ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURT

S

Salaries and Expense

s

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT REQUIREMENT

S

Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Appro

priation 

Fiscal Year 2020 Appro

priation Re

quest 

 Re

quested Increase from Fiscal Year 2019 Estimated Appro

priation 

APPROPRIATION LANGUAG

E

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURT

S

SALARIES AND EXPENSE

S

(H.R. 6147 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019, updated to reflect the judiciary's fiscal year 2019 assumed appropriation)

For necessary expenses of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as authorized

by law, including travel as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 1345, hire of a passenger motor vehicle asauthorized by 31 U.S.C. 1343(b), advertising and rent in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, 

[$92,693,000]$96,945,000, of which not to exceed $8,500 is authorized for official reception and 

representation expenses. 
Fiscal Year 2020 Resource Requirements:

Page F

 

1

   

 Reimbursable Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (

 

Adjustments to Base to Maintain Current Services:

 A. Personnel

 Pay and benefit adjustments

8.14 

8.14 

8.148.14 

8.14 

8.15 

8.15 

 Fee carryforward from FY 2018 into FY 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1. Annualization of assumed 2019 pay adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3. Benefits increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SUMMARY OF REQUEST

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

Fiscal Year 2019 Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

FISCAL YEAR 2020

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 Estimated FY 2019 fee collections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Carryforward from Judiciary Information Technology Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fiscal Year 2019 Assumed Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Promotions and within-grade increases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 a. Health Benefits increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 4. One more compensable day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 c. FERS adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 b. FICA increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Page F

B. Other Adjustments

8.15 

 

Total Current Services Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

Program Increases:

8.15 

 

 

Financing the Fiscal Year 2020 Request:

F

 

8.16 8.168.16 Reimbursable programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

8.17 Contractor Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

1

 7 . Expand Office of Judicial Integrity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 5. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts, services, supplies, and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Appropriation Increase, Fiscal Year 2019 to Fiscal Year 2020. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriation Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Subtotal, Adjustments to Base to Maintain Current Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Estimated Obligations, Fiscal Year 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Estimated fee carryforward from FY 2019 into FY 2020. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Appropriation Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Estimated FY 2020 fee collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Salaries and Expenses

Obligations by Activity ($000)

Activity

Program Direction and Policy 

 Formulation 1/ 81,456 41,933 

Program Services 45,098 44,945 Administrative Services 74,343 52,877 Technology Services 35,756 42,819 

Total Obligations 2/ 222,097 197,130 

Offsetting Collections Federal Funds (19,452) (21,146) 

Information Technology Fund (2,524) (3,456) 

Reimbursable Programs (84,731) (104,802) Available Appropriation $90,423 $92,693 

2/ Includes JITF obligations of $2,524,000 in FY 2018 and $3,456,000 in FY 2019.

Activity

Total Obligations 197,130 222,097 

Judiciary Information Technology (2,524) (3,456)  New Deposit (3,456) Unobligated Balance, End of Year 3,456 - Reimbursable Programs

 Salaries and Expenses (97,632) (78,340) 

 Defender Services (5,342) (5,127) 

 Court Security (1,828) (1,264) 

Total Direct Obligations 109,875 113,839 

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

FY 2018 Actual FY 2019 Assumed Obligations FY FY 2018 Actual FY 2019 Assumed Obligations FY 

1/ Includes $51,793,000 in FY 2019 for agency-wide employee benefits, lump sum leave, and other agency-wide costs.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Obligations by Budget Object Class ($000)

Total Total 

Description Obligations Obligations 1100 Personnel compensation 137,474 159,316 1200 Personnel benefits 44,213 49,359 1300 Benefits for former personnel 119 23 2100 Travel 1,696 1,707 2200 Transportation of things 118 137 2330 Communications, utilities, & misc 471 603 2400 Printing and reproduction 212 251 2500 Other services 5,213 5,331 2600 Supplies and materials 443 1,076 3100 Equipment 3,571 4,294 4200 Claims 300 - 9100 Undefined Disbursements 1/ 3,300 - 

 Total 2/ 222,097 197,130 

Less: Reimbursable Funding (84,731) (104,802) 

Less: JITF (2,524) (3,456) 

Total Direct 109,875 113,839 

1/ Deposited into JITF fund.

FY 2018 Actual FY 2019 Assumed Obligations

2/Includes JITF obligations of $2,524,000 in FY 2018 and $3,456,000 in FY 2019.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Full-time Equivalents by Activity

FY 2018 Actual FY 2019 Assumed Obligations F

Activity

Program Direction and Policy  Formulation 137 199 

Program Services 346 329 Administrative Services 350 380 Technology Services 253 296 Total, Full Time Equivalents 1,086 1,204 

Less: Reimbursable Positions (487) (582) 

 Salaries and Expenses 446 540 

 Defender Services 32 33 

 Court Security 9 9 

Total, Direct Full Time Equivalents 599 622 
Salaries and Expenses

Relation of Obligations to Outlays ($000)

Diff

(+) 

Total Obligations 1/ 197,130 222,097 233,714 Unpaid Obligations, Start of Year 11,627 12,944 11,400 Unpaid Obligations, End of Year (12,944) (11,400) (12,000) Adjustments in Prior Year Activity 170 0 0 

Total Outlays 195,983 223,641 233,114 

Less Offsetting Collections from: Judiciary Information Technology Fund (2,524) (3,456) 0 

Total Direct Gross Outlays 193,459 220,185 233,114 

Less Offsetting Collections from: Fee Collections (Federal Sources) (19,452) (21,146) (21,140)  Reimbursable Programs (84,731) (104,802) (115,629)  Other Adjustments 1,670 0 0 

Net Outlays 90,946 94,237 96,345 

1/ Includes JITF obligations.

FY 2019 

Assumed 

Obligations

FY 2018 

Actual

FY 2020 

Request

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
GENERAL STATEMENT AND INFORMATION 

This appropriation is for the necessary expenses of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO), p§§ 601-613. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the AO is the central support entity for the judicial branch. 

serves the federal judiciary in carrying out its constitutional mission to provide equal justice under the law. The 

request for the AO account totals $96,945,000 to support staff and operating expenses at a current services level 

increase to expand the Office of Judicial Integrity. The AO provides administrative, legal, financial, management, program, security, and information technology secourts. It provides support and staff counsel to the Judicial Conference of the United States and its committees a

Judicial Conference policies as well as applicable federal statutes and regulations. The AO has central responsibcommunication and coordination within the judiciary and with Congress, the Executive Branch, and the public ojudiciary. The agency’s lawyers, court administrators, accountants, systems engineers, analysts, architects, statis

experts, and other staff provide professional services to meet the needs of judges and staff working in the federal These services include: ▸ providing program leadership and support for circuit executives, clerks of court, probation and pretrial se

federal defenders, and other managers; 

▸ performing central payroll, personnel, accounting, and procurement functions; ▸ developing and executing the judiciary’s budget and guiding local court budget execution; 

▸ collecting and analyzing statistics on court workload; ▸ auditing judiciary financial operations; ▸ monitoring and reviewing program performance and use of resources; ▸ developing and supporting automated systems and technologies used throughout the courts; ▸ coordinating construction and management of court facilities with the General Services Administration (G

▸ monitoring U.S. Marshals Service implementation of the Judicial Facility Security Program; ▸ defining court and federal defender resource needs through caseload forecasts and work measurement ana▸ developing and conducting education and training programs focused on improving court administration a
The AO’s Strategic Direction, updated in 2017, communicates the mission, vision, and values of the AO, and inc

the AO will pursue over the next three to five years. The Strategic Direction continues the AO’s focus on enhancultivating partnerships; communicating effectively; operating efficiently; and developing a highly qualified, div

workforce. Among the stated goals are protecting the security of judiciary assets, supporting judiciary cost contastrengthening accountability and internal controls. A table of selected workload indicators for the AO follows: Table 8.1 Selected AO Fiscal Year 2019 Projected Workload Indicators 

Indicators Active and senior judges (Article III, bankruptcy, magistrate, and Court of Federal Claims) Court staff (Appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation, and pretrial services) and public defender staff Court units (Appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial services) Federal defender organizations (Districts) Court facilities (GSA- and U. S. Postal Service-owned federal buildings and leased facilities) Judicial Conference committees Court appropriations and fees (Salaries and Expenses, Defender Services, Fees of Jurors, Court Security, and Judicial Retirement Funds) 

FISCAL YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS ASSUMPTION 

In the absence of enacted full year FY 2019 appropriations, the judiciary made funding assumptions to construct request. The judiciary built the FY 2020 budget request for the Administrative Office assuming Congress fully f

estimate of $92,693,000. This amount, combined with $21,146,000 in new and prior year fee balances, funds all 

requirements. After full year FY 2019 appropriations are enacted, the judiciary will re-estimate its FY 2020 budget request and Appropriations Committees any changes to FY 2020 appropriations requirements. For bill language, the judiciary used the language from H.R. 6147, the House-passed Financial Services and Gen

(FSGG) Appropriations Act, 2019, updated with the assumed funding level as described above, as the closest appeventual enacted FY 2019 appropriations language. 
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES 

Workplace Conduct In December 2017, the Chief Justice asked the Director of the AO to establish a working group to examine the su

safeguards in place within the judiciary to protect court employees from inappropriate conduct in the workplace. 

“ensure an exemplary workplace for every judge and every court employee.” In January 2018, the Director anno

of the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group, consisting of eight experienced judges and court addiverse units within the judiciary. The AO provided staff support to the Working Group as it collected informati

recommendations. The Working Group proceeded from the premise that the judiciary shares many common features with other pub

workplaces, but also recognized that the judicial workplace is different in significant respects. The Working Gro

from current and former law clerks, court employees, Judicial Branch advisory councils, and individual circuits. 

findings and recommendations in June 2018. The Working Group offered recommendations in three areas: 

(1) revise codes of conduct and guidance to state clear standards, delineate responsibilities, and promote appr

behavior; 

(2) improve procedures for identifying and addressing misconduct, strengthen existing processes, and add inf

for employees to seek advice and raise concerns; and 

(3) supplement training programs to raise awareness of conduct issues, prevent discrimination and harassmen

civility through the judiciary. 

A key recommendation was that the AO establish a national office to provide employees with advice and assistanestablished the national Office of Judicial Integrity to provide counseling and assistance regarding workplace con

employees through telephone and email. The judiciary’s first judicial integrity officer was named in December 2

increase is included in the FY 2020 budget request to expand the office to include additional staff beyond the jud

Further information on the functions of this office can be found on page 8.15. 
Cybersecurity The judiciary has taken steps in recent years to counter threats posed by hackers, computer viruses, and other maAssisting courts with their cybersecurity needs is a top priority of the AO. A multi-faceted effort to protect the jutechnology systems is ongoing. These efforts include: 

(1) Mandatory security assessments by independent experts, conducted in every court once every five years, 

management, technical, and operational safeguards. 

(2) Comprehensive annual self-assessments of each court to identify vulnerabilities and the resources needed 

(informing investments in new cybersecurity tools, policies, and services). 

(3) Regular security assessments of the judiciary’s national information technology systems, including the Ca

Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system, used judiciary-wide to store and manage court case files. Indepassessments are scheduled on a recurring basis in accordance with a risk-based determination of priority. 

Underpinning these efforts, the AO continues to foster a security-aware culture by creating educational programstraining to enlist the support of every information technology user in protecting the judiciary. 

Contractor Conversion The AO has continued its re-assessment of functions performed by AO contractors and is implementing a second 

contractor conversions. This process began in 2012 as part of the AO’s cost-containment efforts. The goal of co

is to improve project/program management by adjusting the ratio of federal employees to contractors and ensurin

supervision of contract operations, as well as save money by converting more expensive contractor positions to lgovernment staff. Most recently, as part of the second round of contractor conversions, 37 judiciary contractors 

during 2018. The third round of contractor conversions totals 114, of which 76 will happen in FY 2019 and 38 dpersonnel costs associated with these conversions will be partially offset by reductions to contract services in the 

District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, Salaries and Expenses appropriation. These conversions are expecterequirements in the Salaries and Expenses appropriation by $5.7 million in FY 2019 (from the 37 conversions in 

expected conversions in FY 2019), and another $1.7 million in FY 2020 (from the 38 expected conversions in FY 

remaining savings of $900,000 will be included in the FY 2021 request. 
AO SUPPORT OF THE JUDICIARY (INCLUDING COST CONTAINMENT) 

The AO supports a number of key national initiatives in the federal courts to strengthen accountability, improve t

increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Cost containment continues to be a high priority of the judiciary, and AO s

Judicial Conference and its committees are heavily involved in these efforts. Many of the initiatives and projects 

FY 2018, or being implemented now, reflect the application of information technology solutions to court operatienhancements to improve service. The AO’s work to support the judiciary and its cost-containment efforts is sum

Space Footprint Reduction: In September 2018, the judiciary capped a multi-year space reduction effort by exreducing office and courtroom space by three percent nationally, resulting in annual rent payment savings of $36 

the result of close collaboration among the courts, the AO, and GSA, and the integrated effort staffed by the AO were fully informed about the space reduction program and aware of resources available to assist them. 

Emergency Preparedness: AO managers comprising the Judiciary Emergency Response Team worked closely courts, GSA, and other federal partners to help restore and sustain operations during hurricanes Florence and MicManghut and Yutu. The AO also provided support during the Carr and Ferguson wildfires in California. The AO regional hurricane preparedness seminars, nine continuity of operations workshops, and three preparedness work

outside the continental United States. Southwest Border Workload: The AO is providing coordination support for the five southwest border courts i

increase in immigration filings resulting from the administration’s enforcement policy. The AO convened a confofficials from these courts focused on addressing challenges of processing immigration cases. Separately, a task Border Issues was established by the Director in conjunction with the Department of Justice. The intent is for ex

branch officials to identify and collaborate on issues arising from increased immigration caseloads along the soutlocating separated family members, returning identification documents to defendants, and interpretation needs. Next Generation Case Management: During 2018, an AO implementation team and court staff mentors suppo

transitioning to the judiciary’s upgraded Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system. By the end 

appeals (13) had made the transition, and 61 out of 187 district, bankruptcy, and national court units had transitio

process of implementation. Full implementation will occur by 2021. 
Criminal Justice Act Review Study: The first comprehensive review of the federal public defense system in ovcompleted in November 2017 by the Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Criminal Justice Act, a committee createThe Ad Hoc Committee submitted its findings and recommendations to the Judicial Conference. In 2018, the Juand the AO began reviewing the committee’s recommendations and implementing them, as appropriate. Reducing Recidivism by Federal Offenders: A multi-year study by the AO showed that recidivism is declinincriminal justice system, coinciding with a shift to evidence-based supervision practices and use of assessment tooprobation and pretrial services officers focus and prioritize supervision resources. Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Academy Accreditation: In November 2018, the Federal Law EnforAccreditation Board awarded accreditation to the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Academy’s training pro

and pretrial services officers, recognizing the quality of the training component of the AO’s Probation and Pretria

Staffing Formulas: The AO completed work on, and the Judicial Conference approved, new or updated staffing clerks’ offices and court reporters, based on work measurement data from 6,400 judiciary personnel. Tools for Collaboration and Efficiency: In 2018, the AO began the process of adopting SharePoint Online, a w

collaboration and communications platform for increased collaboration, productivity, and efficiency among the f

their staffs. 
JUSTIFICATION OF CHANGESThe Administrative Office appropriation request for FY 2020 totals $96,945,000. This represents an increase of $4,252,000, or 4.6 percent, over the FY 2019 assumed appropriation of $92,693,000. The FY 2020 budget request includes funds needed to maintain current services and a program increase to expand the Office of Judicial Integrity. Adjustments to base to maintain current services include funding for salaries and benefits increases for staff and increased costs for recurring requirements, such as travel, communications, service agreements, and supplies. A. PERSONNEL 

Pay and Benefit Adjustments 1. Annualization of assumed 2019 pay adjustment 

Requested Increase: $486,000The requested increase provides for the annualized costs of an assumed 2019 pay adjustment associated with the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and locality pay adjustments. Based on the FY 2019 appropriations action to date, federal pay rates are assumed to increase by an average of 1.9 percent, effective January 2019. The requested increase provides for the cost of three months (from October 2019 to December 2019) of the assumed 2019 pay increase in FY 2020. (If Congress ultimately does not enact a 2019 pay adjustment for federal civilian workers, or if one is provided at a rate different than 

1.9 percent, the judiciary will revise this lin

2020 budget re-estimate.)  2. Promotions and within-graRequested Increase: $779,000 The requested increase provides for promot

increases for AO personnel to recognize oupromote staff development, thereby fosterin

recruit and retain a highly professional and 

 3. Benefits increases 

a. Health Benefits 

Requested Increase: $66,000 Based on information from the Office of Pehealth benefit premium contributions are pran average of 1.2 percent both in January 22020. The requested increase annualizes thincrease, and includes a nine-month provisianticipated for FY 2020. 

b. FICA adjustment 

Requested Increase: $85,000 Based on information from the Social Secuemployer contributions to the Old Age, SurInsurance (OASDI) portion of the FICA tax 
2019. The salary cap for OASDI increased from $128,400 to $132,900 in January 2019. The requested amount is needed to pay the office’s contribution in FY 2020. 

c. FERS adjustment 

Requested Increase: $1,967,000 Consistent with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, funds are requested for an increase in the agency contribution rate to Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) plans for FY 2020. For most employees, the agency contribution rate will increase from 13.7 percent to 16.0 percent. Any FERS increase is in accordance with revised estimates of the cost of providing benefits by the Board of Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability System.  4. One more compensable day Requested Increase: $400,000 There is one more compensable day in FY 2020 than in FY 2019. The requested amount increases personnel compensation and benefits associated with one more compensable day for biweekly paid employees. B. OTHER ADJUSTMENTS

5. Inflationary increases in charges for contracts, 

services, supplies, and equipment 

Requested Increase: $105,000 

Consistent with guidance from OMB, this rrequired to fund inflationary increases of 2.operating expenses such as travel, commun

contractual services, supplies and materialsequipment. C. PROGRAM INCREASES 

6. Expand Office of Judicial I

Requested Increase: $364,000 This request provides for the salaries, benef

two additional staff to expand the Office of 

beyond the judicial integrity officer, who wDecember 2018. Establishing this office fu

significant recommendations of the Federal Conduct Working Group, formed in Januardirection of the Chief Justice. The goal waexemplary workplace for every judge and eemployee.” The new office will provide guidance and aworkplace conduct to all judiciary employeand email. The office will serve as an indepinformation and referral, answering individproviding advice on conflict resolution, mecomplaint options. It will identify trends ananalyses and reviews, provide training throuand serve as a resource for workplace conduthe court system. 
FINANCING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 REQUESTEstimated Fiscal Year 2020 Fee CollectionsEstimated Funds Available: $10,614,000The judiciary has authority to collect fees for various services such as bankruptcy filing, civil filing, bankruptcy noticing, and registry administration. These fees are used to reimburse judiciary appropriations and are available without fiscal year limitation. The judiciary estimates that $10.6 million of new fee collections will be available to offset the AO’s FY 2020 budget request. Estimated fee carryforward from Fiscal Year 2019 into Fiscal Year 2020Estimated funds available: $10,526,000In addition to receiving a portion of new fee collections, the AO account also receives a portion of the fee balances carried over from prior years. This request reflects funds from existing carryforward balances in the judiciary fee accounts that the judiciary estimates will be available to offset the AO’s FY 2020 budget request. The judiciary will advise appropriations subcommittee staffs of any changes to this estimate.

Reimbursable Programs Funds Available: $109,638,000 Requested Increase: $4,836,000 Beginning in 1990, Congress authorized reithe AO to carry out specific support functioThese functions include: background check

management improvement, Central Violatioautomation, court financial administration, 

systems, court investment services, court se

services audit and assessment, defender serElectronic Public Access services, Federal P

Services Academy, financial disclosure, judwork measurement. The request for the AO reimbursable progra

for 592 FTEs from the Salaries and Expensand Court Security appropriations under CoDistrict Courts, and Other Judicial Servicesnecessary to maintain a sufficient AO reimbto fulfill core court and defender support rethe court security program, and continue to and support automated systems and technolThese systems include network and telephomanagement/electronic case files systems thdistrict, and bankruptcy courts and probatio
operations; and financial management systems that ensure sound financial practices and internal controls. The FY 2020 obligation level requested for the AO’s reimbursable program totals $109,638,000, a net increase of $4,836,000 from the projected FY 2019 obligation level of $104,802,000. The FY 2020 request includes $3,173,000 in net adjustments to base for inflationary increases in salaries, benefits, and other expenses; and one additional FTE and $186,000 to annualize three new positions approved in the FY 2019 Defender Services appropriation request for expanding federal defender and panel attorney training programs. The FY 2020 request also includes program increases for additional AO reimbursable staffing. Four additional FTE and $620,000 are requested for the first-year cost of eight new positions funded by the Defender Services appropriation for program operations and training support. These staff include a branch chief, three program review analysts, and two data analytics staff for the Program Operations Division; and a supervisory attorney and administrative analyst for the Training Division. This increase is further explained in the Defender Services chapter on page 5.29. Five additional FTE and $857,000 are requested to support the implementation of the SharePoint Online collaboration and communication platform in the courts (Salaries and Expenses) and the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) Next Generation 

project in the courts (Electronic Public Accprograms are further explained on page 8.1Contractor Conversions Requested Increase: $5,991,000 As explained on page 8.11, in FY 2020, the continuing to implement a third round of coThis multi-year third round will result in a tstaff being hired by the end of FY 2020. Th$5,991,000 in increased reimbursable resouannualize the 38 contractor conversions whFY 2019 and fund six months of the 38 conplanned for FY 2020. After all of the 114 third round contractor c

completed, the judiciary will realize annual 

million. A reduction of $2.6 million to the District Courts, and Other Judicial ServicesExpenses appropriation was included in the This FY 2020 request includes a reduction Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and OthSalaries and Expenses appropriation. (See 

Salaries and Expenses chapter for additionareduction.) The remaining $900,000 saving

the FY 2021 request. Additional contractor the 114 are possible, and the judiciary will 

subcommittee staffs of any changes to these