Establishment of Competitive Areas

1.  Purpose

This Order issues and transmits GSA policy governing the Establishment of Competitive Areas.

2.  Background

Previous policy guidance allowed for the establishment of competitive areas in the regions. This Order requires competitive areas to be established based on the assigned organization of the position and the geographic area.  

3.  Scope and Applicability

     a.  This Order applies to GSA organizations and non-SES employees. Employees in the Senior Executive Service are in a single competitive area agency-wide. The provisions of 5 CFR 359 govern the conduct of reductions-in-force involving Senior Executive positions.

b.  The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has independent hiring and personnel administration authority. See Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. §6  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” 5 U.S.C. §6 (C )(7)) 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.  Cancellation

This Order cancels and supersedes GSA Order HRM 9351.2. 

5.  Explanation of Changes

1. Revises language defining “appropriate alternative worksite” to correlate with HRM 6040.1A GSA Workforce Mobility and Telework Policy and HRM 6040.2 Full-time Telework Arrangements. 
2. Removes from the policy all references to GSA Instructional Letter, CPO-IL-12-04 Virtual and Satellite Work Arrangements.