[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 32780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13646]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Summary of Operation of Information Technology Exchange Program

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 209 of Pub. L. 107-347, the E-Government Act of 2002 
established a semiannual reporting requirement for a new Information 
Technology Exchange Program. This notice constitutes the initial 
report.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LaVeen Ponds by TTY at (202) 418-3134, 
by fax at (202) 606-2329, phone at 202-606-1394 or e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intent of section 209 of Pub. L. 107-
347, the E-Government Act of 2002 is to improve the skills and 
knowledge of the Federal workforce in using information technology to 
deliver Government information services. To that end, section 209 
amends title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) to create a new chapter 37, 
which provides for an Information Technology (IT) Exchange Program for 
Federal and private sector employees. The IT Exchange Program is 
envisioned to promote the interchange of Federal and private industry 
workers to enhance skills and competencies.
    The new section, 5 U.S.C. 3706(a) requires the Office of Personnel 
Management to submit a report to the Committee on Government Reform of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs 
of the Senate not later than April 30 and October 31 of each year, 
summarizing the operation of the new chapter during the immediately 
preceding 6-month period ending March 31 and September 30, 
respectively. Due to the enactment of this Act late in the session, 
regulations for the new program have only been drafted recently and are 
in final development. Accordingly, as they are not available for the 
administration of the new chapter 37, the program has not yet been 
implemented by agencies. Therefore, there is no information available 
concerning the numbers or nature of assignments under the program as 
required by 5 U.S.C. 3706.
    These regulations are a top priority and will be issued as soon as 
possible. Consistent with the E-Government Act, the IT Exchange Program 
regulations set out eligibility criteria as well as terms and 
conditions of the detail for Federal participants; written agreement 
criteria and service agreement requirements; and reporting 
requirements.
    The October 31 report will provide the status of the implementation 
of the IT Exchange Program and any applicable program information 
available at that time.
    This report may also be viewed on OPM's Web page at www.opm.gov

    Office of Personnel Management.
Kay Coles James,
Director.
[FR Doc. 03-13646 Filed 5-30-03; 8:45 am]
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