DATE

U. R. Employee

7857 Colonial Village Row

Annandale, VA 22003

Dear Mr. Employee:

Congratulations! This letter confirms your [tentative offer]{.underline}
of employment with the [U.S. Department of
Commerce](http://www.commerce.gov/) as follows:

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Type of Appointment:**         | [Competitive](htt                 |
|                                  | p://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei38.asp) |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Position Title:**              | Supervisory, Criminal             |
|                                  | Investigator                      |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Series - Grade -- Step and     | GS-1811-14-1 \$ **INSERT**        |
| Salary:**                        |                                   |
|                                  | (Promotion Potential)             |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Organizational Component:**    | [Bureau of Industry and           |
|                                  | S                                 |
|                                  | ecurity](http://www.bis.doc.gov/) |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **Duty Station:**                | Washington D.C.                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Since this position is your first supervisory position with the federal
government, you are required to serve a one (1) year probationary
period. This probationary period begins on the date indicated above.
During that time, your supervisor will establish a performance plan for
you, will provide you with assistance and training (formal or
on-the-job), and will let you know how you are performing.

At the end of your one year probationary period, your supervisor will
evaluate your overall performance and determine whether or not you have
satisfactorily completed your probationary period. A positive
determination is recorded on Form CD-352 which is filed in your Official
Personnel Folder. A negative determination would result in your being
removed from the supervisory position and placed in a non-supervisory
one normally at a grade no lower than the one you held before you were
selected for your current position.

To continue with the completion of all pre-employment requirements, we
need to receive confirmation of your acceptance no later than 3 days
from receipt of this letter.

If you accept this tentative offer, it will be subject to satisfactory
completion of all necessary pre-employment requirements mentioned in
this letter, the availability of funds, or unanticipated hiring
limitations. At this time, you should not give notice at your current
place of employment or make commitments to sell your home or relocate
your residence, if applicable, until you receive a firm confirmation of
an offer of employment.

When you have met all of the conditional requirements explained above,
you will receive a date to report to duty. We look forward to having you
as a part of our organization

This position has promotion potential to the next level. You may be
promoted in this position without competition, subject to a
determination that you have met the regulatory requirements for
promotion, you are performing the work of the higher grade level, and
you are recommended by your supervisor. Promotion is not guaranteed nor
is a promise of promotion implied.

**[Pre-appointment Security Clearance/Background
Investigation]{.underline}:** It is **imperative** that you fill out
these forms completely with no time frame gaps between dates, and return
the completed forms as soon as possible. Background investigations may
take approximately 45-60 days for processing. If information on the
forms is incomplete it will delay your ability to start work. A waiver
to proceed with bringing you onboard, in case the investigation is not
yet complete before your hire date has been requested. Should the
investigation not be completed before your hire date, you will not have
access to any sensitive materials until your background investigation
has been completed.

Click here to access [orientation
information](http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/orientation/facts.htm#ReportingtoWork).
This site features essential information that will aid you in your
transition as a Department of Commerce -- ITA serviced employee. Also,
attached to this letter is your orientation forms checklist, which
contains the pre-employment forms which you must complete and return to
the Human Resources office. The checklist indicates which forms pertain
to you and the due dates for their return. **[Please pay close attention
to the due dates]{.underline}** to ensure timely processing of your
appointment, pay, and benefits.

You can access the **National Finance Center's (NFC)** [Employee Self
Service, Employee Personal Page
(EPP)](https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp) web site. NFC's
site will provide you with an automated system that will allow you to
update your payroll data on line. However, you will not be able to
access your benefit and payroll information in NFC until you receive a
Personal Identification Number (PIN). A PIN will be mailed to you within
two weeks from your appointment date. **In the mean time you must submit
your SF-1199A (Direct Deposit Form) and State and Federal Tax Forms
directly to this office until you are established on the
Payroll/Personnel data base.** In the future you will need to use NFC to
make changes to your benefits and payroll transactions.

You will be covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
FERS consists of three parts: the basic benefit, Social Security, and
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Because TSP is one of the three parts of your
retirement package, the money that you save and earn through your TSP
account will provide an important source of retirement income in
addition to your FERS Basic Annuity and Social Security. Information
explaining FERS and Thrift Savings Plan is located in the Benefits
section of the [**e-**Employee
Orientation](http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/orientation/ReportingtoWork) Web
page.

This appointment makes you eligible for Life Insurance and Health
Benefits. Your election of **Health Benefits** must be completed and
returned to the human resources office within **60 days** of the
effective date of your appointment. If received after this time, your
election may not be honored. **Non-election of benefits must also be
indicated.** Life Insurance Basic coverage will be effective on the
first day of your appointment unless a form SF-2817, waiving coverage is
received in this office before the end of your first pay period. You
will have 31 days from the effective date of your appointment in which
to elect additional Life Insurance.

Public Law requires that all new appointees present proof of identity
and Employment Eligibility Verification (e.g., U.S. Citizenship) by
filling out the I-9 Form. You must present acceptable documents to
verify your employment eligibility and bring this documentation with you
on your first day of employment. Please read the form carefully so that
you submit the appropriate and acceptable required documents. Please
present one document from list "B" and one from list "C" or one document
from list "A".

[The International Trade Administration
(ITA)](http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/orientation/schedule.html), [Office of
Human Resources Management (OHRM)](http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm) is
located at in the Herbert C. Hoover Building which is located on 14^th^
and Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. 20230, and provides workforce
management support services for the organization in which your position
is located. I am your primary contact for any questions and concerns you
may have and can also provide you with the names and numbers of other
contacts you may need within the Office of Human Resources Management.
You may reach me on (202) 482-XXXX.

Sincerely,

//S//

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Human Resources Specialist

Attachment (below):

**e-**Employee Orientation Interactive Forms Checklist

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINSTRATION (ITA)

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (OHRM)

*e-* *Employee Orientation Information and Interactive Forms*

Please note the boxes checked as "need". Pay close attention to the due
dates for these forms.

+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| ***  |       | ***Title***                          | ## | ***Due |
| Form |       |                                      | #  | D      |
| \    |       |                                      | Ne | ate*** |
| #*** |       |                                      | ed |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| OF   | Forms | [Declaration for                     |    |        |
| -306 | Fil   | Employment](http://ww                |    |        |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| W-4  | Forms | [Employees Withholding Allowance     |    |        |
|      | Fil   | Certificate](htt                     |    |        |
|      | lable | p://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| S    |       | [Washington D.C. State Withholding   |    |        |
| tate |       | Form](http://www.nes-peo.c           |    |        |
| Tax  |       | om/forms/withholding/DC/2004D-4.pdf) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
| Form |       | [Certificate of Non Residence in DC  |    |        |
|      |       | (Tax                                 |    |        |
|      |       | Waiver)](http://cfo                  |    |        |
|      |       | .dc.gov/otr/frames.asp?doc=/otr/lib/ |    |        |
|      |       | otr/tax/forms/tax_forms/pdf/2004_D-4 |    |        |
|      |       | A.pdf&group=1679&open=|33280|33288|) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| S    |       | [Virginia State Withholding          |    |        |
| tate |       | Form](http://www.nes-p               |    |        |
| Tax  |       | eo.com/forms/withholding/VA/VA4.pdf) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
| Form |       |                                      |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| S    | Forms | [Maryland State Withholding          |    |        |
| tate | Fil   | Form](http://www.nes-peo             |    |        |
| Tax  | lable | .com/forms/withholding/MD/MW507.pdf) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
| Form |       |                                      |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-1 | Forms | [Direct                              |    |        |
| 199A | Fil   | Deposit](http://contacts.gs          |    |        |
|      | lable | a.gov/webforms.nsf/0/4DE12D5D772A58F |    |        |
|      |       | 905256B8E0064956C/$file/sf1199a.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| CD   | Forms | [Address                             |    |        |
| -525 | Fil   | Forms](http://www.                   |    |        |
|      | lable | osec.doc.gov/forms/pdf/cd525fll.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF   | Forms | [Statement of Prior Federal          |    |        |
| -144 | Fil   | Service](http://w                    |    |        |
|      | lable | ww.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf144.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
|      | Forms | [Uniform Service                     |    |        |
|      | Fil   | Component](http:                     |    |        |
|      | lable | //www.easc.noaa.gov/hrd/new_emp_ori/ |    |        |
|      |       | Uniform Services Component form.doc) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF   |       | [Self Identification of              |    |        |
| -256 |       | Handicap](http://w                   |    |        |
|      |       | ww.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf256.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF   |       | [Race and National Origin            |    |        |
| -181 |       | Identification](http://w             |    |        |
|      |       | ww.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf181.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| I-9  | Forms | [Employee Eligibility                |    |        |
|      | Fil   | Verification](http://uscis.gov/gr    |    |        |
|      | lable | aphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-9.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| S    | Forms | [Questionnaire for Non-sensitive     |    |        |
| F-85 | Fil   | Positions](http://contacts           |    |        |
|      | lable | .gsa.gov/webforms.nsf/0/FC83C171AE71 |    |        |
|      |       | F90585256A730051C8AB/$file/sf85.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF   | Forms | [Questionnaire for Public Trust      |    |        |
| -85P | Fil   | Positions](http://contacts.          |    |        |
|      | lable | gsa.gov/webforms.nsf/0/25292D2D26D8B |    |        |
|      |       | 5EC85256A730051F924/$file/sf85p.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| S    | Forms | [Questionnaire for National Security |    |        |
| F-86 | Fil   | Position                             |    |        |
|      | lable | s](http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/ |    |        |
|      |       | formslibrary.do?viewType=DETAIL&form |    |        |
|      |       | Id=67959D7F54B5826E85256A7200447F47) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
|      |       | [Fair Credit Report Act of 1979 used |    |        |
|      |       | in conjunction with the              |    |        |
|      |       | SF-86](http://ita.do                 |    |        |
|      |       | c.gov/hrm/documents/Fair_Credit.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF   | Forms | [Continuation Sheet for SF86, SF85,  |    |        |
| -86A | Fil   | and                                  |    |        |
|      | lable | SF85-P](http://contacts.gs           |    |        |
|      |       | a.gov/webforms.nsf/0/0CB2F0B324FC42B |    |        |
|      |       | 785256A72004564A3/$file/sf86a_f.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
|      | ##    | ## BENEFITS                          |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| **S  |       | SCEP appointees are eligible for     |    |        |
| tude |       | full benefits. STEP appointees are   |    |        |
| nt** |       | not eligible for benefits. Please    |    |        |
|      |       | click here to read:                  |    |        |
| **Be |       | [Eligibility](http://www.opm.gov     |    |        |
| nefi |       | /employ/students/QS&AS.asp#Benefits) |    |        |
| ts** |       |                                      |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-  | Forms | [Designation of                      |    | Op     |
| 1152 | Fil   | Beneficiary](http://ww               |    | tional |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/sf1152.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| T    | Forms | [Thrift Savings Plan Election        |    | 60     |
| SP-1 | Fil   | Form](http://                        |    | Days   |
|      | lable | newemployee.nasa.gov/forms/tsp1.pdf) |    | from   |
|      |       |                                      |    | first  |
|      |       |                                      |    | day of |
|      |       |                                      |    | work.  |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| T    | Forms | [Thrift Savings Designation of       |    | Op     |
| SP-3 | Fil   | Beneficiary](http://                 |    | tional |
|      | lable | newemployee.nasa.gov/forms/tsp3.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-  | Forms | [Employees Health Benefits Election  |    | 60     |
| 2809 | Fil   | Form](http://ww                      |    | Days   |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2809.pdf) |    | from   |
| Info |       | or                                   |    | first  |
|      |       |                                      |    | day of |
| Info |       | try: [Employee Health Benefits       |    | work.  |
|      |       | Election                             |    |        |
|      |       | Form](http://www.                    |    |        |
|      |       | army.mil/usapa/eforms/pdf/S2809.PDF) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
|      |       | [Health Benefits -- Deduction        |    |        |
|      |       | Infor                                |    |        |
|      |       | mation](http://ita.doc.gov/hrm/docum |    |        |
|      |       | ents/New_Federal_Deduction_Info.doc) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
|      |       | [Premium Conversion Financial        |    |        |
|      |       | Worksheet](http://www.opm.           |    |        |
|      |       | gov/asd/pdf/2000/00-215_attach3.pdf) |    |        |
|      |       |                                      |    |        |
|      |       | [**Guide to Federal Benefits         |    |        |
|      |       | Programs for New Federal Employees   |    |        |
|      |       | -- PLEASE                            |    |        |
|      |       | READ**](http://www.opm.              |    |        |
|      |       | gov/insure/health/new_employees.asp) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-  | Forms | [Life Insurance                      |    | 31     |
| 2817 | Fil   | Election](http://ww                  |    | Days   |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf) |    | from   |
|      |       |                                      |    | eff    |
|      |       |                                      |    | ective |
|      |       |                                      |    | date.  |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-  | Forms | [FEGLI Designation of                |    | Op     |
| 2823 | Fil   | Beneficiary](http://ww               |    | tional |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2823.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| SF-  | Forms | [FERS Designation of                 |    | Op     |
| 3102 | Fil   | Beneficiary](http://ww               |    | tional |
|      | lable | w.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3102.pdf) |    |        |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| I    |       | [Flexible Spending                   |    | Op     |
| nfo. |       | Accounts](http://www.fsafeds.com/)   |    | tional |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+
| Info |       | [Long-Term Care                      |    | Op     |
|      |       | Insurance](http://www.ltcfeds.com/)  |    | tional |
+------+-------+--------------------------------------+----+--------+

+------+-------+----------------+--------------------+----+--------+---+
|      | ##    | ## REEM        |                    |    |        |   |
|      |       | PLOYED ANNUITA |                    |    |        |   |
|      |       | NT INFORMATION |                    |    |        |   |
+------+-------+----------------+--------------------+----+--------+---+
| [Re  |       |                | **CSRS**: [Click   |    |        |   |
| empl |       |                | here to read       |    |        |   |
| oyed |       |                | Notice](           |    |        |   |
| Ann  |       |                | http://www.ita.doc |    |        |   |
| uita |       |                | .gov/hrm/eod/docum |    |        |   |
| nts] |       |                | ents/csrs_reemploy |    |        |   |
| (htt |       |                | ed_annuitants.pdf) |    |        |   |
| p:// |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| www. |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| ita. |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| doc. |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| gov/ |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| hrm/ |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| eod/ |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| docu |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| ment |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| s/re |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| empl |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| oyed |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| _ann |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| uita |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| nts. |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| pdf) |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| O    |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
| nly: |       |                |                    |    |        |   |
+------+-------+----------------+--------------------+----+--------+---+
|      |       |                | **FERS**: [Click   |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | here to read       |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | Notice](           |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | http://www.ita.doc |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | .gov/hrm/eod/docum |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | ents/fers_reemploy |    |        |   |
|      |       |                | ed_annuitants.pdf) |    |        |   |
+------+-------+----------------+--------------------+----+--------+---+

## USEFUL RESOURCES FOR SUPERVISORS

> [**DOC\'s Manager\'s Handbook on Human
> Resources**](http://ohrm.doc.gov/managers/manager.htm)\
> **[Addressing and Resolving Poor
> Performance](http://www.opm.gov/er/poor/index.asp):**
>
> **[Probationary Period](http://www.opm.gov/cfr/index.htm)s:** 
>
> See the following sections in CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)\
> - 803 Agency action during probationary period (general)\
> - 804 Termination of probationers for unsatisfactory performance or
> conduct\
> - 806 Appeal rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board.\
> [**Prohibited Personnel Practices**](http://www.osc.gov/ppp.htm)\
> [**Ethics/Standards of Conduct
> Handbook**](http://www.usoge.gov/pages/forms_pubs_otherdocs/anchor--o--42881)