Justification to OMB 83-I TEAMS (1)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR APPROVAL UNDER
THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT AND 5 CFR 1320
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Exchange Visitor Visa Compliance
Program, Training and Exchanges Automated Management System (TEAMS)
SECTION A. JUSTIFICATION
1. Need for the information collection. The United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) development assistance includes international exchanges and training resulting in host country
nationals participating in exchanges and training programs each year. The Exchange Visitor (EV) Visa
Compliance program is a central management function that enables USAID to comply with statutory and
regulatory requirements associated with sponsoring foreign nationals who enter the U.S. on a J -1 visa.
This function aligns with the U.S. National Security Strategy, and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
authorizing the U.S. government to conduct educational and cultural exchanges for the purpose of
strengthening the capacity and commitment of host-country nationals to address development challenges
in their respective countries. These educational and cultural exchanges are defined by section 102 of the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the “Act”), 22 U.S.C. 2452. The regulations set
forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 22, Part 62 “Exchange Visitor Program” implement
the Act, and appoints USAID as a designated sponsoring organization. Program sponsors are responsible
for selecting, supporting and monitoring participants during their entire program stay.
Section 112 of the Act, as amended, codified the establishment of the Interagency Working Group
(IAWG) in the U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchanges and Training, and mandated the
IAWG with managing a “coordinated strategy for all U.S. Government-sponsored international exchange
and training programs,” with a primary purpose and responsibility “to collect, analyze, and report data
provided by all U.S. Government departments and agencies conducting international exchanges and
training programs.” The IAWG is mandated by Executive Order 13055 and Public Law 105-277,
Division G, Section 2414. As a statutory member of the IAWG, USAID participates in the annual
mandated request for data reporting on USAID international exchanges and training programs and
participants.
2. Use of the information. The Bureau for Management, Office of Management Policy, Budget, and
Performance (M/MPBP) manages the Agency’s J-1 visa designation and ensures the Agency’s
compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DoS) regulations
contained in 22 CFR 62.1-90. M/MPBP collects EV data from Sponsoring Units and Program
Implementers and manages the Agency’s EV approval process. These activities fulfill a mandatory central
USAID function of providing the DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DoS,
with information about individuals sponsored for activities in the U.S.
M/MPBP collects data to fulfill the annual mandated reporting to IAWG; manage the Exchange Visitors
Visa Compliance Program; and batch data processing of USAID data to the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS)-a web-based system in DHS to maintain information on J-1 Visa EV
program participants. USAID operating units use information from the U.S.-based EVs, and in-country
and third-country based training participants, for internal reporting and portfolio management.
3. Use of information technology. USAID’s new enhanced, streamlined Training and Exchanges
Automated Management System (TEAMS) was launched on April 20, 2020. TEAMS replaces the
Training Results and Information Network (TraiNet) and Visa Compliance System (VCS). TEAMS
combines the functionality of TraiNet and VCS into one system. TEAMS is USAID's official data
management system and the entry point for data for U.S. exchange visitor programs. TEAMS
incorporates processes to manage and support EV's who will come to the U.S. on a USAID J -1 visa.
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TEAMS manages data by interfacing with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the system that DHS uses to maintain and monitor
participants in U.S. programs. All EV's must be registered in SEVIS. USAID utilizes SEVIS to report on
EV programs, and to issue Certificates of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019). The
Automated Directive System (ADS) Chapter 252—Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors, requires
Agency operating units (OUs) or their Implementing Partners, in accordance with their awards, to enter
data into TEAMS relevant to U.S. visits by sponsored foreign nationals who are recipients of USAID
development assistance.
4. Non-duplication. We have reviewed these requirements to ensure that they are not duplicated by other
agency-specific or Government-wide policies.
5. Burden on Small Business. The collections do not impact small businesses and other small entities.
6. Less frequent collection. The exchange visitor reporting collection is required annually to enable the
Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchanges and Training
(IAWG) to make recommendations to the President for improving the coordination, efficiency, and
effectiveness of U.S. Government-sponsored international exchanges and training. DHS uses SEVIS to
vet, approve, and monitor participants in the United States, and create a means for information collection
and reporting via the Internet. SEVIS reports errors and alerts related to participants. All automated
processes are handled through TEAMS.
7. Explain any special circumstances. The exchange visitor information collection for the IAWG report
is only required annually and cannot be requested less frequently. The information required for SEVIS
only applies when obtaining DS-2019 forms, maintaining and updating participant data, and providing
approval process workflows for TEAMS data sent to SEVIS.
8. Consultation and public comments. In this publication, USAID is soliciting public comments in a 30day Federal Register Notice of Public Information Collections. USAID will respond to any comments it
receives.
9. Gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees. Not applicable.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in
statute, regulation, or agency policy. USAID shares or protects information as provided by law.
11. Additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature. Information of a sensitive nature is not
requested in these collections.
12. Estimation of Respondent Burden. The affected public who will be asked or required to respond are
the Exchange Visitor's as defined in ADS Chapter 252—Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors. Our
estimate for this collection is derived from fiscal years 2018 to 2020. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the
Agency adhered to travel restrictions due to COVID-19 that dramatically reduced the number of EVs.
Burden Estimate:
Number of Respondents
Frequency of Response
Annual Hour Burden/respondent
Total Annual Burden

2,000 participants
As needed
15 minutes per participant
500 hours

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The estimated total number of respondents per year is approximately 1,500-2,000 annually based on
current year estimates. The estimated total annual burden is 375-500 hours (1,500-2000 participants × 15
minutes per participant).
13. Respondent costs other than burden hour costs. There are no capital and start-up costs, or operation,
maintenance, or purchase of services components associated with the information collections. The total
annual cost burden to respondents is addressed in Item 14.
14. Cost to the Federal Government. For the federal cost burden, we used the following methodology:
Federal employee cost:
A. Once the exchange visitor’s information is entered into the Training and Exchanges Automated
Management System (TEAMS), assigned USAID staff members approve and submit the
information to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS). We estimated this component of the basic federal cost burden as
follows:
For each response, the federal employee in each of the following roles is a GS 14 step 1, whose
2022 Washington DC locality pay hourly rate is $60.49:
Exchange Visitor Information Approver
Responsible Officer (RO) - SEVIS Submission
Total

.5 hr
.5 hr
1 hour

1 hour @ $60.49
Indirect costs @ 100%
Total

$60.49
$60.49
$120.98

The cost per response is $120.98. For 2,000 annual submissions, the basic federal employee cost
is $241,960 (2,000 @ $120.98).
B. The Bureau for Management, Office of Management Policy, Budget, and Performance
(M/MPBP) collects TEAMS data to fulfill the annual mandated reporting to the Interagency
Working Group (IAWG). We estimated this component of the basic federal cost burden as
follows:
For each annual report, the M/MPBP federal employee is a Foreign Service Limited (FSL) with a
GS-13 pay scale equivalent, whose 2022 Washington DC locality pay hourly rate is $48.28:
IAWG Report submission:
Total

80 hours
80 hours

80 hours @ $48.28 hourly rate
Indirect costs @ 100%
Total

$3,862.40
$3,862.40
$7,724.80

The cost for the annual IAWG reporting requirement is $7,724.80.
The total annual federal employee cost is $189,195 - $249,685, the sum of A ($181,470 - $241,960) and
B ($7,724.80) above:

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A. $181,470 - $241,960
B. $7,724.80
Total: $189,195 - $249,685
15.
Reason for change in burden estimates from the previous approved clause. This submission
requests OMB approval for a new information collection requirement.
16.
For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and
publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for
the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of
report, publication dates, and other actions. This information collection will not be published.
17.
If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information
collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate. Not applicable.
18.
Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19, "certification for
paperwork reduction act submissions," on OMB Form 83-1. There are no exceptions to the certification
statement identified in item 19.
SECTION B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.
The collection does not employ statistical methods.

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