FAQs About the Request for Regulation Review (RRR)
Federal Practice Group is currently assisting HHS employees impacted by the recent Reduction in Force (RIF) notices. We are filing an HHS Request for Regulation Review (RRR) with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to challenge errors in RIF notices. Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about participating.
Please note that due to the high volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to individual questions at this time. However, we will continue to update this FAQ section as new information becomes available. We encourage you to check back for the latest updates.
Who Can Participate
Any HHS employee who received a RIF notice with errors, such as mistakes in performance ratings, veteran status, service dates, or retention standing, can participate. Employees who believe their competitive area was improperly defined may also qualify.
Yes. Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, including AFGE members, can participate in the RRR.
Yes. Even if you were the only person RIF’d, you may qualify if there are clear errors in your RIF notice or competitive area designation.
The criteria we are looking for are any employee with an obvious error on their retention register information, or an error in how the competitive area was defined.
Errors that may qualify include incorrect performance ratings, wrong veteran status, incorrect service computation dates, mistakes in retention standing, or improperly drawn competitive areas.
Yes. We can accommodate employees who prefer to remain anonymous in the RRR filing.
Group Participation and Impact
We can file on behalf of an unlimited number of employees who were issued RIF notices with errors. For groups who want to challenge how the competitive area was drawn, we ideally have a group large enough to be able to demonstrate the error (i.e., employees from multiple branches who are arguing the branches should not have been the competitive areas).
Potentially. Sometimes a successful RRR benefits a broader group. However, the Board could limit relief only to employees who participated.
Deadlines and the HHS RRR Filing Process
You must return a signed representation agreement and submit your $500 payment by close of business on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, to be included in the initial filing.
Yes. We can file amended lists of interested persons after the initial filing to add additional employees.
The MSPB will allow HHS to respond. We will then submit a reply. After reviewing both sides, the MSPB will issue a decision
No. The RRR process is handled entirely through written submissions. You will not need to testify or appear in person.
There is no set timeline. It can take several months for the MSPB to review the case and issue a decision.
Cost to Join the HHS Request for Regulation Review (RRR)
The cost is a flat $500 fee per employee, regardless of how many errors you are challenging.
The $500 fee covers the work required to prepare and file your Request for Regulation Review (RRR). Because the fee is for services performed and not tied to the outcome, it is considered earned once the filing is completed or 60 days after signing the agreement, whichever comes first.
After signing the representation agreement, you can:
- Pay through the secure payment link on our website, or
- Request a payable invoice by emailing clientintake@fedpractice.com.
You will not be included in the RRR filing unless both the signed agreement and payment are received.
Results and Next Steps After the HHS RRR
Not necessarily. If the MSPB finds errors, it may order HHS to rescind the RIF notices. However, HHS could still attempt to conduct a new RIF properly following regulations.
Yes. Filing an RRR does not prevent you from filing an individual MSPB appeal, a grievance, or taking other legal action related to your separation.
No. The RRR is a request for review filed with the MSPB. We will not negotiate directly with HHS during this process.
If you believe your RIF notice contains errors and are interested in participating in the HHS Request for Regulation Review (RRR), we encourage you to complete the intake process as soon as possible.
Please continue to check this page for updates. We will post additional information as it becomes available.
Have a question that isn’t covered here?
If you have a question about the HHS Request for Regulation Review (RRR) that isn’t addressed in the FAQs above, you can submit it here.
Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to individual submissions. However, we will review all questions and may update this page to address common topics.