NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

CHARTER OF THE 

BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

1. Official Designation: Biological and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee (BPAC).

2. Authority: Having determined that it isin the public interest in connection with the

performance of Agency duties under the law, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) Administrator hereby establishes the BPAC, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee

Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities: The BPAC shall draw on the expertise of its members to

provide advice and make recommendations to the Director, Biological and Physical Sciences

Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters (hereinafter, “Director, Biological and

Physical Sciences Division”) on biological and physical sciences programs, policies, plans, and

priorities. The BPAC’s recommendations and analysis can be used to inform decisions on the

programmatic scope and priorities, as well as the implementation of biological and physical

sciences programs. In addition, the BPAC will provide a regular forum for broad discussion of

biological and physical sciences and the role of biological and physical sciences within and outside

of NASA.

4. Description of Duties: The BPAC shall function solely as an advisory body and comply

with the provisions of the FACA. The BPAC shall be supported by subcommittees/subordinate

groups, as needed, to cover the breadth and depth of scope as determined by the Director,

Biological and Physical Sciences Division.

5. Official to Whom the Committee Reports: The BPAC reports to the Director, Biological

and Physical Sciences Division.

6. Support: The Biological and Physical Sciences Division will provide staff support for the

BPAC.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years: The Science Mission Directorate will

provide the budget for operation of the BPAC. The total estimated annual operating cost for the

BPAC is approximately $250,000, including 1.0 full time equivalent for NASA staff support.

8. Designated Federal Officer: The Executive Secretary of the BPAC shall be appointed by the

Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, and shall serve as the Designated Federal

Officer (DFO). The DFO will be either a full-time or a permanent part-time employee, who will:

call, attend, and adjourn committee and subcommittee/subordinate group meetings; approve

agendas; maintain required records on costs and membership; ensure efficient operations;

maintain records for availability to the public; and provide copies of the BPAC reports to the

NASA Advisory Committee Management Officer for forwarding to the Library of Congress.

The DFO will also coordinate with the members and subordinate group members, if any, and

NASA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to ensure that all legal/ethics requirements are met.
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With regard to Special Government Employees (SGEs) and Regular Government Employees 

(RGEs), these include, though are not limited to, timely filing of annual financial disclosure reports 

and annual ethics training by a representative of OGC and seeking advice from the NASA OGC 

Ethics Team for any questions concerning Government ethics requirements that may arise.

9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings: The BPAC shall meet two to four times a

year or as required by the Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division. Meetings shall

be open to the public unless it is determined in advance that the meeting, or a portion of the

meeting, is not covered by FACA or will be closed in accordance with the Government in the

SunshineAct.

10. Duration: The BPAC is envisioned to be a continuing entity with charter renewals.

11. Termination: The BPAC terminates two years from the date of the filing of this charter unless

renewed or terminated earlier by the NASA Administrator, after consultation with the Director,

Biological and Physical Sciences Division, and the Associate Administrator, Science Mission

Directorate.

12. Membership and Designation: The BPAC shall consist of members without compensation to

be selected by the Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division, following the Associate

Administrator, Science Mission Directorate’s written consultation, per delegation of the NASA

Administrator. Appointment letter(s) and reappointment letter(s) will be signed by the Associate

Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, per delegation of the NASA Administrator. The

Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division, shall ensure a balanced representation in

terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed. Diversity shall be

considered as well. The BPAC shall consist of 13-15 members for up to a three-year term,

renewable at the discretion of the Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division; members

may be SGEs, RGEs, or Representatives. The Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division,

shall designate the Chair of the BPAC after consultation with the Associate Administrator, Science

Mission Directorate, and NASA Administrator, and this will be documented in the appointment

letter or reappointment letter. The BPAC Chair also will serve as a member of the Science

Committee, NASA Advisory Council, and will be formally appointed to this position. The

Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division, shall also select a Vice-Chair from among the

members, in consultation with the BPAC Chair. All BPAC members serve at the pleasure of the

Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division.

13. Subcommittees: BPAC subcommittees, ad hoc task forces, and other subordinate groups as

needed may be established or discontinued at the discretion of the Director, Biological and

Physical Sciences Division, following consultation with the Associate Administrator, Science

Mission Directorate. No formal amendment(s) to this charter will be required to effect such

change(s). The terms of reference for a subordinate group shall be subject to the approval of the

Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division. Subordinate group chairs and members shall

be appointed by the Director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division, and members may be

SGEs, RGEs, or Representatives. Any subordinate group will report back to the BPAC and will

not provide advice or work products directly to NASA.

14. Recordkeeping: The records of the BPAC, or other subordinate groups of the BPAC, shall be

handled in accordance with the General Records Schedule 6.2, or other approved Agency records

disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject

to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
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15. Filing Date: This charter shall become effective upon the filing of this charter with

the appropriate U.S. Senate and House of Representatives oversight committees.

Filing Date: August 30, 2023

______________________________________ ________________________

Bill Nelson Signature Date

Administrator

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

August 30, 2023