H.R. 5122: NASA Talent Exchange Program Act

This legislation, known as the NASA Talent Exchange Program Act, proposes the establishment of a program that facilitates temporary assignments between NASA employees and private sector entities. Below are the key components of the bill:

Purpose and Overview

The primary aim of this bill is to enhance collaboration and sharing of expertise between NASA and the private sector. The program allows for NASA employees to be temporarily assigned to private companies and vice versa, with the goal of improving knowledge transfer and skills development related to NASA’s missions.

Assignment Authority

The NASA Administrator will have the authority to arrange for the temporary assignment of employees with agreements involving:

• Employee Consent: Both the employee and the private entity must agree to the assignment.
• Written Agreements: Detailed agreements will outline the terms and conditions of the assignment.

Duration of Assignments

The assignments are to last a minimum of three months and a maximum of two years, with potential renewals extending up to three years for particular critical needs.

Conditions and Obligations

Several conditions apply to these assignments:

• Post-Assignment Requirement: After completing an assignment, a NASA employee must serve in the Administration for a period equal to twice the length of the assignment.
• Liability for Costs: If an agreement is violated, the employee may be required to repay costs associated with the assignment to the government.
• Ethics and Confidentiality: Measures must be taken to ensure that sensitive information remains protected and conflicts of interest are managed effectively.

Employee Status During Assignments

NASA employees assigned to private entities will remain federal employees throughout their assignment. Similarly, private sector employees assigned to NASA will be considered federal employees for certain legal protections and regulations.

Financial Implications

The bill prohibits private entities from charging the government for employee pay and benefits during these assignments. This is intended to ensure that such arrangements do not impose additional costs on taxpayers.

Reporting and Accountability

The NASA Administrator is required to report annually to Congress on the assignments under this program, detailing:

• The number of employees involved in the exchange.
• Assessment of the benefits and challenges of the program.
• Impacts on NASA's workforce culture and operations.

Ethics Compliance

The bill emphasizes adherence to existing federal ethics regulations, ensuring that any assignments comply with legal standards and ethical conduct rules.

Relevant Companies

None found