NASA has unveiled a comprehensive initiative to reform processes that may hinder underserved and underrepresented groups from pursuing contracting opportunities at the space agency.
Wednesday's announcement of Mission Equity comes after the agency issued a request for information on how it could open up more procurement and grant programs to people of color.
The RFI notice states that the agency will conduct research and use technology to support the implementation of President Biden’s Executive Order No. 13985, titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”
Agency officials intend to provide further details of the public input collection effort at a June 29th virtual meeting and set a July 12 deadline for feedback submission.
“The agency’s new Mission Equity is a bold and necessary challenge for NASA to ensure our programs are accessible to all Americans and, especially, those living in historically underserved communities across the country,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.