MEMORANDUM TO : ALL ITA EMPLOYEES
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 2004

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION

This memorandum establishes ITA policy and procedures for the management of Government property transferred outside the Department.

Use of Government Property

Background:

Government equipment may be released for use at an employee’s home only in those instances where a supervisor certifies that the use of the equipment at an employee’s home is necessary to complete essential work for a specified period of time.  The employee should be assigned the least costly equipment that will allow the employee to perform his or her job effectively.

 Government property is purchased for use in the conduct of official Government business.  As is the case with all government property, computers and software may be used for limited personal purposes, providing they do not interfere with the completion of the employee’s responsibilities.  This policy applies as well to computers which may have become excess to an office’s needs after being replaced by upgraded equipment.  Computers may be authorized for temporary use outside the Department for official business under certain circumstances.

 Who is Responsible:

Each employee who uses or supervises the use of Government property is responsible for the proper care and use of the property at or away from the office.  The employee and supervisor must complete the attached form before equipment (e.g., a laptop or desktop computer) may be released to an employee for use at home.  The agreement ensures that the property will be used only for official Government business in connection with the employee’s position and not for personal use, and that there is no violation of software license agreements.  It also explains the employee’s responsibility for ensuring the proper use, care, and protection of the property while in his or her custody.

Release Agreements:

Managers must ensure that these procedures are communicated to all affected employees.  Computers currently located at employee’s residences without the required approval are the responsibility of the manager who has authorized the removal of the equipment from the Department.  A Release Agreement must be completed for computers already at employees’ residences:

• ITA Headquarters’ Release Agreement

• Domestic Field Release Agreement

 If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Scherr, ITA Property Management Officer, by email at Jeffrey_Scherr@ita.doc.gov or at (202) 482-3266.