Answers to FAQs for Employees

Do you have questions about the Fermilab management transition? Email questions@fra-hq.org.

Added November 8, 2006
What will happen to my current visa status and/or any pending visa applications when FRA assumes management of the Lab?
No additional action should be required by employees or Users who hold either J (Exchange Visitor) or H (Specialty Occupation) visa status enabled by URA. Since no significant changes in the work employees do or User activities is anticipated, FRA will be viewed as the "successor" entity to URA.

Any extensions effective during calendar 2006 will be submitted showing URA as the employing/sponsoring entity; those with an effective date in 2007 will show FRA to be the employing/sponsoring entity.

Added November 8, 2006
What if I need to travel/return to the U.S. after 1/1/07 but URA is shown as my employer /sponsor on my visa documents?
Employees/Users whose visa documents show URA to be the employer/sponsor and who either need to travel after 1/1/07 or will be returning to the U.S. in the new year, should contact the Visa Office during December, 2006, for a copy of an explanatory note. As always, please be sure to contact the Visa Office before you or any member of your family leaves the U.S. and upon return.

Added November 6, 2006
What will happen to my health benefits if I am retired from Fermilab?
The transition from URA to FRA will not impact retiree heath benefits. Although no changes are planned at this time, changes to retiree coverage may be made based on plan experience and market trends. The retiree medical plan is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the coverage and premiums are appropriate based on the experience of the plan and the marketplace. Communication regarding changes to the retiree plan would be sent prior to the implementation of any changes. All plan participants, including retirees, will be issued a new identification card. New identification cards are scheduled for mailing the week of December 15, 2006.

Added November 6, 2006
What is the status of the scholarship program?
Fermi Research Alliance, LLC commits to provide $200K per year to fund scholarships on a competitive basis to to full-time FNAL employees' children who are pursuing undergraduate college degrees. The scholarship award of up to $4100 per year will be continued for a maximun of four years providing the student remains in a four-year program with satisfactory academic progress.

Added November 3, 2006
What is the role of EG&G in the new organization?
EG&G is the designated subcontractor to FRA to provide internal assessment of operations at the direction of Dr. Oddone. They will assess various activities and make recommendations to the Director. They will also assist in bringing best practices to the laboratory. The total effort will consist of approximately 4 FTEs that are rotated in and out of the laboratory depending on the needed expertise to accomplish assessment and implementation.

Added November 3, 2006
The contract was announced as $1.575 billion over 5 years. Given the uncertainly of federal budgets, how is such a monetary figure arrived at?
The amount quoted is simply an estimate based on taking the FY06 number of about $325M for the lab and multiplying by 5. DOE does not represent this as an actual number when it comes to a legal written document.

Added November 3, 2006
Will the new contract be posted on the internet?
As soon as DOE provides an electronic version we will post the new contract, in the same way that the current contract is posted.

What is FRA?
Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, (Limited Liability Company). It is an alliance of Universities Research Association, Inc. and the University of Chicago.

Will we still be Fermilab?
Yes, we will still work at Fermilab under the new management of FRA.

When will I officially be an FRA employee?
An effective date of FRA employment will be announced. The most likely date is January 1, 2007

Will I still work for URA?
No, URA is no longer our management, it will be FRA.

How does the new contract affect me as an employee?
Since FRA will be a new contractor, employees will transition to become FRA employees. You will receive a letter at home regarding the employment transition.

Do I need to complete new paperwork?
You will not have to resign tax paperwork or re-enroll in benefits.

Do I get a new badge?
No, new badges will not be issued.

Will there be an orientation?
There was an informational all hands meeting on November 7th. Slides and video of the meeting are available online.

Will our paydays change?
Our current pay periods will transfer over to FRA.

Will my supervisor change?
Any changes will be communicated thru normal means.

Will my vacation and sick leave change?
Your vacation and sick leave will not change as a result of the transition to the new contractor.

Will there be a vacation and/or sick leave carry over limit?
The policies in place now with regard to vacation and sick leave are the same including the limit on the number of hours you can accrue.

Will my salary change?
Your salary will not change as a result of the transition to the new contractor.

Do my years of service carry over to the new FRA contract or do I have to start back at zero and work my way back up?
Your years of service will be carried forward with you under the new contractor.

Will there be any changes to the level of contribution FRA makes to my TIAA CREF account?
There will not be a change as a result of the transition.

Will my monthly/weekly contributions for medical and dental insurance change?
Employee contributions levels will remain the same until December 31, 2007.

Will I get new health insurance cards?
Yes - our carriers will be sending out new cards with FRA on them instead of URA.

Will there be any change in the number of holidays?
There will be no change as a result of the transition. As usual, the 2007 holiday schedule will come out in December 2006.

Will tuition assistance benefits continue under FRA?
Tuition assistance will not change as a result of the transition.

Will FRA have layoffs?
No layoffs have been announced as a result of the transition to FRA.

Are we going to start drug testing here?
FRA will continue the current drug testing and enforcement policies that are in place.

Are there plans to re-structure job classifications and/or responsibilities that are associated with a particular job classification?
Job classifications and job descriptions will not change as a result of the transition to the new contractor.

Will FRA adopt a different strategy on how employees get evaluated and/or promoted?
There will be no changes as a result of the transition.

When will the new leadership team organization chart become effective?
The leadership organization, as proposed, will become effective on January 1, 2007 immediately following the 60 day transition period.