Search Results for agency_names:"National Aeronautics and Space Administration"

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA are seeking public feedback on extending certain requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), specifically part 9. This relates to the collection of information needed for determining whether companies are eligible for government contracts, including issues of debarment, tax violations, and corporate responsibility. The Office of Management and Budget has approved this information collection until April 30, 2025, and the agencies propose extending it for another three years. The goal is to improve the quality and reduce the burden of this information collection process.

The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA have proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to improve small business participation in multiple-award contracts. This proposal aims to expand the use of small business set-asides, promote more coordination with small business specialists during planning, and increase opportunities for small businesses to win government contracts. It introduces stricter documentation and coordination requirements for agencies, especially when opting not to set aside projects for small businesses, and discusses using tools like "on-ramps" to include more small businesses in long-term contracts. These changes are intended to boost competition and economic strength by involving more small businesses in government contracts.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA are seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend a requirement for subcontracting plans as part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. These plans ensure that large contracts provide opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women, or disadvantaged groups. Contractors must report their subcontracting activities annually in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System. Despite public comment suggesting that the requirement is burdensome, it remains necessary under current law.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA are asking the public to comment on continuing the requirement for subcontracting plans. This involves providing feedback on whether the collection of information is needed for government functions and how it can be improved. The proposal asks for extending the approval for collecting this information until after the current expiration date. Comments are due by February 4, 2025, and can be submitted through the provided government website.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is renewing its request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue collecting information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This involves the NASA New Technology Reporting System, which requires contractors involved in research and development to report inventions, patents, data, and copyrights. The information is collected through an electronic system, and the burden on respondents is estimated in terms of hours and cost. NASA encourages public comments on the necessity, utility, and burden of this information collection.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have issued a final rule that updates the Federal Acquisition Regulation to comply with a section of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018. This rule mandates that domestic air carriers contracting with the federal government to provide passenger air transportation must submit annual reports with details on training employees to recognize human trafficking, notifications received about potential human trafficking instances, and any actions taken in response. The new requirement applies to commercial services contracts but excludes contracts for commercial products and those awarded by the Department of Defense. The regulation aims to support the fight against human trafficking by ensuring air carriers are vigilant and report suspicious activities.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a notice seeking public comments on an information collection related to COVID-19 contact tracing. As part of its efforts to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, NASA plans to use a digital system on Salesforce to collect voluntary data from employees about possible exposure to the virus. This information will help identify potential points of contact within the NASA community, with the goal of reducing virus spread. NASA encourages participation, though it is voluntary, and invites comments on the necessity, efficiency, and burden of the information collection process.

The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA have introduced a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to incorporate regulatory changes by the Small Business Administration. This rule provides incentives for small businesses in certain U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, under the SBA mentor-protégé program. It allows mentors to gain positive consideration in past performance evaluations if they subcontract with protégés from these areas and counts training costs toward subcontracting plan goals. The rule also clarifies that subcontracting plans are not required for entities treated as small business concerns by statute, such as Alaska Native Corporations.

The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have issued a notice requesting public comments on extending a process related to travel costs. They want feedback on the necessity and practical use of information collected for government acquisitions. This proposed extension aims to ease the information collection and ensure it does not burden respondents. To participate, the public can submit comments by May 12, 2025, via the website https://www.regulations.gov.

The Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA have sent a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend an approved information collection related to certain Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 4 requirements. This involves contractors providing information such as taxpayer IDs, unique entity identifiers, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) codes, which help with government data reporting and contract management. The information is used to maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with contracting laws. Public comments on this request are open until April 14, 2025.