Short Takes – 1-13-26 – Federal Register Edition

Railroad Safety Advisory Committee; Charter Reestablishment. Federal Register FRA advisory committee notice – Summary: “FRA announces the charter reestablishment of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee established by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the FRA Administrator on matters relating to railroad safety. This charter renewal will be effective for two years from the date it is filed with Congress.”

Name of Information Collection: NASA Safety Reporting System (NSRS). Federal Register NASA 30-day ICR notice. Abstract: “This collection provides a means by which NASA contractors can voluntarily and anonymously report any safety concerns or hazards pertaining to NASA programs, projects, or operations. NASA is committed to effectively performing the Agency's communication function in accordance with the Space Act Section 203(a)(3) to “provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof,” and to enhance public understanding of, and participation in, the nation's aeronautical and space program in accordance with the NASA Strategic Plan.” Comments due February 12^th, 2026.

Centennial Challenges Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table Registration. Federal Register NASA program notice. Summary: “Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table is open, and teams that wish to compete may now register. NASA initiated Centennial Challenges in 2005 to create public prize competitions that stimulate revolutionary research, technology development, and prototype demonstrations. These challenges strive to be audacious and inspirational with a focus on long-range NASA goals while addressing complex mission needs. Challenges also encourage hands-on, grassroots approaches to identifying and cultivating communities of innovators, including small businesses, student groups, and individuals. Centennial Challenges are part of NASA's Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program withing the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table is a prize competition with a total prize purse of $750,000 USD, (seven hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars) to be awarded to competitor teams that develop a complete space food system for a planetary surface that integrates a variety of food sources and associated technologies, and that meets 100% of the crew's variable nutritional needs within the constraints of a Martian habitat.”

EO 14372 - Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting. Federal Register.