In this Issue

Features

Traveler's Corner
Where Do I Find?
Comings and Goings

HCHB VoIP Telephones

Requests to move, cancel, set up, or re-program any phones, faxes, ISDN lines or secure telephones in HCHB, must be made through TelephoneServices@ita.doc.gov. Initially, users could move phones themselves, but because of network security the Department has turned off all inactive telephone 'ports' and a technician must now make almost all changes. Additional information about the telephone system can be found at http://home.osec.doc.gov/wiring/hchb1.html. For further information, call Jeff Scherr at 202-482-3266.

ITA Speakers' Series

The Speakers' Series invites ITA employees to discuss current ITA issues. The series is designed to meet monthly and informally for an hour. Mark your calendar and join us on the following date:

Date and Time: Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 4830
Speaker: Tim Thompson, Executive Director of Global Trade Programs
Topic: Global Trade Programs: Assisting Small and Medium Sized Businesses

Come and meet Tim Thompson, and hear how we can all assist small and medium sized businesses reach potential international customers. Tim will provide information on the recent reorganization of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service and will provide an overview of Commercial Service products and services offered to U.S. businesses to help them get export-ready! If you have questions contact, Rosemary Pappas at 202-482-0482.

Nursing Mothers' Room Now Open

The HCHB Nursing Mothers' Facility has just opened in Room 6029B. There is also a sink and wash area exclusively for nursing mothers in the women's restroom directly across from 6029B. To use the facility, mothers must sign in at the Health Unit at Room 6046. Mothers will sign for a key to the facility and be given an informational packet. If you want additional information, contact Hamilton Humes at 202-482-6123.

FY 2006 House Appropriation Hearings

The Secretary was well prepared for the FY 2006 House Appropriations hearings on March 2, 2005. We appreciate the time and effort put into developing questions and preparing responses to issues that arose during the hearing. If you have questions, contact Amy Duncan at 202-482-5739.

Creating a Link in the Cable System

Under the new budget cable processing system, ITA staff are required to submit all budget cables to the incoming cable mailbox at ACCTCableApproval@mail.doc.gov. Follow the steps below to create an email link for all budget cables submitted to the this mailbox.

In the Cable Generation System (within Lotus Notes), type your cable.
Click on the CREATE tab on the drop down menu bar.
Click on the MAIL tab on the next drop down menu bar.
Click on the SPECIAL tab on the drop down menu bar.
Click on the LINK MESSAGE tab on the drop down menu bar.
A blank email will appear with an icon representing the link to your cable.
Simply type the address to the incoming cable mailbox and hit the send button.

If you have questions, contact Crystal Bush 202-482-8365.

Bronze/Memorial Awards Ceremony

The ITA Annual Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 11:00am in the HCHB auditorium. At this time, recognition will be given and winners announced for the ITA Bronze Medal and Memorial Awards. Detailed information for preparing nominations for these awards was issued in an ITA announcement dated February 17, 2005. Please refer to the following web address for more information: http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/ITAMemNomProc.pdf. The deadline for submission to ITA Unit Committee Chairpersons is April 8, 2005. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Charlene Gantt at 202-482-2536.

New Requirement for Using the Standard Form (SF) 182

Effective immediately, all training must be recorded on the Standard Form (SF-182). The Department has mandated this change in order that training data can be reported annually to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This requirement applies to all training whether it has a direct cost associated with it or not. For questions on completing the SF-182, contact the Strategic Workforce Management Group (SWMG) at 202-482-3947.

Traveler's Corner

Question: Can I be reimbursed for the administrative or connection fee charged by some hotels when using the government-issued MCI calling card for long distance calls while on official travel?

Answer: The administrative or connection fee charged by some hotels when using the government-issued MCI calling card is reimbursable and can be claimed on the travel voucher. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at 202-482-3267.

Where Do I Find....Instructional information about Commerce's newly implemented automated hiring system, ACES (Automated Commerce Employment System)?

OHRM has consolidated information in one place on the ITA OHRM web site. Employees and applicants can choose from a menu of guides through links, the information they need to assist them to become familiar with ACES. Authorized hiring officials will be able to familiarize themselves with information they need to help them review applications and make selections. Employees and applicants can utilize a guide that will prompt them through various screens so that they can become familiar with the application process, as it will actually appear when they apply. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide that will answer many questions regarding ACES. For anyone having technical issues with ACES, this web site provides contact information for the ACES (QuickHire) desk. Through the ITA OHRM ACES web page, employees and applicants can also be redirected directly to view all ITA vacancies, and apply if they desire. This is the link: http://ita.doc.gov/jobs/. If you have additional questions, contact Ruben Pedroza on 202-482-3072.

ITA Comings and Goings 01/24/04 - 03/06/05

Arrivals - WELCOME!
IA - Devta Ohri; MAC - Paul Corson, Jenny May; MAS - Israly Echegaray, Saul Japson; US&FCS - Linda Bustillos, Thomas Goolsby, Alexis McKenzie, Jessica Sanderson.
Departures
OUS - Mary Brown Brewer; MAC - Shelly Barnes, Alisa Dicaprio; MAS - John Calfee, Paul Hedge; US&FCS - Sharon Mann, Moya McCaskill, Andrew Rahaman, Eric Sletten: OCIO - Sharon Barrus.