Electronic Copies of Purchase Orders

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Acquisition and Grants, Acquisition Management Division has executed a new process for disseminating copies of purchase orders. Effective immediately, NOAA distributes copies of awarded procurements electronically using a PDF format. If a requester does not receive an electronic copy of their awarded procurement, please contact Robin Carpenter, ITA Procurement Liaison. If you have questions regarding procurement, please contact Robin Carpenter via e-mail at Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov or at (202)482-4989.

Information Collections

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires government agencies to seek and obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prior to obtaining or soliciting identical information from 10 or more persons. Methods of collection include written report forms, application forms, schedules, questionnaires, focus groups, on-line questionnaires and surveys. Information collected from the public via the Internet using webforms requires OMB approval as well. General guidelines for webforms are as follows:

1. OMB-approved information collection forms do not require any additional clearance when placed on a website but must display the OMB Control Number and Expiration Date, Burden and a Privacy Act Statement.

2. Website forms with a plain comment box that merely ask for general comments (e.g., Tell us what you think), name, address and/or email address do not require OMB-approval.

3. Website forms that request respondents to tell the government about anything specific in addition to providing general comments, name, address and/or email address require OMB-approval.

If you have questions contact Herman Dogan at (202) 482-3031 or via email at Herman_Dogan@ita.doc.gov.

ITA Speakers' Series for February

Date and Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Ronald Reagan Bldg, USA Trade Center (Mezzanine Level) Training Room A

Speaker: Regina D. Heise, Director of the Trade Information Center

Topic: Trade Information Center

The Trade Information Center (TIC) with its 1-800-TRADE number and extensive website is the U.S. exporters' front door to the U.S. Government. What information does the TIC provide to U.S. exporters? How can you use the TIC's information to further help your clients? How does the TIC refer customers to your program? Come and hear the answers. And while you are at the TIC, visit the great trade library. For further information, call Rosemary Pappas at (202)482-0482.

Exit Interviews

The exit interview is used to gather information from employees who have decided to leave ITA. The exit interview is administered by the Office of Human Resources Management through a questionnaire that is provided to departing employees. The questionnaire contains questions on topics such as training and development, awards and recognition, the work environment, and the quality and quantity of work assigned. The answers to these questions provide valuable information that can be used to identify the reasons for turnover/attrition in ITA and provide insight for designing retention tools aimed at retaining good employees. The exit interview is designed to improve data collected for the measurement of “Job Satisfaction”–one of the ITA-wide performance measures. If you plan to leave ITA, please take a few minutes to complete the exit interview. Your responses to the questions will help us identify our strengths and weaknesses as an organization. If you have questions, please contact Darlene Haywood at (202)482-3505.

Nominations for the 2003 ITA Bronze Medals

The call for ITA Bronze Medal nominations was recently announced by Under Secretary Grant Aldonas. The Bronze Medal is the highest form of recognition in ITA and is given to ITA’s very best employees. To receive the Bronze Medal, nominees should have demonstrated both excellence in individual, organizational or group achievements and effective cooperation with others in the furtherance of ITA goals. Nominations may be made in the following categories: (1) Outstanding ITA Technical, Secretarial or Clerical Employee, (2) Outstanding FSN Technical, Secretarial, or Clerical Employee, (3) Outstanding ITA Professional Employee, (4) Outstanding Supervisor or Manager, (5) Outstanding ITA Group, and (6) Outstanding ITA Organization. Nominations are due to Unit Award Committee Chairs by March 7, 2003. For additional information on the program, nomination procedures and schedule, please see the announcement that was sent to all ITA employees on February 12, 2003, or you may call Charlene Gilmer-Gantt on (202)482-2536. The Bronze Medal Ceremony is scheduled for June 4, 2003. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!

FY 2003 Budget

The Congress has passed an Omnibus Appropriations Bill to cover all Departments/Agencies which are still operating under Continuing Resolutions. As of Wednesday afternoon (2/19/03), the President had not yet signed the Bill. The Continuing Resolution, under which we continue to operate, runs through 2/20/03. If the President signs the Bill, a financing table were be issued detailing funding availability for all ITA operating units. If you have any questions on this please contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2004 Budget

Under Secretary Aldonas will brief the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on February 24 concerning ITA issues which might be discussed at the House and Senate hearings scheduled for March. If you have questions about this item, please contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

Traveler's Corner

Question: How does sharing a room with another person while on official government travel affect per diem reimbursement?

Answer: A traveler's reimbursement is limited to one-half of the double occupancy rate if the person sharing the room is another Government employee on official travel. If the person sharing the room is not a Government employee on official travel, reimbursement is limited to the single occupancy rate. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find....ITA Index of Services

 

The ITA Index of Services by Function was recently updated. For the latest information on who to contact for assistance with specific functions, go to the homepage for the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Administration at http://www.ita.doc.gov/Adminon-line/index.htm and click on Index of Services. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS) at (202)482-5436.