9901.345—Accelerated Compensation for Developmental Positions (ACDP).
(a)
Accelerated Compensation for Developmental Positions (ACDP) is an increase to base salary that may be provided to employees participating in Component training programs or in other developmental capacities as determined by Component policy. ACDP recognizes growth and development in the acquisition of job-related competencies combined with successful performance of job objectives.
(1)
Employees in the lowest pay band of a nonsupervisory pay schedule who are in developmental or trainee level positions; and
(2)
Employees in positions which are assigned to a Student Career Experience Program and which are in a pay schedule established exclusively for students.
(c)
Components choosing to provide ACDP increases must establish and document standards by which such employees will be identified and growth and development criteria by which additional pay increases will be determined.
(d)
The amount of the ACDP increase generally will not exceed 20 percent of an employee's base salary. The decision to grant an ACDP exceeding 20 percent of an employee's base salary must be made on a case-by-case basis and approved by an official who is at a higher level than the official who made the initial decision, as determined by the Component, unless there is no official at a higher level in the organization.
(e)
The amount of the ACDP increase may not cause the employee's base salary to exceed the top of the employee's pay band or any applicable control point, unless the criteria for exceeding the control point are met.
(f)
To qualify for an ACDP, an employee must have a rating of record of Level 3 (or equivalent non-NSPS rating of record) or higher, consistent with § 9901.405. An ACDP may be awarded to an employee who does not have a rating of record if an authorizing official conducts a performance assessment and determines that the employee is performing at the equivalent of Level 3 or higher. This performance assessment does not constitute a rating of record.
(g)
An ACDP increase may not be granted unless the employee is in a pay and duty status in an NSPS-covered position on the effective date of the increase.
(h)
The Secretary may provide adjustments under this section in lieu of or in addition to adjustments under § 9901.342.