NASA Astronaut Candidate Selection Qualifications Inquiry

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Astronaut Candidate Selections Qualification Inquiry Supporting Statement.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2020-02-13	Available

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
208798	NASA Astronaut Candidate Selection (ASCAN) Qualifications Inquiry	Other-Assessment Tool	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2700-0156	ICR Reference No: 202002-2700-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201610-2700-003
Agency/Subagency: NASA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NASA Astronaut Candidate Selection Qualifications Inquiry
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 04/03/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 02/14/2020
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	04/30/2023	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2020
Responses	900	0	2,250
Time Burden (Hours)	300	0	750
Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,677	0	0

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Abstract: This information collection supports the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended. The NASA Astronaut Selection Office, in collaboration with the NASA Human Capital Management Office, recruits astronaut candidates for various USA Space Exploration programs. The applicant evaluation process includes the collection of references from individuals who have been directly associated with the applicant over the course of the applicant's career. The information is used to gain insight into the candidate's work ethics and professionalism. When evaluating an applicant for the Astronaut Candidate Program, it is important that the ASO have the benefit of qualitative and quantitative information and recommendations from persons who have been directly associated with the applicant over the course of their career. On average, over 8,000 applications are received for each Astronaut vacancy announcement (released via USA Jobs.). After a thorough application review process, which includes NASA Astronauts participating as subject matter experts, approximately 450 applicants are placed in the ‘highly qualified’ rating category. Only then is information obtained from external references identified by the applicant. Each applicant provides the ASO with a list of two (2) key references (current and most recent previous supervisor), totaling 900 responses for 300 burden hours (20 minutes per response). The reference pool includes previous employers/direct reporting managers, as well as co-workers. The information is collected electronically, however respondents have an option to submit references through the mail if they do not have access to a computer.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 85 - 568 72 Name of Law: National Aeronautics and Space Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 56844	10/23/2019
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 5047	01/28/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
NASA Astronaut Candidate Selection (ASCAN) Qualifications Inquiry

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	900	2,250	0	-1,350	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	300	750	0	-450	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,677	0	0	7,677	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The Astronaut Selection Office has changed its selection process between 2017 and 2020 and as such will now be requesting reference information from respondents for a smaller number of astronaut candidates. This results in a decrease in net burden.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $50,905

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 02/14/2020

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