Canceled by PIC 03-06
02-07
Procurement Information Circular
March 22, 2002
NASA
UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED RESEARCH CENTERS (NUARCs)
PURPOSE:
To provide
guidance on acquisition planning considerations to be addressed in establishing
NASA University Affiliated Research Centers (NUARCs), and establish a dollar
threshold for NUARCs subject to the Master Buy Plan.
BACKGROUND: NASA has a rich history of working with the
university community under a variety of contractual arrangements and assistance
programs (grants, cooperative agreements). These arrangements have included
Science and Research Institutes (NPG 5000.1), the National Technology Transfer
Center, and many others.
NASA is committed to fostering greater
involvement with the academic community and developing partnerships or strategic
relationships with academia that go beyond that envisioned by institutes and
other arrangements mentioned above. It
is expected that these partnerships (referred to as NASA University Affiliated
Research Centers - NUARCs) will focus on areas traditionally considered core
research, science, engineering, and/or other technical functions performed by
NASA to support its long-term mission objectives. Fostering these relationships requires
innovative integration and collaboration between NASA and academia and where
appropriate, the industrial community.
The NUARC concept may take a variety of forms and structures depending
on the scope and mission areas to be included. However, they are distinguished
from prior programs with academia in that they will include performance of core
competency areas historically performed by NASA. Further, NASA, rather than the university, shall provide the
central focus for the science and research programs conducted at the NUARC. It is expected that the synergy of the
partnership relationship that is the foundation of the NUARC concept will
result in many benefits, including improved collaboration between NASA and
academic institutions, enhanced research and technology development capability
for NASA mission needs, and enhanced retention of human capital knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
A NUARC will be distinguished by the
following characteristics:
(a) Performance of a long-term, core scientific,
engineering, or other technical NASA mission objectives.
(b)
A period of performance of 10 years that should normally be structured as a
5-year base period with appropriate option periods.
(c)
Established through a competitive process.
(d)
The lead entity shall be a domestic academic institution (preferably a single,
degree granting university). Use of
other entities (partnerships, consortiums, etc.) shall be justified in the
acquisition plan.
(e) The purpose and mission must be clearly
defined and stated in writing, with clearly delineated benefits.
(f) The business arrangement (instrument) will most appropriately be in
the form of a contract although other instruments may be appropriate if
properly justified.
(g) The instrument shall be structured to provide
for periodic independent reviews. Prior
to exercising an option, an independent review is mandatory.
(h) The instrument shall be structured to provide
appropriate mechanisms to reduce the period of performance in the event that
the need for the function no longer exists as a result of budgetary changes,
and/or changes in mission requirements, or to dissolve the relationship for
failure to achieve or maintain acceptable performance levels.
GUIDANCE: The formation of this type of
strategic partnership represents a significant and long-term commitment on the
part of the Agency. In accordance with
NFS 1807.7101(c)(4), the Master Buy Plan applies to the establishment of a
NUARC when the contemplated total contract value is expected to exceed $5
million. This does not fulfill the NFS 1807.7101(b) requirement unless it is
one of the three largest acquisitions at the installation.
In addition to the written acquisition plan
contents identified in FAR 7.105 and NFS 1807.105, the following areas must be
addressed when applicable:
(a) Location – Where the activity will
be performed (on-site, near site, university campus, etc.). Ownership, funding,
outfitting, and maintenance and operation must also be discussed.
(b) Staffing – If civil servants will
be displaced, provide a transition plan.
This plan should address retention goals and handling of displaced civil
servants. Areas to emphasize are post
employment restrictions, retirement and benefits portability, salary disparity,
retraining of displaced employees and statutory constraints (if applicable).
(c) Management Plan – Provide the
proposed NASA management structure and identify the roles and responsibilities
of the NASA workforce and the contractor workforce.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This PIC is effective as dated and shall
remain in effect until canceled or superseded.
HEADQUARTERS CONTACT: Ron Lentz, Code HK, (202) 358-1064, email:
rlentz@hq.nasa.gov.
Tom Luedtke
Assistant Administrator for Procurement