While many Federal employees have experienced one or more Presidential transitions, for many this will be their first. This overview, published by the General Services Administration, is designed to help all federal employees—both career and appointees—better understand and engage in the transition process to ensure a smooth Presidential transition. Includes sections on:
- Transition Activities
- Presidential Transition Timeline
- Agency Transition Directors Council
- White House Transition Coordinating Council
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Trump for American transition team and the General Services Administration establishing the support and services the transition team will receive as described in the Presidential Transition Act. This document was signed by the GSA Federal Transition Coordinator, Tim Horne, and Trump for America Executive Director, Rich Bagger.
The General Services Administration (GSA) plays an important role in Presidential Transition, including providing a variety of services needed to help them assume their official duties. This website outlines the responsibilities and services that the agency provides.
Executive Order 13476 from President Obama establishes the White House Transition Coordinating Council and the Agency Transition Directors Council.
This memorandum from OMB Director Shaun Donovan to agency and department heads outlines the Obama administration’s plans for the development the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget focusing on a submission that will provide a complete current services budget baseline for an incoming administration.
Donovan directs agencies to wait until the new administration, or its transition team, is in place to complete the normal director’s review or “passback processes” with OMB this September, as is typical in non-presidential election years. A current services baseline provides an estimate of costs to carry on existing programs and assumes no policy changes. That will allow the winner of this November’s election to assess current spending levels and make his or her own policy decisions.
This chart divides the more than 4,000 federal positions requiring presidential appointment into four categories: presidential appointment requiring Senate confirmation, presidential appointment without Senate confirmation, non-career senior executive service (above GS-15 level), confidential or policy-determining positions at or below GS-15 level, and non-competitive positions by statute at or below GS-15 level.
Executive Orders (EOs) are legally binding orders given by the President, acting as the head of the Executive Branch, to Federal Administrative Agencies. Executive Orders are generally used to direct federal agencies and officials in their execution of congressionally established laws or policies.
Memo written by Howard Sheklanski that addresses how agencies should work with Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) during the last year of an administration. The memo states that agencies should avoid midnight regulations and should complete their highest priority rulemakings by summer to reduce end-of-year scramble.
This legislation codifies a number of best practices for the outgoing administration in transition.
This online service from the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) allows federal employees to submit forms and interact with the Office using a secure, flexible platform.
