United States Office of Personnel Management Independent Assessment

Section 1112(b) of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization (NDAA) Act directed the Director of OPM to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration (the Academy) to conduct a comprehensive, independent study that addresses a series of specific questions surrounding OPM’s responsibilities. These included:

• the statutory and non-statutory functions assigned to OPM and the challenges associated with executing those mandates;
• the means, options, and recommended course of actions for addressing the challenges identified, including feasibility, costs, and benefits;
• a timetable for the implementation of identified options and recommendations;
• the statutory or regulatory changes needed to execute the recommendations;
• the methods for engaging with other Federal entities potentially affected by recommendations involving change to OPM’s structure, functions, responsibilities, and authorities; and
• the views of identified stakeholders, including federal and non-federal entities or organizations representing customers and beneficiaries.

This was a twelve-month project. The Academy formed a five-member Panel of Academy Fellows to provide guidance on the study methodology and the development of findings and recommendations.