NASA International Space Apps Challenge

SUPPORTING STATEMENT A

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: NASA International Space Apps Challenge Navigator and Collaborator Application

TYPE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Existing Collection In Use Without an OMB Control Number

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.

This collection of information supports NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge, an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others, where teams can engage with NASA’s free and open data to address challenges we face on Earth and in space. This collection will consist of two applications, one for Navigators and one for Collaborators.

Navigators are Space Apps community members who have demonstrated excellence in the program or excellence in relevant fields including, but not limited to: science, data, technology, and space. By recognizing these exemplary community members as Navigators, the hackathon connects the tens of thousands of Space Apps participants with community expertise that can enhance participant problem solving. To be eligible to be a Navigator, applicants must have participated in Space Apps in some way (e.g., participant or Local Lead) at least 5 times, or demonstrated equivalent relevant experience in another NASA program.

Each year organizations around the world come forth to engage with NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge. We collaborate with a selection of these organizations, called Space Apps Collaborators, to:

● Increase awareness of NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge

● Attract a diversity of participants to NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge

● Provide participants with optional tools and resources that enable the creation of solutions in NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.

This information will be used by the Space Apps Global Organizing Team during the Navigator and Collaborator selection process (approx. 3 months), to gain insight into the applicants’ background, experience, and interest in the program. Additionally, this information will be used by NASA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) and NASA’s Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR) in their review of applicants.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection.

These applications are submitted through electronic methods.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.

There is no duplication as there are no other sources available to collect this information.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of the OMB Form 83-I), describe the methods used to minimize burden.

There is no impact on small businesses or other small entities. Reports that are submitted are from individuals and not business entities.

6. Describe the consequence to federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If this collection is not conducted, key stakeholders to NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge will not be selected, resulting in missing core capabilities and participant resources of the program. Respondents are required to submit an application on a yearly basis, since involvement from year to year from these stakeholders is not assumed.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in an exceptional manner:

All answers are “No”. There are no special circumstances. The collection of information is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. Provide the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register for the 60-day and 30-day FNRS, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.

60-day FRN: Federal Register Volume 87, Number 249, on 12/29/2022. No comments were received.

30-day FRN: Federal Register Volume 88, Number 77, on 04/21/2023.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No payments or gifts are provided to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

This collection of data is an application, and therefore, personally identifiable information (PII) will be collected (name, email, and city/country of residence). This data is collected in a NASA approved surveying/forms platform and is only used by NASA’s Space Apps Team as well as NASA’s Office of General Council (OGC) for the review and approval of applications. This is done by downloading applications from the surveying/forms platform and sharing them with OGC via encrypted email.

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.

Questions of a sensitive nature are not included in this information collection.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

It is estimated to receive 50 applications from each stakeholder group listed below. Each is estimated to take approximately 20 minutes, for a burden of 33 hours.

RESPONDENT CATEGORY	NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS	ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME	ANNUAL BURDEN
Navigators	50	20 minutes	16.5 hours
Collaborators	50	20 minutes	16.5 hours
TOTAL	100		33 hours

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information.

Using an average federal wage rate of $45.08 per hour (source: Office of Personnel Management) and a 2022 domestic postage rate of $0.60, the individual burden cost is:

$45.08 per hour x 0.33 hours = $14.88

Total burden cost assuming 100 respondents per year is:

$14.88 x 100 = $1,488

14. Cost to the Federal Government: Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal government.

Each application is estimated at 70 hours for the following activities: creating application (10 hours) and reviewing applications (5 hours/week for 12 weeks = 60 hours). With an average hourly rate of $150, the estimated annual cost to the Federal government is $21,000.

	Burden hours	Hourly Rate	Total
Navigator Applications	70	150.00*	$10,500
Collaborator Applications	70	150.00*	$10,500
Total	140	150.00*	$21,000

* Average hourly rate for NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge Team

15. Changes in Burden: Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I, if applicable.

Not applicable. The information collection is requesting OMB approval.

16. Publication of Results: For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

The information collected will not be published and will only be used by NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge to select stakeholders from the pool of applicants. The collection occurs around mid-May through the end of June on a yearly basis.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

NASA will display the expiration date on the electronic version of the forms within the required PRA Statement, there will be no paper form version.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB Form 83-I.

The NASA office conducting or sponsoring this information collection certifies compliance with all provisions listed above.

The NASA office conducting or sponsoring this information collection certifies compliance with all provisions listed above.

Name: Keith Gaddis

Title: Program Scientist, NASA International Space Apps Challenge; Program Manager, Ecological Conservation and Biological Diversity Program

Email address or Phone number: keith.gaddis@nasa.gov

Date: 03/10/2023