DD Form 3121-3 STRL New Flexibility FRN Request – The DD Form 3121-3 is an official Department of Defense form used by Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs) to request publication of new personnel demonstration project flexibilities in the Federal Register. Released on January 5, 2022, and managed under the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), this form supports the unique hiring, pay, and workforce management authorities granted to DoD laboratories under 10 U.S.C. § 4121.
For U.S. federal employees, human resources specialists, laboratory directors, and component representatives working with STRL personnel demonstration projects, understanding and correctly using DD Form 3121-3 is essential for implementing innovative personnel flexibilities.
What Is DD Form 3121-3?
DD Form 3121-3, officially titled “Request for Publication of STRL Personnel Demonstration Project New Flexibility Federal Register,” is the standardized document required when an STRL seeks to introduce new personnel management flexibilities beyond those already approved in its existing Federal Register Notice (FRN).
According to the official DoD Forms Management Program, the form is not controlled and is available for public download. It is one of a series of related STRL forms (DD 3121-1 through DD 3121-5) that govern the documentation, adoption, modification, and publication of personnel demonstration project authorities.
You can download the official current version of the form here: DD Form 3121-3 PDF Download.
Purpose of DD Form 3121-3 in the STRL Program
Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories operate under special personnel demonstration projects authorized by Congress. These projects allow greater managerial flexibility in areas such as hiring, pay banding, probationary periods, awards, temporary promotions, and retention incentives compared with standard Title 5 civil service rules.
When an STRL wants to add a new flexibility that has not previously been published for that laboratory (or in some cases for the broader STRL community), it must publish an updated Federal Register Notice. DD Form 3121-3 serves as the formal request and coordination document that accompanies the draft FRN.
Key purposes include:
- Documenting the request for publication of a new flexibility
- Ensuring proper coordination with the Component Science & Technology (S&T) and Human Resources (HR) representatives
- Facilitating review by the Director of Laboratory Personnel and Programs Office (L&PO)
- Supporting the formal FRN approval process through the Office of the Secretary of Defense
When Is DD Form 3121-3 Required?
Per DoD Instruction 3201.05, “Management of Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory Personnel Demonstration Projects” (effective December 29, 2021), the form is specifically required for new flexibilities:
“For new flexibilities, the STRL will submit the draft FRN and DD Form 3121-3, ‘Request for Publication of STRL Personnel Demonstration Project Flexibility Federal Register Notice.’ Within 30 calendar days of receipt, the Component’s S&T and HR representatives will provide coordination and comments and the signed DD Form 3121-3 to the STRL and the Director, L&PO.”
It is not used for:
- Adopting an existing flexibility already available to other STRLs (use DD Form 3121-1)
- Minor modifications of existing flexibilities (use DD Form 3121-2)
- Establishing an entirely new STRL demonstration project (use DD Form 3121-4)
- Omnibus (multi-STRL) publications (use DD Form 3121-5)
Related STRL Forms in the DD 3121 Series
The DD 3121 series provides a complete administrative framework for STRL personnel demonstration projects:
- DD Form 3121-1 – Notice of Adoption of STRL Demonstration Project Flexibility
- DD Form 3121-2 – Notice of Minor Modification of STRL Demonstration Project Flexibility
- DD Form 3121-3 – Request for Publication of STRL Personnel Demonstration Project New Flexibility Federal Register
- DD Form 3121-4 – Request for Publication of New STRL Personnel Demonstration Project Federal Register
- DD Form 3121-5 – Request for Publication of STRL Personnel Demonstration Project Omnibus Federal Register
All of these forms are available through the official DoD Forms website maintained by Washington Headquarters Services.
How the Publication Process Works?
The typical process for requesting publication of a new flexibility using DD Form 3121-3 follows these steps:
- The STRL prepares a draft Federal Register Notice describing the new flexibility, including any necessary waivers to Title 5, U.S.C., or Title 5, CFR.
- The STRL completes and signs DD Form 3121-3.
- The package (draft FRN + signed DD Form 3121-3) is submitted to the Component S&T and HR representatives and the Director, Laboratory Personnel and Programs Office (L&PO).
- Component representatives have 30 calendar days to coordinate, comment, and return the signed form.
- The Director, L&PO, coordinates the FRN with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) before forwarding it to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense for legal review.
- After internal DoD clearance, the notice is submitted for publication in the Federal Register, usually with a 30-day public comment period before final implementation.
Recent examples of STRL flexibility publications in the Federal Register (2024–2026) include authorities related to Senior Business Technical Manager positions, enhanced pay authorities above GS-15, flexible temporary promotions, retention counter-offers, and updates to probationary period waivers.
Where to Obtain the Official Form?
The authoritative source for DD Form 3121-3 is the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Directives Division Forms Management Program.
Official download link:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd3121-3.pdf
You can also locate the form on the complete list of DD Forms 3000–3499:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/dd3000_3499/
Always download the form to your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader for full functionality. Some forms may not display correctly when opened directly in a web browser.
Why Accurate Use of DD Form 3121-3 Matters?
Proper completion and coordination of DD Form 3121-3 helps ensure that new personnel flexibilities are legally supportable, consistent with DoD policy, and published correctly in the Federal Register. Errors or incomplete coordination can delay implementation of critical workforce authorities that help STRLs compete for top scientific, engineering, and technical talent.
For questions about the form or the STRL program, contact the appropriate Component S&T or HR representative, or the Laboratory Personnel and Programs Office under USD(R&E). The official forms webmaster can be reached at [email protected].
Key Takeaways for U.S. Federal Users
- DD Form 3121-3 is specifically for requesting publication of new STRL personnel demonstration project flexibilities.
- It must accompany a draft Federal Register Notice.
- Coordination with Component S&T/HR and L&PO is mandatory and time-limited (30 days).
- The form is current as of its January 5, 2022 edition and remains the official document for this purpose.
- Always use the official PDF from the esd.whs.mil website.
By following the prescribed process and using the correct form, STRLs can continue to innovate in personnel management while remaining fully compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements.\