This message is being sent on behalf of Robert Hosenfeld, Director, Office of Human Resources:

I want to thank each of you for your patience while waiting for the following information. You will receive a letter and specific information related to Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP-"Buyouts") and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA-Early-Out) in hard copy at your home address within the next few days.

The letter referenced above is in this e-mail, however the buyout and early-out information is not attached. This information is available on the EASS website. Please note that buyout and early-out requests must first be submitted through your Executive Officer.

The following letter advises you that the extramural support duties that you perform (50% or more), prior to the establishment of the EASS MEO, will shift from the IC to the Most Efficient Organization (MEO). Each IC was responsible for identifying impacted employees who perform in-scope extramural functions for at least 50% of the time. General information regarding the placement process for the MEO is provided. An information session about the extramural support MEO will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20 in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10. All extramural staff members at NIH are invited to attend. Employees who spend the majority of their time performing work that is within the MEO scope are strongly encouraged to attend. The session will be webcast live at http://videocast.nih.gov.

If you have questions regarding the content of the attached letter, please contact your current supervisor or Executive Officer.

In September 2003, the NIH Extramural Activities Support Services (EASS) Most Efficient Organization (MEO) was declared the winning bidder in a competitive sourcing study. As a result, extramural support functions will be transferred from the Institutes and Centers (ICs) to a centrally managed MEO within the NIH Office of Extramural Research.

To help NIH begin the process of staffing the MEO, each IC was tasked with identifying "in-scope" employees (i.e., those employees who spend at least 50% of their time performing extramural support functions that are within the MEO scope). This memorandum is to advise you that your major job duties will shift from your IC to the MEO, and you will be in the pool of employees considered for MEO positions.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP – "Buyouts") and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA – "Early-Out")
NIH has received approval to offer buyouts (VSIP) to employees impacted by the EASS MEO who meet VSIP eligibility requirements and who want to voluntarily resign or voluntarily retire. In addition to the buyouts, NIH is also offering Voluntary Early Retirement to employees who are eligible for early retirement. The window for acceptance of VSIP and/or VERA requests is Tuesday, January 20, 2004 through Monday, March 1, 2004. Approved employees must be off the NIH rolls no later than April 3, 2004. Employees must meet all eligibility requirements for VSIP and/or VERA by the date of their separation. Information about the buyout and early-out opportunities and process to apply can be obtained on the EASS website at (http://extramuralmeo.nih.gov).

MEO Placement Process
The EASS MEO Proposal and the EASS MEO Transition Team identified the number and types of positions and the grade structure for the MEO based on a skill mix that would make it successful. To the extent possible, efforts will be made to place employees in MEO positions at their current grade levels. For the majority of MEO positions, NIH will be using an automated system called HHS Careers (QuickHire) that will enable employees to express their preferences for MEO positions by answering a set of questions and attaching a resume. While employee preference will be considered, reassignments at current grade levels will ultimately be made by EASS managers based on business needs and the experience and skill set of employees.

Employees matched to MEO positions will be reassigned to the MEO. EASS in-scope employees who are not placed in MEO positions will either remain temporarily with their IC or another IC to perform job assignments or be detailed to the Transition Center. As soon as specific MEO placements are identified, employees will be notified.

Transition Strategies and Plans
To help employees whose job functions are studied or lost as a result of restructuring initiatives such as A-76 studies, NIH has established a Transition Center to provide career counseling and training services. The Center will help EASS affected employees who are not placed in MEO jobs to find new positions.

The Secretary of HHS has pledged that every employee will have a job. In its commitment to employees and support for the Secretary's pledge, NIH will:

• Institute controls on hiring so that the organization is in the best possible situation to absorb the impacts of restructuring, including placement of affected employees.
• Provide assistance and support services to employees impacted by these initiatives, including job development, career counseling and retraining by establishing the NIH Transition Center to assist affected employees via a comprehensive career transition program.

NIH Executive Officers (EO) as well as the Extramural Management team have worked together during this process. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk to your managers or EO. Additional information and assistance during this transition is also available from:

• The EASS website under FAQs at (http://extramuralmeo.nih.gov).
• The NIH Work/Life Center (http://wflc.od.nih.gov/) for confidential consultation on careers and on balancing career and life.
• The NIH Employee Assistance Program (http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/eap/index.html) for confidential assistance with quality of life issues such as those that involve stress, tension, or conflict.
• The NIH Ombudsman/NIH Center (http://www4.od.nih.gov/ccr/) provides a neutral, independent, and confidential resource for informal assistance to NIH staff in addressing work-related issues.
• The automated staffing process HHS Careers (QuickHire) (http://www.hhs.gov/careers) to register in preparation for the placement process.