HVAC Services Beyond Normal Work Hours

Employees planning to work beyond normal work hours may request air conditioning to be provided to their work location during the desired hours.  To request this service, please prepare a CD 410, Work Request, list the room number(s), designated work hours, have it approved by someone with budget authority, and deliver the form to Judy Wilson in room 4001.  The CD 410 should be submitted as soon as you are aware of the need to work outside of normal duty hours and every effort will be made to accommodate requests that arrive no later than noon on the day prior to service.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Judith Wilson at (202)482-3265 or via e-mail at Judith_Wilson@doc.ita.gov.      

Freedom of Information Act

When you have been tasked with responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the first thing you should do is determine if you can get all of the responsive materials together and reviewed within the 20 working days allowed by the FOIA laws. If you believe you will need additional time, please contact Linda Bell, ITA's FOIA Officer, immediately. Linda will contact the requester and ask for an extension of the due date. FOIA requesters are usually cooperative and willing to grant us additional time if we contact them promptly after receiving the request. If you have questions about FOIA, call Linda at (202)482-3032 or e-mail her at Linda_Bell@ita.doc.gov

Purchase Card Update

Purchase cardholders are reminded that all purchases must adhere to Departmental and ITA procurement policy and regulations. The purchase card is a streamlined mechanism to purchase supplies and services in accordance with all applicable rules. For example, a cardholder cannot use the purchase card to pre-pay for supplies and services, avoid three purposes, use a sole source for goods and services exceeding the micro-threshold of $2,500 or purchase IT equipment without consulting the CIO. If you have questions contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov .

FY 2006 Budget

The FY 2006 Budget has been presented to the Secretary.   ITA's request for  $433M budget authority and the total increase request of  $40M enable ITA to help our business clients meet the challenges and demands in the international marketplace.  The Secretary's budget increase requests include:

·         Capital Security Cost Sharing Program (CSCSP)

·         Manufacturing Initiative

·         Standards Initiative

·         E-Travel  

If you have questions, please contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739. 

Telework Applications and Agreements

ITA employees who have received approval to telework are reminded that they should submit copies of approved Application and Agreement forms to the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM). This will enable OHRM to address program management issues, provide current information to the Department on program participation, and comply with survey requirements of the Office of Personnel Management. Copies of approved agreements should be forwarded to Darlene Haywood in room 7060. For more information about telework, you can review the policy at the OHRM website: http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/telework/. If you have questions about any aspect of the telework program, contact Darlene Haywood at (202)482-2850.

Verification and Validation of Performance Data

ITA staff are reminded that they are responsible for the integrity of all reported performance data. During this past year, both the Inspector General and independent auditors have reviewed and found discrepancies in performance data that has been collected and reported.  This issue is becoming increasingly critical because of the heightened emphasis that is being placed on performance results.  Individual ITA programs maintain systems that collect and report data to the ITA-wide performance management system, pb Views.  Examples of these systems include the US&FCS client management system (CMS) that collects data on export actions/transactions, the MAC Market Access and Compliance Database; and the Advocacy Center Database that collects and reports progress on Advocacy Cases.  ITA anticipates that there will be several circumstances where source data will be evaluated for its accuracy during the next year.  Therefore, individuals who collect and report data must be prepared to substantiate the source and the validity of their data upon request. Staff are advised to contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304 for guidance on the proper procedures for ensuring performance data integrity.

Lodging tax in foreign countries

The maximum lodging allowance for a foreign area, as shown in the US State Department's bulletin "Maximum Travel Per Diem Allowances for Foreign Areas", is INCLUSIVE of lodging taxes. When travel is to a foreign country, lodging taxes are NOT treated as a miscellaneous expense. Lodging taxes are to be shown as a cost of lodging, in the "lodging amount" space on the CD-370. If lodging taxes cause the total lodging cost to exceed the maximum allowed, actual lodging expenses must be authorized for the traveler to receive full reimbursement of lodging costs. If you have questions, please contact Roxanna Allen at (202)482-8363.

Traveler's Corner

Question:  As a traveler on official business, am I required to pay applicable lodging taxes? 

Answer:  Yes, you are required to pay applicable lodging taxes, unless exempted by the State of local jurisdiction.  If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.   

Where Do I Find....a DOC employee outside of ITA

You can find information on DOC employees from other parts of the Department on DOC's http://home.commerce.gov/ webiste. Click on "person finder" and then type in the person's name. If the person works in HCH Building, you can use your VoIP phone. Select "Corporate Directory" and then use your number pad to spell the name. (It's normally faster to type in just one or two letters from the first and last name.) And if you're an ITA employee you can use the WHITE PAGES on Ourplace.  If you have questions contact Hamilton Humes at (202)482-6123.

ITA Comings and Goings 03/05/04 - 05/17/04 

Arrivals - WELCOME!

OUS - Millicent Jones; ADMIN - Ruben Pedroza, Jr.; IA - Ashleigh Batton, Roxanne Galloway, Natalie Kempkey; MAC - Scott Seaman; US&FCS - Mark Bayuk, Geoffrey Bogart, Neil Callicoat, Sarah Fox, Jacquelyn Hayes Byrd, Kimberly Keller, Erin McBride, Gary Rand II, Stephen Recobs, Timothy Thompson, Jr.

Departures

OUS - Janet Clark, William Corley; ADMIN - Tami Brasfield; IA - Doug Campau, Patrick Connolly, Timothy Finn, Margarita Panayi; TD - Michael Beeman, Linda Conlin, Lisa Handy, Victoria Harrison, Sheela Pawar, Roy Unger; US&FCS - Andrea Donnally, James Hellwig, Ellen Moore, Robert Pata, Robert Welsh.