Purchase Card Security

Proper use and safeguarding of purchase cards is the responsibility of each Cardholder. Accordingly, Cardholders should take appropriate precautions comparable to those which you would take to secure your personal credit card. Cardholders should maintain their purchase card in a secured safe container, not in your workstation or on the person. If a purchase card is lost or stolen, the Cardholder must report the lost or stolen card promptly to Citibank at (800)790-7206 and immediately notify your Agency Program Manager, Robin Carpenter. If you have questions regarding purchase card security, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989, or via email at Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

ITA Speakers' Series for January

Date and Time:  Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 10:00

Location:   Room 3407 

Speaker:  Eleanor Roberts Lewis, Chief Counsel for International Commerce 

Topic:  Commercial Law Reform in Post-War Iraq

Eleanor Lewis will review the state of commercial law in Iraq at the end of the Saddam Hussein regime. She will then describe how her office worked with all parts of ITA and other agencies in the U.S. Government to develop recommendations for changes to Iraqi laws that would create a more modern commercial environment.  Since the Coalition Provisional Authority will be leaving Iraq on June 30, 2004, we will discuss what can and/or should be done in the short time remaining.  For further information, contact Rosemary Pappas at (202)482-0482.

NOAA Procurement New Point of Contact

Diane Husereau, Contracting Officer for NOAA’s, Acquisition Management Division and ITA’s point of contact, retired on December 31, 2003.  Joel Perlroth has been designated as ITA’s primary point of contact and Joel can be reached at (301)713-0838, x205. If you have questions, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email, Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Phone and Voicemail Reference Guides Available

The DOC’s telecommunications staff has posted two pamphlets outlining the features of your VoIP phones, including setting up your voicemail, leaving "away from office" messages, transferring calls, adding speed dials, etc., at the Department’s HCHB phone’s website, http://home.osec.doc.gov/wiring/hchb1.html.  Navigate to this website, and click “Helpful Pamphlets” to see the two available reference guides.  If you have questions or wish to setup or reconfigure your phone, please contact ITA’s Telecom contact, Jeff Scherr, at (202)482-3266. 

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI)

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) is an economic indicator that measures customer satisfaction. In the ACSI, customers' evaluations of quality are based on actual experiences with the goods and services being measured. The ACSI has also been used by over 50 government agencies to measure client satisfaction.  Because ITA Satisfaction scores are calculated using the same methodology as the ACSI, ITA can benchmark the agency’s scores against other federal agencies with similar functions ( how services are offered or delivered), products, and/or services. Overall, ITA is performing well at an index of 70.  ITA will utilize ACSI metrics to improve service to our clients.  Action plans have been developed by ITA programs to address areas for improving service delivery and delivering customer satisfaction.  Focusing on the customer and improving client service is a critical component of ITA’s strategic direction.  For additional information on the ITA-wide survey, contact Mary Ann McFate at (202)482-5436.  For additional information on ITA’s strategic plan or ITA performance metrics, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.  To obtain your own copy of ITA’s strategic plan, click on this link: http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/ITAMeasures/ITAStrategicPlan.pdf.

FY 2004 Budget  

The Senate took up the House-passed omnibus bill upon reconvening on January 20, 2004.  If the omnibus bill is not passed, likely action could include issuing a yearlong continuing resolution or a continuing resolution extending into February.   The current continuing resolution, which funds agencies and programs at 2003 levels, expires January 31, 2004.   If there are any questions, please contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

 FY 2005 Budget

President Bush’s fiscal 2005 budget (The President’s Budget) is scheduled to be sent to Congress by the first Monday in February. The ITA budget office has been working diligently to prepare ITA’s submission.  The budget is currently being reviewed by the Department and will be sent to OMB this week.  If there are any questions, please contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

Where Do I Find.... The name of my Property Custodian

A current list of ITA’s Property Custodians may be found on the ITA OurPlace website: http://ourplace.ita.doc.gov/. Log onto the White Pages and you will see the link View Property Custodians. If you have question contact Seth Raley at (202)482-3756 or Jeff Scherr at (202)482-3266.

Traveler’s Corner

Question:  Is a traveler’s allowance for meals reduced if a meal is provided by a common carrier or a complimentary meal is provided by a hotel/motel?

Answer:  No. A meal provided by a common carrier or a complimentary meal provided by a hotel/motel does not effect your per diem. If you have questions, please call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

ITA's Comings and Goings 12/01/2003 - 12/29/2003

Arrivals - WELCOME!

MAC - Chang Hyun Suh, Madeline Gorman; US&FCS - James O’Brien.

Departures

ADMIN - Linda Henry; MAC - Melissa Walters, Janee Pierre Louis; US&FCS - Delores Harrod.