September 19, 2002

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Requests for weekend parking at the HCHB should be sent directly to Norman Meltzer, Department Parking Coordinator, via e-mail. The e-mail should include the following information: the name of each employee who needs to park, the dates and times parking will be required and a telephone extension where each employee can be reached while working on the weekend. Norman can be reached at (202) 482-4989 or by e-mail at Norman_Meltzer@doc.gov . If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

ITA Awards Survey

The Office of Organization and Management Support recently sent out a survey about the ITA Awards Program.  We are very interested in your opinion.  If you received the survey and haven't completed it, even though the deadline was September 17, please take a few minutes to answer the 7 questions.  We appreciate your input.  For those who completed and returned the survey, we thank you. If you have any questions, please call Rosemary Pappas at (202)482-0482 or Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3757.

Retirement Reminders

Review your Official Personnel File (OPF) at least one year before your planned retirement to ensure that it is in proper order and make certain that all Federal service is on file. This will allow the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) sufficient time to request any missing service. If military service is involved, make sure your Military Discharge Certificate (DD-214) or equivalent document is on file. File your Application for Retirement (SF-2801), Request for Personnel Action (SF-52), and other retirement forms with OHRM between 30 to 45 days before your planned retirement date. This will allow the personnel and payroll office sufficient lead time to process the required forms. For more information, contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482- 8327, or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) open season

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) open season begins October 15, 2002 and will continue through December 31, 2002.

-FERS employees may contribute up to 13% of their basic pay

-CSRS employees may contribute up to 8% of their basic pay

TSP employee contribution elections or changes made between

October 15, 2002 and December 31, 2002 will be effective January 12, 2003. TSP elections or changes made after December 31, 2002 will be effective at the beginning of the next pay period after they are received. Please confirm your TSP employee's contribution elections on your Statement of Earnings and Leave. Participants who wish to stop contributing may do so anytime by effecting an action though Employee Express. If the effective date of your termination of contributions is during an open season, you can start contributing again during the next TSP open season. If the effective date of your termination of contributions is outside an open season, you must wait until the second open season to begin contributing again. For additional information contact Vanessa Lewis at (202)482-8327, or Dottie Bowling at (202)482-3504.

FY 2002 Budget

As we approach the very end of FY 2002, we should be careful to assure that: funds are used wisely, anticipated end-of-year unobligated amounts are reported to the OFM Budget Analysts, and fiscal plan adjustments are accomplished where needed. For more information contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2003 Budget

There still has not been any House action to go along with the Senate mark. We anticipate that a Continuing Resolution will be in effect. For more information contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2004 Budget

The OMB hearing will be held on September 19, 2002. The Assistant Secretaries will accompany the Under Secretary to the hearing. For more information contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

Traveler's Corner

Question: Is the $5.00 service fee charged by Citibank for use of their "SpeedPay" service a reimbursable expense that can be claimed by the traveler on the travel voucher?

Answer: The $5.00 service fee charged by Citibank may not be claimed on the travel voucher. If you have questions, call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267 or your travel contact.

Where Do I Find....Information on How to Request Service of a Student Volunteer?

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 authorized Federal Agencies to accept volunteer services for students under certain condition. Volunteer service is limited to services performed by a student, with permission from the institution at which he/she is enrolled, as part of an agency program to provide an educational experience for the student. Supervisors interested in recruiting a student volunteer can find program information and forms at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/students.htm. Student volunteer service is creditable towards meeting qualification requirements for future Federal employment. For additional information contact Tina James, program coordinator, at (202)482-0653.

ITA Yardstick: Performance Planning in ITA

ITA's senior management and program managers conduct a broad range of planning activities. Managers and employees can gain an understanding of the different types and scope of performance planning in ITA by reviewing the definitions stated below. We develop strategic plans which normally cover a five years period and reviewed to ensure that strategies are when necessary. ITA also conducts annual planning through the development of fiscal plans. Some programs in ITA develop annual business plans to ensure that key issues and activities are identified for the year.

Types of performance planning

•Strategic Planning - mapping out strategic direction for ITA for a multi-year time horizon; this type of planning is an on-going process - strategies, goals, and objectives will and should change over time

•Annual planning - planning for a one-year time horizon at both ITA wide and program unit levels; enacting initiatives and projects, which advance the strategic direction of ITA

Coverage of Planning Process

•Agency-wide planning - setting the strategy for ITA as a whole via overarching vision, mission, goals, objectives and performance measures

•Program planning - designing actionable plans for individual programs in line with the overall agency strategy, goals and performance measures

If you have questions contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.