Child Care Subsidy Program

1. Purpose.

This Order issues and transmits the General Services Administration’s (GSA) policies and procedures for the GSA Child Care Subsidy Program to help make child care more affordable for lower income GSA employees.

2. Background.

Congress authorizes Executive agencies, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to use appropriated funds to provide child care services for Federal employees. See 40 U.S.C. § 590(c) and 40 U.S.C. § 590(g). OPM’s regulations implementing this legislation, entitled Agency Use of Appropriated Funds for Child Care Costs for Lower Income Employees, are codified at 5 CFR Part 792, Subpart B.

3. Scope and Applicability. 

1. The provisions of this Order apply to all full-time GSA Federal employees.
2. The provisions of this Order do not apply to GSA Federal employees in part-time and temporary positions as they are ineligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program benefits.
3. The provisions of this Order do not apply to GSA contractors. 
4. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has independent personnel authority. See Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, (5 USC. App. 3), as amended. Also see, GSA Order, ADM 5450.39D CHGE 1, GSA Delegations of Authority Manual, Chapter 2, Part 1, the “Inspector General has independent authority to formulate policies and make determinations concerning human capital issues within the [OIG].” The provisions of this Order shall not be construed to interfere with or impede the legal authorities or independence of the OIG.
5. This Order applies to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) to the extent that the CBCA determines it is consistent with the CBCA’s independent authority under the Contract Disputes Act and it does not conflict with other CBCA policies or the CBCA mission. Presently, the provisions of this Order apply to CBCA. 

4. Cancellation.

This Order cancels and supersedes GSA Order CPO 9500.2B, Child Care Subsidy Program, dated June 26, 2022.

5. Summary of Changes

1. The GSA Child Care Calculator has been revised to a variation of OPM Model D, per the OPM Guide for Implementing Child Care Legislation. Text referring to the previous benefit calculation method has been replaced to reflect the new model.
2. Appendix A. Definitions have been updated, per the OPM Guide for Implementing Child Care Legislation.