United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education and Economics

ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS

Bulletin

This bulletin is a temporary revision to Policy and Procedures 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay.

The following two revisions are being made to P&P 412.5, Section 7, Relocation Expenses for Current Federal Employees:

1st Revision - Change the first paragraph to read:

All current employees appointed without a break in service or former Federal employees with less than a three-day break in service or employees separated as a result of a reduction-in-force or transfer of functions within the last year to a position in a different commuting area or whose duty station is changed to a different commuting area may be entitled to travel and transportation expenses. This includes employees moving from one agency to another. Travel and Transportation expenses will not be paid to anyone selected from a vacancy announcement opened to applicants in the local commuting area only.

2nd Revision - Change the last paragraph to read:

If a transferee meets one of the following criteria, the transfer is considered primarily for the benefit of the government and travel/transportation expenses must be paid:

1) initiated by Agency management;

2) a reduction in force action; or

3) selectee possesses unique competencies directly related to the position being filled as determined by management.

This change in policy has been reviewed and approved through the Financial Management Division.

KAREN M. BROWNELL
Director
Human Resources Division