{"id":193958,"date":"2023-02-27T21:38:50","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T02:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=193958"},"modified":"2024-01-29T11:52:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T16:52:11","slug":"frequently-asked-questions-about-nasa-partnerships","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/frequently-asked-questions-about-nasa-partnerships\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-light hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Partnerships<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/how-to-partner\/\">Partnering with NASA<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/nasa-locations-capabilities-and-points-of-contact\/\">Contacts and Capabilities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/partnerships-events-and-opportunities\/\">Events and Opportunities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>More<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/current-space-act-agreements\/\">Current Space Act Agreements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/nasa-partnership-examples\/\">Partnership Examples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. What is a NASA \u201cpartnership?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA uses the term \u201cpartnership\u201d to describe a wide variety of relationships with various external entities (e.g., contractors, academia, the public, other stakeholders).  For the purpose of these FAQs, a \u201cpartnership\u201d is a distinct type of non-procurement business relationship that does not involve the acquisition of goods and services for the direct benefit of the Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Why does NASA engage in Partnerships?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Partnerships help the Agency accomplish its mission objectives in several ways, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Facilitating collaborative opportunities with domestic and international partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping NASA resolve gaps in technical capabilities that are important to meeting our mission objectives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting U.S. economic innovation and industrial competitiveness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serving as a tool for meeting NASA\u2019s mandate under the Space Act of encouraging the \u201cfullest commercial use of space\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping to maintain essential NASA expertise and facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advancing NASA\u2019s STEM education and outreach goals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. What is the difference between Partnership Agreements and Procurement Contracts?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Partnership agreements are generally used to: <strong>(1)<\/strong> support the needs of the external partner where the partner reimburses government expenses (reimbursable partnership) or <strong>(2)<\/strong> achieve a mutual goal when working collaboratively on a no-exchange-of-funds basis (nonreimbursable partnership).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Procurement contracts, which are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and procurement statutes, are required when the principal purpose of the transaction is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both procurements and partnerships are important tools used by NASA in meeting its missions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"What-is-a-SAA\"><strong>4. What is a Space Act Agreement (SAA)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common legal instrument used to formulate partnerships at NASA is called the Space Act Agreement (SAA). NASA is authorized by Congress to enter into these kinds of agreement per its \u201cOther Transactions Authority (OTA)\u201d under the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. \u00a7 20113(e)). These agreements are similar to Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) that some other Federal agencies use when partnering with industry. SAAs can be nonreimbursable, reimbursable, funded, or unfunded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Nonreimbursable SAAs are collaborative agreements in which NASA and another party each contribute resources \u2013 which can include personnel, facilities, expertise, equipment or technology \u2013 with no transfer of funds between the parties. Each party agrees to fund its own participation in the activity for their mutual benefit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reimbursable SAAs involve the payment of funds to NASA in exchange for the use of unique NASA resources \u2013 personnel, facilities, expertise, equipment or technology. The terms, conditions and schedules are negotiable, but NASA must be paid in advance for each stage of the effort. NASA is prohibited from competing with the U.S. private sector, so NASA may not provide services which are reasonably available from the U.S. private sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Funded SAAs are agreements where NASA provides funding to a domestic Partner to accomplish an Agency objective where there is no direct benefit to NASA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unfunded SAAs are agreements in which the Agency provides goods, services, facilities, or equipment on a no-exchange-of-funds basis to a domestic Partner to accomplish an Agency objective where there is no direct benefit to NASA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. With whom does NASA partner?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA partners with a wide variety of entities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>U.S. Industry (large and small)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other Federal agencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Research institutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public outreach organizations (e.g., museums)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>State and local governments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colleges and universities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foreign entities (businesses, academia, research institutions, governments)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Professional associations and non-profits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. How do I partner with NASA?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are multiple ways to initiate a partnership with NASA\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>In response to a Public Announcement:<\/strong> NASA uses various types of public announcements to communicate information about available assets.  These formal communications, including Announcement for Proposal (AFP), Request for Information (RFI) and Notice of Availability (NOA) can be found on the Contract Opportunities website (<a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbeta.sam.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cvictoria.johnson-1%40nasa.gov%7C8f764d9166ff4f8386b508d9c56c98ed%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637757892480497980%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=7BD6zTsACiQeNEnuQh%2B4AcXdmbwC3%2FaLwBDNSCHu8vc%3D&reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>beta.SAM.gov<\/em><\/a>), and the NASA Acquisition Internet Service website (<a href=\"https:\/\/prod.nais.nasa.gov\/cgibin\/nais\/index.cgi\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/prod.nais.nasa.gov\/cgibin\/nais\/index.cgi<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other inquiries:<\/strong> Inquiries, questions, or request for information can be sent to the applicable NASA partnerships points of contact listed here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/contact.html\">NASA Locations, Capabilities and Points of Contact | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Where can I find more information about NASA media usage guidelines, regulations on merchandising requests, and regulations on advertising requests?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about NASA media usage guidelines, regulations on merchandising requests, and regulations on advertising requests, please visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-brand-center\/images-and-media\/\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-brand-center\/images-and-media\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. What is typically included in a NASA Space Act Agreement for STEM Engagement Opportunities?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For your convenience we have included a standard shell Space Act Agreement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/blanksaa-example-508.pdf?emrc=d34dac\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Partnerships 1. What is a NASA \u201cpartnership?\u201d NASA uses the term \u201cpartnership\u201d to describe a wide variety of relationships with various external entities (e.g., contractors, academia, the public, other stakeholders).  For the purpose of these FAQs, a \u201cpartnership\u201d is a distinct type of non-procurement business relationship that does not involve [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":0,"parent":161460,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2900],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[8391],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Partnerships","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/frequently-asked-questions-about-nasa-partnerships\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/frequently-asked-questions-about-nasa-partnerships\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":""},"articleSection":"Get Involved","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lee Mohon"}],"creator":["Lee Mohon"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Get Involved","Partner With Us"],"dateCreated":"2023-02-28T02:38:50Z","datePublished":"2023-02-28T02:38:50Z","dateModified":"2024-01-29T16:52:11Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Partnerships\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/partnerships\/frequently-asked-questions-about-nasa-partnerships\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-02-28T02:38:50Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Get Involved\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Get Involved,Partner With Us\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Lee Mohon\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"1 year","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/193958"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/193958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":598483,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/193958\/revisions\/598483"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/161460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193958"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=193958"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=193958"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=193958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}