ITA Earns CFC Awards for Successful 2002 Campaign

ITA employees' support for this year's Combined Federal Campaign made a real difference at a time when fewer resources must serve more of our neighbors in need. TD led the Commerce Department's campaign! CONGRATULATIONS for earning the following CFC plaques and certificates: President's Award plaque to Office of the Under Secretary (OUS); Honor Award plaques to International Trade Administration (ITA), Market Access and Compliance (MAC), Commercial Service (CS), and Chief Financial Officer/Administration (CFO/Admin); Merit Award plaques to Trade Development (TD) and Import Administration (IA); and 100% Goal Award certificates to ITA, OUS, MAC, TD, CS, and IA.

ITA Speakers' Series

The Speakers' Series invites in-house speakers to discuss current issues and their impact on the rest of ITA. The Series meets monthly and informally for an hour. Mark your calendar and join us on the following date:

Date and Time: Thursday, March 27, 2003

Location: Room 6057

Speaker: Ron Lorentzen, Director, Trade Remedy Compliance Staff

Topic: It's not your father's Import Administration any more! Most of us know that IA administers the U.S. trade laws, and for years the perception has been that what IA "does" is a world unto itself, separate and distinct from the work and priorities of the rest of ITA. Whether or not that was ever true, it is increasingly less so today. To learn more about the changes that have expanded the vision and the mission of IA, come join Ron Lorentzen as he discusses the developments that are taking IA and its relationship with the rest of ITA to a new and mutually beneficial level. Ron will review the many activities which IA undertakes that help to support, complement and expand upon its traditional responsibilities of antidumping and countervailing duty law enforcement. You'll learn more about how IA can provide added value to the total package of support that ITA lends to U.S. businesses' efforts to compete in the global marketplace and you can pass along a few pointers to Ron on how IA can interact even more effectively with you and your office. For further information about the Speakers Series call Rosemary Pappas at (202)482-0482.

Increase in SATO Transaction Fees

The Department of Commerce exercised the second option period of their nationwide contract with SATO travel management services which began March 1, 2003 and ends on February 28, 2004. Effective March 1, 2003, the transactions fees charged by SATO for the HCHB, Silver Spring and Gaithersburg sites increased from $28.00 to $29.00 for domestic travel and from $33.00 to $34.00 for international travel. The transaction fees for the off-site and field locations increased from $26.00 to $27.00 for domestic travel and $30.00 to $31.00 for international travel. Also for those offices that use the visa and passport services at SATO's HCHB site, the processing fee for each passport or visa increased from $3.00 to $4.00. If you have questions, please call Sandra Kazimer at (202)482-1818.

"Through the Maze" Manual

The "Through the Maze" manual has been completely updated to reflect changes in ITA's administrative procedures. In addition, we have added the following new instructions: How to Open an Express Mail Account (OOMS-44) and How to Prepare A Request for Permission to Use Seals, Emblems, Insignia and Logos (OOMS-45). Additionally, the following instructions have been rescinded: How to Use ITA's Automated Travel Order (OOMS-28), How to Use ITA's Automated Procurement Request (OOMS-37), How to Resolve PC Problems and Obtain Assistance with Hardware and Software Installations (OCIO-1), How to Order Personal Computers (OCIO-2), and How to Order LAN/PC Cabling Services (OCIO-3). Log onto http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/mazecover.htm and bookmark this site for future reference on how to complete administrative tasks. If you have any suggestions to improve this manual or an idea for a new topic, contact Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3756.

Express Mail Policy/ITA

All offices must maintain a valid FedEx or DHL account associated with a valid government purchase card. When a purchase card is canceled, offices must set up a new FedEx account associated with a valid purchase card. All airbills referencing the old account should be destroyed. If offices do not have a valid purchase card they should apply for one and arrange to charge FedEx through a purchase card account in another office in their unit. ITA does not have a master account with FedEx and all use of FedEx Services without a government purchase card will result in a late payment with the assessment of late fees by ITA. This has already happened over 100 times this fiscal year, and is making it difficult for ITA to comply with the Federal Prompt Payment Act. If you require additional information, please contact Judith Wilson, by telephone (202)482-3265 or e-mail at Judith_Wilson@ita.doc.gov.

Purchasing Systems Furniture in HCHB

The Department's Space Management Division is responsible for all HCHB designs, alterations, and furnishing services. Every systems furniture purchase must be done by Space Management to ensure that the products conform to building standards and safety codes. Private industry sales representatives and designers do NOT have access to the infrastructure and standards of HCHB and often create floor plans that are rejected by the Department. The Department has asked that you contact Sandra Tucker at (202)482-4991 or e-mail STucker@doc.gov if you wish to purchase systems furniture. If you have questions, please contact Judith Wilson (202)482-3265 or e-mail at Judith_Wilson@ita.doc.gov.

Glenitta Chase has been designated Federal Register Liaison Officer for the International Trade Administration (ITA) and Hamilton Humes has been designated the Alternate. Both Glenitta and Hamilton are located in Room 4001 and can be reached at (202)482-3757 and (202)482-6123, respectively. For a current listing of Federal Register Authorizing and Certifying Officials for your program unit log onto http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/FRcontacts.htm.

Earnings & Leave Statement

Employees are responsible for reviewing their biweekly Earnings and Leave Statement (ELS). Report errors, corrections, omissions, and discrepancies to your servicing payroll/personnel office. The ELS contains information regarding your salary and leave record, and if reviewed regularly, may enable you to avoid potential pay and leave problems. Careful review of the ELS is important when employees make changes during various open seasons, (i.e., Combined Federal Campaign, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Thrift Savings Plan, U. S. Savings Bonds Campaign, etc.), and make routine changes in Federal and state tax and voluntary withholdings. For assistance, contact Lorese Green at (202) 482-5232.

2003 Presidential Management Intern Program

The Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program was designed to attract outstanding (masters and doctoral-level) graduate students from U.S. colleges and universities to the Federal Service. PMIs receive a two-year excepted service appointment. At the end of their internship, PMIs may be converted to a permanent federal position. The decision to convert a PMI to a permanent position is made by the supervisor. The 2003 PMI Job Fair will be held Monday, April 14 through Wednesday, April 16, 2003. The location is the new Washington Convention Center, Hall C, 801 Mount Vernon Place, Washington, D.C. On April 1, 2003, PMI Finalist resumes will be available on the PMI website. The PMI website is www.pmi.opm.gov. For additional information regarding the PMI Program, please contact ITA’s PMI Program Coordinator at Tina_James@ita.doc.gov or on (202)482-0653.

Accounting and Financial Systems

Due to accelerated due dates imposed by OMB for FY 2003, ITA will be required to accelerate accounting information provided to the Department of Interior's National Business Center (NBC). On May 1, 2003, ITA will issue year-end closing instructions noting specific items needed by predetermined dates. The Office of Financial Management will provide year-end training to ITA operating units in mid-July 2003. The training will cover validation procedures for undelivered orders and accruals. NBC is currently exploring further automation of the accrual process to lessen the responsibilities of the program units. If you have questions, please call Alfredo Hurtado at (202)482-5434.

FY 2003 Budget

As part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-7), which was signed by the President on February 20, 2003, ITA received $362,192 in Budget Authority. Additionally, a 4.1% pay raise was authorized. Distribution of funding availability amounts for individual program units will be made to the Assistant Secretaries (and the Resource Coordinators) in the next few days. When program offices received their allotments they will develop fiscal plans indicating how the funds will be used throughout the fiscal year. If you have questions, please call Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2004 Budget

The Secretary will testify on the FY 2004 Budget request before the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 20, 2003. ITA has received the transcript of the Secretary's testimony at the House Appropriation Hearing which was held on March 6, 2003. ITA is reviewing the transcript. If you have questions, please call Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

Traveler's Corner

Question: What is a traveler's liability for unauthorized or personal use of a rental automobile obtained with government funds?

Answer: A traveler is responsible for any additional cost resulting from the personal use of a commercial rental automobile for other than official travel-related purposes. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Where Do I Find.....The ITA Telework Policy and Forms?

The ITA Telework policy and forms can be found at www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/telework. If you have questions contact Darlene Haywood at (202)482-3505.