ADMINISTRIVIAL PURSUITS

In this Issue

Submitting Citibank Statements
Procurement Status Website
Emergency Release Pamphlet
Conference Calls
FY 2004 Budget
FY 2005 Budget
Signature Cards
End of Year Appraisal

Features

Where Do I Find?
Traveler's Corner

Address and Guidance for Submitting Cardholder’s Reconciled Citibank Statements

Upon receiving your monthly Citibank statements, Cardholders should review all information for accuracy. Once the statement has been reviewed, the Cardholder prepares a purchase card log including all transactions and accounting code information, certify the statement by signing it and forward to the appropriate Approving Official within 5 workdays. Upon approval by the Approving Official, the Cardholder makes a copy for his/her file and submits the statement with supporting documentation to the following address: National Business Center, Products and Services, Mail Stop D-2761, 7301 W. Mansfield Ave. Denver, CO 80235-2230, ATTN: Gerri Richie (303)969-7780 x2998. If you have questions, you can contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989 or via email, Robin_Carpenter@ita.doc.gov .

Procurement Status Website

ITA requesters can check on the status of their procurement requests by accessing NOAA's Acquisition Management Division's website located at http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/~amd/doc/req_listing.html. Upon accessing the website, please click on the OFA-External Customers link. The left column indicates FY 2003 requests that have been recently assigned to a contracting specialist. If you have questions, you may contact the procurement specialist handling your requirement. The right column indicates the FY 2003 awarded procurements. For more information, please contact Robin Carpenter at (202)482-4989.

DOC Releases New HCHB Emergency Actions Pamphlet

The DOC has released an updated HCHB Emergency Actions Pamphlet, which describes the safety procedures that all employees should know in case of emergency. The pamphlet explains how to report emergencies; what to do in civil disturbances, accidents, or evacuations; and gives security and medical contact information. The Office of Security recommends that employees keep this pamphlet by their phone for easy access. If you do not yet have an Emergency Actions pamphlet, please stop by the ITA Safety Office in Room 7834 to pick one up. If you have questions, please contact Tony Proctor in the ITA Safety Office at (202)482-2384.

Net Conference Calls Available

MCI offers Net Conferencing as part of its Audio Conferencing Services. You can use this for meetings, presentations, demonstrations, trainings, and new program launches. Net Conferencing gives you the ability to show and share presentations, applications, documents, live Web pages, and demonstrations with remote participants, both domestically and internationally. All you need is a phone, an Internet connection, and a Web browser. For a complimentary demo schedule, please visit http://e-meetings.mci.com/crc/liveled.php. For more information or to begin using Net Conferencing, please contact Jeff Scherr at (202)482-3266.

FY 2004 Budget

We still await Senate action on the Commerce/Justice/State FY 2004 Appropriations Bill. It is anticipated that the Senate will take up the Bill during the first week of September. If you have any questions on this please contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

FY 2005 Budget

ITA will submit the Budget to OMB on September 8, 2003. If you have questions about this please contact Alan Zegas at (202)482-5739.

Signature Cards- Form ITA 2068

Please ensure that OFM has your program area's signature cards. The new 2004 Fiscal Year starts October 1, 2003 and all signature cards must be filed with NBC in Denver before the beginning of the FY. If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth Seals at (202)482-5627.

End of Year Appraisal Information

September 30, 2003, will mark the end of the annual performance appraisal cycle, covering the period October 1, 2002 - September 30, 2003. To plan for a meaningful appraisal discussion, managers are encouraged to review work products that have been produced by employees during the appraisal cycle and give employees advance notification of the date, time and place of the appraisal meeting. The meeting should include such things as what the employee did well, as well as what changes/improvements need to be made, if any, for the next appraisal cycle. In instances where an employee will receive a rating of "Does not Meet Expectations," the supervisor should first contact the Office of Human Resources Management, Employee and Labor Relations Services at (202) 482-1702, as soon as possible for guidance. A detailed memorandum on the End of Year Performance Appraisal Activities will be issued soon. If you have any specific questions concerning performance appraisal requirements etc., please call LaVerne Hawkins in the ITA Workforce Development Division, at (202) 482-2537.

Where Do I Find....Effects of Nonpay Status on Service Dates?
You can find information about how no pay, (i.e., LWOP, AWOL) will effect your services dates at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/nopayscd.html. For more information, please contact Kathryn Young at (202) 482-8065.

Traveler's Corner
Question: As a traveler on official business, am I required to pay applicable lodging taxes?
Answer: Yes, you are required to pay applicable lodging taxes unless exempted by the State or local jurisdiction. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202)482-3267.