(a) OPM shall notify the applicant, appointee, or employee (hereinafter, the “respondent”) in writing of the proposed action and of the charges against the respondent (including the availability for review, upon request, of the materials relied upon). The notice shall state the specific reasons for the proposed action and that the respondent has the right to answer the notice in writing. If the respondent is an employee, the notice shall further state that the employee may also make an oral answer, as specified in § 731.303(a). The notice shall further inform the respondent of the time limits for response as well as the address to which such response should be made.

(b) The notice of proposed action shall be served upon the respondent by being mailed or hand delivered to the respondent's last known residence, and/or duty station, no less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the proposed action. If the respondent is employed in the competitive service on the date the notice is served, the respondent shall be entitled to be retained in a pay status during the notice period.

(c) OPM shall send a copy of this notice to any employing agency that is involved.