What Is The NASA Electronic Forms Distribution Center?

An electronic form distribution center is a repository of electronic forms which are available for download. Electronic forms may be used to exchange data commonly contained on paper forms between individuals and organizations. Electronic Form Distribution Centers use Shana's Informed Filler^TM software, a full-featured electronic form application which may be used to view, complete, print, fax, email and electronically sign forms.

NASA has standardized (see the Executive Notice - available to NASA domains only) on Shana's Informed Filler^TM electronic form software for the exchange of forms internally and with the public. To facilitate this exchange the NASA Electronic Form Distribution Center has been established. This center contains electronic versions of all NASA forms and other forms commonly used within NASA (not all forms are available yet). NASA staff will accept forms obtained from this distribution center, from other Agencies and the public. Each Center maintains its own distribution center as well for Center specific forms.

How Does A Distribution Center Work?

Forms in a distribution Center consist of a template file for the form layout, and a blank data file. Data file names contain the suffix .IFM which can be configured to launch the Informed Filler application upon download. When properly configured, Informed Filler functions as a helper application to your browser, just like Adobe Acrobat does for reading files in .PDF format. When a data file is downloaded Informed Filler is launched and the distribution center profile is used to request a template from the distribution center (click Yes). The template is copied to your templates folder and a blank form opens which may be completed.

You may download, install and use Informed Filler from this distribution center without charge. Each form in the distribution center has been specially keyed to work with this software. Other forms which have not been keyed will not work with this free version of Informed Filler. If you have purchased a copy of Informed Filler 2.0 or later you may also use that software to complete these forms by adding the NASA Distribution Center Profile from here. A full version of Informed Filler and Informed Designer^TM is available through retail channels or by contacting Shana. Government Agencies may also purchase Informed through SEWP II. Search for the Informed product line by selecting the "SEWP Online CLIN Searcher (SOCS)" item. Higlight "GTSI-Supporting Equipment" from the Vendor list and type in "Informed" as the search term and click the "Submit Query" button.

Users of Ames forms must use the software from the Ames distribution Center at .