[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 5, Volume 2] [Revised as of January 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 5CFR900.601] [Page 505] TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (Continued) PART 900--INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERSONNEL ACT PROGRAMS--Table of Contents Subpart F--Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration Sec. 900.601 Purpose. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4728, 4763; E.O. 11589, 3 CFR part 557 (1971- 1975 Compilation). Source: 48 FR 9210, Mar. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted. (a) The purpose of these regulations is to implement provisions of title II of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, as amended, relating to Federally required merit personnel systems in State and local agencies, in a manner that recognizes fully the rights, powers, and responsibilities of State and local governments and encourages innovation and allows for diversity among State and local governments in the design, execution, and management of their systems of personnel administration, as provided by that Act. (b) Certain Federal grant programs require, as a condition of eligibility, that State and local agencies that receive grants establish merit personnel systems for their personnel engaged in administration of the grant-aided program. These merit personnel systems are in some cases required by specific Federal grant statutes and in other cases are required by regulations of the Federal grantor agencies. Title II of the Act gives the U.S. Office of Personnel Management authority to prescribe standards for these Federally required merit personnel systems.