CHARTER OF THE
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCIALIZATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OF THE
NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL

ESTABLISHMENT AND AUTHORITY

The NASA Administrator, having determined that it is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Agency by law and with the concurrence of the General Services Administration, established and hereby renews the NASA Technology and Commercialization Advisory Committee (the “Committee”) of the NASA Advisory Council (the “Council”), pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 1 et seq., and guidance from the Office of Policy and Plans.

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

1. The Committee will advise the NASA Administrator through the NASA Advisory Council on Agency programs, policies, plans, and other matters pertinent to the Agency’s responsibilities for technology and commercialization. Its advice spans space access, space technology, and commercial development policy, goals, and plans for dual purpose, civil space, and commercial program objectives Agencywide technology investment strategies, integrated technology planning, advanced concepts, technology commercialization, relationships with industry, academia and other Government agencies with regard to technology, maintenance of core competencies, and integration of small business programs into technology activities.

2. The Committee will draw on the expertise of its members and other sources to provide advice and make recommendations to the Council. The Committee will hold meetings and make site visits necessary to meet its responsibilities. The Committee will review reports and recommendations of its subcommittees, panels, and/or task forces and include them if adopted and appropriate in its reports to the NASA Advisory Council.

3. The Committee shall function solely as an advisory body and will comply fully with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

SUBCOMMITTEES, TASK FORCES, AND PANELS

1. Subject to the approval of the Associate Deputy Administrator, the Committee is authorized to establish subcommittees for particular areas of technology and commercialization. The subcommittees will be established under Terms of Reference that are approved by the Associate Deputy Administrator. Subcommittees report their proposed findings and recommendations only to the full Committee for its consideration. Subcommittee durations will be 2 years, renewable subject to the review of the Chair and Associate Administrator.

2. Subject to the approval of the Associate Deputy Administrator, the Committee is authorized to establish temporary task forces for special studies. The task forces of the Committee will be established under Terms of Reference that are approved by the Associate Deputy Administrator. Task forces provide their reports only to the full Committee for its consideration. Task force durations will be specified in their Terms of Reference which are not renewable.

3. Members of the Committee may organize themselves into panels of particular areas of technology and commercialization.

MEMBERSHIP

1. The Committee will consist of 20 to 30 members to ensure a balanced representation among industry, academia, and Government with recognized knowledge and expertise in technological, business, and programmatic fields relevant to technology and commercialization. Each of the committees that are directly associated with the NASA Strategic Enterprises will provide up to three technology experts selected from their membership or associate membership.

2. The Chair will be appointed by the Administrator. Members and associate members will be appointed by the Chief Technologist with written concurrence of the Associate Deputy Administrator for members.

3. The Chair will be a member of the NASA Advisory Council.

4. Chairs of subcommittees and task forces are members of the Committee; members of the subcommittees and task forces are associate members of the Committee and participate only in the work of the subcommittee or task force to which they have been appointed by the Chief Technologist.

5. Members will be appointed for 2-year terms. At the discretion of the Chief Technologist, members may be reappointed for a second 2-year term.

6. Members will be appointed as Special Government Employees and be subject to standards of ethical conduct for Special Government Employees of the Executive Branch.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

1. The Committee will report to the NASA Advisory Council. Preliminary reports may be made to the Chief Technologist. NASA responses to the Committee’s recommendations that the Council forwarded to the Administrator will be made by the Administrator to the Council, including the Committee Chair.

2. The Committee will usually meet four times a year. Meetings will be open to the public except when the General Counsel and Advisory Committee Management Officer determine that the meeting or a portion of the meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act or that the meeting is not covered by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Meetings of subcommittees, task forces, and panels will be held as required.

3. The Executive Secretary will be appointed by the Chief Technologist and will serve as the Designated Federal Official.

4. The Office of the Chief Technologist will provide staff support for the Committee. The estimated annual operating cost totals approximately $180,000, including 0.5 workyears for staff support.

5. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for their services but will, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.

DURATION

The Committee shall terminate 2 years from the date of this charter unless earlier terminated or renewed by proper authority by appropriate action.