BOP Program Statement 6021.05 § 24

The COSTEP Coordinator must:

a. Collect data on agency needs, available budget, and the ceiling for positions to determine the

number of COSTEP applicants to be selected;

b. Inform the Division of Commissioned Personnel of the projected number of applicants the

agency will select;

c. Assist the discipline Chiefs during the selection process;

d. Oversee Senior COSTEP selection each year. Junior COSTEP selection is an open and

continuous announcement;

e. Send an orientation packet containing information concerning pay, travel reimbursement,

etc., to interested applicants;

f. Send a written notification of initial selection to applicants;

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g. Contact applicants to discuss inpatient or outpatient preference, geographic preference, and

dates available;

h. Emphasize to applicants that, in exchange for the Bureau providing pay and allowance

during the last academic year, the applicant incurs a two-for-one payback;

i. Explain to Senior COSTEP applicants that they must be able to spend at least eight months

on formal training and 16 months in payback obligation to meet the 24-month minimum tour to

receive full entitlement after fulfilling their service obligation;

j. Emphasize to applicants that the Bureau will attempt to accommodate geographic preference,

but there is no guarantee;

k. Inform the Division of Commissioned Personnel and have the applicant's file returned to the

applicant pool when an applicant refuses a Bureau offer;

l. Assign both Junior and Senior applicants to a preceptor;

m. Provide a list of all confirmed Senior COSTEP selectees to the Division of Commissioned

Personnel, Officers' Development Branch Training Technician;

n. Obtain written verifications of acceptance from both Junior and Senior applicants;

o. Set up institution interviews for Junior and Senior applicants prior to their being placed on

orders;

p. Ensure that Senior COSTEP applicant complete the PHS Financial Disclosure form, if

applicable;

q. Request an e-mail from the Warden for Junior COSTEP applicants stating the Warden

is aware the named applicant will serve a tour on specified dates;

r. Submit a PHS-1662, Request for Personnel Action – Commissioned Officer form to the

Division of Commissioned Personnel for processing. For Junior applicants, processing of the

PHS-1662 cannot be initiated without written verification from the Warden indicating awareness

of the applicant's arrival;

s. Request either an e-mail or memorandum from the Warden indicating acceptance of a Senior

COSTEP applicant upon graduation. Emphasize to the institution they must provide a position

for the individual;

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t. Submit the PHS-6279, Junior Commissioned Officer Applicant Training and Extern Program

(JRCOSTEP) Statement of Duties form to the Division of Commissioned Personnel for

processing for both Junior and Senior applicants;

u. Send out a PHS-1122-1, Application for Training for PHS Commissioned Personnel form to

Senior applicants. Complete Section III, on PHS-1122-1 and ensure the appropriate officials

sign the subsequent sections;

v. Process BP-A0771, Conditional Senior COSTEP Agreement delineating payback

responsibilities. The applicant must sign the agreement before orders can be processed;

w. Complete the Statement of Training Purposes and Objectives for Senior applicant. The

applicant, the discipline Chief, the National Health Services Administrator, the Senior Deputy

Assistant Director, and the Medical Director need to sign these forms;

x. Mail the PHS-1122-1, BP-A0771, Conditional Senior COSTEP Agreement and the Statement

of Training Purposes and Objectives, upon the packet's completion, to the Division of

Commissioned Personnel, Officers' Development Branch;

y. Complete employment and personal reference vouchering and law enforcement checks

and forward the complete pre-employment file to the SBIS. Three months prior to graduation,

notify the discipline Chief the Senior applicant will be graduating in approximately 90 days; and

z. Notify SBIS of Senior COSTEP institution assignment so the investigation results can be

forwarded to the appropriate facility’s Human Resource Servicing Office.