TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

The Agency agrees to provide an overview briefing to the Union at the national level concerning the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) annually and a semi-annual briefing on the status of the Agency's modernization effort. The Agency further agrees to separately brief the Union on any particular project identified by the Union as a result of the overview briefings described above.

The Agency agrees to notify the Union at the national level, no less than sixty (60) days prior to the field operational evaluation utilized to support system development and the operational test and evaluation (OT&E), unless a shorter notice period is required. The notification shall contain proposed start and stop times, and shall outline the reasons and intent of the test and/or evaluation.

The Agency agrees to notify the Union at least sixty (60) days prior to the In-Service Decision (ISD) of the proposed implementation of technological changes affecting employees, unless operational necessity requires a shorter notice period. Except for the initial notice period, as specified above, the provisions of Article 7 of this Agreement govern negotiations between the Parties on the impact of changes arising from revisions to technology, procedural, and/or airspace changes, as well as the effect of procedural and/or technological tests which impact employees.

Employees adversely affected by changes in technology shall be entitled to pay and level retention in accordance with the agreement of the Parties. Such employees shall also be notified of any right with respect to early retirement and given the fullest consideration for early (discontinued service) retirement that law and regulation provide.

Nothing in this Article shall be construed as a waiver of any Union or Agency right.