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The investigation acquisition process is most suitable for investigations aimed at exploration requiring several unique sensors or instruments, but it has been used successfully in the following types of activities:
(a) Exploration and Space Research Flights.
(1) Examples include Space Transportation System (STS) flights with attached payloads, generally Spacelab payloads; and free-flying spacecraft, such as Explorers, Pioneers, Space Telescope, Landsats, and Long Duration Exposure Facilities.
(2) Types of opportunity include:
(i) Participation as a Principal Investigator (PI) responsible for conceiving and conducting a space investigation (This may involve a major piece of instrumentation. In the case of a "facility" or "multiuser" payload, each PI's responsibilities would ordinarily involve a relatively minor portion of the total instrument.);
(ii) An opportunity to serve on a PI's team as a member or Co-Investigator;
(iii) An opportunity that generally involves the use of data from another investigator's instrument as a guest investigator or guest observer (Guest investigators usually participate after the primary objectives have been satisfied for the investigations involved.); and
(iv) A team formed from selected investigators to assist in defining planned mission objectives and/or to determine, in a general manner, the most meaningful instruments to accomplish the mission objectives.
(3) The investigation acquisition process may be applicable to all types of opportunities. The supposition common in these opportunities is that the best ideas and approaches are likely to result from the broadest possible involvement of the scientific, technological or applications user communities.
(b) Minor Missions.
(1) Examples include research aircraft, sounding rockets, balloons, and minor missions that are generally of short duration, small in size, often single purpose, and subject to repetition. Many investigations are follow-on to past-flight investigations.
(2) Types of opportunity include:
(i) PIs responsible for investigation; and
(ii) Data use or analysis.
(3) Opportunities for participation on minor missions are generally suitable for normal acquisition procedures. The use of an announcement describing the general nature and schedule of flights may be appropriate when considered necessary to broaden participation by requesting investigator-initiated research proposals. Normal acquisition procedures shall be used for follow-on repeat flights. Although NASA seeks unique, innovative ideas for these missions, the prospect of reflight and the latitude in determining number and schedule of flights argue against the need for the use of the investigations acquisition process to force dissimilar proposals into an annual or periodic competitive structure. On the other hand, there are some minor missions addressed to specific limited opportunities; for example, a solar eclipse. When such limitations indicate that the special competitive structure is needed, it should be authorized.
(c) Operational and Operational Prototype Spacecraft.
(1) Examples include spacecraft built for NASA and other agencys’ missions.
(2) The user agency can be expected to specify performance parameters. Payload definition will be the responsibility of the user agency and NASA. Specifications sufficient for normal acquisition procedures can be produced. Use of data from the mission is the responsibility of the user agency. Thus, the investigation acquisition process is not required.
(d) Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T).
(1) Examples include studies, minor developments, instrument conceptualization, ground-based observations, laboratory and theoretical supporting research, and data reduction and analysis which is unconstrained by a specific opportunity.
(2) Programs in these areas tend to go forward on a continuing basis, rather than exploiting unique opportunities. Normal acquisition procedures should be used. A general announcement of area of interest could be made when greater participation is deemed advisable.