In this Issue

Features

Traveler's Corner
Where Do I Find?
Comings and Goings

E-travel Update

This summer DoC plans to deploy the EDS "FedTraveler" etravel system to ITA's HQ and domestic field, and to the Office of the Secretary and the Inspector General. A combination of in-person and computer based training as well as direct on-site support will be offered to help users make the transition to the new system. The new FedTraveler system offers online train and airplane booking, automated access to Credit Card statements (including automated payment), fully integrated electronic forms, and many other helpful features. One important feature is that all formerly separate forms such as Record of Gift or Bequest, Approval for Extra Fare Air Accommodations, Justification for Use of Foreign Flag Carrier, etc. will be merged into electronic Travel Authorization. If you have any questions, contact Hamilton Humes at 202-482-6123 or email hamilton_humes@ita.doc.gov.

Overseas Allotment Accounting of Overseas Representation Funds

Occasionally, offices outside of Trade Promotion and U.S. Foreign Commercial Service use overseas Representational Funds. These funds are requested by ITA and specifically appropriated by the Congress in very small amounts. Overseas Representational Funds are managed by the TP/USFCS and all cables and/or documents citing these funds must be approved by Bill Fanjoy of TP/USFCS. To ensure proper designation of funds management authority is identified to the TP/USFCS, the accounting of allocation and spending assigned to overseas locations via funding authorization cables will be linked to TP/USFCS only. For more information or questions regarding procedural accounting requirements, contact Crystal Bush 202-482-8365 or Roxanna Allen 202-482-8363.

Commerce PAR Rating From Mercatus Moves From 16th to 5th Place

For the past five years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has judged which Federal agencies best inform the public. The Center does this by evaluating each agency's Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) based on three criteria: transparency, benefits to the community, and forward-looking leadership. The Department of Commerce PAR was ranked 16th out of 24 for the FY 2003 report, but rose from 16th to 5th out of 24 for the FY 2004 Report. To see the entire Mercatus report please visit: http://www.mercatus.org/governmentaccountability/subcategory.php/215.html
/subcategory.php/215.html. To see the entire DOC FY 2004 Performance and Accountability Report please visit: http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/FY04PAR.htm. For further information, contact Dondi Ojeda at 202-482-5204.

Employee Personal Page (EPP)

Employees who currently receive their Earnings and Leave (E&L) Statement in the mail, and would like to receive it through the National Finance Center (NFC), Employee Personal Page (EPP), should visit the NFC home page on the Internet www.nfc.usda.gov and select "MY EPP" and click on Preferences; then select E&L Paperless Option. Employees can start or stop receiving a mailed E&L Statement any time by selecting "Paperless E&L Options" from the "Preferences" menu. Request a PIN by visiting the above site and selecting by "MY EPP" and the NFC will mail the PIN within 7 to 10 business days. For additional information about the EPP, contact Vanessa Lewis on 202-482-8327 or Dottie Bowling on 202-482-3504.

Traveler's Corner

Question: Can an ITA employee solicit payment for travel, subsistence, and related travel expenses from a non-Federal source?
Answer: An ITA employee is prohibited from soliciting payment for travel, subsistence and related travel expenses from a non-Federal source but may accept a travel gift if it is offered by a non-Federal source and is approved by the program Deputy Assistant Secretary. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at 202-482-3267.

Where Can I Find....general DoC information?

You can find information about many DoC services, programs and policies at http://home.commerce.gov/. This site has links to information about such items as DoC emergency plans, building services, news, phones and parking technology policies.

ITA Comings and Goings 03/21/04 - 05/02/05

Arrivals - WELCOME!
OUS - Stephen Lutes; IA - Letitia Kress, Daryl Liskey; MAC - David Hill, Michael Napolitano; MAS - Praveen Dixit, Shalizeh Nadjmi; US&FCS - James Chambers, Kathryn Kane, Elizabeth Shieh, Lester Williamson.
Departures
OUS - Grant Aldonas; ADMIN - Stephen Palmer, Rosemary Pappas; IA - Jeffrey Boord, Stephen Cho, Crystal Crittenden, Robert Greger, Melani Harig; US&FCS - Amanda Alexander, Shabana Kazi, Virginia Krivis, David Mullins, Bruce Quinn, Christopher Woosley.