PF 2026-13 Contractor Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) and Detail Assignments Approval
DATE: December 17, 2025
TO: HCAs/Procurement Directors/Contracting Officers/Grants Officers
FROM: Director, Contract and Financial Assistance Policy Division, Office of Policy, Office of Acquisition Management
SUMMARY: The purpose of this policy flash is to communicate updated submission procedures for certain Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) and detail assignments of contractor personnel at DOE laboratories that require Office of the Secretary (S-1) approval. These process updates are intended to enhance oversight and improve transparency in the approval workflow.
S-1 approval continues to be required for the following categories of contractor IPA or detail assignments:
- All assignments to the White House, Executive Office of the President, and Congress, regardless of the length of the assignment or which entity covers the cost, and
- Any assignments to another Federal agency in which the DOE laboratory funds more than 20 percent of the cost.
Submission Process:
- When S-1 approval is required, the sponsoring program must complete the Proposed Contractor Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) or Detail Assignment form which can be found at Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). The completed form should be sent to MA612-IPA@hq.doe.gov for Office of Management, Contractor Human Resources Policy Division (MA-612) review.
- Upon review by MA-612, the finalized and signed request may be uploaded by the requestor into the Electronic Document Online Correspondence & Concurrence System (eDOCS) for formal routing and S-1 approval processing.
Questions concerning this Policy Flash should be directed to Joel Gonzalez, Director, Contractor Human Resources Policy Division (MA-612) at Joel.Gonzalez@hq.doe.gov or (301) 250-6515.
Questions concerning the eDOCS application should be directed to the eDOCS Helpdesk at DL-MA-eDOCS@hq.doe.gov or (202) 586-1960.