1. THE PROCESS OF PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
Presented by
Abraham E. Haspel, Ph.D.
President, Cogent Analysis Group and Cogent Energy Systems

2. The Impact of Transition
Over 4000 political appointee positions will turn over with a new Administration
50% of the incoming appointees will likely not have a background in government
The new Administration and political appointees will be bringing in their new agendas and priorities for Federal agencies
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3. Guiding Legislation
The purpose of the following guiding legislation is to enable an orderly transfer of executive power when a new U.S. President/Vice President is elected.
Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended
PL Appropriation Authorization 1976
Presidential Transitions Effectiveness Act of 1988
Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998
Presidential Transition Act of 2000
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act 2004
Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010
Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015
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4. Key Provisions of the New Presidential Transitions Improvement Act of 2015
Beginning in May, the President must establish a White House Transition Coordinating Council (WHTCC) and Agency Transition Directors Council (ATDC)
GSA must appoint a Federal Transition Coordinator for managing across agencies, and to chair the ATDC - (Tim Horne serving as FTC)
Agencies must designate senior career transition executive by May
MOU’s with each candidate by November 1 to ensure access to agency personnel, facilities and documents
Training resources made available to appointees throughout 1st and 2nd terms
If election is contested, GSA to provide services to candidates until election outcome is determined
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5. Transition Service Providers
General Services Administration (GSA)
Provides logistical support, including office space and funding, to eligible candidates
Office of Government Ethics (OGE)
Reviews financial disclosure reports and conflicts of interest analyses for incoming Senate-confirmed appointees
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Manages and adjudicates security clearance process for PAS appointees and transition team members
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Conducts background investigations on new appointees and transition team members who require security clearances
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Provides security for candidates, Presidential and Vice Presidential selectees and certain political appointees
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Helps ensure that outgoing and incoming officials follow records requirements; responsible for removing historical documents from White House before new president moves in
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Conducts background investigations for all appointees below the PAS/PA level in most agencies; works with PPO on approval of all Non career SESs and Schedule Cs prior to onboarding at their agency; and provides guidance to agencies as they prepare for thousands of departing/incoming political appointees
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6. Transition Directory Compilation of Federal Publications & Materials
The “Plum” Book
The Federal Register
Hiring/Being a Federal Employee
Records Management Guidelines
Ethics Guidelines
External Transition Resources
Located at:
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7. The Senior Executives Association © 2016

8. Election – Inauguration
Transition Teams and the Agency Review Process
Timeline for Agency Reviews
July/August
August/October
Election – Inauguration
By July or early August, Transition Team agency review team leads should be identified and working with a handful of staff to prepare to enter the agencies post-election.
The various agency review teams should begin training transition staff to enter agencies and prepare information using publically available resources.
The formal agency review process will begin immediately after the election and last through to the inauguration, when teams will develop their final deliverables and brief incoming agency leadership on their new jobs and organizations.
The work of the agency review team also is related to, yet distinct from, the work of the presidential personnel team. Because the agency review team will have a clear line of sight into key staff positions, potential personnel issues or leadership gaps within each agency, it should work closely with the personnel team to identify potential candidates to lead each agency and identify other core positions within each agency that should be prioritized. 
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9. Helpful Transition Resources
SEA Presidential Transition Guidance and Resources: seniorexecs.org
Presidential Transition Directory:
Congressional Research Service: Presidential Transition Act: Provisions and Funding:
President Obama’s May 6, 2016 Executive Order:
Presidential Transitions Improvement Act of 2015:
The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) guidance on the Vacancies Act:
Guidance on Application of Federal Vacancies Reform Act of
Plum Book:  
Partnership for Public Service Transition Center website:
Partnership for Public Service Transition Guide which includes roles for Federal agencies:
National Academy of Public Administration:
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