U.S. Geological Survey Instructional Memorandum
No. OB 2003-002 “(Replaces OB 2003-001 without change)”
Issuance Date: October 1, 2003
Expiration Date: September 30, 2004
Subject: Guidance For Establishing Working Capital Fund (WCF) Investment Plans For The Purpose of Decommissioning Abandoned Field Sites
“Instructions: This replaces Instructional Memorandum No. OB 2003-01 without change.”
Purpose: The purpose of this Instructional Memorandum is to announce the new option of setting up WCF Investment Plans to invest in future requirements to decommission abandoned field sites. This Instructional Memorandum will also provide the guidance necessary to develop the Investment Plans. The use of the WCF is not a mandatory requirement but rather another option for cost centers to consider.
Reference Materials: It has been determined that abandoned field sites are classified as “constructed assets”, which allows for the use of the Facilities Investment Component. Some examples of abandoned field sites include, but are not limited to, abandoned wells or streamgages. Cost Centers should refer to Chapter 3 of the USGS Working Capital Fund Handbook, dated June 1999, for the proper procedures to follow when setting up the Investment Plan. Only one Investment Plan will be required to service all of the field sites within a cost center’s geographical area.
When preparing the WCF Investment Plan, cost centers should use the following information:
DESCRIPTION: Decommissioning of abandoned field sites
CUSTOMER: 25502
COMPONENT: 4556F
COST CENTER: *(Use your cost center)
FSG/PROGRAM: FIELDSITE
Cost Centers should refer to Instructional Memorandum OFS 2002-006 dated October 29, 2002, for guidance on establishing accounts for your WCF Investment Plans. It is recommended the account structure for the abandoned field sites end in “AF” for abandoned field sites. An example of a proper abandoned field site WCF account number would be XXXX-0AFAF.
USGS policy states that normal operating expenses may not be funded through the WCF, and investments must occur, at a minimum, in two fiscal years before acquisition can occur, and are expected to be evenly balanced over the time period defined in the Investment Plan (See Survey Manual 335.6.1). USGS labor costs are not to be charged to a WCF investment component in any instance. Some categories of expenses deemed appropriate for payment through the WCF would include contractual services and materials such as cement or gravel used in securing the field site.
Please contact your servicing Fiscal Services Office if you have any questions.