[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 101 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28583-28585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11185]



[[Page 28583]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Department of Defense Science and Technology Reinvention 
Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 
Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice of amendment.

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SUMMARY: On September 15, 2017, DoD published a Federal Register Notice 
(FRN) to implement a new workforce-shaping pilot program that provides 
the science and technology reinvention laboratory (STRL) lab directors 
the authority to dynamically shape the mix of technical skills and 
expertise in the workforces of such laboratories to achieve one or more 
of the objectives in section 1109(a) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The suite of 
workforce-shaping tools available to STRL lab directors includes 
flexible-length and renewable-term technical appointments, modified re-
employed annuitant authority, and modified voluntary early retirement 
and separation incentive authorities. Updates are necessary to clarify 
that subsequent changes to this authority are applicable. For example, 
section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019 amends this authority to allow 
flexible-length and renewable-term technical appointments for current 
DoD term employees. In addition to updating other legislative 
references, this notice clarifies application of probationary/trial 
periods and career tenure to flexible-length and renewable-term 
technical appointments and subsequent conversion to career or career-
conditional appointments.

DATES: This notice may be implemented beginning on May 27, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, Director, 
Laboratories and Personnel Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, 
VA 22350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Modifications

    In the notice published on September 15, 2017, 82 FR 43339-43343:
    1. On page 43339, second column, under SUMMARY, in the first 
sentence, after ``section 1109(a) of the NDAA for FY2016'' insert ``, 
Public Law 114-92, as amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019, 
Public Law 115-232.''
    2. On page 43339, third column, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 
under ``Department of the Army'' replace all with the following bullet 
list:
     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 Army Research 
Laboratory: Mr. Christopher Tahaney, AMSRD-ARL-O-HR, 2800 Powder Mill 
Road, Adelphi, MD 20783-1197;
     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, G-1 Human Resource Office, Department of the Army, ATTN: 
FCDD-CBD-CH, 8198 Blackhawk Road, Building E3330, Aberdeen Proving 
Ground, MD 21010-5424;
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control, 
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and 
Reconnaissance Center: Ms. Angela Clybourn, C4ISR 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, 15 General Greene Ave. (FCDD-SCG-HR), Natick, MA 
01760;
     Engineer Research and Development Center: Ms. Patricia 
Sullivan, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199;
     Medical Research and Development Command: Ms. Linda Krout, 
505 Scott St., Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5000.
    3. On page 43340, first column, delete the following bullet:
     Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Space and Naval 
Warfare Systems Center (SSC):
    [cir] SSC Atlantic: Ms. Veronica Truesdale, SSC Atlantic STRL 
Project Lead, SSC Atlantic, P.O. Box 190022, North Charleston, SC 
29419-9022;
    [cir] SSC Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson, SSC Pacific STRL Project 
Lead, SSC Pacific, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001

and insert the following:
     Naval Information Warfare Center:
    [cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic: Mr. Michael 
Gagnon, P.O. Box 190022, North Charleston, SC 29419-9022;
    [cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson, 
53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152-5001.
    4. On page 43340, first column, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, under 1. 
``Background,'' in the second sentence, after ``section 1105 of the 
NDAA for FY 2010, Public Law 111-84,'' insert ``as amended by section 
1103 of the NDAA for FY 2015, Public Law 113-291, and section 1104 of 
the NDAA for FY 2018, Public Law 115-91,''
    5. On page 43340, first column and top of second column, 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, under 1. Background,'' the last sentence of 
the first paragraph, remove ``The 15 current STRLs are'' and replace 
with ``The 20 current STRLs are''; replace the listing of STRLs with 
the following:

 Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (CCDC 
AC)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research 
Laboratory (CCDC ARL)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile 
Center (CCDC AvMC)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological 
Center (CCDC CBC)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control, 
Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 
Center (CCDC C5ISR)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems 
Center (CCDC GVSC)
 Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC)
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC 
SC)
 Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences 
(ARI)
 Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
 Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command 
(USASMDC)
 Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Warfare Centers
 Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Engineering and 
Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC)
 Naval Information Warfare Centers (NIWC)
 Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC)
 Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
 Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Warfare Centers
 Office of Naval Research (ONR)
 Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
 Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC)

    6. On page 43340, second column, under 2.I.A., ``Purpose,'' in the 
first

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sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert ``, as amended by section 
1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    7. On page 43340, second column, 2.I.B., ``Required Waivers to Law 
and Regulation,'' in the first sentence after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' 
insert ``, as amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    8. On page 43340, third column, under II.A.1., ``Authorized 
Positions,'' in the first sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert 
``, as amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,'' and after 
``civilian employees'' insert ``, with the exception of current DoD 
term employees,''
    9. On page 43340, third column, under II.A.1.a., ``Authorized 
Positions,'' in the first sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016,'' insert 
``as amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    10. On page 43341, first column, under II.A.3.b., ``Provisions,'' 
after ``Current DoD employees'' insert ``, with the exception of 
current DoD term employees,''
    11. On page 43341, at the bottom of the first column and top of the 
second column, under II.A.3.f., replace ``term'' with ``permanent'' as 
updated in a minor modification dated April 11, 2019. The sentence will 
read as follows: ``Appointees will be afforded equal eligibility for 
employee programs and benefits comparable to those provided to similar 
employees on permanent appointments at each STRL, to include 
opportunities for professional development and eligibility for award 
programs.''
    12. On page 43341, second column, under II.A.3.g, in the first 
sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert ``, as amended by section 
1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    13. On page 43341, in the second column, add the following after j:
    k. Probationary/Trial Period. The trial period specified in each 
STRL FRN will apply to individuals appointed under the Flexible Length 
and Renewable Term Appointment. If not specified, appointees will serve 
a two-year trial period.
    l. Tenure. For those appointed under the Flexible Length and 
Renewable Term Technical Appointment authority or converted from a term 
or modified term to a Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical 
Appointment and later converted to a career or career-conditional 
appointment, the time spent on both appointments will count toward 
career tenure.
    14. On page 43341, II.A.3., based on the additions above, in the 
second column rename previous:
    k. to m.
    l. to n.
    15. On page 43341, in the third column, under the section renamed 
to n., ``Documenting Personnel Actions,'' replace the first sentence in 
the third column with ``The NDAA for FY 2016, section 1109(b)(1), 
amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019, Public Law 115-232, 
dtd 8/13/2018 (LAC ZLM), will also be cited on all personnel actions.''
    16. On page 43341, in the third column, under the section renamed 
to n., ``Documenting Personnel Actions,'' at the end of the last 
sentence, delete ``section 1109(b)(1)(B) of the NDAA for FY 2016.'' 
Insert ``Public Law 115-232, section 1112.''
    17. On page 43341, in the third column, II.B.1., ``Authorities,'' 
after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert ``, as amended by section 1112 of the 
NDAA for FY 2019,''
    18. On page 43342, first column, II.B.3.b., ``Provisions,'' remove 
second sentence and replace it with ``The appropriate annuitant 
indicator will be used (once assigned) on all personnel actions.''
    19. On page 43342, first column, II.C.1.a., ``Authorities,'' in the 
first sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert ``, as amended by 
section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    20. On page 43342, first column, II.C.1.a., ``Authorities,'' in the 
second sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' insert ``, as amended by 
section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    21. On page 43342, third column, II.D.a., ``Sunset Date and 
Conditions of Use,'' in the first sentence, after ``NDAA for FY 2016'' 
insert ``, as amended by section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2019,''
    22. On pages 43342-43343, in Appendix A, in the table under ``Title 
5, Code of Federal Regulations,'' add the following waivers:
    5 CFR part 315.201(b) waived to the extent necessary to allow 
Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical Appointments to be 
considered non-temporary employment for the purposes of determining 
creditable service toward career tenure.
    5 CFR part 316.303(a) waived to the extent necessary to allow 
Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical Appointments to count 
toward competitive status.
    5 CFR part 316.304(a) waived to allow a two-year trial period under 
the Flexible Length and Renewable Term Technical Appointment.
    23. On page 43343, replace Appendix B in its entirety with the 
following:

                  Appendix B--Authorized STRLs and FRNs
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                  STRL                                 FRN
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Combat Capabilities Development Command  76 FR 3744.
 Armaments Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command  63 FR 10680.
 Army Research Laboratory.
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.
Combat Capabilities Development Command  76 FR 12508.
 Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Combat Capabilities Development Command  74 FR 68448.
 Soldier Center.
Army Research Institute for the          85 FR 76038.
 Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Engineer Research and Development        63 FR 14580 amended by 65 FR
 Center.                                  32135.
Medical Research and Development         63 FR 10440.
 Command.
Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and    85 FR 3339.
 Missile Defense Command.
Naval Air Warfare Center...............  76 FR 8530.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command     86 FR 14084.
 Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare
 Center.

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Naval Information Warfare Centers......  76 FR 1924.
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.
Air Force Research Laboratory..........  61 FR 60400 amended by 75 FR
                                          53076.
Joint Warfare Analysis Center..........  85 FR 29414.
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    Dated: May 14, 2021.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2021-11185 Filed 5-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P