means an executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105. The agency determines in individual cases whether a candidate was released ``shortly before'' completing the required 3 years and should therefore be eligible for appointment. [65 FR 14432, Mar. 17, 2000] <DOC> [Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 5, Volume 1] [Revised as of January 1, 2008] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 5CFR315.701] [Page 165] TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PART 315_CAREER AND CAREER-CONDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT--Table of Contents Subpart G_Conversion to Career or Career-Conditional Employment From Other Types of Employment Sec. 315.701 Incumbents of positions brought into the competitive service. (a) Employee coverage. This section applies to an employee retained under Sec. Sec. 316.701 and 316.702 of this chapter who: (1) Was serving in a permanent excepted position under an appointment not limited to 1 year or less, or in a public or private enterprise in a position which the agency determines to be a continuing one, at the time his position was brought into the competitive service; and (2) Performed 6 months of satisfactory service immediately before the date his position was brought into the competitive service, in a position or positions brought into the competitive service, or in the civilian executive branch of the Government, unless OPM has excepted his particular type of case from this requirement. (b) Eligibility for conversion. Within the time limits set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, the employment of an employee covered by paragraph (a) of this section may be converted to career or career- conditional employment. (c) Time limits. Conversion may be initiated under paragraph (b) of this section only within 6 months after the position is brought into the competiti