scope:

Purpose of these rules.

(a) The pertinent provisions of the Equal Access to Justice Act at 5 U.S.C. 504 (hereinafter ''the Act'') provide for the award of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and entities who are parties to certain administrative proceedings (called ''adversary adjudications''). An eligible party may receive an award when it prevails, unless it has unreasonably protracted the proceedings, or the Agency's position in the proceeding was substantially justified, or special circumstances make an award unjust. The rules in this part describe the parties eligible for awards and the proceedings that are covered. They also explain how to apply for awards, and the procedures and standards that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will use in determining awards.