[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 31850]]

     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

[[Page 31851]]

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  STRL                       Federal Register notice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

[[Page 31852]]

 
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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