86a-SUPP06

Page 1 United States Secret Service

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

SSF 86A

1. CIRCUMSTANCES NECESSITATING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

The Secret Service’s mission is two-fold, both protective and investigative. Because of the impact this mission has on national security, the Secret Service conducts a stringent screening process which is necessary for the utmost scrutiny in the selection of qualified applicants. All Secret Service employees require a Top Secret clearance, and over 60% require (Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Access. Because of this requirement, the Secret Service conducts a more extensive background investigation than the standard Office of Personnel Management regulated Single-Scope Background Investigation (7-10 years) required for the granting of a Top Secret clearance. The SSF 86A, which is completed in the applicant process, provides information, additional to that requested by the SF 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions. Authority to collect the information sought on the accompanying form is derived from the following sources: Title 5 USC section 301; Title 18 USC section 3056; Executive Orders 10450, 12333, 12958 and 12968; and Title 31 CFR section 2.1.

2. USE OF DATA

The Secret Service will use the information provided for initial determinations on the selection of applicants for positions with the Secret Service, as well as possible leads in the completion of a background investigation if the applicant is continued further in processing.

3. USE OF IMPROVED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN

At this time, this agency can collect information via use of automated and electronic means which reduces the burden. This information collection is in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

4. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION

We have attempted to eliminate duplication within the Agency wherever possible.

5. IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS

There is no impact on small businesses.

6. CONSEQUENCES TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS IF COLLECTION IS NOT CONDUCTED OR IS CONDUCTED LESS FREQUENTLY

Because of the nature of the Secret Service functions, applicants are subjected to stringent background investigations. It is necessary in the selection of qualified applicants.

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7. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

There are no special circumstances that would cause this information collection to be conducted in a manner: requiring respondents to report information to the agency more than quarterly; requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document; and requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it.

8. CONSULTATION WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES, ETC.

Request for Comments [1620-0001]: Public comments were solicited through a Federal Register notice dated [June 15, 2006] and published in the Federal Register on Thursday June 15, 2006. The comment period ended on August 14, 2006 [FR Doc. E6-9326, Vol. 71, No. 115, page 34636]. As of this submission, no comments have been received regarding Secret Service Form SSF 86A. If the Secret Service receives any comments while this collection is under review at OMB, they will be forwarded immediately.

9. EXPLANATION OF DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO RESPONDENT

Confidentiality is assured under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 552a.

11. ADDITIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. ESTIMATED BURDEN OF INFORMATION COLLECTION

Number of Responses: 10,000 (applicants)

Time Per Response: 3 hours

Total Hours: 30,000

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.

13. ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS

The estimated total annual cost burden to respondents is zero. Have requested comments and suggestions from the public via Federal Register Notice.

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14. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Currently, the SSF86A is available on-line thru the Secret Service internet website. Printing costs are not incurred.

In the past, the primary cost to the government consisted of the cost of printing SSF 86A. Estimated costs of printing the SSF 86A is $622.80 (5,000 forms approximately).

It is impossible to give exact cost because of the following reasons:

Depending on the position an applicant is applying for (i.e., Special Agent, Office Manager, Management Analyst, etc.) will depend on the process and who collects the information. For example: Special Agent applicants are reviewed by the field offices, at a GS-13 level and above. Salary ranges anywhere from $61,251 - $79,629.

Other applicants (i.e., clerical, office managers) are reviewed at Headquarters at a GS-9 level and above. Salary ranges anywhere from $35,519 - $46,175.

If an applicant meets the qualifications for a position and is continued further in the process, the SSF 86A is utilized by all grade level personnel in the entire application process. (For example: GS-4/5/6 for computer input and typing correspondence, GS-9 and above for further interviewing, administering polygraph examinations and completion of background investigations

15. REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN

There is no change in burden.

16. PUBLICATION OF COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. REASONS WHY DISPLAYING THE OMB EXPIRATION DATE IS INAPPROPRIATE

We believe the public interest will be better served by not printing an expiration date on the form. Without printing the expiration date, the electronic copy of the form could continue to be used. Not printing the expiration date on the form will also avoid confusion among users who may have identical forms with different expiration dates in their possession. For the above reason, we request authorization to omit printing the expiration date on this form.

18. EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ON OMB FORM 83-I

There are no exceptions to the certification statement identified in item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions, “of OMB Form 83-I.