Final answer:
Direct hire authority may be initiated by either OPM independently or agencies by a written request from the agency headquarters to OPM. This authority allows agencies to hire individuals directly without going through the standard competitive selection process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Direct hire authority may be initiated by either OPM independently or agencies by a written request from the agency headquarters to OPM. Direct hire authority allows agencies to hire individuals directly without going through the standard competitive selection process. This authority is typically granted when there is a critical hiring need or when it is difficult to attract qualified candidates through traditional recruitment methods.