[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27540-27541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10654]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[GSA Bulletin FMR G-01]


Federal Management Regulation; Conversion to Commercial Payment 
Processes for Postage

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice of a bulletin.

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SUMMARY: The attached bulletin provides updated information to Federal 
agencies regarding the initiative to convert to commercial payment 
processes for postage. GSA Bulletin FMR G-01 may also be found at 
www.gsa.gov/fmrbulletin.

DATES: This bulletin announced is effective from April 11, 2008 until 
April 13, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Derrick Miliner, Program Director, Mail Management Policy, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 
20405, at (202) 273-3564 or [email protected]. Please cite 
Bulletin FMR G-01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 102-192.50(c) of the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) 
(41 CFR 102-192.50(c)) states that ``beginning December 31, 2003, all 
payments to the United States Postal Service must be made using 
commercial payment processes, not OMAS'' (Official Mail Accounting 
System). If agencies did not convert by that date, they were required 
to submit a deviation request for an extension. If granted, the 
deviations could last for no longer than a two-year period, at which 
time agencies had to request another deviation.

    Dated: April 11, 2008.
KEVIN MESSNER,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

GSA BULLETIN FMR G-01

MAIL MANAGEMENT

    TO: Heads of Federal agencies
    SUBJECT: Conversion to Commercial Payment Processes for Postage
    1. What is the purpose of this bulletin? This bulletin provides 
updated information to Federal agencies regarding the initiative to 
convert to commercial payment processes for postage.
    2. What is the effective date of this bulletin? April 11, 2008.
    3. When does this bulletin expire? This bulletin will expire April 
13, 2009.
    4. What is the background of this bulletin? Section 102-192.50(c) 
of the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) (41 CFR 102-192.50(c)) 
states that ``beginning December 31, 2003, all payments to the United 
States Postal Service must be made using commercial payment processes, 
not OMAS'' (Official Mail Accounting System). If agencies did not 
convert by that date, they were required to submit a deviation request 
for an extension. If granted, the deviations could last for no longer 
than a two-year period, at which time agencies had to request another 
deviation.
    5. What is the current status of agencies in regards to conversion 
to commercial payment?
    While many agencies have successfully converted to commercial 
payment, several have not yet done so, or have only partially done so.
    Some agencies state that they can show accountability for postage 
using OMAS and have asked the General Services Administration (GSA) to 
review the goals of the commercial payment initiative. GSA has agreed 
to do so.
    6. What should agencies do if they need to submit an updated 
deviation request while GSA reviews the goals of the commercial payment 
initiative?
    Agencies that have outstanding deviation requests, or that need to 
submit a deviation request soon, do not need to submit a formal updated 
deviation request during the time period covered by this bulletin. GSA 
is granting these agencies an automatic 12-month deviation. Agencies 
that have current unexpired deviations on file that last beyond the 12-
month period do not need to take any additional action.
    7. When should agencies expect to hear the results of the review?
    Before the 12-month period is complete, GSA will issue additional 
guidance if in fact there are new options for showing accountability 
for postage costs besides converting to commercial payment. If, after 
review, GSA determines there are no additional options, agencies will 
be expected to proceed toward conversion.
    8. Whom should I contact for further information? Derrick Miliner, 
Program Manager, Mail Management Policy, Office of Governmentwide 
Policy, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405,

[[Page 27541]]

[email protected], (202) 273-3564.
[FR Doc. E8-10654 Filed 5?-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S