Foreword NASA Headquarters Washington D.C. 20546 This handbook has been prepared with but a single purpose in mind to assist you, the prospective contractor, in the process of doing business with NASA. We intend that it tell you in a straightforward way who we are, where we are and what we buy. And perhaps most importantly, we wish to assist you in marketing your product with NASA, whether it be an abstract idea, a manufacturing capability, a fabricated component, construction, basic materials or a specialized service. NASA buys all of these, and more. Your capability, your potential and your willingness to participate is essential to the accomplishment of NASA's mission. We wish to know who you are, and to learn what you can do. We sincerely hope that you will take the time to read this brochure and understand our basic theme of providing an opportunity for all to participate equitably in the nation's aeronautics and space programs. We urge that you pursue this brief introduction. We would sincerely welcome your personal or written inquiry and trust that your marketing endeavors with NASA will be a mutually profitable and fruitful experience. Sye Stuart J. Evans Assistant Administrator Is NASA NASA's mission is planned, directed, and coordinated from its Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the focal point for policy and program formulation. The operational aspects of NASA's work in aeronautics and space are performed through its spaceflight centers, research centers and other installations at various locations throughout the country. Each installation has a specifically prescribed mission, with related tasks, and is allocated the resources necessary for their accomplishment. Though these NASA installations have unique "inhouse" capabilities, their research and operations are pursued mainly through private industry, with the additional support of universities and other nonprofit research organizations. The installations and their major technical programs are described in Chapter 5. The overall management and allocation of resources for NASA technical programs is accomplished through four Headquarters program offices. The primary research and development activities of these offices, which assign mission responsibilities to NASA field installations as appropriate, are as follows. Program Offices Research and Development Activities The Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) is responsible for the conduct of advanced research and technology programs which enable and enhance our national objectives of continued preeminence in civil and military aerospace; investigation of the feasibility of selected advanced technology at the component or system level, to establish the benefits and practical utility of the advances; support of the military in development and demonstration of superior military |