Presidential Transition
Welcome to GSA's Presidential Transition Website
GSA has a major role to play and essential services to provide in our country’s presidential transition process.
Learn How GSA Assists Each Transitioning Administration
The support GSA provides to the presidential transition process is essential to ensuring a smooth transfer of Executive Branch operations.
For Nominees / Appointees
Orientation
The Presidential Transition Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-293) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to assist the incoming Administration by coordinating orientation activities for
"individuals the President-elect intends to nominate as department heads or appoint to key positions in the Executive Office of the President." This orientation will "acquaint key prospective Presidential appointees with the types of problems and challenges that most typically confront new political appointees when they make the transition from campaign and other prior activities to assuming the responsibility for governance after inauguration."
Standards of Ethical Conduct
Public service is a public trust, and government officials have a duty to make official decisions influenced by public rather than private interests. The Executive Branch ethics program fosters high ethical standards for employees at all levels that strengthen the public's confidence in the impartiality and integrity of their government. Every government employee is obligated to abide by the ethical principles and values set forth in various Executive Orders, ethics laws and rules.
As a new Appointee/Nominee, it is your duty to make yourself familiar with the Standards of Ethical Conduct.
Job Assistance from OPM
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has special responsibilities during the Presidential transition. They help employees of the outgoing administration as they exit Government and work, along with the agencies and the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, to help quickly get the new Administration's team in place.
Learn How OPM Assists in the transition to a new Administration>
Record Keeping: Federal Records
The National Archives and Records Management Administration (NARA) guide, Documenting Your Public Service, provides high-level Government officials with basic information to enable them to distinguish Federal records from other documentary materials, including personal files.
FOR DEPARTING EXECUTIVES
Review Policy relating to personal property disposal and relocation allowances.
SECURITY CLEARANCE
Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, must be filled out by anyone seeking a position that requires a security clearance, including all Presidential nominees. The information is protected by the Privacy Act and is not directly made public; however, the White House forwards the SF 86 to the Senate, and some committees may print some or all of the information in the hearing record.
HATCH ACT
The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits Federal, state and local government employees from engaging in partisan political activity. Named after Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico, the law is officially known as "An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities."
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act, commonly known as the FOIA, was enacted by Congress in 1966 to give the American public greater access to the Federal Government's records.
The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 expanded the scope of the FOIA to encompass electronic records and require the creation of "electronic reading rooms" to make records more easily and widely available to the public.
QUICK LINKS
