2700-0163 2023 NASA Complaints of Discrimination

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Information Collection Title: NASA Complaints of Discrimination

Terms of Clearance: Reinstatement of 2700-0163

1. JUSTIFICATION

This information collection is necessary to ensure NASA compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Opportunity Act of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1972, NASA Policy Directive 3713.6Q, Delegation of Authority to Act in Manners Pertaining to Discrimination Complaints under 29 CFR Part 1614, and the following NASA policy documents: NPR/3713.4, NASA Procedural Requirements, Procedures for Discrimination Complaints Based on Sexual Orientation.

It is NASA policy to provide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to members of the public engaged in business with the NASA, and to individuals seeking Federal employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, status as a parent, or gender identity. Pursuant to this policy, NASA prohibits discrimination on these bases in the workplace and the Agency's employment practices. NASA strives to provide and maintain a work environment that is free of all forms of discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, as well as reprisal or retaliation for engaging in protected EEO activity. NASA also seeks to address harassing conduct at the earliest possible stage before it can become severe or pervasive.

Pursuant to MD-715, EEO Reporting Requirements for Federal Agenciesit is also NASA policy to promote the full realization of a model EEO program by effectively considering and addressing concerns that arise under Title VII and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act. NASA's efforts to be a model Agency for EEO include identification of and strategies to remove deficiencies in EEO programs and barriers to EEO in any aspect of Agency policies, programs, or practices including, but not limited to, outreach and recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, awareness, and facilities and program accessibility for employees of NASA.

Model EEO efforts include monitoring strategies and employment practices in the areas of hiring, transfers, reassignments, promotions, awards, benefits, and separations. These efforts are undertaken to help gain and maintain a talented NASA workforce that is reflective of the Nation's demographic diversity. This information collection also supports NASA’s self-assessment processes in that regard.

2. INDICATE HOW, BY WHOM, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE THE INFORMATION IS TO BE USED.

NASA Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity will use the information collection to:

• Comply with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) annual reporting requirement through the EEOC Annual Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Statistical Report of Discrimination Complaints (Form 462). The Form 462 requires NASA to report on the Federal Workforce that includes, among other data, information on Federal EEO complaints and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) activities.

• Ensure timely and appropriate processing of discrimination complaints.

• Facilitate NASA’s efforts in conducting assessment of the Agency’s EEO programs that will ensure NASA maintains a model EEO Program.

Information submitted by a complainant is maintained by NASA in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the NASA Records Retention Schedule (NRRS 5).

3. DESCRIBE WHETHER, AND TO WHAT EXTENT, THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION INVOLVES THE USE OF AUTOMATED, ELECTRONIC, OR OTHER FORMS OF INFORMATION ECHNOLOGY.

The NASA Complaint of Discrimination form (NF 1355P) is for the public. The form is currently available electronically in an Adobe format. The form can be filled electronically but applicants and non-NASA employees will need to print and submit a hard copy with signature through the mail, email, fax or in person.

4. DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION.

During 2015, a review of forms used at NASA to support the “complaints of discrimination” process was conducted. Duplicate information collection forms/processes were identified and mitigated.

5. IF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES, DESCRIBE THE METHODS USED TO MINIMIZE BURDEN.

The collection of information does not impact small businesses or other small entities.

6. DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAM OR POLICY ACTIVITIES IF THE COLLECTION IS NOT CONDUCTED, OR IS CONDUCTED LESS FREQUENTLY.

The EEOC requires Federal agencies to implement a program designed to address and eliminate discrimination in the workplace, as mandated by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Failure to maintain and regulate a properly functioning program is in violation of the law and could lead to penalty and Federal sanction.

NASA collects information necessary to resolve, process and adjudicate complaints of discrimination.

7. EXPLAIN ANY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

The collection of information is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. IDENTIFY THE DATE AND PAGE NUMBER OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (FR) OF THE AGENCY'S NOTICE.

60-day FRN: 88 FR 60504 on 9/1/2023. No comments were received.

30-day FRN: 88 FR 76259 on 11/6/2023.

9. EXPLAIN ANY DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO ESPONDENTS, OTHER THAN REMUNERATION OF CONTRACTORS OR GRANTEES.

NASA will not provide a payment or gift to respondents.

10. DESCRIBE ANY ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDED TO RESPONDENTS.

Under Title VII, the complainant has a limited right to confidentiality, meaning that information is shared on a need-to-know basis, with relevant management officials.

All information collected on NASA Form 1355P is covered by the Privacy Act and protected accordingly.

The NASA Form 1355P is also covered by the Government wide Equal Employment Opportunity SORN: EEOC/GOVT1.

11. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE, SUCH AS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, AND OTHER MATTERS THAT ARE COMMONLY CONSIDERED PRIVATE.

This NASA Form 1355P does collect information of a sensitive nature to determine the bas(e)s, as defined by Title VII, upon which the complainant is alleging discrimination to identify areas of discrimination. The Agency utilizes this information to maintain contact with the complainant, to contact and interview the complainant and relevant managers and witnesses, and to obtain information from the Center about the data trends of that organizational unit. The information is collected on the NASA Form 1355. The information is only shared with relevant parties and high-level officials within the Agency on a need-to-know basis. The information is not shared with other organizations and is privately stored, as required by The Privacy Act.

12. PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF THE HOUR BURDEN OF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.

NASA estimates thirty burden hours annually:

Respondent Category	Number of Responses (within a twelve month period	Estimated amount of time if will take to read the instructions, gather, the information, complete and submit the form/information collection instrument	Annual Burden Hours
Individual	60	30 min	30 hours

13. PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS OR RECORDKEEPERS RESULTING FROM THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.

The respondent’s original signature is required on the NASA Form 1355P. Therefore, some respondents will incur postage cost. That cost is estimated at $500 per year. However, the Agency also accepts submission by fax, email, or hand-carry.

14. PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

The estimated annual cost to NASA is $25,643.23:

1. Store 100 forms at .0473 per page = $4.73

2. Employee labor and materials to consolidate the information collected for reporting purposes = GS-14 (hourly rate at $54.91) x 1 hour per form x 60 forms=$3,294.60

3. Employee labor for analyzing, evaluating and reporting (462):

1. Annual Maintenance of Complaints tracker =$6,000.00

2. Annual 462/Complaints tracking training=$165.00 x 3 employees=$495.00

3. Maintenance of Complaints tracker data = GS-12 (hourly rate $51.15) x 10 hours a pay period x 26 pay periods=$13,299.00

4. Completion of EEOC Form 462:

   1. GS-12 (hourly rate at $51.15) x 40 hours x 2=$4,092.00

   2. GS-15 (hourly rate at $64.59) x 40 hours=$2,583.60

Total estimated annual costs incurred: 1+2+3a+3b+3c+3da+3db = $29,768.93

15. EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR ANY PROGRAM CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS REPORTED IN ITEMS 13 OR 14.

Item 13: Non-NASA employees and applicants can now submit their complaints via email, fax or hand-carried to office.

Item 14 – GS-11 employee promoted to GS-12 and GS-15 reviewing EEOC Form 462 and data. Hourly rates based on the Office of Personnel Management’s 2018 Salary Table.

16. FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION WHOSE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED, OUTLINE PLANS FOR TABULATION, AND PUBLICATION.

NASA does not publish the results of information collected; however, NASA provides information to the EEOC which published complaints and ADR data. No information that will identify specific individual are included.

The data collected via NASA Form 1355P is used to enter information into the Agency’s complaints tracking system. Information in this system is used to complete the EEOC Form 462

17. DISPLAY THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION.

NASA will display the PRA Statement with the required OMB control number and associated expiration date.

18. EXPLAIN EXCEPTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT, "CERTIFICATION FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSIONS,"

NASA does not take exception to the certification statement below:

The NASA information collection sponsor is:

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Complaints Management Division

300 E Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20546

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

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