REPRINTING OF HISTORICAL NASA PUBLICATIONS | Apply Online

FAQs: NASA Partnership Opportunity to Reprint Out-of-Print NASA History Books (NNH11ZDA0026J)

1) What is this opportunity about?

This NASA Headquarters opportunity sought non-government partners interested in bringing out-of-print NASA history books back into circulation. The focus is on reprinting and marketing NASA historical publications that were originally printed through the Government Printing Office and are no longer available for purchase.

2) Is this a government grant that provides funding?

No. NASA explicitly described this as an unfunded partnership opportunity. There is no NASA financial support for printing, distribution, marketing, or proposal preparation.

3) What does NASA want partners to do?

NASA wanted publishers (and other qualified organizations) to select eligible out-of-print titles, reprint them, and market/distribute them so the books reach a broad audience in the United States and internationally.

4) Why is NASA doing this?

The stated goal was to increase public access to valuable NASA historical material worldwide, especially where titles were no longer available for purchase despite ongoing public interest and historical value.

5) What is in it for publishers?

Publishers could expand their aerospace or history catalogs and potentially generate worldwide sales using respected, mission-related NASA content, while supporting broader dissemination of NASA historical information.

6) Which NASA books were eligible for reprinting under this opportunity?

The eligible titles came from NASA's online catalog of NASA History Series publications and related historical works. Items that were out of print were clearly marked in that catalog, and respondents were expected to reference the list when identifying the titles they wanted to reprint.

7) Is the partnership exclusive?

No. NASA described the arrangement as nonexclusive, meaning NASA could enter similar agreements with multiple organizations at the same time for the same general purpose and potentially for the same titles.

8) What kind of agreement might NASA use?

NASA indicated it may negotiate Space Act Agreements under its legal authority (51 U.S.C. 20113(e)) with selected respondents. The announcement also noted NASA could enter similar agreements with multiple organizations due to the nonexclusive nature of the opportunity.

9) Does NASA have to select a partner or sign an agreement?

No. NASA stated the announcement did not obligate the agency to negotiate or sign any agreement. NASA also reserved the right to select all, some, or none of the submissions, and to amend or withdraw the announcement.

10) If there is no funding, what support might NASA provide?

When feasible, NASA stated it would provide practical support to enable reprinting, including high-resolution electronic image files, word-processing text files for chosen titles, and an errata sheet listing known errors.

11) Can a publisher make changes to the books (for example, new covers or artwork)?

Yes, potentially. NASA stated it would review proposed changes or additions (such as updated covers, artwork, or other modifications) and would provide approval of the final text. NASA also indicated approval was not expected to be unreasonably withheld, with the intent of preserving accuracy and integrity while allowing modern packaging for distribution.

12) Who was eligible to respond?

The opportunity was open to all organizations, including international entities. However, it was clearly aimed at commercial publishing companies, especially those with experience in aerospace history, reprints, and broad marketing and distribution.

13) Are international organizations allowed to participate?

Yes. NASA stated the opportunity was open to all organizations, including international entities, consistent with the goal of increasing access in the United States and internationally.

14) What capabilities was NASA looking for in a partner?

NASA emphasized the importance of an organization being able to reach a large segment of the public, successfully bring titles to market, and do so on a timeline agreed upon by both parties.

15) How did NASA plan to evaluate responses?

NASA stated it would evaluate responses mainly on two factors: (1) how well the respondent organization's values align with NASA's, and (2) whether the respondent has the capability to reprint the chosen publications within a mutually agreed timeline while reaching a broad public audience.

16) What did a submission need to include?

Responses were limited to four pages and needed to include: basic organizational and contact information (including key individuals, addresses, phone/fax numbers, and emails); a brief business overview describing publications and distribution channels; evidence of relevant experience and sufficient financial resources; the specific NASA titles the respondent wanted to reprint (referencing the NASA history series list); and a publication plan.

17) What was NASA expecting in the publication plan?

NASA expected the publication plan to cover a timeline, target audiences, anticipated reach, and practical metrics showing how the publisher would measure success in widely disseminating the material.

18) Were there formatting or file requirements for submissions?

NASA requested submissions in Microsoft Word or PDF. NASA did not specify special formatting rules beyond those file formats and the four-page limit.

19) Where and how were responses submitted?

Submissions had to be emailed to Stephen Garber at the NASA History Program Office at stephen.j.garber@nasa.gov.

20) What were the key dates for the response window?

The response window opened immediately upon posting. The posting date was July 7, 2011, and the original and final closing date was August 31, 2011.

21) Should respondents include proprietary or confidential information?

No. NASA specifically instructed respondents not to include proprietary information.

22) Who might review or evaluate submitted materials?

NASA stated that government personnel and contractors could be involved in evaluating submissions.

23) Will submitted materials be returned?

No. NASA stated that materials submitted would not be returned.

24) What was the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number was NNH11ZDA0026J.

25) How was this opportunity categorized administratively?

Administratively, the opportunity appeared in the education category under CFDA 43.008 and was labeled as a discretionary opportunity. It also listed "cooperative agreement" as the funding instrument type, even though NASA emphasized that no NASA funding would be provided for the reprint activity itself.

26) Does NASA pay for proposal preparation, printing, distribution, or marketing?

No. NASA explicitly stated there would be no NASA financial support for proposal preparation, printing, distribution, or marketing.

27) Can NASA work with multiple publishers at the same time?

Yes. Because the partnerships were described as nonexclusive, NASA stated it could enter similar agreements with multiple organizations at the same time.

28) What is the main outcome NASA was trying to achieve?

The main outcome was broad dissemination of NASA historical information by returning out-of-print NASA history books to the marketplace and into public circulation, both domestically and internationally.