[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14654-14655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07155]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS) at the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces changes to the existing provisions of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Alternative 
Personnel Management System (APMS) published October 21, 1997 (62 FR 
54604), and August 13, 2012 (77 FR 48128). NIST is modifying its 
current APMS direct-hire authority to include positions in the General 
Engineering, 801 series; General Physical Science, 1301 series; and 
Information Technology Management, 2210 series at the Pay Band III and 
above.

DATES: This notice is applicable on April 11, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susanne Porch at the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, (301) 975-2487 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Public Law 99-574, the 
National Bureau of Standards Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, 
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved a demonstration 
project plan, ``Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS) at the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),'' and published 
the plan in the Federal Register on October 2, 1987 (52 FR 37082). The 
published demonstration project plan was modified twice, once to 
clarify certain NIST authorities (54 FR 21331, May 17, 1989) and once 
to revise the performance appraisal system and the pay administration 
system in order to better link pay with performance (55 FR 39220, 
September 25, 1990). The APMS was made permanent in Section 10 of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Public Law 
104-113, 110 Stat. 775 (Mar. 7, 1996) (codified at 15 U.S.C. 275 note), 
and the project plan and subsequent amendments were consolidated in the 
final APMS plan, which was published in the Federal Register on October 
21, 1997 (62 FR 54604). NIST published eight subsequent amendments to 
the final APMS plan: one on May 6, 2005 (70 FR 23996), which became 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register; one on July 15, 
2008 (73 FR 40500), which became effective on October 1, 2008; one on 
July 21, 2009 (74 FR 35841), which became effective upon publication in 
the Federal Register; one on January 5, 2011 (76 FR 539), which became 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register; one on June 19, 
2012 (77 FR 36485), which became effective upon publication in the 
Federal Register; one on August 13, 2012 (77 FR 48128), which became 
effective upon publication in the Federal Register; one on August 24, 
2012 (77 FR 51518), which became effective upon publication in the 
Federal Register; and one on September 24, 2015 (80 FR 57580), which 
became effective upon publication in the Federal Register. NIST also 
published a correction to the final APMS plan on July 21, 2009 (74 FR 
35843), which became effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register.
    On March 20, 2018, the Office of Management and Budget unveiled the 
fiscal year 2019 Presidential Management Agenda (PMA) outlining a long-
term vision for modernizing the Federal government in key areas that 
would improve the ability of agencies to deliver mission outcomes, 
provide excellent service, and effectively steward taxpayer dollars on 
behalf of the American people. One aspect of the PMA highlights the 
government need to develop and manage the workforce of the 21st century 
by simplifying and expediting the hiring process for top talent.
    The APMS plan provides for modifications to be made as experience 
is gained, results are analyzed, and conclusions are reached on how the 
system is working. This notice formally modifies the current APMS 
direct-hire authority to include positions in the General Engineering, 
801 series; General Physical Science, 1301 series; and Information 
Technology Management, 2210 series at the Pay Band III and above. The 
expanded direct-hire authority will allow NIST to simplify and expedite 
hiring for managers in mission critical occupations, and, in accordance 
with the PMA, take a step

[[Page 14655]]

towards building the workforce of the 21st century.

Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
II. Basis for APMS Plan Modification
III. Changes to the APMS Plan

I. Executive Summary

    NIST is expanding its current APMS direct-hire authority to 
simplify and expedite hiring in mission critical occupations.
    This amendment modifies the August 13, 2012 (77 FR 48128) 
amendment. Positions in the General Engineering, 801 series; General 
Physical Science, 1301 series; and Information Technology Management, 
2210 series at the Pay Band III and above will be covered under the 
current NIST APMS direct-hire authority.
    NIST will continually monitor the effectiveness of this amendment.

II. Basis for APMS Plan Modification

    In August 2012, NIST published a Federal Register notice (77 FR 
48128) which implemented direct-hire authority under 5 U.S.C. 
3304(a)(3) on a permanent basis for the Nuclear Reactor Operation 
position in NIST's Scientific and Engineering Technician (ZT) career 
path at the Pay Band III and above, and for all positions in NIST's 
Scientific and Engineering (ZP) career path at the Pay Band III and 
above except for the Information Technology Management, 2210 series; 
the General Engineer, 801 series; and the General Physical Science, 
1301 series. The modification in 2012 enabled NIST to hire, after 
public notice is given, any qualified applicant without regard to 5 
U.S.C. 3309-3318, 5 CFR part 211, or 5 CFR part 337, subpart A. Based 
upon NIST's hiring needs and the PMA objective of simplifying and 
expediting hiring, NIST is expanding its current APMS direct-hire 
authority to include all positions in the Scientific and Engineering 
(ZP) career path at the Pay Band III and above.
    NIST's APMS allows the NIST Director to modify procedures if no new 
waiver from law or regulation is added. Given this modification is in 
accordance with existing law and regulation, the NIST Director is 
authorized to make the changes described in this notice. The 
modification to our final Federal Register notice, dated October 21, 
1997 (62 FR 54604), with respect to our Staffing authorities is 
provided below.

III. Changes in the APMS Plan

    The APMS at NIST, published in the Federal Register on October 21, 
1997 (62 FR 54604) is amended as follows:
    The information under the subsection titled: ``Direct Hire: 
Critical Shortage Occupations'' is replaced with:
    NIST uses direct-hire procedures for categories of occupations 
which require skills that are in short supply. All Nuclear Reactor 
Operator positions at the Pay Band III and above in the ZT Career Path 
constitute a shortage category, and all occupations at the Pay Band III 
and above in the ZP Career Path constitute a shortage category. Any 
positions in these categories may be filled through direct-hire 
procedures in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3). NIST advertises the 
availability of job opportunities in direct-hire occupations by posting 
on the OPM USAJOBS website. NIST will follow internal direct-hire 
procedures for accepting applications and continue to provide 
consideration to eligible veteran preference applicants.

[FR Doc. 2019-07155 Filed 4-10-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-13-P