Office of Personnel Management 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 50 of 108
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Collection: Scholarship for Service Program Internet Webpage
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OPM requested OMB to approve a collection associated with the Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program Internet webpage. Approval of the webpage is necessary to facilitate the timely registration, selection, and placement of program-enrolled students in Federal agencies. The SFS Program was established by the National Science Foundation in accordance with the Federal Cyber Service Training and Education Initiative as described in the President's National Plan for Information Systems Protection. This program seeks to increase the number of qualified students entering the fields of information assurance and computer security in an effort to respond to the threat to the Federal Government's information technology infrastructure. The program provides capacity building grants to selected 4-year colleges and universities to develop or improve their capacity to train information assurance professionals. It also provides selected 4-year colleges and universities scholarship grants to attract students to the information assurance field. Participating students who receive scholarships from this program are required to serve a 10-week internship during their studies and complete a post-graduation employment commitment equivalent to the length of the scholarship or one year, whichever is longer. OPM projects that 450 students will graduate from participating institutions over the next three years. These students will need placement in addition to the 180 students needing placement this year. We estimate the collection of information for registering and creating an online resume to be 45 minutes to 1 hour. We estimate the total number of hours to be 630. Comments: We received no comments in response to our 60-day notice.
Implementation of Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002-Reporting & Best Practices
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to carry out the reporting and best practices requirements of Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act). The No FEAR Act requires Federal agencies to report annually on certain topics related to Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. The No FEAR Act also requires a comprehensive study to determine the executive branch's best practices concerning disciplinary actions against employees for conduct that is inconsistent with these laws. This rule will implement the reporting and best practices provisions of the No FEAR Act.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Solicitation of Federal Civilian and Uniformed Service Personnel for Contributions to Private Voluntary Organizations-Charity Recoding
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is assigning new, unique code numbers to charitable organizations that participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The number of participating charitable organizations is increasing and will soon exceed the number of codes available under the current CFC coding procedure. In addition, the assignment of new, unique code numbers will allow OPM to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the CFC by assisting in future promotion of the use of electronic giving technology and future revision to geographic restrictions to donor giving.
Proposed Collection: Comment Request for Review of New Information Collection Form: OPM Optional Form XX
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a new information collection document. Optional Form (OF) XX, Certificate of Medical Examination replaces the existing Civil Service Commission Standard Form (SF) 78, Certificate of Medical Examination, which was last revised in October 1969. Replacement is necessary because the SF-78 is no longer accurate. Revisions include making the form optional for agencies, incorporating changes required by 29 CFR 1630.13, which addresses prohibited medical examinations and inquiries, and deleting references to the Federal Personnel Manual and other outdated references. It will be used to collect medical information about individuals who are incumbents of positions which require physical fitness/agility testing and medical examinations, or who have been selected for such a position contingent upon meeting physical fitness/agility testing and medical examinations as a condition of their employment. This information is needed to ensure fair and consistent treatment of employees and job applicants, to adjudicate requests to pass over preference eligibles, and to adjudicate claims of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Approximately 45,000 forms are submitted annually. It takes approximately 30 total minutes to complete the form. The annual estimated burden is 22,500 hours. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; Whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; Ways we can enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and Ways we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use of the appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251, or e-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Revised Information Collection: OPM Form 1203-FX, and Discontinuation of: OPM Form 1203-EZ
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for review of a revised information collection for Occupational Questionnaire (OPM Forms 1203-FX and 1203-EZ). The Occupational Questionnaire is an optical scan form designed to collect applicant information and qualifications in a format suitable for automated processing and to create applicant records for an automated examining system. Each version of this form contains a unique scan form identifier in the upper left-hand corner for the scanning equipment to recognize which version is being used. The 1203 series was commonly referred to as the Qualifications and Availability Form C. OPM has re- titled the series as Occupational Questionnaire, to fit a more generic need. OPM uses these forms to carry out its responsibility for open competitive examining for admission to the competitive service in accordance with section 3304, of title 5, United States Code. OPM has not revised the Form 1203-FX Occupational Questionnaire commonly referred to as Form C. Upon clearance from the Office of Management and Budget in 2002, the Occupational Questionnaire was available via OPM's Web site and OPM's USAJOBS Web site. OPM Form 1203- EZ is a three page version that is shorter and was previously approved by OMB in 2002. The approved OPM Form1203-EZ is being discontinued because over the past two years the form was not used. The Form 1203 FX version allowed the applicant to transmit information via facsimile, mail, or the Internet using a fillable Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) file. The public reporting burden of collecting this information is estimated to vary from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. The average time to complete this form is 30 minutes. Over the past three years an annual average of 54,202 applicants used Form 1203-FX for a public burden of 27,101 hours per year. A comment request for these forms was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2005 [FR Vol. 70, No. 216]. During the initial 60-day comment request period, OPM received only one comment from the Department of the Treasury: ``None [bureaus] are using the three-page version, OPM Form 1203-EZ; therefore, we have no objections to OPM's plans to discontinue this three-page version.'' Further, ``* * * we definitely do see the need for continued use of the regular OPM Form 1203-FX, and are glad to hear that OPM plans to continue its availability.'' For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on 202- 606-8358, fax at 202-418-3251, or e-mail at mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
No FEAR Act Notice
Pursuant to 29 CFR part 724, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has implemented Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act (No FEAR Act) of 2002, concerning OPM's obligation (along with other Federal agencies) to provide notice to all its employees, former employees, and applicants for Federal employment about the rights and remedies available under the applicable Federal Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws. OPM's No FEAR Act notice is available on OPM's Web site at https://www.opm.gov/aboutopm/nofear/.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 38-128, It's Time to Sign Up for Direct Deposit, is primarily used by OPM to give recent retirees the opportunity to waive Direct Deposit of their annuity payments. The form is sent only if the separating agency did not give the retiring employee this election opportunity. This form may also be used to enroll in Direct Deposit, which was its primary use before Public Law 104-134 was passed. This law requires OPM to make all annuity payments by Direct Deposit unless the payee has waived the service in writing. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 20,000 forms are completed annually. The form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 10,000 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 92-22, Annuity Supplement Earnings Report, is used each year to obtain the earned income of each Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuitant receiving an annuity supplement. The annuity supplement is paid to eligible FERS annuitants who are not retired on disability and are not yet age 62. The supplement approximates the portion of a full career Social Security benefit earned while under FERS and ends at age 62. Like Social Security benefits, the annuity supplement is subject to an earnings limitation. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. We estimate 700 RI 92-22 forms are completed annually. Each form requires approximately 15 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 175 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of An Existing Information Collection: SF 3112
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of an existing information collection. Standard Form 3112, CSRS/FERS Documentation in Support of Disability Retirement Application, collects information from applicants for disability retirement so that OPM can determine whether to approve a disability retirement. The applicant will only complete Standard Forms 3112A and 3112C. Standard Forms 3112B, 3112D and 3112E will be completed by the immediate supervisor and the employing agency of the applicant. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 12,100 applicants for disability retirement complete Standard Forms 3112A and 3112C annually. This is a combined figure including 9,000 CSRS and 3,100 FERS applications. The SF 3112C requires approximately 60 minutes to complete. A burden of 12,100 hours is estimated for SF 3112C. SF 3112A is used each year by approximately 1,350 persons who are not Federal employees. This is a combined figure including 1,000 CSRS and 350 FERS applications. SF 3112A requires approximately 30 minutes to complete and a burden of 675 hours is estimated for SF 3112A. The total annual burden for SF 3112 is 12,775 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection: Reemployment of Annuitants, 5 CFR 837.103
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of a currently approved information collection. Section 837.103 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, requires agencies to collect information from retirees who become employed in Government positions. Agencies need to collect timely information regarding the type and amount of annuity being received so the correct rate of pay can be determined. Agencies provide this information to OPM so a determination can be made whether the reemployed retiree's annuity must be terminated. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 3,000 reemployed retirees are asked this information annually. It takes each reemployed retiree approximately 5 minutes to provide the information for an annual estimated burden of 250 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Reclearance of a Revised Information Collection: SF 2803 and SF 3108
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for clearance of a revised information collection. SF 2803, Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit (CSRS), and SF 3108, Application to Make Service Credit Payment for Civilian Service (FERS), are applications to make payment used by persons who are eligible to pay for Federal service which was not subject to retirement deductions and/or for Federal service which was subject to retirement deductions which were subsequently refunded to the applicant. In addition to the current Federal employees who will use these forms, we expect to receive approximately 75 filings of each form from former Federal employees per year. This gives us a total of 150 filings. Each form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The annual burden is 75 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Reclearance of a Revised Information Collection: SF 3104 and SF 3104B
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for reclearance of a revised information collection. SF 3104, Application for Death Benefits/Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), is used by persons applying for death benefits which may be payable under FERS because of the death of an employee, former employee, or retiree who was covered by FERS at the time of his/her death or separation from Federal Service. SF 3104B, Documentation and Elections in Support of Application for Death Benefits when Deceased was an Employee at the Time of Death, is used by applicants for death benefits under FERS if the deceased was a Federal employee at the time of death. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; Whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and Ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. It is estimated that approximately 7,481 SF 3104 forms will be processed annually. This form requires approximately 60 minutes to complete. An annual burden of 7,481 hours is estimated. Approximately 3,366 SF 3104B forms are expected to be processed annually. It is estimated that the form requires approximately 60 minutes to complete. An annual burden of 3,366 hours is estimated. The total annual burden is 10,847. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of an Existing Information Collection: RI 38-115
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of an existing information collection. RI 38-115, Representative Payee Survey, is used to collect information about how the benefits paid to a representative payee have been used or conserved for the incompetent annuitant. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 4,067 RI 38-115 forms will be completed annually. The form takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The annual burden is 1,356 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
General Schedule Locality Pay Areas
On behalf of the President's Pay Agent, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is providing notice about two changes in locality pay area boundaries in 2007 under the locality pay program for General Schedule and certain other employees. Grayson County, TX, will be added to the Dallas locality pay area, and Berks County, PA, will be added to the Philadelphia locality pay area. These changes will occur automatically under existing regulations. OPM also plans to issue a notice later about changes in the regulations needed to update the official descriptions of the Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-NH-ME-RI locality pay area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO locality pay area. As required by OPM regulations, the additions to locality pay areas are effective as of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2007. Both the additions and the planned description changes are the result of changes made by the Office of Management and Budget in Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Combined Statistical Areas.
Solicitation of Federal Civilian and Uniformed Service Personnel for Contributions to Private Voluntary Organizations-Eligibility and Public Accountability Standards
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations concerning the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). These final regulations are being issued as part of OPM's effort to modernize the CFC and to realize administrative efficiencies. They were designed to address the current and future environment of the CFC where the electronic transmission of information will be more routine. As such, these regulations update the criteria for CFC eligibility, streamline the charity application process, ease the administrative burden on the local campaigns, promote the use of electronic technology in the administration of the CFC, and expand opportunities during disasters and emergencies for Federal donors to contribute to all charities participating in the CFC regardless of location.
Allotments From Federal Employees
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing interim regulations dealing with the use of OPM's allotment authority to allow for pretax salary reductions as part of OPM's flexible benefits plan. Using an allotment from an employee's pay to the employing agency allows certain payments (e.g., employee health insurance premiums, contributions to a flexible spending arrangement, and contributions to a health savings account) to be paid with pretax dollars, as provided under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, these regulations include certain policy clarifications and changes to make the regulations more readable.
Suspension of Enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for Peace Corps Volunteers
The Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final regulation to allow Peace Corps volunteers who are FEHB Program enrolled annuitants, survivors, and former spouses to suspend their FEHB enrollments and then return to the FEHB Program during the Open Season, or return to FEHB coverage immediately, if they involuntarily lose health benefits coverage under the Peace Corps. The intent of this final rule is to allow these beneficiaries to avoid the expense of continuing to pay FEHB Program premiums while they have other health coverage as Peace Corps volunteers, without endangering their ability to return to the FEHB Program in the future.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection: RI 20-63, RI 20-116, RI 20-117
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 20-63, Survivor Annuity Election for a Spouse, is used by annuitants to elect a reduced annuity with a survivor annuity for their spouse. RI 20-116 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to decline to elect. RI 20- 117 is a cover letter for RI 20-63 giving information about the cost to elect the maximum survivor annuity. This letter may be used to ask for more information or to decline to elect. RI 20-117 is accompanied by RI 20-63A, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse, or RI 20-63B, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse When You Are Providing a Former Spouse Annuity. Both booklets explain the election. RI 20-63A is for annuitants who do not have a former spouse who is entitled to survivor annuity benefit; RI 20-63B is for those who do have a former spouse who is entitled to a benefit. These booklets do not require OMB clearance. They have been included because they provide the annuitant additional information. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility, whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 2,400 RI 20-63 forms are returned each year electing survivor annuities and 200 annuitants return the cover letter to ask for information about the cost to elect less than the maximum survivor annuity or to refuse to provide any survivor benefit. It is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to complete the form with a burden of 1,800 hours and 10 minutes to complete the letter, which gives a burden of 34 hours. The total burden for RI 20-63 is 1,834 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
SES Performance Review Board
Notice is hereby given of the appointment of members of the OPM Performance Review Board.
2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: Alaska and Pacific Interim Adjustments
This notice publishes the interim adjustments for the Alaska and Pacific Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) areas. The Federal Government conducts COLA surveys in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to set COLA rates. These surveys are conducted once every 3 years on a rotating basis. In between COLA surveys, the Government adjusts COLA rates for the areas not surveyed using the relative change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the COLA area compared with the Washington-Baltimore CPI. The Alaska and Pacific COLA areas were not surveyed in 2005. Therefore, OPM is calculating and publishing interim adjustments for these COLA areas.
2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Survey Report: Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas
This notice publishes the ``2005 Nonforeign Area Cost-of- Living Allowance Survey Report: Caribbean and Washington, DC, Areas.'' The Federal Government uses the results of surveys such as these to set cost-of-living allowance (COLA) rates for General Schedule, U.S. Postal Service, and certain other Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This report contains the results of the COLA surveys conducted by the Office of Personnel Management in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Washington, DC area during the spring of 2005.
Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Rates; Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Office of Personnel Management is publishing a proposed regulation to change the cost-of-living allowance rates received by certain white-collar Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The changes are the result of living-cost surveys conducted by OPM in 2005 and interim adjustments OPM calculated based on relative Consumer Price Index differences between the cost-of-living allowance areas and the Washington, DC area.
Absence and Leave; SES Annual Leave
The Office of Personnel Management is issuing final regulations to provide a higher annual leave accrual rate of 1 day (8 hours) per biweekly pay period for members of the Senior Executive Service, employees in senior-level and scientific or professional positions, and other employees covered by equivalent pay systems.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Medically Underserved Areas for 2007
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has completed its annual determination of the States that qualify as Medically Underserved Areas under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for calendar year 2007. This is necessary to comply with a provision of the FEHB law that mandates special consideration for enrollees of certain FEHB plans who receive covered health services in States with critical shortages of primary care physicians. Accordingly, for calendar year 2007, OPM's calculations show that the following states are Medically Underserved Areas under the FEHB Program: Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. For the 2007 calendar year Texas is being added and Alaska is being removed from the list.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Reclearance of a Revised Information Collection: RI 30-2
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for reclearance of a revised information collection. RI 30-2, Annuitant's Report of Earned Income, is used annually to determine if disability retirees under age 60 have earned income which will result in the termination of their annuity benefits. We estimate 21,000 RI 30-2 forms are completed annually. The RI 30- 2 takes approximately 35 minutes to complete for an estimated annual burden of 12,250 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection: SF 3106 and SF 3106A
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. SF 3106, Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions/Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), is used by former Federal employees under FERS, to apply for a refund of retirement deductions withheld during Federal employment, plus any interest provided by law. SF 3106A, Current/Former Spouse(s) Notification of Application for Refund of Retirement Deductions Under FERS, is used by refund applicants to notify their current/former spouse(s) that they are applying for a refund of retirement deductions, which is required by law. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 17,000 SF 3106 forms will be processed annually. The SF 3106 takes approximately 30 minutes to complete for a total of 8,500 hours annually. Approximately 13,600 of SF 3106A forms will be processed annually. The SF 3106A takes approximately 5 minutes to complete for a total of 1,133 hours. The total annual burden is 9,633 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to MaryBeth.[fxsp0]Smith-Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection: RI 25-41
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 25-41, Initial Certification of Full-Time School Attendance, is used to determine whether a child is unmarried and a full-time student in a recognized school. OPM must determine this in order to pay survivor annuity benefits to children who are age 18 or older. Approximately 1,200 RI 25-41 forms are completed annually. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the form. The annual burden is 1,800 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Submission for OMB Emergency Clearance and 60 Day Notice for Comment for a Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection: OPM Form 1300, Presidential Management Fellows Program Online Application and Resume Builder
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency clearance and review for a reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for the OPM Form 1300, Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program Online Application and Resume Builder. Approval of this request is necessary to facilitate the timely nomination of PMF applicants to the PMF Program. This also serves as the 60 Day Notice for review for full clearance. As a result of Executive Order 13318 and OPM regulations on the PMF Program issued on May 19, 2005 (70 FR 28775), effective June 20, 2005, eligible graduate students interested in applying to the PMF Program must be nominated by their accredited graduate school's Dean, Chairperson, or Academic Program Director (otherwise referred to as the Nomination Official). In addition, per OMB's approval of the OPM Form 1300 for the PMF Class of 2006 on September 31, 2005, several contingencies were requested. One of those contingencies was for OPM to commit to developing future systems/system changes that would streamline the application process for those seeking Federal jobs. The following significant changes have been made to the application and nomination process: (1) The PMF Program has recently migrated from an in-house online application and resume builder system to a vacancy announcement approach via USAJOBS; and (2) the nomination process was modified to create a PMF Nomination Form (which OPM proposes to become the new OPM Form 1300), which will serve as a fax-back form for the Nomination Official to fill-out and fax to OPM. Applicants will be directed to a vacancy announcement on USAJOBS and asked to upload their resume. Upon submission of their application, a Nomination Form will generate for the applicant to hand-carry to their school's Nomination Official for possible nomination to the PMF Program. If at any stage the applicant is found ineligible or ultimately not selected as a Finalist, he/she would still have the flexibility to apply to other Federal opportunities on USAJOBS. We estimate 2,500 to 3,000 applications will be received and processed in the 2006/2007 open season for PMF applications. During the 2005/2006 open season OPM received approximately 2,982 applications, leading to 2,755 nominations by colleges and universities. Using the new OPM Form 1300 (PMF Nomination Form) we estimate Nomination Officials will need one-half hour to receive, review, and render a decision for nomination. The annual estimated burden for Nomination Officials to select nominees is 1,500 hours. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions on the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey at (202) 606-2150 fax (202) 418-3251, or e-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include your complete mailing address with your request.
Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project; Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DoD or ``the Department''), with the approval of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), received authority to conduct a personnel demonstration project within DoD's civilian acquisition workforce and those supporting personnel assigned to work directly with it. [See Section 4308 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Pub. L. 104-106; 10 U.S.C.A. section 1701 note), as amended by section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Pub. L. 105-85)]. The project was developed under legislative authority granted in Fiscal Year 1996 and modified in Fiscal Year 1998. Subsequent legislation authorized establishment of NSPS, a human resources management system for DoD under 5 U.S.C. 9902, as enacted by section 1101 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136). This notice provides authorization for an out-of-cycle payout under CCAS prior to transition to NSPS and addresses procedures for conversion of employees from this demonstration project to NSPS.
Excepted Service; Consolidated Listing of Schedules A, B, and C Exceptions
This gives a consolidated notice of all positions excepted under Schedules A, B, and C as of June 30, 2006, as required by Civil Service Rule VI, Exceptions from the Competitive Service.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Review of a Revised Information Collection: RI 25-15
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995 and 5 CFR 1320), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 25-15, Notice of Change in Student's Status, is used to collect sufficient information from adult children of deceased Federal employees or annuitants to assure that the child continues to be eligible for payments from OPM. Approximately 2,500 certifications are processed annually. Each form takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 835 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or E-mail to MaryBeth Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include your mailing address with your request.
Submission for Omb Review; Comment Request for Reclearance of a Revised Information Collection: RI 30-9
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for reclearance of a revised information collection. RI 30-9, Reinstatement of Disability Annuity Previously Terminated Because of Restoration to Earning Capacity, informs former disability annuitants of their right to request restoration under title 5, U.S.C. Section 8337. It also specifies the conditions to be met and the documentation required for a person to request reinstatement. Approximately 200 forms are completed annually. The form takes approximately 60 minutes to respond, including a medical examination. The annual estimated burden is 200 hours. Burden may vary depending on the time required for a medical examination. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Federal Salary Council
The Federal Salary Council will meet at the time and location shown below. The Council is an advisory body composed of representatives of Federal employee organizations and experts in the fields of labor relations and pay policy. The Council makes recommendations to the President's Pay Agent (the Secretary of Labor and the Directors of the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management) about the locality pay program for General Schedule employees under section 5304 of title 5, United States Code. The Council's recommendations cover the establishment or modification of locality pay areas, the coverage of salary surveys, the process of comparing Federal and non-Federal rates of pay, and the level of comparability payments that should be paid. The Council will review the results of pay comparisons and formulate its recommendations to the President's Pay Agent on pay comparison methods, locality pay rates, and locality pay area boundaries for 2008. The Council anticipates it will complete its work for this year at this meeting and has not scheduled any additional meetings for 2006. The public may submit written materials about the locality pay program to the Council at the address shown below. The meeting is open to the public.
Temporary Assignments Under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA)
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations on a plain language rewrite of its regulations regarding the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program as part of a broader review of OPM regulations. The purpose of the revision is to make the regulations more readable.
Absence and Leave; Creditable Service
The Office of Personnel Management is issuing final regulations to provide Federal agencies with the authority to grant a newly appointed or reappointed employee credit for prior work experience that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining the employee's annual leave accrual rate. An agency may use this authority to recruit an individual with the skills and experience necessary to achieve an important agency mission or performance goal.
Examining System
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is adopting as a final rule, without changes, an interim rule that amended its direct- hire authority regulations to allow non-Department of Defense agencies to recruit and appoint highly-qualified individuals for certain Federal acquisition positions deemed a shortage category under the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Personnel Demonstration Project; Alternative Personnel Management System for the U.S. Department of Commerce
Title VI of the Civil Service Reform Act, now codified in 5 U.S.C. 4703, authorizes the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct demonstration projects that experiment with new and different human resources management concepts to determine whether changes in policies and procedures result in improved Federal human resources management. OPM approved a demonstration project covering several operating units of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). OPM has authority to implement new legislation affecting demonstration projects (5 U.S.C. 4703 and 5 CFR 470.101(b) and 470.103). Modifications to the demonstration project plan also require OPM approval (5 CFR 470.315). As provided for in title II of Public Law 109-108, Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, signed November 22, 2005, this notice expands the coverage of the DOC Demonstration Project to include up to 3,500 additional employees in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) increasing the total number of employees in NOAA to 6,925, as well as additional NOAA organizations and locations. This expansion results in the total number of employees covered by the DOC Demonstration Project to 8,500 individuals. This notice also serves to make changes to the plan to accommodate the expansion. These changes include the addition of specific occupational series, Departmental Personnel Management Board composition, and pre-project cost formulas for the NOAA organizations new to the demonstration project as part of the expansion.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for Clearance of a Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired; Declaration for Federal Employment
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for reinstatement of an expired information collection with change. The Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, is completed by applicants who are under consideration for Federal or Federal contract employment. The OF 306 requests that the applicant provide personal identifying data, including, for example, general background information, information on Selective Service registration, military service and information concerning retirement pay received or requested. The change is to make needed administrative updates and delete life insurance questions. It is estimated that 474,000 individuals will respond annually. Each form takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 118,500 hours. No comments were received on this proposal. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.
Personnel Management in Agencies-Employee Surveys
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations implementing mandatory employee surveys as required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. The regulations add a new subpart which requires agencies to conduct an annual survey of their employees. In addition, the final regulations provide a list of questions that must appear in each agency's employee survey.
Absence and Leave
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations concerning the use of sick leave. The final rules remove the requirement for an employee to maintain a minimum sick leave balance in his or her sick leave account in order to use the maximum amount of sick leave provided for family care and bereavement purposes. These regulations are being issued as part of OPM's effort to standardize leave policies and provide agencies with guidance on leave programs available to assist employees in the event of a pandemic health crisis.
Locality-Based Comparability Payments and Evacuation Payments
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing interim regulations concerning pay actions for employees affected by a pandemic health crisis. The interim regulations clarify the rules for determining an employee's official worksite when he or she teleworks from an alternative worksite during an emergency situation, such as a pandemic health crisis. In addition, the interim regulations permit an agency to provide evacuation payments to an employee who is ordered to evacuate from his or her regular worksite and directed to work from home (or an alternative location mutually agreeable to the agency and the employee) during a pandemic health crisis. These regulations are issued as part of OPM's efforts to provide agencies with guidance to ensure they are able to fulfill their critical missions while at the same time protect their employees should a pandemic health crisis occur.
Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a plain language rewrite of its regulations regarding the standards that govern employee responsibilities and conduct as part of a review of certain OPM regulations. The purpose of the revisions is to make the regulations more readable.
Excepted Service
This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B, and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.
Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Review of a New Information Collection; OPM Form 1655 and OPM Form 1655-A
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a new information collection. OPM 1655, Application for Senior Administrative Law Judge, and OPM 1655-A, Geographic Preference Statement for Senior Administrative Law Judge Applicant, are used by retired Administrative Law Judges seeking reemployment on a temporary and intermittent basis to complete hearings of one or more specified case(s) in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act of 1946. Approximately 150 OPM 1655 are completed annually. Each form takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 94 hours. Approximately 200 OPM 1655-A are completed annually. Each form takes approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 67 hours. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; Whether our estimates of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; And ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or e-mail to mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please be sure to include a mailing address with your request.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.