Jeff Vincent
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                                       
May 13, 1991
(Phone:  202/453-8369)


RELEASE:  91-74

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS OFFICE CREATED IN LINE WITH AUGUSTINE REPORT 

     NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly today announced the 
establishment of a new Systems Analysis and Concepts Office at 
NASA Headquarters and designated James D. Bain as its 
Director.  The creation of the office is another step in 
NASA's implementation of recommendations made last December by 
the Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space 
Program, also known as the "Augustine Committee."

     The committee recommended that a Systems Analysis and 
Concepts Office be established to provide independent and 
non-advocate decision support to the NASA Administrator and 
his immediate office.  The group would focus on policy 
alternatives, 
conceptual and formulative stages of new programs, and 
systematic review of the requirements and benefits of new and 
ongoing programs.  The committee further recommended that the 
new office be staffed by a very few experienced analysts and 
that it be augmented by a Federally Funded Research and 
Development Center (FFRDC).

      Truly has reviewed several existing FFRDCs from the 
perspective of their ability to augment the new office.  
Following that review, he decided to let FFRDC support 
gradually evolve by tasking analysis of specific issues to one 
or more appropriate FFRDCs.

     In a separate recommendation, the Augustine Committee 
proposed the establishment of an independent cost analysis 
function to serve the Administrator and his immediate office.  
In response to that recommendation, Truly has decided to 
significantly augment the independent cost capability recently 
initiated by the NASA Comptroller.  This group will report 
administratively to the Comptroller and provide independent 
assessments to the Administrator and his immediate office, to 
include the new Systems Analysis and Concepts Office.

     Bain previously served as the Executive Secretary to the 
Augustine Committee and is currently staffing the 
implementation of the committee's recommendations within NASA.

                            -end-