Federal Manager's Daily Report

The Pentagon has asked Congress for authority to allow its employees “to gain experience at private companies and bring industry leaders in to DoD, providing a public-private exchange of knowledge and talent that is currently underdeveloped.”

The “public-private talent exchange” would not be limited to companies with traditional, defense-based missions, but also would include those where DoD employees could gain skills that align with DoD functions and occupational specialties, according to a summary of the request.

“This might include, for example, a computer engineer being assigned to an Internet company to train in user experience; a budget analyst going to an accounting firm to learn about auditing, an HR specialist going to a human resources consulting firm to learn that firm’s approach to recruiting and compensation; or a supervisor learning organizational management and leadership development approaches at a company known for innovative approaches,” it said.

It noted that several exchange programs already are in existence, including the Intergovernmental Personnel Act and the Information Technology Exchange Program, but that private companies cannot participate in the former and the latter is only for IT workers.

Under the proposal, DoD would enter into written agreements for such assignments to last between three months and four years, with DoD employees deemed to be on a detail during that time.