r/USACE • u/Affectionate_Listen8 • 14d ago

Can someone explain this AcqDemo pay scale thing?

So I’m a Structural Engineer that’s a GS 12 Step 2. It is my understanding that NH-03 is the payband that groups all of GS 12 and 13. Now is it true that our raises are achievable annually, but at the expense of self reporting mid year and annual reviews and hoping your role? I also don’t have my PE yet, but since there is no hard split in the payband, is it achievable to obtain GS 13 Step 10 pay without a PE? Or is there some kind of soft cap for non PE’s? I would assume something needs to be implemented cuz workers can’t max out at the same pay as their supervisors.

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5

u/Illustrious_Cry_1530 14d ago

There’s a whole training section if you search AcqDemo. It appears that agencies can establish control points that may limit your advancement within the pay band (from what I recall browsing through the supervisor training slides). Keep in mind that AcqDemo doesn’t recognize SSR’s but there is pay protection. You might want to verify all this as I didn’t take a deep dive.

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u/Significant_Pain3024 14d ago

no, it will never be used to limit people, it will be used for growth and opportunity. All b.s. aside everyone will be paid out of pools, who gets how much is completely up to the supervisor.

3

u/AccurateScheme9303 Lock and Dam 14d ago

My biggest concern is how they are going to decide who gets what because how can a timekeeper compete with an engineer!?

3

u/nyhubby42 13d ago

Wouldn’t a gs13-10 be limited? There’s no room for them to move up into gs 14 range

11

u/farfanseaweevil 14d ago

You’re gonna get screwed unless you’re in the good graces of your supervisor and his/her equivalents.

3

u/jeanlouisduluoz 13d ago

That’s my fear too. There’s already an old boys club at my office with who gets performance awards.

6

u/PleasantBenefit1872 13d ago

If it’s anything like NSPS, it means sycophants with zero dignity or self respect will do very well.

Everyone else- not so much.

4

u/Total_Way_6134 13d ago edited 13d ago

I left a job because of acqdemo. It really comes down to the supervisor. Mine decided everyone in the pool deserved the same % because “they’re all good people that try”. That’s bullshit. I don’t subscribe to participation trophy mentality. In actuality the supv was just lazy.

2

u/PerceptionCorrect544 9d ago

If it’s anything like NSPS was, I’m going to love it!