David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                       November 
30, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1730)


RELEASE: 93-214

NASA EXCEEDS MINORITY SMALL BUSINESS GOAL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

   NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced today that 
NASA has awarded 8.5 percent of it's 1993 fiscal year 
contracting budget to socially and economically disadvantaged 
firms -- achieving a Congressionally mandated goal of 8 percent 
for FY 1994 a year early.

   "Even before coming to NASA I was committed to Small 
Disadvantaged Business (SDB) contracting," Goldin said.  "I felt 
it was good for the country, good for the company, and good for 
the customer.  In meeting the will of Congress, NASA has 
exemplified a level of teamwork among its contractors, top-level 
managers and employees that reflects the high standards of the 
Agency."

   Upon his arrival at NASA in April 1992, Goldin took 
immediate steps to strengthen the opportunities for meeting the 
8 percent goal.  Actions taken were based on a six point plan 
developed by Goldin that included the following:

   * Primary responsibility for achieving the goal was placed 
on the technical community.  Center Directors and NASA top 
management were evaluated in their yearly performance plans on 
how well they did in meeting the goal.

   *  In the past, contract consolidations had a detrimental 
effect on prime contract awards to SDBs.  New contracts which 
involve consolidations now require the approval of the Chief of 
Staff before implementation.

   *  Under a Determinations and Findings approved by Congress, 
NASA was able to set aside $310 million for competition 
restricted only to SDBs.

   *  Institutional Associate Administrators were asked to 
review the SDB contracting/subcontracting programs of their 
respective centers in order to increase SDB subcontracting on 
the Agency's top 100 contracts.
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   *  An award recognition program was developed for technical, 
small business, and contracting civil service personnel for 
their contributions in achieving the goal.

   *  The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., was 
challenged to double their SDB subcontracting in 1993.

   In addition to these guidelines, the Administrator formed 
the NASA Minority Business Resources Advisory Committee, whose 
purpose was to eliminate barriers in doing business with NASA 
and to broaden the SDB contractor base.

   For the first time in history, NASA's awards to minority 
businesses approached $1 billion.  In addition, NASA met or 
exceeded all of its 1993 small business goals that are 
negotiated with the Small Business Administration.  The 
achievement of the goal includes NASA's total value of prime and 
subcontract awards to small disadvantaged (including women 
owned) businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
and other minority educational institutions.

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