§ 1842.170 - Assignment of NASA personnel at contractor plants.

(a)(1) NASA personnel normally shall not be assigned at or near a contractor's facility to perform any contract administration functions listed in FAR 42.302(a). Before such an assignment is made, a written request shall be forwarded to the cognizant program director for approval with the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for Procurement (Code HS). The following supporting information shall be forwarded with the request to make the assignment:

(i) A statement of the special circumstances that necessitate the assignment.

(ii) The contract administration serves to be performed.

(iii) A summary of any discussions held with the cognizant contract administration organization.

(iv) A staffing plan covering three years or such shorter period as may be appropriate.

(2) The provisions of this paragraph (a) do not apply to NASA audit personnel assigned to the field installations, to NASA technical personnel covered by 1842.101 and paragraph (b) of this section, unless they are performing any contract administration functions listed in FAR 42.302(a), or to personnel assigned to contractors’ plants on NASA or other Federal installations.

(b) NASA may assign technical personnel (such as quality assurance, reliability, or engineering representatives) to contractors’ plants or laboratories to provide direct liaison with NASA and technical assistance and guidance to the contractor and DOD. The duties and responsibilities of these technical representatives shall be clearly defined and shall not conflict with, duplicate, or overlap with functions delegated to DOD personnel. NASA shall advise appropriate DOD and contractor organizations of the duties and responsibilities of NASA technical personnel.

(c) When a NASA resident office, including any assigned technical personnel, and a DOD contract administration office are performing contract administration functions for NASA contracts at the same contractor's facility, the two offices shall execute a written agreement clearly establishing the relationship between the two organizations and the contractor. The agreement should eliminate duplication in the performance of contract administration functions and minimize procedural misunderstandings between the two organizations. Such agreements shall be consistent with existing delegations to the contract administration offices concerned and shall specify the relationship of NASA nonprocurement resident personnel to their DOD and contractor counterparts if such personnel will be involved in any aspect of contract administration.