Section 1. This agreement is made and entered into by and between the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists ("NAATS" or the "Union") and the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA" or the "Agency") herein referred to collectively as the "Parties". The purpose of this agreement is to resolve implementation issues associated with the "Implementation Plan for Human Factors" in the Acquisition Management System (AMS) and to provide for union participation and involvement in the acquisition lifecycle.

Section 2. The parties agree that the ultimate objective of union participation and pre-decisional involvement in the acquisition lifecycle is to increase the likelihood of fielding systems which meet mission needs and are acceptable to the users while minimizing areas of disagreement in negotiations required prior to placing the systems in service and during in service management. The establishment of a formal mechanism to insure union pre-decisional involvement and participation complements and reinforces the integration and management of human factors in the acquisition lifecycle. The Parties agree that the concept of pre-decisional involvement as contained in "The Management of Human Factors in FAA Acquisition Programs, Final Report, Appendix C, March 31, 1998 will be followed.

Section 3. NAATS may designate a Technical Liaison to represent the Union within the Air Traffic System Requirements Service (ARS) Plans and Performance Directorate (ARX). The subject liaison shall be assigned to the Plans and Performance Directorate (ARX). The NAATS Technical Liaison shall have full authority to bargaining, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7114 (a) and article 9 of the collective bargaining agreement. All agreements reached pursuant to this memorandum shall be put in writing.

Section 4. The role of the liaison is to provide formal union involvement and active participation at designated points in the AMS acquisition lifecycle. The liaison will identify and assist with the resolution of issues, with the objective of reducing or eliminating the number of issues, which could otherwise complicate or delay acquisition deployments.

Section 5. The AMS Technical Liaison will be responsible for general oversight and coordination of all AMS functions and the preparation of any written reports or "Workforce Perspective" documents as required under this or subsequent revision to the AMS.

Section 6. The Union agrees to provide its views, including any known issues needing resolution, in the "Workforce Perspective" sections of AMS documentation. These include, but are not limited to the mission analysis, investment analysis, solution/implementation, and in-service management phases of the AMS. The Union shall have a reasonable amount of time to prepare its input. The Agency agrees to provide information and documentation requested by the Union which is available to other Agency employees involved in the acquisition.

Section 7. The liaison will be granted full duty time, for up to 2 years, to perform representational duties with respect to programs and activities under the AMS. Details shall not exceed 1 year unless/until the Agency agrees to change its policy to entitle employees on long term details to an Income Tax Reimbursement Allowance in accordance with the GSA amendment to the Federal Travel Regulations (41 CFR part 301 � 311, June 10, 1999. The Agency will provide a 2 week overlap period between the outgoing liaison and their respective replacement. Per diem arrangements shall be provided consistent with agency details within ARX and/or the NAATS/FAA collective bargaining agreement. The FAA will provide travel and per diem for all required official travel.

Section 8. The parties agree that a signed lease for the reduced rate lodging obligates the traveler and the FAA to pay for the lodging cost, unless unusual circumstances exist. In addition to normal travel and per diem entitlements, lodging costs will continue to be paid to employees who are in an official travel status away from their temporary duty station. After coordination with ARX-1, the representative shall be allowed to split duty location between the regional office and headquarters.

Section 9. The liaison shall be allowed to participate in the FAA Fare Subsidy Program.

Section 10. If Agency policy allows for the reimbursement of any employee�s additional tax liability, as determined by the IRS, incurred as a direct result of the employee�s temporary duty assignment, this policy shall apply to bargaining unit employees acting as liaisons.

Section 11. The Agency agrees to notify the Union at least 60 days in advance of any funding issues, which would impact the continuance of the Technical Liaison position.

Section 12. This Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any right guaranteed by law, rule, regulation, or contract on behalf of either party.

Section 13. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed each year, unless either party informs the other of their intent to modify, expand, or terminate any provision of this agreement. It shall remain in effect until completion of any negotiations required by statute or collective bargaining agreement.

Date: 08/28/00