NASA Talent Exchange Program Act

Temporary NASA exchanges with private employers

If enacted, this bill would let NASA and private companies temporarily assign employees to each other's workplaces. Assignments would be at least 90 days and generally no more than 2 years. They could be renewed so total time is up to 4 years if NASA says it is needed for critical programs. If you are a NASA employee sent to a company, you would need to serve in federal civil service for twice the assignment length after you return. Private employees sent to NASA would keep pay and benefits from their employer and generally would not get NASA pay or benefits. Assigned private employees would be treated as covered by some federal laws while at NASA but could not access their employer's trade secrets or perform inherently governmental work. NASA would have to set up a system to identify and manage conflicts of interest. Companies could not bill NASA or other agencies for pay or benefits they give assigned employees during the assignment. Employees who break their written agreement could owe the government assignment costs, though NASA may waive collection in some cases.