CAPPS Notes - February 21, 2001

• GM Employees on IT Special Rates: OPM’s original guidance on the IT pay raise (CPM-2000-19) had incorrect information on how to set the pay for GM/GH employees. They have since issued a correction via CPM-2001-3.
• Copies of CPM-2001-3 and corresponding Example 8, released 2/15/2001, were distributed.
  
  
• GM employees paid via pay tables 999B through 999C were overpaid in PP-01 and 02. Because of the extensive programming changes needed to correct these individuals, they will probably be overpaid for at least one additional pay period. When an exact implementation schedule is determined, PPSPS will notify the clients.
  
  
• PPSPS has requested that NFC provide a list of the affected employees, broken down by agency/POI.
  
  
• Overpayments in PP-25/26
  
  
• Agency decisions on billing were due no later than Friday, February 23, 2001. Due to concerns raised in the meeting this date has been extended until Friday, March 2, 2001
  
  
• NFC will not be issuing bills if the amount is less than $10.
  
  
• If no response from an agency, NFC will issue bills (>$10) and agencies will need to follow standard procedures for waivers.
  
  
• Representatives wanted to know generally how much they are charged when a bill is established so they can determine if it is cost effective to establish billings in the above situation. (i.e., if it costs $10.00 to bill an employee, but the bill is only for $12.35 is it worth the agency’s time/effort to collect $2.35?) NFC RESPONSE--To run a record through ABCO requires two transactions (collection & receipt). The draft 2001 NFC Blue Book charges estimate this figure at $12.89/transaction for USDA and $6.07/transaction for non-USDA. Therefore, NFC ABCO charges would be $25.78 and $12.14 respectively.
  
  
• Debbie Berry (FCC) inquired about a revised report that would include grades and steps. NFC RESPONSE--NFC will not be issuing a revised report.
  
  
• Maria Vargues (GAO) found an individual on the GAO report that did not have overtime or compensatory time worked. NFC RESPONSE--The report also captured employees who exceeded the bi-weekly maximum.

PP-07 changes: There was a great deal of dialogue about the Board’s pending changes, and attempting to determine what was going forward versus what was being delayed. There were more questions than answers, and these will be addressed under separate cover by Jody to CAPPS. However, the following is a brief synopsis is issues raised:

• Elimination of the C, G, & I funds from NFC and EEX input screens 5/01 ( to coincide with TSP Open Season). Thereafter, employees must directly communicate their funds elections to the Board over the Web, or via election form. Failure to elect specific fund(s) will default new TSP withholdings to G fund (or current designations, as appropriate).
  
  
• Also identified new S & I funds to take effect in 7/01 (however Open Season will begin 5/01.
  
  
• Ed McManus will address CAPPS in March (at NFC), regarding the stock units issue/question raised.
  
  
• The community identified the need for an NFC bulletin to be issued by NFC regarding these TSP changes. They also wanted a specific remark on the E&L, advising employees that changes were forthcoming.
  
  
• Community also identified problems with Separation Codes and their impact on TSP status.
  
  
• MSPB suggested that NFC provide a list of all screens and applications (e.g., EARN, EPIC, etc.) being affected by the TSP changes.
  
  
• APHIS raised issues with the effective date of starts/cancellations within the pay period. • There was a dialogue on TSP functionality versus $ deductions.
  
  
• Brief identification of the 1% increases in TSP contributions during the two open seasons in 2001.

NFC programming to capture this via code “C”: Jody indicated that this was addressed in OPM’s BAL 00-224, dated 11/21/00. The proposed FEHB status code of C came out of EEX, and is currently being examined by NFC for possible implementation. Until the new code is in place, both at NFC and EEX, servicing personnel offices must continue to closely monitor relevant situations to ensure that dependent children remain under proper coverage. It does not appear that this coding will go into effect until Fall, at the earliest.

George provided brief update/review of EEX Key Reps meeting on 2/20. Issues identified included CFC test, Child Equity Act, WEB TV, closure of kiosks, Spring 2001 testing.

SCD for WGI on the Employee Personnel Page - George/DOJ

DOJ is proposing that NFC include the “anticipated” WGI date on the employee personnel page. NFC originally intended to include this information when EPP first came up, but the CAPPS community declined at that time due to the ambiguity of the projected date due to LWOP, etc. Strong concern is still voiced over possible complaints on this projection. It was felt that if DOJ wanted to make a presentation at the next meeting, and it could recommend language to avoid projected problems, then the community would consider this date inclusion.

Repayment of Student Loans - Jo

5 CFR Part 537; this Law only addressed GS employees; no new information, since this is one of many issues caught up in OPM’s 60 day moratorium on new regulations.

FEHB Changes for Codes “HA” and “EG” (handout) - Jody

Handouts and reports were provided to Reps; HA is to be effective 4/30, and EG on 3/1. Unfortunately, the reports were not broken out by agency/POI, and thus of limited use. Dialogue ensued about the need for standard report format(s) for NFC-produced tracking reports–this has been identified as a must have to NFC in the past, and will be addressed in the March meeting at NFC.

As a carry-on to the above dialogue, the clients expressed strong concern/desire for “greater client dialogue” relative to information issuance through CAPPS. It appears that they often wait for CAPPS to provide regulatory change information (i.e., as in benefits changes, personnel/OPM changes, etc.) rather than getting this information directly from OPM and/or through their agency subject-matter-specialists. NFC North strongly stated that while we (NFC) often provides this information as a courtesy, in conjunction with solicitations regarding needed systems changes, we could not serve as the primary “pipe line” for such regulatory changes. We also indicated that while NFC often provides courtesy reports identify groups of employees affected by certain system changes, etc., this should be in consort with the individual client’s development and use of FOCUS reporting at the operating and departmental levels.

Workgroup Updates

• T&A - Jo: general update; handed out proposed requirements for military leave, and gave response due date of 3/2; re STAR Testing, e-mail jbonner@cfo.usda.gov if wish to provide testers.
  
  
• Leave Share - Jo: general update; next meeting on 2/23, 900-1200 in SM7A.
  
  
• Awards - Jo: general update; next meeting on 2/27, 900-1200 in SM7A; advised of postponement of SF-50s reprint (Time Off & Spots only–for PP21-03); DOJ indicated need for reprint of earlier SF-50s because of EPIC problems; advised of proposed second Spot authority of “PAY” for pay generation; advised that if employee is under cmmmercial/child garnishment, then award must be processed through manual pay.
  
  
• EPIC - Jody: general update; QA will run from 3/12-30 (be sure security is resolved); next meeting is scheduled for 1000 on Tuesday, 3/20 in New Orleans; items include: progress of QA testing, pending documents, and corrections/cancellations.
  
  
• RIF - Debbie Berry: general update; last meeting was on 1/30, and Arleen Youngblood is providing NFC support on current documentation.
  
  
• FESI - ?? : DOJ mentioned the testing windows, and specific, revised dates thereto.

HR Briefing - Jody/Mark

The most recent schedule for the briefing was handed out, and there was considerable dissatisfaction/dialogue on the time frames and subjects being covered. PPSPS advised the Reps that these concerns should be addressed directly via e-mail to FSD/Margaret Prell (with cc to Jody).

[Note: had to vacate room–remainder of issues were briefly addressed in hall; addressed the need for more time for the CAPPS meetings, and proposed that for April on, we would schedule the meetings from 900-1200. Some clients have expressed concern over expansion of the times, however since we can’t extend the time, we have no choice but to start earlier.]

3rd Quarter NFC Training (handout) - Jody: not addressed, due to lack of time.

CAPPS on the web? - Jody: did not discuss in any detail, but mentioned what PPSPS is considering–posting of CAPPS Reps, CAPPS Notes, meeting dates/time/location, etc., also need for logo; need client feedback/suggestions by 3/21/01.

Separation Reports - Jody: handed out reports to agencies (in hallway) that were prepared last year for the OIG audit. Comments are needed by 3/21 from CAPPS Reps on what data elements they want on the separation report and the timeframes to receive it (e.g., monthly, quarterly, and/or via the reporting center, if that option exists).