Section 13: Late and Incomplete Applications

Applications submitted after the closing deadline, or applications missing required documents, generally cannot be accepted unless the applicant has a legal right to file late under federal regulations.

Submission Deadlines

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date listed in the vacancy announcement.

• USAJOBS will not allow submissions after the deadline, even if you started the application before the closing time
• NIST cannot accept applications by email, mail, or any method outside of USAJOBS
• Applicants are responsible for beginning the application early enough to allow time for document uploads, questionnaires, assessments, and potential system delays

Required Documents

Applications missing required documents cannot be considered. Required documents vary depending on the hiring path, eligibility claimed, and qualification requirements.

Common required documents may include:

• Transcripts (when education is required or used to qualify)
• Veterans’ preference documentation
• SF-50s for Merit Promotion eligibility
• CTAP/ICTAP eligibility documentation
• Documentation for special hiring authorities

If a required document is missing at the time the announcement closes, it generally cannot be added later unless the applicant has a legal right to late submission.

For complete guidance on required documents by applicant type, visit: https://www.nist.gov/careers/applying-jobs-required-forms

Late Applications

NIST may accept a late application only in limited circumstances when permitted by federal regulation or agency policy. Examples may include:

• Certain 10-point preference-eligible veterans, as permitted under OPM rules
• Documented USAJOBS system outages

If a serious personal emergency, such as hospitalization, prevented timely filing, applicants should contact the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible. Such situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not guarantee acceptance of a late application.

Incomplete Applications

Applications may be considered incomplete if:

• Required documents are missing or unreadable
• Required assessments are not completed by the stated deadline
• Required essays or written responses (when applicable) are not submitted
• The resume exceeds the two-page limit required under OPM policy
• The application lacks sufficient information to determine eligibility or qualifications

Incomplete applications cannot be considered and generally cannot be corrected after the vacancy closes unless permitted under a specific legal exception.

Ensuring A Complete Submission

To avoid delays or removal from consideration, applicants are encouraged to:

• Start the application process early
• Carefully review the vacancy announcement and instructions
• Prepare all required documents in advance
• Ensure the resume meets OPM formatting and length requirements
• Confirm receipt of the USAJOBS submission confirmation email
• Allow ample time to complete all required assessments

Technical Issues With USAJobs

If you experience technical difficulties while applying:

• Contact the USAJOBS Help Center immediately
• Take screenshots or save error messages when possible
• Notify the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement before the closing time

Documented system issues may be considered when determining whether a late application can be accepted, consistent with federal regulations and agency policy.