Rule2023-14042
Delegations and Designations
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 5, 2023
Effective
September 5, 2023
Issuing agencies
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is amending its delegations and designations rule to make nonsubstantive changes to correct citations and titles throughout and clarify regulatory text in specific sections.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42870-42872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14042]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 1204
[NASA Document No: NASA-23-054; NASA Docket No: NASA-2023-0003]
RIN 2700-AE70
Delegations and Designations
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is
amending its delegations and designations rule to make nonsubstantive
changes to correct citations and titles throughout and clarify
regulatory text in specific sections.
DATES: This direct final rule is effective on September 5, 2023.
Comments due on or before August 4, 2023. If adverse comments are
received, NASA will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the
Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with RINs 2700-AE70 and may be
sent to NASA via the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. Please note that NASA will post all comments on the internet
with changes, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniela Cruzado, 202-295-7589.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Direct Final Rule and Significant Adverse Comments
NASA has determined that this rulemaking meets the criteria for a
direct final rule because it makes nonsubstantive changes to correct
citations and titles and clarify regulatory text in specific sections.
No opposition to the changes and no significant adverse comments are
expected. However, if NASA receives significant adverse comments, it
will withdraw this direct final rule by publishing a notice in the
Federal Register. A significant adverse comment is one that explains:
(1) Why the direct final rule is inappropriate, including challenges to
the rule's underlying premise or approach; or (2) why the direct final
rule will be ineffective or unacceptable without a change. In
determining whether a comment necessitates withdrawal of this direct
final rule, NASA will consider whether it warrants a substantive
response in a notice and comment process.
Background
Subpart 5 of part 1204, promulgated March 13, 1965 [30 FR 3378],
established delegations and designations for NASA officials and other
Government agencies acting on behalf of the Agency to carry out
functions related to real estate and related matters, granting
easements, leaseholds, permits, and licenses in real property,
executing certificates of full faith and credit, and taking actions on
liquidated damage. Sections 1204.501, 1204.503, and 1204.504 will be
amended to correct citations and titles, and to clarify regulatory text
in specific sections.
Statutory Authority
The National Aeronautics and Space Act (the Space Act), 51 U.S.C.
20113 (a), authorizes the Administrator of NASA to make, promulgate,
issue, rescind, and amend rules and regulations governing the manner of
its operations and the exercise of the powers vested in it by law.
Regulatory Analysis
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review and E.O.
13563, Improvement Regulation and Regulation Review
E.O.s 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all costs and
benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety
effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the
importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs,
of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has been
designated as ``not significant'' under E.O. 12866.
Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires an
agency to
[[Page 42871]]
prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis to be published at
the time the proposed rule is published. This requirement does not
apply if the agency ``certifies that the rule will not, if promulgated,
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities'' (5 U.S.C. 603). This rule removes one section from title 14
of the CFR and, therefore, does not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities.
Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
This direct final rule does not contain any information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.).
Review Under E.O. 13132
E.O. 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) requires
regulations be reviewed for federalism effects on the institutional
interest of states and local governments and, if the effects are
sufficiently substantial, preparation of the Federal assessment is
required to assist senior policy makers. The amendments will not have
any substantial direct effects on state and local governments within
the meaning of the E.O. Therefore, no federalism assessment is
required.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1204
Authority delegation.
Accordingly, under the authority of the National Aeronautics and
Space Act, as amended, 51 U.S.C. 20113, NASA amends 14 CFR part 1204 as
follows:
PART 1204--ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY AND POLICY
0
1. The authority citation for part 1204 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(5); 42 U.S.C. 2473b; Public Law
101-507, the VA/HUD/Indep. Agencies Appropriation Act for FY 1991,
at 104 Stat. 1380 (Nov. 5, 1990); and 15 U.S.C. 631-650.
Sec. 1204.501 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 1204.501 as follows:
0
a. In paragraph (a) introductory text, add the words ``the Office of''
before the word ``Strategic'' and remove the words ``Integrated
Associate Management'' and add in their place the words ``Facilities
and Real Estate.''
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2)(i), remove the word ``to'' before the words
``sign declarations of taking.''
0
c. In paragraph (a)(2)(ii), add the text ``, in accordance with
statutory authority'' after the word ``reimbursement.''
0
d. In paragraph (a)(2)(iv), add the words ``in or over real property
owned or'' before the word ``controlled.''
0
e. In paragraph (a)(2)(v):
0
i. Remove the phrase ``NASA-controlled'' and add in its place the
phrase ``NASA-owned or -controlled.''
0
ii. Remove the word ``Comptroller'' and add in its place the words
``Office of the Chief Financial Officer.''
0
3. Revise Sec. 1204.503 to read as follows:
Sec. 1204.503 Delegation of authority to grant easements.
(a) Scope. 40 U.S.C. 1314 authorizes executive agencies to grant,
under certain conditions, the easements as the head of the agency
determines will not be adverse to the interests of the United States
and subject to the provisions as the head of the agency deems necessary
to protect the interests of the United States.
(b) Delegation of authority. The Assistant Administrator for the
Office of Strategic Infrastructure and the Director, Facilities and
Real Estate Division, are delegated authority to take actions in
connection with the granting of easements.
(c) Redelegation. (1) The Real Estate Branch Chief may, subject to
the restrictions in paragraph (d) of this section, exercise the
authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as
amended, and 40 U.S.C. 1314 to authorize or grant easements in, over,
or upon real property of the United States administered by NASA upon
compliance with statute including a determination that such
authorization or grant will not be adverse to the interests of the
United States.
(2) The Real Estate Branch Chief may redelegate this authority to
the appropriate warranted Real Estate Contracting Officer, in
accordance with the requirements set forth in NASA Procedural
Requirements (NPR) 8800.15, Real Estate Management Program.
(d) Restrictions. Except as otherwise specifically provided, no
such easement shall be authorized or granted under the authority stated
in paragraph (c) of this section unless:
(1) The appropriate Real Estate Contracting Officer determines:
(i) That the interest in real property to be conveyed is not
required for a NASA program.
(ii) That the grantee's exercise of rights under the easement will
not be adverse to the interests of the United States or interfere with
NASA operations.
(2) Monetary or other benefit, including any interest in real
property, is received by the government as consideration for the
granting of the easement.
(3) The instrument granting the easement is on a form or template
approved or directed to be used by the Real Estate Branch Chief, and
provides at a minimum:
(i) For the termination of the easement, in whole or in part, and
without cost to the Government, if there has been:
(A) A failure to comply with any term or condition of the easement;
(B) A nonuse of the easement for a consecutive 2-year period for
the purpose for which granted; or
(C) An abandonment of the easement.
(ii) That written notice of the termination shall be given to the
grantee, or its successors or assigns, by the Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Strategic Infrastructure or the Director, Facilities
and Real Estate Division, and that termination shall be effective as of
the date of the notice.
(iii) That restoration provisions are provided for in the agreement
that protect the interests of the United States and ensure the grantee
is responsible for removal of any and all improvements in or on NASA
real property.
(iv) Such other reservations, exceptions, limitations, benefits,
burdens, terms, or conditions as are set forth in the forms and
templates for easements approved for NASA use by the Real Estate branch
Chief.
(e) Waivers. If, in connection with a proposed granting of an
easement, the Real Estate Contracting Officer determines that a waiver
from any of the restrictions in paragraph (d) of this section is
appropriate, authority for the waiver may be requested from the
Assistant Administrator for the Office of Strategic Infrastructure or
the Director, Facilities Real Estate Division.
(f) Services of the Corps of Engineers. In exercising the authority
herein granted, the Real Estate Contracting Officer, under the
applicable provisions of any cooperative agreement between NASA and the
Corps of Engineers (in effect at that time), may:
(1) Utilize the services of the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army.
(2) Delegate authority to the Corps of Engineers to execute, on
behalf of NASA, grants of easements in real property, as authorized in
this section, provided that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (d)
and (e) of this section are complied with.
(g) Distribution of documents. One copy of each document granting
an easement interest under this authority, including instruments
executed by the Corps of Engineers, will be filed in the
[[Page 42872]]
Central Depository for Real Property Documents at National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, Office of Strategic Infrastructure,
Facilities and Real Estate Division, Washington, DC 20546.
0
4. Revise Sec. 1204.504 to read as follows:
Sec. 1204.504 Delegation of authority to grant leaseholds, permits,
and licenses in real property.
(a) Delegation of authority. The National Aeronautics and Space
Act, as amended, authorizes NASA to grant agreements for the use of
NASA-owned and/or -controlled real property. This authority is
delegated to the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Strategic
Infrastructure and the Director, Facilities Real Estate Division.
(b) Definition. Real Property refers to land, buildings, structures
(including relocatable structures), air space, utility systems,
improvements, and appurtenances annexed to land referred to as real
property assets. For purposes of NASA use, the term real property also
includes related personal property, also known as collateral equipment.
(c) Redelegation. (1) The Real Estate Branch Chief may, subject to
the restrictions in paragraph (d) of this section, grant a leasehold,
permit, or license to any person or organization, including other
Government agencies, a State, or political subdivision or agency
thereof. This authority may not be exercised with respect to real
property which is proposed for use by a NASA exchange and subject to
the provisions of NASA Policy Directive 9050.6, NASA Exchange and
Morale Support Activities.
(2) The Real Estate Branch Chief may redelegate this authority to
the appropriate warranted Real Estate Contracting Officer, in
accordance with the requirements set forth in NPR 8800.15.
(d) Restrictions. Except as otherwise specifically provided, no
leasehold, permit, or license shall be granted under the authority
stated in paragraph (c) of this section unless:
(1) The Real Estate Contracting Officer determines:
(i) That the interest or rights to be granted are not required for
a NASA program.
(ii) That the interests or rights to be granted will not be adverse
to the interests of the United States nor interfere with NASA
operations.
(2) That, in the case of leaseholds fair market value monetary
consideration is received by NASA.
(3) The instrument granting the leasehold, permit, or license in
real property is on a form or template approved by or directed to be
used by the Real Estate Branch Chief, and provides, at a minimum:
(i) For unilateral termination by NASA in the event of:
(A) Default by the grantee; or
(B) Abandonment of the property by the grantee; or
(C) Force majeure circumstances including a determination by
Congress, the President, or the NASA Administrator that the interest of
the national space program, the national defense, or the public welfare
require the termination of the interest granted, with a suitable notice
provided to the grantee.
(ii) A liability waiver, indemnification requirements,
environmental requirements, and insurance provisions as needed to
suitably protect the United States from damages arising from the
grantee's use of NASA real property.
(iii) That restoration provisions are provided for in the agreement
that protect the interests of the United States and ensure the grantee
is responsible for removal of any and all improvements in or on NASA
real property.
(iv) Such other reservations, exceptions, limitations, benefits,
burdens, terms, or conditions as are set forth in the forms and
templates for leaseholds, permits, and licenses in real property
approved by and directed for use by the Real Estate Branch Chief.
(e) Waivers. If, in connection with a proposed grant, the Real
Estate Contracting Officer determines that a waiver from any of the
restrictions set forth in paragraph (d) of this section is appropriate,
a request may be submitted to the Associate Administrator for the
Office of Strategic Infrastructure or the Director, Facilities Real
Estate Division.
(f) Distribution of documents. One copy of each document granting
an interest in real property will be filed in the Central Depository
for Real Property Documents at: National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Washington, DC
20546.
Nanette Smith,
Team Lead, NASA Directives and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-14042 Filed 7-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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