Metrocheks

Metrocheks will be distributed to participating employees in Room B841B on October 5-7, 2004, according to the first letter of your last name, as follows:

A-E October 5, 8:30-12:00

F-L October 5, 12:00-3:30

M-R October 6, 8:30-12:00

S-Z October 6, 12:00-3:30

On October 7, 8:30-3:30, Metrocheks are available for pickup in B841B by any participating employee. Those employees who are unable to pick up 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 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. If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.

Revised Year-End Accruals Instructions For Cardholders

All purchase cardholders must check their online statements on September 30 1 to make sure that all credit card purchases are correctly posted by Citibank, and must accrue any purchases over $1,000.000 that are not posted. Any purchases not posted to your account as of September 30, will be paid with FY2005 funds unless you submit an accrual form. Cardholders must submit a Year End Accrual Form to the Office of Financial Management, which by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1st. Please include Cardholder Name and last 4 digits of Credit Card number on the Year End Accrual Form. If you have questions, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email at Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov.

Revised E-Forms 

The following forms have been approved and posted to OurPlace under the e-forms menu option: Revised: ITA2058-Government Purchase Card Set-Up Form and ITA2063-Government Approving Official Set-Up/Maintenance Form. If you have questions regarding how to access these forms using OurPlace, contact the Help Desk at (202)482-4641. If you have questions regarding the use of these forms, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989, or Glenitta Chase at (202)482-3757.

Clearance Process for Use of ITA Emblem/Department Seal

ITA offices preparing a request for permission to use the ITA emblem or the Department Seal are reminded that all requests are to be sent first to the Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS). After review and clearance by OOMS, the request will be forwarded to the Assistant General Counsel for Administration (AGC) and the Office of Chief Counsel for Technology (OCC/T) for clearance. Permission to use the ITA emblem only requires clearance by the AGC and OCC/T. Permission to use the Department Seal requires clearance by the AGC, OCC/T, and the Department's Office of Publications, Graphics Division. For more specific information and assistance, contact Jacqueline Harris at (202)482-4011 or via e-mail at Jacqueline_Harris@ita.doc.gov.

ITA Diversity - Today's Global Reality

Did You Know:

• that ITA almost has an even balance in the male and female population?
• that 4.88% of ITA's population is of Asian ethnicity?
• that only 3.78% of ITA's population is of Hispanic Ethnicity, and that Hispanics are Commerce's #1 underrepresented minority group?
• that 74.46% of ITA's population is of White ethnicity?
• that 16.86% of ITA's population is of Black ethnicity?

One of ITA OHRM's goals is to expand our outreach recruiting efforts by broadening our scope and identifying and building partnerships with minority universities, including private and small institutions, and universities with handicapped/disabled student populations. OHRM also plans to enhance relationships with professional minority organizations by inviting these groups to HCHB to meet with ITA Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Our SMEs will speak to these groups about "Why minorities should work for Commerce". These types of diversity initiatives will contribute to our recruitment efforts by attracting and recruiting talented diverse candidates to ITA. Click here to view ITA's Diversity Snap Shot.  If you have questions contact Ruben Pedroza at (202)482-3072.

FY 2005 Budget  

ITA has received the Senate markup of the FY2005 budget.  The Senate and House marks were very similar.  The Office of Financial Management (OFM) continues to work diligently with the program areas to close the FY2004 accounts and activities to meet USG requirements.  If there are any questions, please contact Amy Duncan at (202)482-5739.

FY 2004 Year-End Closing and Financial Statement Audit

Year-end is fast approaching, and there are many dates of which budget and financial personnel need to be aware.  Most due dates are sooner than in previous years due to the accelerated due date for the Department's audited financial statement and Performance and Accountability report.  The President's Management Agenda requires that this year's statements and report be completed by November 15.  ITA offices can find year-end guidance and deadlines at http://www.ita.doc.gov/ofm_guidance/Year-End%20ClosingFY04.pdf Any questions regarding year-end processing instructions contained in this document must be directed to Roxanna Allen at (202)482-8363.

President's Management Agenda

The President's Management Agenda (PMA) is a starting point for management reform in the current Administration.  The Goal of the PMA is to improve federal management and deliver results that matter to the American people.  ITA staff should be aware of the five government-wide items within the PMA since these will impact the Federal Workforce.  The following link provides updated information on the President's Management Agenda.  It is a report published for federal employees about the PMA and a "results oriented" government: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/pma/2004_pma_report.pdf

pma/2004_pma_report.pdf.  We hope you enjoy the information and welcome any observations or feedback.  For more information on ITA's performance management program or about the President's Management Agenda, contact Ed Meyer at (202)482-3304.

Traveler's Corner 

Question:  What documents should be provided to the Office of Organization and Management Support (OOMS) when gifts for travel are involved?

Where Do I Find....Sample FOIA Response Letters?
If you have to prepare a response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and you're having a hard time getting started, help is available. Sample response letters are located in Thru the Maze. Go to www.ita.gov/ooms/mazecover.htm and go to the Maze Index.  Under Freedom of Information Request you will find guidance on how to respond to a FOIA request and several sample response letters.  If you need additional information, you can contact Linda Bell at (202)482-3032 or e-mail at Linda_Bell@ita.doc.gov.