FAR 35.017-6—Master list of FFRDC’s.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 35.017-6 explains how the Government keeps track of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) through a master list maintained by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It covers two main topics: NSF’s role as the custodian of the Government-wide master list, and the obligation of primary sponsors to furnish information about each FFRDC when NSF asks for it. The required information includes sponsoring agreements, mission statements, funding data, and the type of research and development being performed. In practice, this section supports Government oversight, transparency, and consistency in managing FFRDCs across agencies. It helps ensure that FFRDCs remain aligned with their approved missions and that the Government has current data for policy, budgeting, and oversight purposes.
Key Rules
NSF maintains master list
The National Science Foundation is responsible for maintaining the Government’s master list of FFRDCs. This makes NSF the central source for identifying and tracking FFRDCs across the Federal Government.
Primary sponsors provide data
Primary sponsors must provide information about each FFRDC when NSF requests it. The duty is request-driven, meaning the sponsor must respond with the required information when asked by NSF.
Required information elements
The information provided must include sponsoring agreements, mission statements, funding data, and the type of R&D being performed. These data elements give NSF a complete picture of the FFRDC’s status and activities.
Supports Government oversight
The master list and supporting information are used to monitor FFRDCs and their alignment with approved purposes. This helps the Government manage these centers consistently and maintain accountability.
Responsibilities
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Maintain the Government-wide master list of FFRDCs and request information from primary sponsors as needed to keep the list current and complete.
Primary Sponsors
Provide NSF, upon request, with information on each FFRDC they sponsor, including sponsoring agreements, mission statements, funding data, and the type of R&D being performed.
Agencies sponsoring FFRDCs
Ensure their FFRDC records are accurate and available for submission to NSF when requested, and coordinate internally so the required information can be supplied promptly.
Practical Implications
Contracting and program offices should keep FFRDC documentation current, because NSF may request it at any time.
A common pitfall is incomplete or outdated sponsor information, especially mission statements, funding data, or the current R&D scope.
Agencies should coordinate among contracting, program, budget, and legal staff so the information submitted to NSF matches the sponsoring agreement and actual operations.
This section is mainly administrative, but it matters for oversight, audit readiness, and demonstrating that an FFRDC is operating within its approved mission.
Failure to respond accurately to NSF requests can create Government-wide tracking problems and may raise questions about the FFRDC’s governance or funding profile.
Official Regulatory Text
The National Science Foundation (NSF) maintains a master Government list of FFRDC’s. Primary sponsors will provide information on each FFRDC, including sponsoring agreements, mission statements, funding data, and type of R&D being performed, to the NSF upon its request for such information.