Cardholder Retention of Purchase Card Statements

This is a reminder for existing and new cardholders that DoC policy outlined in the Commerce Acquisition Manual (CAM) requires cardholders to retain copies of all sales slips, shipping receipts and transaction documentation along with the purchase card ordering log and statement for 6.3 years after the end of the Fiscal Year in which the transaction occurred.  Originals of all such documents must be submitted to NBC with the certified statement each month.  For additional information on purchase card use please contact Robin Carpenter, Agency Program Coordinator at (202)482-4989 or via email at Robin.Carpenter@mail.doc.gov .

BIS Speaker Series

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) cordially invites ITA employees to participate in the BIS Speaker Series, which offers Commerce employees the opportunity to interact with key public and private sector leaders.

Speaker: Dr. William Jeffrey

Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Topic:    New trends in technology, a key ingredient to America's competitiveness and an issue of great importance to the Department.

Date:  Thursday, June 15, 2006

Time:  2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: Commerce Auditorium

As Director of NIST, Dr. Jeffrey oversees an array of programs that promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life.  Previous to his appointment to NIST, he served as Senior Director for Homeland and National Security and the Assistant Director for Space and Aeronautics at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) within the Executive Office of the President. Earlier, he was the Deputy Director for the Advanced Technology Office and Chief Scientist for the Tactical Technology Office with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  Dr. Jeffrey received his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University and his B.Sc. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  For additional information, please contact the program coordinators: Ms. Toni Jackson (202)482-4834,  LJackson@bis.doc.gov or Ms. Susan Silver Farley (202)482-5944, SSilver@bis.doc.gov

Audits

Annual on-site audits are currently taking place in London, United Kingdom and Atlanta, Georgia. Each year the independent auditors perform financial audits in one domestic, one foreign and one HCHB location. The HCHB location has not yet been identified. The focus of the audit is on financial record keeping and the following of proper financial management rules and procedures. If you have questions about these audits or any issues about accounting in general please call Roxanna Allen at (202)482-8363.

ITA Diversity – Today's Global Reality

Did You Know that ITA has nearly an even balance in the male and female population? 
Did You Know that ITA has almost 700 Trade Specialists, the most populated series within ITA? 
Did you know that within ITA, Hispanics account for only 4.1% of ITA’s workforce? 
For more information regarding ITA's diversity profile, visit the ITA Diversity Profile Web page at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/Diversity/index.html.  Of particular interest is the ITA Diversity Comparison with the Civilian Labor Force, which is the last item under the Diversity Profile.  It compares ITA’s Diversity Profile with both that of the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Civilian Labor Force.  If you have any questions, please contact Ruben Pedroza at (202)482-3072 or via email at Rubern_Pedroza@ita.doc.gov.                             

Traveler's Corner

Question: What should an ITA traveler do with an unused airline or train ticket?

Answer:  The traveler should return the unused ticket to SATO who will contact the airline or train carrier directly. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find…..  International Trade Administration's (ITA) Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Policy Statement?

The document, which is signed by Under Secretary for International Trade, Franklin L. Lavin, can be found by going to the Office of Human Resources Management website at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/  and clicking on EEO & Diversity Policy Statement in the middle of the page.  This is an important document that every ITA employee should be familiar with the contents.  The statement says in part that:  It is important that we continue to foster a culture of inclusion and respect at ITA, and promote a culture that embraces diversity and allows each and every employee to succeed up to his or her full potential.  For more information on the EEO & Diversity Policy Statement, please contact Ruben Pedroza at (202)482-3072 or via email at Ruben_Pedroza@ita.doc.gov.

ITA Comings and Goings 04/28/06 – 05/30/06

Arrivals –WELCOME!

CIO – Stanley Houston, Tiffany Smith;  MAS – Matthew Braud, Robin Layton, Stefan Osborne;  TP & USFCS – Thomas Brennan, Laura Gimenez, Hannah Kamenetsky, Jane Kitson and Colleen Litkenhaus.  

Departures

OUS – Stephanie Seega Melrose;  ADMIN – Tarik Pierce;  IA – Candice Kenney Weck, John Larose, Sochieta Moth;  MAC – David Bisbee, Ann Marie Campbell, Martin Koran, Penelope Naas, David Roth;  MAS – Margaret Donnelly, Cheryl Hurd, Danielle Kriz;  TP & USFCS – Daniel Bjerk, John Estes, David Farley, Elizabeth Hanny, Samuel Kidder, Raymond Mosley, and Mathew Woodlee.