Modernizing and Reforming Assessments for the Hiring of Federal Job Candidates

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
               Washington, DC  20405

HRM IL-22-02
September 29, 2022

GSA INSTRUCTIONAL LETTER

SUBJECT:  Modernizing and Reforming Assessments for the Hiring of Federal Job Candidates

1. Purpose. Executive agencies must implement Executive Order 13932, June 26, 2020, Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates. As part of this requirement, agencies must dedicate resources to further empower Human Resources (HR) professionals with new tools and capabilities necessary to effectively implement  EO 13932. These tools, systems, and guiding policies will be developed and implemented by a dedicated team of HR professionals, referred to as the “Talent Team.” The Talent Team will implement innovative agency hiring processes that will drive improved hiring outcomes for hard-to-reach talent. This Instructional Letter (IL) establishes the goals and objectives of the Talent Team and  the roles and responsibilities for the team members.

2. Background. EO 13932, Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates, signed on June 26, 2020, directs agencies to use valid, competency-based assessments and to reduce their reliance on educational qualifications as a substitute for competencies in the Federal hiring process.The goals are to better identify and secure talent through skills and competency-based hiring methods. One requirement will include refraining from relying solely on candidate self-assessments for determination of their qualifications (e.g., occupational questionnaires). Applicants will instead be required to clear other assessment hurdles in order to be considered qualified in examinations and thus eligible for referral. Second, agencies must continually evaluate the effectiveness of different assessment strategies in order to improve the quality and integrity of their hiring processes.

3. Scope and Applicability. This IL applies to GSA’s Talent Team, which will execute the requirements of EO 13932, Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates.

1. This IL applies to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) only to the extent that the CBCA determines it is consistent with the CBCA’s independent authority under the Contract Disputes Act and it does not conflict with other CBCA policies or the CBCA mission.
    
2. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has independent personnel authority.  See Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, (5 U.S.C. App.3), as amended (Inspector General is authorized “to select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of the Office of Inspector General”) and GSA Order ADM 5450.39D CHGE 1 GSA Delegations of Authority Manual (Delegations Manual), Chapter 2, Part 1 (“the Inspector General has independent authority to formulate policies and make determinations concerning human capital issues within the [OIG]” and GSA determinations/delegations do not limit that authority). Similarly, GSA specifically recognizes that the Inspector General has independent authority to formulate policies and make determinations concerning training, employee development, and career management.

4. Policy. This Order implements the requirements of EO 13932, Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates by establishing a Talent Team to plan, develop, implement, evaluate and monitor activities and projects supporting the aforementioned EO and its regulatory requirements.