OPM has published a final rule in the September 12 Federal Register allowing non-defense agencies to continue to use direct-hire authority to recruit and appoint personnel to acquisition positions where there are critical shortages.
Effective October 12 — September 30, 2007 and published as an interim rule earlier in July, the final rule allows agencies to determine whether a shortage of highly-qualified individuals exists for federal acquisition positions covered under the public contracts title in U.S. code.
Agencies still must post job announcements on the USAJOBS website when filling positions under direct-hire authority in order to comply with public notice requirements.
Non-defense agencies are required to support their determinations that critical shortages exist with evidence and keep it on file for documentation and reporting purposes — specifically for a report due by December 31, 2006 on their use of the authority.
