The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides Agency-wide legal and strategic advice across a full spectrum of legal disciplines to further NASA’s mission. With legal leadership at Headquarters and at all NASA field installations across the country, OGC supports the Agency by identifying, mitigating, and defending against risks to the Agency. OGC works with the U.S. Department of Justice in representing the Agency before federal courts and acts as the Agency’s representative in administrative forums where appropriate, such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Practice Areas

Commercial and Intellectual Property Law

The Commercial and Intellectual Property Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice for negotiating, drafting, and interpreting Space Act Agreements; for partnering arrangements with commercial organizations; and, for commercialization of NASA activities. The Practice Group also provides advice and counsel in patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.

• Intellectual Property Program
  For the area of patents, the Practice Group has an Intellectual Property program devoted to providing functional guidance with respect to patent solicitation to ensure application of uniform criteria Agency-wide. In addition, the division supports the implementation of policies and procedures related to patent and copyright licensing and supports the U.S. Department of Justice in patent infringement-related claims.

Contracts and Acquisition Integrity Law

The Contracts and Acquisition Integrity Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice and counsel regarding the statutes, regulations and policies governing Federal Government contracting. The Practice Group also represents the Agency, working with the U.S. Department of Justice where appropriate, in bid protests and contract-related litigation before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, and the United States District Courts; disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals; and, any appeals of these decisions.

• Acquisition Integrity Program
  The Acquisition Integrity Program is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice and counsel regarding statutes, regulations, and policies governing fraud. The Program is responsible for addressing allegations of fraud on NASA contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, funding instruments, and other commitments of NASA.

General Law

The General Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice and counsel in the areas of ethics, fiscal law, environmental law, personnel and labor law, civil rights and equal employment law, information disclosure law, safety and security law, and other administrative law matters. The Practice Group also represents the Agency in litigation and administrative hearings, as well as providing legislative advice and counsel .

• Ethics Program
  The Ethics Program, provides Agency-wide training and counseling to employees and is responsible for the day-to-day management of OGC’s enterprise-wide ethics program, including resolving of issues at NASA Headquarters and providing support to Center ethics counselors. In addition, all Center Chief Counsel are responsible for ethics program implementation at their respective Centers. You may contact a member of the HQ Ethics Team by e-mail to hq-ethicsteam@nasa.gov or by phone at (202) 358-0550 or contact a Center Ethics Official by e-mail or by the phone number listed.
• Widely Attended Gatherings (WAGs) Determinations

International and Space Law

The International and Space Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice and counsel regarding international matters, to This includes providing advice in the following areas of law: international law, including space law; domestic law which may impact NASA’s international cooperation; international trade law; telecommunications law; and, export control.

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Contact

Office of the General Counsel
NASA Headquarters
300 E Street SW Suite 9V30
Washington, DC 20546
Phone Number (202) 358-2450

OGC Disclaimer: The materials within this website do not constitute legal advice. For details read our disclaimer.