The Office of Government Ethics provides all principles and regulations which can be found in The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch Handbook. Generally, you, your spouse or dependent child may not solicit or accept a gift from anyone doing business or seeking to do business with NASA, or anyone whose interests may be affected by you in your official position. The Government has adopted this rule to avoid the appearance that its employees can be bought or influenced by gifts. The award must be part of an established program of recognition under which awards have been made on a regular basis, and under which the selection of award recipients is made pursuant to written standards. Outside Employment Agency regulations require that an employee obtain prior approval before engaging in specific outside employment or activities.
Outside employment is any form of compensated or uncompensated employment or business relationship.
The exception to this rule is participation in activities in a non-profit source, but not if the activities are provided for compensation other than simple reimbursement of expenses. Completion of NASA Form C-231 is required for approval. An employee has a duty to protect and conserve Government property and shall not use such property, or allow its use, for other than authorized purposes. Government property includes any form of real or personal property in which the Government has an ownership, leasehold, or other property interest as well as any right or other intangible interest that is purchased with Government funds, including the services of contractor personnel. The term includes office supplies, telephone and other telecommunications equipment and services, the Government mails, automated data processing capabilities and reproduction facilities, Government records and Government vehicles.