Local Employment Policy Handbook - ICASS

PSA-LIMITED
Ref: 98 State 227389
PSA-Limited (PSA-Ltd) - A streamlined Personal Services Agreement for short-term employment. This
mechanism is used to employ foreign nationals for any combination of not more than 30 work days, or six
weeks within a calendar year (or one per year), in accordance with maximum limits set by host country
law and precludes permanent employment status.
HR may not hire US citizens and US legal permanent residents (i.e., green card holders) under a PSA-Ltd.
A PSA-Ltd hire is an employment mechanism limited to any combination of 30 work days, or six
calendar weeks of employment for a continuous period within a calendar year. If local law deems the
individual a permanent employee and benefits payable for the employee, then a shorter period would
determine the limit of the employment arrangement.
The Mission, not a Global Financial Service Center (GFSC), pays employees hired under a PSA-Ltd. HR
uses the employee’s certified time and attendance (using the PSA-Limited Personal Services Agreement
Time and Attendance and Payment Voucher form (DS-1990) or other T&A form) to document payment
for services.
HR always has the option of recruiting and processing a PSA-Fixed Term instead of a PSA-Ltd, even for
a shorter period, if that is the best approach. (See Topic: Fixed Term Positions.)
Authority and Who May Use the PSA-Ltd
The statutory authority for PSA-Ltd is 22 USC 2669(c).
PSA and PSA-Ltd are exempt from the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
HR may use the PSA-Ltd for State and participating agencies under COM authority that signed the PSA
Memorandum of Agreement to use State’s PSA authority.
Missions delegated authority by their State regional or functional bureaus, or US agency headquarters, to
process PSAs may enter into PSA-Ltd agreements without any other delegation of authority.
The State HR or Management Officer is, in general, delegated the authority to sign a PSA and PSA-Ltd.
PSA-Ltd Form
The DS-1990, PSA-Limited Personal Services Agreement Time and Attendance and Payment Voucher
form, gives HR a streamlined way to hire individuals for short periods. Unlike the GSO purchase order, it
documents the true employer/employee relationship.