### Question
What does critical need mean?


### Answer
**Critical need** has the following meaning 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**

