5 CFR 2424.26 – Agency’s reply; purpose; time limits; content; service
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the agency’s reply is to inform the Authority and the exclusive representative whether and why it disagrees with any facts or arguments made for the first time in the exclusive representative’s response.
(b) Time limit for filing. Unless the time limit for filing has been extended pursuant to § 2424.23 or part 2429 of this subchapter, within fifteen (15) days after the date the agency receives a copy of the exclusive representative’s response to the agency’s statement of position, the agency may file a reply.
(c) Content. You must file your reply on a form that the Authority has provided for that purpose, or in a substantially similar format. You meet this requirement if you file your reply electronically through use of the eFiling system on the FLRA’s website at www.flra.gov. That website also provides copies of reply forms. You must limit your reply to matters that the exclusive representative raised for the first time in its response. You must date your reply, unless you file it electronically through use of the FLRA’s eFiling system. And, regardless of how you file your reply, you must ensure that it identifies any disagreement with the exclusive representative’s assertions in its response, including your disagreements with assertions about the bargaining obligation and negotiability matters identified in § 2424.2(a) and (c), respectively. You must: State the arguments and authorities supporting your position; include specific citation to, and explanation of the relevance of, any law, rule, regulation, section of a collective bargaining agreement, or other authority on which you rely; and provide a copy of any such material that the Authority may not easily access (which you may upload as attachments if you file your reply electronically through use of the FLRA’s eFiling system). You are not required to repeat arguments that you made in your statement of position.
(d) Service. A copy of the agency’s reply, including all attachments, must be served in accord with § 2424.2(g).