422-2.htm - Temporary Assignment Under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA)

United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education, and Economics

ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS
Policies and Procedures

*Title:*	Temporary Assignment Under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA)

*Number:*	422.2

*Date:*	5/19/93

*Originating Office:*	Personnel Division, National Services Branch

*This Replaces:*	422.2 dated 3/24/82

*Distribution:*	Headquarters, Areas, and Locations

This Directive covers the temporary assignment of employees between ARS and States, local governments, institutions of high education, Indian Tribal governments, or other organizations under Title IV of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, as amended.

Contents

1. Summary
2. Abbreviations
3. Forms
4. Authorities
5. Policy
6. Delegations
7. Responsibilities
8. IPA Provisions
9. Procedures
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
Exhibit 6

1. Summary

This DIRECTIVE covers the temporary assignment of employees between ARS and States, local governments, institutions of higher education, Indian Tribal governments, or other organizations under Title IV of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, as amended.

Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignments are intended to facilitate Federal-State-local cooperation through the temporary assignment of skilled personnel. These assignments permit ARS employees to serve with eligible organizations for up to 2 years without loss of employee rights and benefits. Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignments similarly permit employees of eligible organizations to serve with ARS.

2. Abbreviations

ABFO - Area Budget and Fiscal Officer
BFSB - Budget and Fiscal Services Branch, FMD
DPM - Departmental Personnel Manual
FMD - Financial Management Division
FPM - Federal Personnel Manual
IPA - Intergovernmental Personnel Act
NSB - National Services Branch, PD
OPM - Office of Personnel Management
PD - Personnel Division

3. Forms

AD-490    -    Assignee Evaluation of Mobility Assignments Under Title IV of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970

OF-69     -     Assignment Agreement

OF-69    -    Assignment Agreement Part IX Fiscal Obligation Supplement Sheet (Local Reproduction)

SF-52    -    Request for Personnel Action

OPM Form
1161    -    Certificate of Recognition

4. Authorities

5 U.S.C. 3371-3376
5 C.F.R. 334
FPM and DPM Chapters 334

5. Policy

ARS policy is to take full advantage of the IPA authority to foster work force diversity. Assignments, in addition to providing needed expertise, should be viewed as opportunities for the selected individuals to enhance their credentials. In particular, managers are encouraged to seek ways of using the IPA authority to strengthen relationships with the 1890 Land Grant Institutions, and other historically Black Colleges and Universities, those institutions in partnership with the Department under the Agriculture-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Memorandum of Understanding, and Indian tribal governments.

6. Delegations

The Administrator has the authority to sign the OF-69 (Exhibit 1). However, under the following circumstances, Departmental clearance must be obtained prior to implementation of the IPA:

An assignment longer than 2 years is initially anticipated or an extension beyond 2 years is later requested;
ARS is paying more than 50 percent of the allowable costs (except under the conditions outlined in Section 8, Reimbursement); or
The assignment involves a Senior Executive or Senior Level position.

7. Responsibilities

The Administrator signs all initial agreements, modifications or extensions.

The Director, PD ensures that a program is established for managing IPAs according to FPM and DPM requirements and approves major changes to the program.

NSB, PD provides advice and guidance for IPA, as well as coordinating the approval process.

Agency Managers make the initial determination of common interest with the eligible organization and the individual considered for IPA assignment and negotiate the details of the agreement.

ABFO (for field organizations) or the BFSB, FMD (for headquarters organizations) reviews the assignment cost arrangements and billings from the non-Federal entity and approves payment.

8. IPA Provisions

Assignments

IPA assignments are management initiated, either by ARS or by the non-Federal entity. However, such assignments are voluntary and must be agreed to by the employee.
Each assignment must be made for purposes determined to be of mutual concern and benefit to ARS and the eligible organization. An assignment should be examined to ensure that it is for sound public purposes and furthers the goals and objectives of the participating organizations.
Assignments may involve program areas, as well as administrative functions. However, the DPM prohibits assignments to and from positions performing routine work.

Reimbursements

Cost-sharing arrangements for IPAs are negotiable between ARS and the non-Federal entity.
OPM and DPM guidelines state that cost-sharing arrangements should be based on the extent to which the participating organizations benefit from the assignment. However, ARS may pay up to 100 per cent of the assignment costs when:
- The assignment contributes to work force diversity goals, including institution building efforts, and
- The non-Federal entity has inadequate resources to pay its proportional share.

Selection of Assignees

Identification and/or selection of assignees may occur at anytime during the process ofbuilding an agreement, including preliminary discussions. There are no requirements for competition.
Notwithstanding Section 8, Selection of Assignees, ARS is responsible to make positive efforts to ensure the pool of candidates from which IPA assignees are selected includes persons from underrepresented groups. Therefore, ARS managers are required to provide an explanation in writing on what recruiting efforts were undertaken and how these efforts support work force diversity. If no recruiting efforts were undertaken, the reasons why such efforts were not made should be cited.

Summary of Provisions

Summaries of the basic provisions of IPA assignments are included as Exhibits 2 and 3.

9. Procedures

Manager

Contact the appropriate servicing Personnel Specialist in PD to determine which personnel authority can best address program needs.
Upon a conclusion that an IPA should be explored, contact the NSB for a discussion of the situation and determination that an IPA is appropriate. Follow up contact with an SF-52 (through normal channels) and brief narrative description of the proposed IPA assignment (not to exceed one page).

NSB

Provide the Manager with guidelines and instructions for pursuing the IPA, including a draft of the assignment agreements, OF-69, highlighted to indicate information to be supplied by the Manager.

Manager

If not accomplished earlier, confirm the interest of the non-Federal entity and the individual considered for the IPA assignment.
Negotiate the terms of the IPA with the non-Federal entity in accordance with the instructions provided by the NSB.
Contact the ABFO (for field organizations) or BFSB, FMD (for headquartersorganizations) for assistance in developing the assignment costs portions of the OF-69.

ABFO or BFSB, FMD

Provide technical support in assuring the language of the OF-69 accurately reflects the assignment cost arrangements negotiated by the manager and the non-Federal entity. Also, review billings from non-Federal entity and approve for payment.

Manager

Complete draft of the OF-69, assuring the document accurately reflects the understandings of all parties to the agreement. Send the completed draft to NSB.

NSB

Review draft for completeness and consistency with regulation. Prepare OF-69 in final and send it to the Manager to obtain signatures from assignee and representatives of the non-Federal entity.

Manager

Obtain necessary signatures and return forms to NSB.

NSB

Obtain Administrator's signature on the OF-69 and, if necessary, submit the case to the Department for clearance.
Upon final approval, notify Manager, and distribute copies of the signed OF-69 through channels. Complete SF-52 and ensure processing of appointment papers. Send copy of the OF-69 to OPM, and if not previously cleared by the Department, send copy of OF-69 to the Office of Personnel.

Manager

Review billings from non-Federal entity and approve for payment.
Within 30 days of the completion of the IPA assignment, ensure completion of the AD-490 (Exhibit 5) and send through supervisory channels to NSB.

NSB

Prepare OPM Form 1161 to recognize Federal employee who served on IPA assignment.

JANE L. GILES
Deputy Administrator
Administrative Management

Exhibits
1 OF-69 - Assignment Agreement
2 OF-69 - Assignment Agreement Part IX Fiscal Obligations
Supplement Sheet (Local Reproduction)
3 Synopsis of IPA Provisions for Assigning
Federal Employees to State and Local Governments
4 Synopsis of IPA Provisions for Assigning
of an Employee from a State or Local Government
5 AD-490 - Assignee Evaluation of Mobility Assignments Under
Title IV of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970
6 OPM Form 1161 - Certificate of Recognition

Exhibit 1

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Exhibit 2

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Exhibit 3

SYNOPSIS OF IPA PROVISIONS
FOR
ASSIGNING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Topic	IPA LWOP	IPA Detail
General Rules	Employee takes LWOP. Treated like an employee of system under which appointed, except may retain Federal retirement coverage, health benefits and life insurance.	Treated as a Federal employee.
Funding	Federal entity may make reimbursement for all or none of non-Federal entity's expenses.	May obtain reimbursement from non-Federal entity for all or none of Agency's expenses.
Appointing procedures	Employee placed under an appointment by non-Federal entity.	Placed on detail to non-Federal position.
Base Salary	Paid directly by non-Federal entity which follows its own	Continues to be paid by Agency.
Special Salary Provisions	Agency must make a supplemental payment if non-Federal salary is less than that of the Federal position.	May receive a supplemental payment from non-Federal entity if salary is more than Federal one.
Salary Changes	Receives full service credit for WGI's and annual pay adjustments.	Governed by Federal pay rules for permanent position.
Holiday and Leave Provisions	Follows non-Federal entity's policies.	Follows Federal leave and holidays provisions. May be excused for non-Federal holidays.
Fringe Benefits	May retain Federal benefits only if payment is made for them. May not receive both Federal and non-Federal disability retirement payments for same period.	Retain Federal benefits.
Transp. and Relocation Costs	Federal agency may pay travel, per diem and/or relocation costs to employee for costs of changing duty station.	Same as for LWOP.

Exhibit 4

SYNOPSIS OF IPA PROVISIONS
FOR
ASSIGNMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE FROM A STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Topic	PA Appointment Provisions	IPA Detail Provisions
General Rules	Employee resigns non-Federal Position. Treated like a Federal employee except for retirement, health benefits and life insurance.	Not treated as a Federal employee except for tort claims.
Funding	May obtain reimbursement from none of its expenses.	May obtain reimbursement non-Federal entity for all or from Federal entity for all or none of its expenses.
Appointing procedures	Placed under a Federal appointment excepted by law.	Remains on roles of entity providing person.
Base Salary	Paid by Federal entity directly to employee and follows Federal pay setting rules.	Paid by detailing entity and set by its rules.
Special Salary Provisions	Eligible for salary above the minimum rate based on superior qualifications.	Federal entity must pay a supplemental salary if Federal position is classified and the non-Federal salary is less than the salary called for by the duties of the position. No other salary is authorized.
Salary Changes	Eligible for WGI's and annual pay adjustments.	Governed by rules of detailing entity.
Holiday and Leave Provisions.	Eligible for all Federal leave and holiday benefits.	Follows leave and holidays provisions of detailing entity. May be excused for Federal holidays not observed under detailee's system.
Fringe Benefits	Generally, not entitled to any Federal fringe benefits. Under certain circumstances may allow enrollment in FEHBA or pay employer's portion of non-Federal benefits plans. Is covered by Social Security only to extent previously covered by permanent employer.	Retains fringe benefits of detailing entity.
Transp. and Relocation Costs	Federal agency may pay travel, per diem and/or relocation costs to employee for costs of changing duty station.	Same as for appointee.

Exhibit 5

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Exhibit 6

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