ACN 038/18 - APR 2018 PILOT PROGRAM REDELEGATING AUTHORITY TO APPROVE SUPERIOR QUALIFICATIONS APPOINTMENTS

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                   CANCEL DATE  01 APR 2019

R 020902 APR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N12500//
ACN 038/18
SUBJ:  PILOT PROGRAM REDELEGATING AUTHORITY TO APPROVE SUPERIOR QUALIFICATIONS APPOINTMENTS
A. Civilian Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentives, COMDTINST 12500.2 (series)
B. 5 U.S.C. 5333
C. 5 CFR 531.212
D. 5 CFR 531.212(a)(3)
1. This ACN, which modifies REF (A), announces a 12-month pilot program redelegating
authority to approve superior qualifications appointments authorized by statute (REF (B)) and
regulation (REF (C)).
2. Authority is delegated as follows and may not be re-delegated:
   A. Appointments at steps two through four: The first Flag Officer or Senior Executive
Service (SES) member in the requesting command's chain of command.
   B. Appointments at steps five through 10: Chief, Office of Civilian Human Resources
Operations, CG-123.
3. Requests for superior qualifications appointments are initiated by hiring managers who
must ensure the chain of command is advised in keeping with local policy and practice. If the
requesting official/hiring manager is the first Flag Officer or SES in the chain of command
as described in paragraph 2. above, the request must be submitted to the next higher SES or
Flag Officer in the chain of command.
4. To be eligible for a superior qualifications appointment, an individual must:
   A. Be newly appointed to a General Schedule (GS) position; or
   B. Reappointed to a GS position after a break in service of 90 days or more (REF (D) lists
exceptions to the 90-day break in service requirement); and
   C. Possess superior qualifications; or
   D. Meet a special need of the agency for the candidate's services.
5. Request packages must include the desired step of the GS grade; the candidate's current
salary; the date the tentative offer was extended; the candidate's two most recent pay stubs;
written competing offers, if applicable; and, in the case of superior qualifications request,
a clear narrative describing why the candidate's qualifications are superior to all others
who applied, or, in the case of a special needs request, a clear narrative describing the
candidate's unique ability to meet a mission-essential need of the Coast Guard. The
qualifications identified must have been clearly addressed as a requirement in the vacancy
announcement. The required form to document this information will be provided at training as
described in paragraph 6. below.
6. The projected implementation date of the pilot is 29 April 2018. COMDT (CG-123) will
coordinate and provide training for all Flag Officers and SES members in April 2018. A Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) with detailed guidance, a quick fact sheet, and a form for use in
preparing request packages will be provided as part of the training.
7. An assessment will be conducted during the pilot program to determine if a permanent change
will be made to REF (A). 
8. Questions may be directed to your servicing Field or Center Human Resources Specialist who
can also provide sample package templates.
9. Released by Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Director, Civilian Human Resources, Diversity and Leadership.
10. Internet release authorized.