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December 2019

• President Trump Signs Executive Order Closing the Federal Government on Dec. 24 Dec 18, 2019

  President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to close the Federal government on Dec. 24.

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November 2019

• NEWS: Fehrer Assumes Role as New FPRAC Chairman Nov 1, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that Douglas Fehrer will assume the role of chairman for the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC).

• NEWS: OPM Releases Results from Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) Nov 7, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the results of the 2019 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS)

• NEWS: OPM Issues Guidance on Governmentwide Dismissal and Closure Procedures Nov 8, 2019

  OPM issued a memorandum reminding agencies of the Governmentwide Dismissal and Closure Procedures that was issued in November 2018.

• STATEMENT: OPM Director's Message for Veterans Day Nov 8, 2019

  On the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour of 1918, the guns of the Great War at long last fell silent.

• NEWS: OPM Updates Classification and Standards for Accounting, Auditing, and Budget Group Nov 8, 2019

  OPM released the final Job Family Position Classification and Qualification Standards for professional and administrative occupations in the Accounting, Auditing, and Budget Group for implementation by Federal agencies.

• Open Season for Federal Benefits Begins Nov 11, 2019

  Today OPM marked the start of this year’s Federal Benefits Open Season, allowing eligible enrollees to select their health, dental, vision, or flexible spending account benefits for the year 2020.

• RELEASE: President Donald Trump Makes Selections for 2019 Presidential Rank Awards Nov 14, 2019

  This year, 129 Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps were selected by the President for their exceptional leadership.

• OPM Hosts Panel on Hiring Military Spouses Nov 18, 2019

  At the annual CHCO Council public meeting OPM hosted a panel of Military Spouses. This panel spoke on their experience working in the federal government and the importance of President Trump’s Executive Order on hiring military spouses.

• OPM Announces Finalists for 2020 Class of Presidential Management Fellows Nov 26, 2019

  The Office of Personnel Management has announced the finalists for this year’s Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.

• NEWS: OPM Issues Guidance on Federal Minimum Wage Nov 27, 2019

  OPM has issued guidance to agencies in response to an increasing number of state and local governments establishing or increasing a jurisdictional minimum wage higher than the nationwide federal minimum established under the FLSA.

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October 2019

• OPM Finalizes Transfer of Background Investigations to Defense Department Oct 1, 2019

  NBIB has successfully transferred from OPM to DoD.

• OPM Announces 2020 Health, Dental, and Vision Program Premiums Oct 2, 2019

  OPM announced today that for plan year 2020, the average total premiums for current non-Postal employees and retirees enrolled in plans under FEHB Program will increase 4.0 percent.

• NEWS: Rapid Growth from OPM Platform, USA Performance Recognized by Award Committee Oct 7, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s online performance management platform, USA Performance has been selected for the Public Sector Innovation Award in this year’s annual Government Innovation Award Ceremony. It has also been nominated for a FedScoop 50 Innovation of the Year Award.

• NEWS: OPM Highlights Work-Life Balance Supports as Part of National Work & Family Month Oct 8, 2019

  The month of October is designated as National Work and Family Month. In recognition of this month, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo (will be linked) directing human resources directors to available resources and support programs designed to keep workforces balanced both at the office and the home.

• NEWS: OPM Leadership Training Program Launches Application Cycle for 2020 Class Oct 8, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has opened applications for the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program Class of 2020.

• Statement: Director Cabaniss Honors the Service of Congressman Cummings Oct 17, 2019

  OPM mourns the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings, who has left us with an inspiring legacy of passionate and dedicated public service.

• NEWS: New Long Term Care Insurance Plan Oct 21, 2019

  OPM has launched a new Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) plan offering: FLTCIP 3.0. The new plan and rate structure is available to applicants who apply for coverage on or after October 21, 2019. It does not impact current FLTCIP enrollee plans or premiums.

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September 2019

• NEWS: OPM Issues Reminder on Options Available to Keep Federal Employees Safe Sep 5, 2019

  OPM has issued a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies concerning Hurricane Dorian and options available to them with regards to employee safety.

• OPM Kicks Off 2019 Combined Federal Campaign Sep 9, 2019

  OPM announces the kickoff of the 2019 CFC with Director of the Peace Corps Josephine Olsen, Ph.D., serving as the 2019 national Honorary Chairperson. This will be Director Olsen’s second time as the Honorary Chairperson of the CFC.

• STATEMENT: Dale Cabaniss confirmed as Director of OPM Sep 12, 2019

  From Acting Director of OPM Margaret Weichert:

• OPM Welcomes Director Dale Cabaniss as the Agency’s 12th Director Sep 16, 2019

  Director Dale Cabaniss officially begins her tenure as Director of OPM today following her Senate confirmation on Sept. 11, 2019.

• OPM Authorizes Leave Transfer Program for Feds Affected by Dorian Sep 27, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has authorized the use of an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) for Federal employees affected by Hurricane Dorian. Through this authorization, agencies may solicit for donated annual leave, which will then be transferred to affected and qualifying employees.

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July 2019

• OPM Broadens Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis Jul 12, 2019

  OPM has expanded its efforts to support President Trump’s fight against the opioid crisis by issuing Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

• NEWS: OPM Issues Guidance on Performance Management Process Jul 15, 2019

  OPM issued two memorandums to agencies on guidance for the employee awards and performance management.

• NEWS: OPM Issues Guidance on Staying Cool Jul 18, 2019

  OPM has released a memorandum to the Chief Human Capital Officers concerning the severe heat and humidity this summer.

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May 2019

• OPM Signs MOA to Give DOD Access to Reskilling Platform May 3, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) signed a memorandum of agreement to give DOD access to OPM’s USALearning® platform, a centralized source of training, education, and domain specific expertise, as part of the goals set by DoD’s Reform Management Group (RMG).

• NEWS: OPM Streamlines Biennial Review Submission Process May 6, 2019

  WASHINGTON, DC - Today OPM issued the Call for Biennial Review Submission for Executive Allocations for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 (Part II), which expands upon last December’s memorandum (Part I) and streamlines the process for agencies to request an increase or decrease in the number of senior positions (SES, SL, and ST) allocated in FY2020 and FY2021

• NEWS: OPM Launches 2019 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey May 15, 2019

  OPM has launched the 2019 OPM Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). The survey will go out to employees in two waves, with each wave remaining open to employees for six weeks.

• NEWS: OPM Releases Temporary Pay and Leave Guidance for Upcoming WMATA Project May 21, 2019

  The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo to agencies releasing telework and alternative work schedule guidance for Federal employees who will be affected by the upcoming Platform Improvement Project by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

• OPM Releases Accelerating the Gears of Transformation Tools May 22, 2019

  OPM has released a new set of tools designed to guide leaders, managers, and employees in the effort to modernize Federal workplaces and help ensure effective, efficient mission delivery for American taxpayers.

• NEWS: OPM’s USA Performance® Named as Top 40 Finalist at the Sixth Annual Igniting Innovation 2019 Conference and Awards May 22, 2019

  May 21, 2019 - The U

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April 2019

• OPM Releases New Direct Hire Process for IT Positions Apr 5, 2019

  OPM issued a final regulation that will allow agencies with critical shortages of information technology (IT) professionals to determine if direct hire authority (DHA) is justified.

• The National Background Investigations Bureau Moves to the Department of Defense Apr 25, 2019

  President Trump signed an Executive Order that, in combination with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, section 925, shifts the primary responsibility for conducting background investigations for the federal government from OPM to DOD.

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March 2019

• NEWS: OPM Issues Updated Pay Tables for Retroactive Pay Raise Mar 28, 2019

  Today the President signed Executive Order 13856, authorizing a 1.4 percent across-the-board increase for statutory pay systems and locality pay increases of approximately 0.5 percent of basic payroll - reflecting an overall average pay increase of 1.9 percent for civilian Federal employees for 2019.

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February 2019

• February 11, 2019 Operating Status Feb 10, 2019

  Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are OPEN under 2 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL and employees have the OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.

• February 20, 2019 Operating Status Feb 19, 2019

  FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC area are CLOSED. Emergency employees and telework employees continue to work.

• February 21, 2019 Operating Status Feb 20, 2019

  Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are OPEN and employees have the OPTION for UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.

• March 1, 2019 Operating Status Feb 28, 2019

  Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are OPEN and employees have the OPTION for UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.

• NEWS: OPM Extends CFC Solicitation Period Feb 5, 2019

  OPM announced today that it has extended the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 2018 solicitation period until February 22, 2019.

• OPM Names New CIO and Deputy CIO Feb 7, 2019

  WASHINGTON, DC - Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Margaret Weichert announced today that OPM will welcome Clare Martorana and David Nesting as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Deputy CIO, respectively

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January 2019

• OPM Encourages Workplace Flexibility For Excepted Employees Jan 23, 2019

  OPM released a memo to agencies today recommending greater flexibility for employees designated as excepted, meaning employees who have worked without pay during the shutdown.

• NBIB Significantly Reduces Background Investigation Inventory Jan 31, 2019

  OPM's National Background Investigation Bureau (NBIB) reduced the background investigation inventory by more than 21.8 percent in less than eight months.

• January 14, 2019 Operating Status Jan 13, 2019

  FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC area are CLOSED. Emergency employees and telework employees continue to work.

• January 15, 2019 Operating Status Jan 14, 2019

  Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are OPEN under 2 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.

• January 29, 2019 Operating Status Jan 29, 2019

  Employees of Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are authorized for early departure. Employees should depart 2 hours earlier than their normal departure times and may request UNSCHEDULED LEAVE to depart prior to their staggered departure times.

• January 30, 2019 Operating Status Jan 29, 2019

  Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are OPEN under 3 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL and employees have the OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 3 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.

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