NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 1400.1I Effective Date: November 01, 2024 Expiration Date: November 01, 2029

Subject: NASA Directives Procedural Requirements

Responsible Office: Chief of Staff

Chapter 3. Requirements for the Content and Structure of NASA Directives

3.1 Requirements Statements in NASA Directives

3.1.1 Responsible Offices shall use the following criteria, along with Table 3, Writing Requirements:

a. Identify all requirements statements by using the term “shall” to denote mandatory compliance.

b. Designate one NASA official (by position title) or organization or office title as responsible and accountable for development, implementation, maintenance, and/or verification of the requirement set forth in the “shall” statement.

c. Identify what action should be accomplished or what data/information should be provided to demonstrate compliance with the requirement.

d. Identify specific requirements, not general responsibilities with broad application.

e. Provide a description of how requirements will be measured/verified in the measurement/verification section of the directive.

f. Separately state each individual requirement statement (i.e., one “shall” statement per single paragraph and one “shall” statement per paragraph with subparagraphs).

Table 3. Writing Requirements

Note: Each requirement should state any applicable timing for performance, delivery of a product, or completion of the requirement with a specific event or a general flow in a process.

g. Exclude replication of existing internal or external policy statements, procedural requirements, responsibilities, or text from other documents. However, paraphrasing or cross-referencing may be used to summarize information in a way that is significantly different from the original text (i.e., responsible office’s own words). NASA directives may supplement, clarify, or make more stringent external requirements or designate who is responsible for implementation of external requirements.

h. Exclude technical requirements in NASA directives. Technical requirements may be included in NASA technical standards, then cited in NASA directives. See Appendix A for the definition of technical requirements.

i. Requirement or responsibility statements use the active voice.

j. Ensure that each requirement represents a sufficiently significant action such that deviation from the requirement warrants the processing of a waiver or other type of relief from the Responsible Office.

k. Ensure that terms used in requirement statements are operationally defined and used consistently across the directive.

3.2 Responsibility Statements in Agency-level Directives

3.2.1 Responsible Offices shall use official position titles or office titles as described in paragraph 3.1.1b for consistency when assigning or documenting responsibilities in Agency-level directives. Requirement “shall” statements can be included in NPDs when there are no corresponding NPRs that describe specific requirements or where requirements can be placed.

3.2.2 When Responsible Offices assign responsibilities to an office, branch, division, or role within their organization, they are responsible for requesting any needed administrative updates to their directive(s) upon approval of reorganizations which impact that office or role.

3.3 Document Citations in NASA Directives

3.3.1 NASA directives have three types of document citations: authority documents, applicable documents and forms, and references. Responsible Offices shall cite these documents according to their purpose as follows:

a. Authority document citations, listed in paragraph 3 (for NPDs/CPDs) or paragraph P.3 (for NPRs/CPRs), are the higher-level document(s), both external and internal to the Agency, that authorize establishing the policy or requirements contained in the directive. Authority documents can be cited in the text of directives to provide the context, as determined by the Responsible Office.

b. Applicable documents and forms citations consist of documents and forms that contain provisions or other pertinent requirements directly related to and necessary for the performance of the activities specified by the directive and use only controlled and current forms. See NPD 1420.1, NASA Forms Management.

(1) Cite all applicable documents and forms listed in paragraph 4 (for NPDs/CPDs) or paragraph P.4 (for NPRs/CPRs) at least once within the text of the directive. Use statements to introduce applicable documents and forms (e.g., as required by, according to, under, or per).

(2) Conversely, list all applicable documents and forms cited within the text of the directive in paragraph 4 (for NPDs/CPDs) or paragraph P.4 (for NPRs/CPRs).

c. References are documents that may be cited in the text of the directive, but do not constitute requirements to perform activities in the directive. These documents may consist of internal and external requirements and other resources considered to be useful as background information for the reader (to help in understanding the subject matter).

(1) If citing reference documents listed in an NPD/CPD’s attachment or NPR/CPR’s appendix, cite at least once in the text of the directive. Use statements to introduce reference documents (e.g., additional information on this subject is available at/in…, for additional information, see…).

(2) Conversely, list reference documents cited in the text of a directive in an NPD/CPD’s attachment or NPR/CPR’s appendix.

3.3.2 Within each document citation list, Responsible Offices shall:

a. List document citations in the following order: United States Code, Public Law, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register Notices, Office of Management and Budget Circulars, NPDs, NPRs, NIDs, NPSs, NPIs, NCs, CPDs, CPRs, CIDs, NASA Technical Standards, NASA Forms, non-NASA Government standards, and other documents.

b. List numbered documents in numerical order first and non-numbered documents in alphabetical order second within each category. See section P.4 for example of listing order.

c. List document and form citations using the following format:

(1) United States Code (Statutes) – National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20113 (a).

(2) Public Laws (Official Session Laws, Laws made prior to codification in the U.S. Code) – White House Conference on the Arts Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-509, 104 Stat. 1427 (1990).

Note: The Public law is only cited when not codified in the U.S.C. (if codified, cite to the U.S.C.), or when several sections are spread throughout the U.S.C. and it is too cumbersome to cite to all the U.S.C. sections.

(3) Executive Orders (Signed by the President) – Regulatory Planning and Review, E. O. 12866, 3 CFR pt. 638 (1993).

Note: Executive Orders include the Order’s title and number. Codifications of this citation are no longer updated in 3 CFR.

(4) Code of Federal Regulations (Agency Regulations) – National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, 14 CFR pt. 1259.

Note: Whole numbers in the CFR refer to a “part” (e.g., pt. 1259) of the CFR; sections (§) consist of a decimal number which includes the part number and the section number within the part, e.g., §1259.102.

(5) Federal Register Notices (Published in the Federal Register) – Environmental statements or availability, 71 FR 67389 (Nov. 21, 2006).

Note: Citation includes the two-digit volume number, the acronym “FR,” the page number and date the notice published.

(6) Office of Management and Budget Circulars (Generated by OMB) – OMB Circular A-19, Legislative Coordination and Clearance (09/20/1979).

(7) NASA Policy Directives – NPD 1400.1, Documentation and Promulgation of NASA Internal Requirements.

(8) NASA Procedural Requirements – NPR 1400.1, NASA Directives Procedural Requirements.

(9) NASA Interim Directives – NID 8000.104, Acquisition of Administrative Office Space.

(10) NASA Charters – NC 1000.33, Partnership Council.

(11) NASA Policy Statement – NPS 3713.101, Policy Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for NASA’s Workforce and Workplaces.

(12) NASA Policy Instruction – NPI 1000.99, Role of Jet Propulsion Laboratory in NASA Decision-Making Processes.

(13) NASA Technical Standards – NASA-STD-8709.2, NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Roles and Responsibilities for Expendable Launch Vehicle Services.

(14) NASA Forms – NHQ Form 184, NASA Directive Request Summary.

Note: For document types listed in paragraphs 3.3.2c(1)-(5), the name appears first, and the citation location appears second. For documents listed in paragraphs 3.3.2c(6)-(14), the document type and number appear first, and the name appears second.

d. Cite documents and forms citations using the following format:

(1) Use the document name and citation location, but exclude the name after first use when citing within the text of directives for documents described in paragraphs 3.3.2c(1)-(5) (e.g., First use: The National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20113 (a) - Second use: 51 U.S.C. § 20113 (a)).

(2) Use the document type, number, and name, but exclude the name after first use when citing within the text of directives for citations described in paragraphs 3.3.2c(6)-(14) (e.g., First use: NPR 1400.1, NASA Directives Procedural Requirements - Second use: NPR 1400.1).

e. Exclude the revision letter designation and change numbers when citing or listing NASA directives within NASA directives (see Figure 3-1).

Note: This requirement is applicable only when citing or listing NASA directives in NASA directives. In NASA directives, the current published version is what is referred to when a NASA directive is cited. For other types of documents, citing the revision letter of the directive may be appropriate. Refer to the writing instructions for the type of document you are preparing if more information is needed.

f. Ensure that documents and forms cited in the directive are approved documents that are available to the reader.

g. Include a document’s title and URL in a footnote if it is not a Federal statute or regulation, a NASA directive, or is not available in the NASA Technical Standards System to show readers precisely where to find the cited document.

h. Refer to one or more of the following resources to ensure that citations are current and accurate:

(1) United States Code Citations: http://uscode.house.gov.

(2) Public Laws citations: http://uscode.house.gov/popularnames/popularnames.htm.

(3) Executive Order citations: https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents.

(b) Federal Register citations: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/FR/.

(4) Code of Federal Regulations citations: https://ecfr.gov.

(5) NASA Directives: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

(6) NASA Standards: https://standards.nasa.gov/.

(7) NASA Forms: https://itcdweb.hq.nasa.gov/eforms.

i. Use the following abbreviations for citations described in paragraphs 3.3.2b(1)-(5):

(1) United States Code – U.S.C.

(2) Federal Register – FR.

(3) Code of Federal Regulations – CFR.

(4) Part – pt., Parts – pts.

(5) Subpart – subpt., Subparts – subpts.

(6) Appendix – app.

(7) Chapter – ch., Chapters – chs.

(8) Subchapter – subch. Subchapters – subchs.

(9) Section – §, Sections – §§

(10) Section – sec.

Note: The word “section” instead of the symbol is used when it is the first word in a sentence. The word is also used in the text of the body and footnotes of law reviews and other documents except when referring to the U.S. Code. Otherwise, the symbol is used. (e.g., The National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20113 (a)).

(11) Executive Order – E.O.

(12) Public Law – Pub. L.

3.4 Administrative Elements of NASA Directives

3.4.1 NASA Directives Numbering Scheme

3.4.1.1 The NASA directives numbering scheme is composed of six elements that create a unique identifier. The six elements are: one or two letters indicating Agency-level or NASA Center, two letters indicating the NASA directive type, four numbers indicating the subject category, a separator (period), the NASA directive serial number, and letter(s) indicating the revision level designation (see Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1. NASA Directives Numbering Scheme

Note: The full directive number is included in the file name and masthead section of draft and final directives.

3.4.1.2 Subject classification numbers for NASA directives are found in NRRS 1441.1. Serial numbers are automatically generated by NODIS when a new directive is approved and are distinct from other directives that share the same classification number (e.g., NPD 1400.1 and NPD 1400.2). Serial letters designate the new set of revisions made on a directive and are automatically generated by NODIS when revisions are first initiated.

3.4.1.3 For Agency-level directives, the OES, DMT works with the Responsible Office to ensure that directives numbers are assigned under NRRS 1441.1. OES considers the Responsible Office’s inputs and the impacts of potential numbering changes, but makes final determinations on interpretation of NRRS 1441.1 within the NODIS system to ensure coherence and consistency.

3.4.1.4 For Center-level directives, the Center DM works with the Responsible Office to ensure that directives numbers are assigned under NRRS 1441.1.

3.4.2 Effective and Expiration Dates for NASA directives

3.4.2.1 A NASA directive takes effect on the date that it is signed by the approving official.

3.4.2.2 NPDs, NPRs, CPDs, and CPRs expire five years after clearance or revalidation, unless otherwise noted.

a. NPDs and NPRs are removed from the NODIS Library upon expiration by OES DMT, unless an NPD or NPR replacing the directive being removed is submitted for revalidation or for review and approval, or an extension is requested. See requirements for requesting extensions in Chapter 5. If a directive has expired without notification of intent to revalidate, revise, or extend, and been removed from the NODIS library, re-submission of the directive will be considered a new version requiring full review.

b. CPDs and CPRs are removed from the Center directives library upon expiration by the Center’s DM, unless a CPD or CPR revising the directive is submitted for revalidation, review, and approval or an extension is requested under the Center’s established process.

3.4.2.3 NPSs and NPIs expire four years after clearance or revalidation. OES reviews expiring NPSs and NPIs with the Chief of Staff to determine whether an NPS or NPI should be revalidated, revised, or canceled.

3.4.2.4 NIDs and CIDs expire on the effective date of the permanent directive or 12 months after the effective date of the interim directive, whichever is earlier.

a. NIDs are removed from the NODIS Library upon expiration by the OES DMT, unless an NPD or NPR replacing the NID is submitted for review and approval or the Responsible Office requests an extension via a waiver that is approved or choses to revise it. NIDs may be revised once. See requirements for issuing NIDs in this chapter and Chapter 4 and requesting waivers in Chapter 5.

b. CIDs are removed from the Center Directives Library upon expiration, unless a CPD or CPR replacing the CID is submitted for review and approval, under the Center’s established process.

Note: See process requirements for issuing interim directives in Chapter 5.

3.5 Format and Writing Styles

3.5.1 Responsible Offices shall apply the following format and writing style rules:

a. Format Styles:

(1) Use page numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3) on the bottom right, but exclude an indexed table of contents with page numbers in NPRs.

(2) Number/letter all paragraphs. If there is not a second paragraph immediately following at the same level or no subparagraphs, do not number/letter the paragraph. Exclude periods behind numbered paragraphs (e.g., use 3.5.1 or 3.5.1h, not 3.5.1. or 3.5.1.h.), but include periods behind lettered paragraphs (e.g., use i., not i).

(3) Align all text along the left margin (i.e., left justify or flush left).

(4) Indent and italicize notes.

(5) Bold chapter, appendix, second-level paragraph section, figure and table headings and include a period after each chapter number, appendix letter, and figure and table numbers and letters as follows:

(a) For NPDs:

(i) 1. [Title].

(ii) Attachment A. [Title].

(iii) Figure 1. [Title] or Table 1. [Title] in Sections.

(iv) Figure A. [Title] or Table A. [Title] in Attachments.

(b) For NPRs:

(i) Chapter 1. [Title].

(ii) Appendix A. [Title].

(iii) 1.1 [Title].

(iv) Figure 1. [Title] or Table 1. [Title] in Chapters.

(v) Figure A. [Title] or Table A. [Title] in Appendices.

(6) Center figures and tables.

(a) Number all figures and tables (e.g., Figure 1. or Table 1.) placed in chapters using the number of the chapter. Add the figure number and title at the bottom of the figure and add the table number and title at the top of the table. If there is more than one figure or table in a chapter, add a dash and an additional number to indicate that it is the first, second, or third figure or table (e.g., Figure 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, or Table 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, etc.).

(b) Letter all figures and tables (e.g., Figure A. or Table A.) placed in appendices using the letter of the appendix. Add the figure letter and title at the bottom of the figure and add the table letter and title at the top of the table. If there is more than one figure or table in the appendix, add a dash and a number to indicate that it is the first, second, or third table (e.g., Figure A-1, A-2, A-3 or Table A-1, A-2, A-3, etc.).

Note: Adherence to paragraphs 3.5.1a(1)-(6) for Center-level directives is under the discretion of the Center official responsible for the format styles for Center-level directives.

b. Writing Styles:

(1) Use NPR 1450.10 to supplement the style requirements in this directive.

(2) Exclude caveat phrases, ambiguous terms, and vague terms (e.g., “as applicable,” “as appropriate,” “whenever possible,” “as soon as possible,” “in a timely manner,” “etc.”) within requirements statements.

(3) Use the correct term (e.g., “shall,” “may or can,” “should,” “will,” and “are/is”) to denote action or other forms of action. See paragraph P.2b.

3.6 Content and Structure of Elements in NPDs and CPDs

3.6.1 NPDs and CPDs document Agency- and Center-level policy statements, assignment of responsibilities for policy implementation, delegations of authority, approach for verification of compliance with the NPD or CPD, and the Administrator’s, or designee’s, approval. NPDs may be the authority for multiple NPRs and CPDs may be the authority for multiple CPRs.

3.6.2 Responsible Offices shall ensure that NPDs and CPDs are no more than five pages, excluding attachments, and contain the following content and structure of elements:

a. Masthead: Directive Number, Effective Date, Expiration Date, Responsible Office, and Subject: (Title).

Note: The Responsible Office in the masthead corresponds to the top-level organization under a Headquarters OIC as defined in NPD 1000.3 Chapter 1.2.2.

b. Change Log that describes administrative changes to an NPD or CPD and the approved date changes.

Note: A Change Log can be added when the NPD or CPD is developed or added after the NPD or CPD is revised.

c. Body consisting of the following eight required paragraphs:

(1) Paragraph 1, Policy provides a general statement of the principles, fundamental values, and general direction of the Agency or Center that is used to determine present and future decisions. Policy statements do not contain requirements "shall" statements and are introduced (e.g., "It is NASA Policy to" or "This directive establishes policy for").

(2) Paragraph 2, Applicability identifies the organizations to which the NPD or CPD applies. Include the following applicability statements:

(a) "This directive is applicable to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers."

(b) If the directive applies to Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), include this statement, "This directive is applicable to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), only to the extent specified in the NASA/FFRDC Prime Contract." If the directive does not apply to JPL, an FFRDC, remove the applicability statement referencing JPL, an FFRDC, if mentioned. A directive does not apply to JPL, an FFRDC, unless it is on the Listing of the NASA Directives and Standards in the NASA/FFRDC Prime Contract and has been incorporated into the Prime Contract. Pending incorporation into the Prime Contract, use the following language: The applicability of this directive to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, is being assessed by NASA. This applicability statement will be updated as necessary when that assessment is completed.

(c) If the directive’s requirements are clearly delineated to specify applicability to other contractors, recipients of grants or cooperative agreements, or parties to other agreements as prescribed by paragraph 1.2.2 and Note 2 below, include this statement, "This directive is applicable to other contractors, recipients of grants or cooperative agreements, or parties to other agreements only to the extent delineated in this directive and specified in contracts, grants or cooperative agreement, or other agreements."

Note 1: Only list the type of document (i.e., contract, grant, or agreement) to which the directive applies. For example, if the directive is not applicable to a "grant," only list "contract or agreement" to indicate the directive's applicability.

Note 2: This statement alone is not sufficient to stipulate requirements for the contractor or recipient of the grant. Requirements can be delineated by adding a note after the requirements' paragraph. See paragraphs 2.6.1b and 2.19.6 note for examples of delineating requirements between civil servants and contractors or recipients of grants.

(d) For CPDs, include a statement like 3.6.2c(2)(a) above to ensure applicability at the Center and associated facilities.

(e) For NPDs and CPDs, include a statement that describes terms that denote action. See paragraph P.2b.

(f) For NPDs and CPDs, include a statement that describes document citations are assumed to be the latest version. See paragraph P.2h.

(g) If a document is listed as an authority, applicable document, and reference, add this statement, “Documents listed as authority, applicable documents, and reference documents may be cited as a different categorization, which characterizes its function in relation to the specific context.”

(h) If use of short titles is preferred when citing common authorities, applicable documents, or references, add a statement describing the use (e.g., “The National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20111, herein referred to as the Space Act”).

(3) Paragraph 3, Authority contains a list of the NPD or CPD and external authority(ies) or requirements that justify establishing the NPD or CPD. This latter category includes only those external sources that are the authority for the NPD or CPD. Place all other external sources in the Applicable Documents and Forms or References sections.

(4) Paragraph 4, Applicable Documents and Forms – contains a list of documents and forms cited in the body of the directive that contains provisions or other pertinent requirements directly related and necessary to the performance of the activities specified by the directive.

(5) Paragraph 5, Responsibility is an explanation of who (by position or organization) is responsible for implementing the policy stated in the NPD or CPD. Write responsibility statements in accordance with paragraph 3.2 and avoid dictating how an organizational leader is to organize or assign responsibilities within the leader’s organization.

(6) Paragraph 6, Delegation of Authority is reserved for direct delegation from the Administrator, OIC, or Center Director to a specific position (e.g., Agency Regulatory Policy Officer). Place all delegations and designations in this section and provide the internal/external authority.

(7) Paragraph 7, Measurement/Verification is an explanation of how compliance with requirements will be measured. Specify the information that is needed to support senior management’s evaluation of performance for compliance and implementation. Where quantitative evaluation is possible, identify what data is to be collected, who collects the data, and who receives the data for evaluation. Cross-reference measurement/verification data that responds to externally imposed requirements to provide traceability to those requirements, for example, Government Performance and Results Act reporting requirements. “Shall” statements are not included in this section.

Note: This information may be presented as text within the paragraph, as a verification matrix, as an attachment to the NPD or CPD that includes details of data and report of data, such as formats and timelines; or as a citation to an NPD, CPD, or another requirements document.

(8) Paragraph 8, Cancellation contains a list of directives that will be cancelled upon issuance. If the issuance cancels one or more directives, cite the Directive Number(s), Title(s), and Effective Date(s). If the issuance does not cancel a directive, state “None.”

Note: Governing NPDs may be waived from content and structure requirements. See process for requirements for requesting waivers in Chapter 5.

d. Signature Block for the approving official’s signature.

e. Attachments contain supplementary material related to the main text in the NPD or CPD (e.g., definitions, acronyms, verification matrices, etc.) that are attached at the end.

(1) Ensure that attachments do not contain requirements (“shall” statements) for civil service employees, only supporting information for the NPD or CPD.

(2) Number paragraphs in attachments using the letter of the attachment (e.g., A.1, A.2), excluding attachments containing acronyms and definitions.

(3) Document any definitions for words and phrases used in the NPD or CPD in Attachment A.

(a) List the definitions in alphabetical order.

(b) Provide only definitions for terms that are unique to the NPD or CPD and only if the definitions are different than those used in dictionaries or other standard usage.

(c) Use bullets (e.g., “●”) for definitions with extended explanations.

(4) Document abbreviations and acronyms used in the NPD or CPD in Attachment B and list in alphabetical order. To avoid blank attachments, if there are no definitions placed in Attachment A, acronyms can be placed in Attachment A only if there are no other attachments that can be placed before the acronyms.

(5) Document verification/measurement matrices used in the NPD or CPD, in Attachment C. To avoid blank attachments, if there are no definitions placed in Attachment A or acronyms placed in Attachment B, a measurement/verification matrix can be placed in either of these attachments only if there are no other attachments that can be placed before the matrices.

Note: NPD and CPD attachments may be text and/or images. Contact your local DM for instructions.

f. Graphics to illustrate information related to the directive.

g. Distribution statement (e.g., generated by NODIS or another system).

Note: If the distribution of the NPD or CPD is restricted only to NASA, include a distribution statement to identify the restrictions for release of the NPD or CPD.

h. Number/letter paragraphs using Figure 3-2.

Figure 3-2. NPD and CPD Paragraph Numbering/Lettering

3.7 Content and Structure of Elements in NPRs and CPRs

3.7.1 NPRs and CPRs document roles and responsibilities and procedural direction for essential or otherwise mandated items only. This includes procedural requirements that are established for reasons of health, safety, security, efficiency, and effectiveness. NPRs have a corresponding authority NPD, and CPRs have a corresponding authority CPD.

3.7.2 Responsible Offices shall ensure that NPRs and CPRs consists of the following content and structure elements:

a. Cover that includes the masthead with the Directive Number, Effective Date, Expiration Date, Responsible Office, and Subject: (Title).

b. Change Log. See paragraph 3.6.2b.

c. Table of Contents consisting of the preface, chapter titles, second-level paragraph titles, and appendices. Refer to this directive’s table of contents as an example.

Note: A list of figures and tables may be included in the NPR table of contents.

(1) The preface consists of the following six required paragraphs that are numbered using Figure 3-3:

(a) Paragraph P.1, Purpose describes the rationale for establishing the NPR or CPR and what will be accomplished by implementing it.

(b) Paragraph P.2, Applicability, see paragraph 3.6.2c(2)(a)-(e).

(c) Paragraph P.3, Authority, see paragraphs 3.6.2c(3) and 3.3.1a.

(d) Paragraph P.4, Applicable Documents and Forms, see paragraphs 3.6.2c(4) and 3.3.1b(1)-(2).

(e) Paragraph P.5, Measurement/Verification, see paragraph 3.6.2c(7).

(f) Paragraph P.6, Cancellation, see paragraph 3.6.2c(8).

(g) Distribution statement, see paragraph 3.6.2g.

Figure 3-3. NPR or CPR Preface Paragraph Numbering/Lettering

(2) Chapters, separated by page breaks, describe the directive’s requirements and responsibilities that are subdivided into paragraphs that are numbered using Figure 3-4.

Figure 3-4 NPR or CPR Chapter Paragraph Numbering/Lettering

Note: Use Figure 3-2 if paragraphs go beyond the 4th level.

(3) Appendices, separated by page brakes, that contain supplementary material related to the main text of the NPR or CPR (e.g., contractor requirements, definitions, acronyms, verification matrices, etc.) are attached at the end.

(a) Ensure that appendices do not contain requirements (“shall” statements) for civil service employees, only supporting information for the NPR or CPR.

(b) Number paragraphs in appendices using the letter of the appendix (e.g., A.1, A.2), excluding appendices containing acronyms and definitions.

(c) Document any definitions for words and phrases used in the NPR or CPR in Appendix A.

(i) List the definitions in alphabetical order.

(ii) Provide only definitions for terms that are unique to the NPR or CPR and only if the definitions are different than those used in dictionaries or other standard usage.

(iii) Use bullets (e.g., “●”) for definitions with extended explanations.

(d) Document abbreviations and acronyms used in the NPR or CPR in Appendix B and list in alphabetical order.

Note: If there are no definitions placed in Appendix A, acronyms can be placed in Appendix A only if there are no other appendices that can be placed before the acronyms.

(e) If a verification/measurement matrix appendix is included within the NPR or CPR, include it in Appendix C.

Note 1: If there are no definitions placed in Appendix A or acronyms placed in Appendix B, measurement/verification can be placed in either of these appendices only if there are no other appendices that can be placed before the measurement/verification. See Appendix C of this directive for examples of verification/measurement matrices.

Note 2: Governing NPRs may request a waiver from content and structure requirements. See process requirements to request waivers in Chapter 5.

Note 3: See process requirements for issuing NPDs, NPRs, CPDs, and CPRs in Chapter 4.

3.8 Content and Structure of Elements in NIDs and CIDs

3.8.1 NIDs and CIDs are issued for immediate or short-term use to impose policy or requirements at the Agency or Center level and may be formatted as memorandums, directives, paragraphs, or other templates. NIDs and CIDs may be revised once, and the expiration date will be 12 months after the effective date of the revised document. Responsible offices shall ensure that NIDs or CIDs document the following:

a. Interim policy statements.

b. Assignment of interim responsibilities for policy implementation.

c. Interim requirement statements.

d. Assignment of interim responsibilities for completing requirements.

e. Applicability. See paragraph 3.6.2c(2)(a)-(d).

Note: See process requirements for issuing NIDs and CIDs in Chapter 4.

3.9 Content and Structure of Elements in NPSs and NPIs

3.9.1 NPSs and NPIs are typically issued in the form of a memo from an Office of the Administrator OIC, or, in certain cases, an OIC as authorized by the Office of the Administrator. When the memo format is used, Responsible Offices shall:

a. Follow formatting requirements in NPR 1450.1 and issuing requirements in section 4.5 of this directive.

b. If the NPS or NPI is intended to result in permanent modifications to NPDs or NPRs, relevant actions to the appropriate Responsible Offices should be included in the memo to describe such modifications.

3.9.2 In certain limited cases such as plans associated with the NPD 1001, NASA Strategic Plan, other formats may be approved by the Chief of Staff.

DISTRIBUTION:
NODIS

This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.