NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 7120.5F Effective Date: August 03, 2021 Expiration Date: August 03, 2026

Subject: NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements w/Change 3

Responsible Office: Associate Administrator

Appendix E. Formulation Authorization Document Template

E.1 Program FAD Title Page

Figure E-1 Program Formulation Authorization Document Title Page

E.2 Project FAD Title Page

Figure E-2 Project Formulation Authorization Document Title Page

E.3 Program/Project FAD Template

[Program/Project Name] Formulation Authorization Document
[short title or acronym]

1.0 PURPOSE

Describe the purpose of the program/project, including a clear traceability from the goals and objectives in the Mission Directorate Strategies or Program Plan, as applicable. This need is independent of any particular technological solution and is stated in terms of functional capabilities.

2.0 AUTHORITY

Describe the NASA organizational structure for managing the Formulation process from the Mission Directorate Associate Administrator (MDAA) to the NASA Center program/project managers, as applicable. Include lines of authority, coordination, and reporting. For projects and single-project programs, the Formulation Authorization Agreement (FAD) provides the basis for the project's Formulation Agreement. Specifically identify the Decision Authority and the governing Program Management Council (PMC) for oversight of the program/project, per Section 2.3 of this NPR.

3.0 PROGRAM TYPE/PROJECT CATEGORY

For programs, identify the program type (uncoupled, loosely coupled, tightly coupled, single-project). The MDAA determines the type of program with concurrence from the NASA AA. For projects, identify the project category (Category 1, 2, or 3).

4.0 PROGRAM/PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Describe the level or scope of work, goals, and objectives to be accomplished in the Formulation Phase, Formulation cost targets and constraints, the time available, and any other constraints.

5.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

Describe plans for conducting analyses of alternatives (AoA) for selecting the mission architecture and acquisition strategies for the program/project. Define the scope of the analyses and concepts to be competed, recognizing that some of the AoA content may be developed and documented outside the program at the Mission Directorate level. Document any assumptions and constraints applicable to the analyses. Identify the selection criteria to be used, such as safety, cost, affordability, schedule, and capability, to help ensure that the alternative selected best meets the mission needs. (Rankings and results of the analyses of alternatives should be documented in the Program or Project Plan.) If the program/project does not plan to conduct analyses of alternatives, document the justification for not doing so.

6.0 INTERNAL PARTICIPANTS

Identify Mission Directorates, mission support offices, and Centers to be involved in the activity, their scope of work, and any known constraints related to their efforts (e.g., the program/project will be co-funded by a different Mission Directorate).

7.0 EXTERNAL PARTICIPANTS

Identify participation external to NASA to be involved in the activity, their scope of work, and any known constraints related to their efforts (e.g., the program/project will be co-funded by the external participant; commercial or other partners that will develop end products that are not owned by NASA, but are provided as services to NASA; etc.).

8.0 BUDGET AND COST ESTIMATE

Identify, by fiscal year, the funding that will be committed to the program/project during each year of Formulation. If the Formulation period is less than five years, provide estimated annual costs for five years. For projects, provide an estimated life-cycle or initial capability cost range that is consistent with this five fiscal-year cost runout.

9.0 SCHEDULE

For each project, provide the planned date for the completion of Phase A and estimated completion of Phase B. Provide an estimated date (or range) for the completion of project development. Specify the planned prime operations period or initial capability operations period.

10.0 LIFE-CYCLE REVIEWS

Specify the program and project life-cycle reviews (per figures 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5 in Chapter 2 of this NPR) that are required to be conducted during the Formulation Phase. Include any other requirements (e.g., the Decision Framing Meeting or Pre-ASM, ASM) and any known unique considerations (e.g., acquisition strategies such as commercial partnerships, international participation). Identify any planned tailoring to accommodate aspects of the acquisition strategies (See Section 2.2.4.1) and when the tailoring approach will be defined.

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