View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 2700-0156	ICR Reference No: 202002-2700-001
Status: Historical 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

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.

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

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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

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

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

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

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	900	2,250	-1,350
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	300	750	-450
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,677	0	7,677

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.

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

Agency Contact: Claire Little 650 604-2826 claire.a.little@nasa.gov

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