FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 1996

CONTACT: Mary Ann Maloney (202) 606-1800 mamalone@opm.gov

Washington, D.C. -- New regulations being proposed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management are designed to make it easier for federal agencies to tap into a variety of skills and expertise in the federal and non-federal workforce, and at the same time allow federal employees to share their expertise at the state and local government and with non-profit organizations.

The proposed regulations would govern mobility assignments between federal and state government, universities, and nonprofit organizations that fall under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program, part of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970. The IPA program allows federal and non-federal employees to move between public and non-profit organizations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise.

An OPM review team met with IPA coordinators from 11 federal agencies, state governments, universities, and non-profit organizations which use the IPA Mobility Program to develop new regulations that update the program and increase agency flexibility. The proposed regulations would make the following changes:

• IPA has been expanded to include federally funded research and development centers that formerly had to apply for certification to participate in the IPA Mobility Program;

• Agencies determine the eligibility of non-profit organizations;

• OPM no longer requires a copy of the written agreement from each IPA assignment, but will request agencies to submit an annual report that monitors mobility program activity.

OPM Director Jim King said, The new changes will give agencies more control over their IPA program by allowing government experts a wide range of experiences with other groups and agencies, both state and local and even non-profits. The public gains when ideas are shared and problems are solved collectively.

To OPM Home Page