ITA Speakers' Series for November

Date and Time:  Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 10:00

Location:  Room 6057

Speaker: Cheryl McQueen, Office of China Economic Area, MAC

Topic: China: Changing the Landscape of Global Trade

China's emergence as a major manufacturing and trading country is reshaping the global economy and presenting opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies.  Via frequent bilateral policy dialogue, ambitious domestic outreach and overseas capacity building programs, MAC's Office of the Chinese Economic Area (OCEA) works with other ITA offices and USG trade agencies to ensure American companies not only have access to China's markets, but also are able to take advantage of China's negotiated market openings.  OCEA Director, Cheryl McQueen, will provide a general overview of the current state of US-China economic relations, including an update of US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and trade activities.  She will also discuss what's new in the China Office and how OCEA fits in with the rest of MAC, Commercial Service, Manufacturing and Services, and other USG trade agencies.  If you have questions, call Rosemary Pappas at (202)482-0482.

ITA Stationary and Envelopes

The DOC Forms Store located in HCH Building, Room B509, does not stock ITA stationery (i.e., ITA Bond, U/S and DUS letterhead) or envelopes.  ITA envelopes and stationery are stocked at the Department of Commerce Warehouse in Brandywine, Maryland.  In addition, Assistant Secretary letterhead is maintained in the front office of each respective assistant secretary.  To order ITA envelopes or stationery, complete a form CD-540, "Warehouse Issue/Pick-up Request" (available at Ourplace.)  Fax the completed form to (301)372-2912 or mail it directly to the warehouse at 7900 Cedarville Road, Brandywine, MD 20613.  For additional information, contact Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3757.

ITA Highlights FY 2004 Performance and Results

The Planning and Performance Management Staff in the Office of Financial Management is pleased to announce the completion of the Department's 2004 Performance Accountability Report (PAR).  The PAR verifies program standards, as well as compliance with federal regulation, monitors improvement plans, and reports on annual performance and results. ITA's PAR chapter highlighted that ITA:  

• Successfully established 45 new or enhanced partnerships with public and private sector entities to promote U.S. exports a 50% increase over the initial base established last year.
• Initiated 161 market access and compliance cases and concluded 116 cases during this past fiscal year. These case figures exceeded the annual target.
• Successfully achieved over 5,000 new subscribers who now use BuyUSA.com e-services.  This exceeded our FY 2004 new subscriber target by 8%.
• Successfully completed 100% of AD/CVD cases on time in accordance with its statutory mandate achieving 100% of our target level.

The Department will release the PAR to the public and will post an electronic version on Monday, November 15^th.  Look for a link from your Planning and Performance Management Staff in the next issue of Administrivial Pursuits.  For additional information on ITA results, contact Ed Meyer (202)482-3304) or Dondi Ojeda at (202)482-5204.

Leave and Earnings Statements

Employees are responsible for reviewing their biweekly Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). Report errors, corrections, omissions, and discrepancies to your servicing payroll/personnel office. The LES contains vital information regarding your salary and leave record, and if reviewed timely you may be able to avoid potential pay and leave problems. Careful review of the LES is imperative 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 when making routine changes in Federal and state tax and other voluntary withholdings. If you have questions, please contact Lorese Green at (202)482-5232.

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season

The (FEHB) Open Season begins November 8, 2004 and runs through December 13, 2004.  You must use Employee Express (EEX) or Employee Personal Page (EPP) via the National Finance Center (NFC) to start, change, or cancel enrollment.  To access EEX and EPP, a PIN is required.  If you are a temporary employee or you need to enroll more than five family members via EEX, you will need to complete the SF-2809, Health Benefits Election Form, and submit it to room 7417 no later than close of business December 13, 2004.  The effective date is the first full pay period in January 2005.  During the FEHB Open Season three health care providers (GEHA, Aetna, and Mail Handlers) will offer the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) option. Specific information about HDHP features will be contained in the individual plan brochures available at the start of the FEHB Open Season.  The following web pages will be available online effective November 8, 2004.  The FEHB site: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health, FEHB guides: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/guides/index.asp, FEHB brochures: http://www.opm.gov/insure/05/planinfo.asp, Plan Comparison Tool: http://devredwing/insure/05/spmt/plansearch.aspx, For additional information, contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327, or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504.

Traveler's Corner 

Question:  What criteria should a traveler use when renting an automobile for use while on official government travel?

Answer:  A traveler should use the smallest size vehicle available which will adequately carry out the purpose of the mission. When choosing the car size, the number of travelers riding in the vehicle, space available for luggage, and energy conservation (fuel economy) should be considered.

Where Do I Find.... a listing of ITA Federal Register Authorizing and Certifying Officers.

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.