[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12703-12705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04106]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Notice of Submission for a New Information Collection Common 
Form: Personnel Vetting Questionnaire

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is notifying the 
general public and other Federal agencies that OPM proposes to request 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a new information 
collection request (ICR) titled Personnel Vetting Questionnaire (PVQ). 
The proposed information collection will streamline multiple existing 
information collections, as well as the renewal cycle for them, 
commensurate with on-going efforts to improve personnel vetting 
processes and the experience of individuals undergoing personnel 
vetting. OPM is proposing to discontinue the information collections 
for OMB control numbers 3206-0261, 3206-0258, and 3206-0005 as these 
information collections will become parts of the new Personnel Vetting 
Questionnaire information collection and assigned a new OMB control 
number.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until March 30, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this 
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this ICR, with applicable 
supporting documentation, may be obtained by email to 
[email protected], or by contacting Alexys Stanley, 202-606-1800, or 
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Suitability Executive Agent 
Programs, P.O. Box 699, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    This notice announces that OPM has submitted to OMB a request for 
approval of a new information request, Personnel Vetting Questionnaire 
(PVQ) (OMB No. 3206-XXXX). The information collection (OMB No. 3206-
XXXX) was previously published in the Federal Register on November 23, 
2022 at 87 FR 71700, allowing for a 60-day public comment period (``60-
day Notice''). OPM received approximately 280 comments from 55 
commenters in response to its request for this collection, which are 
addressed in the Supplemental Statement of this ICR package. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public 
comments. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

Background

    On November 23, 2022, OPM published 87 FR 71700 requesting comment 
for the new PVQ information collection. OPM received 55 submissions (5 
of which were duplicate submissions) containing approximately 280 
comments. Multiple comments were received on the following topics:

 Collection of sex or gender information
 Collection of information regarding past use of marijuana
 Consolidation of multiple vetting questionnaires into the PVQ
 Collection and adjudication of information regarding mental 
health
 Collection and adjudication on foreign contacts and interests

    In addition, multiple comments requested minor edits to the 
proposed questions for clarity or to correct formatting or punctuation. 
Finally, a number of comments addressed Federal policies and fell 
outside the scope of comment on the proposed information collection. 
All comments received are addressed in a spreadsheet included as 
supporting documentation in the ICR package.

Comments Regarding Collection of Sex and Gender Information

    Unlike the current investigative questionnaires, the PVQ will not 
require the respondent to indicate ``Male'' or ``Female,'' and the PVQ 
uses gender inclusive terminology, such as parent and sibling, rather 
than terms that are not gender inclusive, such as mother, father, 
sister, brother. Eight of eleven comments received regarding OPM's 
approach to collection of information about sex and gender favored the 
approach. OPM received three comments opposing OPM's proposal to 
eliminate the requirement to indicate ``male'' or ``female.'' One 
commenter was concerned about the impact on data checks. OPM previously 
addressed this potential concern in the 60-day Notice. Another 
commenter expressed concern that the proposed collection does not 
require individuals to report transition as, in their opinion, it 
``could be

[[Page 12704]]

exploited.'' Another commenter asserted that higher rates of depression 
in the LGBTQ population are a reason to exclude them from the candidate 
pool. OPM did not make changes to the proposed collection in response 
to these comments. As noted in 60-day Notice regarding the proposed 
information collection, the Federal Government is actively taking 
``steps to mitigate any barriers in security clearance and background 
investigation processes for LGBTQ+ employees and applicants, in 
particular transgender and gender non-conforming and non-binary 
employees and applicants,'' per Executive Order (E.O.) 14035, 
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal 
Workforce. Further, it is the U.S. Government's longstanding position 
that a diagnosis of a mental health condition, in and of itself, is not 
a reason to revoke or deny eligibility for access to classified 
information or for holding a sensitive position, suitability or fitness 
to obtain or retain Federal or contract employment, or eligibility for 
physical or logical access to federally controlled facilities or 
information systems. An employee-led organization affiliated with a 
Federal agency requested that OPM provide individuals the option to 
indicate their pronouns on the form. In response to this comment, OPM 
added the option for respondents to provide their pronouns if they 
wish. OPM added this option in order to facilitate interaction between 
investigators and those undergoing the personnel vetting process and to 
prevent unintentional misgendering.

Collection of Information Regarding Past Use of Marijuana

    Nine comments were received that expressed support for OPM's 
approach in separating questions regarding marijuana use from those 
regarding other controlled substances and limiting the timeframe for 
reporting past use of marijuana. Of these, six comments recommended OPM 
further limit or eliminate inquiry regarding marijuana use. Five 
comments opposed OPM's approach. OPM did not change its approach to the 
collection of information regarding use of marijuana as a result of the 
comments received. As OPM explained in the 60-day Notice, the proposed 
PVQ takes into account changes in the legal landscape and societal 
norms regarding marijuana use. OPM concurs with one of the commenters 
who fully supported the new approach and stated: ``The PVQ should 
reflect that because most Americans live in states where marijuana is 
legal, they should not be prevented from serving in the Federal 
Government. By only asking about marijuana use in the last 90-days (as 
opposed to last 7 years), the PVQ will greatly expand the pool of 
candidates available for Federal employment. [. . .] OPM has a duty to 
ensure that the Federal Government workforce accurately represents 
America.''

Consolidation of Multiple Questionnaires into the PVQ

    As noted in the 60-day Notice, the PVQ will consolidate the 
following ICRs: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) No. 3206-0261 
Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF 85), OMB No. 3206-0258 
Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions and Supplemental Questionnaire 
for Selected Positions (SF 85P and SF 85P-S), and OMB No. 3206-0005 
Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF 86) into one 
comprehensive information collection, consisting of four parts. 
Individual respondents will be asked to complete only the parts that 
are appropriate to the risk and sensitivity of their position, also 
known as their position designation, as directed by the Federal agency 
requesting their background investigation consistent with guidance 
issued by OPM and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence 
as the Suitability and Credentialing Executive Agent and the Security 
Executive Agent, respectively. OPM received five comments in support of 
this approach and none opposed.

Collection and Adjudication of Information Regarding Mental Health

    OPM received two comments recommending expansion of the list of 
reportable mental health diagnoses. One commenter questioned why 
``major depressive or anxiety orders'' are not included in the PVQ. 
Another suggested that individuals with depression should be 
investigated to determine the depth of their condition. OPM did not 
make changes to the proposed PVQ as a result of these comments. As 
explained in the 60-day Notice, while the intent of questioning about 
psychological and emotional conditions has always been to surface any 
concerns regarding the individual's judgment or reliability, the 
approach has shifted from asking about all mental health treatment or 
counseling to a more tailored set of questions regarding 
hospitalization and specific diagnoses. By following this approach, the 
PVQ seeks to reduce perceived stigma associated with seeking mental 
health treatment or counseling by limiting the scope of questioning 
from what was previously asked on the Questionnaire for National 
Security Positions (SF 86) and the Supplemental Questionnaire for 
Selected Positions (SF 85P-S).

Collection of Information Regarding Foreign Contacts and Interests

    A nonprofit organization encouraged OPM to re-evaluate the 
questions regarding foreign connections and foreign activities. The 
organization indicated that these questions have not been updated for 
decades and do not seem to reflect today's advances in information and 
technological environment bringing the world closer. The organization 
opined the effect is that individuals end up collecting and providing 
information on foreign relationships which are trivial or incidental 
and not adjudicatively relevant; thus delaying the personnel vetting 
process by creating additional work for the investigative and 
adjudicative process. OPM agrees that with today's modern advances 
individuals have more connections to foreign nationals. In comparison 
to prior personnel vetting questionnaires, however, the reportable 
timeframe for many of the questions within this area has been reduced, 
and the PVQ clarifies the types of associations that must be reported. 
For example, in collecting the respondent's contacts with foreign 
nationals, the instructions limit the reporting to foreign nationals 
with whom they have feelings of affection, a romantic relationship, are 
bound by social, moral, financial, or legal obligations or with whom 
they have shared information about themselves that, if known, could be 
used to influence them to act against the interest of the U.S. 
government. The clarification in this question helps decrease 
superfluous reporting of incidental foreign contacts. In response to 
recommendations from several other commenters, OPM also reduced the 
scope of questioning regarding whether an individual has lived, worked, 
or attended school in a foreign country.
    Analysis: The following analysis of the burden associated with this 
information collection is specific to OPM as the agency sponsoring the 
common form. Other agencies will be required to seek expedited approval 
to use the common form by submitting their agency-specific burden 
analyses to OMB.
    Agency: Office of Personnel Management.
    Title: Personnel Vetting Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 3206-XXXX.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Number of Respondents: 319.

[[Page 12705]]

    Estimated Time per Respondent: 140 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 780 hours.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Stephen Hickman,
Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 2023-04106 Filed 2-27-23; 8:45 am]
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