ITA has revised its calling card policies to make them consistent worldwide:

Service Provider – AT&T.  ITA uses calling cards issued by AT&T, under the Department of Commerce FTS2001 contract.

Obtaining a calling card.  All employees must complete the revised AT&T calling card form, ITA-2062, in order to obtain a calling card.  Please remember that the form requires a supervisor’s signature.  International employees should remember to include their post and region on the form.  The form is available using the E-forms Website on “Our Place” at http://ourplace.ita.doc.gov/.

·         Domestically – Please fax to 202-482-1584 or deliver to ITA-OOMS in Room 4001.

·         Internationally – Please fax or deliver your application to the appropriate Regional Director (since they will distribute the cards). 

All cards issued under employees’ names.  All calling cards will be issued to individuals only, and will be that person’s responsibility.  ITA users should no longer use generic calling cards issued under the name of an organization, international post or office.

·         Individuals may also request a second calling card in their name for use by others.  This second card becomes the telephone equivalent of a government purchase card.  Just as with a procurement card, the individual will take full responsibility for its use.

Supervisory concurrence required.  All ITA employees, subject to the approval of the employee’s supervisor, may be issued a calling card.  For internationally based employees:

·         All FSOs must apply for calling cards.

·         All FSN/PSAs may be issued calling cards based on the concurrence of their approving official.

Intended Uses.  The AT&T calling card is for official use when an employee is not in the office, including telework and official travel.

·         While on travel status, each employee may make one call home per day, up to 10 minutes.

·         If the calling card doesn’t work, the employee may make the call and charge it on the travel voucher, but the call may not exceed 10 minutes.

Required Uses.  Employees must use their AT&T calling cards or their government cell phone for all official calls when on travel:

·         An employee may claim charges for calls on their travel voucher when they were not able to use their calling card or their government cell phone.

·         Employees should use their government cell phone if that is more cost efficient for the government (e.g. if the employee has a government issued cell phone with sufficient minutes nationwide long distance, the employee should use those minutes).

·         Employees may be reimbursed for hotel or conference connection fees for making credit card calls.

For more information contact: Jeff Scherr at 202- 482-3266, or Hamilton Humes at 202-482-6123 and Glenn Bobo at 202- 482-2726 for overseas questions.