Interchange Program Rules Issued

The Office of Personnel Management has issued rules to carry out a 2002 law allowing an interchange program of information technology management employees between the federal government and the private sector. Federal employees who take such assignments under the program will continue their federal employment rights and benefits. It also requires that such assignments come with written agreements that specify the duties and duration, whether the individual will be supervised by a federal or private sector employee, and employee responsibilities after the detail ends. Assignments typically will be from three months to one year, with the option of extending by up to one additional year, according to a January 15 Federal Register notice.