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B-272040 1 (1997-10-29)

handle is hein.gao/gaocrptafqc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: oComptroller General of the United States Washington, D.C. 20548 Decision Matter of: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Use of Appropriations to Fund Expansion of Career Transition Assistance Pro gram File: B-272040 Date: October 29, 1997 DECISION National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposes to use its appropriations to fund an expanded Career Transition Assistance Program, including increased assistance identifying job prospects for NASA employees and incentive payments to contractor for identifying jobs accepted by NASA employees. As part of its agency personnel management, NASA has a wide range of discretion to decide not only the amount but the type of outplacement assistance provided its employees. We have no objection to an expanded CTAP program, including contractor bonuses or incentive fees for identifying jobs accepted by NASA employees, so long as NASA determines that the expenditures inure primarily to NASA's benefit and the additional cost is reasonable in light of the anticipated benefits. DECISION The General Counsel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has requested a decision on the propriety of using appropriations to fund an expansion of its Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). The CTAP is operated by a contractor and offers outplacement services to NASA employees. NASA is considering an expansion of the program to offer additional services in part to offset the costs of agency downsizing. As explained below, we would not object to NASA using otherwise available funds for the expanded program provided NASA determines that the expenditures primarily inure to NASA's benefit and the additional cost is reasonable in light of the anticipated benefits to NASA. Bac kgro und NASA established the CTAP to ease the transition for its employees from employment with NASA to employment elsewhere. The CTAP currently offers to all employees various outplacement services such as group seminars, employment 8431023