Subpart B - Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations
GENERAL
1260.101 Purpose.
1260.102 Definitions.
1260.103 Effect on other issuances.
1260.104 Deviations.
1260.105 Subawards.
PRE-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
1260.110 Purpose.
1260.111 Pre-award policies.
1260.112 Forms for applying for Federal assistance.
1260.113 Debarment and suspension.
1260.114 Special award conditions.
1260.115 Metric system of measurement.
1260.116 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
1260.117 Certifications and representations.
POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
Financial and Program Management
1260.120 Purpose of financial and program management.
1260.121 Standards for financial management systems.
1260.122 Payment.
1260.123 Cost sharing or matching.
1260.124 Program income.
1260.125 Revision of budget and program plans.
1260.126 Non-Federal audits.
1260.127 Allowable costs.
1260.128 Period of availability of funds.
Property Standards
1260.130 Purpose of property standards.
1260.131 Insurance coverage.
1260.132 Real property.
1260.133 Federally-owned and exempt property.
1260.134 Equipment.
1260.135 Supplies and other expendable property.
1260.136 Intangible property.
1260.137 Property trust relationship.
Procurement Standards
1260.140 Purpose of procurement standards.
1260.141 Recipient responsibilities.
1260.142 Codes of conduct.
1260.143 Competition.
1260.144 Procurement procedures.
1260.145 Cost and price analysis.
1260.146 Procurement records.
1260.147 Contract administration.
1260.148 Contract provisions.
Reports and Records
1260.150 Purpose of reports and records.
1260.151 Monitoring and reporting program performance.
1260.152 Financial reporting.
1260.153 Retention and access requirements for records.
Termination and Enforcement
1260.160 Purpose of termination and enforcement.
1260.161 Termination.
1260.162 Enforcement.
AFTER-THE-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
1260.170 Purpose.
1260.171 Closeout procedures.
1260.172 Subsequent adjustments and continuing responsibilities.
1260.173 Collections of amounts due.
Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 1260 - Contract Provisions
Subpart B - Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Non-Profit Organizations
GENERAL
This subpart implements OMB Circular No. A-110 and establishes uniform administrative requirements for NASA grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. NASA shall not impose additional or inconsistent requirements, except as provided in §§ 1260.104 and 1260.114 or unless specifically required by Federal statute or executive order. Non-profit organizations that implement Federal programs for the States are also subject to State requirements.
Accrued expenditures means the charges incurred by the recipient during a given period requiring the provision of funds for:
(1) Goods and other tangible property received;
(2) Services performed by employees, contractors, subcontractors, and other payees; and
(3) Other amounts becoming owed under programs for which no current services or performance is required.
Accrued income means the sum of:
(1) Earnings during a given period from services performed by the recipient, and goods and other tangible property delivered to purchasers; and
(2) Amounts becoming owed to the recipient for which no current services or performance is required by the recipient.
Acquisition cost of equipment means the net invoice price of the equipment, including the cost of modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make the property usable for the purpose for which it was acquired. Other charges, such as the cost of installation, transportation, taxes, duty or protective in-transit insurance, shall be included or excluded from the unit acquisition cost in accordance with the recipient's regular accounting practices.
Advance means a payment made by Treasury check or other appropriate payment mechanism to a recipient upon its request either before outlays are made by the recipient or through the use of predetermined payment schedules.
Award means a grant or cooperative agreement that provides support or stimulation to accomplish a public purpose. Awards include research grants, training grants, facilities grants, educational grants, and cooperative agreements in the form of money or property in lieu of money, by NASA to an eligible recipient. The term does not include: technical assistance, which provides services instead of money; other assistance in the form of loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, or insurance; direct payments of any kind to individuals; and, contracts which are required to be entered into and administered under procurement laws and regulations.
Cash contributions means the recipient's cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the recipient by third parties.
Closeout means the process by which NASA determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required work of the award have been completed by the recipient and NASA.
Contract means a procurement contract under an award, and a procurement subcontract under a recipient's contract.
Cost sharing or matching means that portion of project or program costs not borne by NASA.
Date of completion means the date on which all work under an award is completed or the date on the award document, or any supplement or amendment thereto, on which NASA sponsorship ends.
Disallowed costs means those charges to an award that NASA determines to be unallowable, in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles or other terms and conditions contained in the award.
Equipment means tangible nonexpendable personal property including exempt property charged directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. However, consistent with recipient policy, lower limits may be established.
Excess property means property under the control of any Federal awarding agency that, as determined by the head thereof, is no longer required for its needs or the discharge of its responsibilities.
Exempt property means tangible personal property acquired in whole or in part with Federal funds, where a Federal awarding agency has statutory authority to vest title in the recipient without further obligation to the Federal Government. An example of exempt property authority is contained in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (31 U.S.C. 6306) for property acquired under an award to conduct basic or applied research by a non-profit institution of higher education or non-profit organization whose principal purpose is conducting scientific research.
Federal funds authorized means the total amount of Federal funds obligated by the Federal Government for use by the recipient. This amount may include any authorized carryover of unobligated funds from prior funding periods when permitted by agency regulations or agency implementing instructions.
Federal share of real property, equipment, or supplies means that percentage of the property's acquisition costs and any improvement expenditures paid with Federal funds.
Funding period means the period of time when NASA funding is available for obligation by the recipient.
Intangible property and debt instruments means, but is not limited to, trademarks, copyrights, patents and patent applications and such property as loans, notes and other debt instruments, lease agreements, stock and other instruments of property ownership, whether considered tangible or intangible.
NASA means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), including its authorized representatives.
Obligations mean the amounts of orders placed, contracts and grants awarded, services received and similar transactions during a given period that require payment by the recipient during the same or a future period.
Outlays or expenditures means charges made to the project or program. They may be reported on a cash or accrual basis. For reports prepared on a cash basis, outlays are the sum of cash disbursements for direct charges for goods and services, the amount of indirect expense charged, the value of third party in-kind contributions applied and the amount of cash advances and payments made to subcontractors. For reports prepared on an accrual basis, outlays are the sum of cash disbursements for direct charges for goods and services, the amount of indirect expense incurred, the value of in-kind contributions applied, and the net increase (or decrease) in the amounts owed by the recipient for goods and other property received, for services performed by employees, contractors, subcontractors and other payees and other amounts becoming owed under programs for which no current services or performance are required.
Personal property means property of any kind except real property. It may be tangible, having physical existence, or intangible, having no physical existence, such as copyrights, patents, or securities.
Prior approval means written approval by an authorized official evidencing prior consent.
Program income means gross income earned by the recipient that is directly generated by a supported activity or earned as a result of the award (see exclusions in § 1260.124(c) and (f)). Program income includes, but is not limited to, income from fees for services performed, the use or rental of real or personal property acquired under federally-funded projects, the sale of commodities or items fabricated under an award, license fees and royalties on patents and copyrights, and interest on loans made with award funds. Interest earned on advances of NASA funds is not program income. Except as otherwise provided in the regulations in this subpart or the terms and conditions of the award, program income does not include the receipt of principal on loans, rebates, credits, discounts, etc., or interest earned on any of them.
Project costs means all allowable costs, as set forth in the applicable Federal cost principles, incurred by a recipient and the value of the contributions made by third parties in accomplishing the objectives of the award during the project period.
Project period means the period established in the award document during which NASA sponsorship begins and ends.
Property means, unless otherwise stated, real property, equipment, intellectual property and debt instruments.
Real property means land, including land improvements, structures and appurtenances thereto, but excludes movable machinery and equipment.
Recipient means an organization receiving an award directly from NASA to carry out a project or program. The term includes public and private institutions of higher education, public and private hospitals, and other quasi-public and private non-profit organizations such as, but not limited to, community action agencies, research institutes, educational associations, and health centers. The term may include commercial organizations, foreign or international organizations (such as agencies of the United Nations) which are recipients, subcontractors, or contractors or subcontractors of recipients. The term does not include government-owned contractor-operated facilities or research centers providing continued support for mission-oriented, large-scale programs that are government-owned or controlled, or are designated as federally-funded research and development centers.
Research and development means all research activities, both basic and applied, and all development activities that are supported at universities, colleges, and other nonprofit institutions. "Research" is defined as a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. "Development" is the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes. The term "research" also included activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize the same facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not included in the instruction function.
Research misconduct is defined in 14 CFR 1275.101. NASA policies and procedures regarding Research misconduct are set out in 14 CFR Part 1275, "Investigation of Research Misconduct."
Small awards means a grant or cooperative agreement not exceeding the small purchase threshold.
Subaward means an award of financial assistance in the form of money, or property in lieu of money, made under an award by a recipient to an eligible subrecipient or by a subrecipient to a lower tier subrecipient. The term includes financial assistance when provided by any legal agreement, even if the agreement is called a contract, but does not include procurement of goods and services nor does it include any form of assistance which is excluded from the definition of "award" of this section.
Subrecipient means the legal entity to which a subaward is made and which is accountable to the recipient for the use of the funds provided. The term may include foreign or international organizations (such as agencies of the United Nations).
Supplies means all personal property excluding equipment, intellectual property, and debt instruments as defined in this section, and inventions of a contractor conceived or first actually reduced to practice in the performance of work under a funding agreement ("subject inventions"), as defined in 37 CFR Part 401, "Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements."
Suspension means an action by NASA that temporarily withdraws NASA sponsorship under an award, pending corrective action by the recipient or pending a decision to terminate the award by NASA. Suspension of an award is a separate action from suspension under Federal agency regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, "Debarment and Suspension."
Termination means the cancellation of Federal sponsorship, in whole or in part, under an agreement at any time prior to the date of completion.
Third party in-kind contributions means the value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties. Third party in-kind contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable property, and the value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the project or program.
Unliquidated obligations, for financial reports prepared on a cash basis, means the amount of obligations incurred by the recipient that have not been paid. For reports prepared on an accrued expenditure basis, they represent the amount of obligations incurred by the recipient for which an outlay has not been recorded.
Unobligated balance means the portion of the funds authorized by NASA that has not been obligated by the recipient and is determined by deducting the cumulative obligations from the cumulative funds authorized.
Unrecovered indirect cost means the difference between the amount awarded and the amount which could have been awarded under the recipient's approved negotiated indirect cost rate.
Working capital advance means a procedure whereby funds are advanced to the recipient to cover its estimated disbursement needs for a given initial period.
§ 1260.103 Effect on other issuances.
For awards subject to this subpart, the requirements of this subpart apply, except to the extent that any administrative requirements of codified program regulations, program manuals, handbooks and other nonregulatory materials are required by statute, or are authorized in accordance with the deviations provision in § 1260.104.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may grant exceptions for classes of grants or recipients subject to the requirements of this subpart when exceptions are not prohibited by statute. However, in the interest of maximum uniformity, exceptions from the requirements of this subpart shall be permitted only in unusual circumstances. NASA may apply more restrictive requirements to a class of recipients when approved by OMB. NASA may apply less restrictive requirements when awarding small awards, except for those requirements which are statutory. Exceptions on a case-by-case basis may also be made by NASA. See § 1260.6(c).
Unless sections of this subpart specifically exclude subrecipients from coverage, the provisions of this subpart shall be applied to subrecipients performing work under awards if such subrecipients are institutions of higher education, hospitals or other non-profit organizations. State and local government subrecipients are subject to the provisions of 14 CFR Part 1273, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments."
Pre-Award Requirements
Sections 1260.111 through 1260.117 prescribe forms and instructions and other pre-award matters to be used in applying for NASA awards.
§ 1260.111 Pre-award policies.
(a) Use of grants and cooperative agreements, and contracts. In each instance, NASA shall decide on the appropriate award instrument (i.e. grant, cooperative agreement, or contract). The Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (31 U.S.C. 6301-08) governs the use of grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. A grant or cooperative agreement shall be used only when the principal purpose of a transaction is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute. The statutory criterion for choosing between grants and cooperative agreements is that for the latter, "substantial involvement is expected between the executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement." Contracts shall be used when the principal purpose is acquisition of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.
(b) Public notice and priority setting. NASA notifies the public of its intended funding priorities for discretionary grant programs through Broad Agency Announcements, Cooperative Agreement Notices, Agency-Wide program announcements, and other approved forms of announcements.
§ 1260.112 Forms for applying for Federal assistance.
(a) NASA shall comply with the applicable report clearance requirements of 5 CFR Part 1320, "Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public," with regard to all forms used by the NASA in place of or as a supplement to the Standard Form 424 (SF 424) series.
(b) Applicants shall use those forms and instructions prescribed by NASA in § 1260.10.
§ 1260.113 Debarment and suspension.
NASA and recipients shall comply with the nonprocurement debarment and suspension rule, 2 CFR Part 180, implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, "Debarment and Suspension." This rule restricts contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities.
§ 1260.114 Special award conditions.
If an applicant or recipient has a history of poor performance, is not financially stable, has a management system that does not meet the standards prescribed in this subpart, has not conformed to the terms and conditions of a previous award, or is not otherwise responsible, NASA may impose additional requirements as needed. Such applicant or recipient will be notified in writing as to the nature of the additional requirements, the reason why the additional requirements are being imposed, the nature of the corrective action needed, the time allowed for completing the corrective actions, and the method for requesting reconsideration of the additional requirements imposed. Any special conditions shall be promptly removed once the conditions that prompted them have been corrected.
§ 1260.115 Metric system of measurement.
The Metric Conversion Act, as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (15 U.S.C. 205) declares that the metric system is the preferred measurement system for U.S. trade and commerce. The Act requires each Federal agency to establish a date or dates in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, when the metric system of measurement will be used in the agency's procurements, grants, and other business-related activities. Metric implementation may take longer where the use of the system is initially impractical or likely to cause significant inefficiencies in the accomplishment of federally-funded activities. NASA follows the provisions of Executive Order 12770, "Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs." NASA's policy with respect to the metric measurement system is stated in NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 8010.2, Use of the Metric System of Measurement in NASA Programs.
§ 1260.116 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
nbsp; Under the RCRA (Public Law 94-580 codified at 42 U.S.C. 6962), any State agency or agency of a political subdivision of a State which is using appropriated Federal funds must comply with Section 6002 of the RCRA (42 U.S.C. 6962). Section 6002 requires that preference be given in procurement programs to the purchase of specific products containing recycled materials identified in guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR Parts 247 through 254). Accordingly, State and local institutions of higher education, hospitals, and non-profit organizations that receive direct Federal awards or other Federal funds shall give preference in their procurement programs funded with Federal funds to the purchase of recycled products pursuant to the EPA guidelines.
§ 1260.117 Certifications and representations.
Unless prohibited by statute or codified regulation, NASA will allow recipients to submit certain certifications and representations required by statute, executive order, or regulation on an annual basis, if the recipients have ongoing and continuing relationships with the agency. Annual certifications and representations shall be signed by responsible officials with the authority to ensure recipients' compliance with the pertinent requirements.
POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
Financial and Program Management
§ 1260.120 Purpose of financial and program management.
Sections 1260.121 through 1260.128 prescribe standards for financial management systems, methods for making payments and rules for: satisfying cost sharing and matching requirements, accounting for program income, budget revision approvals, making audits, determining allowability of cost, and establishing fund availability.
§ 1260.121 Standards for financial management systems.
(a) Recipients shall relate financial data to performance data and develop unit cost information whenever practical. For awards that support research, it should be noted that it is generally not appropriate to develop unit cost information.
(b) Recipients' financial management systems shall provide for the following.
(1) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial results of each federally-sponsored project or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in § 1260.152. If NASA requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient that maintains its records on other than an accrual basis, the recipient shall not be required to establish an accrual accounting system. These recipients may develop such accrual data for its reports on the basis of an analysis of the documentation on hand.
(2) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-sponsored activities. These records shall contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, outlays, income and interest.
(3) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property and other assets. Recipients shall adequately safeguard all such assets and assure they are used solely for authorized purposes.
(4) Comparison of outlays with budget amounts for each award. Whenever appropriate, financial information should be related to performance and unit cost data.
(5) Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds to the recipient from the U.S. Treasury and the issuance or redemption of checks, warrants or payments by other means for program purposes by the recipient. To the extent that the provisions of the Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA) (Public Law 101-453) govern, payment methods of State agencies, instrumentalities, and fiscal agents shall be consistent with CMIA Treasury-State Agreements or the CMIA default procedures codified at 31 CFR Part 205, "Withdrawal of Cash from the Treasury for Advances under Federal Grant and Other Programs."
(6) Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, allocability and
allowability of costs in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Federal cost principles and the terms and conditions of the award.
(7) Accounting records including cost accounting records that are supported by source documentation.
(c) Where the Federal Government guarantees or insures the repayment of money borrowed by the recipient, NASA, at its discretion, may require adequate bonding and insurance if the bonding and insurance requirements of the recipient are not deemed adequate to protect the interest of the Federal Government.
(d) NASA may require adequate fidelity bond coverage where the recipient lacks sufficient coverage to protect the Federal Government's interest.
(e) Where bonds are required in the situations described in this section, the bonds shall be obtained from companies holding certificates of authority as acceptable sureties, as prescribed in 31 CFR Part 223, "Surety Companies Doing Business with the United States."
(a) Payment methods shall minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the United States Treasury and the issuance or redemption of checks, warrants, or payment by other means by the recipients. Payment methods of State agencies or instrumentalities shall be consistent with Treasury-State CMIA agreements or default procedures codified at 31 CFR Part 205.
(b)(1) Recipients are to be paid in advance, provided they maintain or demonstrate the willingness to maintain:
(i) Written procedures that minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds and disbursement by the recipient; and
(ii) Financial management systems that meet the standards for fund control and accountability as established in § 1260.121.
(2) Cash advances to a recipient organization shall be limited to the minimum amounts needed and be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the recipient organization in carrying out the purpose of the approved program or project. The timing and amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.
(c) Whenever possible, advances shall be consolidated to cover anticipated cash needs for all awards made by NASA to the recipient.
(1) Advance payments will be made by electronic funds transfer.
(2) Advance payment mechanisms are subject to 31 CFR Part 205.
(d) [Reserved. Not used by NASA.]
(e) Reimbursement is the preferred method when the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section cannot be met. NASA may also use this method on any construction agreement, or if the major portion of the construction project is accomplished through private market financing or Federal loans, and the Federal assistance constitutes a minor portion of the project. When the reimbursement method is used, NASA shall make payment within 30 days after receipt of the billing, unless the billing is improper.
(f) If a recipient cannot meet the criteria for advance payments and NASA has determined that reimbursement is not feasible because the recipient lacks sufficient working capital, NASA may provide cash on a working capital advance basis. Under this procedure, NASA shall advance cash to the recipient to cover its estimated disbursement needs for an initial period generally geared to the awardee's disbursing cycle. Thereafter, NASA shall reimburse the recipient for its actual cash disbursements. The working capital advance method of payment shall not be used for recipients unwilling or unable to provide timely advances to their subcontractor to meet the subcontractor's actual cash disbursements.
(g) To the extent available, recipients shall disburse funds available from repayments to an interest earned on a revolving fund, program income, rebates, refunds, contract settlements, audit recoveries and interest earned on such funds before requesting additional cash payments.
(h) Unless otherwise required by statute, NASA will not withhold payments for proper charges made by recipients at any time during the project period unless the conditions in paragraphs (h)(1) or (2) of this section apply.
(1) A recipient has failed to comply with the project objectives, the terms and conditions of the award, or NASA reporting requirements.
(2) The recipient is delinquent in a debt to the United States as defined in OMB Circular A-129, "Managing Federal Credit Programs." Under such conditions, NASA may, upon reasonable notice, inform the recipient that payments shall not be made for obligations incurred after a specified date until the conditions are corrected or the indebtedness to the Federal Government is liquidated.
(i) Standards governing the use of banks and other institutions as depositories of funds advanced under awards are as follows.
(1) Except for situations described in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, NASA shall not require separate depository accounts for funds provided to a recipient or establish any eligibility requirements for depositories for funds provided to a recipient. However, recipients must be able to account for the receipt, obligation and expenditure of funds.
(2) Advances of Federal funds shall be deposited and maintained in insured accounts whenever possible.
(j) Consistent with the national goal of expanding the opportunities for women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises, recipients shall be encouraged to use women-owned and minority-owned banks (a bank which is owned at least 50 percent by women or minority group members).
(k) Recipients shall maintain advances of Federal funds in interest bearing accounts, unless the conditions in paragraphs (k)(1), (2), or (3) of this section apply.
(1) The recipient receives less than $120,000 in Federal awards per year.
(2) The best reasonably available interest bearing account would not be expected to earn interest in excess of $250 per year on Federal cash balances.
(3) The depository would require an average or minimum balance so high that it would not be feasible within the expected Federal and non-Federal cash resources.
(l) Interest earned on Federal advances deposited in interest-bearing accounts in excess of $250 per year shall be remitted annually to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Payment Management System, Rockville, MD 20852. Interest amounts up to $250 per year may be retained by the recipient for administrative expense. In accordance with 31 CFR Part 206, interest should be remitted electronically through the Automated Clearing House (ACT) to DHHS. Recipients without this capability may make the remittance by check. In either case, the remittance should be payable to DHHS and should indicate the recipient's Entity Identification Number (EIN) and reason, i.e., "Interest earned."
(m) Except as noted elsewhere in this subpart, only the following forms shall be authorized for the recipients in requesting advances and reimbursements. Federal agencies shall not require more than an original and two copies of these forms.
(1) SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement. [Reserved. Not used by NASA.]
(2) SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs. The SF-271 may be used for requesting reimbursement for NASA construction programs.
§ 1260.123 Cost sharing or matching.
(a) All contributions, including cash and third party in-kind, shall be accepted as part of the recipient's cost sharing or matching when such contributions meet all of the following criteria.
(1) Are verifiable from the recipient's records.
(2) Are not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted project or program.
(3) Are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives.
(4) Are allowable under the applicable cost principles.
(5) Are not paid by the Federal Government under another award, except where authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost sharing or matching.
(6) Are provided for in the approved budget when required by NASA.
(7) Conform to other provisions of this subpart, as applicable.
(b) Unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of cost sharing or matching only with the prior approval of the cognizant NASA grant officer.
(c) Values for recipient contributions of services and property shall be established in accordance with the applicable cost principles. If NASA authorizes recipients to donate buildings or land for construction/facilities acquisition projects or long-term use, the value of the donated property for cost sharing or matching shall be the lesser of paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section.
(1) The certified value of the remaining life of the property recorded in the recipient's accounting records at the time of donation.
(2) The current fair market value. However, when there is sufficient justification, NASA may approve the use of the current fair market value of the donated property, even if it exceeds the certified value at the time of donation to the project.
(d) Volunteer services furnished by professional and technical personnel, consultants, and other skilled and unskilled labor may be counted as cost sharing or matching if the service is an integral and necessary part of an approved project or program. Rates for volunteer services shall be consistent with those paid for similar work in the recipient's organization. In those instances in which the required skills are not found in the recipient organization, rates shall be consistent with those paid for similar work in the labor market in which the recipient competes for the kind of services involved. In either case, paid fringe benefits that are reasonable, allowable, and allocable may be included in the valuation.
(e) When an employer other than the recipient furnishes the services of an employee, these services shall be valued at the employee's regular rate of pay (plus an amount of fringe benefits that are reasonable, allowable, and allocable, but exclusive of overhead costs), provided these services are in the same skill for which the employee is normally paid.
(f) Donated supplies may include such items as expendable equipment, office supplies, laboratory supplies or workshop and classroom supplies. Value assessed to donated supplies included in the cost sharing or matching share shall be reasonable and shall not exceed the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation.
(g) The method used for determining cost sharing or matching for donated equipment, buildings and land for which title passes to the recipient may differ according to the purpose of the award, if the conditions in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this section apply.
(1) If the purpose of the award is to assist the recipient in the acquisition of equipment, buildings or land, the total value of the donated property may be claimed as cost sharing or matching.
(2) If the purpose of the award is to support activities that require the use of equipment, buildings or land, normally only depreciation or use charges for equipment and buildings may be made. However, the full value of equipment or other capital assets and fair rental charges for land may be allowed, provided that NASA has approved the charges.
(h) The value of donated property shall be determined in accordance with the usual accounting policies of the recipient, with the following qualifications:
(1) The value of donated land and buildings shall not exceed its fair market value at the time of donation to the recipient as established by an independent appraiser (e.g., certified real property appraiser or General Services Administration representative) and certified by a responsible official of the recipient.
(2) The value of donated equipment shall not exceed the fair market value of equipment of the same age and condition at the time of donation.
(3) The value of donated space shall not exceed the fair rental value of comparable space as established by an independent appraisal of comparable space and facilities in a privately-owned building in the same locality.
(4) The value of loaned equipment shall not exceed its fair rental value.
(5) The following requirements pertain to the recipient's supporting records for in-kind contributions from third parties.
(i) Volunteer services shall be documented and, to the extent feasible, supported by the same methods used by the recipient for its own employees.
(ii) The basis for determining the valuation for personal service, material, equipment, buildings and land shall be documented.
(a) The standards set forth in this section shall be used to account for program income related to projects financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.
(b) Program income earned during the project period shall be retained by the recipient and added to funds committed to the project by NASA and the recipient, and used to further eligible project or program objectives, unless NASA indicates in the terms and conditions of the award another alternative to account for program income or the recipient is subject to special award conditions, as indicated in § 1260.114.
(c) Unless program regulations or the terms and conditions of the award provide otherwise, recipients shall have no obligation to the Federal Government regarding program income earned after the end of the project period.
(d) Unless program regulations or the terms and conditions of the award provide otherwise, costs incident to the generation of program income may be deducted from gross income to determine program income, provided these costs have not been charged to the award.
(e) Proceeds from the sale of property shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of the Property Standards (See §§ 1260.130 through 1260.137).
(f) Unless program regulations or the terms and condition of the award provide otherwise, recipients shall have no obligation to the Federal Government with respect to program income earned from license fees and royalties for copyrighted material, patents, patent applications, trademarks, and inventions produced under an award. However, Patent and Trademark Amendments (35 U.S.C. 18) apply to inventions made under an experimental, developmental, or research award.
§ 1260.125 Revision of budget and program plans.
(a) The budget plan is the financial expression of the project or program as approved during the award process. It may include either the Federal and non-Federal share, or only the Federal share, depending upon requirements in the regulations in this subpart. It shall be related to performance for program evaluation purposes whenever appropriate.
(b) Recipients are required to report deviations from budget and program plans, and request prior approvals for budget and program plan revisions, in accordance with this section.
(c) For nonconstruction awards, recipients shall request prior approvals from NASA for the following program or budget related reasons, except the item in paragraph (c)(5) of this section, which is waived by NASA.
(1) Change in the scope or the objective of the project or program (even if there is no associated budget revision requiring prior written approval).
(2) Change in a key person specified in the application or award document.
(3) The absence for more than three months, or a 25 percent reduction in time devoted to the project, by the approved project director or principal investigator.
(4) The need for additional Federal funding.
(5) The transfer of amounts budgeted for indirect costs to absorb increases in direct costs, or vice versa. Notice: NASA waives prior approval of such revisions.
(6) The inclusion of costs that require prior approval in accordance with OMB Circular A-21, "Cost Principles for Institutions of Higher Education;" OMB Circular A-122, "Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations;" 45 CFR Part 74 appendix E, "Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and Development under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals;" or 48 CFR Part 31, "Contract Cost Principles and Procedures," as applicable.
(7) The transfer of funds allotted for training allowances (direct payment to trainees) to other categories of expense.
(8) Unless described in the application and funded in the approved awards, the
subaward, transfer or contracting out of any work under an award. This provision does not apply to the purchase of supplies, material, equipment or general support services.
(d) No other prior approval requirements for specific items will be imposed unless a deviation has been approved by OMB.
(e) NASA has determined to waive the following cost-related and administrative prior written approvals otherwise required by OMB Circulars A-21, A-110 and A-122 to allow recipients to do the following:.
(1) Incur pre-award costs 90 calendar days prior to award or more than 90 calendar days with the prior approval of NASA. All pre-award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk (i.e., NASA is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason the recipient does not receive an award or if the award is less than anticipated and inadequate to cover such costs).
(2) Initiate a one-time extension of the expiration date of the award of up to 12 months unless one or more of the following conditions apply. For one-time extensions, the recipient must notify NASA in writing with the supporting reasons and revised expiration date at least 10 days before the expiration date specified in the award. This one-time extension may not be exercised merely for the purpose of using unobligated balances.
(i) The terms and conditions of award prohibit the extension.
(ii) The extension requires additional Federal funds.
(iii) The extension involves any change in the approved objectives or scope of the project.
(3) Unless directed otherwise by the grant officer, carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent funding periods.
(f) Program regulations may restrict the transfer of funds among direct cost categories or programs, functions and activities for awards in which NASA's share of the project exceeds $100,000 and the cumulative amount of such transfers exceeds or is expected to exceed 10 percent of the total budget as last approved by NASA. NASA will ensure that any such program regulation requirements are announced in program guidelines or are incorporated as special conditions in award documents. No program regulation shall permit a transfer that would cause any Federal appropriation or part thereof to be used for purposes other than those consistent with the original intent of the appropriation.
(g) All other changes to nonconstruction budgets, except for the changes described in paragraph (j) of this section, do not require prior approval.
(h) For construction awards, recipients shall request prior written approval promptly from NASA for budget revisions whenever the conditions in paragraphs (h)(1), (2) or (3) of this section apply.
(1) The revision results from changes in the scope or the objective of the project or program.
(2) The need arises for additional Federal funds to complete the project.
(3) A revision is desired which involves specific costs for which prior written approval requirements may be imposed consistent with applicable OMB cost principles listed in § 1260.127.
(i) No other prior approval requirements for specific items will be imposed unless a deviation has been approved by OMB.
(j) When NASA makes an award that provides support for both construction and nonconstruction work, NASA requires the recipient to request prior approval from NASA before making any fund or budget transfers between the two types of work supported.
(k) For both construction and nonconstruction awards, NASA requires recipients to notify NASA in writing promptly whenever the amount of Federal authorized funds is expected to exceed the needs of the recipient for the project period by more than $5,000 or five percent of the Federal award, whichever is greater. This notification shall not be required if an application for additional funding is submitted for a continuation award.
(l) When requesting approval for budget revisions, recipients shall use the budget forms that were used in the application unless NASA indicates a letter of request suffices.
(m) Within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the request for budget revisions, NASA shall review the request and notify the recipient whether the budget revisions have been approved. If the revision is still under consideration at the end of 30 calendar days, NASA shall inform the recipient in writing of the date when the recipient may expect the decision.
§ 1260.126 Non-Federal audits.
(a) Recipients and subrecipients that are institutions of higher education or other non-profit organizations (including hospitals) shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1966 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Other Non-Profit Institutions."
(b) State and local governments shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1966 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations."
(c) For-profit hospitals not covered by the audit provisions of revised OMB Circular A-133 shall be subject to the audit requirements of NASA.
(d) Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements of NASA or the prime recipient as incorporated into the award document.
For each kind of recipient, there is a set of Federal principles for determining allowable costs. Allowability of costs shall be determined in accordance with the cost principles applicable to the entity incurring the costs. Thus, allowability of costs incurred by State, local or federally-recognized Indian tribal governments is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State and Local Governments." The allowability of costs incurred by non-profit organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-122, "Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations." The allowability of costs incurred by institutions of higher education is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions." The allowability of costs incurred by hospitals is determined in accordance with the provisions of appendix E of 45 CFR Part 74, "Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals." The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations and those non-profit organizations listed in Attachment C to Circular A-122 is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 31.
§ 1260.128 Period of availability of funds.
Where a funding period is specified, a recipient may charge to the grant only allowable costs resulting from obligations incurred during the funding period and any pre-award costs authorized by NASA.
Property Standards
§ 1260.130 Purpose of property standards.
Sections 1260.131 through 1260.137 set forth uniform standards governing management and disposition of property furnished by the Federal Government whose cost was charged to a project supported by a Federal award. Recipients shall observe these standards under awards and NASA will not impose additional requirements, unless specifically required by Federal statute. The recipient may use its own property management standards and procedures provided it observes the provisions of §§ 1260.131 through 1260.137.
§ 1260.131 Insurance coverage.
Recipients shall, at a minimum, provide the equivalent insurance coverage for real property and equipment acquired with Federal funds as provided for property owned by the recipient. Federally-owned property need not be insured unless required by the terms and conditions of the award.
Unless otherwise provided by statute, the requirements concerning the use and disposition of real property acquired in whole or in part under awards are as follows:
(a) Title to real property shall vest in the recipient subject to the condition that the recipient shall use the real property for the authorized purpose of the project as long as it is needed and shall not encumber the property without approval of NASA.
(b) The recipient shall obtain written approval by NASA for the use of real property in other federally-sponsored projects when the recipient determines that the property is no longer needed for the purpose of the original project. Use in other projects shall be limited to those under federally-sponsored projects (i.e., awards) or programs that have purposes consistent with those authorized for support by NASA.
(c) When the real property is no longer needed as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the recipient shall request disposition instructions from NASA or its successor Federal awarding agency. NASA shall observe one or more of the following disposition instructions.
(1) The recipient may be permitted to retain title without further obligation to the Federal Government after it compensates the Federal Government for that percentage of the current fair market value of the property attributable to the Federal participation in the project.
(2) The recipient may be directed to sell the property under guidelines provided by NASA and pay the Federal Government for that percentage of the current fair market value of the property attributable to the Federal participation in the project (after deducting actual and reasonable selling and fix-up expenses, if any, from the sales proceeds). When the recipient is authorized or required to sell the property, proper sales procedures shall be established that provide for competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest possible return.
(3) The recipient may be directed to transfer title to the property to the Federal Government or to an eligible third party provided that, in such cases, the recipient shall be entitled to compensation for its attributable percentage of the current fair market value of the property.
§ 1260.133 Federally-owned and exempt property.
(a) Federally-owned property.
(1) Title to federally-owned property remains vested in the Federal Government. Recipients shall submit annually an inventory listing of federally-owned property in their custody to NASA. Upon completion of the award or when the property is no longer needed, the recipient shall report the property to NASA for further Federal agency utilization.
(2) If NASA has no further need for the property, it shall be declared excess and reported to the General Services Administration, unless NASA has statutory authority to dispose of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 3710 (I)) to donate research equipment to educational and non-profit organizations in accordance with Executive Order 12821, "Improving Mathematics and Science Education in Support of the National Education Goals.") Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the recipient by NASA.
(b) Exempt property. Under the authority of the Childs Act, 31 U.S.C. 6301 to 6308, NASA has determined to vest title to property acquired with Federal funds in the recipient without further obligation to NASA, including reporting requirements.
(a) For grants and cooperative agreements for the purpose of research, NASA's policy is to vest title to property acquired with Federal funds in the recipient without further obligation to NASA, including reporting requirements, as set forth at § 1260.133(b). For grants and cooperative agreements for non-research purposes, and in the exceptional circumstance where a deviation is requested for a grant or cooperative agreement for research to not vest title in the recipient as exempt, equipment shall vest in the recipient subject to conditions of this section. These policies are not applicable to grants and cooperative agreements with commercial firms (see § 1260.74(b)(2) and § 1274.401.)
(b) The recipient shall not use equipment acquired with Federal funds to provide services to non-Federal outside organizations for a fee that is less than private companies charge for equivalent services, unless specifically authorized by Federal statute, for as long as the Federal Government retains an interest in the equipment.
(c) The recipient shall use the equipment in the project or program for which it was acquired as long as needed, whether or not the project or program continues to be supported by Federal funds and shall not encumber the property without approval of NASA. When no longer needed for the original project or program, the recipient shall use the equipment in connection with its other federally-sponsored activities, in the following order of priority:
(1) Activities sponsored by NASA, then
(2) Activities sponsored by other Federal agencies.
(d) During the time that equipment is used on the project or program for which it was acquired, the recipient shall make it available for use on other projects or programs if such other use will not interfere with the work on the project or program for which the equipment was originally acquired. First preference for such other use shall be given to other projects or programs sponsored by NASA; second preference shall be given to projects or programs sponsored by other Federal agencies. If the equipment is owned by the Federal Government, use on other activities not sponsored by the Federal Government shall be permissible if authorized by NASA. User charges shall be treated as program income.
(e) When acquiring replacement equipment, the recipient may use the equipment to be replaced as trade-in or sell the equipment and use the proceeds to offset the costs of the replacement equipment subject to the approval of NASA.
(f) The recipient's property management standards for equipment acquired with Federal funds and federally-owned equipment shall include all of the following:
(1) Equipment records shall be maintained accurately and shall include the following information.
(i) A description of the equipment.
(ii) Manufacturer's serial number, model number, Federal stock number, national stock number, or other identification number.
(iii) Source of the equipment, including the award number.
(iv) Whether title vests in the recipient or the Federal Government.
(v) Acquisition date (or date received, if the equipment was furnished by the Federal Government) and cost.
(vi) Information from which one can calculate the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the equipment (not applicable to equipment furnished by the Federal Government).
(vii) Location and condition of the equipment and the date the information was reported.
(viii) Unit acquisition cost.
(ix) Ultimate disposition data, including date of disposal and sales price or the method used to determine current fair market value where a recipient compensates NASA for its share.
(2) Equipment owned by the Federal Government shall be identified to indicate Federal ownership.
(3) A physical inventory of equipment shall be taken and the results reconciled with the equipment records at least once every two years. Any differences between quantities determined by the physical inspection and those shown in the accounting records shall be investigated to determine the causes of the difference. The recipient shall, in connection with the inventory, verify the existence, current utilization, and continued need for the equipment.
(4) A control system shall be in effect to insure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the equipment. Any loss, damage, or theft of equipment shall be investigated and fully documented; if the equipment was owned by the Federal Government, the recipient shall promptly notify NASA.
(5) Adequate maintenance procedures shall be implemented to keep the equipment in good condition.
(6) Where the recipient is authorized or required to sell the equipment, proper sales procedures shall be established which provide for competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest possible return.
(g) When the recipient no longer needs the equipment, the equipment may be used for other activities in accordance with the following standards. For equipment with a current per unit fair market value of $5,000 or more, the recipient may retain the equipment for other uses provided that compensation is made to the original Federal awarding agency or its successor. The amount of compensation shall be computed by applying the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the original project or program to the current fair market value of the equipment. If the recipient has no need for the equipment, the recipient shall request disposition instructions from NASA. NASA shall determine whether the equipment can be used to meet NASA`s requirements. If no requirement exists within NASA, the availability of the equipment shall be reported to the General Services Administration by NASA to determine whether a requirement for the equipment exists in other Federal agencies. NASA shall issue instructions to the recipient no later than 120 calendar days after the recipient's request and the following procedures shall govern.
(1) If so instructed or if disposition instructions are not issued within 120 calendar days after the recipient's request, the recipient shall sell the equipment and reimburse NASA an amount computed by applying to the sales proceeds the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the original project or program. However, the recipient shall be permitted to deduct and retain from the Federal share $500 or ten percent of the proceeds, whichever is less, for the recipient's selling and handling expenses.
(2) If the recipient is instructed to ship the equipment elsewhere, the recipient shall be reimbursed by the Federal Government by an amount which is computed by applying the percentage of the recipient's participation in the cost of the original project or program to the current fair market value of the equipment, plus any reasonable shipping or interim storage costs incurred.
(3) If the recipient is instructed to otherwise dispose of the equipment, the recipient shall be reimbursed by NASA for such costs incurred in its disposition.
(4) NASA may reserve the right to transfer the title to the Federal Government or to a third party named by NASA when such third party is otherwise eligible under existing statutes. Such transfer shall be subject to the following standards.
(i) The equipment shall be appropriately identified in the award or otherwise made known to the recipient in writing.
(ii) NASA shall issue disposition instructions within 120 calendar days after receipt of a final inventory. The final inventory shall list all equipment acquired with grant funds and federally-owned equipment. If NASA fails to issue disposition instructions within the 120 calendar day period, the recipient shall apply the standards of this section, as appropriate.
When NASA exercises its right to take title, the equipment shall be subject to the provisions for federally-owned equipment.
§ 1260.135 Supplies and other expendable property.
(a) Title to supplies and other expendable property shall vest in the recipient upon acquisition. If there is a residual inventory of unused supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate value upon termination or completion of the project or program and the supplies are not needed for any other federally-sponsored project or program, the recipient shall retain the supplies for use on non-Federal sponsored activities or sell them, but shall, in either case, compensate the Federal Government for its share. The amount of compensation shall be computed in the same manner as for equipment.
(b) The recipient shall not use supplies acquired with Federal funds to provide services to non-Federal outside organizations for a fee that is less than private companies charge for equivalent services, unless specifically authorized by Federal statute as long as the Federal Government retains an interest in the supplies.
§ 1260.136 Intangible property.
(a) The recipient may assert copyright in any work that is copyrightable and was created, or for which copyright ownership was purchased, under an award. NASA is granted a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, prepare derivative works or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to do so.
(b) Recipients are subject to applicable regulations governing patents and inventions, including government-wide regulations issued by the Department of Commerce at 37 CFR Part 401, "Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements."
(c) NASA has the right to:
(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data first produced under an award; and
(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.
(d)(1) In addition, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for research data relating to published research findings produced under an award that were used by the Federal Government in developing an agency action that has the force and effect of law, NASA shall request, and the recipient shall provide, within a reasonable time, the research data so that they can be made available to the public through the procedures established under the FOIA. If NASA obtains the research data solely in response a FOIA request, NASA may charge the requester a reasonable fee equaling the full incremental cost of obtaining the research data. This fee should reflect costs incurred by NASA, the recipient, and applicable subrecipients. This fee is in addition to any fees the agency may assess under the FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(A)).
(2) The following definitions apply for purposes of this paragraph (d):
(i) Research data is defined as the recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate research findings, but not any of the following: preliminary analyses, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer reviews, or communications with colleagues. This "recorded" material excludes physical objects (e.g., laboratory samples). Research data does not include:
(A) Trade secrets, commercial information, materials necessary to be held confidential by a researcher until they are published, or similar information which is protected under law; and
(B) Personnel and medical information and similar information the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, such as information that could be used to identify a particular person in a research study.
(ii) Published is defined as either when:
(A) Research findings are published in a peer-reviewed scientific or technical journal; or
(B) A Federal agency publicly and officially cites the research findings in support of an agency action that has the force and effect of law.
(iii) Used by the Federal Government in developing an agency action that has the force and effect of law is defined as when an agency publicly and officially cites the research findings in support of an agency action that has the force and effect of law.
(e) Title to intangible property and debt instruments acquired under an award or subcontract vests upon acquisition in the recipient. The recipient shall use that property for the originally-authorized purpose, and the recipient shall not encumber the property without approval of NASA. When no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, disposition of the intangible property shall occur in accordance with the provisions of § 1260.134(g).
(f) Due to the substantial involvement on the part of NASA under a cooperative agreement, intellectual property may be produced by Federal employees and NASA contractors tasked to perform NASA assigned activities. Title to intellectual property created under the cooperative agreement by NASA or its contractors will initially vest with the creating party. Certain rights may be exchanged with the recipient.
§ 1260.137 Property trust relationship.
Real property, equipment, intangible property and debt instruments that are acquired or improved with Federal funds shall be held in trust by the recipient as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved. NASA may require recipients to record liens or other appropriate notices of record to indicate that personal or real property has been acquired or improved with Federal funds and that use and disposition conditions apply to the property.
Procurement Standards
§ 1260.140 Purpose of procurement standards.
Sections 1260.141 through 1260.148 set forth standards for use by recipients in establishing procedures for the procurement of supplies and other expendable property, equipment, real property and other services with Federal funds. These standards are furnished to ensure that such materials and services are obtained in an effective manner and in compliance with the provisions of applicable Federal statutes and executive orders. No additional procurement standards or requirements shall be imposed by NASA upon recipients, unless specifically required by Federal statute or executive order or approved in accordance with the deviation procedures of § 1260.6.
§ 1260.141 Recipient responsibilities.
The standards contained in this section do not relieve the recipient of the contractual responsibilities arising under its contract(s). The recipient is the responsible authority, without recourse to NASA, regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues arising out of procurements entered into in support of an award or other agreement. This includes disputes, claims, protests of award, source evaluation or other matters of a contractual nature. Matters concerning violation of statute are to be referred to such Federal, State or local authority as may have proper jurisdiction.
The recipient shall maintain written standards of conduct governing the performance of its employees engaged in the award and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by Federal funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest would be involved. Such a conflict would arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in the firm selected for an award. The officers, employees, and agents of the recipient shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors, or parties to subagreements. However, recipients may set standards for situations in which the financial interest is not substantial or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal value. The standards of conduct shall provide for disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards by officers, employees, or agents of the recipient.
All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. The recipient shall be alert to organizational conflicts of interest as well as noncompetitive practices among contractors that may restrict or eliminate competition or otherwise restrain trade. In order to ensure objective contractor performance and eliminate unfair competitive advantage, contractors that develop or draft specifications, requirements, statements of work, invitations for bids and/or requests for proposals shall be excluded from competing for such procurements. Awards shall be made to the bidder or offeror whose bid or offer is responsive to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the recipient, price, quality and other factors considered. Solicitations shall clearly set forth all requirements that the bidder or offeror shall fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the recipient. Any and all bids or offers may be rejected when it is in the recipient's interest to do so.
§ 1260.144 Procurement procedures.
(a) All recipients shall establish written procurement procedures. These procedures shall provide for, at a minimum, that the conditions in paragraphs (a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section apply.
(1) Recipients avoid purchasing unnecessary items.
(2) Where appropriate, an analysis is made of lease and purchase alternatives to determine which would be the most economical and practical procurement for the Federal Government.
(3) Solicitations for goods and services provide for all of the following:
(i) A clear and accurate description of the technical requirements for the material, product or service to be procured. In competitive procurements, such a description shall not contain features which unduly restrict competition.
(ii) Requirements which the bidder/offeror must fulfill and all other factors to be used in evaluating bids or proposals.
(iii) A description, whenever practicable, of technical requirements in terms of functions to be performed or performance required, including the range of acceptable characteristics or minimum acceptable standards.
(iv) The specific features of "brand name or equal" descriptions that bidders are required to meet when such items are included in the solicitation.
(v) The acceptance, to the extent practicable and economically feasible, of products and services dimensioned in the metric system of measurement.
(vi) Preference, to the extent practicable and economically feasible, for products and services that conserve natural resources and protect the environment and are energy efficient.
(b) Positive efforts shall be made by recipients to utilize small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises, whenever possible. Recipients of NASA awards shall take all of the following steps to further this goal.
(1) Ensure that small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises are used to the fullest extent practicable.
(2) Make information on forthcoming opportunities available and arrange time frames for purchases and contracts to encourage and facilitate participation by small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises.
(3) Consider in the contract process whether firms competing for larger contracts intend to subcontract with small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises.
(4) Encourage contracting with consortiums of small businesses, minority-owned firms and women's business enterprises when a contract is too large for one of these firms to handle individually.
(5) Use the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency in the solicitation and utilization of small businesses, minority- owned firms and women's business enterprises.
(c) The type of procuring instruments used (e.g., fixed price contracts, cost reimbursable contracts, purchase orders, and incentive contracts) shall be determined by the recipient but shall be appropriate for the particular procurement and for promoting the best interest of the program or project involved. The "cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost" or "percentage of construction cost" methods of contracting shall not be used.
(d) Contracts shall be made only with responsible contractors who possess the potential ability to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. Consideration shall be given to such matters as contractor integrity, record of past performance, financial and technical resources or accessibility to other necessary resources. In certain circumstances, contracts with certain parties are restricted by 2 CFR Part 180, the implementation of Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, "Debarment and Suspension."
(e) Recipients shall, on request, make available for NASA, pre-award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc., when any of the following conditions apply.
(1) A recipient's procurement procedures or operation fails to comply with the procurement standards in NASA's implementation of this subpart.
(2) The procurement is expected to exceed the small purchase threshold and is to be awarded without competition or only one bid or offer is received in response to a solicitation.
(3) The procurement, which is expected to exceed the small purchase threshold, specifies a "brand name" product.
(4) The proposed award over the small purchase threshold is to be awarded to other than the apparent low bidder under a sealed bid procurement.
(5) A proposed contract modification changes the scope of a contract or increases the contract amount by more than the amount of the small purchase threshold.
§ 1260.145 Cost and price analysis.
Some form of cost or price analysis shall be made and documented in the procurement files in connection with every procurement action. Price analysis may be accomplished in various ways, including the comparison of price quotations submitted, market prices and similar indicia, together with discounts. Cost analysis is the review and evaluation of each element of cost to determine reasonableness, allocability and allowability.
§ 1260.146 Procurement records.
Procurement records and files for purchases in excess of the small purchase threshold shall include the following at a minimum:
(a) Basis for contractor selection,
(b) Justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or offers are not obtained, and
(c) Basis for award cost or price.
§ 1260.147 Contract administration.
A system for contract administration shall be maintained to ensure contractor conformance with the terms, conditions and specifications of the contract and to ensure adequate and timely follow up of all purchases. Recipients shall evaluate contractor performance and document, as appropriate, whether contractors have met the terms, conditions and specifications of the contract.
§ 1260.148 Contract provisions.
The recipient shall include, in addition to provisions to define a sound and complete agreement, the following provisions in all contracts. The following provisions shall also be applied to subcontracts.
(a) Contracts in excess of the small purchase threshold shall contain contractual provisions or conditions that allow for administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances in which a contractor violates or breaches the contract terms, and provide for such remedial actions as may be appropriate.
(b) All contracts in excess of the small purchase threshold shall contain suitable provisions for termination by the recipient, including the manner by which termination shall be effected and the basis for settlement. In addition, such contracts shall describe conditions under which the contract may be terminated for default as well as conditions where the contract may be terminated because of circumstances beyond the control of the contractor.
(c) Except as otherwise required by statute, an award that requires the contracting (or subcontracting) for construction or facility improvements shall provide for the recipient to follow its own requirements relating to bid guarantees, performance bonds, and payment bonds unless the construction contract or subcontract exceeds $100,000. For those contracts or subcontracts exceeding $100,000, NASA may accept the bonding policy and requirements of the recipient, provided the NASA has made a determination that the Federal Government's interest is adequately protected. If such a determination has not been made, the minimum requirements shall be as follows.
(1) A bid guarantee from each bidder equivalent to five percent of the bid price. The "bid guarantee" shall consist of a firm commitment such as a bid bond, certified check, or other negotiable instrument accompanying a bid as assurance that the bidder shall, upon acceptance of his bid, execute such contractual documents as may be required within the time specified.
(2) A performance bond on the part of the contractor for 100 percent of the contract price. A "performance bond" is one executed in connection with a contract to secure fulfillment of all the contractor's obligations under such contract.
(3) A payment bond on the part of the contractor for 100 percent of the contract price. A "payment bond" is one executed in connection with a contract to assure payment as required by statute of all persons supplying labor and material in the execution of the work provided for in the contract.
(4) Where bonds are required in the situations described in this section, the bonds shall be obtained from companies holding certificates of authority as acceptable sureties pursuant to 31 CFR Part 223, "Surety Companies Doing Business with the United States."
(d) All negotiated contracts (except those for less than the small purchase threshold) awarded by recipients shall include a provision to the effect that the recipient, NASA, the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, papers and records of the contractor which are directly pertinent to a specific program for the purpose of making audits, examinations, excerpts and transcriptions.
(e) All contracts, including small purchases, awarded by recipients and their contractors shall contain the procurement provisions of appendix A to this subpart, as applicable.
Reports and Records
§ 1260.150 Purpose of reports and records.
Sections 1260.151 through 1260.153 set forth the procedures for monitoring and reporting on the recipient's financial and program performance and the necessary standard reporting forms. They also set forth record retention requirements.
§ 1260.151 Monitoring and reporting program performance.
(a) Recipients are responsible for managing and monitoring each project, program, subcontract, function or activity supported by the award. Recipients shall monitor subcontracts to ensure subcontractors have met the audit requirements as delineated in § 1260.126.
(b) The terms and conditions of the award shall prescribe the frequency with which the performance reports shall be submitted. Except as provided in § 1260.151(f), performance reports shall not be required more frequently than quarterly or, less frequently than annually. Annual reports shall be due 90 calendar days after the grant year; quarterly or semi-annual reports shall be due 30 days after the reporting period. NASA may require annual reports before the anniversary dates of multiple year awards in lieu of these requirements. The final performance reports are due 90 calendar days after the expiration or termination of the award.
(c) If inappropriate, a final technical or performance report shall not be required after completion of the project.
(d) When required, performance reports shall generally contain, for each award, brief information on each of the following.
(1) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives established for the period, the findings of the investigator, or both. Whenever appropriate and the output of programs or projects can be readily quantified, such quantitative data should be related to cost data for computation of unit costs.
(2) Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.
(3) Other pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.
(e) Recipients shall not be required to submit more than the original and two copies of performance reports.
(f) Recipients shall immediately notify NASA of developments that have a significant impact on the award-supported activities. Also, notification shall be given in the case of problems, delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the ability to meet the objectives of the award. This notification shall include a statement of the action taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.
(g) NASA may make site visits, as needed.
(h) NASA shall comply with clearance requirements of 5 CFR Part 1320 when requesting performance data from recipients.
§ 1260.152 Financial reporting.
(a) When funds are advanced to recipients, each recipient is required to submit the SF 272, Report of Federal Cash Transactions, and, when necessary, its continuation sheet, SF 272a. NASA uses this report to monitor cash advanced to the recipient and obtain disbursement information for each agreement with the recipient.
(b) Recipients are required to submit the report electronically to the Department of Health and Human Services' Payment Management System (DHHS/PMS) within 15 working days following the end of each Federal fiscal quarter. Reports are required for each quarter whether or not advances have been made during that quarter.
(c) Additionally, recipients shall submit a final SF 272 in paper form to the NASA Financial Management Office, and shall furnish a copy of the final SF 272 to the appropriate grant officer.
§ 1260.153 Retention and access requirements for records.
(a) This section sets forth requirements for record retention and access to records for awards to recipients. NASA shall not impose any other record retention or access requirements upon recipients.
(b) Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to an award shall be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, as authorized by NASA. The only exceptions are the following.
(1) If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the expiration of the three-year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved and final action taken.
(2) Records for real property and equipment acquired with Federal funds shall be retained for 3 years after final disposition.
(3) When records are transferred to or maintained by NASA, the 3-year retention requirement is not applicable to the recipient
(4) Indirect cost rate proposals, cost allocations plans, etc. as specified in §1260.153(g).
(c) NASA authorizes that copies of original records may be substituted for the original records.
(d) NASA shall request transfer of certain records to its custody from recipients when it determines that the records possess long term retention value. However, in order to avoid duplicate record keeping, NASA may make arrangements for recipients to retain any records that are continuously needed for joint use.
(e) NASA, the Inspector General, Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, have the right of timely and unrestricted access to any books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients that are pertinent to the awards, in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts and copies of such documents. This right also includes timely and reasonable access to a recipient's personnel for the purpose of interview and discussion related to such documents. The rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained.
(f) Unless required by statute, NASA shall place no restrictions on recipients that limit public access to the records of recipients that are pertinent to an award, except when NASA can demonstrate that such records shall be kept confidential and would have been exempted from disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) if the records had belonged to NASA.
(g) Indirect cost rate proposals, cost allocations plans, etc. Paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section apply to the following types of documents, and their supporting records: Indirect cost rate computations or proposals, cost allocation plans, and any similar accounting computations of the rate at which a particular group of costs is chargeable (such as computer usage chargeback rates or composite fringe benefit rates).
(1) If submitted for negotiation. If the recipient submits to NASA or the subrecipient submits to the recipient the proposal, plan, or other computation to form the basis for negotiation of the rate, then the 3-year retention period for its supporting records starts on the date of such submission.
(2) If not submitted for negotiation. If the recipient is not required to submit to NASA or the subrecipient is not required to submit to the recipient the proposal, plan, or other computation for negotiation purposes, then the 3-year retention period for the proposal, plan, or other computation and its supporting records starts at the end of the fiscal year (or other accounting period) covered by the proposal, plan, or other computation.
Termination and Enforcement
§ 1260.160 Purpose of termination and enforcement.
Sections 1260.61 and 1260.62 set forth uniform suspension, termination and enforcement procedures.
(a) Awards may be terminated in whole or in part only if the conditions in paragraph (a)(1), (2) or (3) of this section apply.
(1) By NASA, if a recipient materially fails to comply with the terms and conditions of an award.
(2) By NASA with the consent of the recipient, in which case the two parties shall agree upon the termination conditions, including the effective date and, in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated.
(3) By the recipient upon sending to NASA written notification setting forth the reasons for such termination, the effective date, and, in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated. However, if NASA determines in the case of partial termination that the reduced or modified portion of the grant will not accomplish the purposes for which the grant was made, it may terminate the grant in its entirety under either paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section.
(b) If costs are allowed under an award, the responsibilities of the recipient referred to in § 1260.171(a), including those for property management as applicable, shall be considered in the termination of the award, and provision shall be made for continuing responsibilities of the recipient after termination, as appropriate.
(a) Remedies for noncompliance. If a recipient materially fails to comply with the terms and conditions of an award, whether stated in a Federal statute, regulation, assurance, application, or notice of award, NASA may, in addition to imposing any of the special conditions outlined in § 1260.114, take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances.
(1) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the recipient or more severe enforcement action by NASA.
(2) Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance.
(3) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the current award.
(4) Withhold further awards.
(5) Take other remedies that may be legally available.
(b) Hearings and appeals. In taking an enforcement action, NASA shall provide the recipient an opportunity for hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding to which the recipient is entitled under any statute or regulation applicable to the action involved.
(c) Effects of suspension and termination. Costs of a recipient resulting from obligations incurred by the recipient during a suspension or after termination of an award are not allowable unless NASA expressly authorizes them in the notice of suspension or termination or subsequently. Other recipient costs during suspension or after termination which are necessary and not reasonably avoidable are allowable if the conditions in paragraph (c)(1) and (2) of this section apply.
(1) The costs result from obligations which were properly incurred by the recipient before the effective date of suspension or termination, are not in anticipation of it, and in the case of a termination, are noncancellable.
(2) The costs would be allowable if the award were not suspended or expired normally at the end of the funding period in which the termination takes effect.
(d) Relationship to debarment and suspension. The enforcement remedies identified in this section, including suspension and termination, do not preclude a recipient from being subject to debarment and suspension under Executive Orders 12549 and 12689 and 2 CFR Part 180 (see § 1260.113).
AFTER-THE AWARD REQUIREMENTS
Sections 1260.171 through 1260.173 contain closeout procedures and other procedures for subsequent disallowances and adjustments.
§ 1260.171 Closeout procedures.
(a) Recipients shall submit, within 90 calendar days after the date of completion of the award, all financial, performance, and other reports as required by the terms and conditions of the award. NASA may approve extensions when requested by the recipient.
(b) Unless NASA authorizes an extension, a recipient shall liquidate all obligations incurred under the award not later than 90 calendar days after the funding period or the date of completion as specified in the terms and conditions of the award or in agency implementing instructions.
(c) NASA shall make prompt payments to a recipient for allowable reimbursable costs under the award being closed out.
(d) The recipient shall promptly refund any balances of unobligated cash that NASA has advanced or paid and that is not authorized to be retained by the recipient for use in other projects. OMB Circular A-129 governs unreturned amounts that become delinquent debts.
(e) When authorized by the terms and conditions of the award, NASA shall make a settlement for any upward or downward adjustments to the Federal share of costs after closeout reports are received.
(f) The recipient shall account for any real and personal property acquired with Federal funds or received from the Federal Government in accordance with §§ 1260.131 through 1260.137.
(g) In the event a final audit has not been performed prior to the closeout of an award, NASA shall retain the right to recover an appropriate amount after fully considering the recommendations on disallowed costs resulting from the final audit.
§ 1260.172 Subsequent adjustments and continuing responsibilities.
(a) The closeout of an award does not affect any of the following.
(1) The right of NASA to disallow costs and recover funds on the basis of a later audit or other review.
(2) The obligation of the recipient to return any funds due as a result of later refunds, corrections, or other transactions.
(3) Audit requirements in § 1260.126.
(4) Property management requirements in §§ 1260.131 through 1260.137.
(5) Records retention as required in § 1260.153.
(b) After closeout of an award, a relationship created under an award may be modified or ended in whole or in part with the consent of the NASA and the recipient, provided the responsibilities of the recipient referred to in § 1260.173(a), including those for property management as applicable, are considered and provisions made for continuing responsibilities of the recipient, as appropriate.
§ 1260.173 Collection of amounts due.
(a) Any funds paid to a recipient in excess of the amount to which the recipient is finally determined to be entitled under the terms and conditions of the award constitute a debt to the Federal Government. If not paid within a reasonable period after the demand for payment, NASA may reduce the debt by the provisions of paragraph (a)(1), (2) or (3) of this section
(1) Making an administrative offset against other requests for reimbursements.
(2) Withholding advance payments otherwise due to the recipient.
(3) Taking other action permitted by statute.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, NASA shall charge interest on an overdue debt in accordance with 4 CFR chapter II, "Federal Claims Collection Standards."
Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 1260 -- Contract Provisions
All contracts awarded by a recipient, including small purchases, shall contain the following provisions as applicable:
1. Equal Employment Opportunity. All contracts shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Executive Order 11246, "Equal Employment Opportunity," as amended by Executive Order 11375, "Amending Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity," and as supplemented by regulations at 41 CFR Part 60, "Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor."
2. Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act (18 U.S.C. 874 and 40 U.S.C. 276c). All contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction or repair awarded by recipients shall include a provision for compliance with the Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act (18 U.S.C. 874), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 3, "Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United States"). The Act provides that each contractor shall be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the compensation to which he is otherwise entitled. The recipient shall report all suspected or reported violations to NASA.
3. Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a to a-7). When required by Federal program legislation, all construction contracts awarded by the recipients of more than $2,000 shall include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a to a-7) and as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, "Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Governing Federally Financed and Assisted Construction"). Under this Act, contractors shall be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the minimum wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors shall be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The recipient shall place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation and the award of a contract shall be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage determination. The recipient shall report all suspected or reported violations to the NASA.
4. Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327-333). Where applicable, all contracts awarded by recipients in excess of $2,000 for construction contracts and in excess of $2,500 for other contracts that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers shall include a provision for compliance with Sections 102 and 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327-333), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5). Under Subsection 102 of the Act, each contractor shall be required to compute the wages of every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard work week is permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not less than 1.5 times the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the work week. Section 107 of the Act is applicable to construction work and provides that no laborer or mechanic shall be required to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These requirements do not apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for transportation or transmission of intelligence.
5. Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement. Contracts or agreements for the performance of experimental, developmental, or research work shall provide for the rights of the Federal Government and the recipient in any resulting invention in accordance with 37 CFR Part 401, "Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements," and any implementing regulations issued by the awarding agency.
6. Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), as amended. Contracts of amounts in excess of $100,000 shall contain a provision that requires the recipient to agree to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). Violations shall be reported to NASA and the Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
7. Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352). Contractors who apply or bid for an award of $100,000 or more shall file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Each tier shall also disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier to tier up to the recipient.
8. Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689). No contract shall be made to parties listed on the General Services Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs in accordance with Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, "Debarment and Suspension." This list contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, and contractors declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549. Contractors with awards that exceed the small purchase threshold shall provide the required certification regarding its exclusion status and that of its principal employees.