PURPOSE. This NPG establishes guidelines for entering into Space Act agreements. The purpose of this document is to explain philosophy, delineate approaches, and describe policies, authorities, and procedures involved in creating Space Act agreements. Although this NPG contains examples of clauses for various types of agreements, it is not meant to establish standard clauses or dictate specific drafting conventions.

APPLICABILITY. This NPG is applicable to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Components Facilities.

SCOPE AND POLICY. NASA's organic statute, the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (herein, the Space Act), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2451 et seq.), grants NASA broad discretion in the performance of its functions. Specifically, the Space Act authorizes the NASA Administrator "to enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary in the conduct of its work and on such terms as it may deem appropriate, with any agency or instrumentality of the United States, or with any State, Territory, or possession, or with any political subdivision thereof, or with any person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution (emphasis added)" (42 U.S.C. § 2473 (c)(5)). In addition, section 205 (42 U.S.C. § 2475) permits the Administrator to engage in international cooperative programs pursuant to NASA's mission. Under its Space Act authority, NASA has entered into a great number of partnerships with diverse groups of people and organizations in order to meet wide-ranging NASA mission and program requirements and objectives.