[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31849-31852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14191]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DOD-2019-OS-0081]
Department of Defense Science and Technology Reinvention
Laboratory (STRL) Personnel Demonstration (Demo) Project
AGENCY: Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering,
(USD(R&E)), Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: This notice provides a new authority to all STRL Personnel
Demonstration Projects.
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SUMMARY: STRLs with published demonstration project plans may implement
a new program that provides the authority to offer voluntary
assignments in the STRLs to private and public sector United States
(U.S.) citizens.
DATES: This proposal may not be implemented until a 30-day comment
period is provided, comments addressed, and a final Federal Register
notice (FRN) published. To be considered, written comments must be
submitted on or before August 2, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and
title, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Chief Management
Officer, Directorate for Oversight and Compliance, 4800 Mark Center
Drive, Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency
name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without
change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Department of the Air Force
Air Force Research Laboratory: Ms. Rosalyn Jones-Byrd,
Directorate of Personnel, 1864 4th Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, OH 45433-5209;
Joint Warfare Analysis Center: Ms. Amy Balmaz, 4048 Higley
Road, Dahlgren, VA 22448.
Department of the Army
Army Research Institute: Dr. Scott Shadrick, 6000 6th
Street, Bldg. 1464, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5586;
Army Research Laboratory: Ms. Dianne Hawkins, AMSRD-ARL-O-
HR, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD 20783-1197;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Armaments Center:
Mr. Mike Nicotra, Human Capital Management Office, Building 1, 3rd
Floor, RDAR-EIH, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Aviation and
Missile Center: Ms. Nancy Salmon, 5400 Fowler Road, Redstone Arsenal,
AL 35898-5000;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Chemical
Biological Center: Ms. Patricia Milwicz, Office of the Technical
Director, Workforce Management Office, Department of the Army, ATTN:
RDCB-DPC-W, 5183 Blackhawk Road, Building 3330, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, MD 21010-5424;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center: Mr. Christopher Tahaney, C5ISR Campus Building
6002, Room D3126D, ATTN: RDER-DOS-ER, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
21005;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Ground Vehicle
Systems Center: Ms. Jennifer Davis, ATTN: RDTA-CS/MS 204, Warren, MI
48397-5000;
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center:
Ms. Joelle Montecalvo, Kansas Street, (AMSRD-NSR-BO-W), Natick, MA
01760;
Engineer Research and Development Center: Ms. Patricia
Sullivan, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199;
Medical Research and Materiel Command: Ms. Linda Krout,
505 Scott St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5000;
Technical Center, Space and Missile Defense Command/Army
Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT): Mr. Chad Marshall, 5220 Martin
Road, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-5000.
Department of the Navy
Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and Aircraft
Division: Mr. Richard Cracraft, Weapons Division, Code 730000D, 1
Administration Circle, Building 00464, China Lake, CA 93555-6100;
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center: Ms. Lori Leigh, Code BD13, 1000 23rd
Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA 93043.
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Naval Information Warfare Centers:
[cir] Naval Information Warfare Centers Atlantic: Ms. Veronica
Truesdale, P.O. Box 190022, North Charleston, SC 29419-9022; and
[cir] Naval Information Warfare Centers Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson,
53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001;
Naval Medical Research Center: Dr. James Andrews, 503
Robert Grant Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500;
Naval Research Laboratory: Ms. Ginger Kisamore, 4555
Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20375-5320;
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers: Ms. Diane
Brown, Philadelphia Division, 5001 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
19112-5083;
Office of Naval Research: Ms. Margaret J. Mitchell, 875
North Randolph Street, Code BD, Arlington, VA 22203;
DoD
Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, Director, Laboratories and
Personnel, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
Section 342(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for
Fiscal Year (FY) 1995, as amended by section 1109 of the NDAA for FY
2000, and section 1114 of the NDAA for FY 2001, authorizes the
Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to conduct personnel demonstration
projects at DoD laboratories designated as STRLs. Most STRLs have a
Voluntary Emeritus Program or Voluntary Emeritus Corps flexibility that
permits STRLs to offer voluntary assignments to individuals who have
retired or separated from Federal service. This new authority will
expand this flexibility to permit STRLs to offer the same type of
voluntary assignments to U.S. citizens who have not retired or
separated from Federal service. Volunteer service will not be used to
replace any employee, or interfere with career opportunities of
employees. The Volunteer Emeritus Program may not be used to replace or
substitute for work performed by civilian employees occupying regular
positions required to perform the STRLs mission.
The 20 current STRLs are:
Air Force Research Laboratory
Joint Warfare Analysis Center
Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Army Research Laboratory
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Armaments Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Aviation and Missile
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Chemical Biological
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Ground Vehicle Systems
Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center
Engineer Research and Development Center
Medical Research and Materiel Command
Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/
Army Forces Strategic Command
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare Centers
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and
Expeditionary Warfare Center
Naval Information Warfare Centers, Atlantic and Pacific
Naval Medical Research Center
Naval Research Laboratory
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers
Office of Naval Research
2. Overview
I. Introduction
A. Purpose
The Voluntary Expert Program will allow U.S. citizens to provide
commercial and public sector knowledge, experience and advice, and
valuable mentoring to STRL employees.
B. Required Waivers to Law and Regulation
None.
C. Participating Organizations and Employees
All DoD laboratories designated as STRLs under section 1105 of the
NDAA for FY 2010, section 1103 of the NDAA for FY 2015 and section 1104
of the NDAA for FY 2018 (including any newly designated STRLs
authorized by SECDEF or by future legislation) with published
demonstration project plans may use the provisions described in this
FRN. STRLs implementing this flexibility must fulfill any collective
bargaining obligations. Each STRL will establish internal operating
procedures as appropriate. Authorized STRLs and correlated FRNs are
listed in Appendix A.
II. Personnel System Changes
All current and future STRL personnel demonstration project plans
are hereby amended to add the following:
A. Voluntary Expert Program
Under the demonstration project, STRLs have the authority to offer
voluntary assignments to U.S. citizens who are retired, separated, or
on sabbatical from private or public sector organizations. The
Voluntary Expert Program will provide opportunities for these
individuals to bring commercial sector or public sector knowledge and
experience into the STRLs. The Voluntary Expert Program will not be
used to replace any employee or interfere with employees' career
opportunities. The Volunteer Emeritus Program may not be used to
replace or substitute for work performed by civilian employees
occupying regular positions required to perform the STRLs mission.
To be accepted into the Voluntary Expert Program, an individual
must be a U.S. citizen and must be recommended by an STRL manager. No
one is entitled to participate in the Voluntary Expert Program, and
application to the Voluntary Expert Program does not guarantee
acceptance into the Program or assignment at an STRL. The STRL must
clearly document the decision process and decision rationale for each
Voluntary Expert Program applicant (regardless of whether the applicant
is accepted or rejected for the program) and must retain this
documentation throughout the assignment (for accepted applicants), or
for two years (for rejected applicants). Voluntary Expert Program
participants will not be permitted to perform any inherently
governmental function, or to participate in any contracts or
solicitations for which the participant has a conflict of interest.
Voluntary Expert Program participants are not permitted to participate
in contract source selections, nor are they permitted to have access to
contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information,
or to data or information that is protected by the Trade Secrets Act
(18 U.S.C. 1905) without a written agreement between the Voluntary
Expert Program participant and the owner of the data or information.
The Voluntary Expert Program participant shall be required to enter
a written agreement with the STRL as a condition of participation in
the Program. The agreement will be reviewed by the local Legal Office
for
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legal sufficiency prior to signature. The agreement must be finalized
before the Voluntary Expert Program participant assumes any duties and
shall include, at a minimum:
(a) A statement that the voluntary assignment does not constitute
an appointment in the civil service and is without compensation, and
any and all claims against the Government (because of the voluntary
assignment) are waived by the Voluntary Expert Program participant;
(b) a statement that the Voluntary Expert Program participant will
be considered a federal employee solely for the purpose of:
(1) Sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654,
1905, and 1913 of title 18, U.S.C.;
(2) Sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of title 31, U.S.C.;
(3) Chapters 73 and 81 of title 5, U.S.C.;
(4) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978;
(5) Chapter 21 of title 41, U.S.C.;
(6) 28 U.S.C. chapter 171 (tort claims procedure), and any other
Federal tort liability statute; and
(7) 5 U.S.C. 552a (records maintained on individuals).
(c) the Voluntary Expert Program participant's work schedule;
(d) the length of the agreement (defined by length of project or
time defined by weeks, months, or years);
(e) the support to be provided by the STRL (travel, administrative,
office space, supplies);
(f) the Voluntary Expert Program participant's duties;
(g) a provision allowing either party to void the agreement with at
least two working days' written notice;
(h) the level of security access required (any security clearance
required by the assignment will be managed by the STRL while the
participant is a member of the Voluntary Expert Program.
(i) a provision that any written products prepared for publication
that are related to Volunteer Expert Program participation will be
submitted to the STRL director for review and must be approved prior to
publication,
(j) a statement that the Volunteer Expert Program participant
accepts accountability for loss or damage to Government property
occasioned by the Volunteer Expert Program participant's negligence or
willful action;
(k) a statement that the activities of the Volunteer Expert Program
participant on the premises will conform to the regulations and
requirements of the organization;
(l) a statement that the Volunteer Expert Program participant will
not improperly use or disclose any non-public information, to include
any pre-decisional or draft deliberative information related to DoD
programming, budgeting, resourcing, acquisition, procurement or other
matter, for the benefit or advantage of the Volunteer Expert or any
non-Federal entities. Volunteer Expert Program participants will handle
all non-public information in a manner that reduces the possibility of
improper disclosure;
(m) a statement that the Volunteer Expert Program participant
agrees to disclose any inventions made in the course of work performed
at the STRL. The STRL will have the option to obtain title to any such
invention on behalf of the U.S. Government. Should the STRL Director
elect not to take title, the STRL will retain a non-exclusive,
irrevocable, paid up, royalty-free license to practice or have
practiced the invention worldwide on behalf of the U.S. Government;
(n) a statement that the Volunteer Expert Program participant must
complete either a Confidential or Public Financial Disclosure Report,
whichever applies; a disqualification statement prohibiting the
Volunteer Expert program participant from working on matters related to
his or her former employer; and ethics training in accordance with
Office of Government Ethics regulations prior to implementation of the
written agreement; and
(o) a statement that the Volunteer Expert Program participant must
receive post-government employment advice from a DoD ethics counselor
at the conclusion of program participation. Volunteer Expert Program
participants are deemed Federal employees for purposes of post-
government employment restrictions.
A written Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the STRL and the
Volunteer Expert Program participant is required and must include all
items above, regardless of format used. The use and wording of the MOA
will be provided in the internal operating procedures of the STRL.
B. Evaluation
As part of an annual program evaluation, STRLs will provide
specific information concerning the use of this authority to the
Director, Defense Laboratories Office.
Appendix A
Authorized STRLs and Federal Register Notices
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STRL Federal Register notice
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Air Force Research Laboratory.......... 61 FR 60400 amended by 75 FR
53076.
Joint Warfare Analysis Center.......... Not yet published.
Combat Capabilities Development Command- 76 FR 3744.
Armaments Center.
Army Research Institute for Behavioral Not yet published.
and Social Sciences.
Army Research Laboratory............... 63 FR 10680.
Combat Capabilities Development Command- 62 FR 34906 and 62 FR 34876
Aviation and Missile Center. amended by 65 FR 53142 (AVRDEC
and AMRDEC merged together).
Combat Capabilities Development Command- 74 FR 68936.
Chemical Biological Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command- 66 FR 54872.
Command, Control, Communications,
Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance Center.
Engineer Research and Development 63 FR 14580 amended by 65 FR
Center. 32135.
Combat Capabilities Development Command- 76 FR 12508.
Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Medical Research and Materiel Command.. 63 FR 10440.
Combat Capabilities Development Command 74 FR 68448.
Soldier Center.
Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and Not yet published.
Missile Defense Command/Army Forces
Strategic Command.
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare 76 FR 8530.
Centers.
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Naval Facilities Engineering Command Not yet published.
Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare
Center.
Naval Information Warfare Centers, 76 FR 1924.
Atlantic and Pacific.
Naval Medical Research Center.......... Not yet published.
Naval Research Laboratory.............. 64 FR 33970.
Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare 62 FR 64050.
Centers.
Office of Naval Research............... 75 FR 77380.
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Dated: June 27, 2019.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2019-14191 Filed 7-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P