N.D. Cent. Code § 54-44.3-17

Whenever the provisions of any law, rule, order, or regulation of the United States or of any federal agency or authority providing or administering federal funds for use in North Dakota require civil service or merit standards or classifications other than those required by the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter, then the provisions of such law, rule, order, or regulation must prevail and must govern the employees affected thereby. The division shall provide those services necessary to comply with merit standards for federal grant-in-aid agencies.