In this Issue

Features

ITA Comings & Goings
Traveler's Corner
Where Do I find

Year-End Accruals Instructions For Cardholders

All purchase cardholders must check their online statements on October 1 to make sure that all credit card purchases are correctly posted by Citibank, and must accrue any purchases over $1,000.000 that are not posted. Any purchases not posted to your account as of September 30, will be paid with FY2005 funds unless you submit an accrual form. Cardholders must submit a Year End Accrual Form, which must be at NBC by October 4th. Please include Cardholder Name and last 4 digits of Credit Card number on the Year End Accrual Form. If you have questions, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email at Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - Using the (b)(4) Exemption

The (b)(4) FOIA exemption can be used to withhold from disclosure trade secrets and information that is (a) commercial or financial, (b) obtained from a person and (c) privileged or confidential. This exemption applies only to information submitted from outside the government. Whenever this exemption is claimed, a "submitter notification letter" must be sent to the firm that provided the document in question, i.e., the document being withheld (or redacted) under (b)(4). If you need additional information or a sample of a submitter notification letter, please contact Linda_Bell@ita.doc.gov or call Linda at (202)482-3032.

New Automated Hiring System - QuickHire

ITA's Office of Human Resources Management is currently scheduled to implement use of QuickHire on October 27, 2004. QuickHire will replace COOL as the Department's automated hiring system. Employees will need to post resumes in QuickHire in order to apply for positions after that date. Resumes can be cut and pasted from Word or WordPerfect. A nice feature of QuickHire for employees is the ability to establish a profile to receive automatic email notification of vacancies that match their career interests. Stay tuned for additional information in the next HR newsletter! If you have any questions, please contact Allison Hopkins at (202)482-5130 or Rita Clinton at (202)482-2501.

FY 2006 Budget

ITA submitted the FY 2006 OMB Budget Submission to the Department on September 13, 2004. The budget office appreciates the feedback and assistance of all those providing input and the budget staff for their hard work during this budget cycle. If you have questions, please contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

Performance Data

ITA staff are reminded that they are responsible for the integrity of all reported performance data. During this past fiscal year, both the Inspector General and independent auditors have reviewed and found discrepancies in collected and reported performance data. This issue has become increasingly critical because of the heightened emphasis that is being placed on performance results. ITA will initiate a performance validation and verification review program in September and will continue the program through the FY 2005 fiscal year. It is advisable that individuals who collect and report data are prepared to substantiate the source and the validity of this data. Staff should contact Ed Meyer for guidance on the proper procedures for ensuring performance data integrity. Ed can be reached at (202)482-3304.

ITA Comings and Goings 07/20/04 - 09/07/04

Arrivals - WELCOME!
OUS - Robert Donovan; ADMIN - Erica Carson-Brown; IA - Yasmin Bordas, Kathleen Bouquard, Maryanne Burke, Nicholas Czajkowski, Lisa Dumouchel, Andrew Hopkins, Kimberly Hunt, Candace Kenney-Weck, Kristin Najdi, David Neubacher, Coleen Schoch; MAC - Edward Brzytwa, Holly Files; MAS - Albert Frink, Cheryl Hurd; US&FCS - Amanda Alexander, Jeanine Biocic, Shannon Healey, Rochelle Kleter, Michelle Park, Duaine Priestley, Alicyn Siano, Terez Wood.

Departures
MAC - Timothy Wineland; MAS - Ernest Plock, Monisha Primlani; US&FCS - Brian Bauman, Jodie Easley, Jennifer Gasparich, Judith Henderson, Patrick Hughes, Belinda McCorkle.

Traveler's Corner

Question: What standard of care must a traveler use in incurring travel expenses while on official government travel?

Answer: A traveler must exercise the same care in incurring expenses while on official government travel that he/she would use if traveling on personal business. Be certain to incur expenses only for those items authorized on the travel order. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find....Effects of Nonpay Status on Service Dates?
You can find information about how nonpay status, (i.e., LWOP, AWOL) will effect your services dates at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/nopayscd.html. For more information, please contact Pam King at (202)482-1751.