Responses to Secretary's Correspondence

Copies of signed responses for the Secretary's controlled correspondence are attached to the ITA Secretariat's correspondence tracking system (Web-CIMS). Hard copies of those responses are also forwarded to the appropriate Deputy Assistant Secretary offices by the Secretariat. For those who need copies of the responses and do not have access to Web-CIMS, contact your DAS office or ITA's Secretariat. The Secretariat can be reached at (202)482-5101 or by e-mail at ITASEC@ita.doc.gov.

New Acquisition Guidelines  

NOAA's Acquisition Management Division has issued the following guidelines.  Requests for contract action must be prepared as follows when you draft Statements of Work,  Evaluation Criteria, Specifications,  etc:

1.         Use Microsoft Word 

2.         Use Courier New 10 font ONLY.

3.         Do NOT include a Table of Contents with the document unless it is longer than 10 pages.

If you have questions, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email, Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

New Procurement Cut-Off Date

Because NOAA will close its financial books on September 28, all CD-435s for small purchases must be submitted to the Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS) by September 23, 2004. Requisitions not submitted by this date cannot be processed by NOAA.  If you have questions, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email, Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Use of Appropriated Funds for Business Cards

Employees whose duties require them to have regular contact with business persons or employees of other Federal agencies are authorized to use appropriated funds to purchase business cards.  The amount authorized has been raised from $20 to $60 per employee.  If you need additional information, please contact Nina Harris at (202)482-5436.

Leadership School

In response to the Training Needs Analysis, the Workforce Development Division of the Office of Human Resources Management, International Trade Administration will open a Leadership School. The Leadership School is designed to prepare new and rising supervisors, managers and executives; and those supervisors, managers and executives that need refresher training in how to lead and manage employees.  Competencies developed will include:

• Communications and Conflict Management
• Leadership, Motivation, and Relationship Management
• Performance Management
• Presentation Skills
• Human Resources Management for Supervisors
• Retention Skills
• Project Management
• Integrating Budget and Results
• Leading Change
• Systemic Leadership and Management.

Dates and locations will be announced as they become available.  For information contact Anesia Robinson at (202)482-1380.

Externalities have an impact on ITA performance measures.  During the first half of this fiscal year, some shortfalls appeared in planned and targets for certain trade promotion results.  Analysts believe this is attributable to external factors such as rising energy costs and a weaker dollar.  Uncertainties attributable to the war in Iraq and the on-going threat of terrorism may also be impacting these figures.  As global economic conditions improve, ITA should face stronger performance results.  ITA continued to exhibit strong performance in some measures:

• ITA's Advocacy Center reported a total of 20 advocacy successes worth $3.36 billion in U.S. export content.
• There were 3,455 new subscribers using BuyUSA.com e-services and this constitutes 66% of the annual target for new subscribers.

If you wish to learn more about ITA performance please contact Halina Malinowski on (202)482-4083.

Traveler's Corner

Question:   What should a Citibank travel cardholder do if he or she receives an email from Citibank (Citi) requesting confirmation of personal data?

Answer:  The Citibank travel cardholder should forward the email to spoof@citicorp.com .  Citibank is aware that there is a scam underway and is taking appropriate action.  Cardholders are reminded that Citibank will never request personal information via email.  If you have questions or concerns, call Sharon Russell, ITA Travel Card Coordinator, at (202)482-3267. 

Where Do I Find.... ITA OHRM Employees

A current listing of employees in the Office of Human Resources Management, including their functions and phone numbers, can be found at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/tele.html.  If you have questions contact Melanie Hazlett at (202)482-1027.

ITA Comings and Goings 05/10/04 - 06/14/04

Arrivals  - Welcome!

OUS - Myron Aldridge, Howard Levitas, Danita McCain, Tiffany Smith, Leah Turner; ADMIN - Antoinette Chance, Stanley Harley, Deborah Linder, Lloyd Parish, Maxine Woodland; IA - Roberto Facundas, Benjamin Kong, Saliha Loucif, Melchoir Shekila, Erol Yesin, Hallie Zink; MAC - Jeremiah Grossman, Richard Hutson, Maria Jordanoff, Anna Raffaele, Joshua Wu, Lee Zachos; TD - John Calfee, Alexis Haakensen, Constance Kopach, Clara Pratte, Jennifer Price, Katherine Sauer, Mary-Frances Stycznski; US&FCS - Haley Barbour Jr, Jodie Easley, Kristen Laughlin, Michael Margarucci II, Stephanie Matthews, Brian Miller, Eric Tomlinson Jr. 

Departures 

IA - Tinna Beldin, Amir Eftekhari; MAC - Andrea Curaca Malito;  TD - Emery Lewis;  US&FCS - Agnieszka Klim.