Current OTCnet Users

This page includes helpful information and resources for Agencies and Financial Institutions currently using OTCnet.

• OTCnet Release 1.3 Information
  


• Resources
  


• If you need to order hardware (e.g., check scanners), visit Hardware Ordering Instructions
  


• Holiday Information: No new holiday notices are available at this time. To see historical holiday info, please visit Holiday Information.
  


• Legal Notices: No new legal notices are available at this time. To see historical legal notices, please visit Legal Notices.
  


• Information for Financial Institutions
  

OTCnet Release 1.3 Information

OTCnet Release 1.3, which was implemented in October 2012, provides users with enhanced Check Capture and Deposit Reporting functionalities, including, but not limited to:

• Functionality to support Government Wide Accounting (GWA) Central Accounting and Reporting System (CARS) Requirements
• Enhanced data sharing with the Transaction Reporting System (TRS)

OTCnet Release 1.3 was developed to support capturing accounting classification information at the earliest possible time, streamlining central accounting and reporting, eliminating the need for burdensome reconciliation and providing timely Fund Balance with Treasury information to federal Agencies.

For more information on OTCnet Release 1.3, please visit OTCnet Release 1.3 Information and Resources.

Resources

• OTCnet Connect – September 2012
• CIRA CSV File Reference Guide
• OTCnet User Roles Guide
• Temporary Procedures for Making Federal Government Deposits
• PCC OTC Archives
• OTCnet Connect - November 2012

OTCnet Hardware Ordering Overview

Hardware

In order to collect check images and information using the OTCnet Check Capture module, Agency locations will need to use a check scanner for each PC on which you will be using OTCnet. There are two types of scanners: a single check scanner and a batch scanner. There is an optional keypad that can be used for point of sale transactions involving customers submitting payments in person instead of through the mail.

For more detailed information on which scanners are compatible with OTCnet, please refer to the OTCnet System Requirements document.

Hardware Ordering Instructions

You have two options for purchasing hardware:

Option 1: Use your Agency purchase card to purchase the hardware directly from a vendor.

• For the single check scanner, the RDM EC7000i series has been tested and found compatible. If you wish to purchase directly from RDM, they can be reached at 1 (800) 567-6227.
  


• For the keypad, the Ingenico keypad has been tested and found compatible. If you wish to purchase directly from RDM, they can be reached at 1 (800) 567-6227.
  


• For the batch scanner, the Panini series has been tested and found compatible. If you wish to purchase directly from Bankers Exchange, they can be reached at 1-888-749-6396. The Panini scanners are capable of scanning 50, 75, or 100 checks per minute.
  

Option 2: Complete an Interagency Agreement (IPAC) form to transfer funding for hardware from your Agency to Treasury/FMS, and have the Treasury OTC Deployment Team purchase the hardware on your behalf.

Additional Information

Both single and batch scanners will scan a front and back image of each check. Scanners require a computer with an available 9-Pin Serial Port, or USB 2.0 port.

To learn more about OTCnet hardware, or for assistance with ordering, please e-mail or call the Deployment Team at (703) 377-5586 or e-mail FMS.OTCDeployment@citi.com.

Holiday Information

• New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013
  
  
• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr./Inauguration Day, January 21, 2013
  
  
• Presidents’ Day, February 18, 2013
  
  
• Memorial Day, May 27, 2013
  
  
• Independence Day, July 4, 2013
  
  
• Labor Day, September 2, 2013
  
  
• Columbus Day, October 14, 2013
  
  
• Veterans Day, November 11, 2013
  
  
• Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013
  
  
• Christmas Day, December 25, 2013
  
  

For more information, please contact FMS.OTCinformation@citi.com.

Legal Notices

The System of Records Notice (SORN) is part of the Combined Federal Register (CFR) - System of Records Notice (SORN). The Notice must be provided in a clear and conspicuous manner.

OTCnet Program Check Capture Legal Notices

The OTCnet Program offers agencies the opportunity to expedite the settlement of collections by participating in the OTCnet check capture process. Under this process, source documents, e.g., checks, received by the participating agency by mail, at the point-of-purchase, or other locations, are converted to Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit entries, or processed as substitute checks (Check 21).

Federal government ACH entries are governed by 31 C.F.R. Part 210, which incorporates the 2007 ACH Rules published by The Electronic Payments Association (NACHA), with certain exceptions. Under Part 210, checks can only be converted to ACH debit entries if the agency customer submitting the check for payment (the "recipient" in ACH terms) has been provided the requisite notice. Proper notice ensures that the "recipient" has authorized the ACH transaction, as required. To ensure proper authorization, agencies participating in the OTCnet check capture process, must provide agency customers the following Notices:

• Notice Required on Billing Statements. When the payor can submit a check payment to the agency by mail, or to an unstaffed agency location (e.g., agency dropbox), the following Notice must be added to agency billing statements that generate the submission of check payments: Notice Required on Billing Statements. The Notice must be provided in a clear and conspicuous manner.
  
  
• Notice Required at Point-of-Purchase. When the agency customer presents a check to the agency at a staffed point-of-sale location where the check is scanned by the agency representative (and the original check is returned to the customer), the following Notice must be posted by the agency at the location in a prominent and conspicuous manner, and the agency must provide the customer with a copy of the Notice at the time of the transaction: Notice Required at Point-of-Purchase.
  
  
• Notice Required for Back Office Conversion Entries. When the agency accepts a check from an agency customer at a location where the check is not scanned in front of the customer (i.e., the check is scanned by the agency in a back office, and not returned to the customer), the following Notice must be posted by the agency in a prominent and conspicuous manner at the location where the check is accepted, and the agency must provide the customer with a copy of the Notice at the time of the transaction. Notice Required for Back Office Conversion Entries.
  
  

Information for Financial Institutions

Attention Financial Institutions: Nearly all Federal Programs Agencies (FPA) have converted to using the OTCnet application. However, in the event that a FPA attempts to make a deposit at your location that is not converted to OTCnet; please provide that agency point of contact this flyer: Financial Institution Flyer.

This flyer will provide the agency point of contact all the necessary information to get that agency converted to the OTCnet application. Your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact FMS.OTCinformation@citi.com.