[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 610 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 610
To amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code, to provide for
workforce flexibilities and certain Federal personnel provisions
relating to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 13, 2003
Mr. Voinovich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code, to provide for
workforce flexibilities and certain Federal personnel provisions
relating to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NASA Workforce Flexibility Act of
2003''.
SEC. 2. WORKFORCE AUTHORITIES AND PERSONNEL PROVISIONS.
(a) In General.--Subpart I of part III of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 99--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
``SUBCHAPTER I--WORKFORCE AUTHORITIES
``Sec.
``9901. Definitions.
``9902. Planning, notification, and reporting requirements.
``9903. Workforce authorities.
``9904. Recruitment, redesignation, and relocation bonuses.
``9905. Retention bonuses.
``9906. Term appointments.
``9907. Pay authority for critical positions.
``9908. Assignments of intergovernmental personnel.
``9909. Enhanced demonstration project authority.
``SUBCHAPTER II--PERSONNEL PROVISIONS
``9931. Definitions.
``9932. Administration and private sector exchange assignments.
``9933. Science and technology scholarship program.
``9934. Distinguished scholar appointment authority.
``9935. Travel and transportation expenses of certain new appointees.
``9936. Annual leave enhancements.
``9937. Limited appointments to Senior Executive Service positions.
``9938. Superior qualifications pay.
``SUBCHAPTER I--WORKFORCE AUTHORITIES
``Sec. 9901. Definitions
In this subchapter--
``(1) the term `Administration' means the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration;
``(2) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
``(3) the term `critical need' means a specific and
important requirement of the Administration's mission that the
Administration is unable to fulfill because the Administration
lacks the appropriate employees because of--
``(A) the inability to fill positions; or
``(B) employees do not possess the requisite
skills;
``(4) the term `employee' means an individual employed in
or under the Administration; and
``(5) the term `workforce plan' means the plan required
under section 9902(a).
``Sec. 9902. Planning, notification, and reporting requirements
``(a) Before exercising any of the workforce authorities under this
subchapter, the Administrator shall submit a written plan to the Office
of Personnel Management for approval. A plan under this subchapter may
not be implemented without the approval of the Office of Personnel
Management.
``(b) A workforce plan shall include a description of--
``(1) each critical need of the Administration and the
criteria used in the identification of that need;
``(2)(A) the functions, approximate number, and classes or
other categories of positions or employees that--
``(i) address critical needs; and
``(ii) would be eligible for each authority
proposed to be exercised under section 9903; and
``(B) how the exercise of those authorities with respect to
the eligible positions or employees involved would address each
critical need identified under paragraph (1);
``(3)(A) any critical need identified under paragraph (1)
which would not be addressed by the authorities made available
under section 9903; and
``(B) the reasons why those needs would not be so
addressed;
``(4) the specific criteria to be used in determining which
individuals may receive the benefits described under sections
9904 and 9905 (including the criteria for granting bonuses in
the absence of a critical need), and how the level of those
benefits will be determined;
``(5) the safeguards or other measures that will be applied
to ensure that this subchapter is carried out in a manner
consistent with merit system principles;
``(6) the means by which employees will be afforded the
notification required under subsections (c) and (d)(1)(B); and
``(7) the methods that will be used to determine if the
authorities exercised under section 9903 have successfully
addressed each critical need identified under paragraph (1).
``(c) Not later than 60 days before first exercising any of the
workforce authorities made available under this subchapter, the
Administrator shall provide to all employees the workforce plan, and
any additional information which the Administrator considers
appropriate.
``(d)(1)(A) The Administrator may submit any modifications to the
workforce plan to the Office of Personnel Management. Modifications to
the workforce plan may not be implemented without the approval of the
Office of Personnel Management.
``(B) Not later than 60 days before implementing any such
modifications, the Administrator shall provide an appropriately
modified plan to all employees of the Administration.
``(2) Any reference in this subchapter or any other provision of
law to the workforce plan shall be considered to include any
modification made in accordance with this subsection.
``(e) None of the workforce authorities made available under
section 9903 may be exercised in a manner inconsistent with the
workforce plan.
``(f) Whenever the Administration submits its performance plan
under section 1115 of title 31 to the Office of Management and Budget
for any year, the Administration shall at the same time submit a copy
of such plan to--
``(1) the Committee on Governmental Affairs and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
``(2) the Committee on Government Reform and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
``Sec. 9903. Workforce authorities
``(a) The workforce authorities under this subchapter are the
following:
``(1) The authority to pay recruitment, redesignation, and
relocation bonuses under section 9904.
``(2) The authority to pay retention bonuses under section
9905.
``(3) The authority to make term appointments and to take
related personnel actions under section 9906.
``(4) The authority to fix rates of basic pay for critical
positions under section 9907.
``(5) The authority to extend intergovernmental personnel
act assignments under section 9908.
``(b) No authority under this subchapter may be exercised with
respect to any officer who is appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate.
``(c) Unless specifically stated otherwise, all authorities
provided under this subchapter are subject to section 5307.
``Sec. 9904. Recruitment, redesignation, and relocation bonuses
``(a) Notwithstanding section 5753, the Administrator may pay a
bonus to an individual, in accordance with the workforce plan and
subject to the limitations in this section, if--
``(1) the Administrator determines that the Administration
would be likely, in the absence of a bonus, to encounter
difficulty in filling a position; and
``(2) the individual--
``(A) is newly appointed as an employee of the
Federal Government;
``(B) is currently employed by the Federal
Government and is newly appointed to another position
in the same geographic area; or
``(C) is currently employed by the Federal
Government and is required to relocate to a different
geographic area to accept a position with the
Administration.
``(b) If the position is described as addressing a critical need in
the workforce plan under section 9902(b)(2)(A), the amount of a bonus
may not exceed--
``(1) 50 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic pay
(including comparability payments under sections 5304 and
5304a, as of the beginning of the service period multiplied by
the service period specified under subsection (d)(1)(B)(i); or
``(2) 100 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic
pay (including comparability payments under sections 5304 and
5304a) as of the beginning of the service period.
``(c) If the position is not described as addressing a critical
need in the workforce plan under section 9902(b)(2)(A), the amount of a
bonus may not exceed--
``(1) 25 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic pay
(including comparability payments under sections 5304 and
5304a) as of the beginning of the service period multiplied by
the service period specified under subsection (d)(1)(B)(i); or
``(2) 100 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic
pay (including comparability payments under sections 5304 and
5304a) as of the beginning of the service period.
``(d)(1)(A) Payment of a bonus under this section shall be
contingent upon the individual entering into a service agreement with
the Administration.
``(B) At a minimum, the service agreement shall include--
``(i) the required service period;
``(ii) the method of payment, including a payment schedule,
which may include a lump-sum payment, installment payments, or
a combination thereof;
``(iii) the amount of the bonus and the basis for
calculating that amount; and
``(iv) the conditions under which the agreement may be
terminated before the agreed-upon service period has been
completed, and the effect of the termination.
``(2) For purposes of determinations under subsections (b)(1) and
(c)(1), the employee's service period shall be expressed as the number
equal to the full years and twelfth parts thereof, rounding the
fractional part of a month to the nearest twelfth part of a year. The
service period may not be less than 6 months and may not exceed 4
years.
``(3) A bonus under this section may not be considered to be part
of the basic pay of an employee.
``(e) Before paying a bonus under this section, the Administration
shall establish a plan for paying recruitment, redesignation, and
relocation bonuses, subject to approval by the Office of Personnel
Management.
``Sec. 9905. Retention bonuses
``(a) Notwithstanding section 5754, the Administrator may pay a
bonus to an employee, in accordance with the workforce plan and subject
to the limitations in this section, if the Administrator determines
that--
``(1) the unusually high or unique qualifications of the
employee or a special need of the Administration for the
employee's services makes it essential to retain the employee;
and
``(2) the employee would be likely to leave in the absence
of a retention bonus.
``(b) If the position is described as addressing a critical need in
the workforce plan under section 9902(b)(2)(A), the amount of a bonus
may not exceed 50 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic pay
(including comparability payments under sections 5304 and 5304a).
``(c) If the position is not described as addressing a critical
need in the workforce plan under section 9902(b)(2)(A), the amount of a
bonus may not exceed 25 percent of the employee's annual rate of basic
pay (including comparability payments under sections 5304 and 5304a).
``(d)(1)(A) Payment of a bonus under this section shall be
contingent upon the employee entering into a service agreement with the
Administration.
``(B) At a minimum, the service agreement shall include--
``(i) the required service period;
``(ii) the method of payment, including a payment schedule,
which may include a lump-sum payment, installment payments, or
a combination thereof;
``(iii) the amount of the bonus and the basis for
calculating the amount; and
``(iv) the conditions under which the agreement may be
terminated before the agreed-upon service period has been
completed, and the effect of the termination.
``(2) The employee's service period shall be expressed as the
number equal to the full years and twelfth parts thereof, rounding the
fractional part of a month to the nearest twelfth part of a year. The
service period may not be less than 6 months and may not exceed 4
years.
``(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a service agreement is not
required if the Administration pays a bonus in biweekly installments
and sets the installment payment at the full bonus percentage rate
established for the employee with no portion of the bonus deferred. In
this case, the Administration shall inform the employee in writing of
any decision to change the retention bonus payments. The employee shall
continue to accrue entitlement to the retention bonus through the end
of the pay period in which such written notice is provided.
``(e) A bonus under this section may not be considered to be part
of the basic pay of an employee.
``(f) An employee is not entitled to a retention bonus under this
section during a service period previously established for that
employee under section 5753, or under section 9904.
``Sec. 9906. Term appointments
``(a) The Administrator may authorize term appointments within the
Administration under subchapter I of chapter 33, for a period of not
less than 1 year and not more than 6 years.
``(b) Notwithstanding chapter 33, or any other provision of law
relating to the examination, certification, and appointment of
individuals in the competitive service, the Administrator may convert
an employee serving under a term appointment to a permanent appointment
in the competitive service within the Administration without further
competition if--
``(1) such individual was appointed under open, competitive
examination under subchapter I of chapter 33, to the term
position;
``(2) the announcement for the term appointment from which
the conversion is made stated that there was potential for
subsequent conversion to a career-conditional or career
appointment;
``(3) the employee has completed at least 2 years of
current continuous service under a term appointment in the
competitive service;
``(4) the employee's performance under such term
appointment was at least fully successful or equivalent; and
``(5) the position to which such employee is being
converted under this section is in the same occupational
series, is in the same geographic location, and provides no
greater promotion potential than the term position for which
the competitive examination was conducted.
``(c) Notwithstanding chapter 33, or any other provision of law
relating to the examination, certification, and appointment of
individuals in the competitive service, the Administrator may convert
an employee serving under a term appointment to a permanent appointment
in the competitive service within the Administration through internal
competitive promotion procedures if the conditions under paragraphs (1)
through (4) of subsection (b) are met.
``(d) An employee converted under this section becomes a career-
conditional employee, unless the employee has otherwise completed the
service requirements for career tenure.
``(e) An employee converted to career or career-conditional
employment under this section acquires competitive status upon
conversion.
``Sec. 9907. Pay authority for critical positions
``(a) In this section, the term `position' means--
``(1) a position to which chapter 51 applies, including a
position in the Senior Executive Service;
``(2) a position under the Executive Schedule under
sections 5312 through 5317;
``(3) a position established under section 3104; or
``(4) a senior-level position to which section 5376(a)(1)
applies.
``(b) Authority under this section--
``(1) may be exercised only with respect to a position
that--
``(A) is described as addressing a critical need in
the workforce plan under section 9902(b)(2)(A); and
``(B) requires expertise of an extremely high level
in a scientific, technical, professional, or
administrative field;
``(2) may be exercised only to the extent necessary to
recruit or retain an individual exceptionally well qualified
for the position; and
``(3) may be exercised only in retaining employees of the
Administration or in appointing individuals who were not
employees of another Federal agency as defined under section
5102(a)(1).
``(c)(1) Notwithstanding section 5377, the Administrator may fix
the rate of basic pay for a position in the Administration in
accordance with this section. The Administrator may not delegate this
authority.
``(2) The number of positions with pay fixed under this section may
not exceed 10 at any time.
``(d)(1) The rate of basic pay fixed under this section may not be
less than the rate of basic pay (including any comparability payments)
which would otherwise be payable for the position involved if this
section had never been enacted.
``(2) The annual rate of basic pay fixed under this section may not
exceed the per annum rate of salary payable under section 104 of title
3.
``(3) Notwithstanding any provision of section 5307, in the case of
an employee who, during any calendar year, is receiving pay at a rate
fixed under this section, no allowance, differential, bonus, award, or
similar cash payment may be paid to such employee if, or to the extent
that, when added to basic pay paid or payable to such employee (for
service performed in such calendar year as an employee in the executive
branch or as an employee outside the executive branch to whom chapter
51 applies), such payment would cause the total to exceed the per annum
rate of salary which, as of the end of such calendar year, is payable
under section 104 of title 3.
``Sec. 9908. Assignments of intergovernmental personnel
``For purposes of applying the third sentence of section 3372(a)
(relating to the authority of the head of a Federal agency to extend
the period of an employee's assignment to or from a State or local
government, institution of higher education, or other organization),
the Administrator may, with the concurrence of the employee and the
government or organization concerned, take any action which would be
allowable if such sentence had been amended by striking `two' and
inserting `four'.
``Sec. 9909. Enhanced demonstration project authority
``When conducting a demonstration project at the Administration,
section 4703(d)(1)(A) may be applied by substituting `such numbers of
individuals as determined by the Administrator' for `not more than
5,000 individuals'.
``SUBCHAPTER II--PERSONNEL PROVISIONS
``Sec. 9931. Definitions
In this subchapter--
``(1) the term `Administration' means the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
``(2) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
``Sec. 9932. Administration and private sector exchange assignments
``(a) In this section--
``(1) the term `private sector employee' means an employee
of a private sector entity; and
``(2) the term `private sector entity' means an
organization, company, corporation, or other business concern,
or a foreign government or agency of a foreign government, that
is not a State, local government, Federal agency, or other
organization as defined under section 3371 (1), (2), (3), and
(4), respectively.
``(b)(1) On request from or with the concurrence of a private
sector entity, and with the consent of the employee concerned, the
Administrator may arrange for the assignment of--
``(A) an employee of the Administration serving under a
career or career-conditional appointment, a career appointee in
the Senior Executive Service, or an individual under an
appointment of equivalent tenure in an excepted service
position, but excluding employees in positions which have been
excepted from the competitive service by reasons of their
confidential, policy-determining, policymaking, or policy-
advocating character, to a private sector entity; and
``(B) an employee of a private sector entity to the
Administration,
for work of mutual concern to the Administration and the private sector
entity that the Administrator determines will be beneficial to both.
``(2) The period of an assignment under this section may not exceed
2 years. However, the Administrator may extend the period of assignment
for not more than 2 additional years.
``(3) An employee of the Administration may be assigned under this
section only if the employee agrees, as a condition of accepting an
assignment, to serve in the Administration upon the completion of the
assignment for a period equal to the length of the assignment. The
Administrator may waive the requirement under this paragraph, with the
approval of the Office of Management and Budget, with respect to any
employee if the Administrator determines it to be in the best interests
of the United States to do so.
``(4) Each agreement required under paragraph (3) shall provide
that if the employee fails to carry out the agreement (except in the
case of a waiver made under paragraph (3)), the employee shall be
liable to the United States for payment of all expenses (excluding
salary) of the assignment. The amount due shall be treated as a debt
due the United States.
``(c)(1) An Administration employee assigned to a private sector
entity under this section is deemed, during the assignment, to be on
detail to a work assignment (as a detailee to the entity).
``(2) An Administration employee assigned under this section on
detail remains an employee of the Administration. Chapter 171 of title
28 and any other Federal tort liability statute apply to the
Administration employee so assigned, and all defenses available to the
United States under these laws or applicable provisions of State law
shall remain in effect. The supervision of the duties of an
Administration employee assigned to the private sector entity through
detail may be governed by agreement between the Administration and the
private sector entity concerned.
``(3) The assignment of an Administration employee on detail to a
private sector entity under this section may be made with or without
reimbursement by the private sector entity for the travel and
transportation expenses to or from the place of assignment, for the
pay, or supplemental pay, or a part thereof, of the employee, or for
the contribution of the Administration to the employee's benefit
systems during the assignment. Any reimbursements shall be credited to
the appropriation of the Administration used for paying the travel and
transportation expenses, pay, or benefits, and not paid to the
employee.
``(d)(1) An employee of a private sector entity who is assigned to
the Administration under an arrangement under this section shall be
deemed on detail to the Administration.
``(2) During the period of assignment, a private sector employee on
detail to the Administration--
``(A) is not entitled to pay from the Administration,
except to the extent that the pay received from the private
sector entity is less than the appropriate rate of pay which
the duties would warrant under the pay provisions of this title
or other applicable authority;
``(B) is deemed an employee of the Administration for the
purpose of chapter 73 of this title, the Ethics in Government
Act of 1978, section 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement
Policy Act, sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 602, 603,
606, 607, 610, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of title 18, sections
1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of title 31, chapter 171 of title 28,
and any other Federal tort liability statute, and any other
provision of Federal criminal law, unless otherwise
specifically exempted;
``(C) notwithstanding subparagraph (B), is also deemed to
be an employee of his or her private sector employer for
purposes of section 208 of title 18; and
``(D) is subject to such regulations as the Administrator
may prescribe.
``(3) The supervision of the duties of an employee assigned under
this subsection may be governed by agreement between the Administration
and the private sector entity.
``(4) A detail of a private sector employee to the Administration
may be made with or without reimbursement by the Administration for the
pay, or a part thereof, of the employee during the period of
assignment, or for the contribution of the private sector entity, or a
part thereof, to employee benefit systems.
``(5)(A) A private sector employee on detail to the Administration
under this section who suffers disability or dies as a result of
personal injury sustained while in the performance of duties during the
assignment shall be treated, for the purpose of subchapter I of chapter
81 as an employee as defined under section 8101 who had sustained the
injury in the performance of duties.
``(B) When an employee (or the employee's dependents in case of
death) entitled by reason of injury or death to benefits under
subchapter I of chapter 81 is also entitled to benefits from the
employee's private sector employer for the same injury or death, the
employee (or the employee's dependents in case of death) shall elect
which benefits the employee will receive. The election shall be made
within 1 year after the injury or death, or such further time as the
Secretary of Labor may allow for reasonable cause shown. When made, the
election is irrevocable.
``(C) Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (B), and
notwithstanding any other law, the United States, any instrumentality
of the United States, or an employee, agent, or assign of the United
States shall not be liable to--
``(i) a private sector employee assigned to the
Administration under this section;
``(ii) such employee's legal representative, spouse,
dependents, survivors, or next of kin; or
``(iii) any other person, including any third party as to
whom such employee, or that employee's legal representative,
spouse, dependents, survivors, or next of kin, has a cause of
action arising out of an injury or death sustained in the
performance of duty pursuant to an assignment under this
section, otherwise entitled to recover damages from the United
States, any instrumentality of the United States, or any
employee, agency, or assign of the United States,
with respect to any injury or death suffered by a private sector
employee sustained in the performance of duties pursuant to an
assignment under this section.
``(e)(1) Appropriations of the Administration are available to pay,
or reimburse, an Administration or private sector employee in
accordance with--
``(A) subchapter I of chapter 57 for the expenses of--
``(i) travel, including a per diem allowance, to
and from the assignment location;
``(ii) a per diem allowance at the assignment
location during the period of the assignment; and
``(iii) travel, including a per diem allowance,
while traveling on official business away from the
employee's designated post of duty during the
assignment when the Administrator considers the travel
to be in the interest of the United States;
``(B) section 5724 for the expenses of transportation of
the employee's immediate family, household goods, and personal
effects to and from the assignment location;
``(C) section 5724a(a) for the expenses of per diem
allowances for the immediate family of the employee to and from
the assignment location;
``(D) section 5724a(c) for subsistence expenses of the
employee and immediate family while occupying temporary
quarters at the assignment location and on return to the
employee's former post of duty;
``(E) section 5724a(g) to be used by the employee for
miscellaneous expenses related to change of station where
movement or storage of household goods is involved; and
``(F) section 5726(c) for the expenses of nontemporary
storage of household goods and personal effects in connection
with assignment at an isolated location.
``(2) Expenses specified in paragraph (1), other than those in
paragraph (1)(A)(iii), may not be allowed in connection with the
assignment of an Administration or private sector employee under this
section, unless and until the employee agrees in writing to complete
the entire period of his assignment or 1 year, whichever is shorter,
unless separated or reassigned for reasons beyond his control that are
acceptable to the Administrator. If the employee violates the
agreement, the money spent by the United States for these expenses is
recoverable from the employee as a debt due the United States. The
Administrator may waive in whole or in part a right of recovery under
this paragraph with respect to a private sector employee on assignment
with the Administration or an Administration employee on assignment
with a private sector entity.
``(3) Appropriations of the Administration are available to pay
expenses under section 5742 with respect to an Administration or
private sector employee assigned under this authority.
``(f) A private sector entity may not charge the Federal
Government, as direct or indirect costs under a Federal contract, the
costs of pay or benefits paid by the entity to an employee assigned to
the Administration under this section for the period of the assignment.
``Sec. 9933. Science and technology scholarship program
``(a)(1) The Administrator may carry out a program of entering into
contractual agreements with individuals described under paragraph (2)
under which--
``(A) the Administrator agrees to provide to the
individuals scholarships for pursuing, at accredited
institutions of higher education, academic programs appropriate
for careers in professions needed by the Administration; and
``(B) the individuals agree to serve as employees of the
Administration, for the period described under subsection (b),
in positions needed by the Administration and for which the
individuals are qualified.
``(2) The individuals referred to under paragraph (1) are
individuals who--
``(A) are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as full-time
students at accredited institutions of higher education in an
academic field or discipline prescribed by the Administration;
``(B) are United States citizens; and
``(C) at the time of the initial scholarship award, are not
Federal employees as defined under section 2105.
``(b)(1) For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(B), the period of
service for which an individual is obligated to serve as an employee of
the Administration is, subject to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2), 12
months for each academic year for which the scholarship under such
subsection is provided.
``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Administrator may provide
a scholarship under this section if the individual applying for the
scholarship agrees that, not later than 60 days after obtaining the
educational degree involved, the individual will begin serving full-
time as an employee in satisfaction of the period of service that the
individual is obligated to provide.
``(B) The Administrator may defer the obligation of an individual
to provide a period of service under this subsection, if the
Administrator determines that such a deferral is appropriate.
``(c)(1) The Administrator may provide a scholarship under
subsection (a) for an academic year if--
``(A) the individual applying for the scholarship has
submitted to the Administrator a proposed academic program
leading to a degree in an academic field or discipline approved
by the Administration; or
``(B) the individual agrees that the program will not be
altered without the approval of the Administrator.
``(2) The Administrator may provide a scholarship under this
section for an academic year if the individual applying for the
scholarship agrees to maintain a high level of academic standing as
defined by regulation.
``(3) The dollar amount of a scholarship for an academic year shall
not exceed--
``(A) the limits established by regulation under paragraph
(4); or
``(B) the total costs incurred in attending the institution
involved.
``(4) A scholarship may be expended for tuition, fees, and other
authorized expenses as established by regulation.
``(5) The Administrator may enter into a contractual agreement with
an institution of higher education under which the amounts provided in
the scholarship for tuition, fees, and other authorized expenses are
paid directly to the institution with respect to which a scholarship is
provided.
``(6) An individual may not receive a scholarship for longer than 4
academic years, unless an extension is granted by the Administrator.
``(d)(1)(A) Any scholarship recipient who fails to maintain a high
level of academic standing, who is dismissed from an educational
institution for disciplinary reasons, or who voluntarily terminates
academic training before graduation from the educational program for
which the scholarship was awarded, shall--
``(i) be in breach of the contractual agreement; and
``(ii) in lieu of any service obligation arising under such
agreement, be liable to the United States for repayment of all
scholarship funds paid to that recipient and to the educational
institution on their behalf under the agreement within 1 year
after the date of default.
``(B) The repayment period may be extended by the Administrator
when determined to be necessary, as established by regulation. A
penalty for failure to complete the academic program for which the
scholarship was awarded may be assessed at the discretion of the
Administrator, in addition to the repayment with interest as provided
under paragraph (3).
``(2)(A) A scholarship recipient who, for any reason, fails to
begin or complete that recipient's service obligation after completion
of academic training, or fails to comply with the terms and conditions
of deferment established by the Administrator, shall be in breach of
the contractual agreement.
``(B)(i) In this subparagraph--
``(I) the term `A' means the amount the United States is
entitled to recover;
``(II) the term `F' means the sum of the amounts paid to or
on behalf of the participant;
``(III) the term `t' means the total number of months of
the period of obligated service the participant is required to
serve; and
``(IV) the term `s' means the number of months of the
period of obligated service served by the participant.
``(ii) When a recipient breaches the agreement as provided under
subparagraph (A), the United States shall be entitled to recover
damages equal to 3 times the scholarship award, in accordance with the
following formula:
``A=(3F)[(t-s)/t]
``(C) The damages that the United States is entitled to recover
shall be paid within 1 year after the date of default.
``(3) Beginning 90 days after default, interest shall accrue on the
payments required to be made under this subsection, at a rate to be
determined by regulation established by the Administrator.
``(e)(1) Any obligation of an individual incurred under this
section for service or payment of damages may be canceled upon the
death of the individual.
``(2) The Administrator shall by regulation provide for the partial
or total waiver or suspension of any obligation of service or payment
incurred by an individual under this section if--
``(A) the compliance by the individual is impossible or
would involve extreme hardship to the individual; or
``(B) enforcement of such obligation with respect to any
individual would be contrary to the best interests of the
Government.
``(f) The Administrator may provide a scholarship under this
section if an application for the scholarship is submitted to the
Administrator and the application is in such form, is made in such
manner, and contains such agreements, assurance, and information as the
Administrator determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
``(g)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Administration to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year
2004 and $10,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year.
``(2) Amounts appropriated for a fiscal year for scholarships under
this section shall remain available for 2 fiscal years.
``Sec. 9934. Distinguished scholar appointment authority
``(a) In this section--
``(1) the term `professional position' means a position
that is classified to an occupational series identified by the
Office of Personnel Management as a position that--
``(A) requires education and training in the
principles, concepts, and theories of the occupation
that typically can be gained only through completion of
a specified curriculum at a recognized college or
university; and
``(B) is covered by the Group Coverage
Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific
Positions; and
``(2) the term `research position' means a position in a
professional series that primarily involves scientific inquiry
or investigation, or research-type exploratory development of a
creative or scientific nature, where the knowledge required to
perform the work successfully is acquired typically and
primarily through graduate study.
``(b) The Administration may appoint, without regard to the
provisions of sections 3304(b) and 3309 through 3318, candidates
directly to General Schedule professional positions in the
Administration for which public notice has been given, if--
``(1) with respect to a position at the GS-7 level, the
individual--
``(A) received, from an accredited institution
authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees, a
baccalaureate degree in a field of study for which
possession of that degree in conjunction with academic
achievements meets the qualification standards as
prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for
the position to which the individual is being
appointed; and
``(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of
3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and a grade point average
of 3.5 or higher for courses in the field of study
required to qualify for the position;
``(2) with respect to a position at the GS-9 level, the
individual--
``(A) received, from an accredited institution
authorized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree
in a field of study for which possession of that degree meets the
qualification standards at this grade level as prescribed by the Office
of Personnel Management for the position to which the individual is
being appointed; and
``(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of
3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate coursework in
the field of study required for the position;
``(3) with respect to a position at the GS-11 level, the
individual--
``(A) received, from an accredited institution
authorized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree
in a field of study for which possession of that degree
meets the qualification standards at this grade level
as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for
the position to which the individual is being
appointed; and
``(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of
3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate coursework in
the field of study required for the position; or
``(4) with respect to a research position at the GS-12
level, the individual--
``(A) received, from an accredited institution
authorized to grant graduate degrees, a graduate degree
in a field of study for which possession of that degree
meets the qualification standards at this grade level
as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management for
the position to which the individual is being
appointed; and
``(B) achieved a cumulative grade point average of
3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate coursework in
the field of study required for the position.
``(c) Veterans' preference procedures shall apply when selecting
candidates under this section. Preference eligibles who meet the
criteria for distinguished scholar appointments shall be considered
ahead of nonpreference eligibles.
``(d) An appointment made under this authority shall be a career
conditional appointment in the competitive civil service.
``Sec. 9935. Travel and transportation expenses of certain new
appointees
``(a) In this section, the term `new appointee' means--
``(1) a person newly appointed or reinstated to Federal
service to the Administration to--
``(A) a career or career-conditional appointment;
``(B) a term appointment;
``(C) an excepted service appointment that provides
for noncompetitive conversion to a career or career-
conditional appointment;
``(D) a career or limited term Senior Executive
Service appointment;
``(E) an appointment made under section
203(c)(2)(A) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act
of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(2)(A));
``(F) an appointment to a position established
under section 3104; or
``(G) an appointment to a position established
under section 5108; or
``(2) a student trainee who, upon completion of academic
work, is converted to an appointment in the Administration that
is identified in paragraph (1) in accordance with an
appropriate authority.
``(b) The Administrator may pay the travel, transportation, and
relocation expenses of a new appointee to the same extent, in the same
manner, and subject to the same conditions as the payment of such
expenses under sections 5724, 5724a, 5724b, and 5724c to an employee
transferred in the interests of the United States Government.
``Sec. 9936. Annual leave enhancements
``(a)(1) In this subsection--
``(A) the term `newly appointed employee' means an
individual who is first appointed--
``(i) regardless of tenure, as an employee of the
Federal Government; or
``(ii) as an employee of the Federal Government
following a break in service of at least 90 days after
that individual's last period of Federal employment,
other than--
``(I) employment under the Student
Educational Employment Program administered by
the Office of Personnel Management;
``(II) employment as a law clerk trainee;
``(III) employment under a short-term
temporary appointing authority while a student
during periods of vacation from the educational
institution at which the student is enrolled;
``(IV) employment under a provisional
appointment if the new appointment is permanent
and immediately follows the provisional
appointment; or
``(V) employment under a temporary
appointment that is neither full-time nor the
principal employment of the individual;
``(B) the term `period of qualified non-Federal service'
means any period of service performed by an individual that--
``(i) was performed in a position the duties of
which were directly related to the duties of the
position in the Administration to which that individual
will fill as a newly appointed employee; and
``(ii) except for this section would not otherwise
be service performed by an employee for purposes of
section 6303; and
``(C) the term `directly related to the duties of the
position' means duties and responsibilities in the same line of
work which require similar qualifications.
``(2)(A) For purposes of section 6303, the Administrator may deem a
period of qualified non-Federal service performed by a newly appointed
employee to be a period of service of equal length performed as an
employee.
``(B) A period deemed by the Administrator under subparagraph (A)
shall continue to apply to the employee during--
``(i) the period of Federal service in which the deeming is
made; and
``(ii) any subsequent period of Federal service.
``(3)(A) Notwithstanding section 6303(a), the annual leave accrual
rate for an employee of the Administration in a position paid under
section 5376 or 5383, or for an employee in an equivalent category
whose rate of basic pay is greater than the rate payable at GS-15, step
10, shall be 1 day for each full biweekly pay period.
``(B) The accrual rate established under this paragraph shall
continue to apply to the employee during--
``(i) the period of Federal service in which such accrual
rate first applies; and
``(ii) any subsequent period of Federal service.
``Sec. 9937. Limited appointments to Senior Executive Service positions
``(a) In this section--
``(1) the term `career reserved position' means a position
in the Administration designated under section 3132(b) which
may be filled only by--
``(A) a career appointee; or
``(B) a limited emergency appointee or a limited
term appointee--
``(i) who, immediately before entering the
career reserved position, was serving under a
career or career-conditional appointment
outside the Senior Executive Service; or
``(ii) whose limited emergency or limited
term appointment is approved in advance by the
Office of Personnel Management;
``(2) the term `limited emergency appointee' has the
meaning given under section 3132; and
``(3) the term `limited term appointee' means an individual
appointed to a Senior Executive Service position in the
Administration to meet a bona fide temporary need, as
determined by the Administrator.
``(b) The number of career reserved positions which are filled by
an appointee as described under subsection (a)(1)(B) may not exceed 10
percent of the total number of Senior Executive Service positions
allocated to the Administration.
``(c) Notwithstanding sections 3132 and 3394(b)--
``(1) the Administrator may appoint an individual to any
Senior Executive Service position in the Administration as a
limited term appointee under this section for a period of--
``(A) 4 years or less to a position the duties of
which will expire at the end of such term; or
``(B) 1 year or less to a position the duties of
which are continuing; and
``(2) in rare circumstances, the Administrator may
authorize an extension of a limited appointment under--
``(A) paragraph (1)(A) for a period not to exceed 2
years; and
``(B) paragraph (1)(B) for a period not to exceed 1
year.
``(d) A limited term appointee who has been appointed in the
Administration from a career or career-conditional appointment outside
the Senior Executive Service shall have reemployment rights in the
agency from which appointed, or in another agency, under requirements
and conditions established by the Office of Personnel Management. The
Office shall have the authority to direct such placement in any agency.
``(e) Notwithstanding section 3394(b) and section 3395--
``(1) a limited term appointee serving under a term
prescribed under this section may be reassigned to another
Senior Executive Service position in the Administration, the
duties of which will expire at the end of a term of 4 years or
less; and
``(2) a limited term appointee serving under a term
prescribed under this section may be reassigned to another
continuing Senior Executive Service position in the
Administration, except that the appointee may not serve in 1 or
more positions in the Administration under such appointment in
excess of 1 year, except that in rare circumstances, the
Administrator may approve an extension up to an additional 1
year.
``(f) A limited term appointee may not serve more than 7
consecutive years under any combination of limited appointments.
``(g) Notwithstanding section 5384, the Administrator may authorize
performance awards to limited term appointees in the Administration in
the same amounts and in the same manner as career appointees.
``Sec. 9938. Superior qualifications pay
``(a) In this section the term `employee' means an employee as
defined under section 2105 who is employed by the Administration.
``(b) Notwithstanding section 5334, the Administrator may set the
pay of an employee paid under the General Schedule at any step within
the pay range for the grade of the position, based on the superior
qualifications of the employee, or the special need of the
Administration.
``(c) If an exercise of the authority under this section relates to
a current employee selected for another position within the
Administration, a determination shall be made that the employee's
contribution in the new position will exceed that in the former
position, before setting pay under this section.
``(d) Pay as set under this section is basic pay for such purposes
as pay set under section 5334.
``(e) If the employee serves for at least 1 year in the position
for which the pay determination under this section was made, or a
successor position, the pay earned under such position may be used in
succeeding actions to set pay under chapter 53.
``(f) The Administrator may waive the restrictions in subsection
(e), based on criteria established in the plan required under
subsection (g).
``(g) Before setting any employee's pay under this section, the
Administrator shall submit a plan to the Office of Personnel
Management, that includes--
``(1) criteria for approval of actions to set pay under
this section;
``(2) the level of approval required to set pay under this
section;
``(3) all types of actions and positions to be covered;
``(4) the relationship between the exercise of authority
under this section and the use of other pay incentives; and
``(5) a process to evaluate the effectiveness of this
section.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--
(1) Table of chapters.--The table of chapters for part III
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``99. National Aeronautics and Space Administration......... 9901''.
(2) Compensation for certain excepted personnel.--
(A) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section
203(c)(2) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of
1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
``the highest rate of grade 18 of the General Schedule
of the Classification Act of 1949, as amended,'' and
inserting ``the rate of basic pay payable for level III
of the Executive Schedule,''.
(B) Effective date.--Notwithstanding section 3, the
amendment made by this paragraph shall take effect on
the first day of the first pay period beginning on or
after the effective date of this Act.
(3) Compensation clarification.--Section 209 of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(g)(1) In this subsection, the term `private sector entity' has
the meaning given under section 9932(a) of title 5.
``(2) This section does not prohibit an employee of a private
sector entity, while assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration under section 9932 of title 5, from continuing to
receive pay and benefits from that entity in accordance with section
9932 of that title.''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act.
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