Minutes of Senior Staff and Center Directors’ Meeting 06-19-2000

The following documents the discussions addressed at the Senior Staff and
Center Directors’ Meeting on June 19, 2000. Mr. Goldin attended the
meeting. Action assignments have been placed in brackets [ ] for easy
identification.

1. AA Reports

L/Cherry: Ms. Cherry reported on the following: 1) The general debate
on the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill begins in the
House today. Several NASA-related amendments are expected, including
four from Congressman Jerrold Nadler (R-NY), to move money from the
International Space Station (ISS) to housing programs, several from
Congressman Tim Roemer (D-IN) to terminate ISS and transfer funding to
other programs within the bill, limit Space Station funding, and
terminate agreements with Russia. Votes are expected Tuesday. 2)
Discussions with the Administration and the House and Senate
Authorization Committees continue regarding the draft Authorization
Conference bill. 3) The House Committee on Science will hold a hearing
on the Mars failures on June 20. The Administrator will testify.

K/Thomas: Mr. Thomas reported that the first meeting of the NASA Small
Business office and the World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
Working Group would be held tomorrow. The group will be writing an
International “Best Practices” manual for governments wanting to increase
utilization of small and medium enterprises on their procurement
contracts. He indicated that representatives would be here from six
foreign countries.

W/Cushing: Mr. Cushing reported that on June 6, 2000, the owner of MCS
Corporation and Magnolia Industrial Supply Company was indicted by a
Federal grand jury for conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Act, Title
41, U.S.C., Section 53. Four other individuals were also indicted for
conspiracy. The four are all former employees of Johnson Control World
Services (JWCS), Inc., a former NASA prime contractor at the Stennis
Space Center. The indictments allege that the owner conspired with and
paid kickbacks to the others in exchange for sales orders in excess of $1
million during the period of January 1994 to the present. A sixth
individual was charged with theft of Government property. Special Agents
of the NASA Office of Criminal Investigations and the FBI conducted the
investigation with assistance from the Stennis Security Office and local
Louisiana authorities. The investigation is ongoing.

AE/Keegan: Mr. Keegan thanked the Center Directors and the Enterprise
representatives for their valuable input to the NASA Integrated Action
Team’s report on the preliminary action plan. Feedback is very useful as
the plan is still in progress. He also thanked Carolyn Griner, as chair,
and all the members of the Integrated Action Team for a super effort in
the work done to date.

M/Spearing: Mr. Spearing reported that work on the Tracking and Data
Relay Satellite (TDRS)-H is on track to be launched on July 29. The
certification process is in place. Mr. Goldin stated that he expected
the Hughes Corporation and Mr. Rothenberg to certify that TDRS-H is ready
for flight.

J/Sutton: Mr. Sutton reported that 2 weeks ago, he distributed a memo
highlighting the work that the Directives Managers have been doing, both
at the Centers and here in each Headquarters office. With annual
performance appraisals coming up, he wanted to highlight this one more
time, because this is all too often work that we take for granted.
First, in the period from 1993 to 1997, the Directives Managers
throughout the Agency ran a process and worked with all of the managers
to reduce all Agency Directives and Internal Regulations by over 50
percent, ahead of the scheduled target. Over 3,000 Directives and
regulations were reduced to fewer than 1400, and over 44,000 pages were
eliminated in the process, throughout the Agency. Now more recently, the
Directives Managers also helped to reengineer and revise all (100
percent) of the remaining Agency-level Directives here at Headquarters.
This task was completed this month (June), and the result is that all the
remaining Headquarters (Agency) Directives (202) have been completely
revised and updated. Two weeks ago at their annual conference, Mr.
Sutton thanked the Directives Managers for their tireless work on NASA’s
behalf. He encourages each AA and Center Director to give these managers
appropriate recognition, as well.

P/Wilhide: Ms. Wilhide reported that the Solar and Heliospheric
Observatory release has been sent to the Centers. Also, Code P has
instituted a system to notify Centers and the public about upcoming NASA
TV spots. She asked the Centers to ensure that they have a system in
place to quickly disseminate these “all-employee e-mail notifications” to
each organization.

Z/Garver: Ms. Garver reminded the AA’s that the draft 2000 NASA
Strategic Plan is out for concurrence. Comments are due to the Office of
Policy and Plans by Friday, June 23.

2. Center Reports

DFRC/Mr. Sawyer: Mr. Sawyer reported on the following: 1) Dryden is
hosting the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Exposition on June 22.
The X-34, X-40A, X-43, and X-37 will be among the vehicles available for
viewing. 2) Mr. George Reese is visiting the Center tomorrow.

GSFC/Diaz: Mr. Diaz reported on the following: 1) There will be two
special publications on the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission
(TRMM)–the Journal of Climate and the Journal of Applied Meteorology.
The Journal of Applied Meteorology will be devoted to Ms. Joanne Simpson.
2) Ms. Brandi Rutledge, a summer intern at GSFC who is pursuing her
Ph.D. in biostatistics, was a Bill Gates Scholarship winner.

JSC/Abbey: Mr. Abbey reported on the following: 1) An investigation is
underway following the failure of an engine during a test of the new
alternate turbopump (ATP). 2) A Space Station General Designer’s Review
is scheduled for next Monday, June 26, with an Operations Readiness
Review on Thursday, June 29. 3) The Service Module is planned to be
launched on July 12.

LaRC/Creedon: Dr. Creedon reported that two NASA CONNECT programs that
aired in 1999, “The Measurement of All Things: Tools of the Aeronautics
Trade,” and “Geometry of Exploration: Water Below the Surface of Mars?,”
won two Capitol Region Emmy Awards Saturday, June 17, 2000, at the 42nd
Annual National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Ceremony in
Washington, DC. The NASA CONNECT series, produced by Langley Research
Center’s Office of Education, is a standards-based distance learning
initiative designed to increase the math, science, and technology
proficiencies of students in grades 4-8, using NASA technologies, and is
now seen by over 5 million students and educators across the Nation. The
team also received the International Film and Video Festival First Place
Award for this year’s NASA CONNECT show, “Geometry of Exploration: Eyes
Over Mars,” given for “outstanding creativity in the production of audio
visual communications in international competition.” Mr. Goldin had
appeared in two NASA CONNECT shows in 1998.

MSFC/Griner: Ms. Griner reported on the following: 1) A Space Shuttle
Main Engine (SSME) Mishap Investigation Board has been formed to
investigate the ATP test failure, and Mr. Robert Sackheim has been named
as Chairman. The board members will be traveling to the Stennis Space
Center on Tuesday to conduct meetings. Preliminary information of the
mishap reveals that the failure appears to be upstream of the pump. At
about 5 seconds, abnormally high vibrations started and continued to
increase. At the same time, pump performance started to degrade, i.e.,
fuel flow rate fell off rapidly. 2) MSFC employees are looking forward
to several important events at MSFC this week. Today, Dr. Hans Mark is
at MSFC to receive a presentation of MSFC overviews. Tuesday, Mr. Joe
Rothenberg will participate in the MSFC Honor Awards Ceremony.
Wednesday, the STS-99 crew will be at MSFC, and on Wednesday and
Thursday, MSFC will have “Space Transportation Day on the Hill.” 3) Ms.
Griner thanked Mr. Abbey and the STS 101 crew for their visit to MSFC
last week.

3. Dr. Mulville:

Dr. Mulville reported on the following: 1) He expressed his appreciation
to Mr. Sutton, Ms. Cynthia Washington, and the entire Directives
Management Team. Each organization should feel proud of the effort that
has reduced the number of NASA directives. 2) The Program Management
Council will meet on Thursday, June 22, from 1 to 4 p.m., to discuss VCL
(Vegetation Canopy Lidar) and Triana. 3) As a reminder, the Headquarters
Softball Tournament begins this week. On Tuesday June 20, Code M versus.
Code C and Codes PZK versus WJL; and on Thursday, June 22, Codes RSH
versus Codes YI and Code F versus Codes ABG.

4. Mr. Goldin:

Mr. Goldin’s Health and Safety message this week focused on three areas:
safety issues, information technology (IT) security, and International
Technology Transfer and Export Control.

NASA Security: Classified Information, Information Technology, and
International Technology Transfer/Export Controls

Recent events at other U.S. Government agencies should remind each one of
us of our role in protecting NASA’s technological and classified
information and assets. Three key security areas have received the most
attention recently: Protection of National Security Information,
Information Technology Security, and International Technology Transfer
and Export Controls. NASA’s continued diligence in these areas is
crucial to the Agency’s future.

Protection of National Security Information

Some of NASA’s most dynamic research and missions play an important role
in our Nation’s security, and we are all responsible for protecting that
information and those assets. The requirements for protecting classified
information are established for the government through the U.S. National
Security Policy Board, of which NASA is a member. Internally, NASA uses
NPD (NASA Policy Directive)1600 and NPG (NASA Policy Guidelines) 1620 to
promulgate the Federal requirements. Our industry partners, under the
auspices of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), must follow
substantially the same procedures.

In addition, NASA exercises its own authority for our most sensitive
classified programs. In these programs, SECRET material is always
accounted for and all computer media is strictly controlled and regularly
inventoried. The personnel security requirements for these programs are
even more stringent than for the normal SECRET level.

To communicate the importance of security, NASA Headquarters held a
Security Campaign Rollout at each NASA Center this past year. The goal
was to convey that security is a core NASA value and an inherent part of
safety.

Information Technology Security

NASA relies on computers, data and networks to perform its missions. The
security and integrity of these information technology systems are
essential for us to accomplish these missions safely and reliably, and
they are the responsibility of every employee.

There are three keys to safeguarding information technology. The most
important is training. Managers and users must understand information
technology security if NASA is to do it right, so annual training is
required. That is why NASA offers training for managers and users over
the Internet and by CD-ROM.

Next is planning. Every NASA information technology system must have a
security plan that includes risk assessment and implementation of
appropriate safeguards. These plans must be signed by the project or
program manager to attest that the system is ready to operate. The
Center’s information technology security managers must concur in these
plans to indicate that they are incorporating best practices.

Finally, even the most detailed plans will not be successful if they are
not supported with sufficient resources. Our computer system
administrators are the key frontline experts. They must be thoroughly
trained and able to respond to new security threats. Therefore, managers
must do everything they can to provide adequate resources and staff to
ensure that NASA’s computer systems are safe and secure.

International Technology Transfer and Export
Contro

NASA has relationships with about 80 different countries, and these
relationships have enhanced the goals of our programs. However, we must
be vigilant in restricting access to sensitive material like unclassified
but export-controlled technical data, industry proprietary information,
or classified information. In 1995, we established an Agencywide Export
Control Program to make NASA a leader in awareness and compliance with
U.S. export laws and regulations. It is the responsibility of each
Center Director and Associate Administrator to ensure these laws and
regulations are followed.

In addition, when dealing with foreign nationals and information
exchange, it is important to err on the conservative side. There are
established rules to follow. It is the responsibility of each employee
who deals with a foreign country or visits a foreign country to know the
rules and to follow them. When foreign nationals visit or are hosted at
our facilities, they should only have appropriate and approved access to
the information necessary for their work. This same vigilance should
apply whether the interaction is inside or outside NASA’s facilities.

While NASA has established procedures and maintains constant vigilance in
adhering to the Nation’s rules and regulations, our security is only as
strong as our weakest link. If you have concerns or suggestions on how
to strengthen NASA’s security, please contact your Center Security
Office, Chief Information Officer, or Export Control Office.

Dedication of the Maxine Waters Saturday Academy for Student
Advancement in Math, Science, and Communications

Mr. Goldin visited the campus of the Los Angeles Southwest Community
College to participate in a dedication ceremony to open the doors of the
Aeronautics Education Laboratory. This laboratory will expose
economically disadvantaged youths (grades 7 to 12) to a state-of-the-art,
computerized environment of cutting-edge technology. Mr. Goldin thanked
the Glenn Research Center, Ms. Vicki Novak, Mr. Frank Owens, and
Astronaut Yvonne Cagel for their support of this effort.

NOTE: ACTION ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE TRANSMITTED UNDER SEPARATE COVER AND
TRACKED BY THE HEADQUARTERS CORRESPONDENCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE. SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO VANESSA COATES @ (202) 358-0906.

Officials-in-Charge of NASA Headquarters Offices:

AA/Mr. Heffernan

AI/Dr. Mulville

AB/Ms. Tagg

AC/Gen. Armstrong

AE/Mr. Keegan

AJ/Mr. Tam

AM/Dr. Nicogossian

AS/Dr. Olsen

B/Mr. Holz

C/Mr. Christensen

E/Mr. Reese

F/Ms. Novak

G/Mr. Frankle

H/Mr. Luedtke

I/Mr. Schumacher

J/Mr. Sutton

K/Mr. Thomas

L/Mr. Heffernan

M/Mr. Rothenberg

P/Ms. Wilhide

Q/Mr. Gregory

R/Mr. Venneri

S/Dr. Weiler

U/Dr. Nicogossian

W/Ms. Gross

Y/Dr. Asrar

Z/Ms. Garver

Directors, NASA Centers:

ARC/Dr. McDonald

DFRC/Mr. Petersen

GRC/Mr. Campbell

GSFC/Mr. Diaz

JSC/Mr. Abbey

KSC/Mr. Bridges

LaRC/Dr. Creedon

MSFC/Mr. Stephenson

SSC/Mr. Estess

Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

Dr. Stone

cc:

A/Ms. Roberts

AB/Ms. Saldana

AC/Ms. Landrus

AE/Ms. Moore

AI/Ms. Shaeffer

AI/Ms. Blinebury

AI/Ms. Soper

AJ/Ms. Bloxon

AO/Ms. Wissinger

AS/Ms. Simms

CIC/Ms. Grimes

CIC/Ms. Hoover

CIC/Ms. Coates

CIC/Ms. Fenner

CIC/Ms. Maynor

CIC/Ms. Doyle