Joint Subcommittee Hearing Examines NSF’s Utilization and Management of Rotating Staff
(Washington, DC) – Today the Subcommittee on Oversight and the Subcommittee on Research & Technology held a joint hearing to review the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) rotating staff program. “Rotators” are temporary staff who rotate through NSF on assignments of up to four years, and they typically come from U.S. universities. The vast majority of rotators come to NSF through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 and are commonly referred to as IPAs. Currently, rotators make up about 12 percent of the NSF workforce overall and about 17 percent of executive positions.
The hearing came in the wake of a Management Oversight Report that was released just last Friday by the NSF Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding apparent conflicts-of-interest surrounding one rotator. NSF management had uncovered the potential problem and referred the matter to the NSF IG for investigation. Previous IG reports have examined the increased cost of IPAs compared to federal employees and some oversight weaknesses in managing the program.
Testifying before the subcommittees were the Honorable Allison Lerner, Inspector General of NSF; and Dr. Richard Buckius, Chief Operating Officer of NSF.
Ranking Member Don Beyer (D-VA) of the Oversight Subcommittee said, “Each year, the National Science Foundation provides nearly $7 billion in grant awards and cooperative agreements to academic institutions. NSF is widely praised for the efficiency of this system, and widely copied by foreign governments looking to spur creativity and innovation. However, when employees of grant-receiving institutions come to NSF on temporary assignment, it is important that the Foundation routinely ensure that they are properly monitored and trained to securely manage their portfolio in compliance with the law. NSF must take prompt steps to identify potential conflicts-of-interest and to ensure that these temporary employees receive proper training to avoid violating conflict of interest rules at the agency.”
Ranking Member Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) of the Research & Technology Subcommittee said, “Reports issued by the NSF Inspector General over the last few years, including last Friday’s report, make it clear that there are some management and oversight issues with the rotator program that are worthy of our concern and attention. However, as we pursue our oversight responsibilities, we should not lose sight of the tremendous value that the rotator program brings to NSF and to the scientific community.”
Members and the witnesses recognized the management concerns and the need for reform, but also emphasized the value of the rotators program, including the diverse perspectives and scientific leadership it brings to the agency. Additionally, Members discussed potential cost controls for the program previously recommended by the IG including greater cost sharing with participating institutions and greater use of telework. Ms. Lerner commented that NSF has done a “fantastic job” implementing some of her earlier recommendations on cost controls.
Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said in her statement for the record, “Let me reiterate my confidence in the dedication and integrity of NSF’s staff, both the federal employees and those scientists and engineers to come to the agency for a temporary appointment as rotators. NSF’s exemplary staff make the agency and its merit-review system the envy of governments and scientists across the world.”
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