Implementation Process

How should agencies proceed?

Agencies should determine the amount of funds they are willing to allocate for this purpose. They must annually notify their Congressional committees and OPM of their intent to spend funds from their salaries and expense accounts for this purpose each year. Agencies must report to OPM annually, on OPM Form 1645 [83 KB], disclosing program costs and numbers. Agencies need to decide on how their programs will be structured and how they will be administered. The following questions should be helpful to agencies in establishing their programs:

1. Does your agency need to bargain with your unions? If so, this process should begin as soon as possible.
2. Will your agency put a ceiling on the funds your agency makes available for this purpose? If so, are the funds on a first-come, first-served basis?
3. Will your agency restrict the use of these funds to certain employees, e.g., full-time or permanent employees?
4. How will your agency ensure that its program is marketed effectively to its employees?
5. Has your agency considered whether to use a contractor as the most effective means of administering this program?
6. Does your agency need to issue a statement of work in order to obtain the services of a contractor who will administer the program?
7. Who at your agency will provide oversight of the program and be responsible for annually reporting the results to OPM?
8. Which subsidy model or formula will your agency use to determine the amount of subsidy an employee will receive?
9. Is the child care provider state licensed and/or regulated? (The agency may not restrict the use of funds to apply to accredited child care providers only. See 5 CFR 792.220)