(a) Filing an appeal. A party, or his or her authorized representative, seeking to file an initial appeal or reconsideration of an initial decision under this subpart must utilize the electronic filing system identified on OPM's website. Unless a party demonstrates good cause and seeks approval from OPM, OPM will not accept any pleadings, evidence, or documents via electronic mail or postal mail.

(b) Time limits. An employee may submit an appeal of a reduction-in-force action within 30 calendar days from the effective date of the action. An appeal is deemed timely when it is electronically filed by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the 30th calendar day after the effective date of the action.

(1) In computing the number of days allowed for filing an appeal, the first day counted is the day after the effective date of an agency action. If the date that ordinarily would be the last day for filing falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the filing period will include the first workday after that date.

(2) If an employee does not submit an appeal within the time set by this section, the appeal will be dismissed as untimely filed unless the employee demonstrates good cause for an untimely appeal. The determination of good cause will be in the sole and exclusive discretion of OPM.

(3) If, before the expiration of the filing period in this paragraph (b), the employee timely filed a complaint, appeal, or other matter within the independent jurisdiction of an entity identified in § 351.901(c)(3), and the final decision on that matter materially affects the employee's retention standing, order of release, assignment rights, or other rights under this part, the employee may file an appeal under this subpart within 30 calendar days after the date on which the decision on that matter becomes final and is no longer subject to further administrative review. OPM will determine, in its sole and exclusive discretion, whether the decision on the collateral matter materially affects the employee's rights under this part.

(c) E-filing procedures. (1) All parties and their representatives to an appeal or reconsideration must register as instructed by OPM on its e-filing website using a unique email address.

(2) Registration as an e-filer constitutes consent to accept electronic service of pleadings, evidence, notices, orders, and other documents filed by other e-filers or issued by OPM. No party may electronically file any document with OPM or access an appeal or reconsideration of an appeal unless registered as an e-filer or exempted under paragraph (c)(7) of this section for good cause.

(3) All notices, orders, decisions, and other documents issued by OPM, as well as all documents filed by parties, will be made available for viewing and downloading at OPM's electronic filing system. Access to documents is limited to the parties and their representatives who are registered e-filers in the cases in which they were filed.

(4) All parties and their representatives must follow the instructions on OPM's website for properly filing all pleadings, evidence, and other documents. OPM may strike a document where an e-filer repeatedly fails to follow these instructions following receipt of a show cause order.

(5) Each e-filer must promptly update their profile in OPM's electronic filing system and notify OPM and other parties of any change in their address, telephone number, or email address by filing a pleading in each pending case with which they are associated. E-filers are responsible for monitoring case activity regularly in OPM's electronic filing system to ensure that they have received all case-related documents.

(6) A party or representative may withdraw their registration as an e-filer pursuant to the requirements posted on OPM's website. Withdrawing registration in OPM's e-filing system means that, effective upon OPM's processing of a proper withdrawal, pleadings, evidence, orders, and other documents filed by a party, a party's representative, or OPM will no longer be served on that person electronically and that person will no longer have electronic access to their case records through OPM's e-filing system. OPM may still process an appeal or request for reconsideration after a party withdraws as an e-filer. Withdrawal of e-filing registration by a party or representative will not be considered good cause for staying a case.

(7) OPM, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may exempt a party or representative from registering as an e-filer for good cause. A party or representative must promptly contact OPM as instructed on OPM's website to request an exemption from the e-filing requirements in this part. OPM will not find good cause for failing to timely file an appeal or seek reconsideration if the party or representative fails to contact OPM to request an exemption before any deadline to appeal or seek reconsideration.

(8) Documents filed in OPM's e-filing system are deemed received on the date of the electronic submission.