(a) Time of filing. An appellant may request a stay of a personnel action allegedly based on whistleblowing at any time after the appellant becomes eligible to file an appeal with the Board under § 1209.5 of this part, but no later than the time limit set for the close of discovery in the appeal. The request may be filed prior to, simultaneous with, or after the filing of an appeal.

(b) Place of filing. Requests must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office as set forth in 5 CFR 1201.4(d).

(c) Service of stay request. A stay request must be simultaneously served upon the Board's regional or field office and upon the agency's local servicing personnel office or the agency's designated representative, if any. A certificate of service stating how and when service was made must accompany the stay request.

(d) Method of filing. A stay request must be filed with the appropriate Board regional or field office by mail, by facsimile, by commercial or personal delivery, or by electronic filing in accordance with § 1201.14 of this chapter.