,,ii ,cal5d> ,no4 #gbe #aad? ,,congress 
#b;d ,session  ,s4 #bij  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate
 ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,janu>y #bh1  
#bjae,mr4 ,moran 7= himself1 ,ms4       
,ayotte1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4 ,mc,cain1    
,mrs4 ,ern/1 ,mr4 ,blum5?al1 ,mr4 ,kirk1
 ,mr4 ,b5net1 & ,mr4 ,da9es7 introduc$ !
 foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ 
to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs   
,decemb] #i1 #bjaf,report$ by ,mr4      
,isakson1 ) an amendment,strike out all 
aft] ! enact+ clause & ins]t ! "p pr9t$ 
9 italic  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d title #ch1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to improve !      
acc\ntability ( employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4  
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z 
! ,increas+ ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs ,acc\ntability to ,vet]ans ,act
 ( #bjae4  #b4 ,r$uction ( b5efits =    
memb]s ( ! ,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice )9 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs convict$
 ( c]ta9 crimes  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #g 
( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     

section3  #gae4 ,s5ior executives3      
r$uction ( b5efits ( individuals        
convict$ ( c]ta9 crimes  7a7 ,r$uction (
 annuity = remov$ employee ,! cov]$     
s]vice ( an individual remov$ f a s5ior 
executive position "u section #gac ( ?is
 title %all n be tak5 into acc\nt =     
purposes ( calculat+ an annuity )       
respect to su* individual "u *apt] #hc  
or *apt] #hd ( title #e1 if ! individual
 is convict$ ( a felony t influ5c$ !    
individual's p]=mance :ile employ$ 9 !  
s5ior executive position4  7b7 ,r$uction
 ( annuity = retir$ employee  7#a7 ,!   
,secret>y may ord] t ! cov]$ s]vice ( an
 individual :o is subject to a removal  
or transf] action "u section #gac ( ?is 
title b :o leaves employm5t at !        
,dep>tm5t prior to ! issuance ( a f9al  
decision ) respect to su* action %all n 
be tak5 into acc\nt = purposes (        
calculat+ an annuity ) respect to su*   
individual "u *apt] #hc or *apt] #hd (  
title #e1 if ! individual is convict$ ( 
a felony t influ5c$ ! individual's      

p]=mance :ile employ$ 9 ! s5ior         
executive position4  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y  
%all make su* an ord] n lat] ?an #g days
 aft] ! date on :i* su* individual is   
convict$ ( su* felony4  7#c7 ,n lat] ?an
 #cj days aft] ! ,secret>y issues any   
ord] ) respect to an individual "u      
p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( 
,p]sonnel ,managem5t %all recalculate ! 
annuity ( ! individual4  7c7 ,lump-,sum 
,annuity ,cr$it ,any individual )       
respect to :om an annuity is r$uc$ "u   
subsection 7a7 or 7b7 %all be entitl$ to
 be paid s mu* ( su* individual's       
lump-sum cr$it z is attributable to !   
p]iod ( cov]$ s]vice4  7d7 ,def9itions  
,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,! t]m cov]$ s]vice
 means1 ) respect to an individual      
subject to a removal or transf] action  
"u section #gac ( ?is title1 ! p]iod (  
s]vice beg9n+ on ! date t ! ,secret>y   
det]m9es "u su* section t su* individual
 engag$ 9 activity t gave rise to su*   
action & end+ on ! date t su* individual
 is remov$ f ! civil s]vice or leaves   

employm5t at ! ,dep>tm5t prior to !     
issuance ( a f9al decision ) respect to 
su* action1 z ! case may be4  7#b7 ,!   
t]m lump-sum cr$it has ! mean+ giv5 su* 
t]m 9 section #hcca7h7 or section       
#hdja7ai7 ( title #e1 z ! case may be4  
7#c7 ,! t]m s5ior executive position has
 ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section         
#gac7;g77#c7 ( ?is title4  7#d7 ,! t]m  
s]vice has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9       
section #hcca7ab7 or section #hdja7bf7 (
 title #e1 z ! case may be4  4  7b7     
,application ,section #gae ( su* title1 
z add$ by subsection 7a71 %all apply to 
any action ( removal or transf] "u      
section #gac ( su* title comm5c+ on or  
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections
 at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by    
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new item3  #gae4 
,s5ior executives3 r$uction ( b5efits ( 
individuals convict$ ( c]ta9 crimes4  4 
#c4 ,re=m ( p]=mance appraisal sy/em =  
,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice employees ( ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7      

,p]=mance appraisal sy/em  7#a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,*apt] #g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 z am5d$ by section #b1 is fur!r  
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
section3  #gag4 ,s5ior executives3      
p]=mance appraisal  7a7 ,p]=mance       
appraisal sy/em  7#a7 ,! p]=mance       
appraisal sy/em = individuals employ$ 9 
s5ior executive positions 9 ! ,dep>tm5t 
requir$ by section #dcab ( title #e %all
 provide1 9 addition to ! requirem5ts ( 
su* section1 = five annual summ>y rat+s 
( levels ( p]=mance z foll[s3  7,a7 ,"o 
out/&+ level4  7,b7 ,"o exce$s fully    
successful level4  7,c7 ,"o fully       
successful level4  7,d7 ,"o m9imally    
satisfactory level4  7,e7 ,"o           
unsatisfactory level4  7#b7 ,! foll[+   
limitations apply to ! rat+ ( ! p]=mance
 ( su* individuals3  7,a7 ,= any ye>1 n 
m ?an #aj p]c5t ( su* individuals :o    
receive a p]=mance rat+ dur+ t ye> may  
receive ! out/&+ level "u p>agraph      
7#a77;,a74  7,b7 ,= any ye>1 n m ?an #bj
 p]c5t ( su* individuals :o receive a   

p]=mance rat+ dur+ t ye> may receive !  
exce$s fully successful level "u        
p>agraph 7#a77;,b74  7#c7 ,9 evaluat+ ! 
p]=mance ( an individual "u ! p]=mance  
appraisal sy/em1 ! ,secret>y %all take  
into consid]ation any compla9t or report
 7includ+ any p5d+ or publi%$ report7   
submitt$ by ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( !     
,dep>tm5t1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( !     
,unit$ ,/ates1 ! ,equal ,employm5t      
,opportunity ,commission1 or any o!r    
appropriate p]son or entity1 relat$ to  
any facility or program manag$ by !     
individual4  7b7 ,*ange ( position  7#a7
 ,n less frequ5tly ?an once e five ye>s1
 ! ,secret>y %all reassign ea*          
individual employ$ 9 a s5ior executive  
position to a position at a diff]5t     
location t does n include ! sup]vision (
 ! same p]sonnel or programs4  7#b7 ,!  
,secret>y may waive ! requirem5t "u     
p>agraph 7#a7 = any su* individual1 if !
 ,secret>y submits to ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    

,h\se ( ,repres5tatives notice ( ! waiv]
 & an explanation ( ! reasons = ! waiv]4
  7c7 ,report  7#a7 ,n lat] ?an ,m>* #a 
( ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! 
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
report on ! p]=mance appraisal sy/em ( !
 ,dep>tm5t "u subsection 7a74  7#b7 ,ea*
 report submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all  
include1 = ! ye> prec$+ ! ye> dur+ :i* !
 report is submitt$1 all docum5tation   
conc]n+ ea* ( ! foll[+ = ea* individual 
employ$ 9 a s5ior executive position 9 !
 ,dep>tm5t3  7,a7 ,! initial p]=mance   
appraisal4  7,b7 ,! high] level review1 
if reque/$4  7,c7 ,! recomm5dations ( ! 
p]=mance review bo>d4  7,d7 ,! f9al     
summ>y review4  7,e7 ,! review ( !      
,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( !     
in=mation describ$ 9 subp>agraphs 7,a7  
?r\gh 7,d74  7d7 ,def9ition ( s5ior     
executive position ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m
 s5ior executive position has ! mean+   
giv5 t t]m 9 section #gac7;g7 ( ?is     

title4  4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!     
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt]
 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+ new item3  #gag4 ,s5ior          
executives3 p]=mance appraisal4  4  7#c7
 ,con=m+ am5dm5t ,section #dcab7;b7 (   
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is       
am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ &
 at ! end2  7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by    
/rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  
7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#d7 t1
 9 ! case ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs1 ! p]=mance appraisal sy/em    
meets ! requirem5ts ( section #gaf (    
title #ch4  4  7b7 ,review ( ,,ses      
managem5t tra9+  7#a7 ,review  7,a7 ,9  
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date 
( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (  
,vet]ans ,affairs %all ent] into a      
contract ) a nongov]nm5tal entity to    
review ! managem5t tra9+ program =      
individuals employ$ 9 s5ior executive   
positions 7z su* t]m is def9$ 9 section 
#gac7;g7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code7 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs

 t is be+ provid$ z ( ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7,b7 ,comp>ison ,!
 review requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 %all
 include a comp>ison ( ! tra9+ provid$  
by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to ! 
managem5t tra9+ provid$ = s5ior         
executives ( o!r ,f$]al dep>tm5ts &     
ag5cies & to ! managem5t tra9+ provid$  
to s5ior executives 9 ! private sector4 
7,c7 ,report to ,secret>y ,! contract   
requir$ by subp>agraph 7,a7 %all provide
 t ! nongov]nm5tal entity mu/ complete &
 submit to ! ,secret>y a report conta9+ 
! f9d+s & conclusions ( ! review by n   
lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! 
,secret>y & ! nongov]nm5tal entity ent] 
into ! contract4  7#b7 ,report to       
,congress ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !   
date on :i* ! ,secret>y receives !      
report "u p>agraph 7#a77;,c71 !         
,secret>y %all submit to ! ,committee on
 ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !      
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives ! report toge!r 
) a plan = c>ry+ out ! recomm5dations   

conta9$ 9 ! report4  #d4 ,limitation on 
adm9i/rative leave = memb]s ( ! ,s5ior  
,executive ,s]vice )9 ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt]  
#g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z  
am5d$ by section #c1 is fur!r am5d$ by  
add+ aft] section #gag ! foll[+ new     
section3  #gai4 ,adm9i/rative leave     
limitation & report  7a7 ,limitation    
applicable to memb]s ( ,s5ior ,executive
 ,s]vice )9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y may n place 
any cov]$ individual on adm9i/rative    
leave1 or any o!r type ( paid non-duty  
/atus1 = m ?an a total ( #ad days dur+  
any #cfe-;day p]iod4  7#b7 7,a7 ,!      
,secret>y may waive ! limitation "u     
p>agraph 7#a7 & ext5d ! adm9i/rative    
leave or o!r paid non-duty /atus ( a    
cov]$ individual plac$ on su* leave or  
/atus "u p>agraph 7#a7 if ! ,secret>y   
submits to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'    
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a detail$ explanation ( 

! reasons ! individual 0 plac$ on       
adm9i/rative leave or o!r paid non-duty 
/atus & ! reasons = ! ext5sion ( su*    
leave or /atus4  7,b7 ,any detail$      
explanation submitt$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7
 %all include ! "n ( ! cov]$ individual1
 ! location :]e ! individual is employ$1
 & ! individual's job title4  7#c7 ,9   
?is subsection1 ! t]m cov]$ individual  
means an individual 7z def9$ 9 section  
#gac7;g7 ( ?is title7 occupy+ a s5ior   
executive position 7z def9$ 9 su*       
section7--  7,a7 :o is subject to an    
inve/igation = purposes ( det]m9+ :e!r  
su* individual %\ld be subject to any   
discipl9>y action "u ?is title or title 
#e2 or  7,b7 aga9/ :om any discipl9>y   
action is propos$ or initiat$ "u ?is    
title or title #e4  7b7 ,report on      
adm9i/rative leave  7#a7 ,n lat] ?an #cj
 days aft] ! end ( ea* qu>t] ( any      
cal5d> ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to !
 ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  

report li/+ ! "n ( any employee ( !     
,dep>tm5t 7if any7 :o has be5 plac$ on  
adm9i/rative leave1 or any o!r type (   
paid non-duty /atus1 = a p]iod long] ?an
 sev5 days dur+ su* qu>t]4  7#b7 ,any   
report submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all   
include1 ) respect to any employee li/$ 
9 su* report1 ! position occupi$ by !   
employee1 ! numb] ( days ( su* leave1 & 
! reason t su* employee 0 plac$ on su*  
leave4  4  7b7 ,application  7#a7       
,adm9i/rative leave limitation ,section 
#gai7;a7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71 %all   
apply to any action ( removal or transf]
 "u section #gac ( su* title or title   
#e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 comm5c+ on or  
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
7#b7 ,report ,! report "u section       
#gai7;b7 ( su* title1 z add$ by         
subsection 7a71 %all beg9 to apply 9 !  
fir/ qu>t] t ends aft] ! date t is #ahj 
days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act4  7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (  
sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is     

am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
item3  #gai4 ,adm9i/rative leave        
limitation & report4  4  #a4 ,%ort title
 ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,increas+ !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs           
,acc\ntability to ,vet]ans ,act ( #bjae4
  #b4 ,r$uction ( b5efits = memb]s ( !  
,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice )9 ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs convict$ ( c]ta9   
crimes  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #g ( title  
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3     
#gae4 ,s5ior executives3 r$uction (     
b5efits ( individuals convict$ ( c]ta9  
crimes  7a7 ,r$uction ( annuity = remov$
 memb] ,! cov]$ s]vice ( an individual  
remov$ f a s5ior executive position at !
 ,dep>tm5t by ! ,secret>y = p]=mance or 
misconduct %all n be tak5 into acc\nt = 
purposes ( calculat+ an annuity )       
respect to su* individual "u *apt] #hc  
or *apt] #hd ( title #e1 if ! individual
 is convict$ ( a felony 7& ! conviction 
is f9al7 t 0 relat$1 z det]m9$ by !     
,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel        

,managem5t1 to ! individual's p]=mance  
:ile employ$ 9 su* s5ior executive      
position4  7b7 ,r$uction ( annuity =    
retir$ memb]  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y may ord]
 t ! cov]$ s]vice ( an individual :o is 
subject to a removal or transf] f a     
s5ior executive position at ! ,dep>tm5t 
by ! ,secret>y = p]=mance or misconduct 
b :o leaves employm5t at ! ,dep>tm5t    
prior to ! issuance ( a f9al decision ) 
respect to su* removal or transf] %all n
 be tak5 into acc\nt = purposes (       
calculat+ an annuity ) respect to su*   
individual "u *apt] #hc or *apt] #hd (  
title #e1 if ! individual is convict$ ( 
a felony 7& ! conviction is f9al7 t 0   
relat$1 z det]m9$ by ! ,director ( !    
,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t1 to !     
individual's p]=mance :ile employ$ 9 su*
 s5ior executive position4  7#b7 ,!     
,secret>y %all make su* an ord] n lat]  
?an #g days aft] ! date on :i* su*      
individual is convict$ ( su* felony4    
7#c7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] !        
,secret>y issues any ord] ) respect to  

an individual "u p>agraph 7#a71 !       
,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel        
,managem5t %all recalculate ! annuity ( 
! individual4  7c7 ,lump-sum annuity    
cr$it ,any individual ) respect to :om  
an annuity is r$uc$ "u subsection 7a7 or
 7b7 %all be entitl$ to be paid s mu* ( 
su* individual's lump-sum cr$it z is    
attributable to ! p]iod ( cov]$ s]vice4 
7d7 ,review ( r$uction ( annuity ,any   
individual ^: annuity is r$uc$ "u       
subsection 7a7 or 7b7 may appeal !      
r$uction to ! ,director ( ! ,(fice (    
,p]sonnel ,managem5t4  7e7 ,def9itions  
,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,! t]m cov]$ s]vice
 means1 ) respect to an individual      
subject to a removal or transf] f a     
s5ior executive position at ! ,dep>tm5t 
= p]=mance or misconduct1 ! p]iod (     
s]vice beg9n+ on ! date t ! ,secret>y   
det]m9es "u su* section t su* individual
 engag$ 9 activity t gave rise to su*   
action & end+ on ! date t su* individual
 is remov$ f ! civil s]vice or leaves   
employm5t at ! ,dep>tm5t prior to !     

issuance ( a f9al decision ) respect to 
su* action1 z ! case may be4  7#b7 ,!   
t]m lump-sum cr$it has ! mean+ giv5 su* 
t]m 9 section #hcca or #hdja ( title #e1
 z ! case may be4  7#c7 ,! t]m s5ior    
executive position has ! mean+ giv5 su* 
t]m 9 section #gac7;g7 ( ?is title4     
7#d7 ,! t]m s]vice has ! mean+ giv5 su* 
t]m 9 section #hcca or #hdja ( title #e1
 z ! case may be4  4  7b7 ,application  
,section #gae ( su* title1 z add$ by    
subsection 7a71 %all apply to any action
 ( removal or transf] f a s5ior         
executive position 7z def9$ 9 section   
#gac7;g7 ( su* title7 at ! ,dep>tm5t (  
,vet]ans ,affairs comm5c+ on or aft] !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7      
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+ new item3  #gae4 ,s5ior 
executives3 r$uction ( b5efits (        
individuals convict$ ( c]ta9 crimes4  4 
#c4 ,indep5d5t review & assessm5t (     
managem5t tra9+ & appraisal at ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,review &     

assessm5t  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an    
#ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is
 ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  
%all ent] into a contract ) a           
nongov]nm5tal entity to review & assess 
! foll[+3  7,a7 ,! managem5t tra9+      
program = individuals employ$ 9 s5ior   
executive positions ( ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs t is be+ provid$ z ( !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7,b7 ,! 
p]=mance appraisal sy/em ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9
 effect on ! day be=e ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act = individuals       
employ$ 9 s5ior executive positions4    
7#b7 ,elem5ts ,! review & assessm5t     
requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all include ! 
foll[+3 7,a7 ,a comp>ison ( ! tra9+     
provid$ by ! ,dep>tm5t to ! managem5t   
tra9+ provid$ = s5ior executives ( o!r  
,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies & to !       
managem5t tra9+ provid$ to s5ior        
executives 9 ! private sector4  7,b7    
,recomm5dations = improv+ ! program     
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,a74  7,c7    
,recomm5dations = improv+ ! sy/em       

describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,b74  7,d7 ,an
 assessm5t ( ! ability ( ! ,dep>tm5t to 
attract & develop employees suitable =  
s5ior executive s]vice positions ( !    
,dep>tm5t4  7,e7 ,an assessm5t ( !      
lead]%ip & managem5t actions ( !        
,dep>tm5t result+ f ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans
 ,affairs ,p]=mance & ,acc\ntability    
,reports submitt$ 9 ! two mo/ rec5t     
fiscal ye>s end+ be=e ! date ( !        
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7,f7 ,a review ( !
 /rategy ( ! ,secret>y call$ ,lean      
,managem5t4  7,g7 ,an assessm5t ( !     
compliance ( ! ,dep>tm5t ) provisions ( 
law add$ or am5d$ by ! ,,gpra           
,mod]nization ,act ( #bjaj 7,public ,law
 #aaa-ceb7 & an explanation ( ! *anges  
made to ! ,dep>tm5t & ! activities c>ri$
 out by ! ,secret>y 9 response to !     
enactm5t ( su* ,act4  7,h7 ,an assessm5t
 ( ! results ( ! mo/ rec5t ,annual      
,employee ,survey c>ri$ out pursuant to 
"p #bej ( title #e1 ,code ( ,f$]al      
,regulations4  7,i7 ,an assessm5t ( !   
ef=ts ( ! ,secret>y to conduct          

data-driv5 reviews & develop a          
results-ori5t$ culture pursuant to "p #f
 ( ,circul> ,a-#aa ( ! ,(fice (         
,managem5t & ,budget4  7,j7 ,an         
assessm5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs ,f$]al ,p]=mance ,improvem5t   
,(fic] role & ov]sight function4  7,k7  
,a survey ( ! morale ( employees & _!   
satisfaction ) _! "w & "w environm5t 9  
ea* ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs /aff  
organization1 /aff (fice1 & adm9i/ration
 z describ$ by ,directive #jbaa ( !     
,dep>tm5t & provid$ = 9 v]sion #c4j;a ( 
! ,functional ,organization ,manual ( ! 
,dep>tm5t4  7#c7 ,report to ,secret>y ,!
 contract requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all 
provide t ! nongov]nm5tal entity mu/    
complete & submit to ! ,secret>y a      
report conta9+ ! f9d+s & conclusions ( !
 review by n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] !  
date on :i* ! ,secret>y & !             
nongov]nm5tal entity ent] into !        
contract4  7b7 ,report to ,congress ,n  
lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date on :i* !  
,secret>y receives ! report "u          

subsection 7a77#c71 ! ,secret>y %all    
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives ! report toge!r ) a plan
 = c>ry+ out ! recomm5dations conta9$ 9 
! report4  7c7 ,s5ior executive position
 def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]ms5ior       
executive position has ! mean+ giv5 t   
t]m 9 section #gac7;g7 ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  #d4 ,limitation on
 adm9i/rative leave = employees (       
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9   
g5]al ,*apt] #g ( title #ch1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at 
! end ! foll[+ new section3  #gag4      
,adm9i/rative leave limitation & report 
7a7 ,limitation applicable to employees 
)9 ! ,dep>tm5t  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y may n 
place any cov]$ individual on           
adm9i/rative leave = m ?an a total ( #ad
 bus9ess days dur+ any #cfe-;day p]iod4 
7#b7 7,a7 ,! ,secret>y may waive !      
limitation "u p>agraph 7#a7 & ext5d !   
p]iod ( adm9i/rative leave ( a cov]$    

individual if ! ,secret>y submits to !  
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
detail$ explanation ( ! reasons ! cov]$ 
individual 0 plac$ on adm9i/rative leave
 & ! reasons = ! ext5sion ( su* leave4  
7,b7 ,su* explanation %all include !    
position ( ! cov]$ individual & !       
location :]e ! cov]$ individual is      
employ$4  7#c7 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m 
cov]$ individual means an employee ( !  
,dep>tm5t1 includ+ an employee 9 a s5ior
 executive position 7z def9$ 9 section  
#gac7;g7 ( ?is title7--  7,a7 :o is     
subject to an inve/igation = purposes ( 
det]m9+ :e!r su* individual %\ld be     
subject to any discipl9>y action "u ?is 
title or title #e2 or  7,b7 aga9/ :om   
any discipl9>y action is propos$ or     
initiat$ "u ?is title or title #e4  7b7 
,report on adm9i/rative leave  7#a7 ,n  
lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! end ( ea*      
fiscal ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to !
 ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   

,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
report li/+ ! position ( ea* employee ( 
! ,dep>tm5t 7if any7 :o has be5 plac$ on
 adm9i/rative leave = a p]iod long] ?an 
#ad bus9ess days dur+ su* fiscal ye>4   
7#b7 ,ea* report submitt$ "u p>agraph   
7#a7 %all include1 ) respect to ea*     
employee li/$ 9 su* report1 ! foll[+3   
7,a7 ,! position occupi$ by ! employee4 
7,b7 ,! numb] ( bus9ess days ( su*      
leave4  7,c7 ,! reason t su* employee 0 
plac$ on su* leave4  7#c7 ,9 submitt+   
ea* report "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y
 %all take su* measures to protect !    
privacy ( ! employees li/$ 9 ! report z 
! ,secret>y consid]s appropriate4  7c7  
,adm9i/rative leave def9$ ,9 ?is        
section1 ! t]m adm9i/rative leave-- 7#a7
 means an adm9i/ratively au?oriz$ abs5ce
 f duty )\t loss ( pay or *>ge to leave 
= :i* ! employee is plac$ due to an     
inve/igation on or = :om any discipl9>y 
action is propos$ or initiat$2 &  7#b7  
includes any type ( paid non-duty /atus 

)\t a *>ge to leave4  4  7b7            
,application  7#a7 ,adm9i/rative leave  
limitation ,subsection 7a7 ( section    
#gag ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7z
 add$ by subsection 7a771 %all apply to 
any p]iod ( adm9i/rative leave 7z def9$ 
9 su* section7 comm5c+ on or aft] ! date
 ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#b7 ,report 
,! report "u section #gag7;b7 ( su*     
title 7z add$ by subsection 7a77 %all   
apply beg9n+ 9 ! fir/ qu>t] t ends aft] 
! date t is #ahj days aft] ! date ( !   
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7 ,cl]ical      
am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ 
( *apt] #g ( su* title is fur!r am5d$ by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new item3  #gag4
 ,adm9i/rative leave limitation &       
report4  4  #e4 ,acc\ntability ( lead]s 
= manag+ ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs
  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #g ( title #ch1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] section #gji ! foll[+ new section3 
#gaj4 ,annual p]=mance plan = political 
appo9tees  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y    
%all conduct an annual p]=mance plan =  

ea* political appo9tee ( ! ,dep>tm5t t  
is simil> to ! annual p]=mance plan     
conduct$ = an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t :o 
is appo9t$ z a c>e] appo9tee 7z t t]m is
 def9$ 9 section #cacb7;a77#d7 ( title  
#e7 )9 ! ,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice at ! 
,dep>tm5t4  7b7 ,elem5ts ( plan ,ea*    
annual p]=mance plan conduct$ "u        
subsection 7a7 ) respect to a political 
appo9tee ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all include1 to 
! ext5t applicable1 an assessm5t ( :e!r 
! appo9tee is meet+ ! foll[+ goals3     
7#a7 ,recruit+1 select+1 & reta9+       
well-qualifi$ individuals = employm5t at
 ! ,dep>tm5t4  7#b7 ,engag+ & motivat+  
employees4  7#c7 ,tra9+ & develop+      
employees & prep>+ ^? employees = future
 lead]%ip roles )9 ! ,dep>tm5t4  7#d7   
,hold+ ea* employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t t is a
 manag] acc\ntable = address+ issues    
relat+ to p]=mance1 9 p>ticul> issues   
relat+ to ! p]=mance ( employees t      
report to ! manag]4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical    
am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ 
( *apt] #g ( su* title is fur!r am5d$ by

 ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section   
#gji ! foll[+ new item3  #gaj4 ,annual  
p]=mance plan = political appo9tees4  4 
#f4 ,acc\ntability ( manag]s = hir+     
well-qualifi$ p  7a7 ,assessm5t dur+    
probation>y p]iod  7#a7 ,det]m9ation    
require ,) respect to any employee ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs :o is     
requir$ to s]ve a probation>y p]iod 9 a 
position 9 ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,secret>y (   
,vet]ans ,affairs %all require ! manag] 
( su* employee to det]m9e1 dur+ !       
#cj-;day p]iod end+ on ! date on :i* !  
probation>y p]iod ends1 :e!r !          
employee--  7,a7 has demon/rat$         
successful p]=mance2 &  7,b7 %\ld       
cont9ue pa/ ! probation>y p]iod4  7#b7  
,limitation on employm5t aft]           
probation>y p]iod ,no employee ( !      
,dep>tm5t s]v+ a probation>y p]iod z    
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 may cont9ue 9 t
 position aft] ! end ( ! probation>y    
p]iod unless & until ! manag] ( !       
employee has made an affirmative        
det]m9ation "u su* p>agraph4  7b7       

,sup]visors ,) respect to any employee (
 ! ,dep>tm5t :o is s]v+ a probation>y   
p]iod at a sup]visory position 9 !      
,dep>tm5t1 successful p]=mance "u       
subsection 7a7 %all include demon/rat+  
managem5t compet5cies 9 addition to !   
te*nical skills requir$ = su* position4 
7c7 ,p]=mance plan ,ea* annual p]=mance 
plan conduct$ = a manag] ( an employee  
s]v+ a probation>y p]iod %all hold !    
manag] acc\ntable =--  7#a7 provid+     
regul> fe$back to su* employee dur+ su* 
p]iod be=e mak+ a det]m9ation "u        
subsection 7a7 reg>d+ ! probation>y     
/atus ( su* employee2 &  7#b7 mak+ a    
timely det]m9ation "u subsection 7a7    
reg>d+ ! probation>y /atus ( su*        
employee4  #g4 ,acc\ntability ( manag]s 
= address+ p]=mance ( employees ,!      
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
ensure t1 z a "p ( ! annual p]=mance    
plan ( an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t (      
,vet]ans ,affairs :o is a manag]1 !     
manag] is evaluat$ on ! foll[+3  7#a7   
,tak+ action to address poor p]=mance & 

misconduct among ! employees t report to
 ! manag]4  7#b7 ,tak+ /eps to improve  
or su/a9 high levels ( employee         
engagem5t4  #h4 ,expansion ( def9ition (
 p]sonnel action to include p]=mance    
evaluations ( employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs ,section              
#bcjb7;a77#b77;,a77viii7 ( title #e1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
or "u title #ch aft] *apt] #dc ( ?is    
title4  #i4 ,writt5 op9ion on c]ta9     
employm5t re/rictions aft] t]m9at+      
employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #g ( title
 #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is fur!r     
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
section3  #gai4 ,writt5 op9ion on c]ta9 
employm5t re/rictions aft] t]m9at+      
employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t  7a7 ,9 g5]al   
,be=e t]m9at+ employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t1  
any (ficial ( ! ,dep>tm5t :o has        
p>ticipat$ p]sonally & sub/antially dur+
 ! "o-ye> p]iod end+ on ! date ( !      
t]m9ation 9 an acquisition by !         
,dep>tm5t t exce$s #aj1jjj1jjj %all     

obta9 a writt5 op9ion f an appropriate  
e?ics c\nselor at ! ,dep>tm5t reg>d+ any
 re/rictions on activities t ! (ficial  
may und]take on behalf ( a cov]$        
contractor dur+ ! two-ye> p]iod beg9n+  
on ! date on :i* ! (ficial t]m9ates su* 
employm5t4  7b7 ,cov]$ contractor def9$ 
,9 ?is section1 ! t]m cov]$ contractor  
means a contractor c>ry+ out a contract 
ent]$ into ) ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+       
pursuant to a subcontract4  4  7b7      
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( *apt] #g ( su* title is fur!r
 am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to  
section #gag ! foll[+ new item3  #gai4  
,writt5 op9ion on c]ta9 employm5t       
re/rictions aft] leav+ ! ,dep>tm5t4  4  
#aj4 ,requirem5t = contractors ( !      
,dep>tm5t employ+ c]ta9 rec5tly sep>at$ 
,dep>tm5t employees  7a7 ,9 g5]al       
,sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #ha ( title #ch1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+ new section3  #habi4    
,requirem5t = contractors employ+ c]ta9 
rec5tly sep>at$ ,dep>tm5t employees  7a7

 ,9 g5]al ,a cov]$ contractor may n     
kn[+ly provide comp5sation to an        
individual describ$ 9 subsection 7b7    
dur+ ! two-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date on
 :i* ! individual t]m9ates employm5t ) !
 ,dep>tm5t unless ! cov]$ contractor    
det]m9es t ! individual--  7#a7 has     
obta9$ ! writt5 op9ion requir$ "u       
section #gai7;a7 ( ?is title2 or  7#b7  
has reque/$ su* writt5 op9ion n lat] ?an
 #cj days be=e receiv+ comp5sation f !  
cov]$ contractor4  7b7 ,individual      
describ$ ,an individual describ$ 9 ?is  
subsection is any (ficial ( ! ,dep>tm5t 
:o p>ticipat$ p]sonally & sub/antially  
dur+ ! "o-ye> p]iod end+ on ! date ( !  
t]m9ation individual's employm5t ) !    
,dep>tm5t 9 an acquisition by !         
,dep>tm5t t exce$s #aj1jjj1jjj4  7c7    
,cov]$ contractor def9$ ,9 ?is section1 
! t]m cov]$ contractor means a          
contractor c>ry+ out a contract ent]$   
into ) ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ pursuant to 
a subcontract4  4  7b7 ,application ,!  
requirem5t "u section #habi7;a7 ( title 

#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by     
subsection 7a71 %all apply ) respect to 
any entity t ent]s into a contract ) !  
,dep>tm5t on or aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act4  7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!   
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ha
 ( su* title is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] !  
item relat+ to section #habh ! foll[+   
new item3  #habi4 ,requirem5t =         
contractors employ+ c]ta9 rec5tly       
sep>at$ ,dep>tm5t employees4  4  #aa4   
,re/oration ( prior report+ fee         
multipli]s ,dur+ ! "o-ye> p]iod beg9n+  
on ,septemb] #bf1 #bjaf1 ! second s5t5ce
 ( subsection 7c7 ( section #cfhd (     
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 %all be 
appli$--  7#a7 by sub/itut+ #aj = #ab2 &
  7#b7 by sub/itut+ #ac = #ae4  ,decemb]
 #i1 #bjaf,report$ ) an am5dm5t