### Question
Can you define what critical need means?


### Answer
**Critical need** is defined as the following in *5 U.S.C. § 9801*:

> a specific and important safety, management, engineering, science, research, or operations requirement of the Administration's mission that the Administration is unable to fulfill because the Administration lacks the appropriate employees because—


(A) of the inability to fill positions

#### Citation:
  - *5 U.S.C. § 9801*
  - Heading: **PART III-EMPLOYEES > Subpart I-Miscellaneous > CHAPTER 98-NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION**

