PART 5—COMPENSATION Authority: 31 U.S.C. 732. Source: 45 FR 68377, Oct. 15, 1980, unless otherwise noted. § 5.1 Pay. (a) Pay principles. (1) There be equal pay for work of substantially equal value. (2) Pay distinctions be maintained in keeping with work and performance distinctions. (3) Pay rates be comparable with private enterprise pay rates for the same levels of work. (4) Pay levels be interrelated to the General Schedule. (b) Pay rates. (2) Such schedule may provide for rates which do not exceed the maximum rate payable for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule for up to one hundred employees, reduced by the number of employees who are in the GAO Senior Executive Service, other than those in such service pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 733(c). (c) Pay adjustments. [45 FR 68377, Oct. 15, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 56979, Dec. 22, 1982] § 5.2 Grade and pay retention. (a) Change of positions. (b) Reclassification. (c) Retained grade. (1) For purposes of § 5.2(a). (2) For purposes of applying any reduction-in-force procedures. (3) For purposes of determining whether the employee is covered by a merit pay system. (4) For such other purposes as the Comptroller General may provide by regulation. (d) Termination of retained grade. (1) Has a break in service of 1 workday or more; (2) Is demoted for personal cause or at the employee's request; (3) Is placed in, or declines, a reasonable offer of, a position the grade of which is equal or higher than the retained grade; or (4) Elects in writing to have the benefits of this chapter terminate. (e) Pay retention. (2) Basic pay at a rate equal to the employee's allowable former rate of basic pay, plus 50 percent of the amount of each increase in the maximum rate of basic pay payable for the employee's position immediately after such reduction in pay if such allowable former rate exceeds such maximum rate for such grade. (f) “ Allowable former rate of basic pay. (1) The rate of basic pay payable to the employee immediately before the reduction in pay; or (2) 150 percent of the maximum rate of basic pay payable for the grade of the employee's position immediately after such reduction in pay. (g) Termination of retained pay. (1) Has a break in service of 1 workday or more. (2) Is entitled by operation of §§ 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 to a rate of basic pay which is equal to or higher than, or declines a reasonable offer of a position the rate of basic pay for which is equal to or higher than, the rate to which the employee is entitled under § 5.2(e); or (3) Is demoted for personal cause or at the employee's request. (h) Remedial actions. (1) Obtain and make available to employees receiving benefits under this section, information on vacancies in other Federal agencies. (2) Take such steps as may be appropriate to assure employees receiving benefits under this section have the opportunity to obtain necessary qualifications for the selection to positions which would minimize the need for the application of this section; and (3) Establish a program under which employees receiving benefits under this section are given priority in the consideration for or placement in positions which are equal to their retained grade or pay. (i) Appeals. § 5.3 Merit pay. The Comptroller General may promulgate regulations establishing a merit pay system for such employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. The merit pay system shall be designed to carry out purposes consistent with those set forth in section 5401(a) of title 5, United States Code, which provides— § 5401. Purpose (a) It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for— (1) A merit pay system which shall— (A) Within available funds, recognize and reward quality performance by varying merit pay adjustments; (B) Use performance appraisals as the basis for determining merit pay adjustments; (C) Within available funds, provide for training to improve objectivity and fairness in the evaluation of performance; and (D) Regulate the costs of merit pay by establishing appropriate control techniques; and (2) A cash award program which shall provide cash awards for superior accomplishment and special service. § 5.4 Pay administration. The provisions of chapter 55 of title 5, U.S. Code and the Office of Personnel Management implementing regulations apply to Government Accountability Office employees. § 5.5 Travel, transportation, and subsistence. The provisions of chapter 57 of title 5, U.S. Code and the implementing regulations for the Executive Branch apply to Government Accountability Office employees. § 5.6 Allowances. The provisions of chapter 59 of title 5, U.S. Code and the implementing regulations for the Executive Branch apply to Government Accountability Office employees.