OPM has issue a memo calling on agencies that fund new hires with appropriations from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to document them on the SF-50 notification of personnel action forms for new appointments.
According to OPM, new new legal authority code – ZEA/Pub. L. 111-5 – is established and must be cited, in addition to any existing OPM required legal authority code for the appointment, as the final OPM required legal authority on the SF-50.
Agencies are also being asked to track how they use Recovery Act funds. Recent OMB guidance – bulletin 09-02 ” provides instructions on processing apportionments and submitting budget execution reports for Recovery Act funds and supplements existing instructions for apportionments and budget execution reporting in OMB Circular No. A-11.
Prior to the formal submission of the apportionments, agencies should consult their OMB representatives on the content of, and supporting documents for, RA apportionments, the guidance said.
OMB said that would ensure OMB could review and approve the apportionments with the proper information and in a timely manner.
Additional instruction and guidance on how to apply for or use Recovery Act funds can be found here: http://www.opm.gov/recovery/index.aspx.