Memorandum of Understanding

Between the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

and

Federally Employed Women

PREAMBLE

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board values the contributions of all of 

its employees and strives to create a diverse, well-qualified workforce and 

become a model employer. This document establishes an agreement between 

the parties specified below for mutual benefit and support. The parties 

enter into this agreement freely and without reservation. 

I. PARTIES

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Federally 

Employed Women (FEW) have established this Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU). 

II. BACKGROUND

MSPB is an independent, quasi-judicial agency in the Executive branch 

that serves as the guardian of the Federal merit systems. MSPB carries 

out its statutory responsibilities and authorities primarily by adjudicating 

individual employee appeals and by conducting merit systems studies. In 

addition, MSPB reviews the significant actions of the Office of Personnel 

Management to assess the degree to which those actions may affect merit.

MSPB strives to achieve and maintain a diverse, well-qualified workforce 

and an inclusive workplace environment, free of discrimination. MSPB 

also seeks to serve our stakeholders in a manner that demonstrates the 

merit system principles. 

Federally Employed Women (FEW) is a private, non-profit organization 

that works to end sex discrimination and support the advancement of 

women in the Federal civil service by:

• Encouraging diversity and equity in the workplace;

• Enhancing career opportunities;

• Establishing and maintaining relationships with organizations to 

advocate for the fair application of laws, policies, procedures, and 

practices;

• Improving the quality of life for women by influencing legislative 

actions;

• Committing to maintain a unified and diverse membership; and 

• Providing opportunities for professional growth. 
III. PURPOSE

The purpose of this MOU is to document a commitment to engage in and 

sustain a partnership between MSPB and FEW. It provides the framework 

to identify issues of mutual interest and help develop and implement

solutions to promote equal access to employment and career advancement 

opportunities, and improved workplace quality of life for MSPB’s 

workforce, as well as furthering the missions of MSPB and FEW. 

IV. OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The objectives of this MOU shall be to coordinate and facilitate activities 

that are responsive to the needs of MSPB’s mission and its employees and 

FEW’s mission. In this regard, FEW shall make recommendations to 

MSPB on initiatives that address issues, such as recruitment, onboarding, 

training, career development, advancement, and retention of MSPB’s 

workforce, in addition to advising on MSPB’s mission-related goals, when 

appropriate. In fulfilling the objectives of this MOU, MSPB and FEW 

agree to participate in and be responsible for the following:

A. MSPB will:

1) Assign to MSPB’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (OEEO), 

the responsibility of managing the MOU with FEW. The OEEO 

Director will serve as MSPB’s point of contact with FEW. 

2) Notify MSPB employees and the public regarding the MOU with FEW.

3) Solicit input from FEW, as appropriate, to develop workforce plans,

such as recommendations for improving representation at the entry, 

mid and upper levels, including supervisory, managerial and executive 

levels.

4) Solicit input from FEW, as appropriate, regarding MSPB missionrelated plans, (e.g., changes to policies and procedures, development 

of research plans).

5) Provide information to MSPB employees and FEW regarding 

opportunities, such as recruitment and outreach events, internships, 

and developmental assignments within MSPB.

6) Announce and promote opportunities for MSPB employees to 

participate in FEW activities and/or receive training and 

developmental opportunities (e.g., attendance at training and/or 

conferences, developmental details, and coaching and mentoring). 

7) Support FEW by participating in the National Training Program, (e.g., 

by providing information on FEW and their events to MSPB 

employees, participating as a presenter, mentor, etc.), as well as FEW 

chapter training programs, to the extent feasible.

8) Participate in ongoing discussions with FEW to assess progress in 

building and maintaining a meaningful partnership. 
B. FEW will:

1) Advise its internal and external affiliates about our MOU, and enlist 

their participation in the implementation of this MOU.

2) Assist MSPB in disseminating information to FEW members to 

provide feedback when MSPB is considering initiatives affecting 

Federal employees.

3) Assist MSPB in fostering partnerships with other organizations (e.g., 

other employee affinity groups) for purposes of networking, outreach, 

and recruitment. 

4) Assist MSPB in its recruitment effort by helping advertise MSPB 

vacancy announcements, when appropriate.

5) Assist MSPB with efforts to identify potential barriers and 

employment rates within MSPB that are below expectations when 

compared to civilian and relevant civilian labor force data.

6) Recommend speakers on diversity, inclusion and EEO for internal 

programs (e.g., special emphasis programs and Unity Day). 

7) Provide assistance to and support MSPB policies and programs that 

further the mission and objectives of mutual interest to this MOU.

8) Participate in ongoing discussions to assess progress in building and 

maintaining a meaningful partnership. 

V. COSTS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

Nothing herein shall be construed as obligating MSPB or FEW to 

expend funds for the purpose, objectives, and responsibilities set forth 

in the MOU except as stated herein or as agreed to in writing by the 

signatories of the organizations they represent. All obligations of 

funds for expenditures by the MSPB and FEW are subject to 

availability of funds. Before undertaking any collaborative activity 

that will require the obligation of Federal funds or resources, MSPB 

and FEW will negotiate and execute an appropriate instrument such as 

a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, Intergovernmental Personnel 

Act agreement, or other agreement to document the transaction and 

identify the legal authority underlying the particular transaction. Each 

collaborative activity shall be agreed upon and conducted in 

accordance with all applicable statutes and regulations.

VI.EFFECTIVE DATE, AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

This MOU shall be effective on the date when both parties have signed 

the document. This MOU may be amended upon written request of 

MSPB or FEW and the subsequent written concurrence of both parties. 

Either MSPB or FEW may terminate this MOU with a thirty (30) day 

written “notice of intent” to the other party. 
VII. DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

Subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), decisions or 

disclosures of information to the public regarding projects and 

programs initiated by this MOU will be made following consultations 

by the parties to the MOU. 
Memorandum of Understanding

Between the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

and

Federally Employed Women

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Federally Employed 

Women (FEW) recognize the value of a cooperative working effort, and will 

continue to work together to improve employment and career development 

opportunities for all employees within the Federal Government. 

The following signatures serve to execute the foregoing MOU between the 

MSPB and FEW. 

U.S. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

_____________________________________________ ________________

Susan Tsui Grundmann, Chairman Date

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

_____________________________________________ ________________

Jerry Beat, Director Date

Office of Equal Employment Opportunity

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

FEDERALLY EMPLOYED WOMEN

_____________________________________________ ________________

Sue Webster, National President Date

Federally Employed Women