USAID Political Party Assistance Policy, a Mandatory Reference for ADS 200 - 203

New Reference: 10/01/2003

Release Date: 10/03/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

This policy sets forth the principles that must inform USAID political party assistance: USAID programs must support representative, multiparty system; USAID programs may not seek to determine election outcomes. From these principles flow a list of activities that are encouraged and those that are prohibited. A waiver process is also described, should the national interest require an exception to the policy.

Implementation of Department of State Section 579 – Taxation of U.S. Foreign Assistance (Series 300 Internal Reference)

New Reference: 10/01/2003

Release Date: 10/07/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

This reference provides USAID-specific policies and procedures for the implementation of the Department of State guidance entitled "Section 579 Implementation (Taxation of U.S. Foreign Assistance) – Guidance Text" at http://www.state.gov/m/rm/c10443.htm

ADS Chapters and Authors, a mandatory reference for ADS 501

Revised: 10/23/2003

Release Date: 10/24/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

An asterisk indicates which chapters or their associated mandatory references were revised for ADS CD 33.

Clearance List for ADS Material, a Mandatory Reference for ADS 501

Revised: 09/12/2003

Release Date: 10/02/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

Darren Roman is the new clearing official for OIG.

Authorized Senders for Agency Notices, internal mandatory reference for ADS 504

New Reference: 09/29/2003

Release Date: 10/07/2003

Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

Authorized Sender list was renamed and updated. Doug Brandi and Iris Young were removed from the list. Stacy Albritton’s name was added to the list.

ADS 527, Functions of the Mission Executive Officer

New Reference: 09/30/2003

Release Date: 10/02/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

This chapter has been revised in its entirety. Key changes include

• Addressing the EXO’s role in representing Missions re: ICASS services and administration;
• Conveying the EXO’s expanded IRM role as Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO);
• Speaking to rare occasions when program and controller functions may be combined into an EXO position when feasible, with the approval of the appropriate USAID/W entities;
• Referencing overseas interagency committees and panels on which EXOs represent Missions abroad; and
• Incorporating and updating mandatory references and additional help items covering
  • Guidance on how to open a USAID Mission
  • Guidance and checklist on how to close a USAID Mission
  • Guidance on preparing Mission Orders
  • Management Services Review Guidelines
  • Sample Administrative Operational Close-Out Plan

Series 500, Interim Update 03-12, Pillar Bureau Customer Service Standards

Issued: 09/29/2003

Release Date: 10/07/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

NEW MATERIAL: On August 13, 2003, the Business Transformation Executive Committee (BTEC) endorsed Customer Service Standards (CSS) for the three Pillar Bureaus - the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), the Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade (EGAT), and the Bureau for Global Health (GH).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/26/2003

There are four attachments for this Policy Notice:

• Attachment 1: USAID/W Pillar Bureau Customer Service Standards (CSS) September 2003
• Attachment 2: 2003-2004 Customer Service Standards, Support to the Field, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA)
• Attachment 3: 2003-2004 Customer Service Standards (CSS), Support to the Field, Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade (EGAT)
• Attachment 4:2003-2004 Customer Service Standards (CSS), Support to the Field, Bureau for Global Health (GH)

Series 500 Interim Update 03-14, Annual Requirement to file the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450)

Issued: 10/16/2003

Release Date: 10/23/2003

New and Revised Policy Directives and Required Procedures:

This reporting requirement applies only to certain nonclerical employees whose positions are classified at GS-15 or below (including FS equivalents, SGEs, PSCs, and FSNs), the duties of which involve the exercise of significant discretion in certain sensitive areas. NOTE: This reporting requirement also applies to all contracting officers with warrant authority, regardless of their current duties. PAS employees, Senior Foreign Service officers, members of the Senior Executive Service and Schedule C employees are not required to file the OGE-450. Clerical employees, regardless of grade or type of appointment, need not file.

Series 500 Interim Update 03-16, Annual Requirement for Ethics Training

Issued: 10/17/2003

Release Date: 10/23/2003

Correction:

The law requires all new employees to complete ethics training within 90 days of their appointment date (if they have not previously received ethics training in another federal agency).