NASA contracting officers retain functional management responsibility for their contracts. Utilization of the contract administration services of another Government agency in no way relieves NASA contracting officers of their ultimate responsibility for the proper and effective management of contracts. The functional management responsibility for contract property is described in this section. Beyond individual contracting officers, each NASA installation has designated an industrial property officer to manage and coordinate property matters among the various contracting officers, technical officials, contractor officials, and delegated property administrators and plant clearance officers. Generally, that individual is responsible for the entire contract property management function outlined below; the installation is responsible for the entire function regardless of how it is organized and distributed. The responsibilities are:
(a) Provide a focal point for all management of contract property, including Government property (Government-furnished and contractor-acquired) provided to universities as well as to industry.
(b) Provide guidance to contracting and other personnel on the NASA property provisions.
(c) To the extent feasible, review property provisions of acquisition plans, solicitations, contracts, and modifications for potential problems. Propose changes as necessary.
(d) To the extent feasible, participate in pre-award surveys/post-award orientations when significant amounts of Government property will be involved.
(e) Ensure that vesting-of-title determinations are made and documented pursuant to
FAR 35.014(b).
(f) Maintain effective communications with delegated property administrators and plant clearance officers to keep fully informed about contractor performance and progress on any property control problems.
(1) Obtain and review property control system survey summaries for all contracts for which property administration has been delegated. Advise Code JLG of any severe or continuing problems.
(2) Provide property administrators copies of all pertinent contract property documentation.
(g) Review and analyze NASA Form 1018, NASA Property in the Custody of Contractors.
(h) Negotiate, or ensure the negotiation of, facilities contracts when required by
FAR 45.302 and 1845.302. Advise Code JLG annually of new and completed facilities contracts.
(i) Review property administrators' approvals of relief of responsibility for lost, damaged, and destroyed property and question any excessive or repetitive approvals.
(j) When appropriate, make recommendations to source and performance evaluation boards
regarding property management and award fee criteria and evaluations regarding property management.
(k) Monitor plant clearance status to preclude delays in contract closeout.
(l) Maintain contract property files for all transactions and correspondence associated with each contract. Upon receipt of Standard Form 1424, Inventory Disposal Report, and DD Form 1593, Contract Administration Completion Record, or equivalents, merge all property records for the contract and forward for inclusion with the official completed file.
(m) Perform on-site property administration and plant clearance when they are not delegated to DOD and the property is not subject to the clause at
1852.245-71.
