of classes or other services to accessible buildings; assignment of aides to beneficiaries; home visits; delivery of health, welfare, or other social services at alternate accessible sites; alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities in conformance with the requirements of § 1251.302; or any other methods that result in making its program or activity accessible to handicapped persons. A recipient is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with paragraph (a) of this section. In choosing among available methods for meeting the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall give priority to those methods that offer programs and activities to handicapped persons in the most integrated setting appropriate.

(c) Time period. A recipient shall comply with the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section within sixty days of the effective date of this part except that where structural changes in facilities are necessary, such changes shall be made within three years of the effective date of this part, but in any event as expeditiously as possible.

(d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to facilities are necessary to meet the requirement of paragraph (a) of this section, a recipient shall develop, within six months of the effective date of this part, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons. A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum:

(1) Identify physical obstacles in the recipient's facilities that limit the accessibility of its program or activity to handicapped persons;

(2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;

(3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve full program accessibility and, if the time

period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and

(4) Indicate the person responsible for implementation of the plan.

(e) Notice. The recipient shall adopt and implement procedures to ensure that interested persons, including persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. § 1251.302 New construction.

(a) Design and construction. Each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, if the construction (ground breaking) was commenced after the effective date of this part.

(b) Alteration. Each facility or part of a facility which is altered by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient after the effective date of this part in a manner that affects or could affect the usability of the facility or part of the facility shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be altered in such manner that the altered portion of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons.

(c) American National Standcrds Institute accessibility standards. Design, construction, or alteration of facilities in conformance with the "American National Standard Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, the Physically Handicapped," published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., (ANSIA117.1-1961 (R1971)),1 which is incorporated by reference in this part, shall constitute compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. Departures from particular requirements of those standards by the use of other methods shall be permitted when it is clearly evident that equivalent access to the

1Copies obtainable from American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

§ 1260.101 Applicability.

This part applies to all research grants made by NASA which obligate appropriated funds.

§ 1260.102 Arrangement.

General plan. This part is divided into subparts, each one of which deals with a separate aspect of research grants. Each subpart is further subdivided into sections.

§ 1260.103 Contents.

This Part 1260 contains policies and procedures relating to the negotiation, award and administration of research grants, and is designed to achieve maximum uniformity throughout NASA. This part will be amended from time to time to set forth improved procedures which reduce grant preparation time, simplify and standardize grant forms, and improve the administration of grants.

§ 1260.104 Amendment.

Changes. This part will be amended by changes containing revised sections or subparts.

§ 1260.106 Deviations.

(a) Applicability. A deviation shall be considered to be any of the following:

(1) When a prescribed grant clause is set forth verbatim in this Part 1260, use of a clause covering the same subject matter which varies from, or has the effect of altering, the prescribed clause, or changing its application;

(2) When a grant clause is set forth in this part but not for use verbatim, use of a clause covering the same subject matter which is inconsistent with the intent, principle and substance of the grant clause or related coverage of the subject matter;

(3) Omission of any mandatory grant clause;

(4) When a NASA or other form is prescribed by this part, use of any other form for the same purpose;

(5) Alteration of a NASA or other form prescribed in this part except as authorized herein;

(6) When limitations are imposed by this part upon the use of a grant clause, form, procedure, or any other

method, or practice of conducting grant actions is prescribed in this part, any policy, procedure, method, or practice inconsistent therewith.

(b) Approval of deviations. Deviations will be authorized only when essential to effect necessary grant actions or where special circumstances make such deviations clearly in the best interests of the Government. Such deviations will be approved only by the Director of Procurement or his duly authorized representative.

(c) Requests for deviations. Requests for authority to deviate from this part shall be submitted to the Director of Procurement (Code KDP-1). Such requests shall be signed by the Procurement Officer of a field installation (or the Director in the case of the Headquarters Contracts Division) and shall be submitted as far in advance as exigencies of the situation will permit. Where the deviation involves more than a unique special situation, i.e., will affect grantees as a class, concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for University Affairs is additionally required. Each request for a deviation shall contain as a minimum:

(1) Identification of the requirement from which a deviation is sought;

(2) A full description of the deviation and the circumstances in which it will be used;

(3) A description of the intended effect of the deviation;

(4) A statement as to whether the deviation has been requested previously, and, if so, circumstances of the previous request;

(5) The name of the grantee and identification of the grant affected, including the dollar value; and

(6) Detailed reasons supporting the request, including any pertinent background information which will contribute to a fuller understanding of the deviation sought.

§ 1260.107 Definitions.

As used throughout this Part 1260, the words and terms defined in this section shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context in which they are used clearly requires a

different meaning, or a different definition is prescribed for a particular subpart of portion thereof.

(a) Administrator. The Administrator or Deputy Administrator of NASA. (b) Basic scientific research. Research directed toward the increase of knowledge in science wherein the primary aim of the investigator is to gain a fuller knowledge or understanding of the subject under study.

(c) Director of Procurement. The Director of the Procurement Office, Office of Industry Affairs and Technology Utilization, NASA Headquarters (Code KD).

(d) Educational institution. Any institution which has a faculty, offers courses of instruction and is authorized to award a degree upon completion of a specific course of study.

(e) Equipment-(1) Government-furnished equipment. Equipment in the possession of, or acquired directly by, the Government and subsequently delivered or otherwise made available to a grantee.

(2) Technical equipment. Equipment of a scientific nature required for carrying out the purposes of a research grant.

(3) Grantee-acquired equipment. Equipment purchased with grant funds by a grantee, for the performance of research under its grant.

(f) Grant. An award of funds included in a written instrument executed by the Administrator or his duly authorized representative.

(g) Granis officer. A contracting officer who has been delegated authority to award and administer grants.

(h) Grant specialist. Any employee of NASA who is assigned the responsibility of negotiating with potential grantees the terms and conditions of specific grants, and the administration of such grants.

(i) NASA. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(j) Nonprofit organization. Any corporation, foundation, trust or institution whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, not organized for profit, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

(k) Subcontract. A written agreement between a grantee and a third party for the furnishing of services or supplies necessary to carry out the research under a grant.

(1) Technical officer. The official of the cognizant NASA program office who is responsible for monitoring the technical aspects of the work under a grant.

Subpart B-Basic Policies

§ 1260.200 Authority.

Under the Act of September 6, 1958 (42 U.S.C. 1891-1893), entitled "An Act to Authorize the Expenditure of Funds Through Grants for Support of Scientific Research and for Other Purposes," NASA is authorized to make grants for basic scientific research at nonprofit institutions of higher education or at nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research. This Act also provides discretionary authority for vesting title to equipment purchased with grant or contract funds in these institutions and organizations, under grants or contracts for the conduct of basic or applied scientific research, without further obligation to the Government, or on such terms and conditions as NASA deems appropriate.

§ 1260.201 Policy.

(a) NASA policy is to use the grant instrument to sponsor required basic research at nonprofit institutions or organizations when it is desired to provide latitude to investigators that will encourage maximum creativity, and to have the minimum administration consistent with the public interest.

(b) In addition, it is NASA policy to provide appropriate continuity of support in research sponsored under grants. In general, initial obligation of funds shall not be made for a period of more than 3 years.

§ 1260.202 Unsolicited proposals.

(a) It is NASA's policy to inform organizations and individuals of scientific and technological areas encompassed by NASA's mission, and to encourage the submission of unsolicited proposals containing relevant new

ideas. An unsolicited proposal is a written offer to perform work which does not result from a formal written request for proposals issued by NASA. However, inquires regarding NASA interest in supporting research and development in a particular technical area shall not be construed as proposals. Unsolicited proposals are offered in the hope that NASA will support the proposer in research or development activities, or the testing of new products. Many of the proposals eventually become a part of a NASA program; others may have little or no value.

(b) Proposals for flight experiments to be carried on earth satellites or spacecraft present special problems of coordination, evaluation, and selection. NASA Handbook “Opportunities for Participation in Space Flight Investigations" (NHB 8030.1A), provides detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of flight experiment proposals. This Handbook may be obtained from the Office of Space Science (Code SS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C. 20546.

(c) All proposals should be specific and, as a minimum, include the information set forth below. (Although it is desired that unsolicited proposals be prepared in conformance with the standards set forth below, NASA may accept unsolicited proposals for evaluation purposes which do not conform thereto):

(1) Name and address of the organization submitting the proposal;

(2) Date of preparation or submission;

(3) Type of organization (profit, nonprofit, educational, other);

(4) Concise title and abstract of the proposed effort or activity for which support is being sought;

(5) An outline and discussion of the purpose of the proposed effort or activity, the method of attack upon the problem, and the nature and extent of the anticipated results;

(6) The name of the principal investigator (and other key personnel), social security number and brief biographical information, including principal publications and relevant experience;

(7) Proposed starting and completion dates;

(8) Equipment, facility and personnel requirements;

(9) Proposed budget, including separate cost estimates for salaries and wages, equipment, expendable supplies, services, travel, subcontracts, other direct costs, proposed cost sharing and overhead. Statement whether professional salaries will be accounted for on time and attendance record basis, or whether stipulated salary support is requested in accordance with Exhibit B of this part.

(10) Names of any other Federal agencies receiving the proposal and/or funding the proposed effort or activity;

(11) Brief description of the proposer's facilities, particularly those which would be used in the proposed effort or activity;

(12) If available, a descriptive brochure and a current financial statement;

(13) If proposed effort or activity requires or may generate classified security information, the security status of the organization and the major investigators, and identification of the cognizant security office;

(14) Period for which proposal is valid;

(15) Names and telephone numbers of proposer's business and technical personnel whom NASA may contact during evaluation and/or negotiation;

(16) Continuation proposals should be accompanied by an estimate of the amount of unspent, uncommitted funds which will be carried over beyond the grant anniversary date. The approximate amounts spent for salaries and wages, equipment, etc.the usual categories-during the past grant period should be listed;

(17) Each proposal containing technical data, which the submitter intends to be used by NASA for evaluation purposes only, should be marked on the cover sheet with the following, or similar, legend:

Technical data contained in pages-of this proposal shall not be used or disclosed, except for evaluation purposes, provided that if a contract or grant is awarded to this submitter as a result of or in connection with the submission of this proposal, the Government shall have the right to use or