DAO 202-900

SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

.01 This Order provides for the issuance and maintenance of a Department of Commerce Foreign service Personnel Management Manual (the "Manual"), which shall serve as the single authoritative Departmental reference for policies related to personnel management in the Foreign Service of the Department.

.02 This Order also is the Introduction of the Manual, and separate copies will be issued with the Manual for insertion.

SECTION 2. GENERAL.

The Foreign Service Act of 1980 authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system for certain designated functions. Executive Order 12363 of May 21, 1982, expanded the functions which could be covered under this system. Since personnel management in the Foreign Service is significantly different from the civil service, requiring specific regulations and instructions that affect a relatively limited number of organizations and individuals, a separate Departmental issuance is necessary to cover these policies and procedures.

SECTION 3. SCOPE.

.01 The Departmental Office of Personnel has developed the Foreign Service Personnel Management Manual. This Manual supplements the Uniform Regulations issued by the Department of State in volume 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual (3 FAM) by issuing policy and guidance that are specific to the Department of Commerce, usually without repeating or paraphrasing the contents of 3 FAM.

.02 This Manual is structured to parallel the 3 FAM. The initial issue of the Manual will include a Table of Contents and chapter dividers. Subsequent issuances shall then be inserted appropriately in the Manual, as they are received.

SECTION 4. STATUS AND APPLICABILITY.

.01 The Manual shall serve in place of separate Department Administrative Orders, and shall have the status of a DAO. It will include both mandatory instructions and guidelines for effective personnel management within the Foreign Service of the Department.

.02 Provisions of the Manual shall be applicable to all organizational units of the Department which have positions in the Foreign Service personnel system, and shall be followed by officials at all levels in carrying out personnel management functions for employees of the Foreign Service.

SECTION 5. ISSUANCE.

.01 The Director for Personnel and Civil Rights is authorized to develop and issue the Manual, including subsequent changes, in accordance with DAO 202-3, and subject to review and comment by the Office of Inspector General prior to final approval by the Assistant Secretary for Administration.

.02 The Manual will be issued in looseleaf form for periodic updating and special distribution of selected parts.

.03 Transmittal sheets will accompany all issuances to identify the material being released and other information needed by holders of the Manual to keep it up-to-date.

.04 A sequential numbering system will be used for transmittal sheets so that holders of the Manual will be assured that their information is current and complete.

.05 The Director for Personnel and Civil Rights shall be responsible for maintaining the Manual in a current status. The Director shall determine when additional issuances are necessary, and shall manage the issuance and control system for the Manual.

SECTION 6. DISTRIBUTION.

.01 Materials for the Manual will be distributed by the Office of Personnel in accordance with a distribution register that it will develop and maintain.

.02 The affected Departmental offices and operating units shall submit their distribution requirements for the Manual to the Director for Personnel and Civil Rights in accordance with instructions that the Director will issue.

SECTION 7. EFFECT ON OTHER ORDERS.

As changes to the Manual are issued, certain DAOs may be superseded. If so, the DAO(s) being superseded will be listed on the transmittal sheet. The Manual shall govern in the event there are inconsistencies with Foreign Service personnel management procedures prescribed elsewhere in the Department. Signed by: Director for Personnel and Civil Rights

Approved by: Assistant Secretary for Administration

Office of Primary Interest: Office of Personnel

Index Changes.

Add.

Foreign Service Personnel Management Manual 202-900