[Federal Register: October 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 200)]
[Notices]
[Page 60495]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18oc05-40]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Personnel
Management Demonstration Project, Department of the Air Force, Air
Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
AGENCY: Department of Defense; Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense (Civilian Personnel Policy).
ACTION: Notice of amendment of the demonstration project plan.
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SUMMARY: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995,
as amended by section 1114 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2001, authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct
personnel demonstration projects at Department of Defense (DoD)
laboratories designated as Science and Technology (S&T) Reinvention
Laboratories. The above-cited legislation authorizes DoD to conduct
demonstration projects that experiment with new and different personnel
management concepts to determine whether such changes in personnel
policy or procedures would result in improved Federal personnel
management.
This amendment revises the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
demonstration project plan by changing from 180 days to 90 calendar
days the amount of time required to be assessed under the Contribution-
based Compensation System (CCS).
DATES: This amendment to the demonstration project may be implemented
beginning on the date of publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AFRL: Ms. Michelle Williams, AFRL/DPL,
1981 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-5209. DoD: Ms.
Patricia M. Stewart, CPMS-AF, 1400 Key Boulevard, Suite B-200,
Arlington, VA 22209-5144.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
The final plan was published in the Federal Register for the S&T
Reinvention Laboratory personnel Management Demonstration Project at
AFRL (Wednesday, November 27, 1996, Volume 61, Number 230, Part V, page
60400). An amendment to the final plan was published in the Federal
Register as follows: To clarify which employees are subject to the
extended probationary period; provide the contribution-based
compensation system (CCS) bonus to eligible employees subject to the
GS-15, step 10 pay cap; and change the name of broadband level
descriptor ``Cooperation and Supervision'' and CCS Factor 6
``Cooperation and Supervision'' to ``Teamwork and Leadership'' (Friday,
January 21, 2000, Volume 65, Number 14, Part I, page 3498).
This demonstration project involves simplified job classification,
two types of appointment authorities, an extended probationary period,
pay banding, and CCS.
2. Overview
This amendment changes from 180 to 90 calendar days the amount of
time required to be assessed under CCS. Experience has revealed that
180 days is unduly long and unnecessary for effective employee
assessments under CCS.
I. Executive Summary
The Department of the Air Force established the AFRL personnel
demonstration project to be generally similar to the system in use at
the Department of the Navy personnel demonstration project known as
China Lake. The AFRL demonstration project was built upon the concepts
of a contribution-based compensation system, two appointing
authorities, extended probationary period, simplified classification
procedures delegated to the AFRL Commander, and pay banding.
II. Introduction
A. Purpose
The AFRL demonstration project provides managers, at the lowest
practical level, the authority and flexibility needed to achieve a
quality laboratory and quality products. the purpose of this amendment
is to change the time an employee must be covered under the
demonstration project from 180 to 90 calendar days in order to be
assessed under CCS. Other basic provisions of the approved AFRL project
plan are unchanged.
B. Employee Notification and Collective Bargaining Requirements
Employees affected by this amendment will be provided a copy of
this notice. Participating organizations must fulfill any collective
bargaining obligations to unions that represent employees covered by
the demonstration.
III. Personnel System Changes
The AFRL demonstration project plan is amended as follows: Change
section III.D.3., The CCS Assessment Process, (61 FR 60414) paragraph
5, second sentence to read: ``If on October 1, the employee has served
under CCS for less than 90 calendar days during the annual assessment
cycle, the supervisor will wait for the subsequent annual cycle to
assess the employee. Periods of approved, paid leave will be counted
toward the 90-day time period.''
Dated: October 12, 2005.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05-20800 Filed 10-17-05; 8:45am]
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