Federal Register

Notices are published in the Federal Register (FR) to provide general information of public interest. They may announce meetings, provide information on grant applications or other information requiring public notice. If you have any questions on how to prepare a FR notice please contact Jacqueline Harris at (202)482-4011 or via email Jacqueline.Harris@mail.doc.gov. You may also click on the following link: http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/ooms29.htm to learn more about the process.

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. 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 .

Conversion to Commerce Business Systems (CBS)

As you may be aware, ITA’s Accounting System will be converted to the Department of Commerce’s (DOC), CBS financial system beginning October 1, 2007. Upon implementation, ITA financial activities will be serviced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), but will continue to receive input from the Department of State’s financial system. The ITA CBS Implementation team initiated an As-Is Analysis effort building upon and verifying the results of ITA’s 2004 Financial System Requirements definition documentation. Earlier this month, the team discussed and verified each of the process flows with ITA Program Managers and staff. The Implementation team is now preparing an overview of the CBS financial system to all ITA programs for their review and comment. As this is an on-going effort, periodic updates will be provided for your information. Questions should be directed to Richard Keller at (202)482-5598.

FY 2007 Appropriations

Congress has passed a second continuing resolution (CR) through Dec. 8 this may not be the last CR. Indications are that the current Congress intends to reconvene for two weeks in December to try and pass individual appropriation bills. A reminder to ITA program managers, for the duration of the continuing resolution(s) all procurements, including MOUs that would obligate ITA to $100,000 or more must be approved by the Resource Coordinator and the Budget Officer. Questions should be directed to the ITA Budget Officer, Michael House at (202)482-5739. On a related note: Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD) has been announced as the new Chairman of the Senate Appropriations - Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee when the new Congress convenes in January. The House of Representatives has not yet identified it's appropriation committee leadership positions.

FY 2008 OMB Passback

The final step in the development of the President's Fiscal Year 2008 budget is the review and comment of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) - called a "Passback". OMB passback is scheduled for Monday November 27th. Considering the brief window available to publish the FY 2008 President's Budget, the Commerce / ITA response to the Passback will be on a very fast track. OFM will be coordinating ITA's response. If you have any questions please call ITA Budget Officer, Michael House at (202)482-5739.

Traveler’s Corner

Question: When does a traveler’s per diem or actual expense entitlement start/stop?

Answer: A traveler’s per diem or actual expense entitlement starts on the day he/she departs from home, office or other authorized point and ends the day he/she returns to home, office or other authorized point. If you combine personal leave with official travel, you will not be entitled to per diem except during periods of official business travel. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where do I find …. Health Benefits Open Season

Open season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the Flexible Spending Accounts for Federal Employees (FSAFEDS), and the new Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will run currently from November 13, 2006, through December 11, 2006. For more information on the different programs, please contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327or visit the following websites: FEHBP -http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp, FSAFEDS - https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp, FEDVIP - http://www.opm.gov/insure/DentalVision/index.asp.

ITA Comings and Goings 09/17/06 – 10/29/06

Arrivals – WELCOME!

OUS – Natasha Simanich; ADMIN – Cindy Vialpando; MAS – Nicholas Sauer; US&FCS – Jose Burgos, Mark Cohen, Dominic Keating, Dorian Mazurkevich, Minna Moezie, Jennifer Ness, Sheree Stalling Cheung.

Departures

OUS – Curtis Oja; IA – Dunyako Ahmadu, Kimberly Hunt, Ryan Radford; MAS – Sarah Aker, Nicole Hinson; US&FCS – George Frank, Gene Harris, John Lancia, David Tumblin.