Local Employment Policy Handbook - ICASS

PURCHASE ORDERS, BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENTS,
NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS, MILITARY INTERDEPARTMENTAL
REQUESTS AND OTHER GSO PROCUREMENTS
Purchase Orders (POs), Blanket Purchase Agreements, Non-Personal Services Contracts (NPSC),
Military Interdepartmental requests, or other GSO procurements are not HR employment mechanisms.
A Mission must not use purchase orders /agreements or non-personal services contracts to obtain services
from individuals when a clear employer/employee relationship exists. Individuals engaged on POs,
BPAs, and NPSCs are not USG employees, are not paid under the Local Compensation Plan (LCP), and
are not covered under US Workers Compensation.
The improper use of POs, BPAs, and NPSCs is a serious matter. GSO procurement relationships and HR
employment relationships establish very different expectations, obligations, liabilities, and legal
requirements between the USG and the individual.
An employer/employee relationship is created if the proposed GSO PO, BPA or NPSC involves any of
the following:
1. Work that is governmental in nature.
2. Job formally advertised and recruited by a Vacancy Announcement or “Employment
Opportunity” in the Mission’s Newsletter.
3. Job is CAJE evaluated and assigned a position grade and Position Description.
4. Individual assigned a USG supervisor with direct or indirect responsibilities for staff.
5. Individual paid an hourly rate as opposed to a set fee for the product or service provided.
6. Individual provided USG office space, equipment, and supplies to perform services.
7. Position requires long-term or continuous activities.
A PO, BPA, or NPSC is never used:
1. In advance of, or instead of, getting a security clearance for an individual.
2. To replace a current employee, including Family Members or Members of Household, even
temporarily.
3. To bypass employment ceilings.
4. To “employ” family members or other seasonal hires.