Overview
Title
Name of Information Collection: NASA Enterprise Salesforce COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Agencies
ELI5 AI
NASA wants to know what people think about a new computer system that helps track who has been near someone with COVID-19 to keep everyone safe. People can choose if they want to join in, and NASA wants to make sure the system is easy to use and doesn't cost too much.
Summary AI
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a notice seeking public comments on an information collection related to COVID-19 contact tracing. As part of its efforts to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, NASA plans to use a digital system on Salesforce to collect voluntary data from employees about possible exposure to the virus. This information will help identify potential points of contact within the NASA community, with the goal of reducing virus spread. NASA encourages participation, though it is voluntary, and invites comments on the necessity, efficiency, and burden of the information collection process.
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, in compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a notice inviting public commentary on a proposed information collection related to COVID-19 contact tracing within its workforce. This initiative aligns with NASA's continued efforts to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aimed at minimizing the paperwork burden on individuals and agencies.
Summary of the Document
NASA seeks to utilize a digital platform, specifically Salesforce, to collect voluntary data from employees regarding their potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The collection process involves a NASA healthcare employee—designated as a Contact Tracer—gathering information orally from participating individuals. This information aims to track and trace interactions within the NASA community, helping to manage and mitigate virus exposure efficiently.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several critical issues arise from this notice. Firstly, the estimated time per response, calculated at 8 hours, appears excessive for the task described, which involves simple inquiries and contact information entry. This raises concerns of possible inefficiency or overestimation in the procedure.
Moreover, the projected annual cost of $1,900,800 suggests potential financial inefficiencies or needless expenses for a relatively straightforward data collection process. This warrants further exploration to ensure resources are effectively utilized.
The method of data collection lacks detailed clarity on how the oral exchanges will be facilitated and documented. The document does not outline explicit steps or protocols, which can lead to inconsistencies in data gathering and processing.
Additionally, there is insufficient information regarding the privacy measures in place to safeguard sensitive health information. The description of how data might be shared with health care providers or other agencies is vague, without clear conditions or limitations, adding to privacy concerns.
Oversight mechanisms to prevent potential misuse of the collected data or the Salesforce application are not mentioned. The absence of such regulatory oversight raises accountability issues.
Lastly, despite calling for comments on minimizing the burden of data collection, the document does not outline specific automated techniques or innovative IT solutions, making the call for comment appear generic and potentially unproductive.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this initiative might raise concerns among the public regarding data privacy and the efficient allocation of resources, given the high time and cost estimates. While the primary goal of the initiative is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the NASA community, it is crucial that privacy concerns are adequately addressed to foster trust.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For NASA employees, this contact tracing measure has both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, participating in the program could help protect themselves and colleagues by identifying potential exposures early on. However, employees might also feel apprehensive about volunteering personal information without robust privacy assurances.
For NASA as an organization, effective implementation of the contact tracing system could demonstrate proactive health initiatives, potentially reducing virus transmission rates. Conversely, any perceived inefficiency or mishandling of the process or data could lead to reputational damage.
In conclusion, while the intention behind NASA’s proposal is undeniably valuable, the execution detail requires further refinement to alleviate concerns and optimize the process. Providing greater transparency and accountability in data protection and processing could significantly influence stakeholder engagement and the overall success of the initiative.
Financial Assessment
The Federal Register document outlines a NASA initiative relating to COVID-19 contact tracing using the Salesforce platform. It includes financial details regarding the costs associated with this information collection.
One key financial aspect in the document is the estimated total annual cost of the initiative, which is outlined as $1,900,800. This cost is likely to cover various elements of the program, including personnel, software licensing, data storage, and any additional resources required for the effective implementation of the contact tracing effort. The estimated cost suggests that this initiative is a significant financial commitment by NASA, aimed at ensuring the safety and health of its personnel through effective contact tracing measures.
Regarding the financial reference, several issues and considerations can be identified:
- Examination of Cost Estimation:
The document estimates an annual cost of $1,900,800 for conducting the contact tracing activities. However, the methodology underlying this cost estimation is not detailed, making it challenging to assess whether the figure is appropriate or inflated. Given that the primary activity involves oral data collection followed by digital entry into a Salesforce application, the estimated cost appears high, suggesting possible inefficiencies or overestimation of the financial requirements.
Burden and Efficiency:
The document notes an estimated time per response of 8 hours. This might seem excessive for a process described as collecting yes/no responses and contact details, and it raises questions about the efficiency and necessity of such a time allocation. The financial implication of this high time estimate is a significant driver of the overall cost, potentially inflating the cost without justifying the necessity or efficacy of the time or resources employed.
Lack of Cost-Saving Measures:
While comments are invited on minimizing the burden of information collection, there is no specific mention of automated solutions or IT efficiencies that could potentially reduce the financial burden. Incorporating such technologies could lead to a reduction in both time and cost, thereby decreasing the annual financial outlay for the initiative.
Transparency and Accountability:
- The document does not clarify the financial oversight mechanisms in place for this contact tracing program. Ensuring transparency and accountability in how funds are being used is crucial to preventing misuse and ensuring that the resources are being effectively employed to meet the program’s objectives.
In summary, while the initiative represents a significant financial commitment by NASA, questions regarding the estimation of costs, efficiency of operations, and potential areas for financial optimization warrant further exploration. Stakeholders and the general public might benefit from clearer justifications and breakdowns of the expenses to understand better how the $1,900,800 seemingly calculated expense will be utilized.
Issues
• The estimated time per response is 8 hours, which seems excessive for a simple yes/no response and contact details entry, suggesting potential inefficiency or overestimation.
• The estimated total annual cost of $1,900,800 may indicate possible inefficiency or unnecessary expense, given the nature of the task.
• The method of data collection is not clearly detailed. It's unclear how the questions will be conducted orally and how they are recorded without specific steps or procedures provided.
• The document should clarify the safeguards in place to ensure the privacy and security of sensitive health information collected.
• Language around how data will be shared with healthcare providers or other agencies is vague, lacking specific conditions or limitations for data sharing.
• The text does not specify whether any oversight mechanisms are in place to prevent misuse of the Salesforce application or collected data.
• No specific automated techniques or IT solutions are described to minimize the burden of data collection, despite this being highlighted as a point for comment.