GAO-06-227T Human Capital: Observations on Final Regulations for DOD's National Security Personnel System

The Dept. of Defense (DoD) is in the process of implementing its new human capital system for managing civilian personnel -- the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Key components of NSPS include compensation, classification, and performance management Implementation of NSPS could have far-reaching implications, not just for DoD, but for civil service reform across the fed. gov¿t. As of Feb. 2009, about 205,000 civilian employees were under NSPS. This report determined: (1) the extent to which DoD has implemented internal safeguards to ensure NSPS was fair, effective, and credible; and (2) how DoD civilians perceive NSPS and what actions DoD has taken to address these perceptions. Illustrations.

DoD is in the process of implementing a human capital system; about 212,000 civilian employees are currently under the system. On Feb. 11, 2009, however, the Congress asked DoD to halt conversions of any additional employees to NSPS until it could properly address the future of DoD's personnel mgmt. system. This statement focuses on the performance mgmt. aspect of NSPS, specifically: (1) the extent to which DoD has implemented internal safeguards to ensure the fairness, effectiveness, and credibility of NSPS; and (2) how DoD civilian personnel perceive NSPS and what actions DoD has taken to address these perceptions. Illustrations.

This is a print-on-demand publication; it is not an original. In 2007, the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence began developing a human capital system -- called the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) -- to manage Dept. of Defense (DoD) civilian intelligence personnel. This report examined the extent to which DoD has: (1) incorporated internal safeguards into DCIPS and monitored the implementation of these safeguards; and (2) developed mechanisms to identify employee perceptions about DCIPS. The report analyzed guidance, interviewed appropriate officials, and conducted discussion groups with employees at select DoD components. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.