5 CFR §1201.58

1. (a)In cases in which the agency has taken an action against an employee, the agency will present its case first.
2. (b)The appellant will proceed first at hearings convened on the issues of:
   1. (1)Jurisdiction;
   2. (2)Timeliness; or
   3. (3)Office of Personnel Management disallowance of retirement benefits, when the appellant applied for those benefits.
3. (c)The judge may vary the normal order of presenting evidence.