[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 18613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07037]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Notice of the Implementation of the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH) Electronic Vendor Invoice Program (eVIP)

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to announce the future 
implementation of the Electronic Vendor Invoice Program (eVIP) at the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the planned modification of NIH 
awards to require vendors to use the eVIP in future contracts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darlene Walls, The Division of 
Acquisition Policy and Evaluation, The National Institutes of Health, 
6100 Executive Blvd., Rockville, Maryland 20852 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic invoicing will enhance compliance 
with laws and regulations that govern the accuracy, timeliness, and 
cost-effectiveness of the Federal Government's payment process. 
Executive Order 13576, Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and 
Accountable Government, issued June 13, 2011, requires Federal 
Government agencies to become more effective and efficient, cut waste, 
and streamline Government operations. The Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) subpart 32.9 prescribes policies, procedures, and 
clauses for implementing prompt payment regulations. Electronic invoice 
submission through eVIP will reduce inefficiencies related to paper-
based invoicing, reduce interest payments caused by late payments of 
invoices, and ultimately foster the prompt payment of invoices to 
vendors.
    Public Law 111-204, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act 
of 2010, requires Federal Government agencies to periodically review 
all programs and identify the programs and activities that may be 
susceptible to significant improper payments. Section 2(h)(4) of Public 
Law 111-204 requires the head of the agency to conduct a financial 
management improvement program, consistent with the rules prescribed by 
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
    The first priority of the program must address problems that 
contribute directly to the agency improper payments. The eVIP solution 
allows for vendor invoices to be matched to the award document 
electronically, thereby minimizing processing errors associated with 
invoice mailing, invoice scanning, or invoice entry and enhances the 
ability to make proper invoice payments. Ultimately, the eVIP solution 
is expected to result in a decrease in interest payments, an increase 
in data accuracy, and provide an enhanced ability to make proper 
invoice payments.
    The eVIP will be implemented in three phases, Phase I Pilot, Phase 
II Pilot, and Roll-Out:
    Phase I Pilot: Phase I was initiated in October 2009. Four pilot 
vendors were provisioned in the electronic system to test the 
functionality for viewing invoices, and later, submitting invoices for 
payment. Lessons learned were gathered from the feedback received and 
areas for improvement were identified.
    Phase II Pilot: Enhancements in processes are being made to the 
electronic payment system based on the lessons learned during Phase I. 
Six additional vendors will be added and both Phase I and Phase II 
vendors will be provisioned using a authentication process different 
from that available in Phase I, and will be provided access to view 
invoices and submit invoices for payment.
    Roll-Out: Phase II will be initiated in March 2013. The results of 
the Phase II effort will be assessed prior to formal implementation of 
the eVIP initiative. It is anticipated that implementation will occur 
through the use of a phased approach, beginning in October 2013.

    Dated: March 9, 2013.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2013-07037 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P