Thursday, June 27, 2002

The Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS) maintains the ITA Work Reference Chart on the CFO website. The chart is available at http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/itawrc.htm . This chart depicts each program unit in ITA and provides directory information for each office. Please contact Glenitta Chase via e-mail when a change occurs (staff change, room, telephone, or fax numbers). If you have additional questions about the ITA Work Reference Chart, contact Glenitta at (202)482-3757.

Procurement Cut-off Dates

Normally, our Procurement Office at NOAA works to process every requirement at the end of the Fiscal Year no matter how late it is submitted. NOAA procurement has been reorganized and has implemented a new procurement system, resulting in lengthened processing times. They have asked that we remind you of the procurement cut-off dates for FY 2002. All contracts on GSA Schedule must be sent to NOAA no later than July 15. Simplified Acquisitions must reach NOAA as follows:

$25,000 - $100,000 July 5

$10,000 - $25,000 August 16

$2500 - $9,999 August 30

We recommend that, whenever possible, you use the purchase card. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989.

Air Conditioning Beyond Normal Work Hours

Air conditioning in HCHB generally begins about 6:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are scheduled to work after 5:00 p.m. or over a weekend, you need to request overtime air conditioning. Please submit a CD 410, at least three days in advance, to Judith Wilson in the Office of Organization and Management Support, room 4001. Please indicate the specific room(s), time(s), and date(s) the air conditioning is needed. Include your office appropriation code, and have the form signed by an authorized official within your office. The Department’s Building Management Division calculates the estimate of cost on a case-by-case basis. The estimates are generally available in advance to clients who submit the CD 410 three days before they need air conditioning. If you need additional information, contact Judith Wilson via e-mail or (202)482-3265.

Serving Alcoholic Beverages

Serving Alcoholic Beverages Federal Property Regulations require that ITA's Chief Financial Officer formally approve, in advance, alcoholic beverages at an event in a Federal building (e.g. HCHB). If you are planning any event at which you plan to serve alcohol, make sure to submit to Linda Cheatham's office a "Request for use of Alcoholic Beverages on Department of Commerce Property" form at least 3 days in advance. Please call Kathaleen Thompson at (202)482-5855 for a copy of the form and with any questions.

Year-end Closing and Accruals Training

The Year-end Closing and Accruals training will be held on July 16-18, 2002. The time of the sessions will be 9:00am to 12 noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm. One training session will be reserved for each operating unit in ITA (MAC, TD, IA, CS, Admin and CIO). A schedule is being developed for the training by OFM. For more information, contact Roxanne Allen at (202)482-8363.

Acting Human Resources Manager

Vicki Brooks has been detailed to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA is charged with the very important and critical mission of developing a secure air travel system. Vicki will be involved in performing high-level human resources functions to help implement TSA’s important mission. Darlene Haywood has been designated to serve as Acting Human Resources Manager for the duration of Vicki’s detail. Darlene may be reached at (202)482-3505.

FY 2003 Budget

Markup of the Appropriations Bills continues to be delayed, although work has begun in the House. For more information, contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2004 Budget

ITA's submission is being reviewed by the Department. We expect to receive a passback from the Department in early to mid August. For more information, contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

Traveler's Corner

Question: What will a traveler be reimbursed if he/she parks a privately-owned vehicle at a common carrier terminal while on official travel?

Answer: The traveler will be reimbursed the parking fee which is not to exceed the cost of a taxi fare to/from the terminal. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find....

Information about a highly effective program that is a source of quality graduate students who are interested in Federal service candidates for Federal service? The Office of Personnel Management's Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program was designed to "attract to the Federal service outstanding individuals from a wide variety of academic disciplines who have an interest in, and commitment to, a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs." Information about the PMI Program can be found at the PMI web site at http://www.pmi.opm.gov/. The PMI provides a continuing source of trained employees to meet the future challenges of public service. If you have questions contact Tina James at (202)482-0653.

ITA Yardstick

Implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires fundamental changes in the management of federal programs. The Center for Improving Government Performance offers publications, discussion forums, symposiums and workshops, and maintains the GPRA Knowledge Center. This online "center" was created to assist Executive Branch employees and management to understand and implement performance related initiatives. Several of these initiatives are critical to changing the way we do business in the government. For additional information on this Center and other NAPA events, click on: www.performance.napawash.org/pc_government_performance/center. For additional information on performance improvement, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.