82 FR 61805 - Notice of Submission for Approval: Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF 85)
U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 249 (December 29, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 249 (December 29, 2017)
| Page Range | 61805-61806 | |
| FR Document | 2017-28203 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 249 (Friday, December 29, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 61805-61806] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-28203] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Notice of Submission for Approval: Questionnaire for Non- Sensitive Positions (SF 85) AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Background Investigation Bureau (NBIB), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the general public and other Federal agencies that OPM is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a revised information collection, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF 85). DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until January 29, 2018. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of Personnel Management or sent via electronic mail to [email protected] or faxed to (202) 395-6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this information collection, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting U.S. Office of Personnel Management, NBIB, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Donna McLeod or by electronic mail at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1), OPM is providing an additional 30 days for public comments. OPM previously solicited comments for this collection, with a 60-day public comment period, at 82 FR 29948 (June 30, 2017). This notice announces that OPM has submitted to OMB a request for review and clearance of a revised information collection, OMB number 3206-0261, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF 85). The public has an additional 30-day opportunity to comment. The SF 85 is completed by applicants for, or incumbents of, Federal Government civilian positions, or positions in private entities performing work for the Federal Government under contract. For applicants, the SF 85 is to be used only after a conditional offer of employment has been made, unless OPM has granted an exception to the agency to permit questioning for certain positions earlier. e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing) is a web- based system application that houses the SF 85. A variable in assessing burden hours is the nature of the electronic application. The electronic application includes branching questions and instructions which provide for a tailored collection from the respondent based on varying factors in the respondent's personal history. The burden on the respondent is reduced when the respondent's personal history is not relevant to particular question, since the question branches, or expands for additional details, only for those persons who have pertinent information to provide regarding that line of questioning. Accordingly, the burden on the respondent will vary depending on whether the information collection relates to the respondent's personal history. The 60-day Federal Register Notice published on June 30, 2017 (82 FR 29948). Comments were received from the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), an individual at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and an individual from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Comments were also provided on behalf of the Security, Suitability, and Credentialing Performance Accountability Council Program Management Office (PAC PMO). From the PAC PMO a recommendation was submitted to modify the explanation provided in the `Purpose of this Form' section to explain that responses provided on the SF 85P and the SF 86 may be compared with responses to previous SF 85 questionnaires. OPM accepted this comment and will update instructions to inform individuals completing the form that responses provided may be compared with responses provided on previous investigative questionnaires. An individual from USPIS commented that Section 6, Your Identifying Information should include marital status/history, and the Sex/Gender question should be expanded to include transgender options. OPM did not accept these comments. Marital/Relationship section will remain in a separate section. Completion of the gender information on the questionnaire is based on the gender the applicant identifies with at the time when completing the application, which includes transgender individuals. An individual from FAA commented to include in Section 9, Citizenship, a field to request the CIS number (A#) in the Naturalization Certificate. OPM did not accept this comment as a field currently exists to provide the CIS number. An individual from FAA suggested to clarify instructions in Section 11, Where You Have Lived, to require the applicant to enter a full address (House [[Page 61806]] #, Street name, and identifier (Lane, Avenue, etc.)). OPM did not accept this comment as the current instructions already request this information. An individual from USPIS commented that in Section 12, Where You Went to School, degree and diploma information should remain as part of the collection to comply with the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS). No changes were needed in response to this comment because the recommended change was included in the 60 day Federal Register Notice of proposed changes to the SF 85. An individual from USPIS commented that separating Section 13b, Employment Activities--Former Federal Service, from the collection of other employment information could produce a duplication of information. OPM accepted this comment, will remove Section 13b, and will require reporting of former federal service employment in Section 13a, Employment Activities. An individual from USPIS recommends removing Section 16, ``People Who Know You Well'', because the information is not required for the background investigation at this level. OPM accepted this comment and will remove Section 16. NTEU commented that they do not object to the addition of Section 17, Police Record, but believes that OPM requests information in this proposed section without sufficient justification. Individuals would be required to report convictions that were expunged under federal or state law or otherwise stricken from court records. It would also, in direct contrast to the current OF-306, require individuals to report charges that were dismissed. The information that the section would require, moreover, includes information about charges and proceedings (regardless of the outcome) that occurred when an individual was a minor, even if the record in the matter is under seal. OPM did not accept this comment because the questions are designed to elicit information regarding criminal history record information, to permit the individual to explain the circumstances of offenses or charges, and to obtain details to assist in locating and obtaining records for the background investigation. Collecting criminal record information from the individual provides efficiency and affords the individual the opportunity to provide contextual details about conduct. Such details are needed by agencies in applying suitability criteria and/or assessing whether granting a PIV will present an unacceptable risk to people, property, and/or information systems. An individual from USPIS commented that in the section regarding Police Record, an applicant should be asked whether they have ever been arrested or used drugs, or that information should be collected specifically regarding the past 5 or 10 years. OPM did not accept this comment because information relating to drug related arrests is already collected in the Police Record section and information regarding drug use for a specific period is collected in Section 17, Illegal Use of Drugs and Drug Activity. A recommendation was received from the PAC PMO to require collection of information regarding alcohol abuse based on the suitability factor identified in 5 CFR 731. OPM did not accept this change at this time, but will consider the modification as part of an additional review to occur later. Analysis Agency: NBIB, U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Title: Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF 85). OMB Number: 3206-0261. Affected Public: The SF 85 is an information collections completed by applicants for, or incumbents of, Federal Government civilian positions, or positions in private entities performing work for the Federal Government under contract. The SF 85 will be used by the Federal Government in conducting background investigations and reinvestigations of persons under consideration for, or retention of, non-sensitive positions. The form may also be used by agencies in determining whether a subject performing work for, or on behalf of, the Government under a contract, should be deemed eligible for logical or physical access. For applicants, the SF 85 is to be used only after a conditional offer of employment has been made, unless OPM has granted an exception. Number of Respondents: 55,040. Estimated Time per Respondent: 120 minutes. Total Burden Hours: 110,080. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Kathleen M. McGettigan, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 2017-28203 Filed 12-28-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6326-53-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2017 / Notices 61805
This type of generic clearance for 30-Day notice and request for
ACTION: electronic application includes
qualitative information will not be used comments. branching questions and instructions
for quantitative information collections which provide for a tailored collection
that are designed to yield reliably SUMMARY: The National Background from the respondent based on varying
actionable results, such as monitoring Investigation Bureau (NBIB), U.S. Office factors in the respondent’s personal
trends over time or documenting of Personnel Management (OPM) is history. The burden on the respondent
program performance. Such data uses notifying the general public and other is reduced when the respondent’s
require more rigorous designs that Federal agencies that OPM is seeking personal history is not relevant to
address: The target population to which Office of Management and Budget particular question, since the question
generalizations will be made, the (OMB) approval of a revised information branches, or expands for additional
sampling frame, the sample design collection, Questionnaire for Non- details, only for those persons who have
(including stratification and clustering), Sensitive Positions (SF 85). pertinent information to provide
the precision requirements or power DATES: Comments are encouraged and regarding that line of questioning.
calculations that justify the proposed will be accepted until January 29, 2018. Accordingly, the burden on the
sample size, the expected response rate, This process is conducted in accordance respondent will vary depending on
methods for assessing potential non- with 5 CFR 1320.10. whether the information collection
response bias, the protocols for data ADDRESSES: Interested persons are relates to the respondent’s personal
collection, and any testing procedures invited to submit written comments on history.
that were or will be undertaken prior to the proposed information collection to The 60-day Federal Register Notice
fielding the study. Depending on the the Office of Information and Regulatory published on June 30, 2017 (82 FR
degree of influence the results are likely Affairs, Office of Management and 29948). Comments were received from
to have, such collections may still be Budget, 725 17th Street NW, the National Treasury Employees Union
eligible for submission for other generic Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk (NTEU), an individual at the Federal
mechanisms that are designed to yield Officer for the Office of Personnel Aviation Administration (FAA), and an
quantitative results. Management or sent via electronic mail individual from the U.S. Postal
As a general matter, information to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or Inspection Service (USPIS). Comments
collections will not result in any new faxed to (202) 395–6974. were also provided on behalf of the
system of records containing privacy Security, Suitability, and Credentialing
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A
Performance Accountability Council
information and will not ask questions copy of this information collection, with
Program Management Office (PAC
of a sensitive nature, such as sexual applicable supporting documentation,
PMO).
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, may be obtained by contacting U.S. From the PAC PMO a
and other matters that are commonly Office of Personnel Management, NBIB, recommendation was submitted to
considered private. 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC modify the explanation provided in the
Request for comment: Peace Corps 20415, Attention: Donna McLeod or by ‘Purpose of this Form’ section to explain
invites comments on whether the electronic mail at FISFormsComments@ that responses provided on the SF 85P
proposed collections of information are opm.gov. and the SF 86 may be compared with
necessary for proper performance of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As responses to previous SF 85
functions of the Peace Corps, including required by the Paperwork Reduction questionnaires. OPM accepted this
whether the information will have Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1), OPM comment and will update instructions
practical use; the accuracy of the is providing an additional 30 days for to inform individuals completing the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the public comments. OPM previously form that responses provided may be
proposed collection of information, solicited comments for this collection, compared with responses provided on
including the validity of the information with a 60-day public comment period, previous investigative questionnaires.
to be collected; and, ways to minimize at 82 FR 29948 (June 30, 2017). An individual from USPIS
the burden of the collection of This notice announces that OPM has commented that Section 6, Your
information on those who are to submitted to OMB a request for review Identifying Information should include
respond, including through the use of and clearance of a revised information marital status/history, and the Sex/
automated collection techniques, when collection, OMB number 3206–0261, Gender question should be expanded to
appropriate, and other forms of Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive include transgender options. OPM did
information technology. Positions (SF 85). The public has an not accept these comments. Marital/
This notice is issued in Washington, DC, additional 30-day opportunity to Relationship section will remain in a
on December 21, 2017. comment. separate section. Completion of the
Denora Miller, The SF 85 is completed by applicants gender information on the questionnaire
FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, Management.
for, or incumbents of, Federal is based on the gender the applicant
Government civilian positions, or identifies with at the time when
[FR Doc. 2017–28117 Filed 12–28–17; 8:45 am]
positions in private entities performing completing the application, which
BILLING CODE 6051–01–P
work for the Federal Government under includes transgender individuals.
contract. For applicants, the SF 85 is to An individual from FAA commented
be used only after a conditional offer of to include in Section 9, Citizenship, a
employment has been made, unless field to request the CIS number (A#) in
U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
OPM has granted an exception to the the Naturalization Certificate. OPM did
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
MANAGEMENT
agency to permit questioning for certain not accept this comment as a field
Notice of Submission for Approval: positions earlier. e-QIP (Electronic currently exists to provide the CIS
Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Questionnaires for Investigations number.
Positions (SF 85) Processing) is a web-based system An individual from FAA suggested to
application that houses the SF 85. A clarify instructions in Section 11, Where
AGENCY:U.S. Office of Personnel variable in assessing burden hours is the You Have Lived, to require the
Management. nature of the electronic application. The applicant to enter a full address (House
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![61806 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2017 / Notices
#, Street name, and identifier (Lane, An individual from USPIS ACTION: Notice.
Avenue, etc.)). OPM did not accept this commented that in the section regarding
comment as the current instructions Police Record, an applicant should be SUMMARY: The Postal Service gives
already request this information. asked whether they have ever been notice of filing a request with the Postal
An individual from USPIS arrested or used drugs, or that Regulatory Commission to add a
commented that in Section 12, Where information should be collected domestic shipping services contract to
You Went to School, degree and specifically regarding the past 5 or 10 the list of Negotiated Service
diploma information should remain as years. OPM did not accept this comment Agreements in the Mail Classification
part of the collection to comply with the because information relating to drug Schedule’s Competitive Products List.
Federal Investigative Standards (FIS). related arrests is already collected in the DATES: Date of notice required:
No changes were needed in response to Police Record section and information December 29, 2017.
this comment because the regarding drug use for a specific period FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
recommended change was included in is collected in Section 17, Illegal Use of Elizabeth A. Reed, 202–268–3179.
the 60 day Federal Register Notice of Drugs and Drug Activity. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
proposed changes to the SF 85. A recommendation was received from United States Postal Service® hereby
An individual from USPIS the PAC PMO to require collection of gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C.
commented that separating Section 13b, information regarding alcohol abuse 3642 and 3632(b)(3), on December 22,
Employment Activities—Former Federal based on the suitability factor identified 2017, it filed with the Postal Regulatory
Service, from the collection of other in 5 CFR 731. OPM did not accept this Commission a USPS Request to Add
employment information could produce change at this time, but will consider Priority Mail Express & Priority Mail
a duplication of information. OPM the modification as part of an additional Contract 56 to Competitive Product List.
accepted this comment, will remove review to occur later. Documents are available at
Section 13b, and will require reporting Analysis www.prc.gov, Docket Nos. MC2018–86,
of former federal service employment in CP2018–128.
Section 13a, Employment Activities. Agency: NBIB, U.S. Office of
An individual from USPIS Personnel Management. Elizabeth A. Reed,
recommends removing Section 16, Title: Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Attorney, Corporate and Postal Business Law.
‘‘People Who Know You Well’’, because Positions (SF 85). [FR Doc. 2017–28109 Filed 12–28–17; 8:45 am]
the information is not required for the OMB Number: 3206–0261. BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
background investigation at this level. Affected Public: The SF 85 is an
OPM accepted this comment and will information collections completed by
remove Section 16. applicants for, or incumbents of, Federal SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
NTEU commented that they do not Government civilian positions, or COMMISSION
object to the addition of Section 17, positions in private entities performing
work for the Federal Government under [Investment Company Act Release No.
Police Record, but believes that OPM 32952; 812–14805]
requests information in this proposed contract. The SF 85 will be used by the
section without sufficient justification. Federal Government in conducting Validea Capital Management, LLC, et
Individuals would be required to report background investigations and al.; Notice of Application
convictions that were expunged under reinvestigations of persons under
federal or state law or otherwise stricken consideration for, or retention of, non- December 26, 2017.
from court records. It would also, in sensitive positions. The form may also AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
direct contrast to the current OF–306, be used by agencies in determining Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
require individuals to report charges whether a subject performing work for, ACTION: Notice of an application for an
that were dismissed. The information or on behalf of, the Government under order under section 6(c) of the
that the section would require, a contract, should be deemed eligible for Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
moreover, includes information about logical or physical access. For ‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from sections
charges and proceedings (regardless of applicants, the SF 85 is to be used only 2(a)(32), 5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the
the outcome) that occurred when an after a conditional offer of employment Act and rule 22c–1 under the Act, under
individual was a minor, even if the has been made, unless OPM has granted sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an
record in the matter is under seal. OPM an exception. exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and
did not accept this comment because Number of Respondents: 55,040. 17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section
the questions are designed to elicit Estimated Time per Respondent: 120 12(d)(1)(J) for an exemption from
information regarding criminal history minutes. sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of
record information, to permit the Total Burden Hours: 110,080. the Act. The requested order would
individual to explain the circumstances U.S. Office of Personnel Management. permit (a) index-based series of certain
of offenses or charges, and to obtain Kathleen M. McGettigan, open-end management investment
details to assist in locating and Acting Director. companies (‘‘Funds’’) to issue shares
obtaining records for the background [FR Doc. 2017–28203 Filed 12–28–17; 8:45 am] redeemable in large aggregations only
investigation. Collecting criminal record BILLING CODE 6326–53–P
(‘‘Creation Units’’); (b) secondary market
information from the individual transactions in Fund shares to occur at
provides efficiency and affords the negotiated market prices rather than at
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
individual the opportunity to provide net asset value (‘‘NAV’’); (c) certain
contextual details about conduct. Such POSTAL SERVICE Funds to pay redemption proceeds,
details are needed by agencies in Product Change—Priority Mail Express under certain circumstances, more than
applying suitability criteria and/or and Priority Mail Negotiated Service seven days after the tender of shares for
assessing whether granting a PIV will Agreement redemption; (d) certain affiliated
present an unacceptable risk to people, persons of a Fund to deposit securities
property, and/or information systems. AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. into, and receive securities from, the
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Document Created: 2018-01-03 13:16:38
Document Modified: 2018-01-03 13:16:38
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | 30-Day notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until January 29, 2018. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. | |
| Contact | A copy of this information collection, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting U.S. Office of Personnel Management, NBIB, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415, Attention: Donna McLeod or by electronic mail at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 61805 |
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