Washington, D.C. - Dan Blair, Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, testified this morning before the Senate Armed Service Committee on the status of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

In opening remarks Blair stated, "Congress set in motion a process to establish a new human resources system befitting the Defense Department's vital mission, while ensuring the preservation of the core principles of due process, merit and fairness that make the American civil service unique. The legislation forged a partnership between DoD and OPM which, we believe, has enabled us to produce a system that is flexible, modern, and responsive."

NSPS is being developed for the 600,000 Federal civilian employees who work for the Department of Defense in the United States and across the world.

Blair commented on the importance of the NSPS, "The proposed changes at the DoD will benefit the hard working men and women of the Department. The classification system and pay structure has been simplified to enhance career growth and provide higher earnings potential for qualified, talented and motivated employees. The performance system will better serve the security of our Nation because it better links individual performance and the department's mission, goals and objectives. I see the NSPS as an important step in modernizing the civil service."

On April 18, OPM and DoD will begin a 30-day "meet and confer" process with unions to discuss the issues of concern which have been raised by unions regarding the proposed regulations. Two meetings have been held with unions in advance of the meet and confer process to determine meeting schedules and ensure adequate access to documents.

Earlier this week, George Nesterczuk, Senior Advisor to the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management testified on the status of NSPS before the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization from the Committee on Government Reform in the House of Representatives.