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(a) The decision to use the investigations acquisition process as an alternative to the normal planning and acquisition process can only be made after consideration of the conditions which require its use. All of the following conditions should exist before deciding that the system is applicable:
(1) NASA has a general objective which can be furthered through novel experimental approaches. To develop such approaches, NASA wishes to draw upon the broadest possible reservoir of ideas.
(2) Choices must be made among competing ideas in expanding knowledge.
(3) Individual participation of an investigator is essential to exploitation of the opportunity.
(b) The investigations acquisition process shall not be used when any of the following characteristics are present:
(1) The requiring office can define a requirement sufficiently to allow for normal acquisition.
(2) The program is extremely complex, requiring specialized integration, coordination, or other special handling, or extending over a lengthy period wherein individual participation is not essential.