[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10874-10880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03601]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Department of Defense Science and Technology Reinvention 
Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project Program

AGENCY: The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering 
(USD(R&E)), Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: This notice provides new student and recent graduate direct 
hire authority to all Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories 
(STRL) with published Personnel Demonstration (Demo) Project plans.

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SUMMARY: STRLs may implement a direct hire authority for students and 
recent graduates for occupations which do not require expertise in 
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The 
Professional, Administrative, Assistant, Clerical and Technician 
Student Employment Program (PAACTSEP) is a student program which 
permits appointment and noncompetitive conversion to the competitive 
service for qualified candidates who are enrolled in a qualifying 
educational institution.

DATES: Implementation of this Federal Register Notice (FRN) will begin 
no earlier than February 22, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

[[Page 10875]]

    Department of Defense:
    Office of Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), 
Defense Research Operations: Dr. James ``Ben'' Petro, 571-372-6435, 
[email protected].
    Department of the Air Force:
     Air Force Research Laboratory: Ms. Rosalyn Jones-Byrd, 
937-656-9747, [email protected].
     Joint Warfare Analysis Center: Ms. Amy Balmaz, 540-653-
8598, [email protected].
    Department of the Army:
     Army Futures Command: Ms. Marlow Richmond, 830-469-2057, 
[email protected].
     Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social 
Sciences: Dr. Scott Shadrick, 254-288-3800, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center: 
Mr. Mike Nicotra, 973-724-7764, [email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research 
Laboratory: Mr. Christopher Tahaney, 410-278-9069, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and 
Missile Center: Ms. Nancy Salmon, 256-876-9647, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical 
Biological Center: Ms. Patricia Milwicz, 410-417-2343, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Command, Control, 
Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and 
Reconnaissance Center: Ms. Angela Clybourn, 443-395-2110, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle 
Systems Center: Ms. Jennifer Davis, 586-306-4166, 
[email protected].
     Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center: 
Ms. Sandra Rosenau, 508-206-3421, [email protected].
     Engineer Research and Development Center: Ms. Patricia 
Sullivan, 601-634-3065, [email protected].
     Medical Research and Development Command: Ms. Linda Krout, 
301-619-7276, [email protected].
     Technical Center, Space and Missile Defense Command: Dr. 
Chad Marshall, 256-955-5697, [email protected].
    Department of the Navy:
     Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and Aircraft 
Division: Mr. Richard Cracraft, 760-939-8115, 
[email protected].
     Naval Facilities Engineering Command Engineering and 
Expeditionary Warfare Center: Ms. Lori Leigh, 805-901-5917, 
[email protected].
     Naval Information Warfare Centers:
    [cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic: Mr. Michael 
Gagnon, 843-218-3871, [email protected].
    [cir] Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific: Ms. Angela Hanson, 
619-553-0833, [email protected].
     Naval Medical Research Center: Dr. Jill Phan, 301-319-
7645, [email protected].
     Naval Research Laboratory: Ms. Ginger Kisamore, 202-767-
3792, [email protected].
     Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers: Ms. Diane 
Brown, 215-897-1619, [email protected].
     Office of Naval Research: Ms. Margaret J. Mitchell, 703-
588-2364, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: STRLs may appoint students to flexible 
length and renewable student terms or temporary appointments and may 
appoint recent graduates to temporary, term, or permanent appointments 
without regard to subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5 United States 
Code (U.S.C.) (other than sections 3303 and 3328). This direct hire 
authority is similar to the student direct hire authority in 10 U.S.C. 
4091, as implemented in the STEM Student Employment Program (SSEP) 
published in 82 FR 29280, except it is for students seeking employment 
in professional, administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician 
positions.

1. Background

    As authorized by 10 U.S.C. 4121, the Secretary of Defense, through 
the USD(R&E), may conduct personnel demonstration projects at DoD 
laboratories designated as STRLs. STRLs implementing this flexibility 
must have an approved personnel management demonstration project plan 
published in a FRN and must fulfill any collective bargaining 
obligations. Each STRL will establish internal operating procedures 
(IOPs) as appropriate.
    The 21 current STRLs are:

 Air Force Research Laboratory
 Joint Warfare Analysis Center
 Army Futures Command
 Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center
 Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research 
Laboratory
 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 Development Command
 Technical Center, US Army Space and Missile Defense 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. Summary of Comments

    On October 17, 2022, the DoD published a notice (87 FR 62795-62800) 
concerning this new flexibility, for a 30-day public comment period. 
The public comment period ended on November 16, 2022. Comments were 
received from two commenters posing questions related to the conversion 
of program participants to General Schedule (GS) positions, promotion 
eligibility of program participants, and the terms used to describe the 
appointments available to program participants. Specifically, one 
commenter inquired how pay will be set for a PAACTSEP program 
participant who later converts from a pay band position to a GS 
position. In response, the Department notes that conversion procedures 
for personnel participating in an STRL Demo project are specific to 
each STRL and are published in the STRL's Demo project plan. Another 
commenter recommended the following: providing criteria to determine 
whether experience is equivalent to education; providing criteria for 
promotion eligibility; and making the Flexible Length and Renewable 
Student Term appointment indefinite, consistent with the appointment 
created in 82 FR 29280. In response, the Department notes that the 
procedures for setting qualification and promotion eligibility

[[Page 10876]]

criteria are specific to STRL Demo project plans which use varying 
broadband and other classification schedules. As indicated in this 
notice, detailed program implementing procedures will be provided in 
individual STRL IOPs. In addition, the Department notes that, in a 
minor modification to 82 FR 29280 adopted in April 2020, the Department 
no longer makes indefinite appointments for the SSEP. Rather, 
consistent with the language in this PAACTSEP notice, SSEP appointments 
may not exceed a period of six years, may be renewed, and will not 
continue longer than 120 days after completion of the designated 
academic course of study unless the human resources office has received 
a Request for Personnel Action (SF-52) for noncompetitive conversion to 
a temporary, term or permanent position.

3. Overview

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

    In addition to leveraging existing student and recent graduate 
hiring flexibilities to pursue scientific and engineering (S&E) talent, 
STRLs may implement additional flexibilities to recruit for other 
occupations, to include professional, administrative, and technical 
occupations, in order to support, maintain and advance each STRL's 
technologies and mission.
    The purpose of this direct-hire authority is to create a 
streamlined and accelerated hiring and appointment process to access a 
pipeline of high-quality students and recent graduates and successfully 
compete with private industry when filling STRL professional, 
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions.
    To effectively implement PAACTSEP this FRN:
    1. Establishes a student program which aligns students appointed 
under this authority to a pay band or grade commensurate with education 
and experience.
    2. Applies the flexible length and renewable student term 
appointment authority in 82 FR 29280 for SSEP students to PAACTSEP 
students appointed for a period of at least one year. This flexible 
length and renewable student term appointment may be for a period of 
more than one year but not more than six years and may be extended in 
up to six-year increments. This authority provides a mechanism for 
students appointed under PAACTSEP to remain on a term appointment until 
completion of their educational program.
    3. Establishes a temporary appointment authority for PAACTSEP 
students or recent graduates appointed for less than one year.
    4. Establishes a student bonus authority designed to improve 
competitiveness with private industry in recruiting and retaining high 
caliber students. The bonus may be used to compensate PAACTSEP students 
for expenses related to program participation, to include, but not 
limited to, travel expenses when the worksite is in a different 
geographic location than that of the student's academic institution. 
STRLs also have authority to pay relocation expenses each time the 
student returns to duty at the laboratory.

B. Required Waivers to Law and Regulation

    Waivers and adaptations of certain title 5 U.S.C. and 5 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) provisions are required only to the extent 
that these statutory and regulatory provisions limit or are 
inconsistent with the actions authorized under these demonstration 
projects. Nothing in this plan is intended to preclude the STRLs from 
adopting or incorporating any law or regulation enacted, adopted, or 
amended after the effective date of this notice.

C. Expected Benefits

    This direct-hire authority and student program is expected to 
streamline the hiring of high-quality students to enable the STRLs to 
compete with private industry in recruiting and retaining recent 
graduates. This program covers students enrolled in qualifying 
educational institutions and certificate programs, as those terms are 
defined in 5 CFR 362.102. This competitive service direct-hire and 
noncompetitive conversion authority enhances the ability of STRLs to 
compete with private industry by improving recruiting efforts, 
providing clear career paths, and offering career progression 
opportunities for a large and diverse population of students and recent 
graduates who may not otherwise consider joining the STRL workforce.

D. Participating Organizations and Employees

    All DoD laboratories designated as STRLs pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 
4121, with approved personnel demonstration project plans published in 
FRNs may use the provisions described in this FRN after the fulfillment 
of any collective bargaining obligations.

II. Personnel System Changes

A. Authority

    STRLs may use the direct-hire authority to appoint students 
enrolled in qualifying educational institutions and certificate 
programs, as those terms are defined in 5 CFR 362.102. During each 
calendar year, each STRL may use this authority to appoint no more than 
25 percent of the total number of non-STEM professional, 
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions within 
the STRL that are filled at the close of the previous fiscal year. 
STRLs may appoint students to temporary or flexible length and 
renewable student term appointments in the competitive service and may 
appoint recent graduates to temporary, term, or permanent appointments 
in the competitive service. STRLs may provide eligible students 
noncompetitive conversion to term or permanent positions upon 
satisfaction of the graduation or certification requirements of the 
secondary or post-secondary educational institution and qualification 
requirements established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 
for the position.

B. Definitions

    1. STRL PAACTSEP positions are those non-STEM professional, 
administrative, assistant, clerical, and technician positions described 
in STRL IOPs, to include General Schedule positions.
    2. As provided in 5 CFR 362.102, the following secondary and post-
secondary educational institutions are a ``qualifying educational 
institution'':
    (a) A public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a 
State or local governing body, a private school that provides secondary 
education as determined under State law, or a homeschool that is 
allowed to operate in a State; and
    (b) Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that 
have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary 
of the U.S. Department of Education:
    (i) A technical or vocational school;
    (ii) A 2-year or 4-year college or university;
    (iii) A graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical 
school); or
    (iv) A post-secondary homeschool curriculum.
    3. Qualified candidates are defined as:
    (a) Students who are enrolled in a qualifying educational 
institution or a certificate program as defined by 5 CFR 362.102. The 
qualifications in Appendix C will apply to PAACTSEP appointments. 
Appointments may be at

[[Page 10877]]

the highest grade or pay band for which the participant is qualified. 
Promotion requirements will be published in STRL IOPs.
    (b) Recent graduates are those individuals who have completed the 
graduation requirements of a qualifying educational institution or the 
certification requirements of a certificate program as defined in 5 CFR 
362.102.
    4. ``Employee'' is defined by 5 U.S.C. 2105.

C. Provisions

    1. Announcement and Assessment Process. Public notice is not 
required; however, if posting job opportunity announcements or 
advertisements, STRLs will ensure announcements and advertisements are 
concise and easily understood. If STRLs choose to advertise, the STRL 
IOPs will contain procedures for advertising positions pursuant to this 
authority in a manner that is most likely to provide diverse and 
qualified candidates and ensure potential applicants have appropriate 
information relevant to the positions available. Procedures must be 
consistent with merit system principles. Candidates will be assessed 
against job-related criteria, ensuring that applicants have the skills 
and behavioral attributes that lead to success in the position. 
Selectees for entry level positions requiring the Administrative 
Careers With America (ACWA) assessment must be assessed using the most 
recent, streamlined ACWA examination or a validated alternative 
assessment instrument (e.g., select USA HIRE assessments).
    2. Appointments and Conversions.
    (a) Students.
    (1) Students may be initially appointed to pay banded or one- or 
two-grade interval positions for which they qualify in order to prepare 
them for conversion to the target position in a related pay band level 
or grade and occupational series upon completion of their academic 
degree or certificate program. Students being converted to positions 
requiring the ACWA assessment must be assessed as described in 
paragraph 3.II.C.1.
    (2) Students may be appointed to temporary or flexible length and 
renewable student term positions.
    a. Temporary Appointment. Temporary appointments are typically used 
for short-term use (e.g., summer employment), however, temporary 
appointments may be made for up to one year and may be extended 
provided the criteria for the student appointment continues to be met.
    b. Flexible Length and Renewable Student Term Appointment. The 
flexible length and renewable student term appointment authorized in 82 
FR 29280 will be utilized for PAACTSEP students appointed for a period 
of at least one year but not more than six years. The appointment may 
be extended in up to six-year increments, and for the purposes of the 
PAACTSEP will expire 120 days after completion of the designated 
certificate program or academic course of study, unless the human 
resources office has been notified of the STRL's plan to 
noncompetitively convert the student to a new term or permanent 
position or to terminate the student. The eligibility criteria for the 
student appointment must continue to be met for the duration of the 
appointment. The duration of a PAACTSEP flexible length and renewable 
student term appointment is considered a trial period.
    (3) Promotion. Students may be promoted while serving on the 
flexible length and renewable student term appointment to a higher 
grade/pay band level provided the student meets the program and 
qualification requirements for the position. Students may not be 
promoted while serving on a temporary appointment but may be converted 
to a new appointment at a higher grade/pay band level provided the 
student meets the qualification requirements for the higher grade/pay 
band position. Promotion requirements will be published in STRL IOPs.
    (4) Qualified candidates may be appointed to STRL PAACTSEP 
positions without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of 5 U.S.C. 
chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328). The provisions of the 
career transition assistance programs in subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR 
part 330 do not apply.
    (5) When documenting personnel actions for PAACTSEP students, cite 
the first LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C. 4121 if appointing to 
pay band positions. Also cite LAC/legal authority Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth 
(STRL-PAACTSEP Students). If appointing to General Schedule, cite the 
first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-PAACTSEP 
Students).
    (b) Noncompetitive Conversion to Non-Student Appointment. PAACTSEP 
students on temporary or flexible length and renewable student term 
appointments may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent 
appointment upon program certification or graduation from the 
applicable institution of higher learning, provided the student meets 
all eligibility criteria and OPM qualification requirements for the 
position.
    (1) The conversion request must be submitted to the human resources 
office within 120 days of completion of all degree requirements, but 
before the time-limited appointment expires.
    (2) The provisions of the career transition assistance programs in 
subparts B, F, and G of 5 CFR part 330 do not apply to the 
noncompetitive conversions.
    (3) When documenting personnel actions for noncompetitive 
conversions of PAACTSEP students to permanent or term appointments cite 
the first legal authority code (LAC)/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C. 
4121, if to a pay banded position. The second LAC/legal authority will 
be Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-PAACTSEP Conv). If to General Schedule, 
cite the first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL-
PAACTSEP Conv).
    (c) Recent graduates. Recent graduates may be appointed directly to 
the pay band level or grade and occupational series for which they 
qualify.
    (1) Recent graduate appointments may be made on a temporary, term, 
or permanent basis.
    (2) Qualified candidates may be appointed to STRL competitive 
service positions without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of 5 
U.S.C. chapter 33 (other than sections 3303 and 3328). The provisions 
of the career transition assistance programs in subparts B, F, and G of 
5 CFR part 330 do not apply.
    (3) To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of 
degree or certification (except for veterans precluded from doing so 
due to their military service obligation, who have up to two years 
after release from military service, to apply).
    (4) When documenting personnel actions for recent graduates, cite 
the first LAC/legal authority as Z2U/10 U.S.C. 4121 if appointing to 
pay band positions. The second LAC/legal authority will be Z5C/Direct-
Hire Auth (STRL Recent Graduate). If to General Schedule, cite the 
first LAC/legal authority as Z5C/Direct-Hire Auth (STRL Recent 
Graduate).
    3. Classification/Pay Bands/Career Tracks. STRLs will use their 
existing pay band/career track level(s) to accommodate students hired 
under the PAACTSEP authority. Specific details regarding student 
classification pay band/career track level(s) will be included in STRL 
IOPs.
    4. Probationary Period. PAACTSEP students converted to permanent, 
competitive service positions in a similar line of work without a break 
in service, may have time spent in the student program credited toward

[[Page 10878]]

probationary period completion in accordance with 5 CFR 315.802, or an 
approved STRL Lab Demo extended probationary period requirement. STRL 
recent graduates will serve a probationary period in accordance with 5 
CFR 315.802, or an approved STRL Lab Demo extended probationary period.
    5. Career Tenure. Time spent under flexible length and renewable 
student term appointments counts toward career tenure. Time spent under 
a temporary appointment is not counted toward career tenure unless the 
student was converted from a temporary appointment to a flexible length 
and renewable student term appointment without a break in service of 
three days and was subsequently converted to a permanent position.
    6. Recruitment and Pay Flexibilities.
    (a) Tuition Assistance.
    (1) Students may be eligible for tuition assistance. At the STRL 
Director's discretion, a student may be required to sign a written 
service agreement to continue in service for a period of up to three 
times the length of the time spent in training prior to accepting 
tuition assistance. The requirement for the length of the service 
obligation will be included in STRL IOPs.
    (2) A student who is eligible to continue employment for the 
duration of the obligated service and who does not fulfill the service 
obligation may be required to provide repayment pursuant to 5 CFR 
410.309(c).
    (3) Expenses of training. PAACTSEP students may be paid travel 
expenses in the form of a student bonus or relocation incentive when 
the worksite is in a different geographic location than that of the 
student's academic institution. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4109(a)(2), these 
expenses are considered training expenses and may be paid each time the 
student returns to duty to the STRL. Procedures for paying these 
expenses shall be documented in STRL IOPs.
    (b) Pay Flexibilities.
    (1) STRLs may use any applicable pay flexibility (e.g., 
recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives under 5 CFR part 575; 
student loan repayments under 5 CFR part 537 and 82 FR 78829; superior 
qualifications and special needs pay setting authority; maximum payable 
rate rule under 5 CFR part 531, subpart B; or demonstration project pay 
and bonus flexibilities). Procedures for paying these flexibilities 
shall be documented in STRL IOPs.
    (2) Relocation Expenses. PAACTSEP students may receive a relocation 
incentive under 5 CFR part 575 to help with relocation expenses. The 
authority to pay relocation expenses is expanded to allow an STRL to 
pay a relocation incentive each time the student returns to duty at the 
laboratory. This authority applies to all PAACTSEP student positions in 
the STRLs and provides the ability to expand recruitment to top 
universities and incentivize mobility by paying additional expenses to 
students who accept employment outside of their geographic area. A 
relocation incentive may be paid when the worksite is in a different 
geographic location than that of the student's college and is intended 
to cover some or all the student's living expenses while working in the 
STRL. Procedures for paying these incentives shall be documented in 
STRL IOPs.
    (3) Student bonus. A student bonus may be used to compensate 
PAACTSEP students without the requirement for a continuing service 
agreement as determined by the STRL. PAACTSEP students may be granted a 
student bonus for expenses related to PAACTSEP participation to 
include, but not limited to, travel expenses when the worksite is in a 
different geographic location than that of the student's academic 
institution. The student bonus is not part of basic pay. STRLs may pay 
the student bonus each time the student returns to duty at the 
laboratory. The use of this bonus will help to improve the STRLs 
competitiveness with private industry in recruiting and retaining high 
caliber students.

D. Personnel Considerations

    1. Work Schedules. STRLs may impose limitations on the number of 
hours a PAACTSEP student can work per week that are more restrictive 
than applicable laws and regulations governing overtime and hours of 
work. Supervisors and students should agree on a work schedule that 
does not interfere with the academic schedule and that supports timely 
completion of the educational program.
    2. Break in Program. STRL directors may authorize PAACTSEP 
participation by students who are not attending classes at a qualifying 
educational institution or certificate program for a period of 120 
days. The approval authority and criteria will be described in STRL 
IOPs.
    3. Service Agreement. STRL IOPs will describe any service agreement 
requirement for students and recent graduates hired under this 
authority.
    4. Training and Development. STRL IOPs will describe the training 
and development of students and recent graduates hired under this 
authority.
    5. Performance evaluation. STRL IOPs will describe performance 
requirements and performance evaluations for students and recent 
graduates hired under this authority.
    6. Extension/Termination of appointment. Temporary appointments 
expire upon the not-to-exceed date, unless extended. Flexible length 
and renewable student term appointments for PAACTSEP students will not 
exceed six year increments but will expire 120 days after completion of 
the designated academic course of study, unless the human resources 
office has been notified that the student will be noncompetitively 
converted to a permanent or term position as described in paragraph 
3.II.C.2. Flexible length and renewable student term appointments may 
be extended if the individual continues to meet the definition of a 
``student'' (i.e., enrolled in a qualifying academic program) as 
identified in Section 3.II.B.3 and meet any academic requirements 
specified by the employing STRL. Students may be terminated for reasons 
including, but not limited to, mission requirements/budget constraints, 
misconduct, poor performance (including academic), or suitability.
    In cases where the STRL Director does not plan to convert the 
student to a permanent or term appointment, the PAACTSEP appointment 
may be terminated less than 120 days after completion of the designated 
academic course of study, subject to any applicable requirements of 5 
U.S.C. chapter 75.

E. Evaluation

    Procedures for evaluating this authority will be incorporated into 
the STRL demonstration project evaluation processes conducted by the 
STRLs, OUSD(R&E), or military department headquarters, as appropriate.

F. Reports

    STRLs will track and provide information and data on the use of 
this authority when requested by the military department headquarters 
or OUSD(R&E).

[[Page 10879]]



         Appendix A--Waivers to Title 5, U.S.C. and Title 5 CFR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Title 5, Code of Federal
      Title 5, United States Code                  Regulations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5    5 CFR 300-330, other than
 U.S.C. (other than sections 3303 and     Subpart G of 300. Waived to
 3328).                                   the extent necessary to allow
                                          provisions of the direct hire
                                          authorities as described in
                                          this FRN.
5 U.S.C. 4108 (a)-(c)--Employee          5 CFR part 316, subparts C-D--
 Agreements; Service after Training.      Waived to the extent necessary
 Waived to allow: (1) the STRLs to        to allow provisions of the
 determine if a service agreement is      direct hire authorities as
 required and if so, to determine the     described in this FRN.
 period of required service for
 students employed under the Demo; (2)
 the Commanding Officer or the
 Laboratory STRL Director to waive in
 whole or in part a right of recovery;
 and (3) allow students to sign a
 service agreement up to three times
 the length of the training.
5 U.S.C. 5753--Recruitment and           5 CFR 410.309--Waived to allow:
 relocation bonuses. Waived to the        (1) the STRLs to determine if
 extent necessary to allow those STRL     a service agreement is
 scientific and engineering employees     required and if so, the period
 and positions to be treated as           of required service for
 employees and positions under the        students employed under the
 General Schedule and to allow            demo; (2) the Commanding
 relocation incentives to be paid to      Officer or the STRL Director
 PAACTSEP students whose worksite is in   to waive in whole or in part a
 a different geographic location than     right of recovery; and (3)
 that of the college in which enrolled    students to sign a service
 each time they return to duty.           agreement up to three times
                                          the length of the training. 5
                                          CFR part 575, subparts A and
                                          B--Recruitment and Relocation
                                          Incentives. Waived to the
                                          extent necessary to allow
                                          employees hired and positions
                                          under the PAACTSEP program to
                                          be treated as employees and
                                          positions under the General
                                          Schedule and to allow
                                          relocation incentives to be
                                          paid to PAACTSEP students
                                          whose worksite is in a
                                          different geographic location
                                          than that of the college in
                                          which enrolled each time they
                                          return to duty.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Appendix B--Authorized STRLs and Federal Register Notices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  STRL                       Federal Register Notice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force Research Laboratory..........  61 FR 60400, as amended by 75
                                          FR 53076.
Joint Warfare Analysis Center..........  85 FR 29414.
Army Futures Command...................  Not yet published.
Army Research Institute for Behavioral   85 FR 76038.
 and Social Sciences.
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, as
 Aviation and Missile Center.             amended by 65 FR 53142 (AVRDEC
                                          and AMRDEC merged together).
Combat Capabilities Development Command  74 FR 68936.
 Chemical Biological Center.
Command, Control, Communications,        66 FR 54872.
 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.
Engineer Research and Development        63 FR 14580, as amended by 65
 Center.                                  FR 32135.
Medical Research and Development         63 FR 10440.
 Command.
Technical Center, US Army Space and      85 FR 3339.
 Missile Defense Command.
Naval Air Systems Command Warfare        76 FR 8530.
 Centers.
Naval Facilities Engineering Command     86 FR 14084.
 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix C

Qualification Standards for STRL PAACTSEP Student Trainee Positions

    The following table shows the amount of education required to 
qualify for appointments for PAACTSEP student positions covered by this 
FRN. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are 
qualifying for all positions for which both education and experience 
are acceptable. Enrollment in an accredited academic institution is 
required. An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 
semester hours, 45-quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited 
college or university, or approximately 36 weeks for at least 20 
classroom hours per week in an accredited business, technical, or 
secretarial school. See the ``General Policies and Instructions'' for 
the Qualification Standards Operating Manual for the definition of a 
full year of graduate education.
    Requirements for STRL students in the Professional, Administrative, 
Assistant, Clerical, and Technician Student Employment Program):

[[Page 10880]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Grade level or pay band equivalent           Level of education
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-01 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Enrollment in a high school
                                          diploma or General Education
                                          Diploma (GED) program.
GS-02 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of high school or
                                          GED diploma.
GS-03 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of 1 full academic
                                          year of post-high school
                                          study.
GS-04 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of 2 full academic
                                          years of post-high school
                                          study or an associate's
                                          degree.
GS-05 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of 4 academic years
                                          of post-high school study
                                          leading to a bachelor's or
                                          equivalent degree.
GS-07 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of 1 full academic
                                          year of graduate level
                                          education; or Eligibility
                                          under the Superior Academic
                                          Achievement Provision and
                                          completion of a bachelor's
                                          degree.
GS-09 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  Completion of 2 academic years
                                          of graduate level education,
                                          or a master's degree or
                                          equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11 or Pay Band Equivalent...........  For research positions,
                                          completion of all requirements
                                          for a master's or equivalent
                                          graduate degree. For non-
                                          research positions, completion
                                          of all requirements for a PhD
                                          or equivalent degree.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Appointments may be at the highest grade or pay band for which the 
participant is qualified. One full academic year of undergraduate; 
graduate; technical or high school education is the number of credit 
hours determined by the college, university or school to represent one 
year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by 
a State or local governing body. All education beyond the high school 
level must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization 
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Special Provisions/or Students With Previous Related Education or 
Experience

    Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine 
the highest grade Level or pay band for which the student is qualified.

    Dated: February 15, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-03601 Filed 2-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P