NASA Talent Exchange Program Act

HR 5122, the NASA Talent Exchange Program Act, establishes a formal process for temporary, paid exchanges between NASA civil servants and private sector employees. It allows NASA to assign its employees to private companies (or vice versa) for up to two years (renewable to a maximum of three years total), requiring a written agreement that mandates employees return to federal service for twice the assignment duration. The program includes strict safeguards, such as prohibiting access to sensitive information, limiting participation to 2% of NASA's workforce, and requiring annual reports to Congress on participation numbers, roles, and program impacts. Key provisions also prevent private entities from charging federal costs for employee pay during assignments and mandate oversight to avoid conflicts of interest or circumventing workforce rules.