The DoD Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program, or CITEP, authorizes the temporary exchange (3 to 12 months) between GS-11 equivalent or higher DoD civilian and private sector employees who work in the cybersecurity or information technology (IT) fields.

The DoD CITEP provides a unique opportunity for DoD Components and private sector organizations to share best practices, gain a better understanding of cross-sector information technology operations and challenges, and gain exposure to a different organization’s processes partner to address these challenges. In addition, CITEP can be used to enhance the cybersecurity and IT competencies and technical skills of employees from the DoD civilian information technology workforce and their peers from the private sector. The DoD CITEP is focused on achieving the following objectives:

• Enhance the cybersecurity and IT competencies and technical skills of DoD and private sector employees through defined and meaningful experiences;
• Exchange knowledge, experience, and skills between the DoD and private sector; and
• Bridge the culture and priority gaps between the DoD and private sector.

Section 1110 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 authorized the pilot program for the temporary exchange of IT personnel, referred to as the Information Technology Exchange Program. Section 1123 of the NDAA for FY 2017 amended Section 1106 of the NDAA for FY 2014 by adding the term “Cyber and” before “Information”; therefore, renaming the program to the Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program (CITEP). Section 1112 of the NDAA for FY 2023 extends the CITEP through December 31, 2026.

If you are a DoD civilian or private sector employee who is interested in participating in the DoD CITEP and meet the listed eligibility requirements, please click the application button below to apply!

For DoD Employees

The DoD CITEP is open to DoD civilian employees who meet the following criteria:

• Eligible Employees: DoD civilian employees at the General Schedule grade 11 level and above (or equivalent) working in the cybersecurity or IT field.
• Performance Level: Participants must be currently performing at the “Fully Successful” performance level.
• Supervisory Endorsement: Participants must have the endorsement of their immediate supervisor. Supervisor endorsements:
  • Verify the availability of funding for the exchange that will be reviewed and approved by the Lending Organization when making participant selection decisions.
  • Confirm the Lending Organization’s interest in participating in the DoD CITEP.

While detailed to a private sector organization, a DoD employee remains a federal employee without loss of employee rights and benefits.

Length of Detail

An exchange should be no less than three months and no more than one year. An exchange may be extended in three-month increments for a total of no more than one additional year by CITEP DoD Component and private sector points-of-contact.

Continued Service Obligation

DoD employees are required to return to their employing Component upon completion of the detail for a time period equal to the length of the detail, plus any extensions.

Payment of Salary and Allowances

The lending (or home) organization has full responsibility for payment of all salary and allowances to their employees participating in CITEP. DoD employees participating in CITEP are entitled to all benefits afforded to similar employees of their respective lending organizations, including medical care, according to subscribed plans and Worker’s Compensation for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Business Training and Travel Expenses

The receiving organization (recipient of the CITEP participant) may pay for any business training and travel expenses incurred by the employee while participating in CITEP. The employee shall provide vouchers and all supporting receipts to the receiving organization for review and approval.

Prohibition

A private sector organization may not charge the DoD or any agency of the federal government, as direct or indirect costs under a federal contract, for the costs of pay or benefits paid by that organization to an employee assigned to a DoD Component for the period of the detail.

For Private Sector Employees

The DoD CITEP is open to private sector employees who meet the following criteria:

• Security Clearance: Participants must successfully obtain and maintain the same type, level, and adjudication of the security clearance required to perform the duties of the exchange assignment through the duration of their participation in the CITEP.
• Experience Level: Participants must possess the experience, knowledge, and skills required for the exchange opportunity and be working in the cybersecurity or IT field.
• Performance Level: Participants must meet the definition of a high-performing employee in accordance with their organization’s performance standards.
• Supervisory Endorsement: Participants must have the endorsement of their immediate supervisor. Supervisor endorsements:
  • Verify the availability of funding for the exchange that will be reviewed and approved by the Lending Organization when making participant selection decisions.
  • Confirm the Lending Organization’s interest in participating in the CITEP.

While detailed to DoD, a private sector employee is deemed to be an employee of the DoD for certain purposes and is bound by applicable federal and DoD regulations regarding personal conduct, security requirements and ethical behavior.

The private sector employee may not have access to any trade secrets or to any other non-public information which is of commercial value to the private sector organization from which such employee originates. The private sector employee may also continue to receive pay and benefits from the private sector organization.

Length of Detail

An exchange should be no less than three months and no more than one year. An exchange may be extended in three-month increments for a total of no more than one additional year by CITEP DoD Component and private sector points-of-contact.

Payment of Salary and Allowances

The private sector organization has full responsibility for payment of all salary and allowances to their employees participating in CITEP. Private sector employees participating in CITEP are entitled to all benefits afforded to similar employees of their respective lending organizations, including medical care, according to subscribed plans and Worker’s Compensation for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Business Training and Travel Expenses

The receiving organization (recipient of the CITEP participant) may pay for any business training and travel expenses incurred by the employee while participating in CITEP. The employee shall provide vouchers and all supporting receipts to the receiving organization for review and approval.

Prohibition

A private sector organization may not charge the DoD or any agency of the federal government, as direct or indirect costs under a federal contract, for the costs of pay or benefits paid by that organization to an employee assigned to a DoD Component for the period of the detail.

If you are a DoD or a private sector organization, NGO, or academic institution, and wish to learn more about participation in the DoD CITEP, please click on the applicable button below and fill out the interest questionnaire for submission to the DoD Office of the Chief Information Officer