NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 1152.1 Effective Date: September 23, 2024 Expiration Date: September 23, 2029

Subject: NASA Charters and Agency Governance Council Procedural Requirements

Responsible Office: Chief of Staff

Appendix D. Required Structure and Contents of Charters

EFFECTIVE DATE: (xx/xx/xxxx)
EXPIRES: (see below; xx/xx/xxxx)

NAME OF CHARTER

1. PURPOSE

A succinct statement of the purpose of the document (not the purpose of the governing body), e.g., “The purpose of this Charter is to establish the [specific body].”

2. APPLICABILITY/SCOPE

Clarifies the chartered body’s applicable domain and specifies any domains or authorities to which it does not apply. Should be sparing and not replace or conflict with Functions, below.

3. AUTHORITY

The specific chartering authority for the body, per NPD 1152.1 (i.e., NPD 1000.3, Chapter 2, 3, 4 or 5).

4. CHARTERING GOVERNANCE BODY

If the body is chartered by another governance body, cite as: “The [body] reports to the [parent body].” If the body is chartered under the direct line authority of an Office of the Administrator Principal, a HQ Official-in-Charge, or a Center Director, cite “N/A.”

5. FUNCTIONS

A list of specific authorized functions of the body.

If a function is mandatory in all cases, write as a declarative action statement, using concise, unambiguous, and direct verbs, e.g., “Decides […],” “Reviews […],” and “Recommends […] to […]”.

If a function is discretionary by the Chair or bounded by a threshold for escalation to another body, precede the action statement with “May.”

If a function is a best practice or desired goal but cannot be ensured to occur during the chartered lifespan of the body, precede the action statement with “Should.”

6. MEMBERSHIP

Specify the Chair, minimum required members, and any provisions for situationally or systemically extended membership. Do not include any individuals or organizations that are not NASA civil servants.

7. MEETINGS

Describe the typical cadence of meetings including any minimum required cadence.

Include any provisions for flexibilities given to the Chair to limit or extend meetings under special circumstances.

Include in all charters the following required text:

The Chairperson may invite representatives from industry, academia, international partners, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) or University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), national laboratories, or other external entities to present or contribute relevant topical information, subject to any limitations or protocols that apply to such involvement by those entities. Such invitees are not members and may not participate in decision-making or executive sessions. When the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is invited, the Chairperson will comply with NPI 1000.99.

8. DECISION-MAKING

If the body is a Council or Board, specify the method by which the body will make decisions. Examples:

• The Chair is the sole decision-making authority; members and invitees are advisory.
• The [body] reaches decisions by consensus; the Chair acts as a facilitator to reach consensus.
• The [body] reaches decisions by vote of its core members. Absentee members must assign their proxy vote to another member.
• Etc.

If the body is a Committee, Panel or Working Group, use “N/A – The [body] is a recommending/advisory body.”

9. DURATION

If the body is or is to be enumerated in NPD 1000.3, assign an expiration date four years after the effective date.

For all other bodies, the duration is at the discretion of the Chair and may include options such as a finite span, as a “sunset” provision requiring revalidation, or “indefinite, at the discretion of the chartering authority.”

10. ASSESSMENT

Include a concise statement as to how and how often the body will be assessed as to its success in meeting its chartered functions.

If chartered by a parent governing body, also specify how and how often the body will report its assessment to the parent body or its chair.

11. RECORDS

Specify who is responsible for official records management for the body, to include the charter.

Note: Charters do not require a separate signature block embedded in the charter. The final document should instead attach a record of whatever electronic or other concurrence mechanism is used by the chartering authority’s organization.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS

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