November 21, 2007

OF Bulletin 087E1.01

GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD POLICY UPDATE

1. PURPOSE. This bulletin provides updated information to the Government Travel Charge Card Policy, VA Directive and Handbook, 0631.1.

2. BACKGROUND.

(a) OMB Circular A-123, Appendix B, establishes guidance for Executive branch agencies for improving the management of government charge card programs. The requirements in OMB Circular A-123, Appendix B, pertains to the use of charge card programs by agencies and their employees, and must be included in internal agency regulations, procedures, and training materials.

(b) This Bulletin revises the Government Travel Charge Card Policy, VA Directive 0631.1, Section 3, Responsibilities, by adding paragraph f(4), and Handbook 0631.1, Section 2, by adding paragraph 2a.

3. REVISIONS.

(a) Government Travel Charge Card Policy, VA Directive 0631.1, Section 3, Responsibilities, paragraph f(4):

All employees who possess a government issued Travel Charge Card are required to take the VA Travel Charge Card training.

(b) Government Travel Charge Card Policy, Handbook 0631.1, Section 2, paragraph 2a:

All Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) government travel charge card holders and Approving Officials (AO’s) must complete VA’s online training course to familiarize themselves with VA’s travel charge card program every two years. The training program may be accessed at https://www.lms.va.gov.

(c) OMB Circular A-123, Appendix B, Improving the Management of Government Charge Cards, Chapter 3, requires that each agency provide training on the use of the official travel charge card. Training for the travel card holders must provide general information on traveling for the government and review of how to use the travel card, including agency travel card policy and procedures, and proper card use. This training must also inform travelers of the requirements of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), specifically Part 301-51-Paying Travel Expenses; and Part 301-54-Collection of Undisputed Delinquent Amounts Owed to the Contractor Issuing the Individually Billed Travel Charge. If the travel approving official is not a cardholder, they must take the same training as cardholders.

(1) New cardholders must complete VA’s travel charge card training prior to receiving the card.

(2) Current cardholders must complete VA’s travel charge card training every two years.

(3) AO’s must complete VA’s travel charge card training every two years whether or not they are a cardholder.

(4) All employee cardholders and AO’s must complete a refresher course on VA’s travel charge card training every two years.

4. QUESTIONS. Facilities should direct questions to the Charge Card Oversight and Travel Policy Service (047E3) at travelpolicy@va.gov or 202-461-6140.

//s// November 21, 2007

Jonathan W. Lambert

Deputy Director, Financial Business Office (047E7)