Questions about Student Services Contracting
NOTE: The information below pertains only to student contractors hired via FedConnect
Background
Benefits
Compensation
- Do I get paid?
- How do I get paid?
- Will I receive Sick and Annual leave or Holiday pay?
- Will I be required to work full-time?
- Can I receive overtime pay?
Application Process
- How do I register with Central Contractor Registration and Dun and Bradstreet®?
- Am I subject to a background check and suitability determination?
Background
What action is taken if I do not comply with the terms and conditions of the contract?
The government may terminate this order for default in the event you fail to comply with any contract terms and conditions, including those listed in Student Acknowledgment of Special Terms, repeatedly fail to report on scheduled workdays, or otherwise fail to perform services required under this contract. False statements on the resume or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) (PDF) are grounds for termination. If the contract is terminated for default, you will be paid only for hours worked to the point of termination.
Benefits
What benefits will I receive throughout the contract’s duration?
- EPA mentors (federal employees) may work side-by-side with you providing professional advice and technical skills.
- You may be paid to attend seminars, staff and team meetings, and training sessions if their mentor confirms that attendance directly supports completion of the work and pre-approves it. In this case, your travel (in support of the government) is authorized, arranged and paid the same as federal employees.
- You must participate in health and safety training and workplace safety and injury prevention programs, including workers’ compensation, at the government’s expense. The government provides supplies, equipment, facilities, etc., to enable you to perform your work.
- You may drive government vehicles. Accident liability is covered under the Tort Claims Act.
Compensation
Do I get paid?
Students are compensated via a pre-determined hourly wage rate based upon academic coursework, training and region. If a contract is written directly with a student, the student is responsible for reporting income to the appropriate authorities and paying all self-employment and social security/Medicare taxes. If the contract is written through a university, the student will be subject to the universities employment guidelines or policies.
How do I get paid?
You are required to submit invoices for review to your assigned mentor. The mentor will then submit the invoice to the Project Office for approval. The invoice must include the following information:
- student name
- invoice date
- purchase order number
- dates covered by the invoice
- daily record of hours worked
- total number of hours worked during the billing period
EPA usually makes payments within 2 weeks after receipt of a proper invoice, but is not obligated to make payment before the 30th day. If you submit timely, complete invoices and do not receive payment within the 30 days, you are entitled to interest payments.
You will be paid only for the number of hours actually worked. You do not accrue leave or holiday benefits. EPA will not pay for any non-work hours, regardless of the reason the agency/building is closed. This includes scheduled holidays, unscheduled holidays, or any other unscheduled closure (e.g., inclement weather, furloughs, security). When the decision to close the building is made by the government after you have reported to work, you will be paid only for the hours worked before closure.
Will I receive sick and annual leave or holiday pay?
Students are only paid for hours worked. They do not receive holiday or leave benefits.
Will I be required to work full-time?
Full-time/part-time work status is determined by employer and will be outlined in the contract. Generally, Student Services Contracts are extremely flexible and designed to meet both student and employer schedules and EPA’s research needs.
Can I receive overtime pay?
Students performing under a student services contract are considered self-employed contractors and are therefore exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act. You will be paid the basic hourly rate specified in the contract for any hours worked beyond the 40-hour week, with no overtime premium.
Application Process
How do I register with System For Award Management and Dun and Bradstreet®?
You must register with the System For Award Management (SAM.gov) or Dun and Bradstreet® (DUNS). Failure to register may adversely affect you being paid. You are required to provide certain business information, including Taxpayer Identification Number (which may be either a Social Security Number or Employee Identification Number) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information into a common government-wide data source. The government will use this common Government wide data source to more efficiently meet the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
There is no charge to register for SAM or DUNS.
Am I subject to a background check and suitability determination?
Students who perform under contract for EPA are required to undergo a background check, a check of FBI fingerprint files, and a suitability determination by the Environmental Protection Agency. Upon award, EPA will provide you with a Standard Form 85 (SF-85) “Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions” (PDF) with instructions on completing the forms and where they are to be submitted. You must return the completed forms at least 14 business days prior to reporting to work. If a background check reveals information that you represent a risk to the interests of EPA, the contract may be terminated.