GSA Merit Promotion and Placement Plan

1. Purpose

This Order provides the procedural requirements for GSA’s Merit Promotion and Placement Plan (MPP) that supports the competitive and non-competitive placement of individuals based on job-related criteria.

2. Background

Authorities for the MPP include: 

• 5 CFR 335 (Promotion and Internal Placement)
• 5 U.S.C. 2301 (Merit Systems Principles)
• 5 U.S.C. 2302 (Prohibited Personnel Practices)

3.  Scope and Applicability

     a. This Order applies to all competitive service positions. A complete list of actions that must be processed under competitive procedures is listed in 5 CFR 335.103.

     b. 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 1GSA 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.

     c. This Order 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.

4. Cancellation

This Order cancels and supersedes CPO 9335.1A.