Summary
Establishes a program allowing NASA employees to work at private companies and private sector employees to work at NASA to share skills and knowledge.
What problem does this solve?
NASA may lack certain specialized skills found in the private sector, and its employees might benefit from private industry experience. This bill creates a talent exchange program to share expertise between NASA and private companies, helping both sides learn and grow.
Who does this affect?
- NASA employees
- Private sector aerospace and technology employees
- Aerospace and technology companies
What does this bill do?
Establishes a talent exchange program
Authorizes the NASA Administrator to create a program for the temporary assignment of employees between NASA and private sector companies.
Sets assignment duration limits
Assignments must last between three months and two years, with a possible extension up to a total of three years. No employee can participate for more than three years total.
Requires post-assignment service for NASA employees
NASA employees who work in the private sector must agree to continue working for the government for a period equal to twice the length of their assignment.
Defines rules for private sector participants
Private sector employees at NASA will still be paid by their company but are treated as federal employees for ethics and liability purposes. They cannot perform government-only duties.
Requires conflict of interest management
Directs the NASA Administrator to create a system to identify, reduce, and manage any potential conflicts of interest that arise from the employee exchanges.
Limits program participation
States that no more than two percent of NASA's total civil servant workforce can participate in the exchange program at any given time.
Mandates annual reporting
Requires NASA to report annually to Congress on the program's implementation, including the number of participants, partner companies, and an assessment of its benefits and challenges.
Requires a GAO review
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress within three years on the program's implementation, effectiveness, and compliance with ethics rules.
What is the real world impact?
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Fosters innovation and skill sharing
Helps NASA gain cutting-edge skills from the private sector, like in cybersecurity, and allows NASA employees to learn new approaches from private industry, making the agency more effective.
When does this start?
The program will begin once the bill is signed into law, but it includes specific deadlines for reports.
Annual NASA report
NASA must submit a report to Congress by April 30 of each year about the program's progress.
GAO report
The Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress on the program's implementation within three years of the bill becoming law.