DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1010 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON , DC 20301 - 1010
SEP 2 8 2023
The Honorable Richard L. Revesz
Administrator
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Mr. Revesz:
Pursuant to Office of Management and Budget (0MB) procedures established at 5 C.F.R.
Part 1320, Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public, I request that 0MB process the
proposed Department of Defense (DoD) information collection covered, "AARO Contact Form
for Authorized Reporting" for the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), as an
emergency clearance request in accordance with 5 C.F.R. § 1320.13, "Emergency Processing."
The collection of contact information from members of the public is an essential step in
providing a mechanism for AARO to receive authorized reporting as required by section 1673 of
the James M. lnhofe ational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23 NDAA).
Section 1673 of the FY23 NDAA, "Un identified Anomalous Phenomena Reporting
Procedures" requires that the Secretary of Defense "issue clear public guidance for how to
securely access the mechanism for authorized reporting," no later than 180 days from enactment,
which was June 2023. Furthermore, section 1683 of the FY23 NDAA requires AARO to
produce a Historical Record Report detailing the historical record of the United States
government relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP); to meet this requirement,
AARO relies on the "AARO Contact Form" to receive reports from individuals with knowledge
of potential UAP programs.
In light of the overdue statutory requirement, congressional and public interest in
AARO' s reporting mechanism, and the criticality of the collected information to AARO's
mission, I have determined that AARO must begin collecting this information no later than
October 31 , 2023. It is, therefore, impracticable for DoD to consult in advance with interested
agencies and members of the public in order to minimize the burden of the collection of
information pursuant to 5 C.F .R. § 1320. 13(c). Therefore, DoD requests a 180-day emergency
clearance to obtain the infom1ation required. During the 180-day emergency clearance period,
DoD will work to establish a regular clearance submission. DoD is also seeking 0MB 's
approval to waive the need for the Federal Register Notices otherwise required by 5 C.F.R.
1320.S(a)(l )(iv) and 1320.8(d)( I) prior to publication and implementation of this disclosure.
We request your approval/disapproval determination ofthis request to collect information
under an emergency clearance by close of business on September 29, 2023.
Sincerely,
Enclosures:
1. Supporting Statement, Part A
2. AARO Self-Reporting Google Form
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ENCLOSURE
1
SUPPORTING STATEMENT- PART A
AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting
1.
Need for the Information Collection
The AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting information collection will be used to
gather contact information, to include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from
members of the public. The collection is necessary to enable the All-domain Anomaly
Resolution Office (AARO), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, to
meet its statutory requirements.
The proposed information collection, AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting, enables
AARO to comply with Section 1673 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23 NDAA), which directs AARO to establish a secure
mechanism for authorized reporting of U.S. Government programs and activities related
unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). The form will collect contact information from
current and former U.S. Government employees, service members, and contractors who
wish to make an authorized report to AARO. The collection is necessary to enable persons
wanting to make a report to contact AARO directly.
The AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting also supports Section 1683 of the FY23
NDAA, which directs AARO to produce a Historical Record Report (HRR) on U.S.
Government activities and events related to UAP from 1945 to present. Oral history
interviews, records of the National Archive, open source research, and all records and
documents from U.S. Government agencies are the foundational pillars of information
supporting the HRR. The AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting enables AARO to
contact individuals to schedule oral history interviews.
2.
Use of the Information
The respondents are current and former U.S. Government employees, service members,
and contractors who want to contact AARO in furtherance of providing authorized
reporting regarding potential U.S. Governments activities and events related to UAP. The
respondents will be asked to voluntarily provide their contact information by completing
fields and using drop down menus on a page within AARO's website (www.aaro.mil). This
form is the only collection instrument, is 100 percent electronic, and is accessible by any
web browser, via both desktop and mobile device. The collection is sent to AARO once the
respondent clicks the "Submit" button on the website. No other communications are sent
to the respondents that solicit responses. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Public
Affairs will notify the public when AARO's contact form is available for use.
Information, including PII, collected from the public will be processed and stored in an
electronic environment accred ited to handle and secure PII. AARO will then review
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submitted information to prioritize potential oral history interviews of persons so that they
might make an authorized report. The end result of the information collection is the
successful ability of individuals to contact AARO, provide a report, and contribute to the
HRR, and for AARO to meet its statutory requirements.
3.
Use of Information Technology
Responses will be collected entirely by electronic means via AARO's website at
www.aaro.mil. Information will be entered into text fields and with the use of drop-down
menus prior to being submitted to AARO electronically. A screenshot of the proposed form
is included, although the visual depictions of the information collection fields may differ
upon publication, dependent upon the backend computer application used to appropriately
collect PII. Regardless of the backend application and secure environment, the information
collected will not change and the drop-down menus will remain for ease of use by the
public.
4.
Non-duplication
The information obtained through this collection is unique and is not already available for
use or adaptation from another cleared source.
5.
Burden on Small Businesses
This information collection does not impose a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small businesses or entities.
6.
Less Frequent Collection
This is a one-time information collection per respondent, and thereby, infrequent.
7.
Paperwork Reduction Act Guidelines
This collection of information does not require collection to be conducted in a manner
inconsistent with the guidelines delineated in 5 CFR 1320.S (d)(Z).
8.
Consultation and Public Comments
AARO is seeking an emergency approval. A 60- and 30-Day Federal Register Notice will be
published subsequent to emergency approval.
Part B: CONSULTATION
No additional consultation apart from soliciting public comments through the Federal
Register was conducted for this submission.
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9.
Gifts or Payment
No payments or gifts are being offered to respondents as an incentive to participate in the
collection.
10.
Confidentiality
PII will be collected, and a Privacy Act Statement is required. The Privacy Act Statement
will be prominently displayed on AARO's website and accessible to the public prior to any
contact information collection.
The SORN (Privacy and Civil Liberties Complaints and General Correspondence Records,"
DoD-0017, will be used to support this information collection.
11.
Sensitive Questions
No questions considered sensitive are being asked in this collection.
12.
Respondent Burden and its Labor Costs
Part A: ESTIMATION OF RESPONDENT BURDEN
1) AARO
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Contact Form for Authorized Reporting
Number of Respondents:2500
Number of Responses Per Respondent: 1
Number of Total Annual Responses: 2500
Response Time: 5 minutes
Respondent Burden Hours: 208 hours
2) Total Submission Burden (Summation or average based on collection)
a) Total Number of Respondents: 2500
b) Total Number of Annual Responses: 2500
c) Total Respondent Burden Hours: 208
Part B: LABOR COST OF RESPONDENT BURDEN
1) AARO
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Contact Form for Authorized Reporting
Number of Total Annual Responses: 2500
Response Time: 5 minutes
Respondent Hourly Wage: $22.26
Labor Burden per Response: $1.86
Total Labor Burden: $4650.00
2) Overall Labor Burden
a) Total Number of Annual Responses: 2500
b) Total Labor Burden: $4650.00
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The Respondent hourly wage was determined by using the [Bureau of Labor Statistics
Wage Estimate Website] ([https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm]). Respondents
are anticipated to be employed in a variety of sectors and the hourly mean wage for May
2022 was used to estimate the burdens.
13.
Respondent Costs Other Than Burden Hour Costs
There are no annualized costs to respondents other than the labor burden costs addressed
in Section 12 of this document to complete this collection.
14.
Cost to the Federal Government
Part A: LABOR COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
1) AARO Contact Form for Authorized Reporting
a) Number of Total Annual Responses: 2500
b) Processing Time per Response: 5 minutes
c) Hourly Wage of Worker(s) Processing Responses: $37.08
d) Cost to Process Each Response: $3.09
e) Total Cost to Process Responses: $7725.00
2) Overall Labor Burden to the Federal Government
a) Total Number of Annual Responses: 2500
b) Total Labor Burden: $7725.00
Hourly wage was determined by using the [Bureau of Labor Statistics Wage Estimate
Website] ([https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm]). The mean hourly wage for
Federal Executive Branch was used for May 2022.
Part B: OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
1) Cost Categories
a) Equipment: $2000.00
b) Printing: $0.00
c) Postage: $0.00
d) Software Purchases: $0.00
e) Licensing Costs: $7200.00
f) Other: $1500.00
2) Total Operational and Maintenance Cost: $10,700
Part C: TOTAL COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
1) Total Labor Cost to the Federal Government: $7725.00
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2) Total Operational and Maintenance Costs: $10,700
3) Total Cost to the Federal Government: $18,425.00
15.
Reasons for Change in Burden
This is a new collection with a new associated burden.
16.
Publication of Results
The results of this information collection will not be published.
17.
Non-Display of 0MB Expiration Date
We are not seeking approval to omit the display of the expiration date of the 0MB approval
on the collection instrument.
18.
Exceptions to "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Submissions"
We are not requesting any exemptions to the provisions stated in 5 CFR 1320.9.
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ENCLOSURE
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AARO Self-Reporting Google Form Images and Text
As of 09/19/2023
Table of Contents
Proof-of-concept Google Form lmage ....... ............. ....... ............ ......................... ... ................................................................. 2
Submission Qualification Criteria ............................................................................................................. 3
If submitter does NOT meet criteria ................................................................................................................................3
If submitter meets criteria ...............................................................................................................................................4
UAP Form Fields ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Current Contact Information ........................................................................................................................................... 5
U.S. Government UAP Program/ Activity Information ...................................................................................................9
Referral Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
Prohibition on Reprisal Information ............................................................................................................................. 13
Certification and Consent/ Submit .............................................................................................................................. 14
UAP Report Text and Dropdown Options .. .. ....... ................................................................................................................ 15
Submit a Report : U.S. Government Programs/Activities Related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
15
Submission Qua lificat io n Criteria ........................................................................................................... 15
UAP Form Fields ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Current Contact Information ........................................................................................................................................ 16
U.S. Government UAP Program/ Activity Information ................................................................................................ 18
Referral Information ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Prohibition on Reprisal Information ............................................................................................................................. 19
Certification and Consent/ Submit ........................................................................................................... ................... 21
Privacy Act Statement .............................................................. .............................................................. 21
Appendix: List of data field s to be collected from submitters ........................................................................................... 22
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Proof-of-concept Google Form Image
The images below reflect a proof-of-concept with using Google Forms to collect reports associated with UAP-related
programs / activities. When AARO has a Google Enterprise Plus accounts established, this form can be imported into
AARO' s secure environment and adjustments can be made based on the Google Form capabilities available in their
account. Since the proof-of-concept form was built using a basic Google account, all references to AARO and UAP
have temporarily been replaced with placeholders (e.g., ,