FY08 to FY09 FFIS Table Roll Plan of Action/Milestones
COD has initiated the FY08 to FY09 Table Roll process. This annual process rolls various current fiscal year reference table data to the upcoming fiscal year. The process occurs in two parts: (1) the automated roll of certain table via execution of the ACNY job in each agency's application; and (2) the semi-automated roll of certain tables via a coordinated effort of both the COD and Agency Functional Administrators (FA). Agency FA cooperation is needed to ensure the calendar milestones are met and the tables are properly rolled. Click here to view the Table Roll Planning/Milestone Calendar. Refer questions or comments to Robert Gargoni, FA Supervisor, at 504-426-5384 or robert.gargoni@usda.gov, and/or your COD FA.

Business Continuity Plan Update
In compliance with the policy of USDA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Executive Branch Continuity of Operations standards, the Controller Operations Division has a comprehensive Business Resumption Plan (BRP) in place to support the missions of USDA's agencies. The BRP, which is regularly tested, ensures the continuity of mission critical systems and business processes should any disaster render the National Finance Center facility inoperable. Be assured that COD stands ready to notify, activate, mobilize, and deploy personnel in advance of a known threat or disaster, with continued service to our customers.

Attention IAS Users!
The Rural Development office in St. Louis recently moved. As a result, the fax number and express mail address for submission of IAS invoices have changed. In conjunction with this change, USDA has implemented unique toll free fax numbers for each agency. For more information, click here to view the memorandum issued by the Office of Procurement and Property Management. The respective agency remit information for mail, e-mail, and fax is provided in the attachment.

Processing of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Security Investigation Bills in the Intragovernmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) System
To prevent delays in processing IPAC payments and avoid the payment of incorrect charges, COD has issued a memorandum providing instructions to agencies to facilitate efficient processing of OPM Security Investigation bills through the IPAC system. Click here to view the memorandum.

Heightened E-mail Security Within the USDA Network
In this ever-changing world of cyber security, it has become necessary for USDA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer to implement greater precautions regarding e-mail content entering and exiting the USDA network. As a result of this heightened security, it is possible that e-mails addressed to COD employees may not be received. Additionally, attachments may be deleted if they are unrecognizable, originate from certain domains, contain images or executables (i.e. macros), or violate USDA’s Security Policy. Customer Service is COD’s highest priority, therefore, we request your assistance in ensuring that COD responds to your e mails timely and in accordance with the Service Level Agreements between COD and its customer agencies. If your e-mail contains a request for response, and a response has not been received within the required period of time, please follow-up with the addressee by telephone, or contact your agency’s customer relations specialist for assistance.

Managerial Cost Accounting Survey Results
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer, in coordination with designated representatives, commissioned a survey of all mission areas and agencies to determine the current status of their managerial cost accounting systems. The results of the survey are available in Quick Picks on the Publications page. Click here for a shortcut to the publication.

Electronic Administrative Initiative for Telephone and Utility Invoices
In support of USDA's Lean Six Sigma objective to further automate and streamline invoice processing, the Electronic Administrative Initiative for Telephone and Utility Invoices will be effective June 2, 2008. COD has notified USDA telephone and utility vendors of the pending implementation, and vendors have been advised to change the remittance address on all paper invoices. Additionally, COD has issued a memorandum regarding the initiative for telephone invoices to the Telephone Area Mission Control Office (TMACO) and a memorandum regarding the initiative for utility invoices to USDA agencies, requesting that each agency contact its telephone and utility vendors to ensure that all address changes have been made.

Click here to view the memorandum to TMACO regarding telephone invoices.

Click here to view the memorandum to USDA agencies regarding utility invoices.

If you have any questions concerning this initiative or the change in remittance address, please contact COD at
800-421-0323 or 504-426-6430, or via e-mail at misc@usda.gov.

Customer Relations Specialists
COD Customer Relations Specialists assist USDA's administrative and financial communities with unique agency issues, requests for training, and visit coordination.

Click here for a list of Customer Relations Specialists by agency.