Purpose: Permits temporary assignments of skilled personnel to or from State and local governments, institutions of high education, Indian tribal governments and other eligible governments.
Assignment Agreement: An IPA assignment must be implemented in writing, outlining such factors as purpose, goal and length of assignment; provisions for reimbursement; retention or loss of benefits; maintenance of leave records, etc.
Length of Assignment: Assignments can be made for up to two years and may be intermittent, part-time or full-time. Assignments may be extended two additional years.
Eligible Employees: Federal Government employees must be serving on a career, or career- conditional appointment or equivalent appointment in the excepted service (i.e. PMI). Employees may be detailed or placed in a leave without pay status from the Federal agency. Upon completion of the IPA assignment, Federal employees are obligated to remain in the Federal government of a period equal to that of their IPA assignment.
Ninety days prior to entering an IPA agreement, State or local government employees must be serving on permanent, career appointments. These employees may be detailed or appointed. Employees detailed remain State or local government employees for most purposes. Employees appointed may be given an excepted appointment for two years which may be extended for an additional two years. These employees may be eligible for within-grade increases, COLA's, accumulation of leave and FEHB (if they lose coverage under State or local government as a result of appointment).
Cost of Assignment: The cost associated with an IPA assignment is arranged between the participating agencies. An agency may agree to pay all, some or none of the cost. The agency which attains the greatest benefit from the assignment usually incurs most of the cost. (Cost may include salary, benefits, travel, relocation, etc.)
Advantages: The government can non-competitively hire an employee from academia, State or local government for a limited-term project requiring expertise. This is a streamlined way to share expertise and perspectives among the various sectors of government and academia.
The cost of the assignment can be shared.
Disadvantage: The government can appoint only on a temporary basis an employee to replace the Federal employee.
For additional information contact: your Staffing Specialist at 202-482-3301