ADMINISTRIVIAL PURSUITS

In this Issue

MCI Net Conferencing Demo
Through the Maze Updates
New Cable Process
Appropriation Hearings
Long Term Care

Features

Procurement Purchase Corner
Where Do I Find?

MCI Offers Free Net Conferencing Demonstrations

MCI offers free daily Net Conferencing demonstrations at 10:30am and 2:30pm ET. Net Conferencing combines a telephone conference call with online presentations and interaction. It allows you to securely conduct meetings, demonstrations, presentations, and trainings right from your computer. All you need is a phone, an Internet connection and a Web browser. Several ITA offices currently use this service and have experienced excellent results. To join a demonstration: Go to the following website: =WebEx+Training&type=TR&day=MF&img=WX. Please dial 1(888)382-8536 (passcode is WEBEX) for the audio portion. If you are ready to get started with Net Conferencing, please contact Sandra Atherholt at (703)749-7127 or sandra.atherholt@mci.com . For additional information, please contact Jeff Scherr at (202)482-3266 or Jeffrey_Scherr@ita.doc.gov

Through the Maze Updates

There have been a number of updates to the Through the Maze manual since the beginning of FY 05. REVISIONS include
OFM 05, How to Prepare a CD-464 - To Request Use of the Hospitality Fund or Gift and Bequest Fund,
OOMS 05, How to Prepare a Domestic Travel Order
OOMS 06, How to Prepare an International Travel Order
OOMS 14, How to Prepare a Citibank Travel Card Application
OOMS 21, How to Order CD Forms, Office of Secretary Stationery /Envelopes; and SF Forms
ADDITIONS include OFM 12, How to Prepare and Obtain Clearance for ITA Agreements, has been added to the manual. DELETIONS: OHRM 13, Confidential Disclosure Reports as well as OHRM-2, How to Request a Promotion Based on an Accretion of Duties have been rescinded. Through the Maze is available at http:// www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/mazecover.htm. Bookmark this site for future reference on how to complete administrative tasks. If you need more information regarding updated instructions, contact Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3757.

New Cable Process

The ITA cable process has been transferred from ITA Budget to ITA Accounting. Funding cables are required to be routed electronically from program units to the Account Cable Approval Box at ACCTCableApproval@mail.doc.gov . The electronic funding cable will be the official record of the financial transaction. It is the cable issuer's responsibility to ensure that all approvals are obtained prior to forwarding the electronic cable to Crystal Bush. Crystal will validate the accounting codes, release the record to be sent to the State Department and transmit the cable to be recorded in the accounting system (FFS). If you have questions, Crystal can be contacted at (202)482-8365 or Crystal_Bush@ita.doc.gov

Appropriation Hearings

The Office of Financial Management has been working closely with the program units to develop Questions and Answers (Q&As) for the Appropriation Hearings on the FY2006 President's Budget (http://www.ita.doc.gov/ofm_guidance/FY2006PresidentsBudget.pdf) submitted earlier this month. The House Appropriations Committee hearing with Secretary Gutierrez will be held on March 2. We'd like to thank the program units for their assistance with this process, particularly with the short turn around time. If you have questions, please contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.

Long Term Care

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program provides long term care insurance to help pay for costs of care when you need help with activities you perform every day, or you have a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease. OPM contracted with John Hancock and MetLife to provide this insurance. They formed a company called Long Term Care Partners, LLC to administer the Program. The Long Term Care Partners web site contains extensive information on the Program, on line and downloadable applications, and a calculator that you can use to find out how much the insurance will cost based on your age and the benefits you choose. Literature and help are just a phone call away at: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time 1(800)582-3337, and TTY: 1(800)843-3557. The Long Term Care web site is: www.opm.gov/insure/ltc. If you have questions about other benefits programs, please call either Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327 or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504.

Procurement Purchase Corner

Question: How do I Certify a Citibank Purchase Card Statement?

Answer: The Cardholder must: (a) Review all transactions for accuracy. (b) Report accountable property to the servicing property office, DOI/NBC, Judy Lombardi at (303)969-7780 x2535. (c Describe each item listed on the purchase card log. (d) Attach any mandatory approvals to the statement. (e) Indicate the accounting code for each transaction on the purchase card log. (f) Attach sales slips, or shipping receipts to the statement for EACH transaction. (g) Attach the purchase card log. (h) Certify the statement by signing it. (i) Forward the statement and all supporting documentation to the Approving Official within 5 workdays after receipt. (j) Upon signature by the Approving Official, retain copies of the statement and supporting documentation for your files. (k) 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). If you have questions contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Where Do I Find....The FY 2006 President's Budget?

The FY 2006 President's Budget can be found at:
FY2006PresidentsBudget.pdf. If you have questions, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.