Appendix A SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR THE SPACE PHYSICS NEW MISSION CONCEPTS PROGRAM 1. Introduction The space physics program of the NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) seeks to understand the mechanisms of solar variability and to elucidate the processes linking the Sun, the heliosphere, the magnetospheres of the solid body constituents of the Solar System, and the Earth's uppermost atmosphere, which is a series of subdisciplines now embodied by the Sun-Earth-Heliosphere Connections theme within OSS. The purpose of the New Mission Concepts Program is the development of innovative mission concepts that promise breakthrough advances in the study of these subdisciplines and their interdisciplinary connections. Missions of exploration and discovery are especially desirable, as are those that propose the development and/or use of new technologies that allow miniaturization, cost reduction, and/or light weighting compared to the current state of the art. Low cost missions are particularly important in these times of fiscal stringency. Thus, proposals for concepts with systems and management approaches that help reduce the cost of compelling science missions are encouraged. The subdisciplines of space physics are defined as: Cosmic and heliospheric physics, which covers the origin, acceleration, and transport of the solar wind and energetic particles outward from the Sun to form the heliosphere, the galactic cosmic rays and neutral particles that stream into the heliosphere from the cosmos, and the coordinated study of the three-dimensional composition, structure, and physical processes that occur in the heliosphere and across the heliopause; Solar physics that has as its focus both steady state and transient structures, as well as the astrophysical processes of the Sun as a typical, middle aged dwarf star, and the role of the Sun as the dominant source of time-varying electromagnetic energy, magnetized plasma, and energetic particles that stream outward through the solar system; Magnetospheric physics, whose topical focuses are the interactions between the solar wind and the magnetized bodies of the solar system to form the magnetospheres of the Earth, other planets, comets, and asteroids; magnetospheric plasma dynamics and energy transfer processes including boundary layer effects; and magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions (especially of the Earth); and Ionospheric, thermosphere, and mesosphere physics that seek to understand the physical mechanisms of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, the ionosphere, and aurorae of the Earth's aerospace environment, including the dynamics and coupling of these phenomena inward to the lower terrestrial atmosphere as well as outward to the surrounding magnetosphere and heliosphere. The emphasis in all of these disciplines is the study of naturally occurring processes in the space environment and/or the study of man-made ("active") perturbations that simulate and elucidate in situ plasma processes. The study of artificially generated phenomena under conditions of zero-gravity and/or in vacuum made possible simply through access to space is not within the purview of NASA's space physics program as here defined. Although proposals for mission concepts involving suborbital launch capabilities are allowable within this NRA, it should be noted that a single sounding rocket or balloon payload, even if proposed to be flown several times, is generally not the type of mission concept sought. [Previously proposed, low cost suborbital missions in space physics that would satisfy the objectives of this NRA are, for example, the GOAL (Galactic Origin and the Acceleration Limit) and the MSV-0 (Mechanisms of Solar Variability) programs. The objective of GOAL is to use a series of long duration balloon flights to study elemental composition at high energies (1013 to >1015 eV) to provide a critical test of the origin and the acceleration mechanism of galactic cosmic rays, whereas MSV-0 uses a series of sounding rocket and balloon flights to study the physics of solar variability.] 2. Background Ideas for new mission concepts for NASA space physics programs have traditionally emerged from the community of researchers through both ad hoc and standing working groups that meet with NASA's program scientists, as well as by individual scientists acting on their own volition. This process has led to forty years of successful missions that have advanced the knowledge of the space physics disciplines to their respective states of current maturity. As a variation to this approach, NASA now wishes to provide to the widest possible audience an opportunity for funded studies of the largest possible range of new missions in space physics that can be executed through the next decade and that promise dramatic scientific advances. Some concepts for future missions may build upon accomplishments and/or require use of missions in the ongoing, approved space physics program. At the present time, the long-term missions either in operation or approved for development are Yohkoh and Geotail (both joint with Japan); Ulysses, Cluster, and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), which are all joint with the European Space Agency; IMP-8; Wind and Polar; Equator-S (joint with Germany); Solar Anomalous and Magnetosphere Particle Explorer (SAMPEX); Fast Auroral Sampling Explorer (FAST); Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE); Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE); Voyagers 1 and 2; and Pioneer 10. It is anticipated that flight operations for most if not all of these missions will be concluded in the early part of the next decade, although for a few special cases extended, minimum cost operations for specific scientific objectives may continue. In addition to these orbiting missions, a wide variety of suborbital rocket and balloon payloads are also being supported. Detailed information on all these programs may be obtained from the discipline scientists listed in Section 5 in this Appendix. In addition to the above missions in the ongoing flight program, the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission is in a Phase B study, currently pending budget approval for development and flight. Therefore, mission concepts for similar science objectives are not solicited through this NRA. Another mission, called Solar Probe, is also currently receiving limited support for definition and instrument studies. Its proposed perihelion of four solar radii would enable in situ study of the origin of the solar wind and ultra high resolution optical observations of the Sun. This mission is currently being studied in collaboration with the Russian Space Agency as a joint mission (FIRE) as well as a smaller NASA-only mission, and NRA 95-OSS-15 for advanced instrument concepts for a Near-Sun Flyby Mission was released October 3, 1995. However, since this mission is not currently a candidate for immediate development, proposals through this NRA for innovative near-Sun missions are welcome. Finally, this NRA does not solicit proposals for mission concepts that seek to duplicate any of the five space physics proposals recently selected for Step Two proposals in accord with
3. Proposal Preparation and Submission 3.1 General Provisions
Although the content and format of proposals may vary to some degree, it is in the spirit of this program that they at least contain the following elements:
Proposers may propose investigations requiring periods of
performance up to two years, although NASA can provide awards
for only one year at a time. In the case of a multiyear
proposal, the scope of the proposed research must justify such
funding. NASA reserves the right to request a revised proposal
with restricted objectives appropriate for a reduced period of
performance and/or reduced budget, as well as to negotiate
funding for multiyear awards as a condition for their renewal.
Continued funding is subject to the availability of funds and
demonstration of satisfactory progress as shown by a brief
annual report.
The maximum size for awards is about $100K per year for up to
two years. It is anticipated that about 15 awards will be made.
Proposals for fabrication of a flight-qualified instrument are
not allowed through this NRA. However, limited laboratory
("breadboard") development and/or testing of critical new
technologies for an experiment may be proposed provided such
development is fundamentally important to the completion of a
proposed mission concept study.
Owing to the current importance that NASA is placing on
education outreach, all proposers are encouraged to submit
proposals for a Space Physics Education Outreach (SPEO)
supplement; see the final section of this Appendix. Note that
proposals for such supplements may be submitted up to 30 days
after the due date for the main research proposal as given
below.
3.2 Notice of Intent to Propose
Advance knowledge of the proposals likely to be submitted is
needed in order to plan for a timely and efficient peer review.
Therefore, a nonbinding Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose
following the format given on page C-2, Appendix C, is to be
submitted according to the schedule and to the address given in
the NRA cover letter to this Appendix.
3.3 Specific Proposal Preparation Information
All proposals submitted in response to this NRA should be
prepared following the provisions of Appendix B, as amended by
the following exceptions:
Replace paragraph (¶) b. of Section 7, entitled "Transmittal
Letter or Prefatory Material," in its entirety as follows:
"b. Transmittal Letter or Prefatory Material
"In addition to any transmittal letter that the sponsoring
institution may wish to send, the first pages of each copy of
the proposal shall consist of summary sheets using the Proposal
Prefatory Material in Appendix C of this NRA as follows:
-Research Proposal Cover Sheet p. C-3
-Research Proposal Summary p. C-4
-Research Proposal Budget Summary p. C-5
-Research Proposal Personnel Summary p. C-7
-Investigator's Current and Pending Research Support p. C-8.
"Pursuant to Federal legislation, proposals from non-Government
institutions must be accompanied by properly executed
certifications for Debarment and Suspension, Drug Free
Workplace, and Lobbying (forms are enclosed in Appendix C as
pages C-9, C-10, and C-11, respectively). These certifications
need only be submitted with the original, signed copy of the
proposal."
Replace Section 9 of Appendix B, entitled "LENGTH," in its
entirety as follows:
"Proposals should be as brief as possible, containing only
substantive material essential for complete exposition of the
proposed project. Proposals are limited to 15 pages exclusive
of the required prefatory pages, an optional table of contents,
a list of references as cited in the text, and an optional one
page curriculum vitae and bibliography (relevant to the
proposal) for the PI and each Co-I. Each side of a sheet
containing text or figures is considered a page. Text is
limited to 55 lines per page using a font having no more than
~14 characters per inch. For U.S. proposals, the full
institutional budget in its chosen format must be included as an
appendix. Proposals must use metric units. Do not send
reprints or preprints of articles nor anything in electronic
recorded format. To facilitate recycling, proposals should be
on white paper with minimal color or photographic inserts,
printed double-sided if possible, and bound in an easily
disassembled way."
All proposals submitted by U.S. institutions, or from non-U.S.
institutions that include U.S-based Co-Investigators, must
comply with the guidance in ¶i. of Section 7 of Appendix B,
entitled "PROPOSED COSTS." In addition, this section is
supplemented by the following two subsections concerning details
of proposal costs:
"(4) The proposal must contain sufficient cost details
and supporting information to facilitate a speedy evaluation and
award. Dollar amounts proposed with no explanation (e.g.,
Equipment: $5,000, or Labor: $23,000) may cause delays in
funding if the proposal is selected. The proposed costing
information must be in sufficient detail to allow the Government
to identify budgeted elements for evaluation purposes.
Generally, the Government will evaluate costs in terms of their
reasonableness and allowability. Each category should
explained. Offerers should exercise prudent judgment, since the
amount of detail necessarily varies with the complexity of the
proposal.
"Direct labor costs should be separated by titles or disciplines
(e.g., Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, clerical
support, etc.) with estimated hours, hourly rates, and total
amounts for each. Estimates should include a basis of estimate
such as currently paid rates or outstanding offers to
prospective employees. This format allows the Government to
assess for reasonableness by various means, including comparison
to similar skills at other organizations. Indirect costs should
be explained in order for the Government to understand the basis
of the estimates.
"With regard to other costs, each significant category should be
detailed, explained, and substantiated. For example, proposals
for equipment purchases should specify the type of equipment,
number of units, and unit cost. Requested travel should include
the number and duration of each trip, air fare, per diem,
rental car, etc.
"(5) All subcontracts for commercial services or
products associated with an individual proposal must receive
approval before an award is made. Therefore, it is necessary to
describe in detail all intended subcontracts by documentation
such as a Statement of Work, proposed personnel, cost, fee,
etc., so that a NASA awards specialist can conduct a thorough
review. Subcontracts should be competitive whenever possible in
order to achieve the lowest possible cost to the Government."
3.4 Additional Guidelines for Non-U.S. Proposals
NASA will accept proposals from all countries in response
to this NRA, although it only funds personnel, regardless of
citizenship, who are staff members of U.S. institutions.
Therefore, proposals from non-U.S. organizations do not need
include a cost plan for their activities. However, all non-U.S.
proposals and U.S. proposals that include non-U.S. participation
must comply with the following guidelines and their national
sponsoring agencies to allow NASA to complete appropriate
arrangements should a proposal involving non-U.S. participation
be selected.
1. A Notice of Intent to propose should be submitted as
indicated in Section 3.2. One additional copy of this Notice of
Intent to propose must also be sent to:
International Relations Division
Code IR (NRA 95-OSS-NN)
Attn. Receiving & Inspection
300 E Street, SW
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20024-3210
USA.
[Point of contact for commercial mail delivery:
Ms. Shiron Gaines 202/358-1664]
2. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the
provisions in Appendix B, as amended by Section 3.3. If the
proposal involves a participant from a U.S. institution, the
material in the third portion of Section 3.3 is applicable to
that U.S. participant . Proposals must be type written and in
English. All non-U.S. proposals will undergo the same
evaluations and selection processes as U.S. proposals.
3. Non-U.S. PI's or Co-I's planning to submit a proposal
should arrange with their appropriate governmental agency for
endorsement of the proposed activity. Such endorsement by their
national funding organization must indicate that the proposal
merits careful consideration by NASA, and if the proposal is
selected, that the sponsoring organization has sufficient funds
to undertake the proposed activity.
4. The required number of copies of the proposal should be
sent directly to the address given in the NRA letter covering
this Appendix. One additional copy of the proposal and the
letter of endorsement must be sent to the address in guideline 1
above in this section.
5. All proposals must be received before the established
closing date. Those received after the closing date will be
treated in accordance with NASA's provisions for late proposals
(Appendix B, Section 11), should such action be in NASA's best
interest. If review and endorsement are not possible before the
closing date, non-U.S. sponsoring agencies may forward a
proposal without endorsement but with the date when a decision
on endorsement can be expected by NASA.
6. Shortly after the deadline for this Announcement, the
NASA Program Office coordinating this Announcement will send an
acknowledgment of the receipt of proposals to each proposer.
7. Successful and unsuccessful non-U.S. proposers will be
contacted directly by the NASA Program Office coordinating this
NRA according to the stated schedule. Copies of these letters
will also be sent to the sponsoring governmental agency.
8. If a joint proposal is selected, NASA's International
Relations Division will make arrangements to provide for the
non-U.S. selectee's participation in the program. Such
participation will be on a no-exchange-of-funds basis in which
NASA and the non-U.S. sponsoring agency will each bear the cost
of discharging their respective responsibilities. Depending on
the nature and extent of the proposal, these arrangements may
entail a letter of notification by NASA, an exchange of letters
between NASA and the sponsoring foreign governmental agency, or
an agreement between NASA and the sponsoring foreign
governmental agency.
4. Proposal Evaluation and Selection
4.1 Evaluation Criteria
The criteria to be used for evaluation of proposals are given in
Appendix B, Section 13, entitled "EVALUATION FACTORS," with the
exceptions that paragraph ¶a. is replaced in its entirety by the
following:
"a. Recommendation for selection of a proposal will be based
on evaluations of the proposal's (1) intrinsic scientific and
technical merit, (2) relevance to NASA's Space Physics program
objectives, and (3) reasonableness, realism, and total amount of
proposed cost for the study. The first two of these criteria
have approximately equal weight and either is greater than the
third;"
and that the following parts of ¶c. of Section 13 are replaced
in their entirety by the amended text:
"c. Evaluation of a proposal's intrinsic scientific and
technical merit includes the consideration of the following
factors, listed in the order of decreasing priority:
1) Overall scientific or technical merit of the
proposal, or unique and innovative methods, approaches, or
concepts demonstrated by the proposal, especially regarding the
infusion of new technologies."
4.2 Evaluation and Selection Procedures
All proposals received in response to this NRA will be
reviewed on an equal basis without regard to whether the
proposing investigator(s) has (have) past or current funding
from any other NASA program.
Proposal evaluations will be achieved as described in Appendix
B, Section 14. A non-Government contractor is expected to aid
NASA in organizing and documenting the proposal peer reviews,
which will be done by mail-in and/or panel reviews. External
reviewers will be asked to consider primarily the science and
technical merit of the proposals, whereas cost and relevance
factors are the purview of NASA. Prior to their participation
in the evaluation process, all non-Government reviewers (whether
participating on a panel or by mail) will be required to sign
statements certifying their agreement not to disclose the
contents of any proposals sent to them.
Final selections will be made by the official designated in the
NRA cover letter to this appendix, based on external peer
scientific evaluations, internal programmatic reviews, and
consultation with the appropriate space physics discipline
scientists of the Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters
(see Section 5 below).
5. Points of Contact for Science Disciplines
The following science staff members below may be contacted for
further information about their identified discipline areas, all
of whom share the following common address:
Code SS
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
Telephone: (202) 358-1514
Fax: (202) 358-3987.
Cosmic and Heliospheric Physics:
Dr. W. Vernon Jones
E-mail: wvjones@gm.ossa.hq.nasa.gov
Solar Physics:
Dr. William J. Wagner
E-mail:: wwagner@nhqvax.hq.nasa.gov
Magnetospheric Physics:
Dr. Robert Carovillano
E-mail: bcarovillano@gm.ossa.hq.nasa.gov
Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric Physics:
Dr. Mary Mellott
E-mail: mmellott@hq.nasa.gov
6. Schedule for Research Announcement
The schedule for this NRA is:
Release date February 20, 1996
Notice of Intent to propose due April 1, 1996
Deadline for submission of proposals May 20, 1996
Due date for optional SPEO supplement proposals
June 20 1996
Announcement of selections August 1996
Commencement of funding October 1996.
7. Space Physics Educational Outreach (SPEO) Supplement
Program
7.1 Background
In support of NASA's education strategy, the NASA's space physics
disciplines began an ongoing opportunity in FY 1993 for
proposers to any of their research programs to additionally
propose for a modest supplement to enable educational outreach
efforts in their local communities. Therefore, SPEO proposals
are encouraged as supplements to all new proposals for the same
period of performance as the "parent" research proposals.
The intent of this Space Physics Educational Outreach (SPEO)
program is to encourage the space physics research PI's and
Co-I's to become actively involved with their local K-12 schools
or undergraduate colleges, as well as with appropriate public
educational institutions such as science museums or
planetariums, in order to provide educational opportunities
and/or materials that promote general scientific literacy as
much as an understanding of the space sciences. Therefore, SPEO
proposals should have as their main focus the teachers of
science and mathematics and/or large numbers of students or the
general public. Ideally it is expected that SPEO projects will
:
- actively involve the proposing PI (or an alternate Co-I for
educational interests) with the audience of the SPEO program to
promote science literacy (for example, it is in the spirit of
this program to employ local teachers as summer research interns
or to conduct a teacher workshop; it is not in this program's
spirit to only buy equipment for an institution or to conduct a
student science project contest);
and/or
- develop educational materials commensurate with the goals of
NASA's strategic plan for education (entitled Partners in
Education (March 1995) and available upon request; for example,
a NASA Educational Brief; self-explanatory visual materials for
the classroom, educational software, or a NASA Curriculum
Supplement that allows appropriately explained concepts and/or
data of space science to illustrate the application of the basic
physics and/or mathematics).
7.2 Program Definition
Specific elements for proposals in response to this SPEO program
that should be met are:
Targeting the educational outreach activity at the general
public, or students and/or (especially) teachers at the K-12 or
undergraduate college levels;
Be based on an active "partnership" between the SPEO PI (who
may be the PI of the parent research award or a specifically
designated Co-I for education outreach) and the benefiting
institution for the development and execution of the activity;
Have reasonable intellectual linkage between the proposed
outreach activity and the expertise of the PI and/or Co-I; and
Outline a plan for evaluating the success of the proposed SPEO
project, to be documented by a final report within two months of
the completion of the activity.
In all cases, the emphasis of this SPEO program is on active
participation of the proposing researchers with the activities
proposed and on the sizing of the proposed task to ensure its
completion within its proposed cost and duration (not to exceed
that of the parent research award itself). Originality of a
proposed effort is not a criterion for selection. What is
important is that the SPEO proposal provides assurance that the
effort is well planned, that it either forms a "partnership"
between the researcher and the general public and/or school
system, or provides assurance that educational materials will be
produced and distributed. [An excellent discussion of the
philosophy inherent in this program may be found in Science
Education Partnerships - Manual for Scientists and K-12
Teachers, ed. A. Sussman, Science Press, San Francisco (1993).
A list of the SPEO tasks funded for the last several years is
available upon request to the point of contact given below.]
An issue in contemporary U.S. society is that few students from
underrepresented minorities (especially American Native, African
American, and Hispanic) enter the physical sciences as a career
choice. Therefore, SPEO proposals that involve underrepresented
minority students and/or teachers of such students are
particularly encouraged.
The maximum award for a SPEO supplement is $5K per year for a
period not to exceed that of the parent research proposal.
Since a SPEO grant supplement is seen as a benefit to the
community local to the PI's institution and is provided only as
an add-on to a parent research grant for which full
institutional overhead is normally billed to NASA, it is desired
but not required that the PI institution waive its overhead for
these supplements. It is also hoped that the provision of a
SPEO grant will act to promote matching support from the PI's or
other local institution(s) including, of course, the benefiting
institution.
7.3 Supplement Preparation and Submission
Anyone interested in proposing to the SPEO program in
conjunction with a research proposal should so note in their
Notice of Intent (see p. C-2, Appendix C) as well as on the
cover sheet of their research proposal (p. C-3, Appendix C). In
order to allow focus on this opportunity, SPEO proposals may be
submitted up to 30 days after the due date for research
proposals to this NRA.
Regardless of when a SPEO proposal is submitted, it should be
bound separately from the parent research proposal and consist
of a SPEO Cover Sheet (p. C-12 of Appendix C), a Summary Budget
Sheet using the format of p. C-5, a brief abstract, a succinct
but complete description (not to exceed five pages) of the
intended outreach project that addresses the key elements noted
in Section 7.1 and 7.2, and a budget presented in accordance
with Section 3.3 of this Appendix. If offered, waiver of
overhead by the PI's institution (see Section 7.2) should be
explicitly noted, as should the promise of any matching
resources from other institutions, by appended authorizing
letters.
Since a SPEO grant is by definition a supplement to a selected
parent proposal, it is not necessary to include additional
Certification forms C-9, -10, and -11. Ten copies of the SPEO
supplement proposal plus the signed original must be submitted
to:
SPEO Supplement
NASA Space Physics New Missions Concepts Program
Jorge Scientific Corporation
Suite 700
400 Virginia Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024.
7.4 Evaluation, Selection, and funding information
The only SPEO supplements that will be evaluated are those
associated with proposals selected for funding through this NRA
on the merits of their parent research proposals, since SPEO
proposals are funded only as supplements to the main research
award. SPEO proposals will be evaluated by members of the Space
Phyiscs Division, other interested members of the Office of
Space Science, and the Education Division of NASA's Office of
Human Resources and Education. Previous selection ratios for
SPEO proposals that reasonably satisfy the program guidelines
noted above have been the order of 75%. Although announcement
of SPEO selections may lag those for the research grants by a
few weeks, funding will be simultaneous with the parent research
grant.
Questions concerning this SPEO program may be directed to:
Dr. J. David Bohlin
Code SS
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
Telephone: (202) 358-0880
E-mail: jbohlin@hq.nasa.gov
8. Renewal Proposals a. Renewal proposals for existing awards will be considered in the same manner as proposals for new endeavors. A renewal proposal should not repeat all of the information that was in the original proposal. The renewal proposal should refer to its predecessor, update the parts that are no longer current, and indicate what elements of the research are expected to be covered during the period for which support is desired. A description of any significant findings since the most recent progress report should be included. The renewal proposal should treat, in reasonable detail, the plans for the next period, contain a cost estimate, and otherwise adhere to these instructions. b. NASA may renew an effort either through amendment of an existing contract or by a new award. 9. Length Unless otherwise specified in the NRA, effort should be made to keep proposals as brief as possible, concentrating on substantive material. Few proposals need exceed 15-20 pages. Necessary detailed information, such as reprints, should be included as attachments. A complete set of attachments is necessary for each copy of the proposal. As proposals are not returned, avoid use of "one-of-a-kind" attachments: their availability may be mentioned in the proposal. 10. Joint Proposals a. Where multiple organizations are involved, the proposal may be submitted by only one of them. It should clearly describe the role to be played by the other organizations and indicate the legal and managerial arrangements contemplated. In other instances, simultaneous submission of related proposals from each organization might be appropriate, in which case parallel awards would be made. b. Where a project of a cooperative nature with NASA is contemplated, describe the contributions expected from any participating NASA investigator and agency facilities or equipment which may be required. The proposal must be confined only to that which the proposing organization can commit itself. "Joint" proposals which specify the internal arrangements NASA will actually make are not acceptable as a means of establishing an agency commitment. 11. Late Proposals A proposal or modification received after the date or dates specified in an NRA may be considered if the selecting official deems it to offer NASA a significant technical advantage or cost reduction. 12. Withdrawal Proposals may be withdrawn by the proposer at any time. Offerors are requested to notify NASA if the proposal is funded by another organization or of other changed circumstances which dictate termination of evaluation. 13. Evaluation Factors
14. Evaluation Techniques Selection decisions will be made following peer and/or scientific review of the proposals. Several evaluation techniques are regularly used within NASA. In all cases proposals are subject to scientific review by discipline specialists in the area of the proposal. Some proposals are reviewed entirely in-house, others are evaluated by a combination of in-house and selected external reviewers, while yet others are subject to the full external peer review technique (with due regard for conflict-of- interest and protection of proposal information), such as by mail or through assembled panels. The final decisions are made by a NASA selecting official. A proposal which is scientifically and programmatically meritorious, but not selected for award during its initial review, may be included in subsequent reviews unless the proposer requests otherwise. 15. Selection for Award a. When a proposal is not selected for award, and the proposer has indicated that the proposal is not to be held over for subsequent reviews, the proposer will be notified. NASA will explain generally why the proposal was not selected. Proposers desiring additional information may contact the selecting official who will arrange a debriefing. b. When a proposal is selected for award, negotiation and award will be handled by the procurement office in the funding installation. The proposal is used as the basis for negotiation. The contracting officer may request certain business data and may forward a model contract and other information which will be of use during the contract negotiation. 16. Cancellation of NRA NASA reserves the right to make no awards under this NRA and to cancel this NRA. NASA assumes no liability for canceling the NRA or for anyone's failure to receive actual notice of cancellation. Cancellation may be followed by issuance and synopsis of a revised NRA, since amendment of an NRA is normally not permitted.
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