Questionnaires for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form SF 86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86) Form and Instruction	Modified
Supporting Statement-SF 86 July 2023.docx Supporting Statement A	2023-08-09

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
44214	Questionnaire for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86) Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3206-0005	ICR Reference No: 202308-3206-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201911-3206-003
Agency/Subagency: OPM	Agency Tracking No: SF 86
Title: Questionnaires for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  Yes
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 08/09/2023

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2023
Responses	467,400	263,566
Time Burden (Hours)	1,168,500	658,915
Cost Burden (Dollars)	34,774,560	22,037,062

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Abstract: The SF 86 is an information collection completed by applicants for, or incumbents of, Federal Government civilian or military positions, or positions in private entities performing work for the Federal Government under contract. The collection is used as the basis of information by the Federal Government in conducting background investigations, reinvestigations, and continuous evaluations, as appropriate, of persons under consideration for or retention in national security sensitive positions, positions requiring eligibility for access to classified information, and by agencies in determining whether a person performing work for or on behalf of the Federal Government under a contract should be deemed eligible for logical or physical access when the nature of the work is sensitive and could bring about a material adverse effect on national security. For applicants for civilian Federal employment, the SF 86 is to be used only after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The agency addressed the 60 Day FRN comments on proposed changes by reverting to the 2016 request with a "No Change" submission in 2019 , as they ran counter to The First Step Act.

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Authorizing Statute(s): EO: EO 12968 Name/Subject of EO: Access to Classified Information
   US Code: 5 USC 3301 Name of Law: Title 5: Government Organization and Employees
   US Code: 5 USC 3302 Name of Law: Title 5: Government Organization and Employees
   US Code: 5 USC 7312 Name of Law: Title 5: Government Organization and Employees
   US Code: 5 USC 9101 Name of Law: Title 5: Government Organization and Employees
  

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:
	88 FR 33943	05/25/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 33943	08/07/2023
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
Questionnaire for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86)	SF 86	Questionnaire for National Security Positions

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	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	467,400	263,566	0	203,834	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,168,500	658,915	0	509,585	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	34,774,560	22,037,062	0	12,737,498	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Increased use of form due to personnel screening activities.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $799,350,000

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.     Yes

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? No

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Common Form ICR:  Yes

Description/Changes for Common Form Usage: 

Approved RCFs using this ICR

Agency/Sub Agency	RCF ID	RCF Title	RCF Status	IC Title

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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: 08/09/2023

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