INTERAGENCY COORDINATION Spaceborne nuclear energy power sources are extremely important as an option to meet NASA and DOD future space energy needs for the 1980 time period and beyond. Accordingly, a NASA/ERDA Space Power Coordinating Board and a DOD/ERDA Space Nuclear Applications Steering Group have been in force for several years to establish and maintain the necessary management interface and communications between ERDA and NASA and the DOD in matters related to nuclear energy for space. Specific to the NASA/ERDA Board, we can report excellent close cooperation between the staff. As part of its continuing efforts to evaluate and compare various candidate power sources, studies are underway on the Space Construction Base applica ion. The study should be completed in June 1977 and should end in the formulation of future development plans. HYDROGEN PRODUCTION EFFORT Another cooperative effort began in early 1975, when NASA began planning a joint venture with ERDA to construct a coal gasification facility to produce hydrogen. ERDA's interest in this project was focused on the need for a rapidly constructed research and development facility. NASA's need was for a nonpetroleum feedstock plant to serve as backup to the existing hydrogen supply contracts with commercial vendors. The plan called for the management of design, construction and checkout by NASA with ERDA consultation over three years. This would be followed by a three-year research and development operation by ERDA with NASA consultation. The plant would have then reverted to NASA for production operations. A general ERDA/NASA memorandum of understanding was signed on June 23, 1975. In November and December of 1975, it was decided that the Fossil Energy Program should pursue the acquisition of this hydrogen coal facility in its normal manner, by competitive request for procurements to private industry. In July, 1976 ERDA issued a program opportunity notice to industrial firms and others. This notice requested proposals for a facility requiring no less than 200 tons of coal per day, producing about 30 tons of hydrogen per day. The total coal gasification system must produce hydrogen of 95 percent or better purity and be used in an adjacent industrial process. Three proposals were submitted in response to the program opportunity notice. Two of these met minimum requirements. The selection of a contractor is expected shortly. CONCLUSION In conclusion, ERDA feels that its institutional relationships with NASA are healthy and maintained well by the Program Coordinating Committee. The interfaces are complex, involving different industrial markets and degrees of technological sophistication. We feel that broadly the technical programs are not only on track, but making very good progress. We look forward to utilizing this relationship in satisfying the energy needs of our Nation. ATTACHMENT A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ERDA AND NASA INTRODUCTION The Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) is charged by law with the responsibility for planning, coordinating, and prosecuting a vigorous national program in energy R&D. In order to meet the national goals of energy independence by 1985 established by the President, it is necessary for ERDA to seek out and utilize the Nation's most capable scientific, engineering, and management resources in the private, public, and university sectors of the economy. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides one important base of capability for supporting a national program of energy R&D. NASA Centers, currently engaged in aeronautical and space research and development, are staffed by personnel with a high degree of competence in engineering and scientific disciplines, many of which are applicable to energy research and technology. In addition, they have in place a number of highly sophisticated research facilities which are adaptable to research in energy R&D. Further, NASA has extensive experience and proven management techniques and procedures for working successfully with industry and university organizations. POLICY In light of the Nation's energy R&D needs and taking into consideration the willingness and ability of NASA to support ERDA R&D programs, it is the policy of ERDA and NASA management to identify specific program tasks which can be undertaken by the NASA Centers in support of ERDA programs to the benefit of both agencies and the Nation. PURPOSE The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to describe the general conditions under which ERDA/NASA cooperative efforts will be formulated and to outline over-all management approaches and procedures which will govern program approval and implementation. PROGRAM PLANNING AND APPROVAL ERDA is responsible for formulating, justifying, and managing the energy R&D programs which form the major thrust towards national energy self-sufficiency. In carrying out these responsibilities, ERDA, in consultation with NASA, will consider project and program plans which make use of the NASA capabilities described above and which enhance the ability of ERDA to reach the program goals and objectives set forth in its programs to Congress. Normally, NASA efforts will be of three kinds: 1. Research and Technology. Performance of basic and applied research and technology at selected Centers in specified disciplines and technologies. Examples of braod technology areas are photovoltaic systems, gas turbine technology, fuel cell technology and hydrogen technology; while examples of component technologies are bearings, seals, combustion, automatic control, materials and structures. ERDA would require project plans, other documentation, and program status information consistent with its program management responsibilities. Normally, ERDA sponsorship of significant in-house R&T work of this kind would be longterm in order to provide a reasonably stable and predictable support base for manpower and facilities assigned to such tasks. Both ERDA and NASA recognize that such support would not supplant work which could be carried on in private sector, national, or university laboratories but, rather, would make effective use of the unique combination of skilled personnel and research facilities now in place at NASA Centers. It is further recognized that such ERDA sponsored research and technology would tend to promote the increasingly beneficial use of these national facilities in their primary aeronautical and space technology programs by improved scaling of overhead and institutional support activities. 2. Programs and Projects. NASA may also submit proposals and plans to ERDA for specific technology developments, including test, evaluation and, demonstration, which normally would involve extensive private sector participation in all aspects of the proposed work. In such instances, ERDA program approval of project proposals would carry with it specific management controls extending to review and amendments of statements of work, membership on source evaluation boards, limitations on resources and other mutually agreed to management procedures normally associated with specific hardware-oriented R&D. For such activities, NASA would submit program documentation consistent with ERDA procedures and conduct the projects compatible with ERDA program and resource management policies and systems. Moreover, it is recognized by both agencies that specific end-item projects undertaken by NASA for ERDA should generally be those particularly well suited for NASA participation because of the presence of unique project management experience, program interest, extensive test and demonstration requirements, and other factors which would maximize the return to the Nation. 3. Technical and Administrative Management Support. In prosecuting its full program of energy R&D, ERDA will establish an extensive network of program relationships with high technology institutions in the private sector. Many of these associations will call for extensive management arrangements including, for example, technical review boards, evaluation groups, and other assessment techniques. In appropriate instances, provision of NASA technical and administrative expertise to ERDA on both a short and long-term basis will be considered by NASA as another element of ERDA support. Such manpower details would be handled so as to recognize the needs of both organizations and to promote the over-all efficiency of the Nation's energy R&D efforts. PROGRAM FUNDING In order to preserve the clear nature of program responsibilities assigned to ERDA and to provide a proper focus for external examination and review of ERDA programs, both parties agree that funding for program, project and other tasks performed by NASA for ERDA under the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will be budgeted and accounted for by ERDA through its normal budgetary processes. Such funding will provide for costs of NASA civil service personnel, contractor support, and other costs as appropriate and as specifically set forth in the program documentation for each sponsored effort. NASA agrees that it will provide such documentation on resource needs and utilization as necessary to sustain the integrity of ERDA financial accounts and systems, including making available any records and accounts relating to work sponsored by ERDA if required for audit. ERDA agrees to provide necessary authorization covering resources required to ensure program and project continuity. PROCUREMENT POLICY Most program and project activities undertaken by NASA for ERDA under the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will involve contractual arrangements with non-governmental institutions. Such arrangements shall be conducted under NASA policy, regulations, and procedures except where specific statutory requirements of ERDA require otherwise. MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS This Memorandum of Understanding envisages direct access of ERDA program officials to the NASA Centers performing work in support of ERDA and the recognition of direct program management lines between ERDA personnel and NASA Centers. Program or project plans with appropriate detail required by ERDA will serve as program or project documentation and will set forth the specific arrangements under which program implementation will take place. In those instances of project work involving contractual participation by commercial contractors or other organizations outside of NASA, such Project Plans will set forth necessary interface arrangements and procedures for handling various levels of governmental decisions. Normally such management arrangements will clearly set forth the decision and delegation levels considered appropriate for each project and clearly describe the management reporting and coordination processes between ERDA and NASA. Although variations can be anticipated to allow for specific cases, the general over-all ERDA/NASA project structure is illustrated on Appendix A. In all cases of NASA Center support for ERDA R&D, NASA Headquarters officials will approve the proposed project before formal submission to ERDA. Finally, it is expected that subsequent to project agreements, NASA Headquarters will receive reports in sufficient detail to ensure successful program coordination within NASA and a continuing availability of resources. PATENT AND BACKGROUND RIGHTS The patents provisions of contracts awarded by NASA pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding will be based upon NASA's patent policy, regulations, and procedures except where specific statutory requirements of ERDA require otherwise. A copy of the disclosure of each invention made under such contracts will be furnished to ERDA. It is agreed that requests (if any) by contractors or subcontractors for the grant of exclusive rights to such inventions will be referred to ERDA for consideration under ERDA patent policy and no grant under NASA statute will be made without ERDA approval. Consideration will be given by NASA to whether background patent clauses should be included in any contract awarded under this Agreement. Specific clauses to implement these general principles will be subject to agreement between ERDA and NASA in the light of specific contracts to be awarded under this Memorandum of Understanding. ERDA/NASA Program coordination COMMITTEE To provide a continuing mechanism for reviewing both the breadth and depth of NASA support for ERDA programs, both agencies agree that an ERDA/NASA Program Coordination Committee will be established. This Committee, which is expected to meet quarterly, will consist of such officials whose commitment and support is required for program success. The joint Chairman of this Coordination Committee will be the Deputy Administrators of each agency. A Charter for the establishment and operation of the ERDA/NASA Program Coordination Committee will be approved by the Administrators of both agencies. ANNUAL PROGRAM REVIEWS To ensure appropriate development of support tasks and work under this Agreement, the ERDA/NASA Program Coordination Committee will conduct a joint review of NASA R&D work in support of ERDA each year preceding submission of ERDA program recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget and to the President. Following such annual review, the Administrator of ERDA and the Administrator of NASA will provide guidance for the adjustment of the over-all level of NASA support in light of over-all energy R&D strategies, program changes and content and in due consideration of the institutional plans of NASA. PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATION Timely release of information to the public regarding projects and programs implemented under this Memorandum of Understanding will be by mutual agreement between ERDA and NASA representatives. AUTHORITY This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into pursuant to the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 1958, as amended. ATTACHMENT B ERDA-NASA PROGRAM COORDINATION COMMITTEE ERDA Members: Deputy Administrator (Co-Chairman)-R. W. Fri Assistant Administrator for Institutional Relations (Co-Secretary)—Dr. Eric H. Willis Assistant Administrator for Field Operations-Dr. M. I. Yarymovych Assistant Administrator for Solar, Geothermal and Advanced Energy SystemsDr. Robert L. Hirsch Assistant Administrator for Fossil Energy-Dr. Philip C. White Assistant Administrator for Conservation-Dr. Gene G. Mannella (Acting) Assistant Administrator for Administration-R. F. Allnutt (Acting) NASA Members: Deputy Administrator (Co-Chairman)- --Dr. Alan M. Lovelace Assistant Administrator for DoD and Interagency Affairs J. M. Coulter (Acting) Assistant Administrator for Energy Programs-R.D. Ginter Associate Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology-Dr. J. J. Kramer (Acting) Associate Administrator-Dr. John E. Naugle Solar Power Systems Panel: Dr. H. Richard Blieden, ERDA Co-Chairman, Assistant Director for Biomass, Ocean and Wind Systems, Division of Solar Energy. Mr. Ralph I. LaRock, NASA Co-Chairman, Director for Solar Energy Division, Office of Energy Programs. [The following information was subsequently received for the record:] QUESTIONS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE ANSWERS THERETO ERDA-CHRYSLER GAS TURBINE ENGINE Question. Last year ERDA's representative told our predecessor committee that NASA was working on improving the ERDA-Chrysler Gas Turbine Engine for automobiles. You mentioned a goal of increasing auto fuel economy by 65 percent or more with engine imporvements alone. What is the status of that work? Answer. The Committee was informed that ERDA was working on improving the fuel economy of the gas turbine and that this was to be accomplished in three steps. The first step was to advance needed technologies to bring the fuel economy to where it would be about 6% higher than the current internal combustion engines. The nest step was to achieve a 20-30% improvement and the final step calls for a 50% improvement. ERDA/Chrysler is well on the way to achieving the first step. Tests of engines with the most advanced turbine engine technologies have been underway since August, 1976. Several vehicles with this new engine will be road tested this summer. ERDA has already embarked on the development work necessary to achieve the second and third improvement steps in fuel economies. The ERDA work underway to produce low cost, high temperature ceramic materials and improved component efficiencies is intended to accomplish these latter two steps. |