3 FAM 9000
PERSONAL sERVICES contractors (PSC)
3 FAM 9100
general provisions
3 FAM 9110
General Provisions
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Office of Origin: HR/PC)
3 FAM 9111 General
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. A personal services contract may be used for certain
work of a continuing nature as well as for temporary or intermittent services.
b. No individual who is a direct-hire employee of the
U.S. Government may concurrently have a personal services contract with the
U.S. Government unless the Departments Office of the Procurement Executive
(A/OPE) grants a special and specific exception.
3 FAM 9112 Authority
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. Section 2(c) of the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 2669 (c)), grants the authority
for American personal service contracts overseas and provides that the
Department may employ individuals or organizations, by contract, for services
abroad. The Departments Procurement Executive is the only official who can
delegate PSC authority to posts. Individuals employed by contract to perform
such services shall not, by virtue of such employment, be considered to be
employees of the United States Government for purposes of any law administered
by the Office of Personnel Management (except that the Secretary may determine
the applicability to such individuals of subsection (f) and of any other law
administered by the Secretary concerning the employment of such individuals
abroad).
b. Therefore, personal services contractors employed
pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2669 (c) will not be considered Civil Service or Foreign
Service employees, but may be deemed Federal employees for the purposes of
other Federal statutes; such as the tort claims settlement authority of 22
U.S.C. 2669 (f).
3 FAM 9113 Other Department
Bureaus/Offices/Programs with PSC Authority
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. For the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and
Migration, Section 5(a)(6) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962,
as amended (22 U.S.C. 2605);
b. For the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs, Section 636(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
as amended (22 U.S.C. 2396);
c. For the Foreign Service Institute, Section
704(a)(4of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (22 U.S.C. 4024);
d. For the Office of Foreign Missions, Section 208(d)
of Title II Authorities Relating to the Regulation of Foreign Missions, of
the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, as amended (22 U.S.C.
4308);
e. For the Bureau of International Organization
Affairs, the separate Department of State appropriation acts;
f. For the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations,
Section 5 of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, as amended (22 U.S.C.
296)
g. For the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Section
7 of the United Nations Participation Act of 1945, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287e);
and
h. For the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, section 206
of Public Law 99-399 (22 U.S.C. 4824), as amended by the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act of 1998.
i. Questions on the application of 3 FAM 9000 to the
above listed offices and authorities should be referred to the specific office
and coordinated through A/OPE.
3 FAM 9114 Basic Requirements for
Employment
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) must be U.S.
citizens.
b. The minimum age is 18, except for high school or
equivalent secondary school graduates; then the minimum age is 16.
c. PSCs are selected on the basis of their education,
experience, and suitability for the particular contract to be filled.
d. PSCs are subject to background security investigations
and clearance.
3 FAM 9114.1 Application
Requirement
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
Each PSC applicant must complete an SF-171, Application
for Federal Employment.
3 FAM 9114.2 Duration of Contract
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
Personal services contracts may not exceed one year. A
PSC contract may be renewed annually, but the total of the basic contract plus
all renewals (options) may not exceed five years. After the five-year period
of extending a PSC, bureau Executive Directors may authorize the contracting
officer to enter into a new personal services contract with the same American,
but only after determining that entering into a new personal services contract
with the same individual is essential to the achievement of the mission.
3 FAM 9115 COMPENSATION
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. Compensation ranges for PSC levels of work are
based upon comparable class levels of the Civil Service pay schedule for
domestic PSCs; or comparable class levels of the Foreign Service pay schedule
for PSCs working overseas. Compensation paid under a personal services contract
may not exceed the maximum payable rate of class FS-01 or GS-15 (step 14 or
step 10, respectively), or be below the minimum established for class EE of the
Extended Foreign Service pay schedule. Total compensation paid under a
PSC shall be subject to limitation at the same rate as federal employees who
are subject to the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act pay limitations as
outlined in 5 U.S.C. 5307. All initial PSC salaries will be set at Step 1
of the grade classification unless the recommending official can demonstrate to
the bureau Executive Director that the candidate has superior qualifications or
there is a special need of the agency for the candidates services that justify
a higher minimum rate of pay. For domestically hired PSCs, bureaus will follow
the pay setting guidelines in the Office of Civil Service Human Resources
Managements (HR/CSHRM) Policy Memorandum 10-10, Standard Operating Procedures
on Superior Qualifications and Special Needs Pay Setting. For PSCs hired
domestically for overseas assignments, bureaus will follow HR/RMAs guidance on
superior qualifications and special needs pay setting.
b. The following should be taken into account in
establishing and setting pay for the life of a personal services contract:
(1) Recruitment factors influencing availability of
suitable candidates for PSC services;
(2) The qualifications of the individual who will
perform the PSC services;
(3) The salary history of the individual or Highest
Previous Rate earned for civilian service in any branch of the Federal
Government;
(4) The financial resources available for individual
personal services contracts;
(5) The individual policies of posts and their
regional bureaus;
(6) Compensation practices established by U.S. private
sector organizations for employing U.S. citizens in the particular host
country; and
(7) Comparability with FTE salaries/grades for FTE
performing similar tasks.
c. Premium Pay and Pay Limitations the PSCs salary,
premium pay, and any allowance, differential, bonus, award, or other similar
cash payments shall be subject to limitation at the same rate as other federal
employees who are subject to the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act pay
limitations as outlined in 5 U.S.C. 5307. Premium pay will be determined pursuant
to the Fair Labor Standards Act, unless the PSC is FLSA-exempt pursuant to 5
CFR 551 Subpart B. Premium pay is reported and paid on a biweekly basis.
(1) If authorized in Schedule B, the PSC, with prior
supervisor approval, will be entitled to premium compensation (overtime pay,
compensatory time off, Sunday Pay, Holiday Pay, and Night Differential),
subject to the bi-weekly premium pay cap and annual aggregate pay limit at the
same rate as other federal employees who are subject to the Federal Employees
Pay Comparability Act limitations as outlined in 5 U.S.C. 5307 and the
limitation on premium pay as outlined in 5 U.S.C. 5547.
(2) Bureaus must include the PSCs status under the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA, exempt or non-exempt) in the comments section
of the JF-62. Overtime is defined as time worked in excess of 40 hours per
week or the number of scheduled hours per week under an approved Alternate Work
Schedule (3 FAM
3133). The PSC will be compensated for overtime as provided in the contract,
consistent with FLSA requirements. The overtime work must be authorized and
reported according to employing office premium pay policy and guidance.
d. Bureaus and offices may provide optional base-rate
adjustments depending on the nature of the contract and work to be performed.
The optional adjustments, if any, are negotiated by the Executive Director or
other designated senior level responsible officer and depend upon many factors
including those listed in paragraph b. above. These adjustments may be
categorized as a recruitment/retention incentive, bonus or allowance but may
not exceed 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the employee. This 25
percent cap on optional base-rate adjustments does not include post specific
allowances such as danger pay and post hardship differential. Each incentive,
bonus, and allowance made to augment agency recruitment and retention efforts
must be approved by the Director General before it can be offered to a PSC.
e. Personal services contracts with U.S. citizens
payable in local currency may be authorized under this subsection in
exceptional cases, but generally only if: (1) the contractor is a permanent
resident eligible to work in the host country; (2) the contractor is not the
spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen Foreign Service or Civil Service employee
of the United States Government; and (3) the contractor will be paid in
accordance with the Locally Employed (LE) staff compensation plan subject to
any specific approved exceptions. Justification for an exception must be
submitted and approved in advance by the regional bureau.
f. Retired U.S. Government employees may be awarded
personal services contracts without any reduction in or offset against their
Government annuity since the time worked as a PSC is not recognized as
creditable service.
3 FAM 9116 BENEFITS
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. This section lists the benefits that all American
PSCs working abroad, those hired at post and those hired from the United States
or a third country and sent to post, are eligible/ineligible to receive.
American PSCs hired from the United States or a third country and sent to post
shall be provided certain additional benefits/allowances that must be written
into the contract (see section 3 FAM 9119).
American PSCs hired at post are ineligible to receive those additional
benefits/allowances.
b. Where the contractor is hired from the host country
and also has residency status in that country, that individual may accrue
additional benefits under local labor laws. Posts are responsible for
identifying such benefits in those situations.
c. All benefits and/or allowances must be written into
the contract for the PSC to receive them.
d. While personal services contractors are
ineligible to participate in the federal life insurance and health benefits
programs, PSCs may receive a contribution, with limitations, toward the actual
costs of their health insurance and life insurance premiums.
3 FAM 9116.1 Eligibility
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. PSCs are eligible for:
(1) Paid Leave as authorized in 3 FAM 3410
Annual Leave and 3
FAM 3420 Sick Leave. Leave entitlements must be specifically provided for
under the terms of the contract.
(a) Annual Leave All PSCs will follow OPM standards
for federal employees stationed in the United States with regard to an annual
leave ceiling; a maximum of 30 days or 240 hours will be allowed to carry over
into the new leave year. (3 FAM 3410):
|
Employee Type
|
Less than 3 years of service *
|
3 years but less than 15 years of service *
|
15 or more years of service *
|
|
Full-time employees
|
day (4 hours) for each pay period
|
day (6 hours) for each pay period, except 1 day (10
hours) in last pay period
|
1 day (8 hours) for each pay period
|
|
Part-time employees
|
1 hour for each 20 hours in a pay status
|
1 hour for each 13 hours in a pay status
|
1 hour for each 10 hours in a pay status
|
Bureaus and offices may capture any prior federal
service in determining the Employee Type by selecting a Service Computation
Date (SCD) to reflect prior federal service of the contractor. For example, if
an employee hired on a personal services contract served in the military for 20
years, the hiring bureau will establish the SCD at 20 years prior to the
effective date of the PSC so the employee will accrue leave at the rate of 8
hours per pay period in accordance with the above chart.
(b) Sick Leave Sick leave accrual shall be in
accordance with 3
FAM 3420. PSCs working on a full-time basis shall accrue 4 hours of sick
leave per pay period, regardless of length of service. PSCs working on a
part-time basis will earn leave proportionate to hours worked. Intermittent
contractors do not accrue sick leave. No payment is made upon termination or
expiration of the contract for unused cumulative sick leave. Unused sick leave
accrued under the contract may be carried from one leave year to the next, or to
a follow-on PSC contract. Accrued sick leave will not be carried over in
conversion to direct-hire status. A copy of the approved "Request for
Leave or Approved Absence" form (OPM‑71) should accompany the PSC's
time and attendance record for the pay period during which sick leave is taken.
(c) Overtime or Compensatory Time Off PSCs are
eligible to receive overtime pay or compensatory time off in lieu of overtime
subject to limitations at the same rates as federal employees who are subject
to premium pay limitations as outlined in 5 U.S.C. 5547 and so long as the
premium pay is defined, including the overtime funding limit, and written into
the contract. In addition, PSCs are eligible to receive compensatory time off
for travel as long as this is written into the contract. The determination
of overtime, compensatory time, or compensatory time off for travel will be
consistent with overtime/compensatory time policies applied to FTEs. Any
accrued compensatory time must be used within 26 pay periods/52 weeks from the
date of accrual. There will be no conversion to premium pay of any unused
compensatory time. Compensatory time not used within 52 weeks from the date of
accrual will be lost.
(d) Leave Without Pay (LWOP) PSCs are eligible to
request leave without pay. Careful consideration should be given to any
request in excess of 80 hours of unpaid leave. Posts must examine each
request to assure the needs of the post or employing office are not jeopardized
by granting an excessive amount of LWOP in relation to the anticipated length
of the contract. Any request for LWOP in excess of 30 days must be
approved by the bureau executive director. LWOP will affect leave accruals in
the same manner as outlined in 3 FAH-1
H-3412.3. (3
FAM 3510 Unpaid Leave)
(2) Medical Program The PSC shall be eligible for
the Department of State Medical Program, which includes Travel Health and
Immunization consultation (including immunizations), health unit access, and
medical evacuation services, provided the contractor has a valid medical
clearance for the post of assignment and has submitted proof of agency
participation ICASS cost center codes (4 FAH-1 H-526
(6000)). Accompanying family members on the PSCs travel orders are also
eligible for Medical Program benefits if they have a valid medical clearance
for the PSCs post of assignment.
(a) Medical Clearances For all assignments outside of
the United States the PSC and any accompanying family members on the PSCs
travel orders shall be required to undergo a medical examination and submit the
required medical clearance form DS-6561, Non-Foreign Service Personnel and
Their Family Members. The PSC shall submit the forms and the results of any
additional tests or examinations requested by the Bureau of Medical Services
(MED) to the Office of Medical Clearances for a determination of medical
clearance for the post of assignment. If PSCs receive worldwide availability
clearance (Class 1 Medical Clearance), they can travel to any of the
Departments posts overseas. If they receive Class 2 Medical Clearance, the
PSC and bureau human resources office will receive a list of MED-approved posts
to which Class 2-cleared PSCs and eligible family members can travel.
Failure to obtain a medical clearance will
constitute cause for contract termination. At the end of contract performance,
the PSC is authorized a separation medical examination. The separating PSC
must schedule the examination prior to separating and must complete the
examination within 90 days after contract completion.
(b) As a contribution to the cost of the medical
examinations required under this provision, the employing organization shall
reimburse the PSC for a physical examination, plus reimbursement of charges for
immunizations not to exceed $500 total. The PSC must obtain the written
approval of the Contracting Officer prior to receiving any State obligations
higher than these limits.
(c) Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Services Medevac
benefits are provided by the Department (MED) in accordance with 16 FAM 300
Medical Travel. In order to be covered by the Medevac program, PSCs must
maintain international health insurance coverage that includes overseas
hospitalization insurance for self and eligible family members, and must
provide proof of such insurance to the Contracting Officer prior to overseas
deployment.
(3) Social Security Coverage required.
(4) Workmens Compensation Eligibility (FECA) -
subject to adjudication by Department of Labor of particular claims.
(5) Death Benefits survivors of any PSC employees
who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty outside
the United States may be eligible for payment of death benefits as provided in 3 FAM 3650.
Although not required by law, reference to the death benefits provided under 3 FAM 3650
should be specified under the terms of the contract.
(6) Per Diem In accordance with Federal Travel
Regulations, per diem will be paid to the PSC for authorized TDY.
(7) Home Leave for Qualifying Posts
(a) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for
use only in the United States, its commonwealths and territories. In order to
be eligible, the PSC must have completed a 24-month assignment at a qualifying
post or a 12-month assignment at a Priority Staffing Post (PSP), and will
return overseas for at least 12 months either at the same post or another
overseas post. There is no requirement to take home leave.
(b) A PSC who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien
and has served at least 2 years overseas at the same Embassy, under the same
contract, as defined in paragraph 4) below, and has not taken more than 30 work
days leave (vacation, sick or leave without pay in the United States) may be
granted home leave in accordance with the following:
(i) if the contractor returns to the same overseas
post upon completion of home leave for an additional 2 years under the same
contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in
writing by the Chief of Mission prior to the PSCs departure on home leave, the
contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of
not more than 30 work days;
(ii) if the contractor is returning to a different
Embassy under a personal services contract immediately following completion of
the PSC's home leave, for an additional 2 years under contract, or for such
shorter period of not less than one year, as approved by the Chiefs of Mission
of the "losing" and "gaining" Embassies, the contractor
will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of not more than
20 work days. When the PSC is returning to a different Embassy, the
former Embassy will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC
will be working in following the home leave;
(iii) if home leave eligibility is based on b) ii. above,
the PSC must submit written verification to the losing Embassy at the time home
leave is requested that the employee has accepted a personal services contract
at another Embassy following completion of the home leave. Travel time by the
most direct route is authorized in addition to the number of work days
authorized for home leave; home leave must be taken in the United States, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or other territories of the United States, and any
days spent elsewhere will be charged to annual leave. If the PSC does not have
accrued annual leave, the PSC will be placed on leave without pay;
(iv) if the PSC does not complete the additional
service required under b) i. or ii., that the Contracting Officer finds are
other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control, the cost of home leave, travel
and transportation, and any other related costs must be repaid by the PSC to
the Government.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph b) ii.
above that the PSC must have served 2 years overseas under personal services
contract with the same U.S. mission to be eligible for home leave, the PSC may
be granted advance home leave subject to the conditions specified in the
contract.
(d) The period of service overseas required under b) or
c) above, will include the actual days in orientation in the United States
(less language training). The actual days overseas begin on the date of
arrival in the country of assignment inclusive of authorized delays
en-route. Allowable annual and sick leave taken while overseas, but not
leave without pay, shall be included in the required period of service
overseas. An amount equal to the number of days of annual and sick leave
taken in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or other
territories of the United States will be added to the required period of
service overseas.
(e) Salary during the travel to and from the United
States for home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the
most expeditious air route. Except for reasons beyond the PSC's control
as determined by the Contracting Officer, the PSC must return to duty after
home leave and complete the additional required service or be responsible for
reimbursing the Department of State for payments made during home leave.
Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this contract, nor can it be taken
incrementally in separate time periods.
(f) Home leave must be taken at one time, and to the
extent deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, a PSC in the United States
on home leave may be authorized to spend no more than 5 days in work status for
consultation at Department of State/Washington, DC before returning to
post. Consultation at locations other than Department of
State/Washington, DC, as well as any time in excess of 5 days spent for
consultation, must be approved by the Chief of Mission or the Contracting
Officer.
(8) Home Leave Travel
(a) To the extent that home leave has been authorized,
the cost of travel for home leave is reimbursable for travel costs and travel
allowances of travelers from the post of duty in the country of assignment to
place of residence in the United States (or other location provided that the
cost of such travel does not exceed the cost of travel to the PSCs residence
in the United States) and return to the post of duty in the country of
assignment.
(b) Reimbursement for travel will be conducted in
accordance with 14 FAM 500, as amended, and will be limited to the cost of
travel by the most direct and expeditious route.
(c) Allowances for travelers shall be in accordance with
the rates authorized in14 FAM 531, as
amended, for not more than the travel time required by scheduled commercial air
carrier using the most expeditious route. One stopover en-route for a
period of not to exceed 24 hours is allowable when the traveler uses economy
class accommodations for a trip of 14 hours or more of scheduled
duration. Such stopover shall not be authorized when travel is by
indirect route or is delayed for the convenience of the traveler. Per
diem during such stopover shall be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel
Regulations.
(9) Rest and Recuperation (R&R) Travel If
approved in writing by the Chief of Mission or Supervisor, the PSC and his/her
dependents shall be allowed rest and recuperation travel on the same basis as
authorized U.S.-citizen direct-hire Embassy employees and their dependents.
b. PSCs are ineligible for:
(1) Foreign Service or Civil Service Disability and
Retirement Systems, Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
(2) Federal Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) - Federal
group life insurance is a law administered by the Office of Personnel
Management. 22 U.S.C. 2669(c) specifically provides that personal services
contractors employed under that authority are not employees of the USG for
purposes of any law administered by OPM.
(3) Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) -
Federal employee health coverage is a law administered by the Office of
Personnel Management. 22 U.S.C. 2669(c) specifically provides that
personal services contractors employed under that authority are not employees
of the USG for purposes of any law administered by OPM.
(4) Incentive Awards - Bureaus and offices can
recognize and reward PSC employees under 3 FAM 9200 provisions. PSCs are not
eligible to participate in any special awards programs established pursuant to
chapters 45 and 54 of Title 5, U.S. Code, since these programs are administered
by OPM. See 5 CFR Part 451 and Part 531, Subpart E.
(5) Labor Union Representation - Section 1002(8) of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980, 22 U.S.C. 4102(8), defines employee for
purposes of Foreign Service labor-management relations to include only members
of the Foreign Service. A contractor is, therefore, not covered in the
Foreign Service bargaining unit and may not be represented by a labor union or
employee organization.
(6) Foreign Service Grievance System.
c. While all PSCs are ineligible to participate in the
federal life insurance and health benefits programs, the following fringe
benefits are provided as a matter of policy:
(1) The PSC shall be provided a contribution of 72
percent against the contractors health insurance premium costs toward either
an individual or family policy, provided that such costs may not exceed the
maximum U.S. Government contribution for direct-hire personnel as announced
annually by the Office of Personnel Management. The Contracting Officer will
confirm the individuals contribution is compliant with the above requirements
prior to submitting for reimbursement.
(2) The contractor shall be provided a contribution of
50 percent against the actual costs of an individual annual life insurance
policy not to exceed $500.00 per year. The Contracting Officer will confirm
the individuals contribution is compliant with the above requirements prior to
submitting for reimbursement.
(3) A contractor who is a retired Civil Service,
Foreign Service, or Military Service member who is covered by a Government
health or life insurance policy; or a contractor who is listed as a spouse or
dependent of a current or retired Civil Service, Foreign Service, or Military
Service member and who is covered by a federal employees Government health or
life insurance policy; or a contractor who is covered by any group health or
life insurance policy is ineligible for these contributions unless the employee
can prove to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer that his/her health
and life insurance does not provide or specifically excludes coverage
overseas. If coverage overseas is excluded, and the contractor will perform
contractual duties overseas, s/he is eligible for the health and life insurance
contributions in (3)(a) and (b) above.
(4) Proof of health and life insurance coverage,
including a receipt showing the individuals payment for coverage, shall be
submitted to the Contracting Officer before any contribution is paid.
(5) PSCs must submit health and life insurance
reimbursement claims within the contract year of the claim.
(6) 401(k) Bureaus may offer PSCs a non-matching,
privately administered 401(k) plan offered by the Department. Participating
bureaus will pay a proportional share of the administrative costs of the 401(k)
plan.
(7) PSC Awards Program Bureaus and offices can
recognize and reward PSC employees as outlined in 3 FAM 9120.
3 FAM 9117 BENEFITS American PSCs
Hired From the United States or Third Countries and Serving at Post
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. In addition to eligibility for benefits listed in
Benefits section, American personal services contractors hired from the United
States or third countries and serving at post shall be provided additional
benefits/allowances comparable to those provided to members of the Foreign
Service. These additional benefits/allowances are:
(1) For PSCs hired domestically and assigned to
Washington, DC that are on TDY to post, the following may apply (as determined
by post of assignment and/or length of TDY):
(a) Mandatory Department training, when necessary for
the assignment, is provided by the Department. Prior to visiting a high
threat/high risk post, the PSC is required to contact the office to register
for appropriate training/briefings. At that time, the PSC will be advised of
the circumstances, if any, under which a post visit debriefing will be
required. A list of these posts is maintained in the PSC employing office or
bureau.
(b) Housing.
(c) Use of pouch, DPO, and/or APO pursuant to post
policy.
(d) Use of domestic medical services.
(e) Use of posts medical services and facilities.
(f) Medical Evacuation (Medevac) and Hospitalization
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) will provide Medevac and overseas
hospitalization case management services. Medevac benefits are provided by the
Department in accordance with 16 FAM 300 Medical Travel.
(g) Death Benefits Survivors of any PSC employees who
die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty outside the
United States may be eligible for payment of death benefits as provided under 3 FAM 3650.
(h) Danger pay.
(i) Hardship pay.
(j) Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) UAB is considered
to be personal belongings needed immediately by the PSC upon arrival at his/her
permanent duty station. UAB is not authorized for TDY travel unless the
employing organization specifically authorizes it in the travel orders. When
authorized, UAB weight allowance will not exceed 250 pounds. (14 FAM 613.3-1)
(2) For PSCs assigned to an overseas post, the
following may apply (as determined by post of assignment):
(a) Mandatory Department or post training, when
necessary for the assignment, is provided by the Department or post. Prior to
visiting a high threat/high risk post, the PSC is required to contact the
employing organization to register for appropriate training/briefings. At that
time, the PSC will be advised of the circumstances, if any, under which a post
visit debriefing will be required. A list of these posts is maintained in the
PSC employing organization.
(b) Housing.
(c) Use of pouch, DPO, and/or APO pursuant to post
policy.
(d) Use of domestic medical services.
(e) Use of posts medical services and facilities.
(f) Medical Evacuation (Medevac) and Hospitalization
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) will provide Medevac and overseas
hospitalization case management services. Medevac benefits are provided by the
Department in accordance with 16 FAM 300, Medical Travel.
(g) Educational Allowance and/or education travel
allowance (only if the contract terms include family members accompanying the
PSC to post).
(h) Separate Maintenance Allowance (only if the contract
terms include family members accompanying the PSC to post).
(i) Death Benefits survivors of any PSC employees who
die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty outside the
United States may be eligible for payment of death benefits as provided under 3 FAM 3650.
(j) Danger pay.
(k) Hardship pay.
(l) Home Leave and Home Leave Travel where
applicable.
(m) Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) UAB is considered
to be personal belongings needed immediately by the PSC upon arrival at his/her
permanent duty station. When authorized, UAB weight allowance will not exceed
250 pounds. (14
FAM 613.3-1)
(n) Consumables The PSC shall be allowed up to a
limit of 1,250 pounds for a one time shipment of food and other consumables for
each year served under the same contract, provided post of assignment is one
designated for this benefit in accordance with 14 FAM 613.6.
For contract extensions of up to 6 months beyond this period, an additional 625
pounds of consumables may be shipped at U.S. Government expense.
(o) Shipment of a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) If
applicable, the employing organization shall authorize the cost associated with
the shipment of one POV, owned by the employee or an eligible family member,
when such transportation has been determined to be necessary or expedient,
unless prohibited by regulation or administrative action. The PSC is
authorized reimbursement not to exceed $300.00 per month for storage of one
POV.
3 FAM 9118 DISCIPLINARY ACTION
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
Personal Services Contractors shall be subject to
admonishment and the full range of disciplinary actions described in 3 FAM 4300
based on any of the grounds listed in 3 FAM 4314.
The procedures and requirements of 3 FAM 4300 shall not be applicable, but the
PSC shall be given written notice by the Contracting Officer of the grounds for
any proposed disciplinary action other than admonishment and shall have an
opportunity to reply before the disciplinary action is taken. Suspension shall
not exceed 30 days.
3 FAM 9119 SECURITY INFRACTIONS AND
VIOLATIONS
(CT:PER-834; 02-16-2017)
(Uniform State)
(Applies to American Personal Services Contractors)
a. The Department of State has an enhanced security
incident program designed to improve employee awareness, to remind employees of
their personal responsibility to safeguard classified information, and to
include disciplinary action against employees found to be responsible for
security incidents. The enhanced security incidents program is included in the
regulations at 12
FAM 550. This program applies to all PSCs.
b. A history of security infractions or violations can
preclude an individual from receiving a special clearance and from being
considered for a specific position regardless of other qualifications.
c. A record of repeat offenses may result in the
temporary suspension or revocation of the PSCs security clearance.
d. Effect on award nominations:
(1) Proper safeguarding of classified information and
material is critical for all Department of State employees. The Bureau of
Diplomatic Security believes those Security issues in relation to an employees
eligibility for an award should be restricted.
(2) Any nominees who have received a security
violation during the current performance rating period will not be eligible to
receive an award.