Innovation Masthead
Volume 12, Number 2 • 2005

A Lesson In…
Space Act Agreements

Under a Space Act Agreement, there are a few partnering options for entities interested in doing business with NASA.

A Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement (MOU/MOA) is a statement of policy, practice or intention affecting a matter of concern to both NASA and another entity.

Some of the characteristics of a MOU include:

  • Transfer of funds or resources is not permitted.
  • Terms of the agreement are not legally enforceable.
  • Signatories are at the discretion of interested parties.
  • Goods and services of any kind are not permitted to NASA.
A non-reimbursable agreement is a collaborative research and development agreement in which NASA and the other party contribute personnel, use of NASA facilities, expertise, equipment, technology, etc., but no transfer of funds occurs. The transfer of funds or other financial obligation between NASA and the private entity is not permitted. Each party agrees to fund its own participation under this agreement.

A reimbursable agreement is an agreement for the reimbursable use of NASA facilities, personnel or equipment by a public or private entity wanting to advance R&D efforts. The agreement involves a transfer of funds or other financial obligations from the private entity to NASA. The terms, conditions and schedules are negotiable, but NASA must be paid in advance for each stage of the effort. No goods or services are provided to NASA. Instead, NASA provides data, facilities and services to the paying entity.

For more information, visit www.ipp.nasa.gov.

Please mention that you read about it in Technology Innovation.

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