# 2026-00277: Defense Labs Birth Super Managers: SBTM Edition 2026-00277, Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project Program, is a Federal Register notice from Defense Department published 2026-01-09, effective This proposal may not be implemented until a 30-day comment period is provided, comments addressed, and a final Federal Register notice published. To be considered, written comments must be submitted on or before February 9, 2026. (as of 2026-06-08). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00277 - As of: 2026-06-08 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-00277 - Title: Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Project Program - Type: Notice - Agencies: Defense Department - Citation: 91 FR 985 - Published: 2026-01-09 - Effective: This proposal may not be implemented until a 30-day comment period is provided, comments addressed, and a final Federal Register notice published. To be considered, written comments must be submitted on or before February 9, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-02-09 - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-08 ## In one line Defense Labs Birth Super Managers: SBTM Edition ## Summary The Department of Defense is creating new senior business and technical manager jobs called Senior Business Technical Managers (SBTMs) at special Science and Technology labs. These leaders will help run business and tech operations and advise top commanders. The changes won’t start until after a 30-day comment period ending February 9, 2026, so affected employees and the public can share their thoughts first. ## Abstract STRLs will implement Senior Business Technical Manager (SBTM) positions, which are defined as senior business and technical positions comparable to positions classified above the General Schedule (GS)-15 level. SBTMs are senior business and operations leaders within the STRL, serving as primary advisors to the STRL's Commanding Officers and/or members of the Senior Executive Service (SES). SBTMs oversee and operationalize the STRL's business operations, administration, and technology functions. SBTM positions may only be established at authorized STRLs with personnel demonstration projects. ## Effects PRIA read - New senior SBTM job category: benefit, medium. The Department of Defense authorizes a new Senior Business Technical Manager (SBTM) job category for Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs). SBTMs are defined as senior business and technical positions comparable to classifications above the GS-15 level and may only be established… - Cap on SBTM positions (1% rule): mixed, low. Each STRL may authorize SBTM positions up to one percent of the STRL's civilian and military workforce (as of the close of the preceding fiscal year), rounding down to a whole number, but each STRL is authorized at least one SBTM position. An STRL may temporarily exceed the cap until attrition occu… - SBTM pay band and salary caps: benefit, medium. SBTM basic pay minimum must be at least 115 percent of the minimum GS-15 rate. Maximum SBTM basic pay with locality pay is limited to Executive Level III (EX-III), and maximum SBTM salary without locality pay may not exceed EX-IV. The FRN references aggregate pay limits (e.g., midpoint example of $… - Supervisory pay differential up to 5%: mixed, medium. STRL directors may grant a supervisory pay differential for SBTM personnel of up to 5 percent of basic pay (excluding locality pay). The differential is paid each pay period, reviewed annually, is not part of basic pay for any purpose, may be reduced or terminated at the director's discretion, and… - Flexible-term and temporary appointment authorities: benefit, low. SBTM positions may be filled via flexible-length renewable term appointments (up to five years, extendable in five-year increments) or flexible temporary promotions (up to five years with possible extensions). Candidates on flexible term appointments may be eligible for conversion to permanent SBTM… - Pay retention allowed; grade retention not authorized: mixed, low. STRLs may provide pay retention to SBTM members under STRL-established criteria if they are moved to a lower pay band due to reduction in force, work realignment, or other management action; however, grade retention is not authorized for SBTM positions. - Expanded staffing authorities to fill SBTMs: benefit, low. STRLs may staff SBTM positions using a range of authorities, including internal or external competitive procedures, direct hire authority, accretion-of-duties promotions, noncompetitive temporary procedures (details/temporary promotions), and panels or assessment processes; STRL directors have disc… ## Related documents - [2026-19160](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19160): Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35, 2026-09-18 - [2026-18317](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18317): Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”, 2026-09-09 - [2026-11505](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11505): DoD Assistance to Non-Government, Entertainment-Oriented Media Productions, 2026-06-09 - [2026-09067](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09067): Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Mitigating Risks Related to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (DFARS Case 2021-D0…, 2026-05-07 - [2026-09038](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09038): Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (DFARS Case 2024-D021), 2026-05-07 - [2025-20402](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20402): Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”, 2025-11-20 ## Sources - [2026-00277 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/09/2026-00277/science-and-technology-reinvention-laboratory-personnel-demonstration-project-program) - [2026-00277 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-09/pdf/2026-00277.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-00276, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request;…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00276) - [Next: 2026-00278, Agency Information Collection Activities; Requesting Comment on TD 7918, Credit…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00278) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00277 (as of 2026-06-08).