The previous version of this form was
approved by OMB/OIRA to replace forms OSC-11, OSC-12, AND OSC-13,
which were also previously approved by OMB. This updated electronic
form will be used by current and former federal employees and
applicants for federal employment, and other covered filers, to
submit allegations of possible prohibited personnel practices or
other prohibited activities for investigation and possible
prosecution by OSC, or review and possible referral to relevant
inspector general offices.
Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. §
1320.13, OSC requests OMB authorize emergency processing of OSC’s
updated Form 14, which will permit the electronic filing of
complaints and disclosures with OSC. OSC has determined that using
a new electronic filing form for complaints and disclosures is
necessary to integrate submissions with OSC’s new electronic case
management system (eCMS). OSC’s eCMS becomes operative on August
12, 2019. Congress has mandated that all agencies move to
electronic records, and the submission of complaints through Form
14 is essential to OSC’s compliance with that mandate and its
ability to fulfill its mission. The contracts with the vendors who
are migrating OSC to eCMS and who manage transferring the data from
the dynamic Form 14 into OSC’s eCMS are expiring at the end of the
fiscal year. Thus, OSC needs to implement Form 14 by mid-August to
allow time for the contractors to fix any issues that arise with
implementation. OSC has previously received OMB approval of Form 14
(OMB Control # 3255-0005), and, accordingly has already provided
stakeholders with the requisite notice. The updated Form 14 does
not increase the burden on other agencies or members of the public.
The substantive updates to Form 14 reflect statutory changes.
Congress authorized whistleblowers to disclose to OSC “censorship
related to scientific research” in the Whistleblower Protection
Enhancement Act of 2012. And Congress amended 5.U.S.C. § 2302(b) to
add a prohibited personnel practice (“(14) access the medical
record of another employee or an applicant for employment as a part
of, or otherwise in furtherance of, any conduct described in
paragraphs (1) through (13).”). Accordingly, OSC does not have
discretion to omit these bases for complaints from Form 14.
US Code:
5 USC
1212 Name of Law: Powers and Functions of the Office of Special
Counsel
US Code:
5 USC CFR 1800 Name of Law: Filing of Complaints and
Allegations
This updated electronic form
will be used by current and former federal employees and applicants
for federal employment, and other covered filers, to submit
allegations of possible prohibited personnel practices or other
prohibited activities for investigation and possible prosecution by
OSC, or review and possible referral to relevant inspector general
offices.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form OSC FORM-14 FORM 14: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF ALLEGATIONS AND DISCLOSURES
USOSC Form 14 PROD v3.2 (003).pdf
Form 14: Electronic Submission of Allegations and Disclosures