Federal IT Employee Exchange Program — Government-Private Sector Information Technology Talent Sharing
Legal Authority
- 5 U.S.C. §§ 3701–3709 — E-Government Act of 2002, § 209: authorizes the Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP); allows executive agencies to detail IT management professionals to private-sector organizations and receive private-sector IT employees on detail to the government for three months to two years
- 5 CFR Part 370 — OPM regulations implementing the ITEP framework: establishes eligibility requirements (GS-11 or above, IT field, not a political appointee), written agreement requirements, employee rights during detail, small business participation priority, and agency reporting obligations
Key Mechanics
The Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) authorizes two-directional IT talent details: federal IT employees can be detailed to private companies, and private-sector IT professionals can be detailed into federal agencies, for periods of three months to two years. Before any detail begins, the agency and private organization must sign a three-party written agreement specifying the work, duration, compensation arrangements, and information security protections. Federal employees on detail retain all federal employment status, benefits, and rights — they do not become employees of the private organization. OPM requires agencies to prioritize small business participation so the program doesn't become a pipeline exclusively for large government contractors. Details may not exceed two years in total duration. Agencies must maintain a written ITEP plan before using the program and file semiannual reports to OPM on detail activity.
Current Rule (2026)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Citation | 5 CFR Part 370 |
| Issuing agency | Office of Personnel Management (OPM) |
| Statutory authority | 5 U.S.C. §§ 3701–3709 (E-Government Act of 2002, § 209) |
| Last major amendment | No recent Federal Register amendments |
What This Rule Does
Federal agencies often lag behind the private sector in technology practices, tools, and culture — partly because of the difficulty of attracting and retaining top technology talent. The E-Government Act of 2002 created the Information Technology Exchange Program (ITEP) to bridge this gap: allowing federal IT employees to be detailed to private-sector companies, and allowing private-sector IT employees to be detailed into federal agencies, for periods of three months to two years.
The goal is mutual learning. Federal employees gain exposure to commercial technology practices, modern development culture, and private-sector efficiencies. Private-sector employees learn how government systems work, what the public sector needs, and how to work within the federal technology environment — knowledge that helps their companies better serve as government contractors or technology vendors.
Five CFR Part 370 implements the ITEP framework: who is eligible, how long details can run, what agreements must be signed, and what rights federal employees retain while on detail.
Key Provisions
- § 370.101 — Purpose: implements sections 209(b)(6) and (c) of the E-Government Act of 2002 (5 U.S.C. §§ 3702–3703), which authorize OPM to administer the detail program for IT management professionals between federal agencies and private-sector organizations
- § 370.102 — Definitions: "agency" means an executive agency (not including GAO or legislative agencies); "private sector organization" means a profit-making business; the program is not available for details to non-profit organizations or state/local governments — a specific, intentional limitation
- § 370.103 — Eligibility: to be eligible for a detail under ITEP, an individual must (1) work in the field of information technology management, (2) be employed at GS-11 or above (or equivalent), and (3) not be a political appointee; the program is for mid-level and senior IT professionals, not entry-level staff
- § 370.104 — Length of details: ITEP details are between 3 months and 1 year; they may be extended in 3-month increments for a total duration of no more than 2 years; the 2-year limit protects against situations where employees become so integrated into their host organization that they effectively work for it full-time
- § 370.105 — Written agreements: before a detail begins, the agency and the private-sector organization must sign a written three-party agreement (agency, company, and employee); the agreement must specify: the work the employee will perform; the duration; compensation arrangements (who pays whom); how expenses will be handled; any limitations on the type of work; and protections for government information; without a signed agreement, no detail may proceed
- § 370.106 — Federal employee rights during detail: a federal employee detailed to a private-sector organization remains a federal employee; they do not lose any federal employee rights, benefits, or status during the detail; their federal pay continues; they continue to accrue leave and federal retirement benefits; their federal health and life insurance continues; the private-sector organization may supplement (but not replace) federal pay through reimbursements to the agency
- § 370.107 — Small business priority: each agency head must take affirmative steps to ensure that a significant portion of ITEP details go to small business concerns; Congress specifically included this provision to prevent the program from being captured entirely by large government contractors
- § 370.108 — Reporting: agencies using ITEP must prepare and submit semiannual reports to OPM per 5 U.S.C. § 3706; the reports track the number of details, the organizations involved, and the outcomes; OPM aggregates these reports to evaluate the program's effectiveness
- § 370.109 — Agency plans: before an agency can use ITEP for the first time (detailing its employees out or accepting private-sector employees in), it must establish a written Information Technology Exchange Program plan; the plan sets agency-specific criteria, oversight procedures, and protections; agencies must have OPM review their plan
How It Affects You
If you are a federal IT professional at GS-11 or above, the ITEP is a career development opportunity. A 6-12 month detail to a technology company gives you direct experience with commercial development practices, cloud architectures, agile workflows, and private-sector management styles. Many federal IT employees who participate in the program return with skills and perspectives that accelerate their agency careers.
Federal employee protections are fully preserved during the detail. You do not give up your federal employment status, retirement benefits, health insurance, or seniority. The private-sector host cannot make employment decisions about you — you remain the agency's employee. Return rights to your federal position are guaranteed.
If you are a technology company interested in having your employees embedded in a federal agency for a year, the ITEP provides a structured pathway. Your employee would work within the agency and contribute to real technology projects while gaining direct government experience. For companies that sell to the government, this is an unparalleled opportunity to understand how federal IT decisions are made and what agencies actually need.
Small businesses get priority. If you are a small technology company, the statute specifically requires agencies to give priority to small business details. This means small companies have a better chance of accessing ITEP than the program's competitive dynamics might otherwise suggest.
Practical limitation: the program's use has historically been uneven — some agencies use it actively, others barely at all. Check whether your agency has an ITEP plan before attempting to set up a detail, and contact OPM's Federal Human Capital Management if your agency hasn't established a plan yet.
Statutory Authority
This rule implements:
- 5 U.S.C. §§ 3701–3709 — Subchapter VI of Chapter 37 of Title 5, added by Section 209 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-347); establishes the Information Technology Exchange Program, its eligibility criteria, duration limits, and reporting requirements; directs OPM to promulgate implementing regulations
Recent Rulemakings
No major Federal Register amendments reported since original promulgation. The program's statutory framework has been stable.