Submit an application
Complete the online form, upload the evidence, and confirm the declarations. Your receipt gives the application number and submission date. Formal acceptance follows the completeness check.
Completeness check
The target for the initial check is 10 business days. It covers eligibility, authorization, product identity, required documents, and the information needed to assign reviewers.
Missing information is requested together where possible. The acceptance notice identifies the criteria version and target decision date; this is when the 90-day period begins.
Scientific and technical assessment
The rules require at least two qualified reviewers to assess the evidence separately. Each records findings and reasons against the required conditions and scored criteria. Conflict screening precedes access to the application.
If clarification is needed, the request identifies the information required. The usual response period is 30 calendar days. One extension of up to 30 days may be requested before the deadline, with a reason.
Track progress
The account shows the review stage, outstanding requests, and target decision date. Pauses awaiting applicant information are recorded separately; ASA’s internal scheduling does not pause the clock.
If the decision will be delayed, ASA provides the reason and a revised estimate. There is no paid expedited review. Business-day targets use Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays, in the America/New_York time zone.
Decision review
A reviewer who did not conduct either initial assessment checks the findings, score thresholds, conflicts, and proposed award scope. Material disagreements require resolution before a decision.
All required conditions and scoring thresholds must be met.
Outcome and award issue
The applicant receives the decision and its reasons. Outcomes are: awarded, not awarded, outside scope, closed for missing information, or withdrawn at the applicant’s request.
For successful applications, the target for issuing the free digital certificate and publishing the award record is five business days after approval. Unsuccessful applications and confidential review files are not published.
Questions and appeals
Use the application’s message section for questions about a case. Appeals must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the decision and meet the published grounds.