Department of Defense Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project Program, 10874-10880 [2023-03601]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / Notices
The meeting will be open to public
attendance on March 15, 2023, from 2
p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. There will not be a
public comment period. The meeting
will not be recorded.
Matters To Be Considered
The open meeting will include
presentations from the Department of
Energy, the National Science
Foundation, and the U.S. Agency for
International Development on their
relevant marine debris-related activities.
The agenda topics described are subject
to change. The latest version of the
agenda will be posted at https://
marinedebris.noaa.gov/our-work/
IMDCC.
Special Accommodations
The meeting is accessible to people
with disabilities. Closed captioning will
be available. Requests for other auxiliary
aids should be directed to Ya’el SeidGreen, Executive Secretariat at
yael.seid-green@noaa.gov or 240–533–
0399 by March 3, 2023.
Scott Lundgren,
Director, Office of Response and Restoration,
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023–03658 Filed 2–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Additions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
ACTION: Additions to the Procurement
List.
AGENCY:
This action adds service(s) to
the Procurement List that will be
furnished by nonprofit agencies
employing persons who are blind or
have other severe disabilities.
DATES: Date added to and deleted from
the Procurement List: February 28, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
715, Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael R. Jurkowski, Telephone: (703)
785–6404, or email CMTEFedReg@
AbilityOne.gov.
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SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Additions
On 12/9/2022, the Committee for
Purchase From People Who Are Blind
or Severely Disabled published notice of
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proposed additions to the Procurement
List. This notice is published pursuant
to 41 U.S.C. 8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–
2.3.
After consideration of the material
presented to it concerning capability of
qualified nonprofit agencies to provide
the product(s) and service(s) and impact
of the additions on the current or most
recent contractors, the Committee has
determined that the product(s) and
service(s) listed below are suitable for
procurement by the Federal Government
under 41 U.S.C. 8501–8506 and 41 CFR
51–2.4.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
I certify that the following action will
not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The major factors considered for this
certification were:
1. The action will not result in any
additional reporting, recordkeeping or
other compliance requirements for small
entities other than the small
organizations that will furnish the
product(s) and service(s) to the
Government.
2. The action will result in
authorizing small entities to furnish the
product(s) and service(s) to the
Government.
3. There are no known regulatory
alternatives which would accomplish
the objectives of the Javits-WagnerO’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501–8506) in
connection with the product(s) and
service(s) proposed for addition to the
Procurement List.
End of Certification
Accordingly, the following service(s)
are added to the Procurement List:
Service(s)
Service Type: Patient Access and Referral
Accountability Service
Mandatory for: U.S. Air Force, Colorado
Military Health System, Colorado
Springs, CO
Designated Source of Supply: Global
Connections to Employment, Inc.,
Pensacola, FL
Contracting Activity: DEPT OF THE AIR
FORCE, FA7000 10 CONS LGC
The Committee finds good cause to
dispense with the 30-day delay in the
effective date normally required by the
Administrative Procedure Act. See 5
U.S.C. 553(d). This addition to the
Committee’s Procurement List is
effectuated because of the expiration of
the Department of the Air Force, Patient
Access and Referral Accountability
Services, USAF, CMHS, Colorado
Springs, CO contract. The Federal
customer contacted and has worked
diligently with the AbilityOne Program
to fulfill this service need under the
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AbilityOne Program. To avoid
performance disruption, and the
possibility that the Department of the
Air Force will refer its business
elsewhere, this addition must be
effective on February 28, 2023, ensuring
timely execution for a March 1, 2023
start date while still allowing 6 days for
comment. The Committee also
published a notice of proposed
Procurement List addition in the
Federal Register on December 9, 2022
and did not receive any comments from
any interested persons. This addition
will not create a public hardship and
has limited effect on the public at large,
but, rather, will create new jobs for
other affected parties—people with
significant disabilities in the AbilityOne
program who otherwise face challenges
locating employment. Moreover, this
addition will enable Federal customer
operations to continue without
interruption.
Michael R. Jurkowski,
Acting Director, Business Operations.
[FR Doc. 2023–03665 Filed 2–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6353–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Department of Defense Science and
Technology Reinvention Laboratory
Personnel Demonstration Project
Program
The Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering
(USD(R&E)), Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: This notice provides new
student and recent graduate direct hire
authority to all Science and Technology
Reinvention Laboratories (STRL) with
published Personnel Demonstration
(Demo) Project plans.
AGENCY:
STRLs may implement a
direct hire authority for students and
recent graduates for occupations which
do not require expertise in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics
(STEM). The Professional,
Administrative, Assistant, Clerical and
Technician Student Employment
Program (PAACTSEP) is a student
program which permits appointment
and noncompetitive conversion to the
competitive service for qualified
candidates who are enrolled in a
qualifying educational institution.
DATES: Implementation of this Federal
Register Notice (FRN) will begin no
earlier than February 22, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / Notices
Department of Defense:
Office of Under Secretary of Defense
(Research and Engineering), Defense
Research Operations: Dr. James ‘‘Ben’’
Petro, 571–372–6435,
James.B.Petro.civ@mail.mil.
Department of the Air Force:
• Air Force Research Laboratory: Ms.
Rosalyn Jones-Byrd, 937–656–9747,
Rosalyn.Jones-Byrd@us.af.mil.
• Joint Warfare Analysis Center: Ms.
Amy Balmaz, 540–653–8598,
Amy.T.Balmaz.civ@mail.mil.
Department of the Army:
• Army Futures Command: Ms.
Marlow Richmond, 830–469–2057,
Marlowe.Richmond.civ@army.mil.
• Army Research Institute for the
Behavioral and Social Sciences: Dr.
Scott Shadrick, 254–288–3800,
Scottie.B.Shadrick.civ@army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Armaments Center: Mr. Mike
Nicotra, 973–724–7764,
Michael.J.Nicotra.civ@mail.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Army Research Laboratory:
Mr. Christopher Tahaney, 410–278–
9069, Christopher.S.Tahaney.civ@
army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Aviation and Missile Center:
Ms. Nancy Salmon, 256–876–9647,
Nancy.C.Salmon2.civ@army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Chemical Biological Center:
Ms. Patricia Milwicz, 410–417–2343,
Patricia.L.Milwicz.civ@army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber,
Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center: Ms. Angela
Clybourn, 443–395–2110,
Angela.M.Clyborn.civ@army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Ground Vehicle Systems
Center: Ms. Jennifer Davis, 586–306–
4166, Jennifer.L.Davis1.civ@army.mil.
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Soldier Center: Ms. Sandra
Rosenau, 508–206–3421,
Louise.S.Rosenau.civ@army.mil.
• Engineer Research and
Development Center: Ms. Patricia
Sullivan, 601–634–3065,
Patricia.M.Sullivan@usace.army.mil.
• Medical Research and Development
Command: Ms. Linda Krout, 301–619–
7276, Linda.J.Krout.civ@mail.mil.
• Technical Center, Space and
Missile Defense Command: Dr. Chad
Marshall, 256–955–5697,
Chad.J.Marshall.civ@army.mil.
Department of the Navy:
• Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons
Division and Aircraft Division: Mr.
Richard Cracraft, 760–939–8115,
Richard.A.Cracraft2.civ@us.navy.mil.
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• Naval Facilities Engineering
Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center: Ms. Lori
Leigh, 805–901–5917, Lori.A.Leigh@
us.navy.mil.
• Naval Information Warfare Centers:
Æ Naval Information Warfare Center
Atlantic: Mr. Michael Gagnon, 843–218–
3871, Michael.L.Gagnon2.civ@
us.navy.mil.
Æ Naval Information Warfare Center
Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson, 619–553–
0833, Angela.Y.Hanson.civ@
us.navy.mil.
• Naval Medical Research Center: Dr.
Jill Phan, 301–319–7645,
Jill.C.Phan.civ@mail.mil.
• Naval Research Laboratory: Ms.
Ginger Kisamore, 202–767–3792,
Ginger.Kisamore@nrl.navy.mil.
• Naval Sea Systems Command
Warfare Centers: Ms. Diane Brown, 215–
897–1619, Diane.J.Brown.civ@
us.navy.mil.
• Office of Naval Research: Ms.
Margaret J. Mitchell, 703–588–2364,
Margaret.J.Mitchell@navy.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: STRLs
may appoint students to flexible length
and renewable student terms or
temporary appointments and may
appoint recent graduates to temporary,
term, or permanent appointments
without regard to subchapter I of
chapter 33 of title 5 United States Code
(U.S.C.) (other than sections 3303 and
3328). This direct hire authority is
similar to the student direct hire
authority in 10 U.S.C. 4091, as
implemented in the STEM Student
Employment Program (SSEP) published
in 82 FR 29280, except it is for students
seeking employment in professional,
administrative, assistant, clerical, and
technician positions.
1. Background
As authorized by 10 U.S.C. 4121, the
Secretary of Defense, through the
USD(R&E), may conduct personnel
demonstration projects at DoD
laboratories designated as STRLs. STRLs
implementing this flexibility must have
an approved personnel management
demonstration project plan published in
a FRN and must fulfill any collective
bargaining obligations. Each STRL will
establish internal operating procedures
(IOPs) as appropriate.
The 21 current STRLs are:
• Air Force Research Laboratory
• Joint Warfare Analysis Center
• Army Futures Command
• Army Research Institute for the
Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Armaments Center
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Army Research Laboratory
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• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Aviation and Missile
Center
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Chemical Biological Center
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber,
Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Ground Vehicle Systems
Center
• Combat Capabilities Development
Command Soldier Center
• Engineer Research and Development
Center
• Medical Research and Development
Command
• Technical Center, US Army Space and
Missile Defense Command
• Naval Air Systems Command Warfare
Centers
• Naval Facilities Engineering
Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center
• Naval Information Warfare Centers,
Atlantic and Pacific
• Naval Medical Research Center
• Naval Research Laboratory
• Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare
Centers
• Office of Naval Research
2. Summary of Comments
On October 17, 2022, the DoD
published a notice (87 FR 62795–62800)
concerning this new flexibility, for a 30day public comment period. The public
comment period ended on November
16, 2022. Comments were received from
two commenters posing questions
related to the conversion of program
participants to General Schedule (GS)
positions, promotion eligibility of
program participants, and the terms
used to describe the appointments
available to program participants.
Specifically, one commenter inquired
how pay will be set for a PAACTSEP
program participant who later converts
from a pay band position to a GS
position. In response, the Department
notes that conversion procedures for
personnel participating in an STRL
Demo project are specific to each STRL
and are published in the STRL’s Demo
project plan. Another commenter
recommended the following: providing
criteria to determine whether
experience is equivalent to education;
providing criteria for promotion
eligibility; and making the Flexible
Length and Renewable Student Term
appointment indefinite, consistent with
the appointment created in 82 FR
29280. In response, the Department
notes that the procedures for setting
qualification and promotion eligibility
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criteria are specific to STRL Demo
project plans which use varying
broadband and other classification
schedules. As indicated in this notice,
detailed program implementing
procedures will be provided in
individual STRL IOPs. In addition, the
Department notes that, in a minor
modification to 82 FR 29280 adopted in
April 2020, the Department no longer
makes indefinite appointments for the
SSEP. Rather, consistent with the
language in this PAACTSEP notice,
SSEP appointments may not exceed a
period of six years, may be renewed,
and will not continue longer than 120
days after completion of the designated
academic course of study unless the
human resources office has received a
Request for Personnel Action (SF–52)
for noncompetitive conversion to a
temporary, term or permanent position.
3. Overview
I. Introduction
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A. Purpose
In addition to leveraging existing
student and recent graduate hiring
flexibilities to pursue scientific and
engineering (S&E) talent, STRLs may
implement additional flexibilities to
recruit for other occupations, to include
professional, administrative, and
technical occupations, in order to
support, maintain and advance each
STRL’s technologies and mission.
The purpose of this direct-hire
authority is to create a streamlined and
accelerated hiring and appointment
process to access a pipeline of highquality students and recent graduates
and successfully compete with private
industry when filling STRL
professional, administrative, assistant,
clerical, and technician positions.
To effectively implement PAACTSEP
this FRN:
1. Establishes a student program
which aligns students appointed under
this authority to a pay band or grade
commensurate with education and
experience.
2. Applies the flexible length and
renewable student term appointment
authority in 82 FR 29280 for SSEP
students to PAACTSEP students
appointed for a period of at least one
year. This flexible length and renewable
student term appointment may be for a
period of more than one year but not
more than six years and may be
extended in up to six-year increments.
This authority provides a mechanism
for students appointed under
PAACTSEP to remain on a term
appointment until completion of their
educational program.
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3. Establishes a temporary
appointment authority for PAACTSEP
students or recent graduates appointed
for less than one year.
4. Establishes a student bonus
authority designed to improve
competitiveness with private industry
in recruiting and retaining high caliber
students. The bonus may be used to
compensate PAACTSEP students for
expenses related to program
participation, to include, but not limited
to, travel expenses when the worksite is
in a different geographic location than
that of the student’s academic
institution. STRLs also have authority to
pay relocation expenses each time the
student returns to duty at the laboratory.
B. Required Waivers to Law and
Regulation
Waivers and adaptations of certain
title 5 U.S.C. and 5 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) provisions are
required only to the extent that these
statutory and regulatory provisions limit
or are inconsistent with the actions
authorized under these demonstration
projects. Nothing in this plan is
intended to preclude the STRLs from
adopting or incorporating any law or
regulation enacted, adopted, or
amended after the effective date of this
notice.
C. Expected Benefits
This direct-hire authority and student
program is expected to streamline the
hiring of high-quality students to enable
the STRLs to compete with private
industry in recruiting and retaining
recent graduates. This program covers
students enrolled in qualifying
educational institutions and certificate
programs, as those terms are defined in
5 CFR 362.102. This competitive service
direct-hire and noncompetitive
conversion authority enhances the
ability of STRLs to compete with private
industry by improving recruiting efforts,
providing clear career paths, and
offering career progression
opportunities for a large and diverse
population of students and recent
graduates who may not otherwise
consider joining the STRL workforce.
D. Participating Organizations and
Employees
All DoD laboratories designated as
STRLs pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4121, with
approved personnel demonstration
project plans published in FRNs may
use the provisions described in this FRN
after the fulfillment of any collective
bargaining obligations.
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II. Personnel System Changes
A. Authority
STRLs may use the direct-hire
authority to appoint students enrolled
in qualifying educational institutions
and certificate programs, as those terms
are defined in 5 CFR 362.102. During
each calendar year, each STRL may use
this authority to appoint no more than
25 percent of the total number of nonSTEM professional, administrative,
assistant, clerical, and technician
positions within the STRL that are filled
at the close of the previous fiscal year.
STRLs may appoint students to
temporary or flexible length and
renewable student term appointments in
the competitive service and may
appoint recent graduates to temporary,
term, or permanent appointments in the
competitive service. STRLs may provide
eligible students noncompetitive
conversion to term or permanent
positions upon satisfaction of the
graduation or certification requirements
of the secondary or post-secondary
educational institution and qualification
requirements established by the Office
of Personnel Management (OPM) for the
position.
B. Definitions
1. STRL PAACTSEP positions are
those non-STEM professional,
administrative, assistant, clerical, and
technician positions described in STRL
IOPs, to include General Schedule
positions.
2. As provided in 5 CFR 362.102, the
following secondary and post-secondary
educational institutions are a
‘‘qualifying educational institution’’:
(a) A public high school whose
curriculum has been approved by a
State or local governing body, a private
school that provides secondary
education as determined under State
law, or a homeschool that is allowed to
operate in a State; and
(b) Any of the following educational
institutions or curricula that have been
accredited by an accrediting body
recognized by the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Education:
(i) A technical or vocational school;
(ii) A 2-year or 4-year college or
university;
(iii) A graduate or professional school
(e.g., law school, medical school); or
(iv) A post-secondary homeschool
curriculum.
3. Qualified candidates are defined as:
(a) Students who are enrolled in a
qualifying educational institution or a
certificate program as defined by 5 CFR
362.102. The qualifications in Appendix
C will apply to PAACTSEP
appointments. Appointments may be at
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the highest grade or pay band for which
the participant is qualified. Promotion
requirements will be published in STRL
IOPs.
(b) Recent graduates are those
individuals who have completed the
graduation requirements of a qualifying
educational institution or the
certification requirements of a certificate
program as defined in 5 CFR 362.102.
4. ‘‘Employee’’ is defined by 5 U.S.C.
2105.
C. Provisions
1. Announcement and Assessment
Process. Public notice is not required;
however, if posting job opportunity
announcements or advertisements,
STRLs will ensure announcements and
advertisements are concise and easily
understood. If STRLs choose to
advertise, the STRL IOPs will contain
procedures for advertising positions
pursuant to this authority in a manner
that is most likely to provide diverse
and qualified candidates and ensure
potential applicants have appropriate
information relevant to the positions
available. Procedures must be consistent
with merit system principles.
Candidates will be assessed against jobrelated criteria, ensuring that applicants
have the skills and behavioral attributes
that lead to success in the position.
Selectees for entry level positions
requiring the Administrative Careers
With America (ACWA) assessment must
be assessed using the most recent,
streamlined ACWA examination or a
validated alternative assessment
instrument (e.g., select USA HIRE
assessments).
2. Appointments and Conversions.
(a) Students.
(1) Students may be initially
appointed to pay banded or one- or twograde interval positions for which they
qualify in order to prepare them for
conversion to the target position in a
related pay band level or grade and
occupational series upon completion of
their academic degree or certificate
program. Students being converted to
positions requiring the ACWA
assessment must be assessed as
described in paragraph 3.II.C.1.
(2) Students may be appointed to
temporary or flexible length and
renewable student term positions.
a. Temporary Appointment.
Temporary appointments are typically
used for short-term use (e.g., summer
employment), however, temporary
appointments may be made for up to
one year and may be extended provided
the criteria for the student appointment
continues to be met.
b. Flexible Length and Renewable
Student Term Appointment. The
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flexible length and renewable student
term appointment authorized in 82 FR
29280 will be utilized for PAACTSEP
students appointed for a period of at
least one year but not more than six
years. The appointment may be
extended in up to six-year increments,
and for the purposes of the PAACTSEP
will expire 120 days after completion of
the designated certificate program or
academic course of study, unless the
human resources office has been
notified of the STRL’s plan to
noncompetitively convert the student to
a new term or permanent position or to
terminate the student. The eligibility
criteria for the student appointment
must continue to be met for the duration
of the appointment. The duration of a
PAACTSEP flexible length and
renewable student term appointment is
considered a trial period.
(3) Promotion. Students may be
promoted while serving on the flexible
length and renewable student term
appointment to a higher grade/pay band
level provided the student meets the
program and qualification requirements
for the position. Students may not be
promoted while serving on a temporary
appointment but may be converted to a
new appointment at a higher grade/pay
band level provided the student meets
the qualification requirements for the
higher grade/pay band position.
Promotion requirements will be
published in STRL IOPs.
(4) Qualified candidates may be
appointed to STRL PAACTSEP
positions without regard to the
provisions of subchapter I of 5 U.S.C.
chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and
3328). The provisions of the career
transition assistance programs in
subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR part 330
do not apply.
(5) When documenting personnel
actions for PAACTSEP students, cite the
first LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10
U.S.C. 4121 if appointing to pay band
positions. Also cite LAC/legal authority
Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL–
PAACTSEP Students). If appointing to
General Schedule, cite the first LAC/
legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL–PAACTSEP Students).
(b) Noncompetitive Conversion to
Non-Student Appointment. PAACTSEP
students on temporary or flexible length
and renewable student term
appointments may be noncompetitively
converted to a term or permanent
appointment upon program certification
or graduation from the applicable
institution of higher learning, provided
the student meets all eligibility criteria
and OPM qualification requirements for
the position.
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(1) The conversion request must be
submitted to the human resources office
within 120 days of completion of all
degree requirements, but before the
time-limited appointment expires.
(2) The provisions of the career
transition assistance programs in
subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR part 330
do not apply to the noncompetitive
conversions.
(3) When documenting personnel
actions for noncompetitive conversions
of PAACTSEP students to permanent or
term appointments cite the first legal
authority code (LAC)/legal authority as
Z2U/10 U.S.C. 4121, if to a pay banded
position. The second LAC/legal
authority will be Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL–PAACTSEP Conv). If to General
Schedule, cite the first LAC/legal
authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL–PAACTSEP Conv).
(c) Recent graduates. Recent graduates
may be appointed directly to the pay
band level or grade and occupational
series for which they qualify.
(1) Recent graduate appointments may
be made on a temporary, term, or
permanent basis.
(2) Qualified candidates may be
appointed to STRL competitive service
positions without regard to the
provisions of subchapter I of 5 U.S.C.
chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and
3328). The provisions of the career
transition assistance programs in
subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR part 330
do not apply.
(3) To be eligible, applicants must
apply within two years of degree or
certification (except for veterans
precluded from doing so due to their
military service obligation, who have up
to two years after release from military
service, to apply).
(4) When documenting personnel
actions for recent graduates, cite the first
LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C.
4121 if appointing to pay band
positions. The second LAC/legal
authority will be Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL Recent Graduate). If to General
Schedule, cite the first LAC/legal
authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL Recent Graduate).
3. Classification/Pay Bands/Career
Tracks. STRLs will use their existing
pay band/career track level(s) to
accommodate students hired under the
PAACTSEP authority. Specific details
regarding student classification pay
band/career track level(s) will be
included in STRL IOPs.
4. Probationary Period. PAACTSEP
students converted to permanent,
competitive service positions in a
similar line of work without a break in
service, may have time spent in the
student program credited toward
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probationary period completion in
accordance with 5 CFR 315.802, or an
approved STRL Lab Demo extended
probationary period requirement. STRL
recent graduates will serve a
probationary period in accordance with
5 CFR 315.802, or an approved STRL
Lab Demo extended probationary
period.
5. Career Tenure. Time spent under
flexible length and renewable student
term appointments counts toward career
tenure. Time spent under a temporary
appointment is not counted toward
career tenure unless the student was
converted from a temporary
appointment to a flexible length and
renewable student term appointment
without a break in service of three days
and was subsequently converted to a
permanent position.
6. Recruitment and Pay Flexibilities.
(a) Tuition Assistance.
(1) Students may be eligible for
tuition assistance. At the STRL
Director’s discretion, a student may be
required to sign a written service
agreement to continue in service for a
period of up to three times the length of
the time spent in training prior to
accepting tuition assistance. The
requirement for the length of the service
obligation will be included in STRL
IOPs.
(2) A student who is eligible to
continue employment for the duration
of the obligated service and who does
not fulfill the service obligation may be
required to provide repayment pursuant
to 5 CFR 410.309(c).
(3) Expenses of training. PAACTSEP
students may be paid travel expenses in
the form of a student bonus or
relocation incentive when the worksite
is in a different geographic location than
that of the student’s academic
institution. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
4109(a)(2), these expenses are
considered training expenses and may
be paid each time the student returns to
duty to the STRL. Procedures for paying
these expenses shall be documented in
STRL IOPs.
(b) Pay Flexibilities.
(1) STRLs may use any applicable pay
flexibility (e.g., recruitment, relocation,
and retention incentives under 5 CFR
part 575; student loan repayments under
5 CFR part 537 and 82 FR 78829;
superior qualifications and special
needs pay setting authority; maximum
payable rate rule under 5 CFR part 531,
subpart B; or demonstration project pay
and bonus flexibilities). Procedures for
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paying these flexibilities shall be
documented in STRL IOPs.
(2) Relocation Expenses. PAACTSEP
students may receive a relocation
incentive under 5 CFR part 575 to help
with relocation expenses. The authority
to pay relocation expenses is expanded
to allow an STRL to pay a relocation
incentive each time the student returns
to duty at the laboratory. This authority
applies to all PAACTSEP student
positions in the STRLs and provides the
ability to expand recruitment to top
universities and incentivize mobility by
paying additional expenses to students
who accept employment outside of their
geographic area. A relocation incentive
may be paid when the worksite is in a
different geographic location than that
of the student’s college and is intended
to cover some or all the student’s living
expenses while working in the STRL.
Procedures for paying these incentives
shall be documented in STRL IOPs.
(3) Student bonus. A student bonus
may be used to compensate PAACTSEP
students without the requirement for a
continuing service agreement as
determined by the STRL. PAACTSEP
students may be granted a student
bonus for expenses related to
PAACTSEP participation to include, but
not limited to, travel expenses when the
worksite is in a different geographic
location than that of the student’s
academic institution. The student bonus
is not part of basic pay. STRLs may pay
the student bonus each time the student
returns to duty at the laboratory. The
use of this bonus will help to improve
the STRLs competitiveness with private
industry in recruiting and retaining high
caliber students.
D. Personnel Considerations
1. Work Schedules. STRLs may
impose limitations on the number of
hours a PAACTSEP student can work
per week that are more restrictive than
applicable laws and regulations
governing overtime and hours of work.
Supervisors and students should agree
on a work schedule that does not
interfere with the academic schedule
and that supports timely completion of
the educational program.
2. Break in Program. STRL directors
may authorize PAACTSEP participation
by students who are not attending
classes at a qualifying educational
institution or certificate program for a
period of 120 days. The approval
authority and criteria will be described
in STRL IOPs.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
3. Service Agreement. STRL IOPs will
describe any service agreement
requirement for students and recent
graduates hired under this authority.
4. Training and Development. STRL
IOPs will describe the training and
development of students and recent
graduates hired under this authority.
5. Performance evaluation. STRL IOPs
will describe performance requirements
and performance evaluations for
students and recent graduates hired
under this authority.
6. Extension/Termination of
appointment. Temporary appointments
expire upon the not-to-exceed date,
unless extended. Flexible length and
renewable student term appointments
for PAACTSEP students will not exceed
six year increments but will expire 120
days after completion of the designated
academic course of study, unless the
human resources office has been
notified that the student will be
noncompetitively converted to a
permanent or term position as described
in paragraph 3.II.C.2. Flexible length
and renewable student term
appointments may be extended if the
individual continues to meet the
definition of a ‘‘student’’ (i.e., enrolled
in a qualifying academic program) as
identified in Section 3.II.B.3 and meet
any academic requirements specified by
the employing STRL. Students may be
terminated for reasons including, but
not limited to, mission requirements/
budget constraints, misconduct, poor
performance (including academic), or
suitability.
In cases where the STRL Director does
not plan to convert the student to a
permanent or term appointment, the
PAACTSEP appointment may be
terminated less than 120 days after
completion of the designated academic
course of study, subject to any
applicable requirements of 5 U.S.C.
chapter 75.
E. Evaluation
Procedures for evaluating this
authority will be incorporated into the
STRL demonstration project evaluation
processes conducted by the STRLs,
OUSD(R&E), or military department
headquarters, as appropriate.
F. Reports
STRLs will track and provide
information and data on the use of this
authority when requested by the
military department headquarters or
OUSD(R&E).
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / Notices
10879
APPENDIX A—WAIVERS TO TITLE 5, U.S.C. AND TITLE 5 CFR
Title 5, United States Code
Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations
Subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 U.S.C. (other than sections 3303
and 3328).
5 U.S.C. 4108 (a)–(c)—Employee Agreements; Service after Training.
Waived to allow: (1) the STRLs to determine if a service agreement
is required and if so, to determine the period of required service for
students employed under the Demo; (2) the Commanding Officer or
the Laboratory STRL Director to waive in whole or in part a right of
recovery; and (3) allow students to sign a service agreement up to
three times the length of the training.
5 U.S.C. 5753—Recruitment and relocation bonuses. Waived to the extent necessary to allow those STRL scientific and engineering employees and positions to be treated as employees and positions
under the General Schedule and to allow relocation incentives to be
paid to PAACTSEP students whose worksite is in a different geographic location than that of the college in which enrolled each time
they return to duty.
5 CFR 300–330, other than Subpart G of 300. Waived to the extent
necessary to allow provisions of the direct hire authorities as described in this FRN.
5 CFR part 316, subparts C–D—Waived to the extent necessary to
allow provisions of the direct hire authorities as described in this
FRN.
5 CFR 410.309—Waived to allow: (1) the STRLs to determine if a
service agreement is required and if so, the period of required service for students employed under the demo; (2) the Commanding Officer or the STRL Director to waive in whole or in part a right of recovery; and (3) students to sign a service agreement up to three times
the length of the training. 5 CFR part 575, subparts A and B—Recruitment and Relocation Incentives. Waived to the extent necessary
to allow employees hired and positions under the PAACTSEP program to be treated as employees and positions under the General
Schedule and to allow relocation incentives to be paid to PAACTSEP
students whose worksite is in a different geographic location than
that of the college in which enrolled each time they return to duty.
APPENDIX B—AUTHORIZED STRLS AND FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES
STRL
Federal Register Notice
Air Force Research Laboratory ................................................................
Joint Warfare Analysis Center ..................................................................
Army Futures Command ..........................................................................
Army Research Institute for Behavioral and Social Sciences .................
Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center ..........
Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory.
Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center.
Command, Control, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems
Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center .................
Engineer Research and Development Center .........................................
Medical Research and Development Command .....................................
Technical Center, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command ......
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare Centers ......................................
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and Expeditionary
Warfare Center.
Naval Information Warfare Centers, Atlantic and Pacific .........................
Naval Medical Research Center ..............................................................
Naval Research Laboratory ......................................................................
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers ....................................
Office of Naval Research .........................................................................
Appendix C
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Qualification Standards for STRL
PAACTSEP Student Trainee Positions
The following table shows the amount
of education required to qualify for
appointments for PAACTSEP student
positions covered by this FRN. Note:
Equivalent combinations of education
and experience are qualifying for all
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19:42 Feb 21, 2023
Jkt 259001
61 FR 60400, as amended by 75 FR 53076.
85 FR 29414.
Not yet published.
85 FR 76038.
76 FR 3744.
63 FR 10680.
62 FR 34906 and 62 FR 34876, as amended by 65 FR 53142
(AVRDEC and AMRDEC merged together).
74 FR 68936.
66 FR 54872.
76 FR 12508.
74
63
63
85
76
86
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
FR
68448.
14580, as amended by 65 FR 32135.
10440.
3339.
8530.
14084.
76 FR 1924.
Not yet published.
64 FR 33970.
62 FR 64050.
75 FR 77380.
positions for which both education and
experience are acceptable. Enrollment
in an accredited academic institution is
required. An academic year of
undergraduate education is defined as
30 semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or
the equivalent in an accredited college
or university, or approximately 36
weeks for at least 20 classroom hours
per week in an accredited business,
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
technical, or secretarial school. See the
‘‘General Policies and Instructions’’ for
the Qualification Standards Operating
Manual for the definition of a full year
of graduate education.
Requirements for STRL students in
the Professional, Administrative,
Assistant, Clerical, and Technician
Student Employment Program):
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10880
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / Notices
Grade level or pay band equivalent
Level of education
GS–01 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
Enrollment in a high school diploma or General Education Diploma
(GED) program.
Completion of high school or GED diploma.
Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study.
Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate’s degree.
Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school study leading to a
bachelor’s or equivalent degree.
Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and
completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree.
For research positions, completion of all requirements for a master’s or
equivalent graduate degree. For non-research positions, completion
of all requirements for a PhD or equivalent degree.
GS–02 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–03 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–04 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–05 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–07 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–09 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
GS–11 or Pay Band Equivalent ...............................................................
Appointments may be at the highest
grade or pay band for which the
participant is qualified. One full
academic year of undergraduate;
graduate; technical or high school
education is the number of credit hours
determined by the college, university or
school to represent one year of full-time
study. The high school curriculum must
be approved by a State or local
governing body. All education beyond
the high school level must be accredited
by an accrediting body or organization
recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education.
Special Provisions/or Students With
Previous Related Education or
Experience
Previous education and/or experience
may be evaluated to determine the
highest grade Level or pay band for
which the student is qualified.
Dated: February 15, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023–03601 Filed 2–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Notice of Intent To Prepare a General
Reevaluation Report/Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk
Management Study, Honolulu, HI
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and pursuant
to the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:42 Feb 21, 2023
Jkt 259001
Chapter 343 (Hawaii Environmental
Policy Act (HEPA)), the Pittsburgh
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) is preparing a draft General
Reevaluation Report/Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (GRR/
SEIS) to evaluate the opportunities to
reduce the risk to life, safety and
economic damages from flooding
throughout the Ala Wai Watershed in
Oahu, Hawaii. The Ala Wai Canal Flood
Risk Management Study was authorized
under Section 209 of the Flood Control
Act of 1962. The study was completed
in 2017 and resulted in a
recommendation that was subsequently
authorized for construction under
Section 1401 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2018 (Authorized
Project). The purpose of the GRR/SEIS
is to reevaluate the Authorized Project
and either confirm the Authorized
Project or make a new recommendation
that will include modifications to the
Authorized Project. The non-Federal
sponsor for this study is the City and
County of Honolulu.
DATES: To ensure consideration, all
comments concerning the scope of the
GRR/SEIS, potential alternatives, and
identification of relevant information
and studies must be received by March
24, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the GRR/SEIS by any of the
following methods:
• Website: https://www.honolulu.gov/
alawai/contact.html.
• Email: alawai@honolulu.gov.
• Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Honolulu District, 230 Otake St. (Attn:
POH–PPC, Ala Wai), Fort Shafter, HI
96858–5440.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information about this project,
please visit https://www.honolulu.gov/
alawai. You may also contact Shawna
Herleth-King at 312–846–5407 or by
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
email at: shawna.s.herleth-king@
usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background: The Corps-Honolulu
District received the authority to
conduct the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk
Management Study under Section 209
of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Public
Law 84–874). The feasibility study’s
recommended plan consisted of six instream debris and detention basins of
varying height in the upper reaches of
the watershed, one standalone debris
catchment structure, three multipurpose detention basins, floodwalls
along the Ala Wai Canal averaging four
feet in height and an earthen levee at the
perimeter of an adjacent golf course
averaging seven feet in height, two
pump stations to reduce the threat of
interior flooding, and a flood warning
system. The feasibility study
determined the technical, economic,
environmental, and social feasibility of
the recommended plan to reduce flood
risk within the Ala Wai Canal watershed
of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Section 1401 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2018 (Public Law
115–270) authorized construction of the
Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management
Project, as described in the Chief’s
Report, (https://
www.poh.usace.army.mil/Portals/10/
docs/Civil%20Works%20Sponsor
%20Letters/Tab%201%20Chiefs
%20Report%20Ala%20Wai%20Chiefs
%20Report%20SIGNED%20(003).pdf?
ver=2018-09-14-171850-833), dated
December 21, 2017, and the Ala Wai
Canal Flood Risk Management Study,
Oahu, Hawaii, Feasibility Study with
Integrated Environmental Impact
Statement, dated May 2017. The
Federal Register notice (82 FR 24325,
May 26, 2017) for the EIS being
supplemented is available at https://
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-201705-26/pdf/2017-10719.pdf. The record
E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10874-10880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03601]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Department of Defense Science and Technology Reinvention
Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project Program
AGENCY: The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
(USD(R&E)), Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: This notice provides new student and recent graduate direct
hire authority to all Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories
(STRL) with published Personnel Demonstration (Demo) Project plans.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: STRLs may implement a direct hire authority for students and
recent graduates for occupations which do not require expertise in
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The
Professional, Administrative, Assistant, Clerical and Technician
Student Employment Program (PAACTSEP) is a student program which
permits appointment and noncompetitive conversion to the competitive
service for qualified candidates who are enrolled in a qualifying
educational institution.
DATES: Implementation of this Federal Register Notice (FRN) will begin
no earlier than February 22, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[[Page 10875]]
Department of Defense:
Office of Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering),
Defense Research Operations: Dr. James ``Ben'' Petro, 571-372-6435,
[email protected].
Department of the Air Force:
Air Force Research Laboratory: Ms. Rosalyn Jones-Byrd,
937-656-9747, [email protected].
Joint Warfare Analysis Center: Ms. Amy Balmaz, 540-653-
8598, [email protected].
Department of the Army:
Army Futures Command: Ms. Marlow Richmond, 830-469-2057,
[email protected].
Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social
Sciences: Dr. Scott Shadrick, 254-288-3800,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center:
Mr. Mike Nicotra, 973-724-7764, [email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research
Laboratory: Mr. Christopher Tahaney, 410-278-9069,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and
Missile Center: Ms. Nancy Salmon, 256-876-9647,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical
Biological Center: Ms. Patricia Milwicz, 410-417-2343,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center: Ms. Angela Clybourn, 443-395-2110,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle
Systems Center: Ms. Jennifer Davis, 586-306-4166,
[email protected].
Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center:
Ms. Sandra Rosenau, 508-206-3421, [email protected].
Engineer Research and Development Center: Ms. Patricia
Sullivan, 601-634-3065, [email protected].
Medical Research and Development Command: Ms. Linda Krout,
301-619-7276, [email protected].
Technical Center, Space and Missile Defense Command: Dr.
Chad Marshall, 256-955-5697, [email protected].
Department of the Navy:
Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and Aircraft
Division: Mr. Richard Cracraft, 760-939-8115,
[email protected].
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center: Ms. Lori Leigh, 805-901-5917,
[email protected].
Naval Information Warfare Centers:
[cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic: Mr. Michael
Gagnon, 843-218-3871, [email protected].
[cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson,
619-553-0833, [email protected].
Naval Medical Research Center: Dr. Jill Phan, 301-319-
7645, [email protected].
Naval Research Laboratory: Ms. Ginger Kisamore, 202-767-
3792, [email protected].
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers: Ms. Diane
Brown, 215-897-1619, [email protected].
Office of Naval Research: Ms. Margaret J. Mitchell, 703-
588-2364, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: STRLs may appoint students to flexible
length and renewable student terms or temporary appointments and may
appoint recent graduates to temporary, term, or permanent appointments
without regard to subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 United States
Code (U.S.C.) (other than sections 3303 and 3328). This direct hire
authority is similar to the student direct hire authority in 10 U.S.C.
4091, as implemented in the STEM Student Employment Program (SSEP)
published in 82 FR 29280, except it is for students seeking employment
in professional, administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician
positions.
1. Background
As authorized by 10 U.S.C. 4121, the Secretary of Defense, through
the USD(R&E), may conduct personnel demonstration projects at DoD
laboratories designated as STRLs. STRLs implementing this flexibility
must have an approved personnel management demonstration project plan
published in a FRN and must fulfill any collective bargaining
obligations. Each STRL will establish internal operating procedures
(IOPs) as appropriate.
The 21 current STRLs are:
Air Force Research Laboratory
Joint Warfare Analysis Center
Army Futures Command
Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research
Laboratory
Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center
Engineer Research and Development Center
Medical Research and Development Command
Technical Center, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare Centers
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center
Naval Information Warfare Centers, Atlantic and Pacific
Naval Medical Research Center
Naval Research Laboratory
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers
Office of Naval Research
2. Summary of Comments
On October 17, 2022, the DoD published a notice (87 FR 62795-62800)
concerning this new flexibility, for a 30-day public comment period.
The public comment period ended on November 16, 2022. Comments were
received from two commenters posing questions related to the conversion
of program participants to General Schedule (GS) positions, promotion
eligibility of program participants, and the terms used to describe the
appointments available to program participants. Specifically, one
commenter inquired how pay will be set for a PAACTSEP program
participant who later converts from a pay band position to a GS
position. In response, the Department notes that conversion procedures
for personnel participating in an STRL Demo project are specific to
each STRL and are published in the STRL's Demo project plan. Another
commenter recommended the following: providing criteria to determine
whether experience is equivalent to education; providing criteria for
promotion eligibility; and making the Flexible Length and Renewable
Student Term appointment indefinite, consistent with the appointment
created in 82 FR 29280. In response, the Department notes that the
procedures for setting qualification and promotion eligibility
[[Page 10876]]
criteria are specific to STRL Demo project plans which use varying
broadband and other classification schedules. As indicated in this
notice, detailed program implementing procedures will be provided in
individual STRL IOPs. In addition, the Department notes that, in a
minor modification to 82 FR 29280 adopted in April 2020, the Department
no longer makes indefinite appointments for the SSEP. Rather,
consistent with the language in this PAACTSEP notice, SSEP appointments
may not exceed a period of six years, may be renewed, and will not
continue longer than 120 days after completion of the designated
academic course of study unless the human resources office has received
a Request for Personnel Action (SF-52) for noncompetitive conversion to
a temporary, term or permanent position.
3. Overview
I. Introduction
A. Purpose
In addition to leveraging existing student and recent graduate
hiring flexibilities to pursue scientific and engineering (S&E) talent,
STRLs may implement additional flexibilities to recruit for other
occupations, to include professional, administrative, and technical
occupations, in order to support, maintain and advance each STRL's
technologies and mission.
The purpose of this direct-hire authority is to create a
streamlined and accelerated hiring and appointment process to access a
pipeline of high-quality students and recent graduates and successfully
compete with private industry when filling STRL professional,
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions.
To effectively implement PAACTSEP this FRN:
1. Establishes a student program which aligns students appointed
under this authority to a pay band or grade commensurate with education
and experience.
2. Applies the flexible length and renewable student term
appointment authority in 82 FR 29280 for SSEP students to PAACTSEP
students appointed for a period of at least one year. This flexible
length and renewable student term appointment may be for a period of
more than one year but not more than six years and may be extended in
up to six-year increments. This authority provides a mechanism for
students appointed under PAACTSEP to remain on a term appointment until
completion of their educational program.
3. Establishes a temporary appointment authority for PAACTSEP
students or recent graduates appointed for less than one year.
4. Establishes a student bonus authority designed to improve
competitiveness with private industry in recruiting and retaining high
caliber students. The bonus may be used to compensate PAACTSEP students
for expenses related to program participation, to include, but not
limited to, travel expenses when the worksite is in a different
geographic location than that of the student's academic institution.
STRLs also have authority to pay relocation expenses each time the
student returns to duty at the laboratory.
B. Required Waivers to Law and Regulation
Waivers and adaptations of certain title 5 U.S.C. and 5 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) provisions are required only to the extent
that these statutory and regulatory provisions limit or are
inconsistent with the actions authorized under these demonstration
projects. Nothing in this plan is intended to preclude the STRLs from
adopting or incorporating any law or regulation enacted, adopted, or
amended after the effective date of this notice.
C. Expected Benefits
This direct-hire authority and student program is expected to
streamline the hiring of high-quality students to enable the STRLs to
compete with private industry in recruiting and retaining recent
graduates. This program covers students enrolled in qualifying
educational institutions and certificate programs, as those terms are
defined in 5 CFR 362.102. This competitive service direct-hire and
noncompetitive conversion authority enhances the ability of STRLs to
compete with private industry by improving recruiting efforts,
providing clear career paths, and offering career progression
opportunities for a large and diverse population of students and recent
graduates who may not otherwise consider joining the STRL workforce.
D. Participating Organizations and Employees
All DoD laboratories designated as STRLs pursuant to 10 U.S.C.
4121, with approved personnel demonstration project plans published in
FRNs may use the provisions described in this FRN after the fulfillment
of any collective bargaining obligations.
II. Personnel System Changes
A. Authority
STRLs may use the direct-hire authority to appoint students
enrolled in qualifying educational institutions and certificate
programs, as those terms are defined in 5 CFR 362.102. During each
calendar year, each STRL may use this authority to appoint no more than
25 percent of the total number of non-STEM professional,
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions within
the STRL that are filled at the close of the previous fiscal year.
STRLs may appoint students to temporary or flexible length and
renewable student term appointments in the competitive service and may
appoint recent graduates to temporary, term, or permanent appointments
in the competitive service. STRLs may provide eligible students
noncompetitive conversion to term or permanent positions upon
satisfaction of the graduation or certification requirements of the
secondary or post-secondary educational institution and qualification
requirements established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
for the position.
B. Definitions
1. STRL PAACTSEP positions are those non-STEM professional,
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions described
in STRL IOPs, to include General Schedule positions.
2. As provided in 5 CFR 362.102, the following secondary and post-
secondary educational institutions are a ``qualifying educational
institution'':
(a) A public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a
State or local governing body, a private school that provides secondary
education as determined under State law, or a homeschool that is
allowed to operate in a State; and
(b) Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that
have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary
of the U.S. Department of Education:
(i) A technical or vocational school;
(ii) A 2-year or 4-year college or university;
(iii) A graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical
school); or
(iv) A post-secondary homeschool curriculum.
3. Qualified candidates are defined as:
(a) Students who are enrolled in a qualifying educational
institution or a certificate program as defined by 5 CFR 362.102. The
qualifications in Appendix C will apply to PAACTSEP appointments.
Appointments may be at
[[Page 10877]]
the highest grade or pay band for which the participant is qualified.
Promotion requirements will be published in STRL IOPs.
(b) Recent graduates are those individuals who have completed the
graduation requirements of a qualifying educational institution or the
certification requirements of a certificate program as defined in 5 CFR
362.102.
4. ``Employee'' is defined by 5 U.S.C. 2105.
C. Provisions
1. Announcement and Assessment Process. Public notice is not
required; however, if posting job opportunity announcements or
advertisements, STRLs will ensure announcements and advertisements are
concise and easily understood. If STRLs choose to advertise, the STRL
IOPs will contain procedures for advertising positions pursuant to this
authority in a manner that is most likely to provide diverse and
qualified candidates and ensure potential applicants have appropriate
information relevant to the positions available. Procedures must be
consistent with merit system principles. Candidates will be assessed
against job-related criteria, ensuring that applicants have the skills
and behavioral attributes that lead to success in the position.
Selectees for entry level positions requiring the Administrative
Careers With America (ACWA) assessment must be assessed using the most
recent, streamlined ACWA examination or a validated alternative
assessment instrument (e.g., select USA HIRE assessments).
2. Appointments and Conversions.
(a) Students.
(1) Students may be initially appointed to pay banded or one- or
two-grade interval positions for which they qualify in order to prepare
them for conversion to the target position in a related pay band level
or grade and occupational series upon completion of their academic
degree or certificate program. Students being converted to positions
requiring the ACWA assessment must be assessed as described in
paragraph 3.II.C.1.
(2) Students may be appointed to temporary or flexible length and
renewable student term positions.
a. Temporary Appointment. Temporary appointments are typically used
for short-term use (e.g., summer employment), however, temporary
appointments may be made for up to one year and may be extended
provided the criteria for the student appointment continues to be met.
b. Flexible Length and Renewable Student Term Appointment. The
flexible length and renewable student term appointment authorized in 82
FR 29280 will be utilized for PAACTSEP students appointed for a period
of at least one year but not more than six years. The appointment may
be extended in up to six-year increments, and for the purposes of the
PAACTSEP will expire 120 days after completion of the designated
certificate program or academic course of study, unless the human
resources office has been notified of the STRL's plan to
noncompetitively convert the student to a new term or permanent
position or to terminate the student. The eligibility criteria for the
student appointment must continue to be met for the duration of the
appointment. The duration of a PAACTSEP flexible length and renewable
student term appointment is considered a trial period.
(3) Promotion. Students may be promoted while serving on the
flexible length and renewable student term appointment to a higher
grade/pay band level provided the student meets the program and
qualification requirements for the position. Students may not be
promoted while serving on a temporary appointment but may be converted
to a new appointment at a higher grade/pay band level provided the
student meets the qualification requirements for the higher grade/pay
band position. Promotion requirements will be published in STRL IOPs.
(4) Qualified candidates may be appointed to STRL PAACTSEP
positions without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of 5 U.S.C.
chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328). The provisions of the
career transition assistance programs in subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR
part 330 do not apply.
(5) When documenting personnel actions for PAACTSEP students, cite
the first LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C. 4121 if appointing to
pay band positions. Also cite LAC/legal authority Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth
(STRL-PAACTSEP Students). If appointing to General Schedule, cite the
first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-PAACTSEP
Students).
(b) Noncompetitive Conversion to Non-Student Appointment. PAACTSEP
students on temporary or flexible length and renewable student term
appointments may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent
appointment upon program certification or graduation from the
applicable institution of higher learning, provided the student meets
all eligibility criteria and OPM qualification requirements for the
position.
(1) The conversion request must be submitted to the human resources
office within 120 days of completion of all degree requirements, but
before the time-limited appointment expires.
(2) The provisions of the career transition assistance programs in
subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR part 330 do not apply to the
noncompetitive conversions.
(3) When documenting personnel actions for noncompetitive
conversions of PAACTSEP students to permanent or term appointments cite
the first legal authority code (LAC)/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C.
4121, if to a pay banded position. The second LAC/legal authority will
be Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-PAACTSEP Conv). If to General Schedule,
cite the first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-
PAACTSEP Conv).
(c) Recent graduates. Recent graduates may be appointed directly to
the pay band level or grade and occupational series for which they
qualify.
(1) Recent graduate appointments may be made on a temporary, term,
or permanent basis.
(2) Qualified candidates may be appointed to STRL competitive
service positions without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of 5
U.S.C. chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328). The provisions
of the career transition assistance programs in subparts B, F, and G of
5 CFR part 330 do not apply.
(3) To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of
degree or certification (except for veterans precluded from doing so
due to their military service obligation, who have up to two years
after release from military service, to apply).
(4) When documenting personnel actions for recent graduates, cite
the first LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C. 4121 if appointing to
pay band positions. The second LAC/legal authority will be Z5C/Direct-
Hire Auth (STRL Recent Graduate). If to General Schedule, cite the
first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL Recent
Graduate).
3. Classification/Pay Bands/Career Tracks. STRLs will use their
existing pay band/career track level(s) to accommodate students hired
under the PAACTSEP authority. Specific details regarding student
classification pay band/career track level(s) will be included in STRL
IOPs.
4. Probationary Period. PAACTSEP students converted to permanent,
competitive service positions in a similar line of work without a break
in service, may have time spent in the student program credited toward
[[Page 10878]]
probationary period completion in accordance with 5 CFR 315.802, or an
approved STRL Lab Demo extended probationary period requirement. STRL
recent graduates will serve a probationary period in accordance with 5
CFR 315.802, or an approved STRL Lab Demo extended probationary period.
5. Career Tenure. Time spent under flexible length and renewable
student term appointments counts toward career tenure. Time spent under
a temporary appointment is not counted toward career tenure unless the
student was converted from a temporary appointment to a flexible length
and renewable student term appointment without a break in service of
three days and was subsequently converted to a permanent position.
6. Recruitment and Pay Flexibilities.
(a) Tuition Assistance.
(1) Students may be eligible for tuition assistance. At the STRL
Director's discretion, a student may be required to sign a written
service agreement to continue in service for a period of up to three
times the length of the time spent in training prior to accepting
tuition assistance. The requirement for the length of the service
obligation will be included in STRL IOPs.
(2) A student who is eligible to continue employment for the
duration of the obligated service and who does not fulfill the service
obligation may be required to provide repayment pursuant to 5 CFR
410.309(c).
(3) Expenses of training. PAACTSEP students may be paid travel
expenses in the form of a student bonus or relocation incentive when
the worksite is in a different geographic location than that of the
student's academic institution. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4109(a)(2), these
expenses are considered training expenses and may be paid each time the
student returns to duty to the STRL. Procedures for paying these
expenses shall be documented in STRL IOPs.
(b) Pay Flexibilities.
(1) STRLs may use any applicable pay flexibility (e.g.,
recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives under 5 CFR part 575;
student loan repayments under 5 CFR part 537 and 82 FR 78829; superior
qualifications and special needs pay setting authority; maximum payable
rate rule under 5 CFR part 531, subpart B; or demonstration project pay
and bonus flexibilities). Procedures for paying these flexibilities
shall be documented in STRL IOPs.
(2) Relocation Expenses. PAACTSEP students may receive a relocation
incentive under 5 CFR part 575 to help with relocation expenses. The
authority to pay relocation expenses is expanded to allow an STRL to
pay a relocation incentive each time the student returns to duty at the
laboratory. This authority applies to all PAACTSEP student positions in
the STRLs and provides the ability to expand recruitment to top
universities and incentivize mobility by paying additional expenses to
students who accept employment outside of their geographic area. A
relocation incentive may be paid when the worksite is in a different
geographic location than that of the student's college and is intended
to cover some or all the student's living expenses while working in the
STRL. Procedures for paying these incentives shall be documented in
STRL IOPs.
(3) Student bonus. A student bonus may be used to compensate
PAACTSEP students without the requirement for a continuing service
agreement as determined by the STRL. PAACTSEP students may be granted a
student bonus for expenses related to PAACTSEP participation to
include, but not limited to, travel expenses when the worksite is in a
different geographic location than that of the student's academic
institution. The student bonus is not part of basic pay. STRLs may pay
the student bonus each time the student returns to duty at the
laboratory. The use of this bonus will help to improve the STRLs
competitiveness with private industry in recruiting and retaining high
caliber students.
D. Personnel Considerations
1. Work Schedules. STRLs may impose limitations on the number of
hours a PAACTSEP student can work per week that are more restrictive
than applicable laws and regulations governing overtime and hours of
work. Supervisors and students should agree on a work schedule that
does not interfere with the academic schedule and that supports timely
completion of the educational program.
2. Break in Program. STRL directors may authorize PAACTSEP
participation by students who are not attending classes at a qualifying
educational institution or certificate program for a period of 120
days. The approval authority and criteria will be described in STRL
IOPs.
3. Service Agreement. STRL IOPs will describe any service agreement
requirement for students and recent graduates hired under this
authority.
4. Training and Development. STRL IOPs will describe the training
and development of students and recent graduates hired under this
authority.
5. Performance evaluation. STRL IOPs will describe performance
requirements and performance evaluations for students and recent
graduates hired under this authority.
6. Extension/Termination of appointment. Temporary appointments
expire upon the not-to-exceed date, unless extended. Flexible length
and renewable student term appointments for PAACTSEP students will not
exceed six year increments but will expire 120 days after completion of
the designated academic course of study, unless the human resources
office has been notified that the student will be noncompetitively
converted to a permanent or term position as described in paragraph
3.II.C.2. Flexible length and renewable student term appointments may
be extended if the individual continues to meet the definition of a
``student'' (i.e., enrolled in a qualifying academic program) as
identified in Section 3.II.B.3 and meet any academic requirements
specified by the employing STRL. Students may be terminated for reasons
including, but not limited to, mission requirements/budget constraints,
misconduct, poor performance (including academic), or suitability.
In cases where the STRL Director does not plan to convert the
student to a permanent or term appointment, the PAACTSEP appointment
may be terminated less than 120 days after completion of the designated
academic course of study, subject to any applicable requirements of 5
U.S.C. chapter 75.
E. Evaluation
Procedures for evaluating this authority will be incorporated into
the STRL demonstration project evaluation processes conducted by the
STRLs, OUSD(R&E), or military department headquarters, as appropriate.
F. Reports
STRLs will track and provide information and data on the use of
this authority when requested by the military department headquarters
or OUSD(R&E).
[[Page 10879]]
Appendix A--Waivers to Title 5, U.S.C. and Title 5 CFR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title 5, Code of Federal
Title 5, United States Code Regulations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 5 CFR 300-330, other than
U.S.C. (other than sections 3303 and Subpart G of 300. Waived to
3328). the extent necessary to allow
provisions of the direct hire
authorities as described in
this FRN.
5 U.S.C. 4108 (a)-(c)--Employee 5 CFR part 316, subparts C-D--
Agreements; Service after Training. Waived to the extent necessary
Waived to allow: (1) the STRLs to to allow provisions of the
determine if a service agreement is direct hire authorities as
required and if so, to determine the described in this FRN.
period of required service for
students employed under the Demo; (2)
the Commanding Officer or the
Laboratory STRL Director to waive in
whole or in part a right of recovery;
and (3) allow students to sign a
service agreement up to three times
the length of the training.
5 U.S.C. 5753--Recruitment and 5 CFR 410.309--Waived to allow:
relocation bonuses. Waived to the (1) the STRLs to determine if
extent necessary to allow those STRL a service agreement is
scientific and engineering employees required and if so, the period
and positions to be treated as of required service for
employees and positions under the students employed under the
General Schedule and to allow demo; (2) the Commanding
relocation incentives to be paid to Officer or the STRL Director
PAACTSEP students whose worksite is in to waive in whole or in part a
a different geographic location than right of recovery; and (3)
that of the college in which enrolled students to sign a service
each time they return to duty. agreement up to three times
the length of the training. 5
CFR part 575, subparts A and
B--Recruitment and Relocation
Incentives. Waived to the
extent necessary to allow
employees hired and positions
under the PAACTSEP program to
be treated as employees and
positions under the General
Schedule and to allow
relocation incentives to be
paid to PAACTSEP students
whose worksite is in a
different geographic location
than that of the college in
which enrolled each time they
return to duty.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix B--Authorized STRLs and Federal Register Notices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRL Federal Register Notice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Research Laboratory.......... 61 FR 60400, as amended by 75
FR 53076.
Joint Warfare Analysis Center.......... 85 FR 29414.
Army Futures Command................... Not yet published.
Army Research Institute for Behavioral 85 FR 76038.
and Social Sciences.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 76 FR 3744.
Armaments Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 63 FR 10680.
Army Research Laboratory.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 62 FR 34906 and 62 FR 34876, as
Aviation and Missile Center. amended by 65 FR 53142 (AVRDEC
and AMRDEC merged together).
Combat Capabilities Development Command 74 FR 68936.
Chemical Biological Center.
Command, Control, Communications, 66 FR 54872.
Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 76 FR 12508.
Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 74 FR 68448.
Soldier Center.
Engineer Research and Development 63 FR 14580, as amended by 65
Center. FR 32135.
Medical Research and Development 63 FR 10440.
Command.
Technical Center, US Army Space and 85 FR 3339.
Missile Defense Command.
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare 76 FR 8530.
Centers.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command 86 FR 14084.
Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare
Center.
Naval Information Warfare Centers, 76 FR 1924.
Atlantic and Pacific.
Naval Medical Research Center.......... Not yet published.
Naval Research Laboratory.............. 64 FR 33970.
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare 62 FR 64050.
Centers.
Office of Naval Research............... 75 FR 77380.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix C
Qualification Standards for STRL PAACTSEP Student Trainee Positions
The following table shows the amount of education required to
qualify for appointments for PAACTSEP student positions covered by this
FRN. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are
qualifying for all positions for which both education and experience
are acceptable. Enrollment in an accredited academic institution is
required. An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30
semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited
college or university, or approximately 36 weeks for at least 20
classroom hours per week in an accredited business, technical, or
secretarial school. See the ``General Policies and Instructions'' for
the Qualification Standards Operating Manual for the definition of a
full year of graduate education.
Requirements for STRL students in the Professional, Administrative,
Assistant, Clerical, and Technician Student Employment Program):
[[Page 10880]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grade level or pay band equivalent Level of education
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-01 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Enrollment in a high school
diploma or General Education
Diploma (GED) program.
GS-02 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of high school or
GED diploma.
GS-03 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of 1 full academic
year of post-high school
study.
GS-04 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of 2 full academic
years of post-high school
study or an associate's
degree.
GS-05 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of 4 academic years
of post-high school study
leading to a bachelor's or
equivalent degree.
GS-07 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of 1 full academic
year of graduate level
education; or Eligibility
under the Superior Academic
Achievement Provision and
completion of a bachelor's
degree.
GS-09 or Pay Band Equivalent........... Completion of 2 academic years
of graduate level education,
or a master's degree or
equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11 or Pay Band Equivalent........... For research positions,
completion of all requirements
for a master's or equivalent
graduate degree. For non-
research positions, completion
of all requirements for a PhD
or equivalent degree.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appointments may be at the highest grade or pay band for which the
participant is qualified. One full academic year of undergraduate;
graduate; technical or high school education is the number of credit
hours determined by the college, university or school to represent one
year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by
a State or local governing body. All education beyond the high school
level must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Special Provisions/or Students With Previous Related Education or
Experience
Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine
the highest grade Level or pay band for which the student is qualified.
Dated: February 15, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-03601 Filed 2-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
