The United States General Service Administration (GSA) plays an important role in facilitating the presidential transition process. President-elect Joe Biden, and the Vice-President elect Kamala Harris will be inaugurated into the White House on January 20, 2021, and multiple government agencies will provide resources to them to ensure a smooth transition process. The OSU Library has links to key materials that help to facilitate this transition.
What is the United States General Services Administration (GSA)?
The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 has certain responsibilities that help the leadership transition. According to the official website of the White House, "the Act requires the establishment of a White House Transition Coordinating Council, an Agency Transition Directors Council, and designation of a General Services Administration Federal Transition Coordinator." A summary of the responsibilities of the Agency Transition Directors Council is listed below:
- Integrated strategy for interagency matters.
- Coordinate transition activities between the corresponding individuals and agencies involved in the transition process.
- Refer to previous transition activities and the White House Transition Coordinating Council for guidance.
- Help the Federal Transition Coordinator with responsibilities.
- Provide guidance and support to agencies
- Materials related to t he presidential transition must be prepared before November 1st.
- Ensure agencies are preparing their employees for career opportunities
- Work with the President's Management Council.
- The Plum Book
- The United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions is commonly known as the Plum Book. The book is published after every presidential election either by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security or the House of Committee on Government Reform. According to the GSA, the "publication contains data on over 9,000 federal civil service leadership and support positions in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government that may be subject to noncompetitive appointment." The Plum Book lists key jobs that a new president will need to fill. Govinfo.gov states that the "list originated in 1952 during the Eisenhower administration" and has continued since; the website provides digital copies of the Plum Books since 1996.
- Government Manual
- The Government Manual is a special edition of the Federal Register. According to the GSA, it is the "official handbook of the Federal Government and provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, along with information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the U.S. participates; and boards, commissions, and committees." Gov.info.gov has digital copies of the Government Manuals from 1935 to the present. You can find physical copies of the Manual on the fifth floor of the OSU library under the call number AE 2.108/2.
- Federal Register
- The GSA states that the "Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents." The Federal Register is published by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Office of the Federal Register, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). Issues since 1936 are available at Govinfo.gov and federalregister.gov contains some publications.
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics also plays a role in the presidential transition. The GSA proclaims that the Biden-Harris Transition Team Ethics Plan "aims to ensure that Transition team members abide by the highest ethical standards, act solely in furtherance of the public interest, and base all policy and personnel decisions on merit, free from individual conflicts of interest." The ethnics plan is implemented to ensure that the government is transparent to discourage all forms of corruption. Some key points of this plan are outlined below:
- Transition team members will avoid conflicts of interest.
- Safeguard classified information.
- Regulations/limitations on individuals who are registered as lobbyists.
- Regulations/limitations on "persons who have represented, aided, or advised a foreign government or foreign political party."
- "Transition team members may not misuse their positions."
- Limitations on communicating with federal departments and agencies.
- Transition team members may not accept any sort of bribe.
- Transition team members may not promote their own work.
- Transition team members must sign the Ethical Plan.
Government Organizational Chart
The Government Organizational Chart is a visual representation of key federal government organizations.
More Information
The Presidential Transition Directory
This website provides key resources and information about the transfer of power from one presidential administration to another. This directory lists information the Biden-Harris Transition Ethic Plans and Code of Conduct, the Plum Book, Government Manual, Government Organizational chart, the Federal Register, and much more.
Implementing the Presidential Transition Act- White House
The Office of Management and Budget published a memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies. The report provides guidance on the Presidential Transition activities outlines by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Federal law authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide the President-elect and the Vice President-elect the services and facilities needed to assume their official duties. The FEC does not regulate the transition activities or funding.
~Emily Hancz
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