NASA Talent Exchange Program Act

Summary

Establishes a NASA Talent Exchange Program that lets NASA temporarily assign employees to private-sector organizations and bring private-sector employees into NASA under written agreements. Assignments must be by consent, last 3 months to 2 years (with limited renewals/extensions up to 3 years total), include a service-commitment equal to twice the assignment length, and contain protections for predecisional or draft deliberative information and liability for assignment costs if the employee breaks the agreement.

• Authorizes temporary, consent-based detail of NASA employees to private-sector entities and private-sector employees to NASA.
• Requires written agreements with a service-commitment by the NASA employee equal to twice the assignment length.
• Employees who breach the agreement can be held liable to the U.S. for assignment expenses, though the Administrator may waive recovery for equity reasons.
• Assignments must last between 3 months and 2 years, renewable/extendable to a 3-year maximum in limited circumstances.
• Includes restrictions on use and disclosure of predecisional or draft deliberative information related to NASA programs and procurements.
• Either party may terminate an assignment at any time for any reason.
• Directs the NASA Administrator to issue detailed policies and procedures covering eligibility, oversight, ethics, expense determination, and waivers.
• Does not itself appropriate funds or change tax or appropriations law; it creates an administrative authority and program rules.