Metrocheks

Metrocheks will be distributed to participating employees in Room B841B from July 8 - July 10, 2003, according to the first letter of your last name, as follows:

A-E-July 8, 8:30-12:00

F-L-July 8, 12:00-3:30

M-R-July 9, 8:30-12:00

S-Z-July 9, 12:00-3:30

On July 10, 8:30-3:30, 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. Effective June 30, 2003, Metro fares will increase. The Department will inform the bureaus of procedures to follow as it relates to the increase.  If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Procurement Cutoff Dates

NOAA's Acquisition Management Division has adopted the following cutoff dates for receipt of fiscal year 2003 procurement requests from ITA. A complete procurement request package (ready requisition) with all necessary approvals and documentation must be received by NOAA by the cutoff date. Any requirement received after the cutoff date will be processed on a "best efforts" basis. All contracts on GSA schedule must be sent to NOAA no later than August 8 and supplies no later than September 2. Simplied Acquisitions must reach NOAA as follows:

$25,000 - $100,00 July 11

$10,000 - $25,000 August 15

$2500 - $9,999 September 4

$2500 or less September 12

Reminder - ITA Stationary and Envelopes

The DOC Forms Store located in HCH Building, Room B509, does not stock ITA forms, stationery or envelopes.   ITA forms, envelopes and stationery are stocked at the Department of Commerce Warehouse in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  To order ITA forms, envelopes or stationery, complete a form CD-540, "Warehouse Issue/Pick-up Request" (available at Ourplace.  Fax the completed form to (301)763-4195 or mail it directly to the warehouse at 8510 Truck Way, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.  For additional information, contact Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3757.

If you are age 50 or older and you are already contributing either the maximum TSP contribution percentage or a dollar amount which will result in reaching the IRS elective deferral limit ($12,000 for 2003) by the end of the year, you are eligible to make "Catch Up" contributions. The TSP maximum amount for regular contributions is 13 percent of basic pay for FERS employees and 8 percent of basic pay for CSRS employees for 2003. The "Catch Up" contributions will be withheld from your basic pay each pay period. They are in addition to your regular TSP contributions. You do not receive matching contributions from your agency for any "Catch Up" contributions, and the maximum amount of these contributions for 2003 is $2,000. Eligible participants can elect "Catch Up" contributions, using Employee Express, in July 2003, or anytime thereafter. Elections made in July will be effective in August. Please contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327, or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504 for additional information.

FY 2004 Budget

ITA continues to receive and answer questions from the Appropriations Committees. Various program units have been involved in this process.  These questions will most likely continue, through probably at a slower pace, until the Appropriations Bill is passed.  If you have any questions on this please contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2005 Budget

Traveler's Corner

Question:  What standard of care must a traveler use in incurring travel expenses while on official government travel?

Answer:  A traveler must exercise the same care in incurring expenses while on official government travel that he/she would use if traveling on personal business. Be certain to incur expenses only for those items authorized on the travel order. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find....Current Organization Charts for ITA?

The ITA Work Reference Chart provides up-to-date information on organization and personnel for each program unit of ITA. This information is available on-line from the CFO and Director of Administration's home page at http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/itawrc.htm