Department of Transportation (DOT) Transit Benefit Plaza Office Closure Notice

To meet Fiscal Year 2007 closing deadlines, the U.S. Department of Transportation Transit Benefit Office will be closed for receipt of transit benefits from Monday, September 17 through Friday, September 28. The office will reopen on Monday, October 1. No Metrocheks will be distributed during that time. The last day to receive Metrocheks in September will be Friday, September 14. SmartBenefit participants must download the September transit benefit no later than 11:59 pm, Friday, September 14. Electronic download for the remainder of the month will be suspended. The new Department of Transportation Headquarters address is: 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Room W12-190, Washington, D.C. 20590. The Metro Stop is the Navy Yard on the Green Line. If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Updating Organization Charts

Organization charts are an important source of information, and serve both the internal needs of ITA staff and the external needs of the public. Organization charts show how the organization is structured based upon its mission, and those individuals who serve in key positions. The Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS) ensures that when official changes to our organization occur, these changes are updated in our organization charts. It is important for ITA employees to understand that changes to organization charts are made only when an official action has been approved through proper channels. For instance, organization changes must be approved through amendments to ITA’s Department Organization Orders and Organization and Function Order. Likewise, updates to personnel holding key positions cannot be reflected in ITA’s organization charts until official personnel actions have been approved. For further information on organization changes, and updating organization charts, please contact Charles Jefferson at (202)482-6078 or charles.jefferson@mail.doc.gov .

FY 2008 Appropriations

The Congress, when it comes back from its August "District Work Period" after Labor Day, will need to complete action on remaining FY 2008 appropriations bills, including ITA's. In addition, the President has indicated that our bill, due to its current funding levels, will be vetoed. As a result it is a certainty that we will start off the year with a continuing resolution that will hold us to FY 2007 spending levels. What is unknown is how long the continuing resolution will last. Certainly it will be for much of the first quarter of FY 2008. We have had to operate under a continuing resolution during the first quarter for the last several years. As usual all spending will be closely monitored. Any spending that can be delayed, should be delayed until the appropriation is passed. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Doug Allis at (202)482-9151.

Tracking Agency Finances

The federal government captures key financial management indicators called the Metric Tracking System (MTS). This system tracks performance on indicators to help guide financial management reforms and targets resources to areas where better stewardship is needed. MTS is available online at www.fido.gov/mts. If you have questions please call Doug Allis at (202)482-9151.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Briefing

ITA’s Office of Human Resources Management will offer an employee briefing on the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) on September 11, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in room B841A. The following topics will be covered: Benefits of the TSP; Investment Options, including the Life Cycle Funds; Direct Rollovers into the TSP; Inter-fund Transfers; Contribution Allocations; Loan and Withdrawal Programs; Spousal Rights; Death Benefits; and Future Changes. This no-cost briefing will be presented by a representative of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Space is limited and it will be filled on a first come basis. To sign up for the briefing, please send an email to Anesia.Robinson@mail.doc.gov or you can call her at (202)482-1380.

Traveler’s Corner

Question: Can a traveler be reimbursed for collision damage waiver (cdw) or theft insurance when renting a vehicle while on official travel within CONUS?

Answer: Because the government is self insured, a traveler will not be reimbursed for collision damage waiver (CDW) or theft insurance for travel within CONUS. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find... Information on Court Leave?

An employee is entitled to paid time off without charge to leave for service as a juror or witness. However, if there is no jury/witness service, there is no court leave. In that situation, an employee would be charged annual leave, sick leave or leave without pay, as appropriate. In the case of court leave for witness service, it must be in a judicial proceeding in which the Federal, State, or local government is a party to the proceeding. To learn more about court leave, go to the Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/courtlv.htm. If you have any questions about court leave, please contact Naomi Sanchez on 202-482-0654 or via email at Naomi.Sanchez@mail.doc.gov.