Metrocheks

Metrocheks will be distributed to participating employees in Room B841B from January 6-8, 2004, according to the first letter of your last name, as follows:

A-E-January 6, 8:30-12:00

F-L-January 6, 12:00-3:30

M-R-January 7, 8:30-12:00

S-Z-January 7, 12:00-3:30

On January 8, Metrocheks are available for pickup in Room B841B by any participating employee. Those employees who are unable to pickup their Metrocheks during the designated times can go to the Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters, located at 400 7^th Street, SW. Take the Metrorail to L’Enfant Plaza, exiting at 7^th and D. The Metrocheks pickup window is located on the Plaza Level, Southwest corner of DOT, in Room 206. The office hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with full coverage during lunch hours. If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Reminder to Government Purchase Card Approving Official and Cardholders 

When a Government purchase cardholder leaves an office, the Approving Official is responsible for ensuring that the credit card is canceled and the account is closed. The Approving Official is also responsible for designating a new Cardholder (if one is needed) and initiating a request for a replacement credit card. A form ITA2061 (Government Purchase or Travel Card Maintenance Form) is required to close a Cardholder account. New Approving Officials are also reminded to fill out and submit a form ITA2063 (Government Approving Official Setup/Maintenance Form) and take the GSA on-line training located at the following website: http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/webtraining/trainingdocs/

smartpaytraining/index.cfm.

For assistance on closing or making changes to a cardholder or approving official account, contact Robin Carpenter, Agency Program Coordinator at (202) 482-4989 or via email, Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Communications Initiative

A working group has recently been formed to determine how to improve the communication of administrative information, policies and procedures between CFO/Administration offices and the program units.  The effectiveness of existing communication media (e.g., Administrivial Pursuits, websites) will be examined.  There are also plans to conduct surveys and focus groups. Volunteer participation for the focus groups is greatly encouraged.  If you would like to volunteer or offer suggestions, please contact Lynna Cobrall at (202)482-3031 or Lynna_Cobrall@ita.doc.gov . 

Performance and Accountability Report (PAR)

The Department just issued the Annual Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).  This report is required under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). This document provides a picture of the Department’s FY 2003 performance and frames key DOC management and program issues.  It contains a chapter on ITA’s performance and includes FY 2003 results from ITA-wide performance measures.   An electronic version of this document is available at http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/FY03PAR444.htm .    We hope you enjoy the report and welcome your suggestions and feedback.  For more information on ITA’s performance program, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.

New Telephone Numbers for Ordering ITA Form, Envelopes and Stationery

The NOAA warehouse has a new  fax number for ordering ITA forms, envelopes and stationery.   The complete  CD-540 "Warehouse Issue/Pick-up Request" form should be faxed to 301-372-2912 or mailed directly to the warehouse at 7900 Cedarville Road, Brandywine, MD 20613.  To check on the status of an order, contact Larry Linkoff at 301-372-2930.  For additional information, refer to "How to Order ITA Form, Envelopes and Stationery, OOMS-13, or contact Glenitta Chase at 202-482-3757.

FY 2004 Budget  

Action on an omnibus spending bill, has been cleared until January.  The delay means that 11 Cabinet – level departments – Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs – will continue operating under temporary spending authority at FY 2003 levels.  The 2004 fiscal year began October 1, 2003.  If you have questions contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

 FY 2005 Budget

OMB has provided ITA and the Department with its “passback” decisions on our FY05 budget request, which included a 3% increase over our FY04 President’s Budget.  ITA is preparing the FY 2005 budget to be sent to Congress in early February, 2004.   If  you have questions contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

Credit for Unused Sick Leave Under the Civil Service Retirement System

As an employee under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), if you (1) retire on an immediate annuity or (2) die leaving a widow, widower, or a former spouse entitled to a survivor annuity, your service will be increased by the days of unused sick leave to your credit under a formal leave system. The days of unused sick leave added are used only in counting your number of years and months of service for annuity computation purposes. The sick leave cannot be used in computing your "high-3" average salary or for meeting the minimum length of service for retirement eligibility. In general, days are converted to months and years based on a 2087-hour work year. To compute the additional credit for sick leave at retirement, add the months and days of sick leave to the months and days of all periods of actual service. Only years and full months of service are used in the annuity computation. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327, or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504.

Where Do I Find.... The Accounting Classification Codes

A current listing of all FY 2004 accounting codes used for ITA may be found on the OurPlace website:  https://ourplace.ita.doc.gov/ourplaceensf/Homepag?OpenForm . For more information, contact Lorne Williams at (202)482-6308.

Traveler’s Corner

Question:  What is the new privately-owned vehicle mileage (POV) rate?

Answer:  Effective January 1, 2004, the new POV mileage rate is 37.5 cents per mile. This is an increase of 1-1/2 cents per mile. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.