Metrocheks

Metrocheks will be distributed to participating employees in Room B841B on June 27-29, 2006 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.  Please note that on June 29, 2006, the Department of Transportation (DOT) representatives will be at HCHB from 8:30 to 11:00 am only.  Employees are reminded to be sure to check that the Metrocheks given to them by the DOT representative is correct before departing the distribution site.  Those employees who are unable to pickup their Metrocheks during the designated times can go to the Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters, located at 400 7th Street, SW.  Take the Metrorail to L’Enfant Plaza, exiting at 7th and D.  The Metrocheks pickup window is located on the Plaza Level, Southwest corner of DOT in Room 206.  The office hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with full coverage during lunch hours.  If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Cut-off date for Submitting CD-410 Work Requests

The Department has announced that the deadline for submitting FY 2006-funded CD-410 Work Requests for major renovations, painting, etc. is July 14, 2006.  Any CD-410s received after this date will be logged into the tracking system after October 2, 2006 and charged to FY 2007 appropriations.  To ensure your CD-410 is processed promptly, please submit it to the Office of Organization and Management Support in advance of this date.  CD-410s for minor electrical work, safety hazards, and other minor issues can still be submitted after this deadline.  If you have questions, please contact Hamilton Humes at (202)482-6123 or by email at Hamilton.Humes@mail.doc.gov .

ITA Strategic Plan “Placemat”

Over the past year, ITA has had a crosscutting work group composed of managers and staff from all ITA programs to identify the long-term strategic direction for the organization. Under Secretary Lavin identified and set ITA's FY 2006 priorities through his Annual Priorities.  The ITA Strategic Plan “Placemat” was designed to depict ITA's Long Term Goals, Objectives, and Measures as well as the priorities set by the Under Secretary in a single simple graphic depiction. Sometimes a simple picture is worth a thousand words! Many staff in ITA have seen this “placemat” and have requested copies of it. Please find attached to this article a link to the ITA Strategic Plan “Placemat”. This document, at present, is the most accurate and up-to-date depiction of both ITA's annual and long term strategic direction. Click the following link: ITA Placemat to obtain a PDF version of the ITA Strategic Plan “Placemat”.  For further information on ITA's Strategic direction or ITA's planning and performance management efforts, contact Ed Meyer via e-mail or at (202)482-3304.

Employee Personal Page

Employees, who currently receive their Earnings and Leave (E&L) Statement in the mail, can receive it through the National Finance Center (NFC), Employee Personal Page (EPP).  To access this information, visit the NFC home page on the Internet at file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/nina%20harris/Local%20Settings/Temp/notesF92192/www.nfc.usda.gov and select "My EPP" and click on "Preferences"; then select E&L Paperless Option.  Employees can start or stop receiving a mailed E&L Statement again at any time by selecting "Paperless E&L Option" from the 'Preferences" menu.  Request a PIN by visiting the above site and selecting by "MY EPP" and the NFC will mail the PIN within 7 to 10 business days.  For additional info about the EPP, please contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327 or via email at mailto:Vanessa_Lewis@ita.doc.gov or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504 or via email at mailto:Dorothy_Bowling@ita.doc.gov.

Leave Administration – Accrual and Use of Annual and Sick Leave

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has valuable information on its website on the accrual and use of both annual and sick leave.  Annual leave may be used “…for vacations, rest and relaxation, and personal business or emergencies.”  The accrual rate of annual leave is based on years of service.  When employees first enter Federal government employment, they earn 4 hours per pay period if full-time.  That amount increases after three years of service and again at 15 years of service.  To learn more about annual leave go to http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/HTML/ANNUAL.asp.   Sick leave is earned by full-time Federal employees at the rate of 4 hours per pay period regardless of total years of service.  Sick leave may be used “…for personal medical needs; care of a family member; care of a family member with a serious health condition; and/or adoption-related purposes.  To learn additional information about sick leave, go to http://www.opm.gov./oca/leave/HTML/sicklv.htm.  If you have additional questions about accrual and use of annual and sick leave, please contact Lorese Green at (202)482-5232 or via email at mailto:Lorese_Green@ita.doc.gov or Carmen Montgomery at (202)482-3620 or via email at mailto:Carmen_Montgomery@ita.doc.gov.

Procurement Corner

Question: How do I Certify a Citibank Statement?

Answer: The Cardholder must:

a) Review all transactions for accuracy. Report accountable property to the servicing property office, DOI/NBC, Judy Lombardi at (303)969-7780 x2535.

(b) Describe each item listed on the purchase card log.

(c) Attach any mandatory approvals to the statement.

(d) Indicate the object class and accounting code for each transaction on the purchase card log. Attach sales slips, or shipping receipts to the statement for EACH transaction.

(e) Attach the purchase card log.

(f) Certify the statement by signing it.

(g) Forward the statement and all supporting documentation to the Approving Official within 5 workdays after receipt.

(h) Upon approval by the Approving Official, retain copies of the statement and supporting documentation for your files.

(i) Once the Approving Official has signed the statement, forward the original statement and all supporting documentation (purchase card log, receipts, etc.) to the following:

Gerri Richie

Products and Services

Mail Stop D-2761

7301 W Mansfield Ave.

Denver, CO 80235-2230

(303)969-7780 x2998(voice) or (303)969-7075 (fax)

Where Do I Find…..   How to Prepare Correspondence, Use WebCIMS and Other Useful ITA Secretariat Functions?

All of the above information and more can be found at the following link: http://www.ita.doc.gov/ITA_sec/ .  This site contains a wealth of information to assist users in preparing drafts for controlled correspondence.  The Correspondence Formats section contains draft samples for the signature of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary, as well as standard language used for cover memos.  There is also a section for Models of Address and Salutations, WebCIMS Users’ Information, Frequently Asked Questions and other Useful Links. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact the ITA Secretariat staff at (202)482-5101 or via email at ITASEC@ita.doc.gov.