether the recipient is complying with the Act and these regulations.

(c) Permit reasonable access by NASA to the books, records, accounts, and other recipient facilities and sources of information to the extent NASA determines is necessary to ascertain whether the recipient is complying with the Act and these regulations.

§ 1252.400 Compliance reviews.

(a) NASA may conduct compliance reviews and pre-award reviews of recipients or use other similar procedures that will permit it to investigate and correct violations of the Act and these regulations. NASA may conduct these reviews even in the absence of a complaint against a recipient. The review may be as comprehensive as necessary to determine whether a violation of these regulations has occurred.

(b) If a compliance review or pre-award review indicates a violation of the Act or these regulations, NASA will attempt to secure the recipient's voluntary compliance with the Act. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, NASA will arrange for enforcement as described in § 1252.405.

§ 1252.401 Complaints.

(a) Any person, individually or as a member of a class or on behalf of others, may file a complaint with NASA, alleging discrimination prohibited by the Act or these regulations based on an action occurring on or after July 1, 1979. A complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date the complainant first had knowledge of the alleged act of discrimination. However, for good cause shown, NASA may extend this time limit.

(b) NASA will attempt to facilitate the filing of complaints wherever possible, including taking the following measures:

(1) Accepting as a sufficient complaint, any written statement, which identifies the parties involved and the date the complainant first had knowledge of the alleged violation, describes generally the action or practice complained of, and assigned by the complainant.

(2) Freely permitting a complainant to add information to the complaint to meet the requirements of a sufficient complaint.

(3) Widely disseminating information regarding the obligations of recipients under the Act and these regulations.

(4) Notifying the complainant and the recipient of their rights and obligations under the complaint procedure, including the right to have a representative at all stages of the complaint procedure.

(5) Notifying the complainant and the recipient (or their representatives) of their right to contact NASA for information and assistance regarding the complaint resolution process.

(c) NASA will return to the complainant any complaint outside the jurisdiction of these regulations, and will state the reason(s) why it is outside the jurisdiction of these regulations.

§ 1252.402 Mediation.

(a) Referral of complaints for mediation. NASA will refer to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service all complaints that:

(1) Fall within the jurisdiction of the Act and these regulations; and

(2) Contain all information necessary for further processing.

(b) Both the complainant and the recipient shall participate in the mediation process to the extent necessary to reach an agreement or make an informed judgment that an agreement is not possible. There must be at least one meeting with the mediator before NASA will accept a judgment that an agreement is not possible. However, the recipient and the complainant need not meet with the mediator at the same time.

(c) If the complainant and the recipient reach an agreement, the mediator shall prepare a written statement of the agreement and have the complainant and recipient sign it. The mediator shall send a copy of the agreement to NASA. NASA will take no further action on the complaint unless the complainant or the recipient fails to comply with the agreement. However, NASA retains the right to monitor the recipient's compliance with the agreement.

(d) The mediator shall protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of the mediation process. No mediator shall testify in any adjudicative proceeding, produce any document, or otherwise disclose any information obtained in the course of the mediation process without prior approval of the head of the mediation agency.

(e) NASA will use the mediation process for a maximum of 60 days after receiving a complaint.

(f) Mediation ends if:

(1) 60 days elapse from the time NASA receives the complaint; or

(2) Prior to the end of that 60-day period, an agreement is reached; or

(3) Prior to the end of that 60-day period, the mediator determines that an agreement cannot be reached.

(g) The mediator shall return unresolved complaints to NASA.

§ 1252.403 Investigation.

(a) Informal inquiry. (1) NASA will investigate complaints that are unresolved after mediation or are reopened because of a violation of a mediation agreement.

(2) As part of the initial inquiry, NASA will use informal fact finding methods, including joint or separate discussions with the complainant and recipient to establish the facts, and, if possible, settle the complaint on terms that are mutually agreeable to the parties. NASA may seek the assistance of any involved State agency.

(3) NASA will put any agreement in writing and have it signed by the parties and an authorized official at NASA.

(4) The settlement shall not affect the operation of any other enforcement effort of NASA, including compliance reviews and investigation of other complaints which may involve the recipient.

(5) The settlement is not a finding of discrimination against a recipient.

(b) Formal investigation. If NASA cannot resolve the complaint through informal means it will develop formal findings through further investigations of the complaint. If the investigation indicates a violation of these regulations, NASA will attempt to obtain voluntary compliance. If NASA cannot obtain voluntary compliance, it will begin enforcement as described in § 1252.405.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.404 Prohibition against intimidation or retaliation.

A recipient may not engage in acts of intimidation or retaliation against any person who:

(a) Attempts to assert a right protected by the Act or these regulations; or

(b) Cooperates in any mediation, inquiry, hearing, or other part of NASA's investigation, conciliation, and enforcement process.

§ 1252.405 Compliance procedure.

(a) NASA may enforce the Act and these regulations through:

(1) Termination of a recipient's Federal financial assistance from NASA under the program or activity involved where the recipient has violated the Act or these regulations. The determination of the recipient's violation may be made only after a recipient has had an opportunity for a hearing on the record before an administrative law judge. Therefore, cases which are settled in mediation, or prior to a hearing, will not involve termination of a recipient's Federal financial assistance from NASA.

(2) Any other means authorized by law including but not limited to:

(i) Referral to the Department of Justice for proceedings to enforce any rights of the United States or obligations of the recipient created by the Act or these regulations.

(ii) Use of any requirement of or referral to any Federal, State, or local government agency that will have the effect of correcting a violation of the Act or these regulations.

(b) NASA will limit any termination under § 1252.405(a)(1) to the particular program or activity NASA finds in violations of these regulations. NASA will not base any part of a termination on a finding with respect to any program or activity of the recipient which does not receive Federal financial assistance from NASA.

(c) NASA will take no action under paragraph (a) until:

(1) The Administrator has advised the recipient of its failure to comply with the Act and these regulations and has determined that voluntary compliance cannot be obtained.

(2) 30 days have elapsed after the Administrator has sent a written report of the circumstances and grounds of the action to the committees of Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the program or activity involved. The Administrator will file a report whenever any action is taken under paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) NASA also may defer granting new Federal financial assistance from NASA to a recipient when a hearing under § 1252.405(a)(1) is initiated.

(1) New Federal financial assistance from NASA includes all assistance for which NASA requires an application or approval, including renewal or continuation of existing activities during the deferral period. New Federal financial assistance from NASA does not include assistance approved prior to the beginning of a hearing under § 1252.405(a)(1).

(2) NASA will not begin a deferral until the recipient has received a notice of an opportunity for a hearing under § 1252.405(a)(1). NASA will not continue a deferral for more than 60 days unless a hearing has begun within that time or the time for beginning the hearing has been extended by mutual consent of the recipient and the Administrator. NASA will not continue a deferral for more than 30 days after the close of the hearing, unless the hearing results in a finding against the recipient.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.406 Hearings.

The procedural provisions for those hearings required by § 1252.405 are contained in 14 CFR 1250.108.

§ 1252.407 Notices, decisions, and post-termination proceedings.

All notices, decisions, and post-termination proceedings, insofar as NASA is concerned, shall be made in accordance with 14 CFR 1250.109.

§ 1252.408 Remedial action by recipients.

(a) Where NASA finds a recipient has discriminated on the basis of age, the recipient shall take any remedial action that NASA may require to overcome the effects of the discrimination. If another recipient exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, NASA may require both recipients to take remedial action.

(b) Even in the absence of discrimination, a recipient may take affirmative action to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation in the recipients program or activity on the basis of age.

§ 1252.409 Alternate funds disbursal procedure.

(a) When NASA withholds funds from a recipient under these regulations, the Administrator may disburse the withheld funds directly to an alternate recipient.

(b) The Administrator will require any alternate recipient to demonstrate:

(1) The ability to comply with these regulations; and

(2) The ability to achieve the goals of the Federal statute authorizing the Federal financial assistance.

[50 FR 13311, Apr. 4, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51352, Aug. 26, 2003]

§ 1252.410 Exhaustion of administrative remedies.

(a) A complainant may file a civil action following the exhaustion of administrative remedies under the Act. Administrative remedies are exhausted if:

(1) 180 days have elapsed since the complainant filed the complaint and NASA has made no finding with regard to the complaint; or

(2) NASA issues any findings in favor of the recipient.

(b) If NASA fails to make a finding within 180 days or issues a finding in favor of the recipient, NASA will:

(1) Promptly advise the complainant of this fact; and

(2) Advise the complainant of his or her right to bring a civil action for injunctive relief; and

(3) Inform the complainant:

(i) That the complainant may bring a civil action only in a United States district court for the district in which the recipient is located or transacts business;

(ii) That a complainant prevailing in a civil action has the right to be awarded the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees, but that the complainant must demand these costs in the complaint.

(iii) That before commencing the action the complainant shall give 30 days notice by registered mail to the Administrator, the Attorney General of the United States, and

(iv) That the notice must state: the alleged violation of the act; the relief requested; the court in which the complainant is bringing the action; and, whether or not attorney's fees are demanded in the event the complainant prevails; and

(v) That the complainant may not bring an action if the same alleged violation of the Act by the same recipient is the subject of a pending action in any court of the United States.

§ 1252.411 Age distinctions.

There are no Federal statutes or regulations containing age distinctions which affect financial assistance administered by the agency.

§ 1253.100 Purpose and effective date.

The purpose of these Title IX regulations is to effectuate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (except sections 904 and 906 of those Amendments) (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688), which is designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, whether or not such program or activity is offered or sponsored by an educational institution as defined in these Title IX regulations. The effective date of these Title IX regulations shall be September 29, 2000.

§ 1253.105 Definitions.

As used in these Title IX regulations, the term:

Administratively separate unit means a school, department, or college of an educational institution (other than a local educational agency) admission to which is independent of admission to any other component of such institution.

Admission means selection for part-time, full-time, special, associate, transfer, exchange, or any other enrollment, membership, or matriculation in or at an education program or activity operated by a recipient.

Applicant means one who submits an application, request, or plan required to be approved by an official of the Federal agency that awards Federal financial assistance, or by a recipient, as a condition to becoming a recipient.

Designated agency official means Associate Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs.

Educational institution means a local educational agency (LEA) as defined by 20 U.S.C. 8801(18), a preschool, a private elementary or secondary school, or an applicant or recipient that is an institution of graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of professional education, or an institution of vocational education, as defined in this section.

Federal financial assistance means any of the following, when authorized or extended under a law administered by the Federal agency that awards such assistance:

(1) A grant or loan of Federal financial assistance, including funds made available for:

(i) The acquisition, construction, renovation, restoration, or repair of a building or facility or any portion thereof; and

(ii) Scholarships, loans, grants, wages, or other funds extended to any entity for payment to or on behalf of students admitted to that entity, or extended directly to such students for payment to that entity.

(2) A grant of Federal real or personal property or any interest therein, including surplus property, and the proceeds of the sale or transfer of such property, if the Federal share of the fair market value of the property is not, upon such sale or transfer, properly accounted for to the Federal Government.

(3) Provision of the services of Federal personnel.

(4) Sale or lease of Federal property or any interest therein at nominal consideration, or at consideration reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient or in recognition of public interest to be served thereby, or permission to use Federal property or any interest therein without consideration.

(5) Any other contract, agreement, or arrangement that has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance to any education program or activity, except a contract of insurance or guaranty.

Institution of graduate higher education means an institution that:

(1) Offers academic study beyond the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, whether or not leading to a certificate of any higher degree in the liberal arts and sciences;

(2) Awards any degree in a professional field beyond the first professional degree (regardless of whether the first professional degree in such field is awarded by an institution of undergraduate higher education or professional education); or

(3) Awards no degree and offers no further academic study, but operates ordinarily for the purpose of facilitating research by persons who have received the highest graduate degree in any field of study.

Institution of professional education means an institution (except any institution of undergraduate higher education) that offers a program of academic study that leads to a first professional degree in a field for which there is a national specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.

Institution of undergraduate higher education means:

(1) An institution offering at least two but less than four years of college-level study beyond the high school level, leading to a diploma or an associate degree, or wholly or principally creditable toward a baccalaureate degree; or

(2) An institution offering academic study leading to a baccalaureate degree; or

(3) An agency or body that certifies credentials or offers degrees, but that may or may not offer academic study.

Institution of vocational education means a school or institution (except an institution of professional or graduate or undergraduate higher education) that has as its primary purpose preparation of students to pursue a technical, skilled, or semiskilled occupation or trade, or to pursue study in a technical field, whether or not the school or institution offers certificates, diplomas, or degrees and whether or not it offers full-time study.

Recipient means any State or political subdivision thereof, or any instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof, any public or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any person, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended directly or through another recipient and that operates an education program or activity that receives such assistance, including any subunit, successor, assignee, or transferee thereof.

Student means a person who has gained admission.

Title IX means Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235, 373 (codified as amended at 20 U.S.C. 1681-1688) (except sections 904 and 906 thereof), as amended by section 3 of Public Law 93-568, 88 Stat. 1855, by section 412 of the Education Amendments of 1976, Public Law 94-482, 90 Stat. 2234, and by Section 3 of Public Law 100-259, 102 Stat. 28, 28-29 (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688).

Title IX regulations means the provisions set forth at §§ 1253.100 through 1253.605.

Transition plan means a plan subject to the approval of the Secretary of Education pursuant to section 901(a)(2) of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(2), under which an educational institution operates in making the transition from being an educational institution that admits only students of one sex to being one that admits students of both sexes without discrimination.

§ 1253.110 Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.

(a) Remedial action. If the designated agency official finds that a recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, such recipient shall take such remedial action as the designated agency official deems necessary to overcome the effects of such discrimination.

(b) Affirmative action. In the absence of a finding of discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, a recipient may take affirmative action consistent with law to overcome the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation therein by persons of a particular sex. Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted to alter any affirmative action obligations that a recipient may have under Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive Order 12086, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264.

(c) Self-evaluation. Each recipient education institution shall, within one year of September 29, 2000:

(1) Evaluate, in terms of the requirements of these Title IX regulations, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof concerning admission of students, treatment of students, and employment of both academic and non-academic personnel working in connection with the recipient's education program or activity;

(2) Modify any of these policies and practices that do not or may not meet the requirements of these Title IX regulations; and

(3) Take appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted or may have resulted from adherence to these policies and practices.

(d) Availability of self-evaluation and related materials. Recipients shall maintain on file for at least three years following completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c) of this section, and shall provide to the designated agency official upon request, a description of any modifications made pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section and of any remedial steps taken pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

§ 1253.115 Assurance required.

(a) General. Either at the application stage or the award stage, Federal agencies must ensure that applications for Federal financial assistance or awards of Federal financial assistance contain, be accompanied by, or be covered by a specifically identified assurance from the applicant or recipient, satisfactory to the designated agency official, that each education program or activity operated by the applicant or recipient and to which these Title IX regulations apply will be operated in compliance with these Title IX regulations. An assurance of compliance with these Title IX regulations shall not be satisfactory to the designated agency official if the applicant or recipient to whom such assurance applies fails to commit itself to take whatever remedial action is necessary in accordance with § 1253.110(a) to eliminate existing discrimination on the basis of sex or to eliminate the effects of past discrimination whether occurring prior to or subsequent to the submission to the designated agency official of such assurance.

(b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide real property or structures thereon, such assurance shall obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structures are used to provide an education program or activity.

(2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide personal property, such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.

(3) In all other cases such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.

(c) Form. (1) The assurances required by paragraph (a) of this section, which may be included as part of a document that addresses other assurances or obligations, shall include that the applicant or recipient will comply with all applicable Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, 1685-1688).

(2) The designated agency official will specify the extent to which such assurances will be required of the applicant's or recipient's subgrantees, contractors, subcontractors, transferees, or successors in interest.

§ 1253.120 Transfers of property.

If a recipient sells or otherwise transfers property financed in whole or in part with Federal financial assistance to a transferee that operates any education program or activity, and the Federal share of the fair market value of the property is not upon such sale or transfer properly accounted for to the Federal Government, both the transferor and the transferee shall be deemed to be recipients, subject to the provisions of §§ 1253.205 through 1253.235(a).

§ 1253.125 Effect of other requirements.

(a) Effect of other Federal provisions. The obligations imposed by these Title IX regulations are independent of, and do not alter, obligations not to discriminate on the basis of sex imposed by Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive Order 12087, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264; sections 704 and 855 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295m, 298b-2); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (29 U.S.C. 206); and any other Act of Congress or Federal regulation.

(b) Effect of State or local law or other requirements. The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that would render any applicant or student ineligible, or limit the eligibility of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, to practice any occupation or profession.

(c) Effect of rules or regulations of private organizations. The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated by any rule or regulation of any organization, club, athletic or other league, or association that would render any applicant or student ineligible to participate or limit the eligibility or participation of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, in any education program or activity operated by a recipient and that receives Federal financial assistance.

§ 1253.130 Effect of employment opportunities.

The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any occupation or profession are or may be more limited for members of one sex than for members of the other sex.

§ 1253.135 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance procedures.

(a) Designation of responsible employee. Each recipient shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under these Title IX regulations, including any investigation of any complaint communicated to such recipient alleging its noncompliance with these Title IX regulations or alleging any actions that would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations. The recipient shall notify all its students and employees of the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee or employees appointed pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) Complaint procedure of recipient. A recipient shall adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations.

§ 1253.140 Dissemination of policy.

(a) Notification of policy. (1) Each recipient shall implement specific and continuing steps to notify applicants for admission and employment, students and parents of elementary and secondary school students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities that it operates, and that it is required by Title IX and these Title IX regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Such notification shall contain such information, and be made in such manner, as the designated agency official finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured them by Title IX and these Title IX regulations, but shall state at least that the requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to employment therein, and to admission thereto unless §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 do not apply to the recipient, and that inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and these Title IX regulations to such recipient may be referred to the employee designated pursuant to § 1253.135, or to the designated agency official.

(2) Each recipient shall make the initial notification required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section within 90 days of September 29, 2000 or of the date these Title IX regulations first apply to such recipient, whichever comes later, which notification shall include publication in:

(i) Newspapers and magazines operated by such recipient or by student, alumnae, or alumni groups for or in connection with such recipient; and

(ii) Memoranda or other written communications distributed to every student and employee of such recipient.

(b) Publications. (1) Each recipient shall prominently include a statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section in each announcement, bulletin, catalog, or application form that it makes available to any person of a type, described in paragraph (a) of this section, or which is otherwise used in connection with the recruitment of students or employees.

(2) A recipient shall not use or distribute a publication of the type described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that suggests, by text or illustration, that such recipient treats applicants, students, or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is permitted by these Title IX regulations.

(c) Distribution. Each recipient shall distribute without discrimination on the basis of sex each publication described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and shall apprise each of its admission and employment recruitment representatives of the policy of nondiscrimination described in paragraph (a) of this section, and shall require such representatives to adhere to such policy.

§ 1253.200 Application.

Except as provided in §§ 1253.205 through 1253.235(a), these Title IX regulations apply to every recipient and to each education program or activity operated by such recipient that receives Federal financial assistance.

§ 1253.205 Educational institutions and other entities controlled by religious organizations.

(a) Exemption. These Title IX regulations do not apply to any operation of an educational institution or other entity that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that application of these Title IX regulations would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.

(b) Exemption claims. An educational institution or other entity that wishes to claim the exemption set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall do so by submitting in writing to the designated agency official a statement by the highest-ranking official of the institution, identifying the provisions of these Title IX regulations that conflict with a specific tenet of the religious organization.

§ 1253.210 Military and merchant marine educational institutions.

These Title IX regulations do not apply to an educational institution whose primary purpose is the training of individuals for a military service of the United States or for the merchant marine.

§ 1253.215 Membership practices of certain organizations.

(a) Social fraternities and sororities. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of social fraternities and sororities that are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at institutions of higher education.

(b) YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls.

(c) Voluntary youth service organizations. These Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of a voluntary youth service organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), and the membership of which has been traditionally limited to members of one sex and principally to persons of less than nineteen years of age.

§ 1253.220 Admissions.

(a) Admissions to educational institutions prior to June 24, 1973, are not covered by these Title IX regulations.

(b) Administratively separate units. For the purposes only of this section, §§ 1253.225 and 1253.230, and §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310, each administratively separate unit shall be deemed to be an educational institution.

(c) Application of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply to each recipient. A recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission or recruitment in violation of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310.

(d) Educational institutions. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section as to recipients that are educational institutions, §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply only to institutions of vocational education, professional education, graduate higher education, and public institutions of undergraduate higher education.

(e) Public institutions of undergraduate higher education. §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 do not apply to any public institution of undergraduate higher education that traditionally and continually from its establishment has had a policy of admitting students of only one sex.

§ 1253.225 Educational institutions eligible to submit transition plans.

(a) Application. This section applies to each educational institution to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply that:

(1) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 23, 1972; or

(2) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 23, 1965, but thereafter admitted, as regular students, students of the sex not admitted prior to June 23, 1965.

(b) Provision for transition plans. An educational institution to which this section applies shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission or recruitment in violation of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310.

§ 1253.230 Transition plans.

(a) Submission of plans. An institution to which § 1253.225 applies and that is composed of more than one administratively separate unit may submit either a single transition plan applicable to all such units, or a separate transition plan applicable to each such unit.

(b) Content of plans. In order to be approved by the Secretary of Education, a transition plan shall:

(1) State the name, address, and Federal Interagency Committee on Education Code of the educational institution submitting such plan, the administratively separate units to which the plan is applicable, and the name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom questions concerning the plan may be addressed. The person who submits the plan shall be the chief administrator or president of the institution, or another individual legally authorized to bind the institution to all actions set forth in the plan.

(2) State whether the educational institution or administratively separate unit admits students of both sexes as regular students and, if so, when it began to do so.

(3) Identify and describe with respect to the educational institution or administratively separate unit any obstacles to admitting students without discrimination on the basis of sex.

(4) Describe in detail the steps necessary to eliminate as soon as practicable each obstacle so identified and indicate the schedule for taking these steps and the individual directly responsible for their implementation.

(5) Include estimates of the number of students, by sex, expected to apply for, be admitted to, and enter each class during the period covered by the plan.

(c) Nondiscrimination. No policy or practice of a recipient to which § 1253.225 applies shall result in treatment of applicants to or students of such recipient in violation of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 unless such treatment is necessitated by an obstacle identified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section and a schedule for eliminating that obstacle has been provided as required by paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(d) Effects of past exclusion. To overcome the effects of past exclusion of students on the basis of sex, each educational institution to which § 1253.225 applies shall include in its transition plan, and shall implement, specific steps designed to encourage individuals of the previously excluded sex to apply for admission to such institution. Such steps shall include instituting recruitment programs that emphasize the institution's commitment to enrolling students of the sex previously excluded.

§ 1253.235 Statutory amendments.

(a) This section, which applies to all provisions of these Title IX regulations, addresses statutory amendments to Title IX.

(b) These Title IX regulations shall not apply to or preclude:

(1) Any program or activity of the American Legion undertaken in connection with the organization or operation of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference;

(2) Any program or activity of a secondary school or educational institution specifically for:

(i) The promotion of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference; or

(ii) The selection of students to attend any such conference;

(3) Father-son or mother-daughter activities at an educational institution or in an education program or activity, but if such activities are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for reasonably comparable activities shall be provided to students of the other sex;

(4) Any scholarship or other financial assistance awarded by an institution of higher education to an individual because such individual has received such award in a single-sex pageant based upon a combination of factors related to the individual's personal appearance, poise, and talent. The pageant, however, must comply with other nondiscrimination provisions of Federal law.

(c) Program or activity or program means:

(1) All of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:

(i)(A) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or

(B) The entity of such State or local government that distributes such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the case of assistance to a State or local government;

(ii)(A) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or a public system of higher education; or

(B) A local educational agency (as defined in section 8801 of title 20), system of vocational education, or other school system;

(iii)(A) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private organization, or an entire sole proprietorship—

(1) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or

(2) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and recreation; or

(B) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole proprietorship; or

(iv) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the entities described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.

(2)(i) Program or activity does not include any operation of an entity that is controlled by a religious organization if the application of 20 U.S.C. 1681 to such operation would not be consistent with the religious tenets of such organization.

(ii) For example, all of the operations of a college, university, or other postsecondary institution, including but not limited to traditional educational operations, faculty and student housing, campus shuttle bus service, campus restaurants, the bookstore, and other commercial activities are part of a “program or activity” subject to these Title IX regulations if the college, university, or other institution receives Federal financial assistance.

(d)(1) Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be construed to require or prohibit any person, or public or private entity, to provide or pay for any benefit or service, including the use of facilities, related to an abortion. Medical procedures, benefits, services, and the use of facilities, necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman or to address complications related to an abortion are not subject to this section.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a penalty to be imposed on any person or individual because such person or individual is seeking or has received any benefit or service related to a legal abortion. Accordingly, subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, employment, or other educational program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance because such individual has sought or received, or is seeking, a legal abortion, or any benefit or service related to a legal abortion.

§ 1253.300 Admission.

(a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through §§ 1253.310 apply, except as provided in §§ 1253.225 and §§ 1253.230.

(b) Specific prohibitions. (1) In determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply shall not:

(i) Give preference to one person over another on the basis of sex, by ranking applicants separately on such basis, or otherwise;

(ii) Apply numerical limitations upon the number or proportion of persons of either sex who may be admitted; or

(iii) Otherwise treat one individual differently from another on the basis of sex.

(2) A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other criterion for admission that has a disproportionately adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless the use of such test or criterion is shown to predict validly success in the education program or activity in question and alternative tests or criteria that do not have such a disproportionately adverse effect are shown to be unavailable.

(c) Prohibitions relating to marital or parental status. In determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply:

(1) Shall not apply any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a student or applicant that treats persons differently on the basis of sex;

(2) Shall not discriminate against or exclude any person on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, or establish or follow any rule or practice that so discriminates or excludes;

(3) Subject to § 1253.235(d), shall treat disabilities related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability or physical condition; and

(4) Shall not make pre-admission inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for admission, including whether such applicant is “Miss” or “Mrs.” A recipient may make pre-admission inquiry as to the sex of an applicant for admission, but only if such inquiry is made equally of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX regulations.

§ 1253.305 Preference in admission.

A recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply shall not give preference to applicants for admission, on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or other school or entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the giving of such preference has the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310.

§ 1253.310 Recruitment.

(a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment. A recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and admission of students. A recipient may be required to undertake additional recruitment efforts for one sex as remedial action pursuant to § 1253.110(a), and may choose to undertake such efforts as affirmative action pursuant to § 1253.110(b).

(b) Recruitment at certain institutions. A recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 apply shall not recruit primarily or exclusively at educational institutions, schools, or entities that admit as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if such actions have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310.

§ 1253.400 Education programs or activities.

(a) General. Except as provided elsewhere in these Title IX regulations, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance. Sections 1253.400 through 1253.455 do not apply to actions of a recipient in connection with admission of its students to an education program or activity of a recipient to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 do not apply, or an entity, not a recipient, to which §§ 1253.300 through 1253.310 would not apply if the entity were a recipient.

(b) Specific prohibitions. Except as provided in §§ 1253.400 through 1253.455, in providing any aid, benefit, or service to a student, a recipient shall not, on the basis of sex:

(1) Treat one person differently from another in determining whether such person satisfies any requirement or condition for the provision of such aid, benefit, or service;

(2) Provide different aid, benefits, or services or provide aid, benefits, or services in a different manner;

(3) Deny any person any such aid, benefit, or service;

(4) Subject any person to separate or different rules of behavior, sanctions, or other treatment;

(5) Apply any rule concerning the domicile or residence of a student or applicant, including eligibility for in-state fees and tuition;

(6) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against any person by providing significant assistance to any agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of sex in providing any aid, benefit, or service to students or employees;

(7) Otherwise limit any person in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity.

(c) Assistance administered by a recipient educational institution to study at a foreign institution. A recipient educational institution may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other awards established by foreign or domestic wills, trusts, or similar legal instruments, or by acts of foreign governments and restricted to members of one sex, that are designed to provide opportunities to study abroad, and that are awarded to students who are already matriculating at or who are graduates of the recipient institution; Provided, that a recipient educational institution that administers or assists in the administration of such scholarships, fellowships, or other awards that are restricted to members of one sex provides, or otherwise makes available, reasonable opportunities for similar studies for members of the other sex. Such opportunities may be derived from either domestic or foreign sources.

(d) Aids, benefits or services not provided by recipient. (1) This paragraph (d) applies to any recipient that requires participation by any applicant, student, or employee in any education program or activity not operated wholly by such recipient, or that facilitates, permits, or considers such participation as part of or equivalent to an education program or activity operated by such recipient, including participation in educational consortia and cooperative employment and student-teaching assignments.

(2) Such recipient:

(i) Shall develop and implement a procedure designed to assure itself that the operator or sponsor of such other education program or activity takes no action affecting any applicant, student, or employee of such recipient that these Title IX regulations would prohibit such recipient from taking; and

(ii) Shall not facilitate, require, permit, or consider such participation if such action occurs.

§ 1253.405 Housing.

(a) Generally. A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, apply different rules or regulations, impose different fees or requirements, or offer different services or benefits related to housing, except as provided in this section (including housing provided only to married students).

(b) Housing provided by recipient. (1) A recipient may provide separate housing on the basis of sex.

(2) Housing provided by a recipient to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to students of the other sex, shall be as a whole:

(i) Proportionate in quantity to the number of students of that sex applying for such housing; and

(ii) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.

(c) Other housing. (1) A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, administer different policies or practices concerning occupancy by its students of housing other than that provided by such recipient.

(2)(i) A recipient which, through solicitation, listing, approval of housing, or otherwise, assists any agency, organization, or person in making housing available to any of its students, shall take such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure itself that such housing as is provided to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to students of the other sex, is as a whole:

(A) Proportionate in quantity; and

(B) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.

(ii) A recipient may render such assistance to any agency, organization, or person that provides all or part of such housing to students of only one sex.

§ 1253.410 Comparable facilities.

A recipient may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex, but such facilities provided for students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities provided for students of the other sex.

§ 1253.415 Access to course offerings.

(a) A recipient shall not provide any course or otherwise carry out any of its education program or activity separately on the basis of sex, or require or refuse participation therein by any of its students on such basis, including health, physical education, industrial, business, vocational, technical, home economics, music, and adult education courses.

(b)(1) With respect to classes and activities in physical education at the elementary school level, the recipient shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from September 29, 2000. With respect to physical education classes and activities at the secondary and post-secondary levels, the recipient shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.

(2) This section does not prohibit grouping of students in physical education classes and activities by ability as assessed by objective standards of individual performance developed and applied without regard to sex.

(3) This section does not prohibit separation of students by sex within physical education classes or activities during participation in wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.

(4) Where use of a single standard of measuring skill or progress in a physical education class has an adverse effect on members of one sex, the recipient shall use appropriate standards that do not have such effect.

(5) Portions of classes in elementary and secondary schools, or portions of education programs or activities, that deal exclusively with human sexuality may be conducted in separate sessions for boys and girls.

(6) Recipients may make requirements based on vocal range or quality that may result in a chorus or choruses of one or predominantly one sex.

§ 1253.420 Access to schools operated by LEAs.

A recipient that is a local educational agency shall not, on the basis of sex, exclude any person from admission to:

(a) Any institution of vocational education operated by such recipient; or

(b) Any other school or educational unit operated by such recipient, unless such recipient otherwise makes available to such person, pursuant to the same policies and criteria of admission, courses, services, and facilities comparable to each course, service, and facility offered in or through such schools.

§ 1253.425 Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.

(a) Counseling. A recipient shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex in the counseling or guidance of students or applicants for admission.

(b) Use of appraisal and counseling materials. A recipient that uses testing or other materials for appraising or counseling students shall not use different materials for students on the basis of their sex or use materials that permit or require different treatment of students on such basis unless such different materials cover the same occupations and interest areas and the use of such different materials is shown to be essential to eliminate sex bias. Recipients shall develop and use internal procedures for ensuring that such materials do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Where the use of a counseling test or other instrument results in a substantially disproportionate number of members of one sex in any particular course of study or classification, the recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that such disproportion is not the result of discrimination in the instrument or its application.

(c) Disproportion in classes. Where a recipient finds that a particular class contains a substantially disproportionate number of individuals of one sex, the recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that such disproportion is not the result of discrimination on the basis of sex in counseling or appraisal materials or by counselors.

§ 1253.430 Financial assistance.

(a) General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, in providing financial assistance to any of its students, a recipient shall not:

(1) On the basis of sex, provide different amounts or types of such assistance, limit eligibility for such assistance that is of any particular type or source, apply different criteria, or otherwise discriminate;

(2) Through solicitation, listing, approval, provision of facilities, or other services, assist any foundation, trust, agency, organization, or person that provides assistance to any of such recipient's students in a manner that discriminates on the basis of sex; or

(3) Apply any rule or assist in application of any rule concerning eligibility for such assistance that treats persons of one sex differently from persons of the other sex with regard to marital or parental status.

(b) Financial aid established by certain legal instruments. (1) A recipient may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, trusts, bequests, or similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government that require that awards be made to members of a particular sex specified therein; Provided, that the overall effect of the award of such sex-restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial assistance does not discriminate on the basis of sex.

(2) To ensure nondiscriminatory awards of assistance as required in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, recipients shall develop and use procedures under which:

(i) Students are selected for award of financial assistance on the basis of nondiscriminatory criteria and not on the basis of availability of funds restricted to members of a particular sex;

(ii) An appropriate sex-restricted scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial assistance is allocated to each student selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; and

(iii) No student is denied the award for which he or she was selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section because of the absence of a scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial assistance designated for a member of that student's sex.

(c) Athletic scholarships. (1) To the extent that a recipient awards athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid, it must provide reasonable opportunities for such awards for members of each sex in proportion to the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics.

(2) A recipient may provide separate athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid for members of each sex as part of separate athletic teams for members of each sex to the extent consistent with this paragraph (c) and § 1253.450.

§ 1253.435 Employment assistance to students.

(a) Assistance by recipient in making available outside employment. A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in making employment available to any of its students:

(1) Shall assure itself that such employment is made available without discrimination on the basis of sex; and

(2) Shall not render such services to any agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of sex in its employment practices.

(b) Employment of students by recipients. A recipient that employs any of its students shall not do so in a manner that violates §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550.

§ 1253.440 Health and insurance benefits and services.

Subject to § 1253.235(d), in providing a medical, hospital, accident, or life insurance benefit, service, policy, or plan to any of its students, a recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, or provide such benefit, service, policy, or plan in a manner that would violate §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550 if it were provided to employees of the recipient. This section shall not prohibit a recipient from providing any benefit or service that may be used by a different proportion of students of one sex than of the other, including family planning services. However, any recipient that provides full coverage health service shall provide gynecological care.

§ 1253.445 Marital or parental status.

(a) Status generally. A recipient shall not apply any rule concerning a student's actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.

(b) Pregnancy and related conditions. (1) A recipient shall not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student's pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, unless the student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity of the recipient.

(2) A recipient may require such a student to obtain the certification of a physician that the student is physically and emotionally able to continue participation as long as such a certification is required of all students for other physical or emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.

(3) A recipient that operates a portion of its education program or activity separately for pregnant students, admittance to which is completely voluntary on the part of the student as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, shall ensure that the separate portion is comparable to that offered to non-pregnant students.

(4) Subject to § 1253.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability with respect to any medical or hospital benefit, service, plan, or policy that such recipient administers, operates, offers, or participates in with respect to students admitted to the recipient's educational program or activity.

(5) In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy for its students, or in the case of a student who does not otherwise qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence for as long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student's physician, at the conclusion of which the student shall be reinstated to the status that she held when the leave began.

§ 1253.450 Athletics.

(a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics offered by a recipient, and no recipient shall provide any such athletics separately on such basis.

(b) Separate teams. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient may operate or sponsor separate teams for members of each sex where selection for such teams is based upon competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, where a recipient operates or sponsors a team in a particular sport for members of one sex but operates or sponsors no such team for members of the other sex, and athletic opportunities for members of that sex have previously been limited, members of the excluded sex must be allowed to try out for the team offered unless the sport involved is a contact sport. For the purposes of these Title IX regulations, contact sports include boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.

(c) Equal opportunity. (1) A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics shall provide equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. In determining whether equal opportunities are available, the designated agency official will consider, among other factors:

(i) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both sexes;

(ii) The provision of equipment and supplies;

(iii) Scheduling of games and practice time;

(iv) Travel and per diem allowance;

(v) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;

(vi) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;

(vii) Provision of locker rooms, practice, and competitive facilities;

(viii) Provision of medical and training facilities and services;

(ix) Provision of housing and dining facilities and services;

(x) Publicity.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unequal aggregate expenditures for members of each sex or unequal expenditures for male and female teams if a recipient operates or sponsors separate teams will not constitute noncompliance with this section, but the designated agency official may consider the failure to provide necessary funds for teams for one sex in assessing equality of opportunity for members of each sex.

(d) Adjustment period. A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the elementary school level shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from September 29, 2000. A recipient that operates or sponsors interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the secondary or postsecondary school level shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.

§ 1253.455 Textbooks and curricular material.

Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted as requiring or prohibiting or abridging in any way the use of particular textbooks or curricular materials.

§ 1253.500 Employment.

(a) General. (1) No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment, consideration, or selection therefor, whether full-time or part-time, under any education program or activity operated by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance.

(2) A recipient shall make all employment decisions in any education program or activity operated by such recipient in a nondiscriminatory manner and shall not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or employees in any way that could adversely affect any applicant's or employee's employment opportunities or status because of sex.

(3) A recipient shall not enter into any contractual or other relationship which directly or indirectly has the effect of subjecting employees or students to discrimination prohibited by §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550, including relationships with employment and referral agencies, with labor unions, and with organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient.

(4) A recipient shall not grant preferences to applicants for employment on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the giving of such preferences has the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of these Title IX regulations.

(b) Application. The provisions of §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550 apply to:

(1) Recruitment, advertising, and the process of application for employment;

(2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, consideration for and award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, application of nepotism policies, right of return from layoff, and rehiring;

(3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation, and changes in compensation;

(4) Job assignments, classifications, and structure, including position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;

(5) The terms of any collective bargaining agreement;

(6) Granting and return from leaves of absence, leave for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, leave for persons of either sex to care for children or dependents, or any other leave;

(7) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or not administered by the recipient;

(8) Selection and financial support for training, including apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related activities, selection for tuition assistance, selection for sabbaticals and leaves of absence to pursue training;

(9) Employer-sponsored activities, including social or recreational programs; and

(10) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.

§ 1253.505 Employment criteria.

A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other criterion for any employment opportunity that has a disproportionately adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless:

(a) Use of such test or other criterion is shown to predict validly successful performance in the position in question; and

(b) Alternative tests or criteria for such purpose, which do not have such disproportionately adverse effect, are shown to be unavailable.

§ 1253.510 Recruitment.

(a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment and hiring. A recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and hiring of employees. Where a recipient has been found to be presently discriminating on the basis of sex in the recruitment or hiring of employees, or has been found to have so discriminated in the past, the recipient shall recruit members of the sex so discriminated against so as to overcome the effects of such past or present discrimination.

(b) Recruitment patterns. A recipient shall not recruit primarily or exclusively at entities that furnish as applicants only or predominantly members of one sex if such actions have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550.

§ 1253.515 Compensation.

A recipient shall not make or enforce any policy or practice that, on the basis of sex:

(a) Makes distinctions in rates of pay or other compensation;

(b) Results in the payment of wages to employees of one sex at a rate less than that paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions.

§ 1253.520 Job classification and structure.

A recipient shall not:

(a) Classify a job as being for males or for females;

(b) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority lists, career ladders, or tenure systems based on sex; or

(c) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority systems, career ladders, or tenure systems for similar jobs, position descriptions, or job requirements that classify persons on the basis of sex, unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the positions in question as set forth in § 1253.550.

§ 1253.525 Fringe benefits.

(a) “Fringe benefits” defined. For purposes of these Title IX regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any profit-sharing or bonus plan, leave, and any other benefit or service of employment not subject to the provision of § 1253.515.

(b) Prohibitions. A recipient shall not:

(1) Discriminate on the basis of sex with regard to making fringe benefits available to employees or make fringe benefits available to spouses, families, or dependents of employees differently upon the basis of the employee's sex;

(2) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a fringe benefit plan that does not provide for equal periodic benefits for members of each sex and for equal contributions to the plan by such recipient for members of each sex; or

(3) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a pension or retirement plan that establishes different optional or compulsory retirement ages based on sex or that otherwise discriminates in benefits on the basis of sex.

§ 1253.530 Marital or parental status.

(a) General. A recipient shall not apply any policy or take any employment action:

(1) Concerning the potential marital, parental, or family status of an employee or applicant for employment that treats persons differently on the basis of sex; or

(2) Which is based upon whether an employee or applicant for employment is the head of household or principal wage earner in such employee's or applicant's family unit.

(b) Pregnancy. A recipient shall not discriminate against or exclude from employment any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom.

(c) Pregnancy as a temporary disability. Subject to § 1253.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery therefrom, and any temporary disability resulting therefrom as any other temporary disability for all job-related purposes, including commencement, duration, and extensions of leave, payment of disability income, accrual of seniority and any other benefit or service, and reinstatement, and under any fringe benefit offered to employees by virtue of employment.

(d) Pregnancy leave. In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy for its employees, or in the case of an employee with insufficient leave or accrued employment time to qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence without pay for a reasonable period of time, at the conclusion of which the employee shall be reinstated to the status that she held when the leave began or to a comparable position, without decrease in rate of compensation or loss of promotional opportunities, or any other right or privilege of employment.

§ 1253.535 Effect of state or local law or other requirements.

(a) Prohibitory requirements. The obligation to comply with §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550 is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any State or local law or other requirement that imposes prohibitions or limits upon employment of members of one sex that are not imposed upon members of the other sex.

(b) Benefits. A recipient that provides any compensation, service, or benefit to members of one sex pursuant to a State or local law or other requirement shall provide the same compensation, service, or benefit to members of the other sex.

§ 1253.540 Advertising.

A recipient shall not in any advertising related to employment indicate preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based on sex unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the particular job in question.

§ 1253.545 Pre-employment inquiries.

(a) Marital status. A recipient shall not make pre-employment inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for employment, including whether such applicant is “Miss” or “Mrs.”

(b) Sex. A recipient may make pre-employment inquiry as to the sex of an applicant for employment, but only if such inquiry is made equally of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX regulations.

§ 1253.550 Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.

A recipient may take action otherwise prohibited by §§ 1253.500 through 1253.550 provided it is shown that sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for that action, such that consideration of sex with regard to such action is essential to successful operation of the employment function concerned. A recipient shall not take action pursuant to this section that is based upon alleged comparative employment characteristics or stereotyped characterizations of one or the other sex, or upon preference based on sex of the recipient, employees, students, or other persons, but nothing contained in this section shall prevent a recipient from considering an employee's sex in relation to employment in a locker room or toilet facility used only by members of one sex.

§ 1253.600 Notice of covered programs.

Within 60 days of September 29, 2000, each Federal agency that awards Federal financial assistance shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of the programs covered by these Title IX regulations. Each such Federal agency shall periodically republish the notice of covered programs to reflect changes in covered programs. Copies of this notice also shall be made available upon request to the Federal agency's office that enforces Title IX.

§ 1253.605 Enforcement procedures.

The investigative, compliance, and enforcement procedural provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) (“Title VI”) are hereby adopted and applied to these Title IX regulations. These procedures may be found at 14 CFR 1250.105 through 1250.110.

[65 FR 52877, Aug. 30, 2000]

§ 1259.100 Scope of part.

(a) This part 1259 establishes the policies, responsibilities, and procedures relative to the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program established by Title II of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-147, 101 Stat. 869-875, now codified at 51 U.S.C. 40301-40311 as a result of Sec. 3, Pub. L. 111-314, 124 Stat. 3382). This statute authorizes the Administrator of NASA, in order to carry out the purposes of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act (the Act), to accept conditional or unconditional gifts and donations; to accept and use funds from other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities; to make awards with respect to such needs or problems; and to designate Space Grant colleges. It further directs the Administrator to establish a graduate fellowship program to provide educational assistance to qualified individuals in fields related to space and to establish an independent committee known as the Space Grant Review Panel to review and advise the Administrator with respect to Space Grant programs.

(b) The regulations of this part do not apply to awards made by NASA under any other authority.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35440, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.101 Definitions.

For the purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) Field related to space means any academic discipline or field of study (including the physical, natural and biological sciences, and engineering, space technology, education, economics, sociology, communications, planning, law, international affairs and public administration) which is concerned with or likely to improve the understanding, assessment, development and utilization of space.

(b) Institution of higher education means any college or university in any state that:

(1) Admits as regular students only individuals who have a certificate of graduation or equivalent from a secondary school;

(2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;

(3) Provides an educational program for which a bachelor's degree or other higher degree is awarded;

(4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and

(5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.

(c) National of the United States means a citizen of the United States or a native resident of a possession of the United States. It does not refer to or include a citizen of another country who has applied for United States citizenship.

(d) Panel means the Space Grant Review Panel established pursuant to section 210 of the Act.

(e) Person means any individual, public or private corporation, partnership or other association or entity (including any Space Grant college, Space Grant consortium, institution of higher education, institute or laboratory), or any State, political subdivision thereof, or agency or officer of a State or political subdivision thereof.

(f) Space means aeronautical and space activities which has the meaning given to such term in section 103(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (51 U.S.C. 20103).

(g) Space Grant college means any public or private institution of higher education that is designated as such by the Administrator or designee pursuant to section 208 of the Act.

(h) Space Grant regional consortium means any association or other alliance that is designated as such by the Administrator or designee pursuant to section 208 of the Act.

(i) Space Grant program means any program which:

(1) Is administered by any Space Grant college, Space Grant regional consortium, institution of higher education, institute, laboratory or State or local agency; and

(2) Includes two or more projects involving education and one or more of the following activities in the fields related to space:

(i) Research;

(ii) Training; or

(iii) Advisory services.

(j) Space Grant program award means any award contemplated under section 206(a) of the Act.

(k) Special Space Grant program award means any award extended under section 206(b) of the Act.

(l) Specific national need grant means any award extended under section 207 of the Act.

(m) State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and any other territory or possession of the United States.

(n) State Space Grant cooperating institution means any institution of higher education in a state that does not have a designated Space Grant college, and that is named by the Administrator or designee to provide selected Space Grant program functions within that state.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35440, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.102 General policy.

(a) In compliance with the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act (51 U.S.C. 40301-40311), it shall be NASA's purpose to:

(1) Increase the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space resources by promoting a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, and broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques;

(2) Utilize the abilities and talents of the universities of the Nation to support and contribute to the exploration and development of the resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment;

(3) Encourage and support the existence of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs of space research to engage in activities of training (including teacher education), research, and public service and to have cooperative programs with industry;

(4) Encourage and support the existence of consortia, composed of university and industry members, to advance the exploration and development of space resources in cases in which national objectives can be better fulfilled than through the programs of single universities;

(5) Encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships in fields related to space;

(6) Support activities in colleges and universities generally for the purpose of creating and operating a network of institutional programs that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under this Act; and

(7) Encourage cooperation and coordination among Federal agencies and Federal programs concerned with space issues.

(b) It shall be NASA's policy to designate Space Grant colleges, State Space Grant cooperating institutions, and Space Grant regional consortia and award fellowships, grants, contracts, and other transactions competitively in a merit-based review process.

(c) It shall be NASA's policy to designate and make awards without regard to age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, or sex.

[82 FR 35440, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.103 Space authorities—regular and special.

(a) Acceptance of gifts:

(1) In order to carry out the provisions of the Act, the Administrator is authorized to accept conditional or unconditional gifts or donations of services, money, or property; real, personal, or mixed; tangible or intangible. This authority is delegated to the Director, NASA Space Grant Program.

(2) The Administrator or designee may decline any gift or donation that the Administrator determines is not in accord with the purposes of the program. Also, conditional gifts or donations that are not in compliance with the Act or the implementing regulations shall be declined. NASA may use a reasonable amount from a gift or donation to cover any administrative costs associated with such gift or donation.

(b) Acceptance and use of funds from other Federal agencies:

(1) To carry out the provisions of the Act, the Administrator is authorized to accept and use funds from other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to pay for awards under this program. This authority is delegated to the Director, NASA Space Grant Program.

(2) The Administrator or designee may decline any such funds when the Administrator determines acceptance would not be in accord with the purposes of the program. NASA may use a reasonable amount from transferred Federal funds to cover any administrative costs associated with such transfer.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35440, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.200 Description.

Awards are authorized to establish any Space Grant and/or fellowship program or project if such program or project will further the purposes of the Act.

§ 1259.201 Types of Space Grant program and project awards—regular and special.

(a) A regular Space Grant program or project award shall:

(1) Be funded by NASA in an amount not to exceed 66 percent of the total cost of the Space Grant award and/or fellowship program involved; or

(2) Be funded in an amount not to exceed 100 percent of its cost if the project award is funded by another Federal entity.

(b) A special Space Grant program or project award may be funded in an amount not to exceed 100 percent of the total cost of the special project if the Administrator or designee, the Director, NASA Space Grant Program, determines that:

(1) No reasonable means is available through which the applicant can meet the matching requirements for a regular Space Grant award under paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) The probable benefit of such program or project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement; and

(3) The same or equivalent benefit cannot be obtained through the award of a regular Space Grant program or project award under paragraph (a) of this section or the award of a specific national need grant under section 207 of the Act.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.202 Application procedures.

(a) The opportunity to apply shall be announced by the Director, NASA Space Grant Program.

(b) The application procedures and evaluation guidelines for awards under this section will be included in the announcements of such programs.

(c) The applications will be reviewed by a peer review merit selection panel appointed by the Director, NASA Space Grant Program.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.203 Limitations.

The Act at Public Law 100-147, Section 206(d)(2) and (3), states that:

(a) Funds for awards made under this section may not be used to:

(1) Purchase land;

(2) Purchase, construct, preserve or repair any building; or

(3) Purchase or construct any launch facility or launch vehicle.

(b) However, funds may be used to lease any of the items listed in paragraph (a) of this section provided prior written approval is obtained from the Administrator or designee.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.300 Description.

National needs awards may be awarded by the Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, to meet such needs or problems relating to aerospace identified by the Space Grant Review Panel, by NASA officials, or by any person. NASA may fund such awards in an amount not to exceed 100 percent of the total cost of the program or project.

[82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.301 Identification of national needs.

National needs shall be identified by the Administrator who shall consider specific national needs and problems relating to space proposed by the Space Grant Review Panel, any NASA official or any person.

§ 1259.302 Application procedures.

(a) The Administrator or designee has the authority to make awards to meet identified national needs.

(b) The Director, NASA Space Grant Program shall establish a competitive, merit-based review process to examine unsolicited national needs proposals.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.303 Limitations.

The same limitations shall apply as are stated in § 1259.203.

§ 1259.400 Description.

(a) The Administrator may designate Space Grant colleges, Space Grant college consortia, and Space Grant regional consortia in order to establish Federal/university partnerships to promote a strong educational base in the space and aeronautical sciences. These designated colleges and consortia will provide leadership for a network of American colleges and universities, industry, and state and local governments in space-related fields. The Administrator hereby delegates this authority to the Director, NASA Space Grant Program.

(b) Designation of Space Grant colleges, Space Grant college consortia, and Space Grant regional consortia shall be for five years. Designation of Space Grant colleges and consortia may be continued for more than five years based on the results of a merit review at the beginning of the fifth year. A claim arising in the United States should be submitted to the Chief Counsel of the NASA installation whose activities are believed to have given rise to the claimed injury, loss, or death. If the identity of such installation is not known, or if the claim arose in a foreign country, the claim should be submitted to the General Counsel, Headquarters, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

(c) Each designated Space Grant college or consortium will receive:

(1) A Space Grant award that requires a 100 percent match; and

(2) Funds for fellowships.

(d) Each Space Grant college or consortium will be funded annually.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.401 Responsibilities.

Each designated Space Grant college or consortium shall:

(a) Designate a Space Grant Program Director;

(b) Establish a Space Grant Office;

(c) Administer a fellowship program;

(d) Develop and implement programs of public service, interdisciplinary space-related programs, advisory activities, and cooperation with industry, research laboratories, state and local governments, and other colleges and universities, particularly institutions in their state and/or region with significantly large enrollments of minority students who are under-represented in science and technology; and

(e) Provide non-Federal matching funds (exclusive of in-kind contributions) for the Space Grant program equal to those provided by NASA.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.402 Basic criteria and application procedures.

(a) Any institution of higher education may be designated a Space Grant college if the Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, determines that it has a balanced program of research, education, training, and advisory services in fields related to space, as further defined in the program announcement.

(b) Any association or other alliance of two or more persons may be designated a Space Grant regional consortium, if the Administrator or designee, Director, National Space Grant Program, determines that such association or alliance:

(1) Is established for the purpose of sharing expertise, research, educational or training facilities and other capabilities in order to facilitate research, education, training and advisory services, in any field related to space;

(2) Will encourage and follow a regional approach to solving problems or meeting needs relating to space, in cooperation with other institutions of higher education, Space Grant program grantees and other persons in the region.

(c) The opportunity to apply for designation shall be announced by the Director, NASA Space Grant Program. The application procedures and evaluation guidelines for designation shall be included in the designation announcement.

(d) Designation will be decided by a competitive merit review of the program proposal measured against the purposes of the Act and including, but not limited to, proposed linkages with other colleges and universities (particularly institutions with significant enrollments of under-represented minority groups), public service and collaboration with space-related industry.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.403 Limitations.

The same limitations shall apply as stated in § 1259.203.

[82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.404 Suspension or termination of designation.

The Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, may, for cause, after an opportunity for a hearing before a Federal administrative judge appointed by the Deputy Administrator, suspend or terminate the Space Grant designation of any institution or consortium.

[82 FR 35441, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.500 Description.

The Space Grant fellowship program will provide educational and training assistance to qualified individuals at the graduate level in fields related to space. Awards will be made to institutions of higher education for fellowships. The student recipients shall be referred to as NASA Space Grant Fellows.

[82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.501 Responsibilities.

(a) All institutions that receive Space Grant fellowships shall use the awards to increase the pool of graduate students in fields related to space.

(b) The overall fellowship program shall be cognizant of the importance of achieving institutional and geographical diversity.

[82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.502 Application procedures.

(a) All applicants for designation as Space Grant colleges and consortia shall apply for Space Grant fellowships.

(b) Applicants for Space Grant program or project grants (under § 1259.200) and for national needs grants (under § 1259.300) may also apply for Space Grant fellowships.

(c) There shall be a merit review selection for Space Grant fellowship awards.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.503 Limitations.

(a) Fellowships shall be awarded only to Nationals of the United States.

(b) Any students supported under this fellowship program shall not be funded for more than four years unless the Director, NASA Space Grant Program, makes an exception in writing.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.600 Panel description.

An independent committee, the Space Grant Review Panel (Panel), which is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, shall be established to advise the Administrator with respect to Space Grant program and project awards, the Space Grant fellowship program, and the designation and operation of Space Grant colleges and consortia. A majority of the voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of their knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more of the fields related to space. The other voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of their knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in, or representative of, education, extension services, state government, industry, economics, planning, or any other activity related to the purposes of the Space Grant program.

[82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.601 Establishment and composition.

(a) The Panel, to be located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, will be composed of ten (10) voting members who are not current NASA employees.

(b) The Panel shall include four representatives from Federal departments, agencies, or entities that have an interest in space programs or science and education, as well as six representatives from non-Federal entities.

(c) The non-Federal representatives shall include two persons who are directly involved with the Space Grant program at a Space Grant college or consortium, one person who is involved with the Space Grant program at a university that is not a designated Space Grant college, a university president or chancellor, one representative from a space-related industry, and the last person to be from whatever field the Administrator determines to be of greatest concern.

(d) The Panel members shall be appointed by the Administrator or designee.

(e) The relevant organizations and associations in aerospace and science education fields will be asked to provide three names for each position on the panel. The Administrator shall consider them, but not be limited to them, in the selection process.

(f) The Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, shall select a Chair and a Vice Chair for the Panel. The Vice Chair shall act as Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair.

(g) The Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, may select NASA officials to serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the Panel.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.602 Conflict of interest.

Any member of the Panel who has a personal or financial interest in an issue for consideration before the Panel shall abstain from all discussion and voting on such issue.

[82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1259.603 Responsibilities.

(a) The Panel shall advise the Administrator and designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, with respect to:

(1) Applications or proposals for, and performance under, awards made pursuant to sections 206 and 207 of Title II of the Act;

(2) The Space Grant fellowship program;

(3) The designation and operation of Space Grant colleges and Space Grant regional consortia, and the operation of Space Grant and fellowship programs;

(4) The formulation and application of the planning guidelines and priorities pursuant to section 205 (a) and (b)(1) of Title II of the Act; and

(5) Such other matters as the Administrator refers to the Panel for review and advice.

(b) The Panel shall meet biannually and at any other time at the call of the Chair or upon a request from a majority of the voting members or at the call of the Administrator.

(c) The Panel may exercise such powers as reasonably necessary in order to carry out the duties enumerated in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) The Director, NASA Space Grant Program, shall appoint an Executive Secretary who shall perform administrative duties for the Panel.

(e) Federal members of the Panel will have their agencies reimbursed by NASA for any travel costs and per diem expenses required to attend Panel meetings.

(f) Nonfederal members of the Panel will be reimbursed by NASA for travel costs and per diem expenses required to attend Panel meetings.

[54 FR 19880, May 9, 1989, as amended at 82 FR 35442, July 31, 2017]

§ 1261.100 Scope of subpart.

This subpart prescribes regulations governing the settlement of claims against the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to service with NASA.

§ 1261.101 Claimants.

(a) A claim for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to service with NASA may be made only by:

(1) An officer or employee of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(2) A member of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey and Public Health Service) assigned to duty with or under the jurisdiction of NASA;

(3) The authorized agent or legal representative of a person named in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section; or

(4) The survivors of a person named in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section in the following order of precedence: Spouse; children, father or mother, or both; or brothers or sisters, or both. Claims by survivors may be allowed whether arising before, concurrently with, or after the decedent's death, if otherwise covered by this subpart.

(b) Employees of contractors with the United States and employees of nonappropriated fund activities are not included within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) Claims may not be made by or for the benefit of a subrogee, assignee, conditional vendor, or other third party.

§ 1261.102 Maximum amount.

From October 1, 1982, to October 30, 1988, the maximum amount that may be paid under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claim Act of 1964, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3721) is $25,000, and on or after October 31, 1988, the maximum amount is $40,000 (Pub. L. 100-565, 102 Stat. 2833, October 31, 1988).

[54 FR 35456, Aug. 28, 1989]

§ 1261.103 Time limitations.

(a) A claim may be allowed only if the claim is presented in writing within 2 years after it accrues. For the purposes of this subpart, a claim accrues at the time of the accident or incident causing the loss or damage, or at such time as the loss or damage is or should have been discovered by the claimant through the exercise of due diligence.

(b) If a claim accrues in time of war or if an armed conflict intervenes within 2 years after it accrues, and if good cause is shown, the claim may be presented not later than 2 years after that cause ceases to exist, or 2 years after the war or armed conflict is terminated, whichever is earlier. The dates of beginning and ending of such an armed conflict are the dates established by concurrent resolution of the Congress or by a determination of the President.

§ 1261.104 Allowable claims.

(a) A claim may be allowed only if:

(1) The damage or loss was not caused wholly or partly by the negligent or wrongful act of the claimant, the claimant's agent, private employee, or family member (the standard to be applied is that of reasonable care under the circumstances);

(2) The possession of the property lost or damaged and the quantity is determined to have been reasonable, useful, or proper under the circumstances; and

(3) The claim is substantiated by proper and convincing evidence.

(b) Claims which are otherwise allowable under this subpart shall not be disallowed solely because the property was not in the possession of the claimant at the time of the damage or loss, or solely because the claimant was not the legal owner of the property for which the claim is made. For example, borrowed property may be the subject of a claim.

(c) Subject to the conditions in paragraph (a) of this section and the other provisions of this subpart, any claim for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to service with NASA may be considered and allowed. The following are examples of the principal types of claims which may be allowed, but these examples are not exclusive and other types of claims may be allowed, unless excluded by § 1261.105.

(1) Property loss or damage in quarters or other authorized places. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, property arising from fire, flood, hurricane, other natural disaster, theft, or other unusual occurrence, while such property is located at:

(i) Quarters within the 50 States or the District of Columbia that were assigned to the claimant or provided by the United States;

(ii) Quarters outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia that were occupied by the claimant, whether or not they were assigned or provided by the United States, except when the claimant is a civilian employee who is a local inhabitant; or

(iii) Any warehouse, office working area, hospital, or other place authorized or apparently authorized for the reception or storage of property.

(2) Transportation or travel losses. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, property incident to transportation or storage pursuant to orders, or in connection with travel under orders, including property in the custody of a carrier, an agent or agency of the Government, or the claimant.

(3) House trailers. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, house trailers and their contents under the provisions of paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(4) Negligence of the Government. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, property caused by the negligence or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of office or employment.

(5) Enemy action or public service. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, property as a direct consequence of:

(i) Enemy action or threat of action or combat, guerrilla, brigandage, or other belligerent activity, or unjust confiscation by a foreign power or its nationals;

(ii) Action by the claimant to quiet a civil disturbance or to alleviate a public disaster; or

(iii) Efforts by the claimant to save human life or Government property.

(6) Property used for benefit of the Government. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, property when used for the benefit of the Government at the request of, or with the knowledge and consent of, an authorized official.

(7) Clothing and accessories. Claims may be allowed for damage to, or loss of, clothing or accessories customarily worn on the person, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids or dentures.

§ 1261.105 Unallowable claims.

Claims are not allowable for the following:

(a) Unassigned quarters in United States. Claims may not be allowed for property loss or damage in quarters occupied by the claimant within the 50 States or the District of Columbia that were not assigned to claimant or provided in kind by the United States.

(b) Money or currency. Claims may not be allowed for loss of money or currency, except when lost incident to fire, flood, hurricane, other natural disaster, or by theft from quarters (as limited by paragraph (a)). Reimbursement for loss of money or currency is limited to an amount which is determined reasonable to have been in the claimant's possession at the time of the loss.

(c) Government property. Claims may not be allowed for property owned by the United States, except that for which the claimant is financially responsible to any agency of the Government other than NASA.

(d) Business property. Claims may not be allowed for property used in a private business enterprise.

(e) Articles of extraordinary value. Claims may not be allowed for valuable articles, such as cameras, watches, jewelry, furs; or other articles of extraordinary value, when shipped with household goods or as unaccompanied baggage (shipment includes storage). This prohibition does not apply to articles in the personal custody of the claimant or articles properly checked: Provided, That reasonable protection or security measures have been taken by claimant.

(f) Unserviceable property. Claims may not be allowed for worn-out unserviceable property.

(g) Illegal possession. Claims may not be allowed for property acquired, possessed, or transported in violation of law or in violation of applicable regulations or directives.

(h) Estimate fees. Claims may not include fees paid to obtain estimates or repair, except when it is clear that an estimate could not have been obtained without paying a fee.

(i) Automobiles and other vehicles. Claims may not be allowed for damage to, or loss of, automobiles and other vehicles unless:

(1) The vehicles were required to be used for official Government business (official Government business, as used here, does not include travel between quarters and place of duty, parking of vehicles incident to such travel, or use of vehicles for the convenience of the owner); or

(2) Shipment of motor vehicles to, from, or between overseas areas was being furnished or provided by the Government; or

(3) The damage or loss was caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government acting within the scope of office or employment.

§ 1261.106 Submission of claims.

All claims shall be submitted in duplicate to the Administrator or designee on NASA Form 1204, “Employee's Claim for Damage to, or Loss of, Personal Property Incident to Service.”

§ 1261.107 Evidence in support of claim.

(a) General. In addition to the information required on NASA Form 1204, and any other evidence required by the Administrator or designee, the claimant will furnish the following evidence when relevant:

(1) A corroborating statement from the claimant's supervisor or other person or persons having personal knowledge of the facts concerning the claim.

(2) A statement of any property recovered or replaced in kind.

(3) An itemized bill of repair for property which has been repaired, or one or more written estimates of the cost of repairs from competent persons if the property is repairable but has not been repaired.

(b) Specific classes of claims. Claims of the following types shall also be accompanied with specific and detailed evidence as indicated:

(1) Theft, burglary, etc. A statement describing in detail the location where the loss occurred and the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss, including supporting documentation, e.g., a police report.

(2) Transportation losses. A copy of orders authorizing the travel, transportation or shipment, or a certificate explaining the absence of such orders and stating their substance; all bills of lading and inventories of property shipped; and a statement indicating the condition of the property when turned over to the carrier and when received from the carrier.

§ 1261.108 Recovery from carriers, insurers, and other third parties.

(a) General. NASA is not an insurer and does not underwrite all personal property losses that an employee may sustain. Employees are encouraged to carry private insurance to the maximum extent practicable to avoid large losses or losses which may not be recoverable from NASA. The procedures set forth in this section are designed to enable the claimant to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for personal property loss or damage. Failure of the claimant to comply with these procedures may reduce or preclude payment of the claim.

(b) Demand on carrier, contractor, warehouse owner/operator, or insurer. When it appears that property has been damaged or lost under circumstances in which a carrier, warehouse owner/operator, contractor or insurer may be responsible, the claimant shall make a written demand on such party, either before or after submitting a claim against NASA. The Administrator or designee, if requested, will assist in making demand on the third party. No such demand need be made if, in the opinion of the Administrator or designee, it would be impracticable or any recovery would be insignificant, or if circumstances preclude the claimant from making timely demand.

(c) Action subsequent to demand. A copy of the demand and of any related correspondence shall be submitted to the Administrator or designee. If the carrier, insurer, or other third party offers a settlement which is less than the amount of the demand, the claimant shall consult with the Administrator or designee before accepting the amount offered. The claimant shall also notify the Administrator or designee promptly of any other action by a third party, including settlement, partial settlement, or denial of liability.

(d) Application of recovery. When the amount recovered from a carrier, insurer, or other third party is greater than or equal to the claimant's total loss as determined under this subpart, no compensation is allowable under this subpart. When the amount recovered is less than such total loss, the allowable amount is determined by deducting the recovery from the amount of total loss subject to the maximum set forth in § 1261.102.

(e) Transfer of rights. The claimant shall assign to the United States, to the extent of any payment accepted on a claim, all rights, title, and interest in any claim he/she may have against any carrier, insurer, or other party arising out of the accident or incident on which the claim against the United States is based. The claimant shall also, upon request, furnish such evidence and other cooperation as may be required to enable the United States to enforce the claim. After payment on the claim by the United States, the claimant shall, upon receipt of any payment from a carrier, insurer, or other party, notify the Administrator or designee and pay the proceeds to the United States to the extent required under the provisions of paragraph (d).

§ 1261.109 Computation of allowance.

(a) The amount allowed for damage to or loss of any item of property may not exceed the cost of the item (either the price paid in cash or property, or the value at the time of acquisition if not acquired by purchase or exchange). There will be no allowance for replacement cost or for appreciation in the value of the property. Subject to these limitations, the amount allowable is either:

(1) The depreciated value, immediately prior to the loss or damage of property lost or damaged beyond economical repair, less any salvage value; or

(2) The reasonable cost of repairs, when property is economically repairable: Provided, That the cost of repairs does not exceed the amount allowable under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) Depreciation in value is determined by considering the type of article involved, its cost, its condition when damaged or lost, and the time elapsed between the date of acquisition and the date of damage or loss, with appropriate recognition of current replacement value.

(c) Limitation on agent or attorney fees. No more than 10 per centum of the amount paid in settlement of each individual claim submitted and settled shall be paid or delivered to or received by an agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with that claim, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding (31 U.S.C. 243).

§ 1261.110 Settlement of claims.

(a) Settlement officials. (1) Claims in the amount of $5,000 or more will be acted upon by the General Counsel. Claims less than $5,000 will be acted upon by the Chief Counsel of the NASA Field Installation where the employee was assigned at the time of the loss or damage or the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation for NASA Headquarters claims.

(2) Claims arising for $5,000 or more shall be investigated by the Chief Counsel or Assistant General Counsel for Litigation, as appropriate, and a report and recommendation thereon shall be forwarded to the General Counsel.

(b) Action by settlement official. (1) For each claim, the settlement official shall complete a report in duplicate on NASA Form 1204 and retain a claim file consisting of the original claim, the report, and any other relevant evidence or documents.

(2) When a claim is allowed in an amount acceptable to the claimant, the settlement official shall prepare a “Voucher for Payment of Employees' Personal Property Claims” (NASA Form 1220), have it properly executed by the claimant, and forward it with a copy of the approved claim (NASA Form 1204) to the appropriate NASA fiscal or financial management office for payment.

(3) When a claim is disallowed or is partially allowed in an amount unacceptable to the claimant, the settlement official shall notify the claimant in writing of the action taken and the reasons therefor. If not satisfied with the action taken, the claimant may, within 60 days after receipt of such notice, request reconsideration of the claim and may submit any new evidence that he/she feels to be pertinent to the claim. If such a claim has been disallowed at the field installation level, the claimant may request reconsideration by the field installation, or by the General Counsel, or both.

(c) Final and conclusive. The settlement of a claim under this subpart, whether by full or partial allowance or disallowance, is final and conclusive.

§ 1261.300 Scope of subpart.

This subpart sets forth the procedures for:

(a) The submission of, and action by NASA upon, claims against the United States arising out of the activities of NASA for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or death, and designates the NASA officials authorized to act upon such claims.

(b) The handling of lawsuits against NASA employee(s) for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or death resulting from a NASA employee's activities within the scope of his/her office or employment.

§ 1261.301 Authority.

(a) Under the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended (see 28 U.S.C. 2671-2680), and subject to its limitations, the Administrator or designee is authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, and settle any claim for money damages against the United States for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any NASA employee while acting within the scope of his/her office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred. In exercising such authority, the Administrator or designee is required to act in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General (28 CFR part 14). An award, compromise, or settlement in excess of $25,000 may be effected only with the prior written approval of the Attorney General or designee.

(b) Under 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1), NASA is authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, settle, and pay, on behalf of the United States, in full satisfaction thereof, any claim for $25,000 or less against the United States for bodily injury, death, or damage to or loss of real or personal property resulting from the conduct of NASA's functions as specified in 51 U.S.C. 20112. At the discretion of NASA, a claim may be settled and paid under this authority even though the United States could not be held legally liable to the claimant.

(c) Under 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(2), if NASA considers that a claim in excess of $25,000 is meritorious and would otherwise be covered by 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1), NASA may report the facts and circumstances of the claim to the Congress for its consideration or to the Comptroller General as provided in the “Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1978,” Public Law 95-240 (92 Stat. 107), 31 U.S.C. 724a.

(d) Under 28 U.S.C. 2679, the Attorney General of the United States shall defend any civil action or proceeding brought in any court against a Government employee for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death, resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle by the Government employee while acting within the scope of office or employment. In effect, this legislation is designed to protect an employee driving a motor vehicle on Government business by converting such a civil court action or proceeding against the employee into a claim against the United States: Provided, That the employee was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. The remedy against the United States provided by 28 U.S.C. 2672 (administrative adjustment of claims) and 28 U.S.C. 1346(b) (civil action against the United States) then becomes the plaintiff's exclusive remedy.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29383, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.302 Claim.

Unless the context otherwise requires, claim means a claim for money damages against the United States arising out of the activities of NASA, for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death. A claim “arises” at the place where the injury, loss, or death occurs.

§ 1261.303 Claimant.

(a) A claim for damage to or loss of property may be presented by the owner of the property, duly authorized agent or legal representative.

(b) A claim for personal injury may be presented by the injured person, duly authorized agent, or legal representative.

(c) A claim based on death may be presented by the executor(rix) or administrator(rix) of the decedent's estate, or by any other person legally entitled to assert such a claim in accordance with applicable State law.

(d) A claim for loss wholly compensated by an insurer with the rights of a subrogee may be presented by the insurer. A claim for loss partially compensated by an insurer with the rights of a subrogee may be presented by the parties individually as their respective interests appear, or jointly.

(e) A claim presented by an agent or legal representative shall be presented in the name of the claimant, be signed by the agent or legal representative, show the title or legal capacity of the person signing and be accompanied by evidence of the agent's or legal representative's authority to present a claim on behalf of the claimant as agent, executor(rix), administrator (rix), parent, guardian, or other representative.

§ 1261.304 Place of filing claim.

A claim arising in the United States should be submitted to the Chief Counsel of the NASA installation whose activities are believed to have given rise to the claimed injury, loss, or death. If the identity of such installation is not known, or if the claim arose in a foreign country, the claim should be submitted to the General Counsel, Headquarters, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

[82 FR 29383, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.305 Form of claim.

(a) The official designated in § 1261.308 shall, prior to acting on a claim, require the claimant to submit a completed Standard Form 95—“Claim for Damage, Injury or Death.”

(b) NASA installations will furnish copies of Standard Form 95 upon request.

§ 1261.306 Evidence and information required.

(a) The circumstances alleged to have given rise to the claim, and the amount claimed, should, so far as possible, be substantiated by competent evidence. Supporting statements, estimates, and the like should, if possible, be obtained from disinterested parties. For specific guidance as to Federal Tort Claims Act claims, see Department of Justice regulations on “Administrative Claims under Federal Tort Claims Act” at 28 CFR part 14.

(b) In addition to the evidence and information required under paragraph (a), any claimant shall be required to submit information as to the amount of money or other property received as damages or compensation, or which the claimant may be entitled to receive, by reason of the claimed injury, loss, or death from persons other than NASA or NASA employees. (Such persons include, but are not limited to, insurers, employers, and persons whose conduct was a cause of the accident or incident.)

(c) Any document in other than the English language should be accompanied by an English translation.

§ 1261.307 Time limitations.

(a) A claim may not be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act unless it is presented to NASA within 2 years after it accrued.

(b) A claim may not be acted upon pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1) or (2) unless it is presented to NASA within two years after the occurrence of the accident or incident out of which the claim arose.

(c) A claim shall be deemed to have been presented to NASA when NASA receives from a claimant or duly authorized agent or legal representative an executed Standard Form 95 or other written notification of an incident or accident, accompanied by a claim in a sum certain.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.308 NASA officials authorized to act upon claims.

(a) Claims in the amount of $10,000 or more will be acted upon as directed by the General Counsel;

(b) Claims less than $10,000 will be acted upon by the Chief Counsel of the NASA Field Installation where the employee was assigned at the time of the loss or damage or the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation for NASA Headquarters claims.

(c) Claims of $10,000 or more, pursuant either to the Federal Tort Claims Act, or 51 U.S.C. 20113(m), shall be acted upon only with the prior approval of the General Counsel. Such claims shall be forwarded to the General Counsel for approval, if the Chief Counsel or the Associate General Counsel for General Law is of the opinion that the claim may be meritorious and otherwise suitable for settlement under any authority. A claim so forwarded should be accompanied by a report of the facts of the claim, based upon such investigation as may be appropriate, and a recommendation as to the action to be taken.

(d) Claims acted upon by NASA officials pursuant to this section shall be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, or 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1) or (2), as the NASA official deems appropriate.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.309 Action under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Where a claim is to be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, action shall be taken in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 2672, other provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act as may be applicable (e.g., 28 U.S.C. 2680), and regulations prescribed by the Attorney General which appear at 28 CFR part 14.

§ 1261.310 Investigation of claims.

The officials designated in § 1261.308 shall conduct such investigation of a claim as deemed appropriate. The officials may request any NASA office or other Federal agency to assist in the investigation.

§ 1261.311 Claims requiring Department of Justice approval or consultation.

(a) When in the opinion of the NASA official designated in § 1261.308, Department of Justice approval or consultation may be required, pursuant to 28 CFR part 14, in connection with a claim being acted upon under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the following papers shall be forwarded to the General Counsel:

(1) A short and concise statement of the facts of the claim.

(2) Copies of all relevant portions of the claim file.

(3) A statement of the recommendations or views of the forwarding official.

(b) A claim forwarded to the General Counsel in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, or upon which the General Counsel is acting pursuant to § 1261.308(c), shall be referred to the Department of Justice when, in the opinion of the General Counsel, Department of Justice approval or consultation is required or may be appropriate.

§ 1261.312 Action on approved claims.

(a) Upon settlement of a claim, the official designated in § 1261.308 will prepare and have executed by the claimant a Voucher for Payment of Tort Claims (NASA Form 616) if the claim has been acted upon pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 20113(m), or a Voucher for Payment under Federal Tort Claims Act (Standard Form 1145) if the claim has been acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act. The form will then be referred to the cognizant NASA installation fiscal or financial management office for appropriate action.

(b) When a claimant is represented by an attorney, both the claimant and attorney will be designated as “payees” on the voucher, and the check will be delivered to the attorney whose address shall appear on the voucher.

(c) Acceptance by the claimant, agent, or legal representative, of any award, compromise, or settlement made pursuant to this subpart shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, agent or legal representative and any other person on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim has been presented, and shall constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States and against any employee of the Government whose act or omission gave rise to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.313 Required notification in the event of denial.

Final denial of a claim shall be in writing and shall be sent to the claimant, the attorney, or legal representative by certified or registered mail. The notification of final denial may include a statement of the reasons for the denial and shall include a statement that if the claimant is dissatisfied with NASA's action, the claimant may file suit in an appropriate U.S. District Court not later than 6 months after the date of mailing the notification.

§ 1261.314 [Reserved]

§ 1261.315 Procedures for the handling of lawsuits against NASA employees arising within the scope of their office or employment.

The following procedures shall be followed in the event that a civil action or proceeding is brought, in any court, against any employee of NASA (or against the estate) for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death, resulting from the NASA employee's activities while acting within the scope of office or employment:

(a) After being served with process or pleadings in such an action or proceeding, the employee (or the executor(rix) or administrator(rix) of the estate) shall immediately deliver all such process and pleadings or an attested true copy thereof, together with a fully detailed report of the circumstances of the accident giving rise to the court action or proceeding, to the following officials:

(1) The Assistant General Counsel for Litigation insofar as actions or proceedings against employees of NASA Headquarters are concerned; or

(2) The Chief Counsel of the NASA Installation at which the employee is employed, insofar as actions against other than NASA Headquarters employees are concerned.

(b) Upon receipt of such process and pleadings, the Associate General Counsel for General Law or the Chief Counsel of the NASA installation receiving the same shall furnish to the U.S. Attorney for the district embracing the place where the action or proceeding is brought and, if appropriate, the Director, Torts Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, the following:

(1) Copies of all such process and pleadings in the action or proceeding promptly upon receipt thereof; and

(2) A report containing a statement of the circumstances of the incident giving rise to the action or proceeding, and all data bearing upon the question of whether the employee was acting within the scope of office or employment with NASA at the time of the incident, at the earliest possible date, or within such time as shall be fixed by the U.S. Attorney upon request.

(c) The Associate General Counsel for General Law or a Chief Counsel acting pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall submit the following documents to the General Counsel, who is hereby designated to receive such documents on behalf of the Administrator:

(1) Copies of all process and pleadings submitted to a U.S. Attorney in accordance with paragraph (b).

(2) In addition, where the action or proceeding is for damages in excess of $25,000, or where (in the opinion of the Chief Counsel) such action or proceeding involves a new precedent, a new point of law, or a question of policy, copies of reports and all other papers submitted to the U.S. Attorney.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.316 Policy.

(a) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration may indemnify a present or former NASA employee, who is personally named as a defendant in any civil suit in state or Federal court, or in an arbitration proceeding or other proceeding seeking damages against that employee personally, for any verdict, judgment, appeal bond, or other monetary award which is rendered against such employee, provided that the conduct giving rise to the verdict, judgment, appeal bond, or award was taken within the scope of his or her employment and that such indemnification is in the interest of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as determined by the Administration or designee.

(b) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration may settle or compromise a personal damage claim against a present or former NASA employee by the payment of available funds, at any time, provided the alleged conduct giving rise to the personal damage claim was taken within the employee's scope of employment and that such settlement or compromise is in the interest of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as determined by the Administrator or designee.

(c) Absent exceptional circumstances as determined by the Administrator or designee, the agency will not entertain a request either to agree to indemnify or to settle a personal damage claim before entry of an adverse verdict, judgment, or award.

(d) A present or past NASA employee may request indemnification to satisfy a verdict, judgment, or award entered against that employee. The employee shall submit a written request, with appropriate documentation including copies of the verdict, judgment, appeal bond, award, or settlement proposal to the General Counsel, who shall make a recommended disposition of the request. Where appropriate, the agency shall seek the views of the Department of Justice. The General Counsel shall forward the request, the accompanying documentation, and the General Counsel's recommendation to the Administrator for decision.

(e) Any payment under this section either to indemnify a National Aeronautics and Space Administration employee or to settle a personal damage claim shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

[53 FR 27482, July 21, 1988]

§ 1261.317 Attorney-client privilege.

(a) Attorneys employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration participate in the process utilized for the purpose of determining whether the agency should request the Department of Justice to provide representation to a present or former agency employee sued, subpoenaed, or charged in his/her individual capacity, and attorneys employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provide assistance in obtaining representation of such an agency employee. In these roles, agency attorneys undertake a full and traditional attorney-client relationship with the employee with respect to application of the attorney-client privilege. If representation is authorized, National Aeronautics and Space Administration attorneys who assist in the representation of a present or former employee also undertake a full and traditional attorney-client relationship with that employee with respect to the attorney-client privilege.

(b) Any adverse information communicated by the client-employee to an Agency attorney during the course of such attorney-client relationship shall not be disclosed to anyone, either inside or outside NASA, other than attorneys responsible for representation of the employee, unless such disclosure is authorized by the employee. Such adverse information shall continue to be fully protected whether or not representation is provided and even though representation may be denied or discontinued.

[53 FR 27483, July 21, 1988, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.400 Scope of subpart.

(a) These regulations do the following:

(1) Prescribe standards for the administrative collection, compromise, suspension or termination of collection, and referral to the General Accounting Office (GAO), and/or to the Department of Justice (DJ) for litigation, of civil claims as defined by 31 U.S.C. 3701(b), arising out of the activities of NASA;

(2) Designate the responsible NASA officials authorized to effect actions hereunder; and

(3) Require compliance with the GAO/DJ joint regulations at 4 CFR parts 101 through 105 and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations at 5 CFR part 550, subpart K.

(b) Failure to comply with any provision of the GAO/DJ or OPM regulations shall not be available as a defense to any debtor (4 CFR 101.8).

(c) These regulations do not include any claim based in whole or in part on violation of the anti-trust laws; any claim as to which there is an indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim; tax claims; or Federal interagency claims (4 CFR 101.3).

§ 1261.401 Definitions.

(a) Claim and debt. The terms denote a civil claim arising from the activities of NASA for an amount of money, or return or value of property (see 4 CFR 101.5), owing to the United States from any person, organization, or entity, except another Federal agency. The words claim and debt have been used interchangeably and are considered synonymous.

(b) Delinquent debt. The debt is delinquent if it has not been paid by the date specified in the initial written notification (e.g., § 1261.407) or applicable contractual agreement, unless other acceptable (to NASA) payment arrangements have been made by that date, or if, at any time thereafter, the debtor fails to satisfy an obligation under the payment agreement.

(c) Referral for litigation. Referral through the NASA installation's legal counsel to the Department of Justice (Main Justice or the United States Attorney, as appropriate) for legal proceedings.

§ 1261.402 Delegation of authority.

The following NASA officials are delegated authority, as qualified by § 1261.403, to take such action as is authorized by these regulations to collect, compromise, suspend/terminate collection, and upon consultation with and through legal counsel, to refer the claim (as applicable) to the GAO or Department of Justice:

(a) For field installations, with regard to subpart 1261.4 and subpart 1261.5: The Director of the Installation or a designee who reports directly to the Installation Director. A copy of such designation, if any, shall be sent to the Director, Financial Management Division, NASA Headquarters.

(b) For Headquarters, with regard to subpart 1261.4 and subpart 1261.5: The Associate Administrator for Mission Support or a designee who reports directly to the Associate Administrator for Mission Support. A copy of such designation, if any, shall be sent to the Director, Financial Management Division, NASA Headquarters.

(c) With respect to the analysis required by § 1261.413: The NASA Chief Financial Officer or designee.

(d) NASA-wide, with regard to subpart 1261.6: The NASA Chief Financial Officer or designee.

(e) NASA-wide, for complying with pertinent provisions under these regulations for agency hearing or review (see §§ 1261.408(b), 1261.503, and 1261.603(c)): The NASA General Counsel or designee.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.403 Consultation with appropriate officials; negotiation.

(a) The authority pursuant to § 1261.402 to determine to forgo collection of interest, to accept payment of a claim in installments, or, as to claims which do not exceed $100,000, exclusive of interest and related charges, to compromise a claim or to refrain from doing so, or to refrain from, suspend, or terminate collection action, shall be exercised only after consultation with legal counsel for the particular installation and the following NASA officials or designees, who may also be requested to negotiate the appropriate agreements or arrangements with the debtor:

(1) With respect to claims against contractors or grantees arising in connection with contracts or grants—the contracting officer and the financial management officer of the installation concerned.

(2) With respect to claims against commercial carriers for loss of or damage to NASA freight shipment—the cognizant transportation officers or the official who determined the amount of the claim, as appropriate, and the financial management officers of the installation concerned.

(3) With respect to claims against employees of NASA incident to their employment—the personnel officer and the financial management officer of the installation concerned.

(b) The appropriate counsel's office shall review and concur in the following:

(1) All communications to and agreements with debtors relating to claims collection.

(2) All determinations to compromise a claim, or to suspend or terminate collection action.

(3) All referrals of claims, other than referrals to the Department of Justice pursuant to § 1261.404(b)(1).

(4) All documents releasing debtors from liability to the United States.

(5) All other actions relating to the collection of a claim which in the opinion of the official designated in or pursuant to § 1261.402 may affect the rights of the United States.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.404 Services of the Inspector General.

(a) At the request of an official designated in or pursuant to § 1261.402, the Office of the Inspector General will, where practicable, conduct such investigations as may assist in the collection, compromise, or referral of claims of the United States, including investigations to determine the location and financial resources of the debtors.

(b) Any claim which, in the opinion of an official designated in or pursuant to § 1261.402 or § 1261.403, may indicate fraud, presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation, on the part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim, shall be referred by the designated official to the Inspector General (IG), NASA Headquarters, or to the nearest office of the NASA IG. After an investigation as may be appropriate, the IG shall:

(1) Notice the official, from whom the claim was received, of the findings and refer the claim to the Department of Justice in accordance with the provisions of 4 CFR 101.3; or

(2) If it were found that there is no such indication of fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation, return the claim to the official from whom it was received.

§ 1261.405 Subdivision of claims not authorized; other administrative proceedings.

(a) Subdivision of claims. Claims may not be subdivided to avoid the $100,000 ceiling, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, for purposes of compromise (§ 1261.414) or suspension or termination of collection (§ 1261.416). The debtor's liability arising from a particular transaction or contract shall be considered a single claim (31 CFR 900.6).

(b) Required administrative proceedings. Nothing contained in these regulations is intended to require NASA to omit, foreclose, or duplicate administrative proceedings required by contract or other applicable laws and implementing regulations (4 CFR 101.7).

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.406 Aggressive collection action; documentation.

(a) NASA shall take aggressive action, on a timely basis with effective followup, to collect all claims of the United States for money or property arising out of NASA activities, and to cooperate with the other Federal agencies in debt collection activities.

(b) All administrative collection action shall be documented and the bases for compromise, or for termination or suspension of collection action, should be set out in detail. Such documentation, including the Claims Collection Litigation Report under § 1261.417(e), should be retained in the appropriate claims file.

§ 1261.407 Demand for payment; limitation periods.

(a) Appropriate written demands shall be made promptly upon a debtor of the United States in terms which inform the debtor of the consequences of failure to cooperate. A total of three progressively stronger written demands at not more than 30-day intervals will normally be made unless a response to the first or second demand indicates that a further demand would be futile and the debtor's response does not require rebuttal. In determining the timing of demand letters, NASA will give due regard to the need to act promptly so that, as a general rule, if necessary to refer the debt to the Department of Justice for litigation, such referral can be made within one year of the agency's final determination of the fact and the amount of the debt. When necessary to protect the Government's interests (for example, to prevent the statute of limitations, 28 U.S.C. 2415, from expiring), written demand may be preceded by other appropriate actions, including immediate referral for litigation.

(b) The initial demand letter should inform the debtor of:

(1) The basis for the indebtedness and whatever rights the debtor may have to seek review within the agency;

(2) The applicable standards for assessing interest, penalties, and administrative costs (§ 1261.412); and

(3) The date by which payment is to be made, which normally should be not more than 30 days from the date that the initial demand letter was mailed or hand delivered. The responsible official should exercise care to ensure that demand letters are mailed or hand delivered on the same day that they are actually dated. Apart from these requirements, there is no prescribed format for demand letters. However, as appropriate to the circumstances, the responsible official may consider including, either in the initial demand letter or in subsequent letters, such items the NASA's willingness to discuss alternative methods of payment, or intentions with respect to referral of the debt to the Department of Justice for litigation.

(4) The name, address, and phone number of a contact person or office within the Agency.

(c) NASA should respond promptly to communications from the debtor, within 30 days whenever feasible, and should advise debtors who dispute the debt to furnish available evidence to support their contentions.

(d) If either prior to the initiation of, any time during, or after completion of the demand cycle, a determination to pursue offset is made, then the procedures specified in subparts 1261.5 and 1261.6, as applicable, should be followed. The availability of funds for offset and NASA's determination to pursue it release the agency from the necessity of further compliance with paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section. If the agency has not already sent the first demand letter, the agency's written notification of its intent to offset must give the debtor the opportunity to make voluntary payment, a requirement which will be satisfied by compliance with the notice requirements of § 1261.502 or § 1261.603(a), as applicable.

(e) NASA should undertake personal interviews with its debtors whenever this is feasible, having regard for the amounts involved and the proximity of agency representatives to such debtors; and may attempt to effect compromise of the claim in accordance with § 1261.414.

(f) When a debtor is employed by the Federal government or is a member of the military establishment or the Coast Guard, and collection by offset cannot be accomplished in accordance with subpart 1261.6, the employing agency will be contacted for the purpose of arranging with the debtor for payment of the indebtedness by allotment or otherwise in accordance with section 206 of Executive Order 11222, May 8, 1965, 30 FR 6469, which provides that: “An employee is expected to meet all just financial obligations, especially those—such as Federal, State, or local taxes—which are imposed by law” (4 CFR 102.81).

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.408 Use of consumer reporting agency.

(a) The term consumer reporting agency has the meaning provided in the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3)):

(1) A consumer reporting agency as that term is defined in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f); or

(2) A person that, for money or on a cooperative basis, regularly—

(i) Gets information on consumers to give the information to a consumer reporting agency; or

(ii) Serves as a marketing agent under an arrangement allowing a third party to get the information from a consumer reporting agency.

(b) NASA Headquarters Financial Management Division, shall be the focal contact between NASA and consumer reporting agencies. The following procedures shall apply when such agencies are employed by NASA:

(1) After the appropriate notice pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4) has been published, NASA may disclose, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12), information about a debtor to a consumer reporting agency. Such information may include:

(i) That a claim has been determined to be valid and is overdue (including violation by debtor of a repayment plan or other claim settlement agreement);

(ii) If a current address is available, notifying the individual by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: The designated NASA official has reviewed the claim and determined that it is valid and overdue; within not less than 60 days after sending this notice, NASA intends to disclose to a consumer reporting agency the specific information to be disclosed under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; the individual may request a complete explanation of the claim, dispute the information in the records of NASA about the claim, and file for an administrative review or repeal of the claim or for reconsideration of the initial decision on the claim.

(iii) Amount, status, and history of the claim;

(iv) Program or pertinent activity under which the claim arose.

(2) Before disclosing the information specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, NASA shall comply with 31 U.S.C. 3711(f) by:

(i) Taking reasonable action to locate the individual if a current address is not available;

(ii) If a current address is available, noticing the individual by certified mail, return receipt requested, that: The designated NASA official has reviewed the claim and determined that it is valid and overdue; within not less than 60 days after sending this notice, NASA intends to disclose to a consumer reporting agency the specific information to be disclosed under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; the individual may request a complete explanation of the claim, dispute the information in the records of NASA about the claim, and file for an administrative review or repeal of the claim or for reconsideration of the initial decision on the claim.

(3) If an administrative review or reconsideration is requested, the responsible official or designee shall refer the request to the appropriate NASA legal counsel for an impartial review and determination by counsel or designee based on the entire written record. If the reviewer cannot resolve the question of indebtedness based upon the available documentary evidence, verified written statements by the debtor or the responsible official may be requested on any pertinent matter not addressed by the available record.

(c) If the information is to be submitted to a consumer reporting agency, the responsible official shall obtain a verified statement from such agency which gives satisfactory assurances that the particular agency is complying with all laws of the United States related to providing consumer credit information; and thereafter ensure that the consumer reporting agency is promptly informed of any substantial change in the condition or amount of the claim, or, on request of such agency, promptly verify or correct information about the claim.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29384, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.409 Contracting for collection services.

(a) When NASA determines that there is a need to contract for collection services, the following conditions shall apply:

(1) The authority to resolve disputes, compromise claims, suspend or terminate collection action, and refer the matter for litigation must be retained by NASA.

(2) The contractor shall be subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, to the extent specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(m), and to applicable Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to debt collection practices—for example, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692), and 26 U.S.C. 6103(p)(4) and applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service;

(3) The contractor must be required to account strictly for all amounts collected; and

(4) The contractor must agree to provide any data contained in its files relating to collection actions and related reports, current address of debtor, and reasonably current credit information upon returning an account to NASA for subsequent referral to the Department of Justice for litigation.

(5) The debt must not be subject to mandatory transfer to the Department of the Treasury for collection. See 31 CFR 901.5(a) and (b).

(b) NASA shall use Government-wide debt collection contracts to obtain debt collection services provided by private collection contractors. See 31 CFR 901.5(b).

(c) NASA shall fund private collection contractor contracts in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3728(d) or as otherwise permitted by law. See 31 CFR 901.5(c).

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29385, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.410 Suspension or revocation of license or eligibility; liquidation of collateral.

(a) In seeking the collection of statutory penalties, forfeitures, or debts provided for as an enforcement aid or for compelling compliance, NASA will give serious consideration to the suspension or revocation of licenses or other privileges for any inexcusable, prolonged, or repeated failure of a debtor to pay such a claim. In the case of a contractor under 48 CFR chapter 18, NASA will comply with the debarment, suspension, and ineligibility requirements of the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NASA/FAR Supplement) at 48 CFR 1809.4. Likewise, in making, guaranteeing, insuring, acquiring, or participating in loans, NASA will give serious consideration to suspending or disqualifying any lender, contractor, broker, borrower, or other debtor from doing further business with it or engaging in programs sponsored by it if such a debtor fails to pay its debts to the Government within a reasonable time. The failure of any surety to honor its obligations in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 9305 must be reported to the Treasury Department at once. Notification that a surety's certificate of authority to do business with the Federal Government has been revoked or forfeited by the Treasury Department will be forwarded by that Department to all interested agencies.

(b) If NASA is holding security or collateral which may be liquidated and the proceeds applied on debts due it through the exercise of a power of sale in the security instrument or a nonjudicial foreclosure, it should do so by such procedures if the debtor fails to pay the debt within a reasonable time after demand, unless the cost of disposing of the collateral will be disproportionate to its value or special circumstances require judicial foreclosure. NASA will provide the debtor with reasonable notice of the sale, an accounting of any surplus proceeds, and any other procedures required by applicable contract or law. Collection from other sources, including liquidation of security or collateral, is not a prerequisite to requiring payment by a surety or insurance concern unless such action is expressly required by statute or contract.

§ 1261.411 Collection in installments.

(a) Whenever feasible, and except as otherwise provided by law, debts owed to the United States, together with interest penalties, and administrative costs as required by § 1261.412, should be collected in full in one lump sum. This is true whether the debt is being collected by administrative offset or by another method, including voluntary payment. However, if the debtor is financially unable to pay the indebtedness in one lump sum, payment may be accepted in regular installments. Debtors who represent that they are unable to pay the debt in one lump sum must submit justification, including financial statements. If NASA agrees to accept payment in regular installments, it will obtain a legally enforceable written agreement from the debtor which specifies all of the terms of the arrangement and which contains a provision accelerating the debt in the event the debtor defaults. The size and frequency of installment payments should bear a reasonable relation to the size of the debt and the debtor's ability to pay. If possible, the installment payments should be sufficient in size and frequency to liquidate the Government's claim in not more than three years. Installment payments of less than $50 per month should be accepted only if justifiable on the grounds of financial hardship or similar reasonable cause. If the claim is unsecured, an executed confess-judgment note should be obtained from a debtor when the total amount of the deferred installments will exceed $750. Such notes may be sought when an unsecured obligation of a lesser amount is involved. When attempting to obtain confess-judgment notes, the debtor should be provided with written explanation of the consequences of signing the note, and documentation should be maintained sufficient to demonstrate that the debtor has signed the note knowingly and voluntarily. Security for deferred payments other than a confess-judgment note may be accepted in appropriate cases. NASA, at its option, may accept installment payments notwithstanding the refusal of a debtor to execute a confess-judgment note or to give other security.

(b) If the debtor owes more than one debt and designates how a voluntary installment payment is to be applied as among those debts, that designation must be followed. If the debtor does not designate the application of the payment, agencies should apply payments to the various debts in accordance with the best interests of the United States, as determined by the facts and circumstances of the particular case, paying special attention to applicable statutes of limitations.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29385, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.412 Interest, penalties, and administrative costs.

(a) Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717, NASA shall assess interest, penalties, and administrative costs on debts owed to the United States. Before assessing these charges, NASA must mail or hand deliver a written notice to the debtor explaining the requirements concerning the charges (see § 1261.407(b)).

(b) Interest shall accrue from the date on which notice of the debt and the interest requirements is first mailed or hand delivered to the debtor (on or after October 25, 1982), using the most current address that is available to the agency. If an “advance billing” procedure is used—that is, a bill is mailed before the debt is actually owed—it can include the required interest notification in the advance billing, but interest may not start to accrue before the debt is actually owed. Designated officials should exercise care to ensure that the notices required by this section are dated and mailed or hand delivered on the same day.

(c) The rate of interest assessed shall be the rate of the current value of funds to the United States Treasury (i.e., the Treasury tax and loan account rate), as prescribed and published by the Secretary of the Treasury in the Federal Register and the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual Bulletins annually or quarterly, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717. NASA may assess a higher rate of interest if it reasonably determines that a higher rate is necessary to protect the interests of the United States. The rate of interest, as initially assessed, shall remain fixed for the duration of the indebtedness, except that where a debtor has defaulted on a repayment agreement and seeks to enter into a new agreement, NASA may set a new interest rate which reflects the current value of funds to the Treasury Department at the time the new agreement is executed. Interest should not be assessed on interest, penalties, or administrative costs required by this section. However, if the debtor defaults on a previous repayment agreement, charges which accrued but were not collected under the defaulted agreement shall be added to the principal to be paid under a new repayment agreement.

(d) NASA shall assess against a debtor charges to cover administrative costs incurred as a result of a delinquent debt—that is, the additional costs incurred in processing and handling the debt because it became delinquent as defined in § 1261.401(b). Calculations of administrative costs should be based upon actual costs incurred or upon cost analyses establishing an average of actual additional costs incurred by the agency in processing and handling claims against other debtors in similar stages of delinquency. Administrative costs may include costs incurred in obtaining a credit report or in using a private debt collector, to the extent they are attributable to delinquency.

(e) NASA shall assess a penalty charge, not to exceed 6 percent a year, on any portion of a debt that is delinquent as defined in § 1261.401(b) for more than 90 days. This charge need not be calculated until the 91st day of delinquency, but shall accrue from the date that the debt became delinquent.

(f) When a debt is paid in partial or installment payments, amounts received by the agency shall be applied first to outstanding penalty and administrative cost charges, second to accrued interest, and third to outstanding principal.

(g) NASA must waive the collection of interest on the debt or any portion of the debt which is paid within 30 days after the date on which interest began to accrue. NASA may extend this 30-day period, on a case-by-case basis, if it reasonably determines that such action is appropriate. Also, NASA may waive, in whole or in part, the collection of interest, penalties, and/or administrative costs (assessed under this section) under the criteria specified in § 1261.414 relating to the compromise of claims (without regard to the amount of the debt), or if NASA determines that collection of these charges would be against equity and good conscience or not in the best interests of the United States. See 4 CFR 101.13(g). Such optional waivers should be handled on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with officials designated under § 1261.403. Examples of situations in which NASA may consider waiving interest and other related charges are:

(1) Pending consideration of a request for reconsideration or administrative review;

(2) Acceptance of an installment plan or other compromise agreement, where there is no indication of lack of good faith on the part of the debtor in not repaying the debt, and the debtor has provided substantiating information of inability to pay or other unavoidable hardship which reasonably prevented the debt from being repaid.

(h) Where a mandatory waiver or review statute applies, interest and related charges may not be assessed for those periods during which collection action must be suspended under § 1261.416(c)(3).

(i) Exemptions. (1) The provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3717 do not apply:

(i) To debts owed by any State or local government;

(ii) To debts arising under contracts which were executed prior to, and were in effect on (i.e., were not completed as of) October 25, 1982;

(iii) To debts where an applicable statute, regulation required by statute, loan agreement, or contract either prohibits such charges or explicitly fixes the charges that apply to the debts involved; or

(iv) To debts arising under the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, or the tariff laws of the United States.

(2) NASA may, however, assess interest and related charges on debts which are not subject to 31 U.S.C. 3717 to the extent authorized under the common law or applicable statutory authority.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29385, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.413 Analysis of costs; automation; prevention of overpayments, delinquencies, or defaults.

The Office of the NASA Chief Financial Officer will:

(a) Issue internal procedures to provide for periodic comparison of costs incurred and amounts collected. Data on costs and corresponding recovery rates for debts of different types and in various dollar ranges should be used to compare the cost effectiveness of alternative collection techniques, establish guidelines with respect to points at which costs of further collection efforts are likely to exceed recoveries, and assist in evaluating offers in compromise.

(b) Consider the need, feasibility, and cost effectiveness of automated debt collection operation.

(c) Establish internal controls to identify causes, if any, of overpayments, delinquencies, and defaults, and establish procedures for corrective actions as needs dictate.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29385, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.414 Compromise of claims.

(a) Designated NASA officials (see §§ 1261.402 and 1261.403) may compromise claims for money or property arising out of the activities of the Agency where the claim, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, does not exceed $100,000, prior to the referral of such claims to the Government Accountability Office, or to the Department of Justice for litigation. The Comptroller General may exercise such compromise authority with respect to claims referred to the Government Accountability Office prior to their further referral for litigation. Only the Comptroller General may effect the compromise of a claim that arises out of an exception made by the Government Accountability Office in the account of an accountable officer, including a claim against the payee, prior to its referral by the Government Accountability Office for litigation.

(b) When the claim, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, exceeds $100,000, the authority to accept the compromise rests solely with the Department of Justice. NASA should evaluate the offer, using the factors set forth in paragraphs (c) through (f) of this section, and may recommend compromise for reasons under one, or more than one, of those paragraphs. If NASA then wishes to accept the compromise, it must refer the matter to the Department of Justice, using the Claims Collection Litigation Report. See § 1261.417(e) or 31 CFR 904.2(c). Claims for which the gross amount is over $200,000 shall be referred to the Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530. Claims for which the gross original amount is $200,000 or less shall be referred to the United States Attorney in whose judicial district the debtor can be found. The referral should specify the reasons for the Agency's recommendation. If NASA has a debtor's firm written offer of compromise which is substantial in amount and the Agency is uncertain as to whether the offer should be accepted, it may refer the offer, the supporting data, and particulars concerning the claim to the Government Accountability Office or to the Department of Justice. The Government Accountability Office or the Department of Justice may act upon such an offer or return it to the agency with instructions or advice. If NASA wishes to reject the compromise, Government Accountability Office or Department of Justice approval is not required.

(c) A claim may be compromised pursuant to this section if NASA cannot collect the full amount because of the debtor's inability to pay the full amount within a reasonable time, or the refusal of the debtor to pay the claim in full and the Government's inability to enforce collection in full within a reasonable time by enforced collection proceedings. In determining the debtor's inability or refusal to pay, the following factors, among others, may be considered:

(1) Age and health of the debtor;

(2) Present and potential income;

(3) Inheritance prospects;

(4) The possibility that assets have been concealed or improperly transferred by the debtor;

(5) The availability of assets or income which may be realized by enforced collection proceedings; and

(6) The applicable exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal law in determining the Government's ability to enforce collection. Uncertainty as to the price which collateral or other property will bring at forced sale may properly be considered in determining the Government's ability to enforce collection. The compromise should be for an amount which bears a reasonable relation to the amount which can be recovered by enforced collection procedures, having regard for the exemptions available to the debtor and the time which collection will take.

(d) A claim may be compromised if there is a real doubt concerning the Government's ability to prove its case in court for the full amount claimed, either because of the legal issues involved or a bona fide dispute as to the facts. The amount accepted in compromise in such cases should fairly reflect the probability of prevailing on the legal question involved, the probabilities with respect to full or partial recovery of a judgment, paying due regard to the availability of witnesses and other evidentiary support for the Government claim, and related pragmatic considerations. In determining the litigative risks involved, proportionate weight should be given to the probable amount of court costs and attorney fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act which may be assessed against the Government if it is unsuccessful in litigation. See 28 U.S.C. 2412.

(e) A claim may be compromised if the cost of collecting the claim does not justify the enforced collection of the full amount. The amount accepted in compromise in such cases may reflect an appropriate discount for the administrative and litigative costs of collection, paying heed to the time which it will take to effect collection. Costs of collecting may be a substantial factor in the settlement of small claims, but normally will not carry great weight in the settlement of large claims. In determining whether the cost of collecting justifies enforced collection of the full amount, it is legitimate to consider the positive effect that enforced collection of some claims may have on the collection of other claims. Since debtors are more likely to pay when first requested to do so if an agency has a policy of vigorous collection of all claims, the fact that the cost of collection of any one claim may exceed the amount of the claim does not necessarily mean that the claim should be compromised. The practical benefits of vigorous collection of a small claim may include a demonstration to other debtors that resistance to payment is not likely to succeed.

(f) Enforcement policy. Statutory penalties, forfeitures, or debts established as an aid to enforcement and to compel compliance may be compromised pursuant to this part if the agency's enforcement policy in terms of deterrence and securing compliance, both present and future, will be adequately served by acceptance of the sum to be agreed upon. Mere accidental or technical violations may be dealt with less severely than willful and substantial violations.

(g) Compromises payable in installments are to be discouraged. However, if payment of a compromise by installments is necessary, a legally enforceable agreement for the reinstatement of the prior indebtedness less sums paid thereon and acceleration of the balance due upon default in the payment of any installment should be obtained, together with security in the manner set forth in § 1261.411, in every case in which this is possible.

(h) If the agency's files do not contain reasonably up-to-date credit information as a basis for assessing a compromise proposal, such information may be obtained from the individual debtor by obtaining a statement executed under penalty of perjury showing the debtor's assets and liabilities, income, and expenses. Forms such as Department of Justice Form OBD-500 or OBD-500B may be used for this purpose. Similar data may be obtained from corporate debtors using a form such as Department of Justice Form OBD-500C or by resort to balance sheets and such additional data as seems required. Samples of the Department of Justice forms are available from the Office of the NASA General Counsel. Neither a percentage of a debtor's profits nor stock in a debtor corporation will be accepted in compromise of a claim. In negotiating a compromise with a business concern, consideration should be given to requiring a waiver of the tax-loss-carry-back rights of the debtor.

(i) Joint and several liability. When two or more debtors are jointly and severally liable, collection action will not be withheld against one such debtor until the other or others pay their proportionate shares. NASA will not attempt to allocate the burden of paying such claims as between the debtors but will proceed to liquidate the indebtedness as quickly as possible. Care should be taken that a compromise agreement with one such debtor does not release the agency's claim against the remaining debtors. The amount of a compromise with one such debtor shall not be considered a precedent or as morally binding in determining the amount which will be required from other debtors jointly and severally liable on the claim.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29385, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.415 Execution of releases.

Upon receipt of full payment of a claim, or the amount in compromise of a claim as determined pursuant to § 1261.414, the official designated in § 1261.402 will prepare and execute, on behalf of the United States, an appropriate release, which shall include the provision that it shall be void if procured by fraud, misrepresentation, the presentation of a false claim, or mutual mistake of fact.

§ 1261.416 Suspending or terminating collection action.

(a) The standards set forth in this section apply to the suspension or termination of collection action pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(3) on claims which do not exceed $100,000, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, after deducting the amount of partial payments or collections, if any. NASA may suspend or terminate collection action under this part with respect to claims for money or property arising out of activities of the Agency, prior to the referral of such claims to the Government Accountability Office or to the Department of Justice for litigation. The Comptroller General (or designee) may exercise such authority with respect to claims referred to the Government Accountability Office prior to their further referral for litigation.

(b) If, after deducting the amount of partial payments or collections, if any, a claim exceeds $100,000, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, the authority to suspend or terminate rests solely with the Department of Justice. If the designated official believes suspension or termination may be appropriate, the matter should be evaluated using the factors set forth in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. If the Agency concludes that suspension or termination is appropriate, it must refer the matter, with its reasons for the recommendation, to the Department of Justice, using the Claims Collection Litigation Report. See § 1261.417(e) or 31 CFR 904.2(c). If NASA decides not to suspend or terminate collection action on the claim, Department of Justice approval is not required; or if it determines that its claim is plainly erroneous or clearly without legal merit, it may terminate collection action regardless of the amount involved, without the need for Department of Justice concurrence.

(c) Suspension of collection activity—(1) Inability to locate debtor. Collection action may be suspended temporarily on a claim when the debtor cannot be located after diligent effort and there is reason to believe that future collection action may be sufficiently productive to justify periodic review and action on the claim, with due consideration for the size and amount which may be realized thereon. The following sources may be of assistance in locating missing debtors: Telephone directories; city directories; postmasters; drivers' license records; automobile title and registration records; state and local government agencies; the Internal Revenue Service (see 4 CFR 102.18); other Federal agencies; employers, relatives, friends; credit agency skip locate reports, and credit bureaus. Suspension as to a particular debtor should not defer the early liquidation cf security for the debt. Every reasonable effort should be made to locate missing debtors sufficiently in advance of the bar of the applicable statute of limitations, such as 28 U.S.C. 2415, to permit the timely filing of suit if such action is warranted. If the missing debtor has signed a confess-judgment note and is in default, referral of the note for the entry of judgment should not be delayed because of the debtor's missing status.

(2) Financial condition of debtor. Collection action may also be suspended temporarily on a claim when the debtor owns no substantial equity in realty or personal property and is unable to make payments on the Government's claim or effect a compromise at the time, but the debtor's future prospects justify retention of the claim for periodic review and action, and:

(i) The applicable statute of limitations has been tolled or started running anew; or

(ii) Future collection can be effected by offset, notwithstanding the statute of limitations, with due regard to the 10-year limitation prescribed by 31 U.S.C. 3716(c)(1); or

(iii) The debtor agrees to pay interest on the amount of the debt on which collection action will be temporarily suspended, and such temporary suspension is likely to enhance the debtor's ability to fully pay the principle amount of the debt with interest at a later date.

(3) Request for waiver or administrative review. If the statute under which waiver or administrative review is sought is “mandatory,” that is, if it prohibits the agency from collecting the debt prior to the agency's consideration of the request for waiver or review (see Califano v. Yamasaki, 422 U.S. 682 (1979)), then collection action must be suspended until either: The agency has considered the request for waiver/review; or the applicable time limit for making the waiver/review request, as prescribed in a written notice, has expired and the debtor, upon notice, has not made such a request. If the applicable waiver/review statute is “permissive,” that is, if it does not require all requests for waiver/review to be considered, and if it does not prohibit collection action pending consideration of a waiver/request (for example, 5 U.S.C. 5584), collection action may be suspended pending agency action on a waiver/review request based upon appropriate consideration, on a case-by-case basis, as to whether:

(i) There is a reasonable possibility that waiver will be granted or that the debt (in whole or in part) will be found not owing from the debtor;

(ii) The Government's interests would be protected, if suspension were granted, by reasonable assurance that the debt could be recovered if the debtor does not prevail; and

(iii) Collection of the debt will cause undue hardship on the debtor.

(4) If the applicable statutes and regulations would not authorize refund by the agency to the debtor of amounts collected prior to agency consideration of the debtor's waiver/review request (in the event the agency acts favorably on it), collection action should ordinarily be suspended, without regard to the factors specified for permissive waivers, unless it appears clear, based on the request and the surrounding circumstances, that the request is frivolous and was made primarily to delay collection. See 4 CFR 104.2.

(d) Termination of collection activity. Collection activity may be terminated and NASA may close its file on the claim based on the following:

(1) Inability to collect any substantial amount. Collection action may be terminated on a claim when it becomes clear that the Government cannot collect or enforce collection of any significant sum from the debtor, having due regard for the judicial remedies available to the Government, the debtor's future financial prospects, and the exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal law. In determining the debtor's inability to pay, the following factors, among others, may be considered: Age and health of the debtor; present and potential income; inheritance prospects; the possibility that assets have been concealed or improperly transferred by the debtor; the availability of assets or income which may be realized by enforced collection proceedings.

(2) Inability to locate debtor. Collection action may be terminated on a claim when the debtor cannot be located, and either:

(i) There is no security remaining to be liquidated; or

(ii) The applicable statute of limitations has run and the prospects of collecting by offset, notwithstanding the bar of the statute of limitations, are too remote to justify retention of the claim.

(3) Cost will exceed recovery. Collection action may be terminated on a claim when it is likely that the cost of further collection action will exceed the amount recoverable thereby.

(4) Claim legally without merit. Collection action should be terminated immediately on a claim whenever it is determined that the claim is legally without merit.

(5) Claim cannot be substantiated by evidence. Collection action should be terminated when it is determined that the evidence necessary to prove the claim cannot be produced or the necessary witnesses are unavailable and efforts to reduce voluntary payment are unavailing.

(e) Transfer of claim. When NASA has doubt as to whether collection action should be suspended or terminated on a claim, it may refer the claim to the Government Accountability Office for advice. When a significant enforcement policy is involved in reducing a statutory penalty or forfeiture to judgment, or recovery of a judgment is a prerequisite to the imposition of administrative sanctions, such as the suspension or revocation of a license or the privilege of participating in a Government-sponsored program, NASA may refer such a claim for litigation even though termination of collection activity might otherwise be given consideration under paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section. Claims on which NASA holds a judgment by assignment or otherwise will be referred to the Department of Justice for further action if renewal of the judgment lien or enforced collection proceedings are justified under the criteria discussed in this section.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29386, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.417 Referral to Department of Justice or Government Accountability Office.

(a) Prompt referral. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, claims on which aggressive collection action has been taken in accordance with § 1261.406 and which cannot be compromised, or on which collection action cannot be suspended or terminated, in accordance with §§ 1261.414 and 1261.416, shall be promptly referred to the Department of Justice for litigation.

(1) Claims for which the gross original amount is over $200,000 shall be referred to the Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530.

(2) Claims for which the gross original amount is $200,000 or less shall be referred to the United States Attorney in whose judicial district the debtor can be found. Referrals should be made as early as possible, consistent with aggressive agency collection action and the observance of the regulations contained in this subpart, and in any event, well within the period for bringing a timely suit against the debtor. Ordinarily, referrals should be made within l year of the agency's final determination of the fact and the amount of the debt.

(3) Minimum amount. NASA is not to refer claims of less than $600, exclusive of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, for litigation unless:

(i) Referral is important to a significant enforcement policy; or

(ii) The debtor not only has the clear ability to pay the claim but the Government can effectively enforce payment, having due regard for the exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal law and the judicial remedies available to the Government.

(b) Claims arising from audit exceptions taken by the GAO to payments made by agencies must be referred to the GAO for review and approval prior to referral to the Department of Justice for litigation, unless NASA has been granted an exception by the GAO. Referrals shall comply with instructions, including monetary limitations, contained in the GAO Policy and Procedures Manual for Guidance to Federal Agencies and paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.

(c) When the merits of the claim, the amount owed on the claim, or the propriety of acceptance of a proposed compromise, suspension, or termination are in doubt, the designated official should refer the matter to the Government Accountability Office for resolution and instructions prior to proceeding with collection action and/or referral to the Department of Justice for litigation.

(d) Once a claim has been referred to the Government Accountability Office or to the Department of Justice pursuant to this section, NASA shall refrain from having any contact with the debtor about the pending claim and shall direct the debtor to the Government Accountability Office or to the Department of Justice, as appropriate, when questions concerning the claim are raised by the debtor. The Government Accountability Office or the Department of Justice, as appropriate, shall be immediately notified by NASA of any payments which are received from the debtor subsequent to referral of a claim under this section.

(e) Claims Collection Litigation Report (CCLR). Unless an exception has been granted by the Department of Justice in consultation with the General Accounting Office, the Claims Collection Litigation Report (CCLR), which was officially implemented by NASA, effective March 1, 1983, shall be used with all referrals of administratively uncollectible claims. As required by the CCLR, the following information must be included:

(1) Report of prior collection actions. A checklist or brief summary of the actions previously taken to collect or compromise the claim. If any of the administrative collection actions have been omitted, the reason for their omission must be provided. GAO, the United States Attorney, or the Civil Division of the Department of Justice may return claims at their option when there is insufficient justification for the omission of one or more of the administrative collection actions enumerated in this subpart (see 4 CFR part 102).

(2) Current address of debtor. The current address of the debtor, or the name and address of the agent for a corporation upon whom service may be made. Reasonable and appropriate steps will be taken to locate missing parties in all cases. Referrals to the Department of Justice for the commencement of foreclosure of other proceedings, in which the current address of any party is unknown, will be accompanied by a listing of the prior known addresses of such party and a statement of the steps taken to locate that party.

(3) Credit data. Reasonably current credit data which indicates that there is a reasonable prospect of effecting enforced collection from the debtor, having due regard for the exemptions available to the debtor under State and Federal law and the judicial remedies available to the Government. Such credit data may take the form of:

(i) A commercial credit report;

(ii) An agency investigative report showing the debtor's assets, liabilities, income, and expenses;

(iii) The individual debtor's own financial statement executed under penalty of perjury reflecting the debtor's assets, liabilities, income, and expenses; or

(iv) An audited balance sheet of a corporate debtor.

(4) Reasons for credit data omissions. The credit data may be omitted if:

(i) A surety bond is available in an amount sufficient to satisfy the claim in full;

(ii) The forced sale value of the security available for application to the Government's claim is sufficient to satisfy the claim in full;

(iii) NASA wishes to liquidate loan collateral through judicial foreclosure but does not desire a deficiency judgment;

(iv) The debtor is in bankruptcy or receivership;

(v) The debtor's liability to the Government is fully covered by insurance, in which case NASA will furnish such information as it can develop concerning the identity and address of the insurer and the type and amount of insurance coverage; or

(vi) The status of the debtor is such that credit data is not normally available or cannot reasonably be obtained, for example, a unit of State or local government.

(f) Preservation of evidence. Care will be taken to preserve all files, records, and exhibits on claims referred or to be referred to the Department of Justice for litigation. Under no circumstances should original documents be sent to the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney without specific prior approval to do so. Copies of relevant documents should be sent whenever necessary.

[45 FR 48104, July 18, 1980, as amended at 82 FR 29386, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.418 Transfer of debts to Treasury for collection.

Unless subject to an exception identified in 31 CFR 285.12(d), NASA shall transfer any debt that is more than 180 days delinquent to the Financial Management Service for debt collection services in accordance with the procedures described in 31 CFR 285.12.

[82 FR 29386, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.500 Scope of subpart.

(a) This subpart applies to collection of claims by administrative offset under section 5 of the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 as amended by the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 3716), other statutory authority, or the common law; it does not include “Salary Offset,” which is governed by subpart 1261.6, infra.

(b) NASA shall refer past due, legally enforceable nontax debts which are over 180 days delinquent to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection by centralized administrative offset. For purposes of debts governed by this provision, NASA adopts and will follow the procedures established by the Department of the Treasury in 31 CFR 901.3.

(c) For claims not subject to mandatory transfer to the Department of the Treasury pursuant to paragraph (b), NASA may consider ad hoc non-centralized administrative offset of claims at its sole discretion. Any ad hoc non-centralized administrative offset of claims will be conducted consistent with the requirements of 31 CFR 901.3(c).

(1) Debts owed by any State or local Government;

(2) Debts arising under or payments made under the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the tariff laws of the United States; or

(3) Any case in which collection of the type of debt involved by administrative offset is explicitly provided for or prohibited by another statute. However, unless otherwise provided by contract or law, debts or payments which are not subject to administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716 may be collected by administrative offset under the common law or other applicable statutory authority.

[52 FR 19487, May 26, 1987, as amended at 82 FR 29386, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.501 Definition.

Administrative offset—the term, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(1), means “withholding money payable by the United States Government to, or held by the Government for, a person to satisfy a debt the person owes the Government.”

§ 1261.502 Notification procedures.

(a) Before collecting any claims through administrative offset, a 30-day written notice must be sent to the debtor by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice must include:

(1) The nature and amount of the debt;

(2) NASA's intention to collect by administrative offset; and

(3) An explanation of the debtor's rights under 31 U.S.C. 3716(a), or other relied upon statutory authority, which must include a statement that the debtor has the opportunity, within the 30-day notice period, to:

(i) Inspect and copy records of NASA with respect to the debt;

(ii) Request a review by NASA of its decision related to the claim; and

(iii) Enter into a written agreement with the designated official (see § 1261.402) to repay the amount of the claim. However, sound judgment should be exercised in determining whether to accept a repayment agreement in lieu of offset. The determination should balance the Government's interest in collecting the debt against fairness to the debtor. If the debt is delinquent and the debtor has not disputed its existence or amount, NASA should accept a repayment agreement in lieu of offset only if the debtor is able to establish that offset would result in undue financial hardship or would be against equity and good conscience.

(b) NASA may effect administrative offset against a payment to be made to a debtor prior to the completion of the procedures required by paragraph (a) of this section if:

(1) Failure to take the offset would substantially prejudice the Government's ability to collect the debt; and

(2) The time before the payment is to be made does not reasonably permit the completion of those procedures. Such prior offset must be promptly followed by the completion of those procedures. Amounts recovered by offset but later found not to be owed to the Government shall be promptly refunded.

(3) In cases where the procedural requirements of paragraph (a) of this section had previously been provided to the debtor in connection with the same debt under some other statutory or regulatory authority, such as pursuant to a notice of audit disallowance or salary offset under § 1261.603, the agency is not required to duplicate those requirements before taking administrative offset.

§ 1261.503 Agency records inspection; hearing or review.

(a) NASA shall provide the debtor with a reasonable opportunity for a live, telephonic, or video-teleconference hearing when:

(1) An applicable statute authorizes or requires the agency to consider waiver of the indebtedness involved, the debtor requests waiver of the indebtedness, and the waiver determination turns on an issue of credibility or veracity; or

(2) Unless otherwise required by law, a hearing under this section is not required to be a formal evidentiary-type hearing, although significant matters discussed at the hearing should be documented. See 31 CFR 901.3(e)(1). Such hearing may be an informal discussion/interview with the debtor, face-to-face meeting between debtor and cognizant NASA personnel, or written formal submission by the debtor and response by the NASA cognizant personnel with an opportunity for oral presentation. The hearing will be conducted before or in the presence of an official as designated by the NASA General Counsel on a case-by-case basis. The hearing is not an adversarial adjudication and need not take the form of an evidentiary hearing. However, depending on the particular facts and circumstances, the hearing may be analogous to a fact-finding proceeding with oral presentations; or an informal meeting with or interview of the employee; or formal written submissions, with an opportunity for oral presentation, and decision based on the available written record. Ordinarily, hearings may consist of informal conferences before the hearing official in which the employee and Agency officials will be given full opportunity to present evidence, witnesses, and argument. The employee may represent himself or herself or be represented by an individual of his or her choice at no cost to the United States. The hearing official must maintain or provide for a summary record of the hearing provided under this subpart. The decision of the reviewing/hearing official should be communicated in writing (no particular form is required) to the affected parties and will constitute the final administrative decision of the Agency.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not require a hearing with respect to debt collection systems, as determinations of indebtedness or waiver from these rarely involve issues of credibility or veracity since NASA has determined that review of the written record is ordinarily an adequate means to correct prior mistakes. See 31 CFR 901.3(e)(3).

(c) In those cases where a live, telephonic, or video-teleconference hearing is not required or granted, NASA will nevertheless accord the debtor an opportunity to submit any position regarding the matter by documentation and/or written presentation—that is, the Agency will make its determination on the request for waiver or reconsideration based upon a review of the available written record. See 31 CFR 901.3(e)(4). In such case, the responsible official or designee shall refer the request to the appropriate NASA Office of General Counsel or Chief Counsel for review and recommendation.

(d) A request to inspect and/or copy the debtor's own debt records or related files, and/or for a hearing or review accompanied by a statement of the basis or grounds for such hearing or review, must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the written notice under § 1261.502(a). A reasonable time to inspect and copy records will be provided during official working hours, but not to exceed 5 business days, unless a verified statement showing good cause requires a longer period. Any suspension of collection or other charges during the period of the inspection, or hearing or review, shall comply with §§ 1261.412 and 1261.416. Requests for or consideration of compromising the debt must comply with § 1261.414.

[52 FR 19487, May 26, 1987, as amended at 82 FR 29386, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.504 Interagency requests.

(a) Requests to NASA by other Federal agencies for administrative offset should be in writing and forwarded to the Office of the NASA Comptroller, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546.

(b) Requests by NASA to other Federal agencies holding funds payable to the debtor should be in writing and forwarded, certified return receipt, as specified by that agency in its regulations; however, if such rule is not readily available or identifiable, the request should be submitted to that agency's office of legal counsel with a request that it be processed in accordance with their internal procedures.

(c) Requests to and from NASA should be processed within 30 calendar days of receipt. If such processing is impractical or not feasible, notice to extend the time period for another 30 calendar days should be forwarded 10 calendar days prior to the expiration of the first 30-day period.

(d) Requests from or to NASA must be accompanied by a certification that the debtor owes the debt (including the amount) and that the provisions of (or comparable to) subpart 1261.5 or subpart 1261.6, as applicable, have been fully complied with. NASA will cooperate with other agencies in effecting collection.

§ 1261.505 Multiple debts.

When collecting multiple debts by administrative offset, NASA will apply the recovered amounts to those debts in accordance with the best interests of the United States, as determined by the facts and circumstances of the particular case, paying special attention to applicable statutes of limitations.

§ 1261.506 Limitation periods.

NASA may not initiate administrative offset to collect a debt under 31 U.S.C. 3716 more than 10 years after the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, unless facts material to the Government's right to collect the debt were not known and could not reasonably have been known by the official or officials of the Government who were charged with the responsibility to discover and collect such debts. Determination of when the debt first accrued is to be made in accordance with existing law regarding the accrual of debts, such as under 28 U.S.C. 2415. See 4 CFR 102.3(b)(3).

§ 1261.507 Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, NASA may request that moneys which are due and payable to a debtor from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund be administratively offset in reasonable amounts in order to collect in one full payment or a minimal number of payments debts owed to the United States by the debtor. Such requests shall be made to the appropriate officials of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in accordance with the OPM regulations (see 5 CFR 831.1801, et seq.).

(b) When making a request for administrative offset under paragraph (a) of this section, NASA shall include a written certification that:

(1) The debtor owes the United States a debt, including the amount of the debt;

(2) NASA has complied with the applicable statutes, regulations, and procedures of the Office of Personnel Management; and

(3) NASA has complied with the requirements of this subpart 1261.5 which implements 4 CFR 102.3, including any required hearing or review.

(c) Once NASA has decided to request administrative offset under this section, the request should be made as soon as practical after completion of the applicable procedures in order that the Office of Personnel Management may identify and “flag” the debtor's account in anticipation of the time when the debtor requests or becomes eligible to receive payments from the Fund. This will satisfy any requirement that offset be initiated prior to expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. At such time as the debtor makes a claim for payments from the Fund, if at least a year has elapsed since the offset request was originally made, the debtor should be permitted to offer a satisfactory repayment plan in lieu of offset upon establishing that changed financial circumstances would render the offset unjust.

(d) If NASA collects part or all of the debt by other means before deductions are made or completed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the designated official should act promptly to modify or terminate the agency's request to OPM for offset.

(e) OPM is not required or authorized by 4 CFR 102.4 to review the merits of NASA's determination with respect to:

(1) The amount and validity of the debt;

(2) Waiver under an applicable statute; or

(3) Provide or not provide a live, telephonic, or video-teleconference hearing.

[52 FR 19487, May 26, 1987, as amended at 82 FR 29387, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.508 Offset against a judgment.

Collection by offset against a judgment obtained by a debtor against the United States shall be accomplished in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3728.

§ 1261.600 Purpose of subpart.

This subpart implements 5 U.S.C. 5514 in accordance with the OPM regulation and establishes the procedural requirements for recovering pre-judgment debts from the current pay account of an employee through what is commonly called salary offset, including a situation where NASA (the current paying agency) is not the employee's creditor agency. Salary offset to satisfy a judgment or a court determined debt is governed by section 124 of Pub. L. 97-276 (October 2, 1982), 5 U.S.C. 5514 note.

§ 1261.601 Scope of subpart.

(a) Coverage. This subpart applies to agencies and employees as defined in § 1261.602.

(b) Applicability. This subpart and 5 U.S.C. 5514 apply in recovering certain prejudgment debts by administrative offset except where the employee consents to the recovery, from the current pay account of an employee. Because it is an administrative offset, debt collection procedures for salary offset which are not specified in 5 U.S.C. 5514 and this subpart should be consistent with subpart 1261.5.

(1) Excluded debts or claims. The procedures contained in this subpart do not apply to debts or claims arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or the tariff laws of the United States; or to any case where collection of a debt by salary offset is explicitly provided for or prohibited by another statute (e.g., travel advances in 5 U.S.C. 5705, employee training expenses in 5 U.S.C. 4108, and debts determined by a court as provided in 5 U.S.C. 5514 note).

(2) Waiver requests and claims to the Government Accountability Office. This subpart does not preclude an employee from requesting waiver of a salary overpayment under 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, or 32 U.S.C. 716, or in any way questioning the amount or validity of a debt by submitting a subsequent claim to the Government Accountability Office in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Government Accountability Office. Similarly, in the case of other types of debts, it does not preclude an employee from requesting waiver, if waiver is available under any statutory provision pertaining to the particular debt being collected.

[52 FR 19487, May 26, 1987, as amended at 82 FR 29387, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.602 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) Agency means:

(1) An Executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, including U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Rate Commission;

(2) A military department as defined in section 102 of Title 5, United States Code;

(3) An agency or court in the judicial branch, including a court as defined in section 610 of Title 28, United States Code, the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation;

(4) An agency of the legislative branch, including the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives; and

(5) Other independent establishments that are entities of the Federal Government.

(b) Creditor agency means the agency to which the debt is owed.

(c) Debt means an amount owed to the United States from sources which include loans insured or guaranteed by the United States and all other amounts due the United States from fees, leases, rents, royalties, services, sales of real or personal property, overpayments, penalties, damages, interest, fines and forfeitures (except those arising under the Uniform Code of Military Justice), and all other similar sources.

(d) Disposable pay means that part of current basic pay, special pay, incentive pay, retired pay, retainer pay, or in the case of an employee not entitled to basic pay, other authorized pay remaining after the deduction of any amount required by law to be withheld. NASA must exclude deductions listed in OPM's garnishment regulations at 5 CFR 581.105 (b) through (f) to determine disposable pay subject to salary offset.

(e) Employee means a current employee of an agency, including a current member of the Armed Forces or a Reserve of the Armed Forces (Reserves).

(f) Paying agency means the agency employing the individual and authorizing the payment of his or her current pay.

(g) Salary offset means an administrative offset to collect a debt under 5 U.S.C. 5514 by deduction(s) at one or more officially established pay intervals from the current pay account of an employee without his or her consent.

(h) Waiver means the cancellation, remission, forgiveness, or nonrecovery of a debt allegedly owed by an employee to an agency as permitted or required by 5 U.S.C. 8346(b), or any other law.

§ 1261.603 Procedures for salary offset.

If NASA determines that a Federal employee is indebted to the United States or is notified of such by the head of another agency (or delegee), the amount of indebtedness may be collected in monthly installments, or regularly established pay intervals, by deduction from the affected employee's pay account. The deductions may be made from basic pay, special pay, incentive pay, retired pay, retainer pay, or in the case of an employee not entitled to basic pay, from other authorized pay. The requirements in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section must be met before a deduction is made from the current pay account of an employee.

(a) Written notice. The employee must be sent a minimum of 30 days written notice prior to further offset action, which specifies:

(1) The origin, nature and amount of the indebtedness, and the official to contact within the agency (ordinarily, the designated financial management official for the particular installation);

(2) The intention of the agency to initiate collection of the debt through salary offset by deductions from the employee's current disposable pay, stating the amount, frequency, proposed beginning date, and duration of intended deductions (the amount to be deducted for any period, without the consent of the employee, may not exceed 15 percent of disposable pay);

(3) An explanation of any interest, penalties, or administrative costs included in the amount, and that such assessment must be made unless excused in accordance with 14 CFR 1261.412;

(4) The right for an opportunity (which does not toll the running of the 30-day period) to inspect and copy NASA records relating to the debt or to request and receive (if reasonable) a copy of such records, provided that such opportunity must be exercised on or before the 15th day following receipt of the notice and can be conducted only during official working hours for a reasonable period of time not to exceed 5 working days;

(5) If not previously provided, the opportunity (under terms agreeable to NASA) to establish a schedule for the voluntary repayment of the debt or to enter into a written agreement to establish a schedule for repayment of the debt in lieu of offset. The agreement must be in writing, signed by both the employee and the authorized agency official (see 14 CFR 1261.402) and documented in NASA's files (see 14 CFR 1261.407(d));

(6) An opportunity for a hearing, as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, on the agency's determination concerning the existence and amount of the debt, and the terms of the repayment schedule (in the case of an employee whose repayment schedule is established other than by written agreement);

(7) The hearing request should be addressed to the Office of the NASA General Counsel or to the Office of Chief Counsel of the NASA installation involved, as appropriate; counsel's name and address will be as stated in the notice.

(8) Any other rights and remedies available to the employee under statutes or regulations governing the program for which the collection is being made; and

(9) Unless there are applicable contractual or statutory provisions to the contrary, that amounts paid on or deducted for the debt which are later waived or found not owed to the United States will be promptly refunded to the employee.

(b) Exception to entitlement to written notice. NASA is not required to comply with paragraph (a) of this section for any adjustment to pay arising out of an employee's election of coverage or a change in coverage under a Federal benefits program requiring periodic deductions from pay, if the amount to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less.

(c) Petition filing; hearing; decision and review. The notice described in paragraph (a) of this section should include the following provisions, which may be copied and attached to the notice.

(1) The employee may petition for a hearing, but such petition must be in writing and received by NASA on or before the 15th day following receipt of the notice, and include a statement of the reasons for such hearing. No particular form is required, and a timely, legible letter request (with the stated reasons) will suffice; however, the employee must sign the petition and include with it, with reasonable specificity, all the supporting facts and evidence, including a list of the witnesses, if any.

(2) The petition should be addressed to the Agency counsel designated in the notice, but the hearing will be conducted by an official not under the supervision or control of the NASA Administrator. The Agency Chief Financial Officer is authorized to appoint an administrative law judge or other Federal executive branch employee or official on a reimbursable or other basis. Notice of the name and address of the hearing official will be sent to the employee within 10 days of receipt of petition.

(3) The timely filing of the petition will stay the commencement of collection; and the final decision on the hearing will be issued at the earliest practicable date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the petition requesting the hearing unless the employee requests and the hearing official grants a delay in the proceedings.

(4) Any knowingly false or frivolous statements, representations, or evidence may subject the employee to:

(i) Disciplinary procedures appropriate under Chapter 75 of Title 5, United States Code, 5 CFR part 752, or any other applicable statutes or regulations;

(ii) Penalties under the False Claims Act, sections 3729 through 3731 of Title 31, United States Code, or any other applicable statutory authority; or

(iii) Criminal penalties under sections 286, 287, 1001, and 1002 of Title 18, United States Code, or any other applicable statutory authority.

(5) As for the conduct of any live, telephonic, or video teleconference hearing, for additional guidance see 14 CFR 1261.503.

(d) Petition after time expiration. No petition for a hearing is to be granted if made after the 15-day period prescribed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unless the employee can show to the satisfaction of the agency official indicated on the notice that the delay was caused by circumstances beyond his or her control (for example, proven incapacity, illness, or hospitalization), or that the agency did not give notice of the time limit and the employee was otherwise unaware of such limit.

(e) Limitation on amount and duration of deductions. Ordinarily, debts are to be collected in one lump-sum payment. However, if the employee is financially unable to pay in one lump sum or if the amount of the debt exceeds 15 percent of disposable pay for an officially established pay interval, collection must be made in installments. The size of installment deductions must bear a reasonable relationship to the size of the debt and the employee's ability to pay (see 14 CFR 1261.411), but the amount deducted for any period must not exceed 15 percent of the disposable pay from which the deduction is made (unless the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount). Deduction must commence with the next full pay interval (ordinarily, the next biweekly pay period). Such installment deductions must be made over a period not greater than the anticipated period of active duty or employment, as the case may be, except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section.

(f) Determining ability to pay. An offset may produce an extreme financial hardship for an employee if it prevents the employee from meeting costs necessarily incurred for essential subsistence expenses for food, reasonable housing, clothing, transportation, and medical care. In determining whether an offset would prevent the employee from meeting the essential subsistence expenses, the employee may be required to show income from all sources (including spouse and dependents, if applicable), list all known assets, explain exceptional expenses, and produce any other relevant factors.

(g) Liquidation from final check; other recovery. If the employee retires or resigns from Federal service, or if his or her employment or period of active duty ends before collection of the debt is completed, the balance may be deducted from the final salary payment and any remaining balance from the lump-sum leave, if applicable. If the debt is not fully paid by offset from any final payment due the former employee as of the date of separation, offset may be made from later payments of any kind due the former employee from the United States (as provided in 14 CFR part 1261 subpart 1261.5, including offset from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund under 14 CFR 1261.507).

(h) Interest, penalties, and administrative costs. Assessment of interest, penalties, and administrative costs, on debts being collected under this subpart, shall be in accordance with 14 CFR 1261.412 which implements 4 CFR 102.13.

[52 FR 19487, May 26, 1987, as amended at 82 FR 29387, June 29, 2017]

§ 1261.604 Nonwaiver of rights by involuntary setoff.

The employee's involuntary payment of all or any portion of the debt, being collected under this subpart, must not be construed as a waiver of any rights which the employee may have under an existing written contract applicable to the specific debt or under any other pertinent statutory authority for the collection of claims of the United States or the agency.

§ 1261.605 Refunds.

(a) NASA will promptly refund to the employee amounts paid or deducted under this subpart when:

(1) A debt is waived or otherwise found not owing the United States (unless expressly prohibited by statute or regulation); or

(2) The employee's paying agency is directed by an administrative or judicial order to refund amounts deducted from his or her current pay.

(b) Refunds are not to bear any interest unless the law applicable to that particular debt specifically requires or permits a stated interest amount on refunds.

§ 1261.606 Salary offset request by a creditor agency other than NASA (the current paying agency).

(a) Format of the request. Upon completion of the procedures established by the creditor agency under 5 U.S.C. 5514, the creditor agency must:

(1) Certify, in writing, that the employee owes the debt, the amount and basis of the debt, the date on which payment(s) is/are due, the date the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, and that the creditor agency's regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. 5514 have been approved by OPM;

(2) If the collection must be made in installments, the creditor agency must also advise NASA of the number of installments to be collected, the amount of each installment, and the commencing date of the first installment, if a date other than the next officially established pay period is required; and

(3) Unless the employee has consented to the salary offset in writing or signed a statement acknowledging receipt of the required procedures and the writing or statement is attached to the debt claim request, the creditor agency must also indicate the action(s) taken under 5 U.S.C. 5514(a)(2) and give the date(s) the action(s) was/were taken.

(b) Limitation period. The creditor agency may not initiate offset to collect a debt more than 10 years after the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, except as provided in 14 CFR 1261.506, which implements 4 CFR 102.3(b)(3).

(c) Employees who are separating or have separated—(1) Employees who are in the process of separating. If the employee is in the process of separating, the creditor agency must submit its debt claim to the employee's paying agency for collection as provided in 5 CFR 550.1104(1) of the OPM regulations (14 CFR 1261.603(f)) for “liquidation from final check.” NASA must then certify the total amount of its collection and notify the creditor agency and the employee as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. If NASA is aware that the employee is entitled to payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or other similar payments, it should notify the creditor agency and forward the copy of the debt claim and certification to the agency responsible for making such payments as notice that a debt is outstanding. However, the creditor agency, not NASA, must submit a properly certified claim to the agency responsible for making such payments before collection can be made.

(2) Employees who have already separated. If the employee is already separated and all payments due from NASA have been paid, NASA must return the claim to the creditor agency for any further collection, indicating the employee's date of separation and the current employment and mailing address(es), if known.

(3) Employee who transfers from NASA to another Federal agency.

(i) Certification of amount collected. If, after the creditor agency has submitted the debt claim to NASA, the employee transfers to another Federal agency before the debt is collected in full, NASA must then certify the total amount of the collection made on the debt. A copy of the certification should be furnished the employee, and another copy furnished to the creditor agency along with notice of the employee's transfer.

(ii) Official personnel folder insertion; new paying agency. Information on the debt claim must be inserted in the employee's official personnel folder along with a copy of the certification of the amount which has been collected. Upon receiving the official personnel folder, the new paying agency must resume the collection from the employee's current pay account and notify the employee and the creditor agency of the resumption. It will not be necessary for the creditor agency to repeat the due process procedures described by 5 U.S.C. 5514 of this subpart in order to resume the collection. However, it will be the responsibility of the creditor agency to review the debt upon receiving NASA's notice of the employee's transfer to make sure the collection is resumed by the new paying agency.

(d) Processing the debt claim upon receipt—(1) Incomplete claim. If NASA receives incomplete debt claim information, it must return the request with a notice that procedures under 5 U.S.C. 5514 and this subpart must be provided and complete debt claim information received before action will be taken to collect from the employee's current pay account.

(2) Complete claim. If NASA receives a properly documented debt claim, deductions should be scheduled to begin prospectively at the next officially established pay interval. A copy of the debt claim request must be given to the debtor, along with notice of the date deductions will commence if different from that stated on the debt claim request.

(3) NASA is not required or authorized to review the merits of the creditor agency's determination with respect to the amount or validity of the debt as stated in the debt claim request.

§ 1261.607 Obtaining the services of a hearing official.

(a) When the debtor does not work for the creditor agency and the creditor agency cannot provide a prompt and appropriate hearing before an administrative law judge or before a hearing official furnished pursuant to another lawful arrangement, the creditor agency may contact an agent of the paying agency designated in appendix A of 5 CFR part 581 to arrange for a hearing official, and the paying agency must then cooperate as provided by 4 CFR 102.1 and provide a hearing official.

(b) When the debtor works for the creditor agency, the creditor agency may contact any agent (of another agency) designated in appendix A of 5 CFR part 581 to arrange for a hearing official. Agencies must then cooperate as required by 4 CFR 102.1 and provide a hearing official.

§ 1262.101 Purpose of these rules.

(a) The pertinent provisions of the Equal Access to Justice Act at 5 U.S.C. 504 (hereinafter “the Act”) provide for the award of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and entities who are parties to certain administrative proceedings (called “adversary adjudications”). An eligible party may receive an award when it prevails, unless it has unreasonably protracted the proceedings, or the Agency's position in the proceeding was substantially justified, or special circumstances make an award unjust. The rules in this part describe the parties eligible for awards and the proceedings that are covered. They also explain how to apply for awards, and the procedures and standards that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will use in determining awards.

(b) As used in this part:

(1) Adversary adjudication means:

(i) An adjudication under 5 U.S.C. 554 in which the position of the United States is represented by counsel or otherwise, but excludes an adjudication for the purpose of establishing or fixing a rate or for the purpose of granting or renewing a license;

(ii) Any appeal of a decision made pursuant to section 6 of the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) of 1978, as amended (41 U.S.C. 605) before an agency board of contract appeals as provided in section 8 of the CDA (41 U.S.C. 607);

(iii) Any hearing conducted under Chapter 38 of Title 31 (added by section 6104 of the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-509, 100 Stat. 1948, Oct. 21, 1986), 31 U.S.C. 3801, et seq., as amended); and

(iv) The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993 (added by section 4(b), of RFRA (Pub. L. 103-141, 107 Stat. 1489, Nov. 16, 1993), 42 U.S.C. 2000bb).

(2) Adjudicative officer means the deciding official, without regard to whether the official is designated an administrative law judge, a hearing officer or examiner, or otherwise, who presided at the adversary adjudication;

(3) Position of the agency means, in addition to the position taken by the agency in the adversary adjudication, the action or failure to act by the agency upon which the adversary adjudication is based;

(4) Party, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 551(3), includes a person or agency named or admitted as a party, or properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a party, in an agency proceeding, and a person or agency admitted by an agency as a party for limited purposes, and who meets the eligibility requirements of § 1262.104; and

(5) Agency with a capital A denotes the NASA.

(c) Determination of Substantially justified. Whether or not the position of the agency was substantially justified shall be determined on the basis of the administrative record, as a whole, which is made in the adversary adjudication for which fees and other expenses are sought.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 12668, Mar. 8, 1995]

§ 1262.102 When the Act applies.

The Act applies to any adversary adjudication pending or commenced before NASA on or after August 5, 1985. It also applies to any adversary adjudication commenced on or after October 1, 1984, and finally disposed of before August 5, 1985, provided that an application for fees and expenses, as described in subpart 1262.2, had been filed with the Agency within 30 days after August 5, 1985, and to any adversary adjudication pending on or commenced on or after October 1, 1981, in which an application for fees and other expenses was timely filed and was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

§ 1262.103 Proceedings covered.

(a) The Act applies to the following adversary adjudications conducted by the Agency:

(1) Adjudications under 5 U.S.C. 554 in which the position of NASA or any other agency of the United States, or any component of an agency, is presented by an attorney or other representative who enters an appearance and participates in the proceedings;

(2) Appeals of decisions made pursuant to section 6 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 605) before the Board of Contract Appeals (BCA) as provided in Section 8 of that Act (41 U.S.C. 607);

(3) Any hearing conducted under Chapter 38 of Title 31 (31 U.S.C. 3801, et seq., as amended); and

(4) Adjudications under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb).

(b) The Act does not apply to:

(1) Any proceeding in which this Agency may prescribe a lawful present or future rate;

(2) Proceedings to grant or renew licenses (note, however, that proceedings to modify, suspend, or revoke licenses are covered if they are otherwise adversary adjudications); and

(3) Proceedings which are covered by a compromise or settlement agreement, unless specifically consented to in such agreement.

(c) NASA may also designate a proceeding as an adversary adjudication for purposes of the Act by so stating in an order initiating the proceeding or designating the matter for hearing. The Agency's failure to designate a proceeding as an adversary adjudication shall not preclude the filling of an application by a party who believes the proceeding is covered by the Act; whether the proceeding is covered will then be an issue for resolution in proceedings on the application.

(d) If a proceeding includes both matters covered by the Act and matters specifically excluded from coverage, any award made will include only fees and expenses related to covered issues.

[60 FR 12668, Mar. 8, 1995]

§ 1262.104 Eligibility of applicants.

(a) To be eligible for an award of attorney fees and other expenses, the applicant must be a “party” to the adversary adjudication for which an award is sought. The applicant must show that it meets all conditions of eligibility set out in this subpart and in subpart 1262.2.

(b) The types of eligible applicants are as follows:

(1) An individual with a net worth of not more than $2 million;

(2) Any owner of an unincorporated business who has a net worth of not more than $7 million, including both personal and business interests, and not more than 500 employees;

(3) A charitable or other tax-exempt organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) with not more than 500 employees;

(4) A cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)) with not more than 500 employees; and

(5) Any other partnership, corporation, association, unit of local government, or organization with a net worth of not more than $7 million and not more than 500 employees.

(c) For the purpose of eligibility, the net worth and number of employees of an applicant shall be determined as of the date the proceeding was initiated.

(d) An applicant who owns an unincorporated business will be considered as an “individual” rather than as a “sole owner of an unincorporated business” if the issues on which the applicant prevails are related primarily to personal interests rather then to business interests.

(e) The employees of an applicant include all persons who regularly perform services for remuneration for the applicant, under the applicant's direction and control. Part-time employees shall be included on a proportional basis.

(f) The net worth and number of employees of the applicant and all of its affiliates shall be aggregated to determine eligibility. Any individual, corporation, or other entity that directly or indirectly controls or owns a majority of the voting shares or other interest of the applicant, or any corporation or other entity of which the applicant directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting shares or other interest, will be considered an affiliate for purposes of this part, unless the adjudicative officer determines that such treatment would be unjust and contrary to the purposes of the Act in light of the actual relationship between the affiliated entities. In addition, the adjudicative officer may determine that financial relationships of the applicant other than those described in this paragraph constitute special circumstances that would make an award unjust.

(g) An applicant that participates in a proceeding primarily on behalf of one or more other persons or entities that would be ineligible is not itself eligible for an award.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 12668, Mar. 8, 1995]

§ 1262.105 Standards for awards.

(a) A prevailing applicant may receive an award subject to paragraph (b) of this section, for fees and expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding, or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of the proceeding, unless the position of the agency over which the applicant has prevailed was substantially justified. No presumption arises that the agency's position was not substantially justified simply because the agency did not prevail. The burden of proof that an award should not be made to an eligible prevailing applicant is on the agency.

(b) An award, for any portion of the adversary adjudication, will be denied if the applicant has unreasonably protracted the proceedings, or denied or reduced if special circumstances make the award sought unjust.

§ 1262.106 Allowable fees and expenses.

(a) Awards will be based on rates customarily charged by persons engaged in the business of acting as attorneys, agents, and expert witnesses, even if the services were made available without charge or at a reduced rate to the applicant.

(b) No award for the fee of an attorney or agent under these rules may exceed $75 per hour. No award to compensate an expert witness may exceed the highest rate at which this Agency pays expert witnesses, which is $20 an hour (5 hours maximum) or maximum daily rate of $100 (3 days maximum). However, an award may also include the reasonable expenses of the attorney, agent, or witness as a separate item, if the attorney, agent, or witness ordinarily charges clients separately for such expenses.

(c) In determining the reasonableness of the fee sought for an attorney, agent, or expert witness, the adjudicative officer shall consider the following:

(1) If the attorney, agent, or witness is in private practice, his or her customary fee for similar service, or, if an employee of the applicant, the fully allocated cost of the services;

(2) The prevailing rate for similar services in the community in which the attorney, agent, or witness ordinarily performs services;

(3) The time actually spent in the representation of the application;

(4) The time reasonably spent in light of the difficulty or complexity of the issues in the proceeding; and

(5) Such other factors as may bear on the value of the services provided.

(d) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, project, or similar matter prepared on behalf of a party may be awarded, to the extent that the charge for the service does not exceed the prevailing rate for similar services, and the study or other matter was necessary for preparation of the applicant's case.

§ 1262.107 Rulemaking on maximum rates for attorney fees.

(a) If warranted by an increase in the cost of living or by special circumstances (such as limited availability of attorneys qualified to handle certain types of proceedings), the Agency may adopt regulations providing that attorney fees may be awarded at a rate higher then $75 per hour in some or all of the types of proceedings covered by this part. This Agency will conduct any rulemaking proceedings for this purpose under the informal rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553).

(b) Any person may file with the Agency a petition for rulemaking to increase the maximum rate for attorney fees. The petition should be addressed to the General Counsel, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; should identify the rate the petitioner believes the Agency should establish and the types of proceedings in which the rate should be used; and should also explain fully the reasons why the higher rate is warranted. The Agency will respond to the petition within 60 days after it is filed, by initiating a rulemaking proceeding or denying the petition, or taking other appropriate action.

§ 1262.108 Awards against other agencies.

If an applicant is entitled to an award because it prevails over another agency of the United States that participates in a proceeding before NASA, the award or an appropriate portion of the award shall be made against that agency, subject to § 1262.105(b), if it had taken a position that is not substantially justified.

§ 1262.109 Delegations of authority.

(a) The NASA Administrator hereby delegates authority to the General Counsel or designee to take final action on matters pertaining to the Act, other than the authority for final fee determination after Agency review pursuant to § 1262.308.

(b) The NASA Administrator may, in particularly specified matters under the Act, delegate authority to officials other than those designated in paragraph (a) of this section.

§ 1262.201 Contents of application.

(a) An application for an award of fees and expenses under the Act shall identify the applicant and the proceeding for which an award is sought. The application shall show that the applicant has prevailed and identify the position of an agency or agencies in the proceeding that the applicant alleges was not substantially justified. Unless the applicant is an individual, the application shall also state the number of employees of the applicant and describe briefly the type and purpose of its organization or business.

(b) The application shall also include a statement that the applicant's net worth does not exceed $2 million (if an individual) or $7 million (for all other applicants, including their affiliates). However, an applicant may omit this statement if the applicant:

(1) Attaches a copy of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service that it qualifies as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)), or, in the case of a tax-exempt organization not required to obtain a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service on its exempt status, a statement that describes the basis for the applicant's belief that it qualifies under such section; or

(2) States that it is a cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)).

(c) The application shall state the amount of fees and expense for which an award is sought.

(d) The application may also include any other matters that the applicant wishes this Agency to consider in determining whether and in what amount an award should be made.

(e) The application shall be signed by the applicant or an authorized officer or attorney of the applicant. It shall also contain or be accompanied by a written verification under oath or under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true and correct.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1262.202 Net worth exhibit.

(a) Each applicant except a qualified tax-exempt organization or cooperative association must provide with its application a detailed exhibit showing the net worth of the applicant and any affiliates (as defined in § 1262.104(f) when the proceeding was initiated. The exhibit may be in any form convenient to the applicant that provides full disclosure of the applicant's and its affiliates' assets and liabilities and is sufficient to determine whether the applicant qualifies under the standards in this part. The adjudicative officer may require an applicant to file additional information to determine its eligibility for an award.

(b) Ordinarily, the net worth exhibit will be included in the public records of the proceeding. However, an applicant that objects to public disclosure of information in any portion of the exhibit and believes there are legal grounds for withholding it from disclosure may submit that portion of the exhibit directly to the adjudicative officer in a sealed envelope labeled “Confidential Financial Information,” accompanied by a motion to withhold the information from public disclosure. The motion shall describe the information sought to be withheld and explain, in detail, why it falls within one or more of the specific exemptions from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1)-(9), why public disclosure of the information would adversely affect the applicant, and why disclosure is not required in the public interest. The materials in question shall be served on counsel representing the agency against which the applicant seeks an award, but need not be served on any other party to the proceeding. If the adjudicative officer finds that the information should not be withheld from disclosure, it shall be placed in the public record of the proceeding. Otherwise, any request to inspect or copy the exhibit shall be disposed of in accordance with the Agency's regulations under the Freedom of Information Act, at 14 CFR part 1206.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1262.203 Documentation of fees and expenses.

The application shall be accompanied by full documentation of the fees and expenses, including the cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, project, or similar matter for which an award is sought. A separate itemized statement, accompanied by an oath of affirmation under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. 1746), shall be submitted for each professional firm or individual whose services are covered by the application, showing the hours spent in connection with the proceeding by each individual, a description of the specific services performed, the rate at which each fee has been computed, any expenses for which reimbursement is sought, the total amount paid or payable by the applicant or by any other person or entity for the services provided. The adjudicative officer may, in addition, require the applicant to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any expenses claimed.

§ 1262.204 When an application may be filed.

(a) An application may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed in the proceeding or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of the proceeding, but in no case later than 30 days after the Agency's final disposition of the proceeding.

(b) If review or reconsideration is sought or taken of a decision as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final disposition of the underlying controversy.

(c) For purposes of this rule, final disposition means the latter of:

(1) The date on which the last “initial decision”, in a bifurcated proceeding, or other recommended disposition of the merits (both as to liability and amount, if applicable) of the proceeding, by an adjudicative officer or intermediate reviewer, becomes administratively final;

(2) The date on which an order is issued disposing of any petitions for reconsideration;

(3) If no petition for reconsideration is filed, the last date on which such a petition could have been filed; or

(4) The date of a final order or any other final resolution of the proceeding, such as a settlement or a voluntary dismissal, which is not subject to a petition for reconsideration.

§ 1262.301 Filing and service of documents.

Any application for an award or other pleading or document related to an application shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding in the same manner as other pleadings in the proceeding, except as provided in § 1262.202(b) for confidential financial information.

§ 1262.302 Answer to application.

(a) Within 30 calendar days after service of an application, counsel representing the agency against which an award is sought may file an answer to the application. Unless agency counsel requests an extension of time for filing or files a statement of intent to negotiate under paragraph (b) of this section, failure to file an answer within the 30-day period may be treated as a consent to the award requested.

(b) If agency counsel and the applicant believe that the issues in the fee application can be settled, they may jointly file a statement of their intent to negotiate a settlement. The filing of this statement shall extend the time for filing an answer for an additional 30 calendar days, and further extensions may be granted by the adjudicative officer upon request by agency counsel and the applicant.

(c) The answer shall explain in detail any objections to the award requested and identify the facts relied on in support of agency counsel's position. If the answer is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, agency counsel shall include with the answer either supporting affidavits or a request for further proceedings under § 1262.306.

§ 1262.303 Reply.

Within 15 calendar days after service of an answer, the applicant may file a reply. If the reply is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, the applicant shall include with the reply either supporting affidavits or a request for further proceedings under § 1262.306.

§ 1262.304 Comments by other parties.

Any party to a proceeding other than the applicant and agency counsel may file comments about an application within 30 calendar days after it is served, or about an answer within 15 calendar days after it is served. A commenting party may not participate further in proceedings on the application unless the adjudicative officer determines that the public interest requires such participation in order to permit full exploration of matters raised in the comments.

§ 1262.305 Settlement.

The applicant and agency counsel may agree on a proposed settlement of the award before final action on the application, either in connection with a settlement of the underlying proceeding, or after the underlying proceeding has been concluded. If a prevailing party and agency counsel agree on a proposed settlement of an award before an application has been filed, the application shall be filed with the proposed settlement.

§ 1262.306 Further proceedings.

(a) Ordinarily, the determination of an award will be made on the basis of the written record. However, on request of either the applicant or agency counsel, or on his or her own initiative, the adjudicative officer may order further proceedings, such as an informal conference, oral argument, additional written submissions, or, as to issues other than substantial justification (such as the applicant's eligibility or substantiation of fees and expenses), pertinent discovery or an evidentiary hearing. Such further proceedings shall be held only when necessary for full and fair resolution of the issues arising from the application, and shall be conducted as promptly as possible.

(b) A request that the adjudicative officer order further proceedings under this section shall specifically identify the information sought or the disputed issues and shall explain why the additional proceedings are necessary to resolve the issues.

§ 1262.307 Decision.

(a) The adjudicative officer shall issue an initial decision on the application with 90 calendar days after completion of proceedings on the application. The decision shall include written findings and conclusions on such of the following as are relevant to the decision:

(1) The applicant's eligibility and status as a prevailing party;

(2) Whether the Agency's position was substantially justified;

(3) Whether the applicant unreasonably protracted the proceedings, or whether special circumstances make an award unjust; and

(4) The amounts, if any, awarded for fees and expenses with an explanation of the reasons for any difference between the amount requested and the amount awarded. Further, if the applicant has sought an award against more than one agency, the decision shall allocate responsibility for payment of any award made among the agencies, and shall explain the reasons for the allocation made.

(b) When the Agency appeals the underlying merits of an adversary adjudication, no decision on an application for fees and other expenses in connection with that adversary adjudication shall be made until a final and unreviewable decision is rendered by the court on the appeal or until the underlying merits of the case have been finally determined pursuant to the appeal.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 12669, Mar. 8, 1995]

§ 1262.308 Agency review.

(a) Within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the adjudicative officer's initial decision on the fee application, either the applicant or agency counsel may seek Agency review of the decision; or, the NASA Administrator, upon the recommendation of the General Counsel or other designee, may decide to review the decision based on the record. Whether to review a decision is solely a matter within the discretion of the NASA Administrator. A 15-day notice of such review will be given the applicant and agency counsel, and a determination made not later than 45 days from the date of notice. The Administrator may make a final determination concerning the application or remand the application to the adjudicative officer for further proceedings.

(b) If neither the applicant nor agency counsel seek review, and the NASA Administrator does not on own initiative take a review, the adjudicative officer's initial decision on the fee application shall be the final administrative decision of the Agency 45 days after it is issued.

§ 1262.309 Judicial review.

Judicial review of final Agency decisions on awards may be sought under 5 U.S.C. 504(c)(2), which provides: If a party other than the United States is dissatisfied with a determination of fees and other expenses made under [this part], that party may, within 30 days after the [final administrative] determination is made, appeal the determination to the court of the United States having jurisdiction to review the merits of the underlying decision of the agency adversary adjudication. The court's determination of any appeal heard under this [authority] shall be based solely on the factual record made before the agency. The court may modify the determination of fees and other expenses only if the court finds that the failure to make an award of fees and other expenses, or the calculation of the amount of the award, was unsupported by the substantial evidence.

[51 FR 15311, Apr. 23, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 12669, Mar. 8, 1995]

§ 1262.310 Payment of award.

(a) An applicant seeking payment of an award shall submit to the paying agency a copy of the Agency's final decision granting the award, accompanied by a statement that the applicant will not seek review of the decision in the United States courts. The submission to NASA should be addressed as follows:

Director, Financial Management Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546.

(b) The Agency will pay the amount awarded to the applicant within 60 days, if feasible, unless judicial review of the award or of the underlying decision of the adversary adjudication has been sought by the applicant or any other party to the proceeding.

§ 1263.100 Purpose and scope.

(a) This part sets forth procedures to be followed with respect to the production or disclosure of official information or records and/or the testimony of present or former employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration relating to any official information acquired by any employee of NASA as part of the performance of that employee's official duties or by virtue of that employee's official status, where a demand for such production, disclosure, or testimony is issued in a federal, state, or other legal proceeding.

(b) This part does not apply to any legal proceeding in which an employee is to testify, while in leave status, as to facts or events that are in no way related to the official duties of that employee or to the functions of the NASA.

§ 1263.101 Definitions.

(a) Agency—As referred to in this regulation, Agency means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(b) Demand—A subpoena, order, or authorized request for official information, or for the appearance and testimony of NASA personnel, issued as the result of a legal proceeding.

(c) Employee—Includes all present and former officers and employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration who are or have been appointed by, or subject to the supervision, jurisdiction, or control of the Administrator of the agency.

(d) Legal proceeding—Includes any proceeding before a court of law or equity, administrative board or commission, hearing officer, or other body conducting a legal or administrative proceeding.

(e) Legal proceeding involving the United States—Any proceeding before a court of law or equity brought on behalf of, or against the United States, NASA or NASA employees, and resulting from alleged NASA operations.

(f) Official information—All information of any kind, however stored, that is in the custody and control of NASA or was acquired by NASA personnel as part of official duties or because of official status while such personnel were employed by or on behalf of the NASA.

§ 1263.102 Procedure when a demand is issued in a legal proceeding involving the United States.

Whenever an employee or former employee of NASA receives a demand for production of materials or the disclosure of information, or for appearance and testimony as a witness in a legal proceeding in which NASA or the United States is a party, the employee shall immediately notify in writing the Installation Chief Counsel for Installation employees, the General Counsel for Headquarters employees, or the Attorney-Adviser to the Inspector General (IG) for IG employees. This notice must include copies of all pertinent legal documents and a summary of the employee's knowledge concerning the legal proceeding in question. When necessary, this information may be reported orally, followed by a written confirmation.

§ 1263.103 Procedure when a demand is issued in a legal proceeding not involving the United States.

Whenever an employee or former employee of the Agency receives a demand for production or disclosure of official information in a legal proceeding not involving the United States, the employee shall immediately notify the General Counsel or designate. In addition, the party causing the demand to be issued shall furnish the Office of General Counsel a written, detailed statement of the information sought and its relevance to the proceeding in connection with which it is requested. The General Counsel or designate may waive the requirement that a written summary be furnished where he/she deems it unnecessary. The election to waive the requirement of a written summary in no way constitutes a waiver of any other requirements set forth in this section.

§ 1263.104 Production, disclosure, or testimony prohibited unless approved.

If an employee or former employee receives a demand to produce or disclose official information, that employee may not disclose such materials or information or testify regarding same without the prior approval of the General Counsel or designate.

§ 1263.105 Considerations in determining whether production or disclosure should be made.

The General Counsel or designate shall direct employees to honor all valid demands. In deciding whether a particular demand is valid, the General Counsel or designate may consider:

(a) Whether such disclosure or appearance is appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the legal proceeding in which the demand arose.

(b) Whether disclosure is appropriate under the relevant substantive law concerning privilege.

(c) Whether disclosure might improperly reveal trade secrets, or commercial or financial information that is confidential or privileged.

(d) Whether disclosure might reveal classified information.

(e) Whether disclosure would violate a specific applicable constitutional provision, federal statute or regulation, or executive order.

(f) Whether appearance of the requested employee would seriously implicate an interest of the Agency such as conservation of employee time for conducting official business, avoidance of expending appropriated monies for non-federal purposes, or avoidance of involving the agency in controversial issues not related to its mission.

§ 1263.106 Final decision of the General Counsel as to production, disclosure, or appearance.

After consideration of the factors enumerated in § 1263.105 (a) through (f), the General Counsel or designate may authorize the testimony, disclosure, or production as demanded; limit the subject matter or extent of any testimony, disclosure, or production through written instruction to the employee; or deny permission for any testimony, disclosure, or production. Where appropriate, the General Counsel or designate may seek withdrawal of the demand by the authorizing party. Any decision of the General Counsel or designate shall be final and shall be communicated to the employee and the party causing the demand to be issued.

§ 1263.107 Procedure to be followed when response to a demand is required before the General Counsel or designate has reached a final decision.

If a response to a demand is required before the General Counsel or designate can render a decision, the employee subpoenaed, or an agency attorney or other government attorney designated for that purpose, shall appear on behalf of the employee and shall furnish the authority which issued the demand a copy of these regulations, and inform the authority that the demand has been referred for the prompt consideration of the General Counsel, and shall respectfully request the authority to stay the demand until the General Counsel or designate has rendered a final decision.

§ 1263.108 Procedure in the event of an adverse ruling.

If the court or other authority which caused the demand to be issued declines to stay the effect of the demand pending a final decision by the General Counsel or designate; or if the General Counsel or designate directs that the employee may not comply with the demand, and a court or other authority rules that the demand must be complied with irrespective of that decision, the employee upon whom the demand has been made, or an agency or other governmental attorney, shall respectfully decline to comply with the demand and shall cite, “United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, et al., 340 U.S. 462 (1951).”

§ 1263.109 Considerations in determining whether these procedures should be waived.

The General Counsel or designate may grant permission to deviate from the policy or procedure established in these regulations. Permission to deviate will be granted when the deviation will not interfere with matters of operational necessity and when:

(a) It is necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice; or

(b) The deviation is in the best interests of NASA or the United States.

§ 1263.110 Intention to provide guidance.

This part is intended to provide guidance for the internal operation of NASA and is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right of benefit—substantive or procedural—enforceable at law against the United States or NASA.

§ 1264.100 Basis and purpose.

(a) Basis. This part implements the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-509, sections 6101-6104, 100 Stat. 1874 (October 21, 1986), to be codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812. 31 U.S.C. 3809 of the statute requires each authority head to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the statute.

(b) Purpose. This part does the following:

(1) Establishes administrative procedures for imposing civil penalties and assessments against persons who make, submit, or present, or cause to be made, submitted, or presented, false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or written statements to authorities or to their agents; and

(2) Specifies the hearing and appeal rights of persons subject to allegations of liability for such penalties and assessments.

§ 1264.101 Definitions.

(a) ALJ means an Administrative Law Judge in the authority appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or detailed to the authority pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3344. For purposes of this part, the ALJ shall be referred to as the presiding officer.

(b) Authority means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

(c) Authority head means the NASA Administrator or Deputy Administrator or designee. For purposes of this regulation, the NASA General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel is designated legal counsel to the Authority head.

(d) Benefit means, in the context of statement, anything of value, including but not limited to any advantage, preference, privilege, license, permit, favorable decision, ruling, status, or loan guarantee.

(e) Claim means any request, demand, or submission—

(1) Made to the authority for property, services, or money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits);

(2) Made to a recipient of property, services, or money from the authority or to a party to a contract with the authority—

(i) For property or services if the United States—

(A) Provided such property or services;

(B) Provided any portion of the funds for the purchase of such property or services; or

(C) Will reimburse such recipient or party for the purchase of such property or services; or

(ii) For the payment of money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits) if the United States—

(A) Provided any portion of the money requested or demanded; or

(B) Will reimburse such recipient or party for any portion of the money paid on such request or demand; or

(iii) Made to the authority which has the effect of decreasing an obligation to pay or account for property, services, or money.

(f) Complaint means the administrative complaint served by the reviewing official on the defendant under § 1264.106.

(g) Consent hearing means that the authority and the defendant consent, as provided in § 1264.106(c), that the presiding officer be the Chairperson of the NASA Board of Contract Appeals (BCA). The Chairperson may designate another administrative judge of the NASA BCA as presiding officer in a consent hearing.

(h) Defendant means any person alleged in a complaint under § 1264.106 to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment under § 1264.102.

(i) Government means the United States Government.

(j) Individual means a natural person.

(k) Initial decision means the written decision of the ALJ or presiding officer required by § 1264.109 or § 1264.136, and includes a revised initial decision issued following a remand or a motion for reconsideration.

(l) Investigating official means the NASA Inspector General, or designee who is serving in a position for which the rate of basic pay is not less than the minimum rate of basic pay for grade GS-16 under the General Schedule.

(m) Knows or has reason to know, means that a person with respect to a claim or statement—

(1) Has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(2) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement; or

(3) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement.

(n) Makes, wherever it appears, shall include the terms presents, submits, and causes to be made, presented, or submitted. As the context requires, making or made shall likewise include the corresponding forms of such terms.

(o) Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or private organization, and includes the plural of that term.

(p) Presiding officer, except as provided for pursuant to consent trial notice, means (if the authority is not subject to the provisions of Subchapter II of Chapter 5, Title 5, U.S.C.) an officer or employee of the authority who—

(1) Is selected under Chapter 33 of Title 5 pursuant to the competitive examination process applicable to administrative law judges;

(2) Is appointed by the authority head to conduct hearings under this part;

(3) Is assigned to cases in rotation so far as practicable;

(4) May not perform duties inconsistent with the duties and responsibilities of a presiding officer;

(5) Is entitled to pay prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management independently of ratings and recommendations made by the authority and in accordance with Chapter 51 of such Title and Subchapter III of Chapter 53 of such Title;

(6) Is not subject to performance appraisal pursuant to Chapter 43 of such Title; and

(7) May be removed, suspended, furloughed, or reduced in grade or pay only for good cause established and determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board on the record after opportunity for hearing by such Board.

(q) Representative means an attorney who is in good standing of the bar of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, or of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(r) Reviewing official means the NASA Associate Administrator for Management. For purposes of this regulation, the Associate General Counsel (General) or designee is designated legal counsel to the Reviewing official.

(s) Statement means any representation, certification, affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made—

(1) With respect to a claim or to obtain the approval or payment of a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim); or

(2) With respect to (including relating to eligibility for)—

(i) A contract with, or a bid or proposal for a contract with; or

(ii) A grant, loan, or benefit from the authority, or any State, political subdivision of a State, or other party, if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit, or if the Government will reimburse such State, political subdivision, or party for any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 599, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.102 Basis for civil penalties and assessments.

(a) Claims. (1) Any person who makes a claim that the person knows or has reason to know—

(i) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(ii) Includes or is supported by any written statement which asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(iii) Includes or is supported by any written statement that—

(A) Omits a material fact;

(B) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent as a result of such omission; and

(C) Is a statement in which the person making such statement has a duty to include such material fact; or

(iv) Is for payment for the provision of property or services which the person has not provided as claimed—

Shall be subject, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $14,308 for each such claim.

(2) Each voucher, invoice, claim form, or other individual request or demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim.

(3) A claim shall be considered made to the authority, recipient, or party when such claim is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the authority, recipient, or party.

(4) Each claim for property, services, or money is subject to a civil penalty regardless of whether such property, services, or money is actually delivered or paid.

(5) If the Government has made any payment (including transferred property or provided services) on a claim, a person subject to a civil penalty under paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall also be subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount of such claim or that portion thereof that is determined to be in violation. Such assessment shall be in lieu of damages sustained by the Government because of such claim.

(b) Statements. (1) Any person who makes a written statement that—

(i) The person knows or has reason to know—

(A) Asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or

(B) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent because it omits a material fact that the person making the statement has a duty to include in such statement; and

(ii) Contains or is accompanied by an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the statement—

Shall be subject, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $14,308 for each such statement.

(2) Each written representation, certification, or affirmation constitutes a separate statement.

(3) A statement shall be considered made to the authority when such statement is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the authority.

(c) No proof of specific intent to defraud is required to establish liability under this section.

(d) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a claim or statement under this section, each such person may be held liable for a civil penalty under this section.

(e) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a claim under this section on which the Government has made payment (including transferred property or provided services), an assessment may be imposed against any such person or jointly and severally against any combination of such persons.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 599, Jan. 9, 1989; 82 FR 28763, June 26, 2017; 82 FR 48762, Oct. 20, 2017; 83 FR 2046, Jan. 16, 2018; 84 FR 13115, Apr. 4, 2019; 84 FR 14608, Apr. 11, 2019; 85 FR 16546, Mar. 24, 2020; 86 FR 14245, Mar. 15, 2021; 87 FR 23108, Apr. 19, 2022; 88 FR 24906, Apr. 25, 2023; 89 FR 20107, Mar. 21, 2024; 90 FR 19262, May 7, 2025]

§ 1264.103 Investigation.

(a) If an investigating official concludes that a subpoena pursuant to the authority conferred by 31 U.S.C. 3804(a) is warranted—

(1) The subpoena so issued shall notify the person to whom it is addressed of the authority under which the subpoena is issued and shall identify the records or documents sought;

(2) The subpoena may designate the person, to act on the investigating official's behalf, to receive the documents sought; and

(3) The person receiving such subpoena shall be required to tender to the investigating official or the person designated to receive the documents a certification that the documents sought have been produced, or that such documents are not available and the reasons therefor, or that such documents, suitably identified, have been withheld based upon the assertion of an identified privilege.

(b) If the investigating official concludes that an action under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act may be warranted, the investigating official shall submit a report containing the findings and conclusions of such investigation to the reviewing official.

(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude or limit the investigating official's discretion to refer allegations directly to the Department of Justice for suit under the False Claims Act or other civil relief, or to defer or postpone a report of referral to the reviewing official to avoid interference with a criminal investigation or prosecution.

(d) Nothing in this section modifies any responsibility of the investigating official to report violations of criminal law to the Attorney General.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 599, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.104 Review by the reviewing official.

(a) If, based on the report of the investigating official under § 1264.103(b), the reviewing official determines that there is adequate evidence to believe that a person is liable under § 1264.102 of this part, the reviewing official shall transmit to the Attorney General a written notice of the reviewing official's intention to issue a complaint under § 1264.106.

(b) Such notice shall include—

(1) A statement of the reviewing official's reasons for issuing a complaint;

(2) A statement specifying the evidence that supports the allegations of liability;

(3) A description of the claims or statements upon which the allegations of liability are based;

(4) An estimate of the amount of money or the value of property, services, or other benefits requested or demanded in violation of § 1264.102 of this part;

(5) A statement of any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that may relate to the claims or statements known by the reviewing official or the investigating official; and

(6) A statement that there is a reasonable prospect of collecting an appropriate amount of penalties and assessments. Such a statement may be based upon information then known or an absence of any information indicating that the person may be unable to pay such an amount.

§ 1264.105 Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

(a) The reviewing official may issue a complaint under § 1264.106 only if—

(1) The Department of Justice approves the issuance of a complaint in a written statement described in 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(1); and

(2) In the case of allegations of liability under § 1264.102(a) with respect to a claim, the reviewing official determines that, with respect to such claim or a group of related claims submitted at the same time such claim is submitted (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section), the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested in violation of § 1264.102(a) does not exceed $150,000.

(b) For the purposes of this section, a related group of claims submitted at the same time shall include only those claims arising from the same transaction (e.g., grant, loan, application, or contract) that are submitted simultaneously as part of a single request, demand, or submission.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the reviewing official's authority to join in a single complaint against a person claims that are unrelated or were not submitted simultaneously, regardless of the amount of money or the value of property or services demanded or requested.

§ 1264.106 Complaint.

(a) On or after the date the Department of Justice approves the issuance of a complaint in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(1), the reviewing official may serve a complaint on the defendant, as provided in § 1264.107.

(b) The complaint shall state—

(1) The allegations of liability against the defendant, including the statutory basis for liability, an identification of the claims or statements that are the basis for the alleged liability, and the reasons why liability allegedly arises from such claims or statements;

(2) The maximum amount of penalties and assessments for which the defendant may be held liable;

(3) Instructions for filing an answer to request a hearing, including a specific statement of the defendant's right to request a hearing by filing an answer and to be represented by a representative; and

(4) That failure to file an answer within 30 days of service of the complaint will result in the imposition of the maximum amount of penalties and assessments without right to appeal as provided in § 1264.109.

(c) At the same time the defendant is served with the complaint, he or she shall also be served with a—

(1) Notice to Consent to the Chairperson of the NASA Board of Contract Appeals (BCA), or Designee, as presiding officer;

(2) Copy of this part 1264 of 14 CFR.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 599, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.107 Service of complaint.

(a) Service of a complaint must be made by certified or registered mail or by delivery in any manner authorized by Rule 4(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

(b) Proof of service, stating the name and address of the person on whom the complaint was served, and the manner and date of service, may be made by—

(1) Affidavit of the individual servicing the complaint by delivery;

(2) A United States Postal Service return receipt card acknowledging receipt; or

(3) Written acknowledgment of receipt by the defendant or his/her representative.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.108 Answer.

(a) The defendant may request a hearing by filing an answer with the reviewing official within 30 days of service of the complaint. An answer shall be deemed to be a request for hearing.

(b) In the answer, the defendant—

(1) Shall admit or deny each of the allegations of liability made in the complaint;

(2) Shall state any defense on which the defendant intends to rely;

(3) May state any reasons why the defendant contends that the penalties and assessments should be less than the statutory maximum; and

(4) Shall state the name, address, and telephone number of the person authorized by the defendant to act as defendant's representative, if any.

(c) If the defendant is unable to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section within the time provided, the defendant may, before the expiration of 30 days from service of the complaint, file with the reviewing official a general answer denying liability and requesting a hearing, and a request for an extension of time within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. The reviewing official, as provided in § 1264.110, shall file promptly with the presiding officer the complaint, the general answer denying liability, and the request for an extension of time. For good cause shown, the presiding officer may grant the defendant up to 30 additional days within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.109 Default upon failure to file an answer.

(a) If the defendant does not file an answer within the time prescribed in § 1264.108(a), the reviewing official may refer the complaint to the presiding officer.

(b) Upon the referral of the complaint, the presiding officer shall promptly serve on defendant, in the manner prescribed in § 1264.107, a notice that an initial decision will be issued under this section.

(c) If the defendant fails to answer, the presiding officer shall assume the facts alleged in the complaint to be true and, if such facts establish liability under § 1264.102, the presiding officer shall issue an initial decision imposing the maximum amount of penalties and assessments allowed under the statute.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, by failing to file a timely answer, the defendant waives any right to further review of the penalties and assessments imposed under paragraph (c) of this section, and the initial decision shall become final and binding upon the parties 30 days after it is issued.

(e) If, before such an initial decision becomes final, the defendant files a motion with the presiding officer seeking to reopen on the grounds that extraordinary circumstances prevented the defendant from filing an answer, the initial decision shall be stayed pending the presiding officer's decision on the motion.

(f) If, on such motion, the defendant can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances excusing the failure to file a timely answer, the presiding officer shall withdraw the initial decision under paragraph (c) of this section, if such a decision has been issued, and shall grant the defendant an opportunity to answer the complaint.

(g) A decision of the presiding officer denying a defendant's motion under paragraph (e) of this section is not subject to reconsideration under § 1264.137.

(h) The defendant may appeal to the authority head the decision denying a motion to reopen by filing a notice of appeal with the authority head within 15 days after the presiding officer denies the motion. The timely filing of a notice of appeal shall stay the initial decision until the authority head decides the issue.

(i) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the authority head, the presiding officer shall forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.

(j) The authority head shall decide expeditiously whether extraordinary circumstances excuse the defendant's failure to file a timely answer based solely on the record before the presiding officer.

(k) If the authority head decides that extraordinary circumstances excused the defendant's failure to file a timely answer, the authority head shall remand the case to the presiding officer with instructions to grant the defendant an opportunity to answer.

(l) If the authority head decides that the defendant's failure to file a timely answer is not excused, the authority head shall reinstate the initial decision of the presiding officer, which shall become final and binding upon the parties 30 days after the authority head issues such decision.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1264.110 Referral of complaint and answer to the presiding officer.

Upon receipt of an answer, the reviewing official shall file the complaint and answer with the presiding officer, and include the name and address of the attorney who will represent the authority before the presiding officer.

§ 1264.111 Notice of hearing.

(a) When the presiding officer receives the complaint and answer, the presiding officer shall promptly serve a notice of hearing upon the defendant in the manner prescribed by § 1264.107. At the same time, the presiding officer shall send a copy of such notice to the representative of the authority.

(b) Such notice shall include—

(1) The tentative time and place, and the nature of the hearing;

(2) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;

(3) The matters of fact and law asserted;

(4) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;

(5) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the authority and of the defendant;

(6) An opportunity for a settlement conference or proposals of adjustment through alternative dispute resolutions, if not already explored; and

(7) Such other matters as the presiding officer deems appropriate.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1264.112 Parties to the hearing.

(a) The parties to the hearing shall be the defendant and the authority.

(b) Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3730(c)(5), a private plaintiff under the False Claims Act, as amended, may participate in these proceedings to the extent authorized by the provisions of that Act. (See section 3 of the False Claims Amendments Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-562, October 27, 1986.)

§ 1264.113 Separation of functions.

(a) The investigating official, the reviewing official, and any employee or agent of the authority who takes part in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may not, in such case or a factually related case—

(1) Participate in the hearing as the presiding officer;

(2) Participate or advise in the initial decision or the review of the initial decision by the authority head, except as a witness or as the authority representative in the administrative or judicial proceedings; or

(3) Make the collection of penalties and assessments under 31 U.S.C. 3806.

(b) The presiding officer shall not be responsible to, or subject to the supervision or direction of, the investigating official or the reviewing official.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the representative for the Government must be a member of the legal staff of the authority. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to prevent assistance to the Government representative by attorneys in the NASA organization or other governmental entities.

§ 1264.114 Ex parte contacts.

No party or person (except employees of the presiding officer's office) shall communicate in any way with the presiding officer on any matter at issue in a case, unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This provision does not prohibit a person or party from inquiring about the status of a case or asking routine questions concerning administrative functions or procedures.

[54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.115 Disqualification of reviewing official or presiding officer.

(a) A reviewing official or presiding officer in a particular case may disqualify himself or herself at any time.

(b) A party may file with the presiding officer a motion for disqualification of a reviewing official or a presiding officer. Such motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit alleging personal bias or other reason for disqualification.

(c) Such motion and affidavit shall be filed promptly upon the party's discovery of reasons for disqualification, or such objections shall be deemed waived.

(d) Such affidavit shall state specific facts that support the party's belief that personal bias or other reason for disqualification exists and the time and circumstances of the party's discovery of such facts. It shall be accompanied by a certificate of the representative of record that it is made in good faith.

(e) Upon the filing of such a motion and affidavit, the presiding officer shall proceed no further in the case until the matter of disqualification is resolved in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.

(f)(1) If the presiding officer determines that a reviewing official is disqualified, the presiding officer shall dismiss the complaint without prejudice.

(2) If the presiding officer disqualifies himself or herself, the case shall be reassigned promptly to another presiding officer.

(3) If the presiding officer denies a motion to disqualify, the authority head may determine the matter only as part of his or her review of the initial decision upon appeal, if any.

§ 1264.116 Rights of parties.

Except as otherwise limited by this part, all parties may—

(a) Be accompanied, represented, and advised by a representative;

(b) Participate in any conference held by the presiding officer;

(c) Conduct discovery;

(d) Agree to stipulations of fact or law, which shall be made part of the record;

(e) Present evidence relevant to the issues at the hearing;

(f) Present and cross-examine witnesses;

(g) Present oral arguments at the hearing as permitted by the presiding officer; and

(h) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law after the hearing.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1264.117 Authority of the presiding officer.

(a) The presiding officer shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, maintain order, and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.

(b) The presiding officer has the authority to—

(1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon reasonable notice to the parties;

(2) Continue or recess the hearing in whole or in part for a reasonable period of time;

(3) Hold conferences to identify or simplify the issues, or to consider other matters, including settlement conferences or other alternative dispute resolution, that may aid in the fair and expeditious disposition of the proceeding;

(4) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(5) Issue subpoenas, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at depositions or at hearings, which the presiding officer considers relevant and material;

(6) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;

(7) Regulate the scope and timing of discovery;

(8) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of representatives and parties;

(9) Examine witnesses;

(10) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence;

(11) Upon motion of a party, take official notice of facts;

(12) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by summary judgment where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact;

(13) Conduct any conference, argument, or hearing on motions in person or by telephone; and

(14) Exercise such other authority as is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the presiding officer under this part.

(c) The presiding officer does not have the authority to find Federal statutes or regulations invalid.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.118 Prehearing conferences.

(a) The presiding officer may schedule prehearing conferences as appropriate.

(b) Upon the motion of any party, the presiding officer shall schedule at least one prehearing conference at a reasonable time in advance of the hearing.

(c) The presiding officer may use prehearing conferences to discuss the following:

(1) Simplification of the issues;

(2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, including the need for a more definite statement;

(3) Stipulations and admissions of fact or as to the contents and authenticity of documents;

(4) Whether the parties can agree to submission of the case on a stipulated record;

(5) Whether a party chooses to waive appearance at an oral hearing and to submit only documentary evidence (subject to the objections of other parties) and written arguments;

(6) Limitation of the number of witnesses;

(7) Scheduling dates for the exchange of witness lists and of proposed exhibits;

(8) Discovery;

(9) The time and place for the hearing; and

(10) Such other matters, including settlement, as may tend to expedite the fair and just disposition of the proceedings.

(d) The presiding officer may issue an order containing all matters agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the presiding officer at a prehearing conference.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.119 Disclosure of documents.

(a) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant may review any relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, and other materials that relate to the allegations set out in the complaint and upon which the findings and conclusions of the investigating official under § 1264.103(b) are based unless such documents are subject to a privilege under Federal law. Upon payment of a reasonable fee for duplication, the defendant may obtain copies of such documents.

(b) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant also may obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession of the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the allegations in the complaint, even if it is contained in a document that would otherwise be privileged. If the document would otherwise be privileged, only that portion containing exculpatory information must be disclosed.

(c) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing official as described in § 1264.104 is not discoverable under any circumstances.

(d) The defendant may file a motion to compel disclosure of the documents subject to the provisions of this section. Such a motion may only be filed with the presiding officer following the filing of an answer pursuant to § 1264.108.

§ 1264.120 Discovery.

(a) The following types of discovery are authorized:

(1) Requests for production of documents for inspection and copying;

(2) Requests for admissions of the authenticity of any relevant document or of the truth of any relevant fact;

(3) Written interrogatories; and

(4) Depositions.

(b) For the purpose of this section and §§ 1264.121 and 1264.122, the term documents includes information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence which the presiding officer considers relevant and material to the hearing. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to require the creation of a document.

(c) Unless mutually agreed to by the parties, discovery is available only as ordered by the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall regulate the timing of discovery.

(d) Motions for discovery. (1) A party seeking discovery may file a motion with the presiding officer. Such a motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the discovery request or, in the case of depositions, a summary of the scope of the proposed deposition.

(2) Within 10 days of service, a party may file an opposition to the motion and/or a motion for protective order as provided in § 1264.123.

(3) The presiding officer may grant a motion for discovery only if he/she finds that the discovery sought—

(i) Is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable consideration of the issues;

(ii) Is not unduly costly or burdensome;

(iii) Will not unduly delay the proceeding; and

(iv) Does not seek privileged information.

(4) The burden of showing that discovery should be allowed is on the party seeking discovery.

(5) The presiding officer may grant discovery subject to a protective order under § 1264.123.

(e) Depositions. (1) If a motion for deposition is granted, the presiding officer shall issue a subpoena for the deponent, which may require the deponent to produce documents. The subpoena shall specify the time and place at which the deposition will be held.

(2) The party seeking to depose shall serve the subpoena in the manner prescribed in § 1264.107.

(3) The deponent may file with the presiding officer a motion to quash the subpoena or a motion for a protective order within 10 days of service.

(4) The party seeking to depose shall provide for the taking of a verbatim transcript of the deposition, which it shall make available to all other parties for inspection and copying.

(f) Each party shall bear its own costs of discovery.

§ 1264.121 Exchange of witness lists, statements, and exhibits.

(a) At least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as may be ordered by the presiding officer, the parties shall exchange witness lists, copies of prior statements of proposed witnesses, and copies of proposed hearing exhibits, including copies of any written statements that the party intends to offer in lieu of live testimony in accordance with paragraph (b) of § 1264.132. At the time the above documents are exchanged, any party that intends to rely on the transcript of deposition testimony in lieu of live testimony at the hearing, if permitted by the presiding officer, shall provide each party with a copy of the specific pages of the transcript it intends to introduce into evidence.

(b) If a party objects, the presiding officer shall not admit into evidence the testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list or any exhibit not provided to the opposing party, in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, unless the presiding officer finds goods cause for the failure or that there is no prejudice to the objecting party.

(c) Unless another party objects within the time set by the presiding officer, documents exchanged in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall be deemed to be authentic for the purpose of admissibility at the hearing.

§ 1264.122 Subpoena for attendance at hearing.

(a) A party wishing the appearance and testimony of any individual at the hearing may request that the presiding officer issue a subpoena.

(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of an individual may also require the individual to produce documents at the hearing.

(c) A party seeking a subpoena shall file a written request therefor not less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing unless otherwise allowed by the presiding officer for good cause shown. Such request shall specify any documents to be produced and shall designate the witnesses and describe the address and location thereof with sufficient particularity to permit such witnesses to be found.

(d) The subpoena shall specify the time and place at which the witness is to appear and any documents the witness is to produce.

(e) The party seeking the subpoena shall serve it in the manner prescribed in § 1264.107. A subpoena on a party or upon an individual under the control of a party may be served by first class mail.

(f) A party or the individual to whom the subpoena is directed may file with the presiding officer a motion to quash the subpoena within 10 days after service or on or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance if it is less than 10 days after service.

§ 1264.123 Protective order.

(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence.

(b) In issuing a protective order, the presiding officer may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:

(1) That the discovery not be had;

(2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;

(3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested;

(4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters;

(5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the presiding officer;

(6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed;

(7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the presiding officer;

(8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or

(9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the presiding officer.

§ 1264.124 Fees.

The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witness subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check for witness fees and mileage shall accompany the subpoena when served, except that when a subpoena is issued on behalf of the authority, a check for witness fees and mileage need not accompany the subpoena.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 80 FR 42029, July 16, 2015]

§ 1264.125 Form, filing, and service of papers.

(a) Form. (1) Documents filed with the presiding officer shall include an original and two copies.

(2) Every pleading and paper filed in the proceeding shall contain a caption setting forth the title of the action, the case number assigned by the presiding officer, and a designation of the paper (e.g., motion to quash subpoena).

(3) Every pleading and paper shall be signed by, and shall contain the address and telephone number of the party or the person on whose behalf the paper was filed, or his or her representative.

(4) Papers are considered filed when they are mailed. Date of mailing may be established by a certificate from the party or its representative or by proof that the document was sent by certified or registered mail.

(b) Service. A party filing a document with the presiding officer shall, at the time of filing, serve a copy of such document on every other party. Service upon any party of any document other than those required to be served as prescribed in § 1264.107 shall be made by delivering a copy or by placing a copy of the document in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the party's last known address. When a party is represented by a representative, service shall be made upon such representative.

(c) Proof of service. A certificate of the individual serving the document by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the manner of service, shall be proof of service.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.126 Computation of time.

(a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order issued thereunder, the time begins with the day following the act, event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed by the Federal government, in which event it includes the next business day.

(b) When the period of time allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays observed by the Federal government shall be excluded from the computation.

(c) Where a document has been served or issued by placing it in the mail, an additional 5 days will be added to the time permitted for any response.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.127 Motions.

(a) Any application to the presiding officer for an order or ruling shall be by motion. Motions shall state the relief sought, the authority relied upon, and the facts alleged, and shall be filed with the presiding officer and served on all other parties.

(b) Except for motions made during a prehearing conference or at the hearing, all motions shall be in writing. The presiding officer may require that oral motions be reduced to writing.

(c) Within 15 days after a written motion is served, or such other time as may be fixed by the presiding officer, any party may file a response to such motion.

(d) The presiding officer may not grant a written motion before the time for filing responses thereto has expired, except upon consent of the parties or following a hearing on the motion, but may overrule or deny such motion without awaiting a response.

(e) The presiding officer shall make a reasonable effort to dispose of all outstanding motions prior to the beginning of the hearing.

§ 1264.128 Sanctions.

(a) The presiding officer may sanction a person, including any party or representative for—

(1) Failing to comply with an order, rule, or procedure governing the proceeding;

(2) Failing to prosecute or defend an action; or

(3) Engaging in other misconduct that interferes with the speedy, orderly, or fair conduct of the hearing.

(b) Any such sanction, including but not limited to those listed in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section, shall reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct.

(c) When a party fails to comply with an order, including an order for taking a deposition, the production of evidence within the party's control, or a request for admission, the presiding officer may—

(1) Draw an inference in favor of the requesting party with regard to the information sought;

(2) In the case of requests for admission, deem each matter of which an admission is requested to be admitted;

(3) Prohibit the party failing to comply with such order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon testimony relating to, the information sought; and

(4) Strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with such request.

(d) If a party fails to prosecute or defend an action under this part commenced by service of a notice of hearing, the presiding officer may dismiss the action or may issue an initial decision imposing penalties and assessments.

(e) The presiding officer may refuse to consider any motion, request, response, brief, or other document which is not filed in a timely fashion.

§ 1264.129 The hearing and burden of proof.

(a) The presiding officer shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to determine whether the defendant is liable for a civil penalty or assessment under § 1264.102 and, if so, the appropriate amount of any such civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.

(b) The authority shall prove defendant's liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c) The defendant shall prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(d) The hearing shall be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer for good cause shown.

§ 1264.130 Determining the amount of penalties and assessments.

(a) In determining an appropriate amount of civil penalties and assessments, the presiding officer, and the authority head upon appeal, should evaluate any circumstances that mitigate or aggravate the violation and should articulate in their opinions the reasons that support the penalties and assessments they impose. Because of the intangible costs of fraud, the expense of investigating such conduct, and the need to deter others who might be similarly tempted, ordinarily double damages and a significant civil penalty should be imposed.

(b) Although not exhaustive, the following factors are among those that may influence the presiding officer and the authority head in determining the amount of penalties and assessments to impose with respect to the misconduct (i.e., the false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or statements) charged in the complaint:

(1) The number of false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or statements;

(2) The time period over which such claims or statements were made;

(3) The degree of the defendant's culpability with respect to the misconduct;

(4) The amount of money or the value of the property, services, or benefit falsely claimed;

(5) The value of the Government's actual loss as a result of the misconduct, including foreseeable consequential damages and the costs of investigation;

(6) The relationship of the amount imposed as civil penalties to the amount of the Government's loss;

(7) The potential or actual impact of the misconduct upon national defense, public health or safety, or public confidence in the management of Government programs and operations, including particularly the impact on the intended beneficiaries of such programs;

(8) Whether the defendant has engaged in a pattern of the same or similar misconduct;

(9) Whether the defendant attempted to conceal the misconduct;

(10) The degree to which the defendant has involved others in the misconduct or in concealing it;

(11) Where the misconduct of employees or agents is imputed to the defendant, the extent to which the defendant's practices fostered or attempted to preclude such misconduct;

(12) Whether the defendant cooperated in or obstructed an investigation of the misconduct;

(13) Whether the defendant assisted in identifying and prosecuting other wrongdoers;

(14) The complexity of the program or transaction, and the degree of the defendant's sophistication with respect to it, including the extent of the defendant's prior participation in the program or in similar transactions;

(15) Whether the defendant has been found, in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding to have engaged in similar misconduct or to have dealt dishonestly with the Government of the United States or of a State, directly or indirectly; and

(16) The need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in the same or similar misconduct.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the presiding officer or the authority head from considering any other factors that in any given case may mitigate or aggravate the offense for which penalties and assessments are imposed.

§ 1264.131 Location of hearing.

(a) The hearing may be held—

(1) In any judicial district of the United States in which the defendant resides or transacts business;

(2) In any judicial district of the United States in which the claim or statement in issue was made; or

(3) In such other place as may be agreed upon by the defendant and the presiding officer.

(b) Each party shall have the opportunity to present argument with respect to the location of the hearing.

(c) The hearing shall be held at the place and at the time ordered by the presiding officer.

§ 1264.132 Witnesses.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony at the hearing shall be given orally by witnesses under oath or affirmation.

(b) At the discretion of the presiding officer, testimony may be admitted in the form of a written statement or deposition. Any such written statement must be provided to all other parties along with the last known address of such witness, in a manner which allows sufficient time for other parties to subpoena such witness for cross-examination at the hearing. Prior written statements of witnesses proposed to testify at the hearing and deposition transcripts shall be exchanged as provided in § 1264.121(a).

(c) The presiding officer shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, avoid needless consumption of time, and protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.

(d) The presiding officer shall permit the parties to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.

(e) At the discretion of the presiding officer, a witness may be cross-examined on matters relevant to the proceeding without regard to the scope of his or her direct examination. To the extent permitted by the presiding officer, cross-examination on matters outside the scope of direct examination shall be conducted in the manner of direct examination and may proceed by leading questions only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.

(f) Upon motion of any party, the presiding officer shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule does not authorize exclusion of—

(1) A party who is an individual;

(2) In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or employee of the party appearing for the entity pro se or designated by the party's representative; or

(3) An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of its case, including an individual employed by the Government engaged in assisting the representative for the Government.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.133 Evidence.

(a) The presiding officer shall determine the admissibility of evidence.

(b) Except as provided herein, the presiding officer shall not be bound by the Federal Rules of Evidence. However, the presiding officer may apply the Federal Rules of Evidence where appropriate, e.g., to exclude unreliable evidence.

(c) The presiding officer shall exclude irrelevant and immaterial evidence.

(d) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or by considerations of undue delay or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

(e) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if it is privileged under Federal law.

(f) Evidence concerning offers of compromise or settlement shall be inadmissible to the extent provided in Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

(g) The presiding officer shall permit the parties to introduce rebuttal witnesses and evidence.

(h) All documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be open to examination by all parties, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer pursuant to § 1264.123.

§ 1264.134 The record.

(a) The hearing will be recorded and transcribed. Transcripts may be obtained following the hearing from the presiding officer at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of duplication.

(b) The transcript of testimony, exhibits, and other evidence admitted at the hearing, and all papers and requests filed in the proceeding constitute the record for the decision by the presiding officer and the authority head.

(c) The record may be inspected and copied (upon payment of a reasonable fee) by anyone, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer pursuant to § 1264.123.

§ 1264.135 Post-hearing briefs.

The presiding officer may require the parties to file post-hearing briefs. In any event, upon approval of the presiding officer, any party may file a post-hearing brief. The presiding officer shall fix the time for filing such briefs, not to exceed 60 days from the date the parties receive the transcript of the hearing or, if applicable, the stipulated record. Such briefs may be accompanied by proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The presiding officer may permit the parties to file reply briefs, and may grant an extension of the 60-day time period or other time for good cause shown.

§ 1264.136 Initial decision.

(a) The presiding officer shall issue an initial decision based solely on the record, which shall contain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the amount of any penalties and assessments imposed.

(b) The findings of fact shall include a finding on each of the following issues:

(1) Whether the claims or statements identified in the complaint, or any portions thereof, violate § 1264.102;

(2) If the person is liable for penalties or assessments, the appropriate amount of any such penalties or assessments considering any mitigating or aggravating factors found in the case, such as those described in § 1264.130.

(c) The presiding officer shall promptly serve the initial decision on all parties within 90 days after the time for submission of post-hearing briefs and reply briefs (if permitted) has expired or upon notification that the record is now closed. The presiding officer shall at the same time serve all parties with a statement describing the right of any defendant determined to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment to file a motion for reconsideration with the presiding officer or a notice of appeal with the authority head. If the presiding officer fails to meet the deadline contained in this paragraph, he or she shall notify the parties of the reason for the delay and shall set a new deadline.

(d) Unless the initial decision of the presiding officer is timely appealed to the authority head, or a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision is timely filed, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued by the presiding officer.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.137 Reconsideration of initial decision.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, any party may file a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision within 20 days of receipt of the initial decision. If service was made by mail, receipt will be presumed to be 5 days from the date of mailing in the absence of contrary proof.

(b) Every such motion must set forth the matters claimed to have been erroneously decided and the nature of the alleged errors. Such motion shall be accompanied by a supporting brief.

(c) Responses to such motions shall be allowed only upon request of the presiding officer.

(d) No party may file a motion for reconsideration of an initial decision that has been revised in response to a previous motion for reconsideration.

(e) The presiding officer may dispose of a motion for reconsideration by denying it or by issuing a revised initial decision.

(f) If the presiding officer denies a motion for reconsideration, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after the presiding officer denies the motion, unless the initial decision is timely appealed to the authority head in accordance with § 1264.138.

(g) If the presiding officer issues a revised initial decision, the revised decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued, unless it is timely appealed to the authority head in accordance with § 1264.138.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.138 Appeal to authority head.

(a) Any defendant who has filed a timely answer and who is determined in an initial decision to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment may appeal such decision to the authority head by filing a notice of appeal with the authority head in accordance with this section.

(b) The time for appeal to the authority head is as follows:

(1) A notice of appeal may be filed at any time within 30 days after the presiding officer issues an initial decision. However, if any other party files a motion for a reconsideration under § 1264.137, consideration of the appeal shall be stayed automatically pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration.

(2) If a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the presiding officer denies the motion or issues a revised initial decision, whichever applies.

(3) If no motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the presiding officer issues the initial decision.

(4) The authority head may extend the initial 30-day period for an additional 30 days if the defendant files with the authority head a request for an extension within the initial 30-day period and shows good cause.

(c) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the authority head and the time for filing motions for reconsideration under § 1264.137 has expired, the presiding officer shall forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.

(d) A notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a written brief specifying exceptions to the initial decision and reasons supporting the exceptions.

(e) The representative for the Government may file a brief in opposition to exceptions within 30 days of receiving the notice of appeal and accompanying brief.

(f) There is no right to appear personally before the authority head.

(g) There is no right to appeal any interlocutory ruling by the presiding officer.

(h) In reviewing the initial decision, the authority head shall not consider any objection that was not raised before the presiding officer unless a demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection.

(i) If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the authority head that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present such evidence at such hearing, the authority head shall remand the matter to the presiding officer for consideration of such additional evidence.

(j) The authority head may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, remand, or settle any penalty or assessment, determined by the presiding officer in any initial decision.

(k) The authority head shall promptly serve each party to the appeal with a copy of the decision of the authority head. At the same time the authority head shall serve the defendant with a statement describing the defendant's right to seek judicial review.

(l) Unless a petition for review is filed as provided in 31 U.S.C. 3805, after a defendant has exhausted all administrative remedies under this part and within 60 days after the date on which the authority head serves the defendant with a copy of the authority head's decision, a determination that a defendant is liable under § 1264.102 is final and is not subject to judicial review.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.139 Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.

If at any time the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General transmits to the authority head a written finding that continuation of the administrative process described in this part with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any pending or potential criminal or civil action related to such claim or statement, the authority head shall stay the process immediately. If the process is before the presiding officer, the authority head shall promptly transmit the finding to the presiding officer, who, in turn, must stay the proceeding and give notice to all parties and their representatives. The authority head may order the process resumed only upon receipt of the written authorization of the Attorney General.

§ 1264.140 Stay pending appeal.

(a) An initial decision is stayed automatically pending disposition of a motion for reconsideration or of an appeal to the authority head.

(b) No administrative stay is available following a final decision of the authority head.

§ 1264.141 Judicial review.

Section 3805 of Title 31, United States Code, authorizes judicial review by an appropriate United States District Court of a final decision of the authority head imposing penalties or assessments under this part and specifies the procedures for such review.

§ 1264.142 Collection of civil penalties and assessments.

Sections 3806 and 3808(b) of Title 31, United States Code, authorize actions for collection of civil penalties and assessments imposed under this part and specify the procedures for such actions.

§ 1264.143 Right to administrative offset.

The amount of any penalty or assessment which has become final, or for which a judgment has been entered under § 1264.141 or § 1264.142, or any amount agreed upon in a compromise or settlement under § 1264.145, may be collected by administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716, except that an administrative offset may not be made under this subsection against a refund of an overpayment of Federal taxes, then or later owing by the United States to the defendant.

§ 1264.144 Deposit in Treasury of United States.

All amounts collected pursuant to this part shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States, except as provided in 31 U.S.C. 3806(g).

§ 1264.145 Compromise or settlement.

(a) Parties may make offers of compromise or settlement at any time, including proposals for alternative dispute resolution.

(b) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer and before the date on which the presiding officer issues an initial decision.

(c) The authority head has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the presiding officer issues an initial decision, except during the pendency of any judicial review under § 1264.141 or during the pendency of any civil action to collect penalties and assessments under § 1264.142.

(d) The Attorney General has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part during the pendency of any judicial review under 31 U.S.C. 3805 or of any civil action to recover penalties and assessments under 31 U.S.C. 3806.

(e) The investigating official may recommend settlement terms to the reviewing official, the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate. The reviewing official may recommend settlement terms to the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate.

(f) Any compromise or settlement must be in writing.

§ 1264.146 Limitations.

(a) The notice of hearing with respect to a claim or statement must be served in the manner specified in § 1264.107 within 6 years after the date on which such claim or statement is made.

(b) If the defendant fails to file a timely answer, service of a notice under § 1264.109(b) shall be deemed a notice of hearing for purposes of this section.

(c) The statute of limitations may be extended by agreement of the parties.

§ 1266.100 Purpose.

The purpose of this Part is to ensure that consistent cross-waivers of liability are included in NASA agreements for activities related to the ISS and for NASA's science or space exploration activities unrelated to the ISS that involve a launch.

§ 1266.101 Scope.

The provisions at § 1266.102 are intended to implement the cross-waiver requirement in Article 16 of the intergovernmental agreement entitled, “Agreement Among the Government of Canada, Governments of Member States of the European Space Agency, the Government of Japan, the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Government of the United States of America concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station (IGA).” Article 16 establishes a cross-waiver of liability for use by the Partner States and their related entities and requires that this reciprocal waiver of claims be extended to contractually or otherwise-related entities of NASA by requiring those entities to make similar waivers of liability. Thus, NASA is required to include IGA-based cross-waivers in agreements for ISS activities that fall within the scope of “Protected Space Operations,” as defined in § 1266.102. The provisions of § 1266.102 provide the regulatory basis for cross-waiver clauses to be incorporated into NASA agreements for activities that implement the IGA and the memoranda of understanding between the United States and its respective international partners. The provisions of § 1266.104 provide the regulatory basis for cross-waiver clauses to be incorporated into NASA launch agreements for science or space exploration activities unrelated to the ISS.

§ 1266.102 Cross-waiver of liability for agreements for activities related to the International Space Station.

(a) The objective of this section is to implement NASA's responsibility to flow down the cross-waiver of liability in Article 16 of the IGA to its related entities in the interest of encouraging participation in the exploration, exploitation, and use of outer space through the International Space Station (ISS). The IGA declares the Partner States' intention that the cross-waiver of liability be broadly construed to achieve this objective.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) The term “Party” means a party to a NASA agreement involving activities in connection with the ISS.

(2)(i) The term “related entity” means:

(A) A contractor or subcontractor of a Party or a Partner State at any tier;

(B) A user or customer of a Party or a Partner State at any tier; or

(C) A contractor or subcontractor of a user or customer of a Party or a Partner State at any tier.

(ii) The terms “contractor” and “subcontractor” include suppliers of any kind.

(iii) The term “related entity” may also apply to a State, or an agency or institution of a State, having the same relationship to a Partner State as described in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section or otherwise engaged in the implementation of Protected Space Operations as defined in paragraph (b)(6) of this section.

(3) The term “damage” means:

(i) Bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, any person;

(ii) Damage to, loss of, or loss of use of any property;

(iii) Loss of revenue or profits; or

(iv) Other direct, indirect, or consequential damage.

(4) The term “launch vehicle” means an object, or any part thereof, intended for launch, launched from Earth, or returning to Earth which carries payloads or persons, or both.

(5) The term “payload” means all property to be flown or used on or in a launch vehicle or the ISS.

(6) The term “Protected Space Operations” means all launch or transfer vehicle activities, ISS activities, and payload activities on Earth, in outer space, or in transit between Earth and outer space in implementation of the IGA, MOUs concluded pursuant to the IGA, and implementing arrangements. It includes, but is not limited to:

(i) Research, design, development, test, manufacture, assembly, integration, operation, or use of launch or transfer vehicles, the ISS, payloads, or instruments, as well as related support equipment and facilities and services; and

(ii) All activities related to ground support, test, training, simulation, or guidance and control equipment and related facilities or services. “Protected Space Operations” also includes all activities related to evolution of the ISS, as provided for in Article 14 of the IGA. “Protected Space Operations” excludes activities on Earth which are conducted on return from the ISS to develop further a payload's product or process for use other than for ISS-related activities in implementation of the IGA.

(7) The term “transfer vehicle” means any vehicle that operates in space and transfers payloads or persons or both between two different space objects, between two different locations on the same space object, or between a space object and the surface of a celestial body. A transfer vehicle also includes a vehicle that departs from and returns to the same location on a space object.

(8) The term “Partner State” includes each Contracting Party for which the IGA has entered into force, pursuant to Article 25 of the IGA or pursuant to any successor agreement. A Partner State includes its Cooperating Agency. It also includes any entity specified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and the Government of Japan to assist the Government of Japan's Cooperating Agency in the implementation of that MOU.

(c)(1) Cross-waiver of liability: Each Party agrees to a cross-waiver of liability pursuant to which each Party waives all claims against any of the entities or persons listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations. This cross-waiver shall apply only if the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations. The cross-waiver shall apply to any claims for damage, whatever the legal basis for such claims, against:

(i) Another Party;

(ii) A Partner State other than the United States of America;

(iii) A related entity of any entity identified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) of this section; or

(iv) The employees of any of the entities identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iii) of this section.

(2) In addition, each Party shall, by contract or otherwise, extend the cross-waiver of liability, as set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, to its related entities by requiring them, by contract or otherwise, to:

(i) Waive all claims against the entities or persons identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section; and

(ii) Require that their related entities waive all claims against the entities or persons identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section.

(3) For avoidance of doubt, this cross-waiver of liability includes a cross-waiver of claims arising from the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, which entered into force on September 1, 1972, where the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations.

(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, this cross-waiver of liability shall not be applicable to:

(i) Claims between a Party and its own related entity or between its own related entities;

(ii) Claims made by a natural person, his/her estate, survivors or subrogees (except when a subrogee is a Party to the agreement or is otherwise bound by the terms of this cross-waiver) for bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, such person;

(iii) Claims for damage caused by willful misconduct;

(iv) Intellectual property claims;

(v) Claims for damage resulting from a failure of a Party to extend the cross-waiver of liability to its related entities, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or

(vi) Claims by a Party arising out of or relating to another Party's failure to perform its obligations under the agreement.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create the basis for a claim or suit where none would otherwise exist.

(6) This cross-waiver shall not be applicable when 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX, Chapter. 701 is applicable.

§ 1266.103 [Reserved]

§ 1266.104 Cross-waiver of liability for launch agreements for science or space exploration activities unrelated to the International Space Station.

(a) The purpose of this section is to implement a cross-waiver of liability between the parties to agreements for NASA's science or space exploration activities that are not related to the International Space Station (ISS) but involve a launch. It is intended that the cross-waiver of liability be broadly construed to achieve this objective.

(b) For purposes of this section:

(1) The term “Party” means a party to a NASA agreement for science or space exploration activities unrelated to the ISS that involve a launch.

(2) (i) The term “related entity” means:

(A) A contractor or subcontractor of a Party at any tier;

(B) A user or customer of a Party at any tier; or

(C) A contractor or subcontractor of a user or customer of a Party at any tier.

(ii) The terms “contractor” and “subcontractor” include suppliers of any kind.

(iii) The term “related entity” may also apply to a State or an agency or institution of a State, having the same relationship to a Party as described in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section, or otherwise engaged in the implementation of Protected Space Operations as defined in paragraph (b)(6) of this section.

(3) The term “damage” means:

(i) Bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, any person;

(ii) Damage to, loss of, or loss of use of any property;

(iii) Loss of revenue or profits; or

(iv) Other direct, indirect, or consequential damage.

(4) The term “launch vehicle” means an object, or any part thereof, intended for launch, launched from Earth, or returning to Earth which carries payloads or persons, or both.

(5) The term “payload” means all property to be flown or used on or in a launch vehicle.

(6) The term “Protected Space Operations” means all launch or transfer vehicle activities and payload activities on Earth, in outer space, or in transit between Earth and outer space in implementation of an agreement for launch services. Protected Space Operations begins at the signature of the agreement and ends when all activities done in implementation of the agreement are completed. It includes, but is not limited to:

(i) Research, design, development, test, manufacture, assembly, integration, operation, or use of launch or transfer vehicles, payloads, or instruments, as well as related support equipment and facilities and services; and

(ii) All activities related to ground support, test, training, simulation, or guidance and control equipment and related facilities or services. The term “Protected Space Operations” excludes activities on Earth that are conducted on return from space to develop further a payload's product or process for use other than for the activities within the scope of an agreement for launch services.

(7) The term “transfer vehicle” means any vehicle that operates in space and transfers payloads or persons or both between two different space objects, between two different locations on the same space object, or between a space object and the surface of a celestial body. A transfer vehicle also includes a vehicle that departs from and returns to the same location on a space object.

(c)(1) Cross-waiver of liability: Each Party agrees to a cross-waiver of liability pursuant to which each Party waives all claims against any of the entities or persons listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations. This cross-waiver shall apply only if the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations. The cross-waiver shall apply to any claims for damage, whatever the legal basis for such claims, against:

(i) Another Party;

(ii) A party to another NASA agreement that includes flight on the same launch vehicle;

(iii) A related entity of any entity identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) of this section; or

(iv) The employees of any of the entities identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iii) of this section.

(2) In addition, each Party shall extend the cross-waiver of liability, as set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, to its own related entities by requiring them, by contract or otherwise, to:

(i) Waive all claims against the entities or persons identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section; and

(ii) Require that their related entities waive all claims against the entities or persons identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this section.

(3) For avoidance of doubt, this cross-waiver of liability includes a cross-waiver of claims arising from the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, which entered into force on September 1, 1972, where the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations.

(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, this cross-waiver of liability shall not be applicable to:

(i) Claims between a Party and its own related entity or between its own related entities;

(ii) Claims made by a natural person, his/her estate, survivors, or subrogees (except when a subrogee is a Party to the agreement or is otherwise bound by the terms of this cross-waiver) for bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, such person;

(iii) Claims for damage caused by willful misconduct;

(iv) Intellectual property claims;

(v) Claims for damages resulting from a failure of a Party to extend the cross-waiver of liability to its related entities, pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or

(vi) Claims by a Party arising out of or relating to another Party's failure to perform its obligations under the agreement.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create the basis for a claim or suit where none would otherwise exist.

(6) This cross-waiver shall not be applicable when 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX, Chapter 701 is applicable.

§ 1271.100 Conditions on use of funds.

(a) No appropriated funds may be expended by the recipient of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative ageement to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any of the following covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

(b) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement shall file with that agency a certification, set forth in appendix A, that the person has not made, and will not make, any payment prohibited by paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal contract, grant, loan, or a cooperative agreement shall file with that agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if such person has made or has agreed to make any payment using nonappropriated funds (to include profits from any covered Federal action), which would be prohibited under paragraph (a) of this section if paid for with appropriated funds.

(d) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file with that agency a statement, set forth in appendix A, whether that person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.

(e) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file with that agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if that person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.

§ 1271.105 Definitions.

For purposes of this part:

(a) Agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(f), includes Federal executive departments and agencies as well as independent regulatory commissions and Government corporations, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 9101(1).

(b) Covered Federal action means any of the following Federal actions:

(1) The awarding of any Federal contract;

(2) The making of any Federal grant;

(3) The making of any Federal loan;

(4) The entering into of any cooperative agreement; and,

(5) The extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

Covered Federal action does not include receiving from an agency a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan. Loan guarantees and loan insurance are addressed independently within this part.

(c) Federal contract means an acquisition contract awarded by an agency, including those subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and any other acquisition contract for real or personal property or services not subject to the FAR.

(d) Federal cooperative agreement means a cooperative agreement entered into by an agency.

(e) Federal grant means an award of financial assistance in the form of money, or property in lieu of money, by the Federal Government or a direct appropriation made by law to any person. The term does not include technical assistance which provides services instead of money, or other assistance in the form of revenue sharing, loans, loan guarantees, loan insurance, interest subsidies, insurance, or direct United States cash assistance to an individual.

(f) Federal loan means a loan made by an agency. The term does not include loan guarantee or loan insurance.

(g) Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450B). Alaskan Natives are included under the definitions of Indian tribes in that Act.

(h) Influencing or attempting to influence means making, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an officer or employee or any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any covered Federal action.

(i) Loan guarantee and loan insurance means an agency's guarantee or insurance of a loan made by a person.

(j) Local government means a unit of government in a State and, if chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the performance of a governmental duty, including a local public authority, a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a sponsor group representative organization, and any other instrumentality of a local government.

(k) Officer or employee of an agency includes the following individuals who are employed by an agency:

(1) An individual who is appointed to a position in the Government under title 5, U.S. Code, including a position under a temporary appointment;

(2) A member of the uniformed services as defined in section 101(3), title 37, U.S. Code;

(3) A special Government employee as defined in section 202, title 18, U.S. Code; and,

(4) An individual who is a member of a Federal advisory committee, as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, title 5, U.S. Code appendix 2.

(l) Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for profit. This term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically permitted by other Federal law.

(m) Reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly employed officer or employee of any person, compensation that is consistent with the normal compensation for such officer or employee for work that is not furnished to, not funded by, or not furnished in cooperation with the Federal Government.

(n) Reasonable payment means, with respect to perfessional and other technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.

(o) Recipient includes all contractors, subcontractors at any tier, and subgrantees at any tier of the recipient of funds received in connection with a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. The term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically permitted by other Federal law.

(p) Regularly employed means, with respect to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, an officer or employee who is employed by such person for at least 130 working days within one year immediately preceding the date of the submission that initiates agency consideration of such person for receipt of such contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement, loan insurance commitment, or loan guarantee commitment. An officer or employee who is employed by such person for less than 130 working days within one year immediately preceding the date of the submission that initiates agency consideration of such person shall be considered to be regularly employed as soon as he or she is employed by such person for 130 working days.

(q) State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory or possession of the United States, an agency or instrumentality of a State, and a multi-State, regional, or interstate entity having governmental duties and powers.

§ 1271.110 Certification and disclosure.

(a) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, with each submission that initiates agency consideration of such person for:

(1) Award of a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding $100,000; or

(2) An award of a Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000.

(b) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, upon receipt by such person of:

(1) A Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding $100,000; or

(2) A Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000,

Unless such person previously filed a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Each person shall file a disclosure form at the end of each calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information contained in any disclosure form previously filed by such person under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section. An event that materially affects the accuracy of the information reported includes:

(1) A cumulative increase of $25,000 or more in the amount paid or expected to be paid for influencing or attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or

(2) A change in the person(s) or individual(s) influencing or attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or,

(3) A change in the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted to influence or attempt to influence a covered Federal action.

(d) Any person who requests or receives from a person referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section:

(1) A subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal contract;

(2) A subgrant, contract, or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal grant;

(3) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal loan exceeding $150,000; or,

(4) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal cooperative agreement,

Shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, to the next tier above.

(e) All disclosure forms, but not certifications, shall be forwarded from tier to tier until received by the person referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section. That person shall forward all disclosure forms to the agency.

(f) Any certification or disclosure form filed under paragraph (e) of this section shall be treated as a material representation of fact upon which all receiving tiers shall rely. All liability arising from an erroneous representation shall be borne solely by the tier filing that representation and shall not be shared by any tier to which the erroneous representation is forwarded. Submitting an erroneous certification or disclosure constitutes a failure to file the required certification or disclosure, respectively. If a person fails to file a required certification or disclosure, the United States may pursue all available remedies, including those authorized by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code.

(g) For awards and commitments in process prior to December 23, 1989, but not made before that date, certifications shall be required at award or commitment, covering activities occurring between December 23, 1989, and the date of award or commitment. However, for awards and commitments in process prior to the December 23, 1989 effective date of these provisions, but not made before December 23, 1989, disclosure forms shall not be required at time of award or commitment but shall be filed within 30 days.

(h) No reporting is required for an activity paid for with appropriated funds if that activity is allowable under either subpart B or C.

§ 1271.200 Agency and legislative liaison.

(a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in § 1271.100 (a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement if the payment is for agency and legislative liaison activities not directly related to a covered Federal action.

(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, providing any information specifically requested by an agency or Congress is allowable at any time.

(c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following agency and legislative liaison activities are allowable at any time only where they are not related to a specific solicitation for any covered Federal action:

(1) Discussing with an agency (including individual demonstrations) the qualities and characteristics of the person's products or services, conditions or terms of sale, and service capabilities; and,

(2) Technical discussions and other activities regarding the application or adaptation of the person's products or services for an agency's use.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following agencies and legislative liaison activities are allowable only where they are prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal action:

(1) Providing any information not specifically requested but necessary for an agency to make an informed decision about initiation of a covered Federal action;

(2) Technical discussions regarding the preparation of an unsolicited proposal prior to its official submission; and,

(3) Capability presentations by persons seeking awards from an agency pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Act, as amended by Public Law 95-507 and other subsequent amendments.

(e) Only those activities expressly authorized by this section are allowable under this section.

§ 1271.205 Professional and technical services.

(a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in § 1271.100(a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or an extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement if payment is for professional or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, “professional and technical services” shall be limited to advice and analysis directly applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, drafting of a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer is allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. However, communications with the intent to influence made by a professional (such as a licensed lawyer) or a technical person (such as a licensed accountant) are not allowable under this section unless they provide advice and analysis directly applying their professional or technical expertise and unless the advice or analysis is rendered directly and solely in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action. Thus, for example, communications with the intent to influence made by a lawyer that do not provide legal advice or analysis directly and solely related to the legal aspects of his or her client's proposal, but generally advocate one proposal over another are not allowable under this section because the lawyer is not providing professional legal services. Similarly, communications with the intent to influence made by an engineer providing an engineering analysis prior to the preparation or submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable under this section since the engineer is providing technical services but not directly in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action.

(c) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, and any other requirements in the actual award documents.

(d) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are allowable under this section.

§ 1271.210 Reporting.

No reporting is required with respect to payments of reasonable compensation made to regularly employed officers or employees of a person.

§ 1271.300 Professional and technical services.

(a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in § 1271.100(a), does not apply in the case of any reasonable payment to a person, other than an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a covered Federal action, if the payment is for professional or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

(b) The reporting requirements in § 1271.110 (a) and (b) regarding filing a disclosure form by each person, if required, shall not apply with respect to professional or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan.

(c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, “professional and technical services” shall be limited to advice and analysis directly applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, drafting or a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer is allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. However, communications with the intent to influence made by a professional (such as a licensed lawyer) or a technical person (such as a licensed accountant) are not allowable under this section unless they provide advice and analysis directly applying their professional or technical expertise and unless the advice or analysis is rendered directly and solely in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action. Thus, for example, communications with the intent to influence made by a lawyer that do not provide legal advice or analysis directly and solely related to the legal aspects of his or her client's proposal, but generally advocate one proposal over another are not allowable under this section because the lawyer is not providing professional legal services. Similarly, communications with the intent to influence made by an engineer providing an engineering analysis prior to the preparation or submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable under this section since the engineer is providing technical services but not directly in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action.

(d) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, and any other requirements in the actual award documents.

(e) Persons other than officers or employees of a person requesting or receiving a covered Federal action include consultants and trade associations.

(f) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are allowable under this section.

§ 1271.400 Penalties.

(a) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited herein shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $25,132 and not more than $251,322 for each such expenditure.

(b) Any person who fails to file or amend the disclosure form (see appendix B) to be filed or amended if required herein, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $25,132 and not more than $251,322 for each such failure.

(c) A filing or amended filing on or after the date on which an administrative action for the imposition of a civil penalty is commenced does not prevent the imposition of such civil penalty for a failure occurring before that date. An administrative action is commenced with respect to a failure when an investigating official determines in writing to commence an investigation of an allegation of such failure.

(d) In determining whether to impose a civil penalty, and the amount of any such penalty, by reason of a violation by any person, the agency shall consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, the effect on the ability of such person to continue in business, any prior violations by such person, the degree of culpability of such person, the ability of the person to pay the penalty, and such other matters as may be appropriate.

(e) First offenders under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25,132, absent aggravating circumstances. Second and subsequent offenses by persons shall be subject to an appropriate civil penalty between $25,132 and $251,322, as determined by the agency head or his or her designee.

(f) An imposition of a civil penalty under this section does not prevent the United States from seeking any other remedy that may apply to the same conduct that is the basis for the imposition of such civil penalty.

[55 FR 6737, 6748, Feb. 26, 1990, as amended at 82 FR 28763, June 26, 2017; 82 FR 48762, Oct. 20, 2017; 83 FR 2046, Jan. 16, 2018; 84 FR 13115, Apr. 4, 2019; 85 FR 16546, Mar. 24, 2020; 86 FR 14245, Mar. 15, 2021; 87 FR 23108, Apr. 19, 2022; 88 FR 24906, Apr. 25, 2023; 89 FR 20107, Mar. 21, 2024; 90 FR 19262, May 7, 2025]

§ 1271.405 Penalty procedures.

Agencies shall impose and collect civil penalties pursuant to the provisions of the Program Fraud and Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. sections 3803 (except subsection (c)), 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, and 3812, insofar as these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements herein.

§ 1271.410 Enforcement.

The head of each agency shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the provisions herein are vigorously implemented and enforced in that agency.

§ 1271.500 Secretary of Defense.

(a) The Secretary of Defense may exempt, on a case-by-case basis, a covered Federal action from the prohibition whenever the Secretary determines, in writing, that such an exemption is in the national interest. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each such written exemption to Congress immediately after making such a determination.

(b) The Department of Defense may issue supplemental regulations to implement paragraph (a) of this section.

§ 1271.600 Semi-annual compilation.

(a) The head of each agency shall collect and compile the disclosure reports (see appendix B) and, on May 31 and November 30 of each year, submit to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives a report containing a compilation of the information contained in the disclosure reports received during the six-month period ending on March 31 or September 30, respectively, of that year.

(b) The report, including the compilation, shall be available for public inspection 30 days after receipt of the report by the Secretary and the Clerk.

(c) Information that involves intelligence matters shall be reported only to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by such committees. Such information shall not be available for public inspection.

(d) Information that is classified under Executive Order 12356 or any successor order shall be reported only to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives (whichever such committees have jurisdiction of matters involving such information) and to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by such committees. Such information shall not be available for public inspection.

(e) The first semi-annual compilation shall be submitted on May 31, 1990, and shall contain a compilation of the disclosure reports received from December 23, 1989 to March 31, 1990.

(f) Major agencies, designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), are required to provide machine-readable compilations to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives no later than with the compilations due on May 31, 1991. OMB shall provide detailed specifications in a memorandum to these agencies.

(g) Non-major agencies are requested to provide machine-readable compilations to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(h) Agencies shall keep the originals of all disclosure reports in the official files of the agency.

§ 1271.605 Inspector General report.

(a) The Inspector General, or other official as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, of each agency shall prepare and submit to Congress each year, commencing with submission of the President's Budget in 1991, an evaluation of the compliance of that agency with, and the effectiveness of, the requirements herein. The evaluation may include any recommended changes that may be necessary to strengthen or improve the requirements.

(b) In the case of an agency that does not have an Inspector General, the agency official comparable to an Inspector General shall prepare and submit the annual report, or, if there is no such comparable official, the head of the agency shall prepare and submit the annual report.

(c) The annual report shall be submitted at the same time the agency submits its annual budget justifications to Congress.

(d) The annual report shall include the following: All alleged violations relating to the agency's covered Federal actions during the year covered by the report, the actions taken by the head of the agency in the year covered by the report with respect to those alleged violations and alleged violations in previous years, and the amounts of civil penalties imposed by the agency in the year covered by the report.

§ 1275.100 Purpose and scope.

(a) The purpose of this part is to establish procedures to be used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the handling of allegations of research misconduct. Specifically, the procedures contained in this part are designed to result in:

(1) Findings as to whether research misconduct by a person or institution has occurred in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting results from research activities funded or supported by NASA; and

(2) Recommendations on appropriate administrative actions that may be undertaken by NASA in response to research misconduct determined to have occurred.

(b) This part applies to all research wholly or partially funded or supported by NASA. This includes any research conducted by a NASA installation and any research conducted by a public or private entity receiving NASA funds or using NASA facilities, equipment or personnel, under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, Space Act agreement, or other transaction with NASA.

(c) NASA shall make a determination of research misconduct only after careful inquiry and investigation by an awardee institution, another Federal agency, or NASA, and an adjudication conducted by NASA. NASA shall afford the accused individual or institution a chance to comment on the investigation report and a chance to appeal the decision resulting from the adjudication. In structuring procedures in individual cases, NASA may take into account procedures already followed by other entities investigating the same allegation of research misconduct. Investigation of allegations which, if true, would constitute criminal offenses, are not covered by this part.

(d) A determination that research misconduct has occurred must be accompanied by recommendations on appropriate administrative actions. However, the administrative actions themselves may be imposed only after further procedures described in applicable Federal acquisition and NASA regulations concerning contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, Space Act agreements, or other transactions, depending on the type of agreement used to fund or support the research in question. Administrative actions involving NASA civil service employees may be imposed only in compliance with all relevant Federal laws and policies.

(e) Allegations of research misconduct concerning NASA research may be transmitted to NASA in one of the following ways: By mail address to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 300 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20546-0001 via the NASA OIG Hotline at 1-800-424-9183, or cyber hotline at http://oig.nasa.gov/hotline.html.

(f) To the extent permitted by law, the identity of the Complainant, witnesses, or other sources of information who wish to remain anonymous shall be kept confidential. To the extent permitted by law, NASA shall protect the research misconduct inquiry, investigation, adjudication, and appeal records maintained by NASA as exempt from mandatory disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552, the Freedom of Information Act, as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Privacy Act, as amended.

[69 FR 42103, July 14, 2004, as amended at 77 FR 44440, July 30, 2012]

§ 1275.101 Definitions.

(a) Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion. Research as used in this part includes all basic and applied research as defined in OMB Circular A-11 in all fields of science, engineering, and mathematics, including, but not limited to, research in space and Earth sciences, economics, education, linguistics, medicine, psychology, social sciences, statistics, and biological and physical research (ground based and microgravity), including research involving human subjects or animals.

(b) Fabrication means making up data or results and recording or reporting them.

(c) Falsification means manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.

(d) Plagiarism means the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

(e) Awardee institution means any public or private entity or organization (including a Federal, State, or local agency) that is a party to a NASA contract, grant, cooperative agreement, Space Act agreement, or to any other transaction with NASA, whose purpose includes the conduct of research.

(f) NASA research means research wholly or partially funded or supported by NASA involving an awardee institution or a NASA installation. This definition includes research wholly or partially funded by NASA appropriated funds, or research involving the use of NASA facilities, equipment, or personnel.

(g) NASA research discipline means one of the following areas of research that together comprise NASA's research mission for aeronautics, space science, Earth science, biomedicine, biology, engineering and physical sciences (physics and chemistry).

(h) Inquiry means the assessment of whether an allegation of research misconduct has substance and warrants an investigation.

(i) Investigation means the formal development of a factual record and the examination of that record leading to recommended findings on whether research misconduct has occurred, and if the recommended findings are that such conduct has occurred, to include recommendations on appropriate administrative actions.

(j) Complainant is the individual bringing an allegation of research misconduct related to NASA research.

(k) Respondent is the individual or institution who is the subject of an allegation of research misconduct related to NASA research.

(l) Adjudication means the formal procedure for reviewing and evaluating the investigation report and the accompanying evidentiary record and for determining whether to accept the recommended findings and any recommendations for administrative actions resulting from the investigation.

(m) NASA Adjudication Official is the NASA Associate Administrator of a Mission Directorate, Chief Technologist, or Chief Engineer, depending on the research area involved in the misconduct allegation (as described in the list of NASA research disciplines and their associated directorates contained in the Appendix to this part).

(n) Appeal means the formal procedure initiated at the request of the Respondent for review of a determination resulting from the adjudication and for affirming, overturning, or modifying it.

(o) NASA Appeals Official is the NASA Deputy Administrator or other official designated by the NASA Administrator.

[69 FR 42103, July 14, 2004, as amended at 77 FR 44441, July 30, 2012]

§ 1275.102 OIG handling of research misconduct matters.

(a) When an allegation is made to the OIG, rather than to the awardee institution, the OIG shall determine whether the allegation concerns NASA research and whether the allegation, if true, falls within the definition of research misconduct in § 1275.101(a). Investigation of allegations which, if true, would constitute criminal offenses, are not covered by this part. If these criteria are met and the research in question is being conducted by NASA researchers, the OIG shall proceed in accordance with § 1275.104. If the research in question is being conducted at an awardee institution, another Federal agency, or is a collaboration between NASA researchers and co-investigators at either academia or industry, the OIG must refer the allegation that meets the definition of research misconduct to the entities involved and determine whether to—

(1) Defer its inquiry or investigation pending review of the results of an inquiry or investigation conducted at the awardee institution or at the Federal agency (referred to for purposes of this part as external investigations) determined to be the lead investigative organization for the case; or

(2) Commence its own inquiry or investigation.

(b) The OIG must inform the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist of all allegations that meet the definition of research misconduct received by the OIG and of the determinations of the OIG required by § 1275.101. The NASA Office of the Chief Scientist shall notify the NASA Office of the Chief Engineer or the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist when the research is either engineering or technology research.

(c) The OIG should defer its inquiry or investigation pending review of the results of an external investigation whenever possible. Nevertheless, the OIG retains the right to proceed at any time with a NASA inquiry or investigation. Circumstances in which the OIG may elect not to defer its inquiry or investigation include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) When the OIG determines that the awardee institution is not prepared to handle the allegation in a manner consistent with this part;

(2) When the OIG determines that NASA involvement is needed to protect the public interest, including public health and safety;

(3) When the OIG determines that the allegation involves an awardee institution of sufficiently small size that it cannot reasonably conduct the investigation itself;

(4) When the OIG determines that a NASA program or project could be jeopardized by the occurrence of research misconduct; or

(5) When the OIG determines that any of the notifications or information required to be given to the OIG by the awardee institution pursuant to § 1275.103(b) requires NASA to cease its deferral to the awardee institution's procedures and to conduct its own inquiry or investigation.

(d) A copy of the investigation report, evidentiary record, and final determination resulting from an external investigation must be transmitted to the OIG for review. The OIG shall determine whether to recommend to the NASA Adjudication Official, or to the lead investigative organization in cases that involve multiple institutions, acceptance of the investigation report and final determination in whole or in part. The OIG's decision must be made within 45 days of receipt of the investigation report and evidentiary record. This period of time may be extended by the OIG for good cause. The OIG shall make this decision based on the OIG's assessment of the completeness of the investigation report, and the OIG's assessment of whether the investigating entity followed reasonable procedures, including whether the Respondent had an adequate opportunity to comment on the investigation report and whether these comments were given due consideration. If the OIG decides to recommend acceptance of the results of the external investigation, in whole or in part, the OIG shall transmit a copy of the final determination, the investigation report, and the evidentiary record to the NASA Adjudication Official, and to the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist. When the OIG decides not to recommend acceptance, the OIG must initiate its own investigation.

(e) In the case of an investigation conducted by the OIG, the OIG shall transmit copies of the investigation report, including the Respondent's written comments (if any), the evidentiary record and its recommendations, to the institution, to the NASA Adjudication Official and to the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist.

(f) Upon learning of alleged research misconduct, the OIG shall identify potentially implicated awards or proposals and, when appropriate, shall ensure that program, grant, or contracting officers handling them are informed. Neither a suspicion nor allegation of research misconduct, nor a pending inquiry or investigation, shall normally delay review of proposals. Subject to paragraph (g) of this section, reviewers or panelists shall not be informed of allegations or of ongoing inquiries or investigations in order to avoid influencing reviews. In the event that an application receives a fundable rating or ranking by a review panel, funding can be deferred by the program until the completion of the inquiry or investigation.

(g) If, during the course of an OIG conducted inquiry or investigation, it appears that immediate administrative action, as described in § 1275.106, is necessary to protect public health or safety, Federal resources or interests, or the interests of those involved in the inquiry or investigation, the OIG shall inform the NASA sponsor for the research and the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist.

§ 1275.103 Role of awardee institutions.

(a) The awardee institutions have the primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct and for the inquiry, investigation, and adjudication of research misconduct alleged to have occurred in association with their own institutions, although NASA has ultimate oversight authority for NASA research.

(b) When an allegation of research misconduct related to NASA research is made directly to the OIG and the OIG defers to the awardee institution's inquiry or investigation, or when an allegation of research misconduct related to NASA research is made directly to the awardee institution which commences an inquiry or investigation, the awardee institution is required to:

(1) Notify the OIG if an inquiry supports a formal investigation as soon as this is determined.

(2) Keep the OIG informed during such an investigation.

(3) Notify the OIG immediately—

(i) If public health or safety is at risk;

(ii) If Federal resources, reputation, or other interests need protecting;

(iii) If research activities should be suspended;

(iv) If there is reasonable indication of possible violations of civil or criminal law;

(v) If Federal action is needed to protect the interests of those involved in the investigation; or

(vi) If the research community or the public should be informed.

(4) Provide the OIG with a copy of the investigation report, including the recommendations made to the awardee institution's adjudication official and the Respondent's written comments (if any), along with a copy of the evidentiary record.

(5) Provide the OIG with the awardee institution's final determination, including any corrective actions taken or planned.

(c) If an awardee institution wishes the OIG to defer its own inquiry or investigation, the awardee institution shall complete any inquiry and decide whether an investigation is warranted within 60 days. It should similarly complete any investigation, adjudication, or other procedure necessary to produce a final determination, within an additional 180 days. If completion of the process is delayed, but the awardee institution wishes NASA's deferral of its own procedures to continue, NASA may require submission of periodic status reports.

(d) Each awardee institution must maintain and effectively communicate to its staff, appropriate policies and procedures relating to research misconduct, including the requirements on when and how to notify NASA.

§ 1275.104 Conduct of Inquiry by the OIG.

(a) When an awardee institution or another Federal agency has promptly initiated its own investigation, the OIG may defer its inquiry or investigation until it receives the results of that external investigation. When the OIG does not receive the results within a reasonable time, the OIG shall ordinarily proceed with its own investigation.

(b) When the OIG decides to initiate a NASA investigation, the OIG must give prompt written notice to the individual or institution to be investigated, unless notice would prejudice the investigation or unless a criminal investigation is underway or under active consideration. If notice is delayed, it must be given as soon as it will no longer prejudice the investigation or contravene requirements of law or Federal law-enforcement policies.

(c) When alleged misconduct may involve a crime, the OIG shall determine whether any criminal investigation is already pending or projected. If not, the OIG shall determine whether the matter should be referred to the Department of Justice.

(d) When a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice or another Federal agency is underway or under active consideration, the OIG shall determine what information, if any, may be disclosed to the Respondent or to NASA employees.

(e) To the extent possible, the identity of sources who wish to remain anonymous shall be kept confidential. To the extent allowed by law, documents and files maintained by the OIG during the course of an inquiry or investigation of misconduct shall be treated as investigative files exempt from mandatory public disclosure upon request under the Freedom of Information Act.

(f) When the OIG proceeds with its own inquiry, it is responsible for ensuring that the inquiry is completed within 60 days after it is commenced. The OIG may extend this period of time for good cause.

(g) On the basis of what the OIG learns from an inquiry, and in consultation as appropriate with other NASA offices, the OIG shall decide whether a formal investigation is warranted.

§ 1275.105 Conduct of the OIG investigation of research misconduct.

(a) The OIG shall make every reasonable effort to complete a NASA research misconduct investigation and issue a report within 120 days after initiating the investigation. The OIG may extend this period of time for good cause.

(b) A NASA investigation may include:

(1) Review of award files, reports, and other documents readily available at NASA or in the public domain;

(2) Review of procedures or methods and inspection of laboratory materials, specimens, and records at awardee institutions;

(3) Interviews with parties or witnesses;

(4) Review of any documents or other evidence provided by or properly obtainable from parties, witnesses, or other sources;

(5) Cooperation with other Federal agencies; and

(6) Opportunity for the Respondent to be heard.

(c) The OIG may invite outside consultants or experts to participate in a NASA investigation.

(d) During the course of the investigation, the OIG shall provide a draft of the investigation report to the Respondent, who shall be invited to submit comments. The Respondent must submit any comments within 20 days of receipt of the draft investigation report. This period of time may be extended by the OIG for good cause. Any comments submitted by the Respondent shall receive full consideration before the investigation report is made final.

(e) At the end of the investigation proceedings, an investigation report must be prepared that shall include recommended findings as to whether research misconduct has occurred. A recommended finding of research misconduct requires that:

(1) There be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community for maintaining the integrity of the research record;

(2) The research misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly, or in reckless disregard of accepted practices; and

(3) The allegation be proven by a preponderance of evidence.

(f) The investigation report must also be transmitted with the recommendations for administrative action, when recommended findings of research misconduct are made. Section 1275.106 lists possible recommended administrative actions and considerations for use in determining appropriate recommendations.

(g) NASA OIG may elect to proceed with its administrative investigation processes in lieu of a research misconduct investigation under this part when the allegation is against a civil service employee (an intramural researcher).

§ 1275.106 Administrative actions.

(a) Listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section are possible administrative actions that may be recommended by the investigation report and adopted by the adjudication process. They are not exhaustive, and are in addition to any administrative actions necessary to correct the research record. The administrative actions range from minimal restrictions (Group I Actions) to severe restrictions (Group III Actions), and do not include possible criminal sanctions.

(1) Group I Actions.

(i) Send a letter of reprimand to the individual or institution.

(ii) Require as a condition of an award that for a specified period of time an individual, department, or institution obtain special prior approval of particular activities from NASA.

(iii) Require for a specified period of time that an institutional official other than those guilty of research misconduct certify the accuracy of reports generated under an award or provide assurance of compliance with particular policies, regulations, guidelines, or special terms and conditions.

(2) Group II Actions.

(i) Restrict for a specified period of time designated activities or expenditures under an active award.

(ii) Require for a specified period of time special reviews of all requests for funding from an affected individual, department, or institution to ensure that steps have been taken to prevent repetition of the research misconduct.

(3) Group III Actions.

(i) Immediately suspend or terminate an active award.

(ii) Debar or suspend an individual, department, or institution from participation in NASA programs for a specified period of time.

(iii) Prohibit participation of an individual as a NASA reviewer, advisor, or consultant for a specified period of time.

(b) In deciding what actions are appropriate when research misconduct is found, NASA officials should consider the seriousness of the misconduct, including, but not limited to:

(i) The degree to which the misconduct was knowing, intentional, or reckless;

(ii) Whether the misconduct was an isolated event or part of a pattern;

(iii) Whether the misconduct had a significant impact on the research record, research subjects, or other researchers, institutions, or the public welfare.

§ 1275.107 Adjudication.

(a) The NASA Adjudication Official must review and evaluate the investigation report and the evidentiary record required to be transmitted pursuant to § 1275.102(d) and (e). The NASA Adjudication Official may initiate further investigations, which may include affording the Respondent another opportunity for comment, before issuing a decision regarding the case. The NASA Adjudication Official may also return the investigation report to the OIG with a request for further fact-finding or analysis.

(b) Based on a preponderance of the evidence, the NASA Adjudication Official shall issue a decision setting forth the Agency's findings as to whether research misconduct has occurred and recommending appropriate administrative actions that may be undertaken by NASA in response to research misconduct determined to have occurred. The NASA Adjudication Official shall render a decision within 30 days after receiving the investigation report and evidentiary record, or after completion of any further proceedings. The NASA Adjudication Official may extend this period of time for good cause.

(c) The decision shall be sent to the Respondent, to the Respondent's institution, and, if appropriate, to the Complainant. If the decision confirms the alleged research misconduct, it must include instructions on how to pursue an appeal to the NASA Appeals Official. The decision shall also be transmitted to the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist and the OIG.

§ 1275.108 Appeals.

(a) The Respondent may appeal the decision of the NASA Adjudication Official by notifying the NASA Appeals Official in writing of the grounds for appeal within 30 days after Respondent's receipt of the decision. If the decision is not appealed within the 30-day period, the decision becomes the final Agency action insofar as the findings are concerned.

(b) The NASA Appeals Official shall inform the Respondent of a final determination within 30 days after receiving the appeal. The NASA Appeals Official may extend this period of time for good cause. The final determination may affirm, overturn, or modify the decision of the NASA Adjudication Official and shall constitute the final Agency action insofar as the findings are concerned. The final determination shall also be transmitted to the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist and the OIG.

(c) Once final Agency action has been taken pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, the recommendations for administrative action shall be sent to the relevant NASA components for further proceedings in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

§ 1300.1 Purpose.

This part is issued by the Office of Management and Budget, (OMB) pursuant to Title I of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, Public Law 107-42, 115 Stat. 230 (“Act”). Specifically, Section 102(c)(2)(B) directs OMB to issue regulations setting forth procedures for application and minimum requirements for the issuance of Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1) of the Act.

§ 1300.2 Definitions.

(a) Act means the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, Public Law 107-42, 115 Stat. 230 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note).

(b) Administer, administering and administration, mean the lender's actions in making, disbursing, servicing (including, but not limited to care, preservation and maintenance of collateral), monitoring, collecting, and liquidating a loan and security.

(c) Agent means that lender authorized to take such actions, exercise such powers, and perform such duties on behalf and in representation of all lenders party to a guarantee of a single loan, as is required by, or necessarily incidental to, the terms and conditions of the guarantee.

(d) Air carrier means an air carrier as defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102.

(e) Applicant means one or more air carriers applying for a Federal credit instrument issued by the Board under the program.

(f) The Board, for purposes of any operational and decisionmaking functions in connection with individual loan guarantees, means the voting members of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board established under Section 102 of the Act. The voting members of the Board are the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (who is the Chairman of the Board), the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Transportation, or their designees. The Comptroller General, who is a nonvoting member, will not participate in the review, operations, or deliberations of the Board in connection with individual loan guarantees, or otherwise participate in the Board's exercise of any executive power, but may provide such audit, evaluation and other support to the Board as the Board may request, consistent with applicable auditing standards.

(g) Borrower means an “Obligor,” as defined in Section 102(a)(4) of the Act, and includes an air carrier that is primarily liable for payment of the principal of and interest on a Federal credit instrument, which party may be a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality.

(h) Federal credit instrument, as defined in Section 107(2) of the Act, means any guarantee or other pledge by the Board issued under the program to pledge the full faith and credit of the United States to pay all or part of any of the principal of and interest on a loan issued by a borrower and funded by a lender.

(i) Financial obligation, as defined in Section 102(a)(2) of the Act, means any note, bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by a borrower in connection with financing under the program.

(j) Guarantee means the written agreement between the Board and one or more lenders, pursuant to which the Federal government guarantees repayment of a specified percentage of the principal of and/or interest on the loan. Unless otherwise specified, guarantee includes any other pledge issued under a Federal credit instrument.

(k) Lender means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer, as defined in Section 102(a)(3) of the Act, that funds a financial obligation subject to a guarantee issued by the Board. With respect to a guarantee of a single loan to which more than one lender is a party, the term lender means agent.

(l) Loan, unless otherwise specified, includes any financial obligation (i.e., note, bond, debenture, or other debt obligation) issued by a borrower.

(m) Loan documents mean the loan agreement and all other instruments, and all documentation between the lender and the borrower evidencing the making, disbursing, securing, collecting, or otherwise administering of the loan. (References to loan documents also include comparable agreements, instruments, and documentation for other financial obligations for which a guarantee is requested or issued.)

(n) Program means the air carrier guarantee loan program established by section 101(a)(1) and the related provisions of Title I of the Act.

(o) Security means all property, real or personal, required by the provisions of the guarantee or by the loan documents to secure repayment of any indebtedness of the borrower under the loan documents or guarantee.

§ 1300.3 Supplementary regulations of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board.

(a) The regulations in this part are supplemented by the regulations of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board in part 1310 of this chapter in accordance with section 102(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

(b) This part and part 1310 of this chapter jointly govern the application procedures and the requirements for issuance of Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1) of the Act.

[67 FR 17258, Apr. 9, 2002]

§ 1300.10 General standards for Board issuance of Federal credit instruments.

(a) In accordance with section 102(c)(1) of the Act, the Board may enter into agreements with one or more borrowers to issue Federal credit instruments only if the Board determines, in its discretion and in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in this part, that—

(1) The borrower is an air carrier for which credit is not reasonably available at the time of the transaction;

(2) The intended obligation by the borrower is prudently incurred; and

(3) Such agreement is a necessary part of maintaining a safe, efficient, and viable commercial aviation system in the United States.

(b) In accordance with section 102(c)(2)(A) of the Act, the Board shall enter into an agreement to issue a Federal credit instrument in such form and on such terms and conditions and subject to such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Board determines are appropriate for satisfying the requirements of this part and any supplemental requirements issued by the Board under section 102(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

(c) In accordance with section 102(d)(1) of the Act, in entering into agreements to issue Federal credit instruments, the Board shall, to the extent feasible and practicable and in accordance with the requirements in this part, ensure that the Federal Government is compensated for the risk assumed in making guarantees.

(d) In accordance with Section 102(d)(2) of the Act, the Board is authorized to enter into contracts under which the Federal Government, contingent on the financial success of the air carrier, would participate in the gains of the air carrier or its security holders through the use of such instruments as warrants, stock options, common or preferred stock, or other appropriate equity instruments, except that the Board shall not accept an equity interest in an air carrier that gives the Federal Government voting rights.

(e) In accordance with Section 104(a) of the Act, the Board may only issue a Federal credit instrument to an air carrier after the air carrier enters into a legally binding agreement with the Board regarding certain employee compensation.

§ 1300.11 Eligible borrower.

(a) An eligible borrower must be an air carrier that can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Board, that:

(1) It has incurred (or is incurring) losses as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, which may include losses due to the unavailability of credit or the decrease in demand for that air carrier's services;

(2) It is not under bankruptcy protection or receivership when the application is submitted or when the Board issues the guarantee, unless the guarantee and the underlying financial obligation is to be part of a bankruptcy court-certified reorganization plan;

(3) It has agreed to permit such audits and reviews prior to the issuance of a guarantee, as the Board may deem appropriate, by an independent auditor acceptable to the Board;

(4) It has agreed to permit such audits and reviews during the period the loan is outstanding and three years after payment in full of the guaranteed loan, as the Board may deem appropriate, by an independent auditor acceptable to the Board or by the Comptroller General;

(5) In conducting audits and reviews pursuant to paragraphs (a) (3) and (4) of this section, it has agreed to provide access to the officers and employees, books, records, accounts, documents, correspondence, and other information of the borrower, its subsidiaries, affiliates, financial advisers, consultants, and independent certified accountants that the Board or the Comptroller General consider necessary.

(b) Status as an eligible borrower under this section does not ensure that the Board will issue the guarantee sought or preclude the Board from declining to issue a guarantee.

§ 1300.12 Eligible lender.

(a) A lender eligible to receive a Federal credit instrument approved by the Board must be a non-Federal qualified institutional buyer as defined in Section 102(a)(3) of the Act.

(b) If more than one institution participates as a lender in a single loan for which a Federal credit instrument is requested, each one of the institutions on the application must meet the requirements to be an eligible lender. An application for a guarantee of a single loan, for which there is more than one lender, must identify one of the institutions to act as agent for all. This agent is responsible for administering the loan and shall have those duties and responsibilities required of an agent, as set forth in the guarantee.

(c) Each lender, irrespective of any indemnities or other agreements between the lenders and the agent, shall be bound by all actions, and/or failures to act, of the agent. The Board shall be entitled to rely upon such actions and/or failures to act of the agent as binding the lenders.

(d) Status as an eligible lender under this section does not assure that the Board will issue the guarantee sought, or otherwise preclude the Board from declining to issue a guarantee.

§ 1300.13 Guarantee amount.

(a) Under Section 101(a)(1) of the Act, the Board is authorized to enter into agreements to issue Federal credit instruments that, in the aggregate, do not exceed $10 billion.

(b) The loan amount guaranteed to a single air carrier may not exceed that amount that, in the Board's sole discretion, the air carrier (or its successor) needs in order for it to provide commercial air services.

§ 1300.14 Guarantee percentage.

A guarantee issued by the Board must be less than 100 percent of the amount of principal and accrued interest of the loan guaranteed.

§ 1300.15 Loan terms.

(a) A loan guaranteed under the program shall be due and payable in full no later than seven years from the date on which the first disbursement of the loan is made.

(b) Loans guaranteed under the program must bear a rate of interest determined by the Board to be reasonable. In determining the reasonableness of an interest rate, the Board shall consider the percentage of the guarantee, any collateral, other loan terms, and current average yields on outstanding obligations of the United States with maturity comparable to the term of the loan guaranteed. The Board may reject an application to guarantee a loan if it determines the interest rate on such loan to be unreasonable.

(c) An eligible lender may assess and collect from the borrower such other fees and costs associated with the application and origination of the loan as are reasonable and customary, taking into consideration the amount and complexity of the credit. The Board may take such other fees and costs into consideration when determining whether to offer a guarantee to the lender.

§ 1300.16 Application process.

(a) Applications are to be submitted by the borrower. Borrowers may submit applications to the Board any time after October 12, 2001 through June 28, 2002. All applications must be received by the Board no later than 5 p.m. EDT, June 28, 2002, in the Board's offices. Borrowers should submit an original application and four copies. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic mail. No application will be accepted for review if it is not received by the Board on or before June 28, 2002.

(b) Applications shall contain the following:

(1) A completed Form “Application for Air Carrier Guaranteed Loan';

(2) All loan documents that will be signed by the lender and the borrower, if the application is approved, including all terms and conditions of, and security or additional security (if any), to assure the borrower's performance under, the loan;

(3) A certification by the borrower that the borrower meets each of the requirements of the program as set forth in the Act, the regulations in this part, and any supplemental requirements issued by the Board;

(4) A certification by the lender that the lender meets each of the requirements of the program as set forth in the Act, the regulations in this part, and any supplemental requirements issued by the Board, and that the lender will provide the loan under the terms outlined in the loan documents if the Board approves the requested guarantee;

(5) A statement that the borrower is not under bankruptcy protection or receivership when the application is submitted, unless the guarantee and the underlying financial obligation is to be part of a bankruptcy court-certified reorganization plan;

(6) Consolidated financial statements of the borrower for the previous five years that have been audited by an independent certified public accountant, including any associated notes, as well as any interim financial statements and associated notes for the current fiscal year;

(7) Copies of the financial evaluations and forecasts concerning the air carrier's air service operations that were prepared by or for the air carrier within the three months prior to September 11, 2001;

(8) The borrower's business plan on which the loan is based that includes the following:

(i) A description of how the loan fits within the borrower's business plan, the purposes for which the borrower will use the loan, and an analysis showing that the loan is prudently incurred. If loan funds are to be used to purchase an existing firm (or the substantial assets of an existing firm), the business plan of the combined entity shall contain a discussion of the way in which any required regulatory or judicial approvals will be obtained, including antitrust approval for any proposed acquisition;

(ii) A discussion of a complete cost accounting and a range of revenue, operating cost, and credit assumptions;

(iii) A discussion of the financing plan on which the loan is based, showing that the operational needs of the borrower will be met during the term of the plan;

(iv) An analysis demonstrating that, at the time of the application, there is a reasonable assurance that the borrower will be able to repay the loan according to its terms, and a complete description of the operational and financial assumptions on which this demonstration is based;

(v) A discussion of the borrower's five-year history and five-year projection for revenue, cash flow, average realized prices, and average realized operating costs and a demonstration that the borrower will be able to continue operations if the requested guarantee is approved; and

(vi) If appropriate, a description of a plan to restructure the borrower's obligations, contracts, and costs. In preparing this description, the borrower shall jointly develop, with its existing secured and unsecured creditors, employees, or vendors, an agreed-upon plan to restructure the borrower's obligations, contracts and costs and incorporate this into the business plan submitted;

(9) A description of the losses that the borrower incurred (or is incurring) as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, including losses due to the unavailability of credit on reasonable terms or a decrease in demand for the air carrier's services;

(10) An analysis that demonstrates that the issuance of the guaranteed loan is a necessary part of maintaining a safe, efficient, and viable commercial aviation system in the United States and that credit is not reasonably available at the time of the transaction;

(11) A description of all security (if any) for the loan, including, as applicable, current appraisals of real and personal property, copies of any appropriate environmental site assessments, and current personal and corporate financial statements of any guarantors for the same period as required for the borrower. Appraisals of real property shall be prepared by State licensed or certified appraisers, and be consistent with the “Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice,” promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. Financial statements of guarantors shall be prepared by independent certified public accountants;

(12) If appropriate, a description of the Federal government's ability to participate, contingent on the financial success of the borrower, in the gains of the borrower or its security holders through the use of such instruments as warrants, stock options, common or preferred stock, or other appropriate equity instruments; and

(13) Any other information requested by the Board.

(c) The collections of information in this section and elsewhere in this part that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) have been approved by OMB and assigned control number 0348-0059. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

§ 1300.17 Application evaluation.

(a) Eligibility screening. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the lender and borrower are eligible, the information required under § 1300.16(b) is complete, and the proposed loan complies with applicable statutes and regulations. The Board may at any time reject an application that does not meet these requirements.

(b) Evaluation criteria. Applications that are determined to be eligible pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to a substantive review by the Board. In addition to the general standards for Board issuance of Federal credit instruments set forth in § 1300.10, the Board shall consider the following evaluation factors:

(1) Reasonable assurance that the borrower will be able to repay the loan by the date specified in the loan document, which shall be no later than seven years from the date on which the first disbursement of the loan is made;

(2) The adequacy of the proposed provisions to protect the Federal Government, including sufficiency of any security provided by the borrower and the percentage of guarantee requested;

(3) The ability of the lender to administer the loan in full compliance with the requisite standard of care. In making this determination, the Board will assess:

(i) The lender's level of regulatory capital, in the case of banking institutions, or net worth, in the case of other institutions;

(ii) Whether the lender possesses the ability to administer the loan, including its experience with loans to air carriers; and

(iii) Any other matter the Board deems material to its assessment of the lender; and

(4) The ability of the borrower to demonstrate, to the Board's satisfaction, one or more of the following criteria. The Board shall give preference to applications that satisfy one or more of these criteria, giving greater preference to those applications that meet the greatest number of these criteria, as follows:

(i) A demonstration that the air carrier has presented a plan demonstrating that its business plan is financially sound;

(ii) A demonstration of greater participation in the loan by non-Federal entities;

(iii) A demonstration of greater participation in the loan by private entities, as opposed to public non-Federal entities;

(iv) A demonstration that the proposed instruments would ensure that the Federal Government will, contingent on the financial success of the air carrier, participate in the gains of the air carrier and its security holders;

(v) A demonstration of concessions by the air carrier's security holders, other creditors, or employees that will improve the financial condition of the air carrier in a manner that will enable it to repay the loan in accordance with its terms and provide commercial air services on a financially sound basis after repayment;

(vi) A demonstration that guaranteed loan proceeds will be used for a purpose other than the payment or refinancing of existing debt;

(vii) A demonstration that the proposed instruments contain financial structures that minimize the Federal government's risk and cost associated with making loan guarantees. Examples include, but are not limited to, requests for guarantees that contain the following:

(A) A maturity period that is less than the maximum permitted under the rules in this part;

(B) Pledges of collateral;

(C) Agreements by the borrower's parent or other entities to reimburse the Federal government for any payments that the Federal government may make under the guarantee;

(D) A grant to the Federal government of favorable priority in the event of bankruptcy reflecting other creditors' agreement to subordinate their debts as a condition of the loan guarantee;

(E) Limitation of the borrower's issuance of dividends and/or the borrower's payments to its parent or subsidiaries or related companies;

(F) Limitation of the borrower's ability to incur additional debt, and/or the borrower's ability to incur capital expenditures, beyond that set forth in the business and financial plans that the Borrower submitted with the application;

(G) A demonstration of reasonable liquidity;

(H) A demonstration of favorable debt ratios; and

(I) A demonstration that any proceeds raised from private sector financing subsequent to disbursement of the federally guaranteed loan be used to repay the federally guaranteed loan.

(c) No guarantee will be made if either the borrower or lender has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt, including tax liabilities, until:

(1) The delinquent debt has been paid in full;

(2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established; or

(3) Other arrangements, satisfactory to the agency responsible for collecting the debt are made.

(d) Decisions by the Board. The Board shall approve or deny applications received on or before June 28, 2002, in a timely manner as such applications are received. The Board may limit the amount of a loan guarantee made to initial applicants to ensure that sufficient funds remain available for subsequent applicants. The Board shall notify the borrower in writing of the approval or denial of an application. Approvals for loan guarantees shall be conditioned upon compliance with § 1300.18.

§ 1300.18 Issuance of the guarantee.

(a) The Board's decisions to approve any application for a guarantee under § 1300.17 is conditioned upon:

(1) The lender and borrower obtaining any required regulatory or judicial approvals;

(2) Evidence showing, to the Board's satisfaction, that the lender and borrower are legally authorized to enter into the loan under the terms and conditions submitted to the Board in the application;

(3) The Board's receipt of the loan documents and any related instruments, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, and the guarantee, all properly executed by the lender, borrower, and any other required party other than the Board; and

(4) No material adverse change in the borrower's ability to repay the loan or any of the representations and warranties made in the application between the date of the Board's approval and the date the guarantee is to be issued.

(b) The Board may withdraw its approval of an application and rescind its offer of guarantee if the Board determines that the lender or the borrower cannot, or is unwilling to, provide adequate documentation and proof of compliance with paragraph (a) of this section within the time provided for in the offer.

(c) Only after receipt of all the documentation required by this section, will the Board sign and deliver the guarantee.

(d) A borrower receiving a loan guaranteed by the Board under this program shall pay an annual fee, in an amount and payable as determined by the Board. At the time that the guarantee is issued, the Board shall ensure that this annual fee will escalate for each year that the loan is outstanding and that such annual escalation reflects the borrower's potential ability to obtain credit in the private credit markets, in addition to any other factors the Board may deem appropriate.

§ 1300.19 Assignment or transfer of loans.

Neither the loan documents nor the guarantee of the Board, or any interest therein, may be modified, assigned, conveyed, sold or otherwise transferred by the lender, in whole or in part, without the prior written approval of the Board.

§ 1300.20 Lender responsibilities.

The lender shall have such obligations and duties to the Board as are set forth in the guarantee.

§ 1300.21 Guarantee.

The Board shall adopt a form of guarantee to be used by the Board under the program. Modifications to the provisions of the form of guarantee must be approved and adopted by the Board.

§ 1300.22 Termination of obligations.

The Board shall have such rights to terminate the guarantee as are set forth in the guarantee.

§ 1300.23 Participation in guaranteed loans.

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this section, a lender may distribute the risk of a portion of a loan guaranteed under the program by sale of participations therein if:

(1) Neither the loan note nor the guarantee is assigned, conveyed, sold, or transferred in whole or in part;

(2) The lender remains solely responsible for the administration of the loan; and

(3) The Board's ability to assert any and all defenses available to it under the guarantee and the law is not adversely affected.

(b) The following categories of entities may purchase participations in loans guaranteed under the program:

(1) Eligible lenders;

(2) Private investment funds and insurance companies that do not usually invest in commercial loans;

(3) Air Carrier company suppliers or customers, who are interested in participating as a means of commencing or solidifying the supplier or customer relationship with the borrower; or

(4) Any other entity approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

§ 1310.1 Purpose and scope.

This part is issued by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board pursuant to Section 102(c)(2)(B) of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, Public Law 107-42, 115 Stat. 230 (Act). This part describes the Board's authorities, organizational structure, the rules by which the Board takes actions, and procedures for public access to Board records.

§ 1310.2 Composition of the Board.

The Board consists of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the designee of the Chairman, who acts as Chairman of the Board, the Secretary of the Treasury or the designee of the Secretary, the Secretary of Transportation or the designee of the Secretary, and the Comptroller General of the United States or the designee of the Comptroller General, who serves as a nonvoting member. The Comptroller General of the United States or the designee of the Comptroller General, who serves as a nonvoting member, shall not be involved in any of the Board's discussions or deliberations in connection with individual loan guarantee applications.

§ 1310.3 Authority of the Board.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the Board is authorized to guarantee loans provided to airlines by eligible lenders in accordance with the procedures, rules, and regulations established by the Board, to make the determinations authorized by the Act, and to take such other actions as necessary to carry out its functions specified in the Act.

§ 1310.4 Offices.

The principal offices of the Board are at 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Suite 970, Washington, DC 20005.

§ 1310.5 Meetings and actions of the Board.

(a) Place and frequency. The Board meets, on the call of the Chairman, in order to consider matters requiring action by the Board. The time and place for any such meeting shall be determined by the members of the Board.

(b) Quorum and voting. Two voting members of the Board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All decisions and determinations of the Board shall be made by a majority vote of the voting members. All votes on determinations of the Board required by the Act shall be recorded in the minutes. A Board member may request that any vote be recorded according to individual Board members.

(c) Agenda of meetings. As a general rule, an agenda for each meeting shall be distributed to members of the Board at least 48 hours in advance of the date of the meeting, together with copies of materials relevant to the agenda items.

(d) Minutes. The Chief Administrative Officer shall keep minutes of each Board meeting and of action taken without a meeting, a draft of which is to be distributed to each member of the Board as soon as practicable after each meeting or action. To the extent practicable, the minutes of a Board meeting shall be corrected and approved at the next meeting of the Board.

(e) Use of conference call communications equipment. Any member may participate in a meeting of the Board through the use of conference call, telephone or similar communications equipment, by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously speak to and hear each other. Any member so participating in a meeting shall be deemed present for all purposes, except that the Comptroller General of the United States or the designee of the Comptroller General, who serves as a nonvoting member, shall not participate in any of the Board's discussions or deliberations in connection with individual loan guarantee applications. Actions taken by the Board at meetings conducted through the use of such equipment, including the votes of each member, shall be recorded in the usual manner in the minutes of the meetings of the Board.

(f) Actions between meetings. When, in the judgment of the Chairman, it is desirable for the Board to consider action without holding a meeting, the relevant information and recommendations for action may be transmitted to the members by the Chief Administrative Officer and the voting members may communicate their votes to the Chairman in writing (including an action signed in counterpart by each Board member), electronically, or orally (including telephone communication). Any action taken under this paragraph has the same effect as an action taken at a meeting. Any such action shall be recorded in the minutes. If a voting member believes the matter should be considered at a meeting, the member may so notify the Chief Administrative Officer and the matter will be scheduled for consideration at a meeting.

(g) Delegations of authority. The Board may delegate authority, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate, to the Executive Director, the Legal Counsel, or the Chief Administrative Officer, to take certain actions not required by the Act to be taken by the Board. All delegations shall be made pursuant to resolutions of the Board and recorded in writing, whether in the minutes of a meeting or otherwise. Any action taken pursuant to delegated authority has the effect of an action taken by the Board.

§ 1310.6 Staff.

(a) Executive Director. The Executive Director advises and assists the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Act, provides general direction with respect to the administration of the Board's actions, directs the activities of the staff, and performs such other duties as the Board may require.

(b) Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel provides legal advice relating to the responsibilities of the Board and performs such other duties as the Executive Director may require.

(c) Chief Administrative Officer. The Chief Administrative Officer sends notice of all meetings, prepares minutes of all meetings, maintains a complete record of all votes and actions taken by the Board, has custody of all records of the Board and performs such other duties as the Executive Director may require.

§ 1310.7 Communications with the Board.

Communications with the Board shall be conducted through the staff of the Board.

§ 1310.8 Freedom of Information Act.

While the Board is not part of the Department of the Treasury, the Board follows the regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury at subpart A (“Freedom of Information Act”) of part 1 (“Disclosure of Records”) of title 31 (“Money and Finance: Treasury”) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The procedures of 31 CFR 1.1 through 1.7 shall be followed for requesting access to records maintained by the Board, and processing such requests. Any reference in 31 CFR 1.1 through 1.7 to the “Department of the Treasury,” the “Department” or to a “bureau,” shall be construed to refer to the Board. In the event that the regulations at subpart A of part 1 of title 31 of the CFR subsequently are amended by the Department of the Treasury, the Board will follow those amended regulations. The following additional information is provided to implement 31 CFR 1.1 through 1.7 with respect to the Board.

(a) Public reading room. The public reading room for the Board is the Treasury Department Library. The Library is located in the Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202-622-0990.

(b) Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Board will be made by the Chief Administrative Officer or the designate of such official. Requests for records should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Request, Air Transportation Stabilization Board, Assistant Director, Disclosure Services, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

(c) Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. (1) Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Board will be made by the Executive Director, or the delegate of such official.

(2) Appellate determinations with respect to requests for expedited processing shall be made by the Executive Director or the delegate of such official.

(3) Appeals should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Air Transportation Stabilization Board, Assistant Director, Disclosure Services, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

(d) Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Legal Counsel of the Board or the delegate of such official and shall be delivered to the following location: Legal Counsel, Air Transportation Stabilization Board, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Suite 970, Washington, DC 20005.

§ 1310.9 Restrictions on lobbying.

(a) While the Board is not part of the Department of the Treasury, the regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury at part 21 (“New Restrictions on Lobbying”) of title 31 (“Money and Finance: Treasury”) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), including the appendices thereto, are applicable in connection with any of the following covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. The regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury at 31 CFR part 21 also are applicable to a request for, or receipt of, any Federal contract, grant, loan or cooperative agreement; and to a request for, or receipt of, a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan. These terms are defined in 31 CFR 21.105.

(b) In the event that the regulations at part 21 of title 31 of the CFR subsequently are amended by the Department of the Treasury, the Board will follow those amended regulations.

§ 1310.10 Governmentwide debarment and suspension.

While the Board is not part of the Department of the Treasury, the regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury at subpart A (“General”), subpart B (“Effect of Action”), subpart C (“Debarment”), subpart D (“Suspension”), and subpart E (“Responsibilities of GSA, Agency and Participants”) of part 19 (“Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements For Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)”) of title 31 (“Money and Finance: Treasury”) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are applicable to the Board. Any reference in 31 CFR part 19 to the “Department of the Treasury” or the “Department” shall be construed to refer to the Board. In the event that the regulations at subpart A, B, C, D or E of part 19 of title 31 of the CFR subsequently are amended by the Department of the Treasury, the Board will follow those amended regulations.

§ 1310.11 Regulations of the Office of Management and Budget.

(a) The regulations in this part supplement the regulations of the Office of Management and Budget in part 1300 of this chapter in accordance with section 102(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

(b) This part and part 1300 of this chapter jointly govern the application procedures and the requirements for issuance of Federal credit instruments under section 101(a)(1) of the Act.

§ 1310.15 Amendment or Waiver of a term or condition of a guaranteed loan.

The Board may, in its discretion, charge the borrower a fee, in an amount and payable as determined by the Board, for each amendment to, or waiver of, any term or condition of any guaranteed loan document or related instrument approved by the Board.

[70 FR 10037, Mar. 2, 2005]

§ 1310.20 Amendments.

The procedures in this part may be adopted or amended, or new procedures may be adopted, only by majority vote of the Board. Authority to adopt or amend these procedures may not be delegated.