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Frequently Asked Questions


Q.

Who can help me with questions concerning my pay, deductions or W-2 statement?

A.

For Department of the Interior (DOI) Employees and most other agencies serviced by the NBC you can call the Payroll Information Line at:
Phone:
(303) 969-7732 or
1-(800)-662-4324 (toll free)

Or send a message to the Payroll Customer Service Office at: d2600help@nbc.gov

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Q.

How do I get help with the Federal Payroll Personnel System (FPPS) application?

A.

For the Customer Service Office Help Desk for FPPS, Web FPPS and Quicktime, you can:
Phone: 303-969-5500
Fax: 303-969-5606 or 303-969-7733
E-mail: FPPSHelpDesk@nbc.gov

For additional information visit our web site at: http://www3.nbc.gov/customer/personnelpay/FPPS/help.html

Note: this is a restricted web site which is only available to employees of Federal agencies paid by the NBC.

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Q.

Can you help me establish my Native American tribal ancestry/citizenship?

A.

The NBC is not associated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) other than at the Department level. The NBC is an office within the DOI Office of the Secretary. BIA is a bureau of the DOI. For information on Native American ancestry, visit the DOI web site at: http://www.doi.gov/ancestry.html.

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Q.

How can I obtain National Park Service (NPS) maps?

A.

The NBC is not associated with the NPS other than at the Department level. The NBC is an office within the DOI Office of the Secretary. NPS is a bureau of the DOI.

To obtain NPS maps, visit their web site at: http://www.nps.gov/carto/

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Q.

What is the mailing address of the NBC?

A.

Mailing addresses for US DOI NBC Directorates are available on our “Contact Us” web page. Click on Contact Us located in the header of this page or visit: http://www.nbc.gov/contact/index.html.

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Q.

How can I find information on open job opportunities at the NBC?

A.

Instructions for viewing available job opportunities at the NBC can be found at: http://www.nbc.gov/jobs/index.html.

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Q.

What is the NBC?

A.

Located within the DOI, the NBC has supported the Offices and Bureaus within the Department, is a Shared Service Center, providing world class business management systems and services. We offer a diverse, yet integrated set of administrative solutions, and are currently the only federal agency designated by both OMB and OPM as a Center of Excellence in the Financial Management and Human Resources lines of business. Our workforce of dedicated professionals with unsurpassed knowledge of federal business practices, along with our ability to leverage government and commercial best practices, allows us to service our customer base of more than 150 government agencies. For additional information see Our Organization at: http://www.nbc.gov/organization/index.html.

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Q.

Where are the NBC Offices Located?

A.

The NBC’s headquarters office is located in Washington DC. To see where Directorate offices are located see our "Contact Us" page at: http://www.nbc.gov/contact/index.html.

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Q.

What services does the NBC offer?

A.

As a Shared Service Center, we provide world class business management systems and services. We offer a diverse, yet integrated set of administrative solutions, and are currently the only federal agency designated by both OMB and OPM as a Center of Excellence in the Financial Management and Human Resources lines of business.

Our vast service offerings are organized into the following lines of business:

  • Acquisition Services
  • Appraisal Services
  • Aviation Services
  • Financial and Business Management Services
  • Human Resource (HR) Services
  • Information Technology (IT) Services
  • Training Services
  • Other DOI Support Services
For additional information see "Our Organization" at: http://www.nbc.gov/organization/index.html.
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Q.

Has the NBC been selected as a Human Resources (HR) Shared Service Center (SSC)?

A.

Yes, in 2003, the NBC was selected as an E-Payroll provider and then in 2005, the NBC was designated a Federal Shared Service Center for the Human Resources Line of Business (HRLOB) by the OPM and the OMB. The purpose of the HRLOB is to create government-wide, modern, cost-effective, standardized and interoperable HR solutions to support the strategic management of human capital. Now that the NBC has been chosen to be an HR SSC, the NBC’s vision is to ultimately offer not only its world-class payroll solution, but the full range of HR IT and HR services solutions envisioned by the OPM. The realization of this vision will free the NBC clients to concentrate on their core mission, thus providing significant cost savings to them and to the Federal government overall. The NBC uses its FPPS and accompanying Payroll Operations staff to provide the full array of HR systems/operations, and payroll operations services.

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Q.

What is FPPS?

A.

The FPPS is a modern, mainframe-based, portable, integrated, on-line, and real-time personnel and payroll system. The system provides personnel and payroll support to numerous agencies. The system is customer-driven, creating and generating the full life cycle of personnel transactions, enabling agencies to maintain records electronically. FPPS handles all current regulations including specialized pay, garnishments, special appointment programs, and more.

FPPS was developed by the NBC using sophisticated database technology, fourth-generation language, structured development methodology, and computer-aided software engineering tools for robust performance and ease of maintenance. FPPS is a highly sophisticated and comprehensive database management system providing an extensive array of HR and payroll automation support within its core, including requirements prescribed by client agencies, the NBC’s centralized Payroll Operations Division (POD), and the OPM. NBC provides a Web-enabled presentation of FPPS, referred to as WebFPPS. Using a Web browser allows system access and provides the capability to perform personnel and payroll tasks. The WebFPPS application supports Requesting Office, Time and Attendance (T&A) input, Servicing Personnel Office, Security, T&A Maintenance, and Pay Maintenance commands for Federal employees and Emergency Workers (Casuals).

All data is defined in a single database which eliminates redundancy and multiple update routines. The single database concept also provides for ease of maintenance and ensures data integrity. Security is controlled by the customer and is sufficiently flexible to support all business processes. The system is table-driven to facilitate real-time data updates and maintenance. Many of these tables are on-line for customer use. FPPS also offers all required electronic interfaces with the U.S. Treasury, OPM, National Finance Center (NFC), and various accounting systems.

FPPS fulfills the requirements and specifications established by the Paperwork Reduction Act, the President’s Council on Management Improvement for Federal Automated systems, Government Accounting Office (GAO), OMB, and Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO) (formerly JFMIP). It also satisfies initiatives of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government.

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Q.

How long has the NBC been providing financial services to government agencies?

A.

The NBC purchased American Management System’s Federal Financial System (FFS) in 1987 and subsequently implemented the system throughout DOI bureaus. Starting in 1988, the NBC extended its support to other Federal agencies in the implementation and operation of FFS via cross-servicing agreements. FFS has been successfully implemented for production use in over 40 Federal agencies which currently use FFS as their accounting system of record.

In 1999 the NBC began implementing CGI Federal’s (formerly American Management System) Momentum Financials in Federal agencies. Momentum Financials is a web-based, multi-tier enterprise solution that has been implemented at over 20 federal agencies. It was created using best practices from CGI Federal’s experience in building and implementing federal financial management systems. Momentum Financials performs core federal financial system functions, as well as supports complex federal financial management activities including the complete federal budget cycle, the complete federal acquisition and asset life cycle, and bank card reconciliation.

In 2003 the NBC also began offering Oracle Federal Financials. The NBC offers Federal agencies a single instance of Oracle configured in a shared service model which allows each customer on the instance to have its own secure set of books within a financial management system configured to accommodate its own unique business practices. NBC’s model provides maximum flexibility and a lower overall cost to each of its clients.

All of the NBC’s financial application offerings are Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO) certified (formally known as JFMIP). The FSIO tests vendor financial systems before giving their certification of the product as an approved offering on the certified software schedule for approved Financial Management System Software (FMSS).

The NBC’s production support model provides its clients with a secure, full-service hosting environment that is fully compliant with all Federal regulations and audit requirements including SAS70. The NBC also provides comprehensive help desk services with expertise that spans Federal financial accounting, application-specific knowledge, and technical support in an open systems environment.

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Q.

Does the NBC provide accounting services?

A.

To support client organization's financial needs, the NBC offers accounting operations services that include financial statement preparation, regulatory and managerial reporting, general ledger reconciliation and payment processing. In addition, the systems group provides a full range of systems support services with a staff of systems accountants, systems analysts, and computer specialists. The NBC supports full systems life cycle engineering and computer systems operations, including Remote Data Entry and Interface Development and Management.

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Q.

Does the NBC provide any kind of procurement including Electronic Commerce?

A.

The NBC offers a full suite of electronic commerce and contract writing solutions for all federal government agencies.

The Interior Department Electronic Acquisition System/Procurement Desktop (IDEAS-PD) is an application that automates and streamlines the procurement process, providing a complete workflow management solution IDEAS-PD uses both client/server and Web architectures. IDEAS-PD provides comprehensive functionality for users requiring support for all phases of the procurement lifecycle.

NBC also offers the Next Generation Contract Writing Systems for Federal agencies, such as Momentum Acquisitions, Oracle’s IPRO and Compusearch’s PRISM.

IDEAS-EC (Electronic Commerce), developed by NBC, allows procurement documents to be posted electronically by government procurement officials from IDEAS-PD. Procurement staff can create an Announcement form in IDEAS-PD and submit it to Electronic Commerce. The Announcement is transmitted to the FedBizOpps web site through an interface and links back to the IDEAS-EC web site where all of the associated documents can be viewed by prospective vendors.

Since Momentum Acquisitions is a module of Momentum Financials, it is a completely integrated, web-based application with robust procurement functionality. The functionality of Momentum Acquisitions includes acquisition planning, requisitioning, workload management, solicitations, offer evaluations, awards, contract management, and contract closeout. Users will have the ability to query the system to access historical procurement information, create reports, and customize the printing layout of their documents. Users will also have the ability to track the complete history of a transaction from the initial requisition through award and payment in a single system. Other optional interfaces with Momentum Acquisitions include Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) and Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS-NG). Please be sure to check out NBC’s web site at http://www.nbc.gov/finance/momentumacq.html.

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Q.

Does the NBC have services that can be used by the vendor community interested in doing business with the U. S. Federal Government?

A.

In 1998, the NBC created a web site to provide government procurement offices with the tools necessary to interact with the vendor community. The web site is http://ideasec.nbc.gov/.

Business Opportunities is a complete Internet solution that allows vendors to search our web site for any Request for Quotations (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals/Invitations for Bids (RFP/IFB) that are currently posted. Vendors may search all available documents or complete a selected search. A selected search includes some or all of the following options:

  • Agency Name
  • Document Number
  • Product Service Code (PSC)
  • North American Industrial Classification Code (NAICS)
  • Issue Date
  • DUNS number (If a document has been directed to a particular vendor)
All actions posted on the NBC Business Opportunities web site seamlessly link to GSA's Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) web site. All vendors must be registered on Central Contractor Register (CCR) in order to respond to a RFQ.

The IDEAS-EC web site has FAQs that can assist vendors on the registration process. Contact the Help Desk staff by email at (ec_helpdesk@nbc.gov) or call them at (703) 390-6707.

Please be sure to check out NBC’s web site at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/.
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Q.

Does the NBC provide Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Services?

A.

The NBC Enterprise Infrastructure Division is responsible for providing Data Center management, operations, communications, and customer services support for the automated administrative systems operating at the NBC. The Division also provides Data Center services through service bureau relationships with other clients. The NBC is an OMB-designated franchising provider of automated administrative services and Data Center processing services. The NBC Data Center provides customer support 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

The NBC Data Center provides a reliable, responsive, and affordable processing environment for our customers with an emphasis on quality of service and maintains a stable, highly skilled workforce to deliver premier support and services.

In addition to providing computer operations management of its own systems, NBC offers Data Center application hosting (including Web site hosting) and disaster recovery services to Federal agencies through service bureau relationships with the NBC IT Directorate. These services include hosting on mainframe, UNIX midtier, and Windows or Linux-based INTEL platforms; a full range of storage options; data communications; and customer support.

NBC operates data centers in Denver, CO and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and can provide hosting and/or disaster recovery services in either location. For customers with high availability requirements, their applications can also be load balanced across the two centers as two active production instances, or managed in a Production/Disaster Recovery failover configuration between the two centers.

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Q.

Does the NBC provide Web Development services/Internet Solutions?

A.

The NBC offers a full range of Internet solutions to support your web-enabled businesses. The NBC not only delivers Internet solutions in compliance with the latest federal government requirements - such as the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, Section 508 of the Accessibility Act, the Privacy Act, and the Computer Security Act - but also assists client organizations in the initial site planning, sharing its experience and understanding of federal policies that apply to web services. NBC's web services includes - but are not limited to - Web Design and Development, Hosting, web site Management (System Administration), Customer Support, and Training. You can view a sample of our Web Development projects on our Web Portfolio at http://www.nbc.gov/web/webportfolio. NBC can begin to deliver Internet services to new clients almost immediately, through a Memorandum of Understanding or Reimbursable Agreement. An Interagency agreement states the purpose and scope of the contracted Internet services, as well as the task descriptions and deliverables, and an estimated cost for the project.

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Q.

Is the NBC involved in any kind of E-Government initiative?

A.

As the NBC is committed to providing excellent service, innovative solutions, and state-of-the-art products to meet the ever-changing business needs of its customers in the federal government in a timely and economic fashion, our organization is also devoted to be a leader provider of E-Government solutions.

In the past years, the NBC built a proven record of accomplishments in delivering quality web-based applications in compliance with the latest Federal government requirements, such as the Government Paperwork Elimination Act, Section 508 of the Accessibility Act, the Privacy Act, and the Computer Security Act. Besides having a clear understanding of Federal policies that apply to web services and implementation of such policies, the NBC also offers the all the professional skills necessary to help other federal agencies develop their E-Government solutions.

NBC is also involved with other E-Government initiatives such as the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) which includes Central Contractor Register (CCR), Federal Business Opportunities (FBO), and Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS-NG) plus many others.

You can view a sample of our E-Government projects on our Web Portfolio at http://www.nbc.gov/web/webportfolio/index.html as well as our NBC web site.

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Q.

Does the NBC provide Quarters Management services?

A.

The Quarters Program is an NBC initiative to provide operational cross-servicing support for government-furnished housing. Services include surveying/analyzing regional rental housing and utility markets; establishing market-based rental rates for government-furnished quarters; providing and maintaining the Quarters Management Information System (QMIS) software; conducting rental surveys and special training; providing help desk support to hundreds of users; maintaining centralized inter-agency quarters database; defending any contested rental rates; providing standard and special housing management reports; and conducting special client-requested studies.

Currently, the NBC services approximately 19,000 government-furnished quarters owned by 18 agencies. For additional information visit this URL: http://www.nbc.gov/supportservices/quarter.html.

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Q.

Does the NBC offer Aviation Services, including Aviation User Training, Aviation Safety Management, and Risk Awareness?

A.

In November 2001, the Office of Aircraft Services (OAS) was realigned under the NBC and renamed the Aviation Management Directorate (AMD). AMD, headquartered in Boise, ID was established by Secretarial Order in 1973 "…to raise the safety standards, increase the efficiency, and promote the economic operations of aircraft activities in the Department of the Interior." AMD is responsible for Interior’s aviation safety program and aircraft accident prevention programs. Through this leadership, AMD provides centralized technical and administrative services to all Interior Bureaus and, through individual agreements, other federal and state agencies. Responsibilities for aviation safety management activities are assigned geographically between the Headquarters office, and Regional offices in Anchorage, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, Boise, Idaho and Phoenix, Arizona. For additional information visit the AMD web site at: http://amd.nbc.gov/.

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U.S. Department of the Interior
National Business Center
http://www.nbc.gov
nbcweb@nbc.gov
Last Updated on 04/16/09