continuity of effort are primary factors of 

 evaluation. 



• Review and evaluation are obtained by pe- 

 riodic status reviews at the field centers or re- 

 search sites by headquarters program mana- 

 gers, by extensive use of visiting committees 

 or boards comprised of outside experts in the 

 field, and by appropriate NASA senior man- 

 agement groups. 



• Written reports that evaluate the importance 

 and quality of the research are usually pre- 

 pared for management attention. 



At present, about half of the NASA funds ex- 

 pended for basic research are expended in-house — 

 mostly for the conduct of basic research, but in 

 part for the management of extramural basic re- 

 search, as well. The balance goes to the conduct of 



basic research in industry, the university, federally 

 funded research and development centers, and 

 others. Many factors enter the decisions on wheth- 

 er to conduct a given research task in-house or out- 

 of-house. Among those factors are where the "ex- 

 perts" reside; the need to establish or maintain 

 "centers of excellence" in both Government labo- 

 ratories and universities, where special facilities 

 may be located; when a joining of Government and 

 university or Government and industrial capabili- 

 ties is desired; and when a new capability may 

 need to be created. Such decisions are made on 

 either a task-by-task basis, or by broad field of 

 work. An overview by senior management is also 

 periodically made to assure that a proper level and 

 stability of support to the university community is 

 obtained. 



190 



NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 



