The term “contractor” means the private business concern that enters into a food services contract with the Architect of the Capitol.
The term “food services contract” means a contract under which food services operations of the Senate Restaurants are transferred to, and performed by, a private business concern.
The term “transfer date” means the date on which a contractor begins the performance of food services operations under a food services contract.
Not later than the day before the transfer date, an individual described under subsection (a)(2)(A) and (B) may file an election with the Office of Human Resources of the Architect of the Capitol to continue coverage under the retirement system under which that individual is covered on that day.
If the individual files an election under subparagraph (A) to continue retirement coverage, the individual may also file an election with the Office of Human Resources of the Architect of the Capitol to continue coverage of any other benefit under subsection (c)(2) or (3) for which that individual is covered on that day. Any election under this subparagraph shall be filed not later than the day before the transfer date.
The rate of basic pay of a covered individual as an employee of a contractor, or successor contractor, during a period of continuous service may not be reduced to a rate less than the rate of basic pay paid to that individual as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol on the day before the transfer date, except for cause.
For purposes of chapters 83, 84, and 87 of title 5, any period of continuous service performed by a covered individual as an employee of a contractor, or successor contractor, shall be deemed to be a period of service as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol.
For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, the rate of basic pay of a covered individual during the period described under clause (i) shall be deemed to be the rate of basic pay of that individual as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol on the date on which the Architect of the Capitol enters into the food services contract.
For purposes of chapters 89, 89A, and 89B of title 5, any period of continuous service performed by a covered individual as an employee of a contractor, or successor contractor, shall be deemed to be a period of service as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol.
Subject to section 6304 of title 5, annual and sick leave balances of any covered individual shall be credited to the leave accounts of that individual as an employee of the contractor, or any successor contractor. A food services contract may include provisions similar to regulations prescribed under section 6308 of title 5 to implement this subparagraph.
During any period of continuous service performed by a covered individual as an employee of a contractor, or successor contractor, that individual shall continue to accrue annual and sick leave at rates not less than the rates applicable to that individual on the day before the transfer date.
For purposes of any benefit under section 7905 of title 5, any period of continuous service performed by a covered individual as an employee of a contractor, or successor contractor, shall be deemed to be a period of service as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol.
After consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to provide for the continuity of benefits under paragraphs (2) and (3).
After consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, the Executive Director appointed by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board under section 8474(a) of title 5 shall prescribe regulations to provide for the continuity of benefits under paragraph (2) of this subsection relating to subchapter III of chapter 84 of that title. Regulations under this subparagraph shall include regulations relating to employee deductions and employee and employer contributions and deposits in the Thrift Savings Fund.
Except as provided under clause (ii), a covered individual shall be entitled to severance pay under section 5595 of title 5 if during the 90-day period following the transfer date the employment of that individual with a contractor is terminated as provided under a food services contract.
Not later than 30 days after July 17, 2008, the Architect of the Capitol shall submit a plan under section 4505 of this title to the applicable committees as provided under that section.
Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 83 or 84 of title 5, an employee described under paragraph (1) is entitled to an annuity which shall be computed consistent with the provisions of law applicable to annuities under section 8336(d) or 8414(b) of title 5.
For purposes of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) a covered individual shall be treated as an employee of the Architect of the Capitol with respect to any act or omission which occurred before the transfer date.
Any commissions paid by a contractor under a food services contract shall be deposited in the miscellaneous items account within the contingent fund of the Senate.
This section shall take effect on July 17, 2008, and apply to the remainder of the fiscal year in which enacted and each fiscal year thereafter.