File Code:
|File Code: |6540 |Date: |September 30, 2004 |
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|Subject: |Government Travelers' Assistance - Bank of America |
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|To: |All Employees |
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Bank of America (BOA) is the government contracted provider for the USDA Forest Service government travel charge card program. This card provides employees financial flexibility and convenience while traveling on official government business. As mandatory users of the card, we are expected to use the card whenever and wherever possible for all official travel related expenses such as airline and other common carrier transportation services, car rentals, lodging, and meals and incidentals expenses.
Last year, the USDA Travel Policy coordinated with Bank of America to establish “Option Sets” for various levels of spending limitations and ATM access. Currently, most of the Forest Service employees are under Option Set 13035 which allows for the following:
• $10,000 spending limitation with a $5,000.00 billing cycle
• $375 weekly cash advance
• $400.00 weekly spending limitation for food
Employees should reference the 6540 WO letter dated February 4, 2003, Internal Controls for Government Travel Card, regarding justification needed to request increase spending limits. This letter can be accessed through the Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) website link.
BOA is available to assist travelers with questions regarding their card status, billing information and spending limitations. The customer service phone number, 1-800-472-1424, is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. In addition, BOA also has a “No Strand” Policy. This policy states that BOA will provide immediate assistance to employees guaranteeing a return home in the event that problems occur when using their cards while away on official travel. This policy is in effect for government employees who are in official travel status and their card was in good standing prior to going on travel.
BOA accepts several forms of payments such as checks, money orders, phone payments (via electronic funds transfer), and they also offer a free online payment service option.
We ask that you please make timely payments to the BOA before or by the scheduled due dates specified on your monthly statements to avoid possible suspension and in some cases cancellation. There may be occurrences where refunds may not be posted timely to the account, ie; airline refund for a canceled ticket. You should notify BOA immediately and dispute the charges before your account becomes 60 days overdue. BOA may suspend your account and prohibit further charges if payments for any undisputed principal amounts are not received within 61 calendars days from the closing date on the statement which the unpaid charges first appeared. BOA cancels all accounts that are 120 days delinquent.
All Employees 2
For more information on Forest Service travel card practices, polices and procedures, we recommend that employees review these additional memos issued regarding the authorized usage of the credit card, Salary Offset Program and free on-line payments. This information can be accessed through the Chief Financial Officer’s (CFO) website: .
6540 Travel Card Usage Issued 11/21/03
6540 The Salary Offset Program Issued 04/20/04
6540 Bank of America’s Free Online Payment Service Issued 04/22/04
6540/6150 Salary Offset Program for Bargaining Unit Employees Issued 08/31/04
If you have any questions regarding Bank of America, please contact local Agency Program Coordinator. WO employees should contact Sherrion Lewis-Scott at 703-605-4658 or Deborah Bush-Butler at 703-605-4660.
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|/S/ CHRISTOPHER L. PYRON |
|CHRISTOPHER L. PYRON |
|DEPUTY CHIEF FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS |
cc: pdl wo B&F Travel Coordinators
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