Travel Cards vs. Purchase Cards

Please remember that Travel and Purchase cards are separate programs.  The Citibank travel card is used for travel related expenses only. The Purchase card is only used for purchases.  Travel cards may not be used for official procurements, and purchase cards may not be used for travel expenses.  Please remember that any personal or family member use of either card is forbidden.  If you have questions regarding the travel card use, please contact Sharon Russell at (202) 482-3267 and if you have questions regarding the purchase card use please contact Robin Carpenter at (202-482-4989). For additional information on the use of the travel card, you can access the following website address: http://www.osec.doc.gov/oas/travel/ and for the purchase card: http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/docs/CAM_1313.301.pdf .

ITA Guidance

The ITA Policies, Guidance and Procedures website is a tool for ITA employees to use in their daily work. It provides valuable administrative, policy and procedural guidance in such areas as the preparation of correspondence, records management, and many other subjects.  The website is  useful to employees seeking information about such topics as transit benefits, travel and training.  You may access this website at http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/Guidance.htm.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Charles Jefferson via email at charles.jefferson@mail.doc.gov, or call (202)482-6078.

FY 2006 Budget

The Senate & House have passed the FY 2006 budget bill for Commerce which includes an across-the-board 0.28% rescission. It is currently with the President for signature. More information will be made available once the President approves. Questions should be directed to Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

ITA's Two Year Appropriation

When Congress passed the FY 2006 budget for ITA (it's with the President now for signature) it changed ITA's funding from No-Year (the funds are available year after year) to Two-Year (the funds are only available to ITA for two years).  This change will require substantial adjustments to our accounting processes and some changes to our management processes. Some of these management changes are listed below.

• Obligating documents will need to reference the exact year that the funds relate to
• Funding for Reimbursable projects will be determined on a case by case basis
• ITA will have limited access to recoveries in prior years
• Need for intensive training program on operating under new appropriation structure

You are encouraged to watch this space for guidelines on operating under a two-year appropriation.  For additional information, please contact Leslie Hyland at (202)482-5434.

CFC Update

To date, ITA employees have donated a total of $44,515 to the National Capital Area CFC Campaign. This is 20% of our goal of $222,950. These collections are the results of employee gifts from 84 employees, or 7% of the ITA employees in the National Capital Area. Please give as much as you can, remember that these contributions help relieve suffering and improve people's lives in direct proportion to the amount you give.  For additional information contact Doug Allis at (202)482-5985.

DOC FY 2005 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR)

On November 15, 2005, the Department published the FY 2005 Performance and Accountability Report to the Department's web site. Congress mandates these documents by statute, under the Government Performance and Results Act. The annual Performance and Accountability Report describes the results and performance achieved by DOC Bureaus during the previous Fiscal Year (FY 2005) and provides detailed information about key areas of program performance. An electronic copy of the PAR is available from the DOC website at www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/FY05PAR.htm.  For more information on ITA's portion of the Department's PAR or regarding ITA's planning and performance management program, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.

Office of Human Resources Management Contacts

Have you ever wondered if you have completed all required benefits forms?  Do you know who to contact about filling a vacancy?  Who do you contact when you have a question about your pay or leave?  Who do you contact if you are interested in taking a training course?  Do you know who to contact to obtain information about the procedures for resigning or transferring to another job?  If you have questions related to employment matters, you can easily find the appropriate person to contact by going to the ITA/OHRM website at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/tele.htm. There are functional staff charts that list names of HR staff, their phone numbers, email addresses and assigned areas of responsibility.  Please contact the appropriate HR staff member, or their backup, when there is a need for HR services.   ITA/OHRM 's commitment to its customers is backed by an ITA/OHRM approach called C3Q:  Cooperation - Collaboration - Communication with an overall focus on sustained Quality service.  If you have any questions about the information on this website, please contact Ruben Pedroza at (202)482-3072 or via email at Ruben_Pedroza@ita.doc.gov.

Notification of the Operating Status of the Federal Government in Washington, DC

OPM has established an electronic mailing list system that employees can subscribe to at no cost.  Employees who do sign up will be notified when there is a change in the operating status of the Federal government in Washington, DC.  Once signed up, subscribers will be notified at the email address specified regarding the latest changes in operating status.  Employees can sign up to be notified at either their work email address or personal email address.  Go to https://www.opm.gov/status/subscribe.aspx to sign up for this OPM service.  If you have questions contact Doug Allis at (202)482-5985.

Traveler's Corner

Question:  Is the $7.95 service fee charged by Citibank for the use of their "SpeedPay" service a reimbursable expense that can be claimed by the traveler on the travel voucher.

Answer: The $7.95 service fee charged by Citibank may not be claimed on the travel voucher.  If you have questions, call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267 or your travel contact.

Where Do I Find.... AT&T Calling Card Application?

The AT&T Calling Card Application, ITA 2062, is located on OurPlace, on the Adobe Acrobat E-Forms website.  As announced August 4th, all MCI Calling Cards have been cancelled.  If you do not have a calling card but require one, please submit this form to Jeff Scherr in Room 4001, or by fax to (202)482-1584.  If you have questions, please contact Jeff Scherr at (202)482-3266 or by email at Jeffrey.Scherr@mail.doc.gov.