The memorandum, dated February 6, 2025, addresses NASA contractors and grantees regarding the recent Executive Order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” signed by the President on January 20, 2025. In alignment with subsequent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), NASA is directing all contractors and grantees to immediately halt and discontinue any activities, trainings, programs, or materials that promote or reflect gender ideology as part of their federally funded contracts or grants. This directive includes ceasing the dissemination of relevant documents and communications, with a stop work order or termination clauses possibly invoked for compliance. Contractors and grantees must notify their Contracting or Grant Officers if their agreements contain requirements contrary to this new guidance.
Furthermore, NASA has taken steps to remove any policies, guidance, or resources related to gender ideology from internal and external platforms, effective January 31, 2025. While stressing the need to comply with the Executive Order, the memorandum clarifies that contractors and grantees must continue adhering to generally applicable laws such as Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. Additional updates to relevant NASA administrative policies and agreement manuals may be forthcoming. The memorandum encourages open communication between organizations and their NASA contacts to ensure an orderly transition and continued support for NASA’s mission, while also providing contacts for questions or clarifications about these new requirements.
