EAGLS/TMC INFORMATION

Subject:  EAGLS/TMC INFORMATION
SendTo:  distribution.ao
From:  vtbass@usgs.gov

DeliveredDate:  01/10/2000 03:58:42 PM

A/O's:

On Thursday, January 6, 2000, I attended an EAGLS meeting led by OPS.  
Here is the updated information which was provided on the government 
credit card and travel issues:

REISSUANCE OF GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARDS

        --Integrated cards will be mailed to all employees with an open 
card on 3/30/2000
        --Fleet cards will be mailed to offices with open cards on 
4/20/2000
        --Correct hierarchy codes and default accounting will assure a 
smooth transaction
                --I mailed hierarchy codes to cost centers, please return 
any changes you may have.
        --Convenience Checks will not automatically reissue.  Employees 
have to reorder after they receive their new account number; therefore, a 
cut-off date for using convenience checks with the old card will be forthcoming

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD STATEMENT DATE

        --USGS will be moving from 27th to 19th for monthly statement 
dates (exact month of change unknown at this time)
        --Because of federal regulations, cannot request payment earlier 
when we move from 27th to 19th so employees will have a month with no 
statement and then the next statement will be on the 19th
        --If an employees has an outstanding balance, the days in-between 
the missed statement will be counted against them 
even though they did not receive a statement
        
TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTERS

        --DOI is working on a contract which should be selected by January 
31, 2000
        --In the meantime, cost centers should not sign contracts or 
letters of intent with any travel agency
        --During the break, airline tickets may be purchased two ways:  
directly with airline (but must assure you are using the contract carrier 
for that route) continue using old TMC but will be charged a surcharge for 
each booking, change, or cancellation
        --Surcharges will show up as a separate line item under Central 
Billing with Merchant Code 4722
        --If dealing directly with airline, some airlines will not give 
government rate if credit card address is the employee's home address

MANDATORY USE OF GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD

        --Mandatory use of Government Credit Card has been delayed until 
April 1, 2000
        --DOI is working on guidance for mandatory use

CREDIT CARD HOLDER'S INFORMATION RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 
(FOIA) 

        --Department of Interior is taking initiative to provide 
information required by FOIA; this was not previously being done
        --Employees may see an increase in advertisement
        --However, please assure employees USGS is releasing minimum 
information required 
        --Employees should not send nasty responses to e-mails from 
solicitors, please ask employees to ignore requests from solicitors

HOTEL CHARGES HITTING CENTRAL BILLING IN DECEMBER

        --From December 1 - 17, hotel charges hit central billing
        --Most charges have been moved but reviewing officers should check 
their employee's statement
        --Corrections will appear on the individual billing side with an 
"X" before the entry
        --The posting date will be the date the charge was moved not the 
date it was charged
        --Please let me know if you have any questions or need further 
charges moved

Lisa Zukowski, OPS, will be sending out a memorandum with more detailed 
information concerning the reissue of government credit cards; however, I 
wanted to keep you abreast of issues which are being discussed with travel 
and government credit cards.  

Our next meeting will be in February.  If you have any issues which you 
would like me to take to the table, please let me know via e-mail (vtbass) 
or at 703-648-5036.  

Vicki