How do Reduction-in-Force (RIF) procedures under the CAPS differ from those that currently exist?
Under the CAPS, competitive areas encompass employees within the same career path and operating unit (e.g. BEA, OAR, NMFS, NESDIS, and OS) within the local commuting area, rather than all employees in a specified geographic area. Under the current RIF system, employees can displace other employees at their own grade level and three grade levels below. Under the CAPS, employees are able to displace employees in the same pay band or the next lower pay band within their same career path. Employees currently receive up to 12 years of extra service credit based upon their performance rating. Under the CAPS, employees receive up to 30 years of extra service credit if they rank among the top performers (i.e., top 30 percent) in their pay pool. In addition, five years of augmented service credit are given to current CAPS employees with an Eligible score (40 or above), or to new employees hired from other Federal agencies and employees converted to the CAPS as a result of expansion of new organ
