Sec. 7107. ASSIGNMENT PROCESS MODERNIZATION

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## SEC. 7107 ASSIGNMENT PROCESS MODERNIZATION ###

(a)In General Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall modernize the Foreign Service bidding process, and should consider incorporating the following elements: ####

(1)A stable-pair matching, preference-ranking system for non-directed Foreign Service employees and hiring bureaus, allowing for a more strategic alignment of workforce and resources. ####

(2)Incorporation of lessons learned from the previous stable-pair matching bidding pilot framework referred to as “iMatch” but applied more expansively to include non-directed assignments up through FS–01 positions, taking advantage of efficiency benefits such as tandem assignment functionalities. ####

(3)Mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and flexibility in the assignment process, while maintaining equal opportunities for all employees in the Foreign Service. ####

(4)An independent auditing process to ensure adherence to established rules, effectiveness in meeting the Department’s needs, and prevention of bias or manipulation, including through the use of protected categories in making assignment decisions. ###

(b)Consideration of Certain Promotion Issues In parallel with assignment process modernization efforts, the Secretary shall— ####

(1)assess whether any point systems tied to promotion incentives should consider service in hard-to-fill or critical positions; and ####

(2)assess whether the practice of dividing the assignment process into winter and summer cycles is necessary or efficient compared to stable matching processes. ###

(c)Reporting and Oversight Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide the appropriate congressional committees a report on the implementation of the assignment process under this section, including— ####

(1)data on match rates, including in filling critical or priority positions, officer and hiring office satisfaction, and the impact on tandem placements; ####

(2)recommendations for further modifications to the bidding process; ####

(3)an overview of the strategy used to communicate any changes to the workforce; and ####

(4)results of analysis into additional transparency efforts, including those described in subsection (a)(3).