:::::::::::::US Forest Service: Employee Resources:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

MONEY MATTERS
This section includes general information on purchases and buy-ins. It looks at the mechanisms for paying for products and services, depending on the cost and the service. It also looks at how other organizations can buy into our service.

To navigate through this page, first take a look at the overall picture (see diagram below) and click on the desired link.

Table of Contents:

General Information
Payments
Receiving Money
Feedback

GENERAL INFORMATION

NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION

MONEY MATTERS

SECURITY, SAFETY & HEALTH

TRAVEL

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Useful Links
- Federal Acquisition Regulations
- Forest Service Albuquerque Service Center: Budget and Finance (this can only be accessed if you are on the network)
- Competition information

PAYMENTS

Overview of payment policies
Micro-purchases: <$2,500
- A micropurchase is defined as any purchase you made while you are at your normal work station (i.e., not on travel). Before you buy something for the office, make sure that your supervisor agrees that you need to buy it and that we don’t already have it! If you are sure we do not have it, see Lynette Gunter for ordering information from Office Max. This is the cheapest way to get most supplies for the office. Shipments usually take one day to get here.
- If this is not a possibility, then you should find someone in the office with a purchase card.
- In emergency situation or if you must purchase an item yourself, you can use your own money or credit card. Save all receipts for reimbursement.
- Local & Miscellaneous Expense Reimbursements
  - For METI Staff
  - For FS Staff
  - For other reimbursements -- This includes paying for miscellaneous services (i.e., translation of a document) or for reimbursing someone who is not a METI or FS employee for some expense (i.e., they bought a flip chart for a meeting you were holding.) First, get your supervisor to approve the purchase. Next, bring the invoice to Pat Lucas who will write a check. Remember you’ll need the person’s social security number for the check.

Large Purchases: > $2,500
- Contracts -- see Pat Lucas
- Purchase orders
- METI -- see Whetten Reed for scope of work guidelines
- For purchases > $5,000, you need to complete a certification of funds and hand it to Ron Ingram.
Grants and Agreements

RECEIVING MONEY

From USAID
- Inter-agency Agreement -- see Alex
- Missions working directly with IP
  - PASA -- see Lynette Gunter
From other USDA agencies -- see Pat Paugh
From other
- State Department -- see Oliver
- Other countries -- see Whetten
- Private sector firms -- see Whetten

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