PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
408-2-H
December 1991
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 - DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 2 - ACQUISITION
CHAPTER 3 - ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
CHAPTER 4 - DISPOSAL.
CHAPTER 5 - REPORTS OF SURVEY AND CERTIFICATES OF UNSERVICEABLE PROPERTY.
CHAPTER 6 - MOTOR VEHICLES.
FIGURES
Figure 2-1 - Standard Form 122, Transfer Order
Excess Personal Property
Figure 3-1 - Form 9-065, Property Receipt and
Accountability Record
Figure 3-2 - Form 9-064, Property Transfer Request 3-9A
Figure 3-3 - Form DI-1934, Property Pass
Figure 4-1 - Standard Form 120, Report of Excess
Personal Property
Figure 4-2 - Standard Form 120-A, Continuation
Sheet (Report of Excess Personal
Property
Figure 5-1 - Form DI-103, Report of Survey
Figure 5-2 - Form DI-103A, Certificate of
Unserviceable Property
APPENDIXES
Appendix A Accountability Structure (by division)
Appendix B Listing of Accountable Property
(grouped by Federal Supply Code)
Appendix C Receipt for Property (Form DI-105)
Appendix D Inventory of Controlled Property (Form 9-067)
Appendix E Motor Vehicle Requisition - Delivery Order
(GSA Form l781)
Appendix F Usage Analysis Report
Appendix G Checklist for Vehicle Disposal (Form 9-3006)
Appendix H Checklist for Vehicle for Sale (Form 9-1947)
Appendix I Certificate to Obtain Title to a Vehicle (SF 97)
FOREWORD
This Property Management Handbook (408-2-H) supplements the Department of Interior (DOI) regulations and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Manual chapters on personal property management. Specifically, it provides a single source of basic information on acquisition, utilization, protection, transfer, inventory, and disposal of property. Its primary purpose is to assist management and users of Government property in the proper property management procedures.
All specific instances and situations incidental to the utilization and disposal of USGS property cannot be discussed in a handbook. This document is constructed to explain predictable situations; questions may still arise. If you cannot find your answers in these pages, you may contact the Administrative Division property office serving your organization:
Headquarters & Eastern Region Property Management Branch
210 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
FTS: 959-7324
Comm: (703) 648-7324
Western Region Supply Management Office
Mail Stop 224
345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
FTS: 459-5504
Comm: (415) 329-5504
Central Region Supply Management Office
Mail Stop 207
Box 25046
Denver, CO 80225
FTS: 776-5860
Comm: (303) 236-5860
Questions or suggestions regarding the content of this Property Management Handbook may be directed to the Property Management Officer, Office of Facilities and Management Services, 210 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092. The Handbook for Property Custodians, dated May 1982, is superseded.
No information contained in the handbook is intended to alter any provisions of any Federal law, executive order, or departmental or USGS directive.
Date: December 1991
OVERVIEW
The U.S. Geological Survey's Property Management Database (PMDB) contains approximately 135,000 line items of accountable property in locations throughout the world, amounting to approximately $350 million based on acquisition value.
The term "personal property" means government-owned property of any kind, except land, buildings and appurtenances, and records of the Federal Government. Government personal property should not be confused with privately owned items. Controlled or accountable property is personal property which has an assigned USGS identification number and is tracked by our official centralized Property Management System (PMS). The terms "accountable property" and "controlled property" are used interchangeably in this document and throughout the bureau.
Federal law and departmental regulations specifically prohibit the use of any Government property for other than official purposes. Federal statutes also require that all controlled property be documented and charged to an accountable person upon receipt. That individual remains accountable for the property until it is formally transferred or disposed of in accordance with one of the methods outlined in this handbook.
Property records are established and maintained in the Property Management Database. These record the monetary investment in property and its location, as well as other identifying information. The PMDB is centralized and is maintained in the Headquarters Property Management Branch.
Unless otherwise specified, the terms "contractor inventory" and "contractor-held" as used in this handbook shall apply to Government property in the custody of contractors, grantees, cooperators, and concessionaires.
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS
To facilitate the use of this handbook by those involved in the use and management of Government vehicles, vehicle definitions are contained in Chapter 6, Motor Vehicles.
Accountable Property Officer (APO) - The head of a USGS organizational unit having jurisdiction over property, who is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of property accountability records to provide for effective control of property assigned to the particular organizational element, as detailed in 410 DM 114-60.103(g).
Program guidance is provided to the APO by USGS Guidelines, Directives, and Handbooks.
The Departmental Manual, 410 DM 114-60.100(a), mandates that the APO for Government property in the custody of contractors, grantees, borrowers, concessionaires, and cooperators shall be the Contracting Officer, Grant Officer, or other management official administering the contract, grant, loan, or legal instrument which authorizes the custody of the Government property. In USGS the formally appointed APO shall serve as the APO for Government property in the custody of contractors, grantees, borrowers, concessionaires, and cooperators.
Accountable Property - Property for which detailed accountability or property control records are maintained in the Property Management Data Base (PMDB), and which may or may not be charged to an asset (general ledger control) account. Accountable property includes capitalized, non-capitalized, sensitive, contractor-held, and leased, and stores property with an original acquisition cost of $50 or more. Appendix A is a listing of non-expendable property items commonly used by the USGS indicating the classification of each group by a Federal Supply Code (FSC). Non-expendable property costing $50 or more will be processed as "accountable" even if not in any of the categories specifically listed in Appendix A, unless a formal and written request has been made through the Property Administrator (PA) and approved by the Property Management Officer (PMO). Sensitive non-expendable property (including firearms) shall be accountable regardless of the acquisition cost.
Acquire - To procure, purchase, or obtain in any manner, including transfer, acquisition from excess, lease, or loan for a period of 6 or more consecutive months, donation, forfeiture, manufacture, or production at Government-owned plants or facilities.
Acquisition Cost - The cost of purchased items, including any amounts paid for acquisition and related costs of obtaining the assets in their current form and place including transportation and installation. When acquisition involves trade-in or rental credits, the acquisition cost shall be the amount that the item would have cost if trade-in or rental credits were not applied. The acquisition cost of excess/available property shall be the value identified as the acquisition cost by the former owning agency/bureau.
Available Personal Property - Available personal property is property no longer required by the USGS and available for screening by other Interior Department bureaus and offices.
Board of Survey - A standing or ad hoc committee, generally appointed by senior management officials, typically consisting of three to five members serving a fixed term, and charged with the review or investigation of incidents involving loss, damage or destruction of Federal property; determination of financial liability for loss or damage of such property; and authorization for removal of items, if accountable, from official property records. Boards of Survey shall review and investigate above-cited incidents equally for accountable and non-accountable Government personal property.
Capitalized Property - Non-expendable property, the acquisition cost of which is $5,000 or more, which is charged to an asset (general ledger control) account in a finance office. Property acquired through lease or loan and museum property shall not be capitalized. Property shall become capitalized if the value of additions and enhancements when added to the already existing value generates a new value in excess of $4,999.99. All capitalized property must be accountable.
Controlled Property - See Accountable Property above.
Cognizant Employee (CE) - Employee designated by the Custodial Property Officer (CPO) who has physical custody or makes regular use of the equipment. CPO's shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining correct cognizant employee information in the PMDB.
Custodial Property Officer (CPO) - Supervisors, management officials, or others as designated in writing by the APO's; these are operating officials under whose daily control and supervision the property is located. The CPO's are responsible for accomplishing inventories, preparing and providing required documentation covering transfers, disposals, losses, thefts, and ensuring proper and official use of Government property, as well as maintaining internal tracking system of users within their jurisdictional areas. The USGS Manual, SM 408.2 , mandates that the Contacting Officer's Representative (COR) be the CPO for Government personal property in the custody of contractors, grantees, concessionaires, or other authorized non-Government entities.
Disposable Pay - That part of pay of any individual remaining after the deduction from earnings of any amounts required by law to be withheld.
Excess Personal Property - Excess personal property is property which is no longer required for use within the Interior Department and is then reported to GSA for reutilization within the Federal Government.
Exchange/Sale - Exchange/Sale property is property to be exchanged (traded-in) or sold pursuant to the exchange/sale authority in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 101-46, for a replacement that will continue performing essentially the same task.
Expendable Property -
(a) Property which is consumed, loses its identity or becomes an integral part of other property when put to use; or
(b) Property which, while not expendable as defined above, is considered administratively expendable because of its high rate of breakage in service, or because it has an acquisition cost of less than $50 and is not sensitive property; or
(c) Property which has an expected service life of less than 1 year
(e.g., materials and supplies).
Note: Museum property is not considered expendable.
Firearms - A weapon which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosive, and a muffler or silencer for the weapon.
FSC - Federal Stock Class - A four digit numeric code that is standard throughout the Federal government to identify classes or categories of property. It corresponds to the first four digits of the USGS property code.
Museum Property - An assemblage of museum objects collected according to some rational scheme and maintained so they can be preserved, studied, or interpreted for public benefit. Museum objects include prehistoric and historic objects, artifacts, works of art, archival documents, and natural history specimens that are a part of museum collections. Elements, fragments, and components of structures are objects, if they are no longer a part of the original structure. Museum property does not include those items necessary to display a collection such as exhibit cases, dioramas, special lighting, graphics, replicas, etc.
Negligence - Includes both simple and gross negligence. Simple negligence is the failure or omission to observe, for the protection of Government interests, that degree of care, precaution, and vigilance which the circumstances justly demand, whereby the Government suffers through loss, damage, or destruction of property. Gross negligence is an act or omission of the employee(s) which constitutes misconduct, willful negligence, or a wanton and reckless disregard for the property.
Non-Accountable - See Non-Controlled below.
Non-Capitalized Property - Includes non-expendable Government personal property with an acquisition cost below $5,000 and all expendable Government personal property. However, this term does not apply to any museum property.
Non-Controlled - Non-controlled is property which is not maintained in the PMDB. It includes expendable and/or consumable property, as well as non-expendable personal property having an expected service life of less than one year, losing its identity as an internal component of another item, being stocked as a spare or replacement part for another item, or having an acquisition value of less that $50. In addition, "non-controlled" includes those items where a formal written request for such status has been made through the Property Administrator (PA) and approved by the Property Management Officer (PMO), or where a departmental or bureau determination has been made not to control certain items or categories of property. NOTE: Federal law and Federal, departmental, and bureau regulations regarding use, misuse, and disposal of Government personal property apply to non-controlled property.
Non-Expendable Property - Property which has a continuing use, is not consumed in use, does not lose its identity as an internal component of another item, and is of durable nature with an expected service life of one or more years, and has an acquisition cost of $50 or more. All museum property is generally considered non-expendable regardless of acquisition cost.
Non-reportable - Non-reportable excess and surplus property is property which does not meet the criteria for mandatory excess reporting as prescribed in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR's), but for which reutilization screening is economically justified based on useful life, significant salvage value, or a known need. Both controlled and non-controlled property that falls in this category will be screened as available property and may be reported as excess.
NSN - National Stock Number - A 13-digit stock number that is standard throughout the Federal Government and is assigned to each item carried in the GSA stock program. The first 4 digits of the NSN are also known as the Federal Stock Class (FSC) and correspond to the first 4 digits of the USGS property code.
Personal Property - Government-owned property of any kind or an interest therein, except (1) real property (land, buildings, and appurtenances), and (2) records of the Federal Government. Specifically, personal property includes all equipment, materials and supplies, and museum items which include antiques, artifacts, natural history specimens, and other items of museum collections. It does not include property which is incorporated in, or permanently affixed to, real property. Government personal property should not be confused with privately owned items.
Personal Property Management - A process and system for controlling the acquisition, receipt, storage, issue, utilization, maintenance, protection, accountability, and disposal of personal property to best satisfy the program needs of the USGS.
Property Accountability - The obligation of the APO, who is designated to establish and maintain adequate detailed property accountability records and safeguards to ensure effective control over property under his/her administrative jurisdiction. This obligation may not be delegated to other employees, although the record-keeping function, and responsibility for the use, care, and safekeeping of this property may be assigned to others.
Property Administrator (PA) - Officials appointed by the Director (one in each division) with overall responsibility for the total property management program for their respective accountability areas.
Property Code - A 7-digit number assigned to categories of property in the Property Management Data Base (PMDB). The first 4 digits of the property code correspond to the Federal Stock Class (FSC) and to the first 4 digits of the National Stock Number (NSN).
Property Management Officer - The individual responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and control of the USGS personal property management program.
Property Management Record Keeping System (PMS) - The entire body of procedures and processes, both manual and automated, to maintain records on the acquisition, custodianship, and disposition of each item of USGS accountable property. All requisitioners, users, storers, Cognizant Employees (CE's), Custodial Property Officers (CPO's), and Accountable Property Officers (APO's), as well as the staff of the Property Management Branch, along with data processing, procurement, financial management, and warehousing personnel have responsibilities that are essential to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the PMS.
Property Management Data Base (PMDB) - The Property Management Data Base (PMDB), maintained by the Property Management Branch at bureau headquarters, contains the individual records of each item of USGS accountable property.
Quasi-expendable - Non-controlled property stocked by warehouses at headquarters and at the regional centers for issue on a reimbursable basis for field and office use.
Reportable - Reportable property is property which by law must be reported excess based on value and condition criteria set forth in CFR 101-43.
Reviewing Authority - Management officials who provide technical and procedural guidance to Boards of Survey. The Reviewing Authority (RA) must review and may approve the findings of a Board of Survey. A Reviewing Authority may not disapprove a Report of Survey, but if he/she disagrees with the findings, will follow the procedures set forth in Chapter 5 of this handbook and 410 DM 114-60.8. The Headquarters Property Management Officer (PMO) and Regional Supply Management Officers (SMO's) are designated Reviewing Authority for Certificates of Unserviceable Property. The Chief, Office of Facilities and Management Services (OFMS) and the Regional Management Officers (RMO's) are designated RA's for Reports of Survey processed through their respective Boards of Survey.
Sensitive Property - Sensitive property is property with a high probability of theft or misuse or susceptibility to pilferage, theft, or misappropriation as determined by the PMO. Sensitive property shall always include all firearms and ammunition and may include additional items from time to time as deemed appropriate by the PMO. Sensitive non-expendable property (firearms) shall be controlled irrespective of acquisition cost.
Surplus Personal Property - Surplus property is property which is not required for use within the Federal Government or for which Federal screening is not required, and which is then processed for donation and/or sale to non-Federal parties.
Survey Identification Number (SID) - The 7-character alpha-numeric identifier unique to each individual item of accountable property. The SID is the primary key to access all information in the PMDB concerning any item of accountable property.
CHAPTER 2. ACQUISITION
1. General. The most common method of acquiring property is by a procurement action (purchase order, delivery order, contract, grant, or cooperative agreement). A purchase can be initiated in a variety of ways, using a variety of forms. Various methods of acquisition will be covered in this chapter.
A. Replacement Standards. 41 CFR 100-25.4 prescribes minimum replacement standards for replacing motor vehicles, office machines, furniture, and materials handling equipment. However, USGS will retain items which are in usable workable condition even though the standards permit replacement, provided the item(s) can continue to be used or operated without excessive maintenance cost or substantial reduction in trade-in value.
B. Requisitioning. Requisitions for procurement actions at Headquarters or at the Denver and Menlo Park regional centers are processed by the respective Administrative Division procurement activity. For field offices which are not serviced by either of these procurement activities, purchases are accomplished in accordance with division and locally established procedures.
C. Acquisition Document Review. The Property Management Office at Headquarters and the Regional Supply Management Offices (Denver and Menlo Park) must screen your requisitions if you are located in one of the major centers (Reston, Denver, or Menlo Park). Requisitions are reviewed for controlled (capitalized and non-capitalized) property, including value changes and enhancements, for the correct object classification code for controlled (capitalized and non-capitalized) items, for the identification of the CPO, for the availability of a like item from available and excess property, and for any required approvals (ADP, copiers, etc.).
The following categories of requisitions are exempt from property screening :
- Subscriptions, reprints, publications, and translations.
- Relocations of personnel.
- Temporary exhibit/meeting/conference facilities.
- Court and hearing recorders/interpreters/translators.
- Laundry services for laboratory and special clothing.
- Inks, films, and chemicals (including cylinder refills/exchanges).
- Repair and maintenance services. NOTE: Equipment modifications and enhancements are not exempt. Requisitions for repair and/or replacement parts to be held by a USGS activity (as opposed to those directly tendered to persons performing repairs) are also not exempt.
- Requisitions for services, or service contracts, that obviously do not involve property, i.e., grounds maintenance, custodial, etc.
The same review criteria applies to requisitions for amendments and modifications to existing orders.
All requisitions processed by the Reston, Denver, or Menlo Park procurement offices for rentals and leases, including renewal; all requisitions for ADP/Telecommunications; and all requisitions for supplies and materials, except for exemptions specifically stated above, must be screened by the Property Management Branch or the Regional Supply Management Offices.
It is imperative that the Property Control Copy of all acquisition documents issued at field offices, including purchase orders, delivery orders and Fedstrips, as well as all amendments and modifications, be sent directly to the Property Management Branch, 210 National Center, Reston, Virginia, by the issuing office. Do not mail Property Management's copies to either the Office of Financial Management or to the Office of Procurement and Contracts along with copies required by those offices. The Property Control Copy of all acquisition documents (including contracts, grants and cooperative agreements) issued at either headquarters or the regional procurement offices must be sent directly to the respective headquarters or regional property office.
Regardless of the procedure followed or the form used, there is important information critical to property accountability and control which must be included on the initiating document, as follows:
(1) Item Description. The Item Description must be clear and complete. Do not use ambiguous terminology, acronyms, or only numeric codes; do include the manufacturer's name, the model number, serial number (if known), and other identifying data.
(2) Object Class. Different kinds of items are grouped by Object Class and assigned an Object Class code for accounting purposes. Experience has shown that errors are sometimes made in this area which, in turn, result in delays or errors in important financial records. To avoid these complications, an Object Class code must be accurately included on the form. Especially of concern to Property Management are the object classes for capitalized and non-capitalized controlled items. A listing of Object Class codes is contained in Survey Manual Chapter 330.3.1.
(3) Custodial Property Officer (CPO). The CPO (see SM 408.2) must be named on the form, either typed in the body of the form, or inserted in the space labeled "Accountable Employee." Include this information even if the CPO and consignee are the same individual. CPO's have been appointed in writing for all divisions. If you are in doubt as to your CPO, check with your administrative officer or contact the Headquarters Property Management Branch. If a name other than that of a valid CPO is provided, the item will not be charged to that employee, but will be changed to the correct CPO by the Property staff.
(4) Enhancement or Upgrades. Acquisition documents must explicitly state when items are enhancements to existing accountable property, and identify the Survey Identification Number of item(s) affected. The value of enhancements or betterments must be reflected in the official property records. A statement must be added to the acquisition document, such as "DO NOT CONTROL SEPARATELY; this is an enhancement and will become a component of (describe item, include SID)."
(5) Replacement Parts. The documents must also state when items are replacement parts. Replacement parts are not numbered, and their value is not reflected in the official property and/or financial records, and should be identified by a statement, such as "DO NOT CONTROL SEPARATELY; item is a replacement part."
(6) Enhancement vs. Replacement Parts. It is important to differentiate between enhancements (betterments) and replacement parts. A replacement merely serves to repair or keep in operation a given piece of equipment. An enhancement (add-on) enhances the value or adds more capability to a given piece of equipment, and this added value must then be reflected in the bureau property and financial records.
(7) Leased/Rented Equipment. Leased and rented property (with a term of 6 months or more) is considered accountable property and is numbered and recorded in the property database. This property is identified as "leased" in the property database; this will be reflected on inventory listings. For lease renewals, the existing SID number should be retained. To prevent the assignment of duplicate SID's, all orders for the renewal of leases/rentals must reference the original acquisition document or indicate the existing SID number. Additionally, it is helpful to have equipment lease renewals distinguished from maintenance and other services.
(8) Non-USGS Funds. If funds from other than USGS are being used to purchase the item(s), a statement should be provided on the acquisition document; the document should also state any extenuating circumstances under which the property should not carry a Survey I.D. number, i.e., property where title is vested in other than USGS by virtue of a contract, etc.
(9) Approvals. Departmental and bureau required approvals must be reflected on or accompany the initiating document.
2. Acquiring Available and Excess Property. Available property is property that is owned by a DOI activity which no longer needs it. It is available to other DOI activities prior to becoming excess. Excess property is property that is no longer required by a Federal entity. It may be comprised of new, reconditioned, used, or scrap items.
It is departmental and Federal Government policy and good business practice to use any available and excess property as the first source of supply. The cost of acquiring a good, serviceable, or repairable item through excess can be considerably less than buying new. In most instances, the only charge you pay is for handling and transportation.
When personal property is no longer needed, it should be reported promptly to the appropriate property office (Headquarters, Denver, or Menlo Park), or transferred to the Reston, Denver, or Menlo Park warehouse, as such property may be suitable for use within another USGS office.
The governmentwide excess property program is administered by the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA periodically publishes regional excess property catalogs and bulletins, and offices may screen available excess property through GSA's MUFFIN online inquiry system. For more information or instructions on MUFFIN, call FTS/COM (202) 557-7970, or contact your local FSS Customer Service Director. Requirements can also be submitted by telephone, letter, or by GSA Form 1539. USGS offices should contact the nearest GSA Federal Supply Service office for additional information on excess property. The first step in acquiring an item through the GSA excess process is to contact the staff at the GSA Federal Supply Service office serving your location and place a "freeze" on the item. Requests for excess property are generally honored on a first-come, first-serve basis. In the event of competing requests, consideration is given to national defense requirements, emergency needs, equitable distribution, transportation costs, and avoidance of new procurement. The "freeze" holds the item in your name for up to 10 days. If you have not placed your order by that time, the item may be issued to another. Paragraph D below describes the procedures for acquiring the property once you have placed a "freeze" on the item.
Do not freeze property unless you have a definite need for it and you seriously intend to acquire it. If you freeze an item and cannot acquire it, call GSA as soon as possible to release the hold.
Once an item is frozen, it is advisable to physically inspect it, if possible. Free property is worth nothing if it does not serve your purposes; note particularly the Description and Property Condition Code shown in the catalog.
A. Excess Property Used for Trade-In. Property may not be acquired through the excess property program for use as a trade-in or for exchange. Once acquired from excess, an item must be held for a minimum of one full year before it can be traded-in or exchanged. This restriction does not apply to available property transferred from other Department of the Interior activities.
B. Excess Property for Use by Cooperators. Excess property may be obtained for the purpose of furnishing such property to recipients under grants and cooperative agreements, as defined in FPMR 101-43.001-5, made in accordance with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301). This regulation does not allow agencies to enter into cooperative agreements for the purpose of providing excess property.
C. Excess Property for Cannibalization. Available and excess property may be acquired for parts or components. If you know in advance that you intend to use available or excess items you are acquiring for parts or components, please note this on the order document so that those items will not be recorded as controlled or capitalized.
D. Acquiring the Property. The acquisition of excess property is accomplished by executing a Transfer Order, Excess Personal Property, Standard Form 122 (SF 122).
The SF 122 must be approved by the Headquarters Property Office for Eastern Region and Headquarters acquisitions, and by the Regional Supply Management Officers for Central and Western regional states. Generally at least five copies of the SF 122 are required; however, this may vary by region. Consult your area Property or Supply Management Office if in doubt.
When acquiring ADP equipment, the property offices will forward the SF 122 to the Information Systems Division for clearance and approval. To avoid delays, any documentation, information, or justifications specified in ISD's "Guidelines for the Acquisition of Automated Data Processing Resources," should be annotated on or attached to the SF 122.
(1) Follow-up and Payment. If the consignee does not receive the excess property within a reasonable time, he/she should contact the Property Management Office that processed the SF 122 for follow-up action. All invoices should be annotated with the SF 122 order number and/or attached to a photocopy of the approved SF 122 and should be sent immediately to the Office of Financial Management, MS 270, Reston, Virginia 22092.
(2) Standard Form 122. The following illustrates the Transfer Order, Excess Personal Property, SF 122, and outlines step-by-step procedures for correctly completing it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING SF 122
1. Leave blank.
2. Enter current date.
3. Enter the complete address of the GSA Regional Office that published the catalog from which the order is placed.
4. Leave blank. The appropriate Regional Supply Management Office or the headquarters Property Management Branch will complete.
5. Enter the name and address of the organization that currently controls the property being ordered, as shown in the excess property catalog.
6. Enter the name of the consignee (the person to whom the item is to be shipped), and the consignee's address.
7. Enter the current location (complete address) of the property as shown in the excess property catalog. If the property is in more than one location, prepare a separate transfer order for each.
8. Indicate appropriate instructions. Annotate "Will Pick Up" and add a contact with telephone number for the holding agency to notify regarding when items are to be picked up.
9. Leave blank. The appropriate regional Supply Management Office or headquarters Property Management Branch will complete.
10. Enter the financial account number to be charged (primarily for the holding agency to use for packing and shipping).
11. Leave blank.
12. Normally, leave blank. The holding agency will arrange for transportation and billing. A GBL may be attached to the SF 122 and the GBL number annotated in this block; however, it is often easier for the shipper to prepare these documents.
13. a. Enter the information about the item(s) being ordered from the excess catalog.
b. NOTE: FOR ACCOUNTABLE PROPERTY, THE NAME OF THE CUSTODIAL PROPERTY OFFICER MUST BE INCLUDED ON THE SF 122 IN BLOCK 13c.
c. The following certification as mandated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 41 CFR 114-43.301-50, must be annotated and signed in block 13c.:
This is to certify that the condition, plus all costs involved have been considered, and this transfer action is practical and economical in accordance with Title 41 CFR 114-43.301-50.
___________________________________ _
CPO's Signature and date
d. If items have been frozen, state the date and the name of the individual at GSA with whom the freeze had been placed in block 13c.
e. Any ADP approvals required in accordance with the Information Systems Division's "Guidelines for the Acquisition of Automated Data Processing Resources" or other applicable regulations must be annotated in block 13c if space permits. Otherwise, attach a separate sheet.
f. If the holding agency is expected to issue a GBL, annotate the following in block 13c.:
If GBL is issued, send memo (obligating) and original (billing) copy to:
U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Financial Management
270 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
g. If items are intended to be used for parts or components, provide this information in block 13c.
(3) Screening unreported property. Although there is no formal mechanism for screening property that has not been reported to GSA, such property can still be acquired. The procedure is the same as detailed in (3) above except that the SF 122 should be annotated with the statement that property was not reported to GSA so the Property Management Branch or appropriate regional supply management office will know to work with the holding agency directly.
3. Fedstrips. Controlled property may be ordered from GSA stock using Fedstrip forms and procedures. The property copy of Fedstrip forms containing controlled property must be annotated with all of the required property accountability information including CPO. If electronic ordering procedures are used for Fedstrip orders, a hard copy listing controlled property line items must be typed and sent to the Property Management Branch or the appropriate regional supply management office.
4. Prohibitions and restrictions. Controlled property, non-capitalized as well as capitalized, may never be purchased by means of oral, blanket, or bankcard ordering procedures or from imprest funds except in extreme emergencies. A copy of the invoice or packing slip or comparable paperwork with all of the required property accountability information (including but not limited to CPO and appropriate property description with manufacturer and model number) must be sent to the Property Management Branch or the Regional Supply Management Office attached to a statement thoroughly explaining the nature of the emergency. Abuse of oral, blanket, bankcard, or imprest fund purchasing to acquire controlled property will be brought to the attention of the Office of Procurement and Contracts.
CHAPTER 3. ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1. General.
A. Policy. Accountability, control, and responsibility for all government-owned or leased personal property must be maintained from the time of receipt until disposal. It is essential that each designated accountable official establish procedures to ensure that necessary documentation is maintained reflecting the location and user's name.
B. Accountability structure. The USGS has three formally designated levels of personal property accountability (SM 408.2); see Appendix B:
(1) Property Administrators
(2) Accountable Property Officers
(3) Custodial Property Officers
Additionally, all users of property are termed "Cognizant Employees," and while not in the formal accountability chain, are responsible for the proper care, use, safeguard, and return of Government-owned property and for promptly reporting any loss or damage.
C. Custodianship. Once property is received, CPO's must ensure that the property is used effectively and is properly accounted for, cared for, and safeguarded during its lifetime.
D. Liability. An employee having custody and use of USGS property may be held financially liable for its loss or damage if such loss or damage results from negligence.
E. CPO Responsibilities. The CPO assumes certain responsibilities which pertain to all items of controlled property:
(1) To ensure that all items are numbered with the unique USGS I.D. number; the number and decal for marking will be provided by the Property Management Branch.
(2) To maintain up-to-date records on acquisitions, movements and disposals within his/her jurisdictional area.
(3) To complete a "Property Receipt and Accountability Record" upon receipt of a new controlled item. This document must be completed and returned to the Headquarters Property Management Branch, 210 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092, within 30 days of receipt of a new item.
F. Establishing Initial Property Record. Once the acquisition documents have been processed, and the order placed, regardless of the source, certain very important steps must be followed to ensure that all controlled property is correctly and completely entered into the Property Management System Database (PMDB). The primary document is the computer generated "Property Receipt and Accountability Record," Form 9-065.
G. Form 9-065. The following illustrates the USGS Property Receipt and Accountability Record, Form 9-065, and outlines step-by-step procedures for correctly completing it.
INSTRUCTION FOR COMPLETING THE PROPERTY RECEIPT AND ACCOUNTABILITY RECORD
THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BRANCH WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE PROPERTY.
1. If the item should not have been separately numbered and controlled, write full explanation on the form or on an accompanying memorandum and return the form (unsigned) to the Property Management Branch, 210 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092.
2. Verify the item description, model number, manufacturer, etc. Be sure all information is accurate; make any needed changes in ink on the form.
3. Enter the manufacturer's name and the manufacturer's serial number on both copies of the form.
4. Enter the date the property was received on both copies.
5. Sign both copies of the form, return one copy to the Property Management Branch, 210 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092. One copy should be retained for your records.
6. It is permissible for one person to sign for another only if there is no change in the CPO originally annotated on the form. When signing for another individual, be sure to annotate "FOR" after your signature and above the preprinted name.
7. If the CPO on the computer generated form is wrong, line through the wrong name and PRINT the correct one. The correct CPO then must personally sign any form altered in this manner.
8. The Property Management Branch will complete the record.
NOTE: THE FORM WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU BY THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BRANCH IF YOU FAIL EITHER TO FURNISH THE MANUFACTURER'S SERIAL NUMBER OR TO STATE "NONE" WHERE APPLICABLE OR IF THE SIGNATURE IS NOT THAT OF THE CPO UNLESS "FOR" IS ANNOTATED!
H. Affixing the Survey I.D. Number. The assigned USGS I.D. number (from the "Property Receipt and Accountability Record") and the manufacturer's serial number must be recorded on the decal provided by the property office. The decal should be placed on the equipment item in a prominent, clearly visible location immediately upon receipt of the property, but in no event later than 30 days after receipt.
Other appropriate methods of numbering the item may be used, such as engraving the number directly onto it. It is of utmost importance that the number be legible, as permanent as possible, and as prominently displayed as feasible.
I. Summary. In summary, when a new item is received, the CPO must verify all pertinent information on the "Property Receipt and Accountability Record," make any needed changes, provide the required additional information, affix the decal containing the Survey I.D. number and manufacturer serial number, and return one completed, signed copy of the form to the Property Management Branch, Reston, Virginia.
2. Transfer of Accountability
A. Inter-Bureau Transfers. Transfer requests to acquire personal property will be initiated only for property that is essential for accomplishing the mission of the acquiring office. Property (controlled or non-controlled) that is no longer needed will be returned promptly to the servicing warehouse, or reported through the appropriate headquarters or regional office following the excess procedures detailed in Chapter 4. A Property Transfer Request (Form 9-064) is used to transfer accountable property between CPO's or between CPO's and warehouses as follows:
(1) Transfer between CPO's and between USGS warehouses. The CPO or warehouse employee transferring the property completes a Property Transfer Request (Form 9-064). THE TRANSFEROR (CPO) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING THE SIGNATURE OF THE TRANSFEREE (CPO) IN ORDER TO CLEAR HIS/HER ACCOUNTABILITY RECORD. This procedure also applies to non-controlled non-reimbursable property transfers involving warehouses (including all furniture), but does not apply to the requisition of Quasi-expendable, store stock, and reimbursable non-controlled warehouse stock items: The Form 9-064 is processed as follows:
(a) Property Control Copies (Original and Yellow). Forward to the Property Management Branch, MS 210, Reston, VA, after signature by both the transferor and transferee in the appropriate blocks. After the transfer has been effected in the property database, the yellow copy will be noted by the Property Management Branch, and returned to the transferor.
(b) Transferee's Copy (Pink). Retained by the transferee (the CPO to whom the property is transferred). It is important that the transferee retain this copy -- he/she is not relieved of accountability until the Property Management Branch receives the original, signed by both parties.
(c) Transferor's Copy (Orange). Retained by the transferor (the CPO relinquishing accountability).
(d) Accounting Copy (Green). For warehouse use.
(e) Employee's Suspense Copy (Salmon). Retained by transferor until a signed copy is received.
(2) Returns or Transfers to USGS Warehouses.
(a) Employee's Suspense Copy (Salmon). ALWAYS OBTAIN A SIGNATURE OF THE WAREHOUSE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN THE PROPERTY IS PICKED UP; THIS IS PROOF THAT THE PROPERTY WAS PHYSICALLY REMOVED. Keep the suspense copy after obtaining the signature.
(b) Original and all other copies. Send to the warehouse with the property.
The original of the 9-064 and the Property Control carbon copy (yellow) are receipted at the warehouse and sent to the Property Management Branch; the warehouse retains the transferee's copy. The Property Management Branch adjusts the records to transfer accountability to the appropriate warehouse account, files the original document in the warehouse file, and notes and returns the yellow Property Control copy to the CPO (transferor).
B. Signature. Property Transfer Requests (Form 9-064) must be signed by both the transferor (the current CPO) and the transferee (the CPO accepting accountability). In cases where it is impossible for the transferor or the transferee to sign, an agent, with appropriate delegated authority from the CPO, may accept accountability "for" the transferee.
C. CPO Separation or Transfer. Prior to separation or transfer, outgoing CPO's will conduct a physical inventory of the property for which they are accountable. The appropriate APO will appoint the new CPO in writing and transmit a copy of such appointment through the respective division PA to the PMO. The written designation will authorize the addition of the new CPO to the PMDB. The incoming CPO is required to formally accept, in writing, full accountability and responsibility for all accountable property by using the Form 9-064. In the event the incoming CPO is not available at the time of the outgoing CPO's departure, property will be transferred to the APO or an interim/acting CPO via a Form 9-064. The Form 9-064 should contain a statement indicating that this is an interim transfer pending appointment of the permanent CPO.
D. Employee Clearance.
(1) Employee Clearance Report. APO's must ensure that all separating employees complete and process an Employee Clearance Report (Form 9-090) in accordance with SM 344.16.1. This is the primary mechanism for ensuring that the property account is cleared prior to separation. In cases where items charged to the separating employee are missing or damaged, a Report of Survey needs to be completed and processed at least two weeks in advance of his/her departure to ensure timely processing. Items that are in a separating employee's custody, and being used by him/her, must be transferred to an eligible transferee prior to separation.
The Employee Clearance Report will be screened through the Headquarters Property Management Branch. If the PMDB reflects that a CE/user is still charged with property, a temporary hold will be placed on any monies due the employee. Property Management will simultaneously notify the Payroll Office and the CE's division PA (or delegee) of the temporary hold. It will be the responsibility of that respective division to follow up with the appropriate CPO and subsequently notify Payroll when the Property account has been cleared and monies may be released. Separating CPO's must transfer their property to another formally appointed CPO prior to clearance; final monies will be held pending such transfer.
(2) Inventory Requirements. Upon separation, transfer, or reassignment of any employee, a physical inventory shall be taken of all property in the employee's custody. The inventory and clearance of the employee's property record will be handled through his/her CPO.
E. Transfer Between CE's/Users. Transfers of property between cognizant employees (CE's)/users are handled internally within the CPO jurisdictional area. The CPO should require all CE's/users to sign for their property, either by use of a sign-out log, or by obtaining the user's signature on the system-generated listing of the property. It is recommended that short-term/temporary loans be documented using the Receipt for Property, Form DI-105, Appendix C.
F. Transfers to Non-USGS Entities. Property shall not be loaned, transferred, or "given" to non-USGS entities unless specific authority exists to do so, and then only within the scope, purpose, and limitations as stated in the authority. Such authority may exist when the use of USGS-owned property has been authorized within the written terms and conditions of a legally executed contract, grant, cooperative, agreement, purchase order, or memorandum of understanding. The contracting/grants officer, or other authorized official for that legal instrument, is the only official who can authorize the provision, acquisition, reimbursement, utilization or disposal of any Government property so involved.
G. Water Resources Division Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) Transfers. Controlled property is shipped from the HIF in response to a computer-generated property transfer (HIF order) instead of a 9-064. When an order for controlled property is shipped from the HIF, it will include a copy of the Equipment Order with the Survey Identification Number (W number) and the CPO's name. The accountable CPO will sign and return the form directly to the Property Management Branch, MS 210, Reston, Virginia 22092. Property Management will make the appropriate transfer or assignment of accountability in the PMDB, note the document, and return a noted copy to the HIF for its records.
H. Transfers of Available and Excess Property.
(1) Controlled/accountable property, furniture, and ADPE in any condition, and all reportable property (whether or not controlled) which is no longer required by the CPO and which is located in Washington, D.C. (including Reston), Denver, San Francisco Bay (including Menlo Park), Rolla, Stennis Space Center, and Flagstaff greater metropolitan areas, as well as any other property which can be economically transferred to one of the USGS warehouses, will be promptly turned in to the appropriate USGS warehouse to obtain optimal reutilization.
(2) The USGS maintains warehouses at the following locations:
(a) Washington, DC Metropolitan Area - Warehouse 1
302 Victory Drive
Herndon, VA 22070
Contact: Chief, Branch of Materials Management
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 231 National Center
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092
Telephone: (703) 648-7274; FTS 959-7274
(b) Denver, CO Metropolitan Area - Warehouse 2
Building 25
Denver Federal Center
Lakewood, CO 80225-0046
Contact: Supply Management Officer, Central
Region
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 207, Building 25
Box 25046 Denver Federal Center
Lakewood, CO 80225-0046
Telephone: (303) 236-5860; FTS 776-5860
(c) San Francisco Bay, CA Metropolitan Area - Warehouse 5
1020 O'Brien Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Contact: Supply Management Officer
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 224
1020 O'Brien Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Telephone: (415) 853-5508; FTS 459-5508
(d) Rolla, MO Metropolitan Area - Warehouse 6
1900 Iowa Street
Rolla, MO 65401
Contact: Administrative Officer, Mid-Continent
Mapping Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 306
1400 Independence Road
Rolla, MO 65401
Telephone: (314) 341-0890; FTS 277-0890
(e) Stennis Space Center, MS - Warehouse 7
Building 2101
Gulf Coast Hydroscience Center
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Contact: Chief, Field Service and Supply Section
Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility
U.S. Geological Survey
Building 2101
Gulf Coast Hydroscience Center
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Telephone: (601) 688-2161 Ext. 2108; FTS 494-2108
(f) Flagstaff, AZ Metropolitan Area - Warehouse 8
2255 North Gemini Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Contact: Facilities Manager
Flagstaff Field Center
U.S. Geological Survey
2255 North Gemini Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Telephone: (602) 527-7230; FTS 765-7230
(3) Transfer documents and inquiries shall be addressed to the contacts at the mailing addresses listed above.
I. Form 9-064. The following illustrates the Property Transfer Request (Form 9-064) and outlines step-by-step procedures for correctly completing it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING PROPERTY TRANSFER REQUEST (FORM 9-064)
(1) Complete only if transferring property into or out of warehouses.
(2) Name, office address, phone and room numbers of CPO transferring the item(s).
(3) Name, office, address, phone and room numbers of CPO receiving the item(s).
(4) Optional use of transferor/requestor.
(5) For warehouse use.
(6) Account to be charged, if applicable.
(7) Sequential number of items (1, 2, 3, etc.).
(8) Survey I.D. Number, or stock number.
(9) Description of item; include model and manufacturer.
(10) Manufacturer's serial number.
(11) For warehouse use.
(12) Check appropriate block.
(13) If transferring as excess to warehouse, indicate condition (listing of Condition Codes follows). Also provide detailed information as to the condition in the body of the form.
(14) Signature of transferor CPO/APO and date.
(15) For warehouse use.
(16) Signature of transferee CPO/APO and date.
J. Condition Codes for Excess Personal Property (FPMR 101-43).
Condition
Code
Brief
Definition
Expanded Definition
1
New - Excellent
New or unused property in excel-
lent condition. Ready for use and
identical or interchangeable with
new items delivered by a manufac-
turer or normal source of supply.
New - Good
New or unused property in good
condition. Slightly shopworn, soiled, or similar, but condition
does not impair utility.
2
New - Fair
New or unused property in fair
condition. Soiled, shopworn,
rusted, deteriorated, or damaged
to the extent that utility is slightly impaired.
3
New - Poor
New or unused property, soiled,
rusted, mildewed, deteriorated, or
damaged, condition is poor still
having some utility, but cannot be
classed as salvage.
4
Used/Reconditioned
Excellent
Used property, but repaired or
renovated and in excellent condi-
tion.
Used/Reconditioned
Good
Used property which has been repaired or renovated and, while still in good usable condition, has become worn from further use and cannot qualify for excellent condition.
Used/Usable Without
Repairs - Excellent
Property which has been slightly or moderately used, no repairs required, and still in excellent condition.
Used/Usable Without
Repairs - Good
Used property. In good condition with considerable use left before any important repairs would be required.
Condition
Code
Brief
Definition
Expanded Definition
5
Used/Reconditioned
Fair
Used property which has been repaired or renovated but has deteriorated since reconditioning and is only in fair condition. Further repairs or renovation required or expected to be needed in near future.
Used/Usable Without
Repairs - Fair
Used property which is still in fair condition and useable without repairs; however, somewhat deter-
iorated, with some parts (or por-
tion) worn and should be replaced.
6
Used/Reconditioned
Poor
Used property, which has been repaired or renovated and is in poor condition from serious deter-
ioration such as from major wear and tear, corrosion, exposure to weather, or mildew.
Used/Usable Without
Repairs - Poor
Used property which is still usable without repairs but in poor condition and undependable or uneconomical in use. Parts badly worn and deteriorated.
7
Used/Repairs
Required - Excellent
Used property, still in excellent condition, but minor repairs required. (Estimated repairs would cost no more than 10% of acquisi-
tion cost.)
Used/Repairs
Required - Good
Used property, in good condition but considerable repairs required. Estimated cost of repairs would be from 11% to 25% of acquisition cost.
8
Used/Repairs
Required - Fair
Used property, in fair condition but extensive repairs required. Estimated repair costs would be from 26% to 40% of acquisition cost.Condition
Code
Brief
Definition
Expanded Definition
9
Used/Repairs
Required - Poor
Used property, in poor condition and requiring major repairs. Badly worn, and would still be in doubt-
ful condition of dependability and uneconomical in use if repaired. Estimated repair costs between 41% to 65% of acquisition cost.
X
Salvage
Salvage, property that has some value in excess of its basic material content but which is in such condition that it has no rea- sonable prospect of use for any purpose as a unit (either by the holding or any other Federal agency) and its repair or rehabil-
itation for use as a unit (either by the holding or any other Federal agency) is clearly impracticable. Repairs or rehabilitation estimat-
ed to cost in excess of 65% of acquisition cost would be considered clearly impracticable for purposes of this definition.
S
Scrap
Material that has no value except for its basic material content.
3. Inventorying Property.
A. Annual Inventory. On an annual basis, each CPO, including those accountable for warehouse inventory, is furnished a summary statement reflecting the property charged to him/her or to his/her warehouse. This document, the "Inventory of Controlled Property," Form 9-067, is furnished to the CPO in duplicate, and is the official property record, Appendix D. Upon receipt of the Form 9-067, the property custodian will conduct a physical inventory as follows:
(1) Verify each item in his/her custody with the listing, checking the description, manufacturer's serial number, and that the Survey I.D. number is prominently displayed on the equipment. Note any exceptions on the listing.
(2) Line out the word "Suspense" and add the manufacturer's serial number for any item received. If the item does not contain a serial number, indicate "NONE" in the serial number field.
(3) Verify that leased items are still under lease. For leases which have expired or which were canceled, so note on the inventory in order that item(s) may be removed from the database.
(4) Add any equipment that is in his/her custody which does not appear on the listing, including all pertinent information. Always include a copy of the acquisition document for any item which has no SID number affixed unless obtaining the copy proves totally impossible. Submitting this copy will ensure that a duplicate SID number is not assigned.
(5) Submit documentation for items which cannot be located during the physical inventory. A Report of Property Survey (DI-103) must be completed for missing and damaged items and must be processed through the appropriate Property Survey Board as detailed in Chapter 5.
(6) For property which he/she has transferred to another CPO, attach to the Inventory a Property Transfer Request (Form 9-064) signed by both the transferor and transferee.
(7) Supply acquisition value estimates for any items which show a dollar value of zero and which were purchased at least two years prior to the inventory date.
(8) Attach all necessary documentation, sign the inventory, and forward to the appropriate APO.
B. APO Certification. Within 60 days of receipt of the inventory the APO will transmit all completed and reconciled inventories for his/her jurisdictional area with a written cover certification that all physical inventories have been completed and reconciled. A sample certification memorandum follows.
Memorandum
To: Property Management Officer, MS 210, Reston, VA 22092
Through: Property Administrator, _________________ Division
From: Accountable Property Officer
Office: ____________________________
Address: ____________________________
Subject: Physical Inventory Certification
Attached are Inventories of Controlled Property for all Custodial Property Officers (CPO's) within my APO area.
I certify that each CPO has completed and reconciled his/her periodic inventory of personal property, as instructed in the transmittal memorandum and as set forth in Chapter 3 of the Property Management Handbook.
4. Temporary and Other Removal of Controlled and Other Property From USGS Facilities.
A. Property Pass Procedures. In order to control the removal of property from Government buildings (whether owned or leased), a Property Pass (Form DI-1934), approved by an authorized official, must accompany all property when it is being removed from Government-controlled buildings. The DI-1934 is effective only for the specified period, and in no case for longer than 180 days. In addition to the Property Pass, the person removing Government property must have a written justification approved by his/her supervisor requiring that Government-owned equipment be used off-site. This may be accomplished by a supervisory statement on the property pass itself or a memorandum, which shall be retained by the person removing the property. A property pass may be required for vendors, contractors, and repair persons removing property from Government facilities as well as to remove privately-owned property from Government facilities. In these instances, a supervisor's written justification is not required, and the expiration date should reflect the date the property is removed.
The Form DI-1934 is self-explanatory. Be sure that the "Description of Property" is in sufficient detail to clearly describe or identify the property being removed, including the SID and manufacturer's serial number.
(1) Procedures
Specific procedures for handling the completed DI-1934 may vary from one location to another. The process outlined below is used at the National Center, and each locale should have a similar procedure. Contact your CPO for details.
The employee who is removing the property (the bearer/Cognizant Employee) completes the Property Pass (Form DI-1934). The "Removal Authorization" must be completed and signed by an authorized signer, as well as the bearer's APO/CPO. A Property Pass shall be issued for no longer than 180 days. The cognizant employee will prepare the Form for vendors who are removing items for repair purposes and the employee responsible for organizing an exhibition and/or demonstration in Government premises involving privately owned equipment will insure that Property Pass forms are prepared for such non-Government equipment.
(2) Copy Distribution.
The original (white copy) and the blue copy of the form shall be retained by the issuing CPO for followup and file. The bearer presents the yellow copy to the guard on duty, and retains the pink copy with the equipment.
Upon return of the equipment, the pink copy is noted by the CPO under the "Received by" block, and then returned to the bearer to retain as evidence that the item has been returned.
The bearer must return the Government property by the date specified on the Property Pass. The CPO must follow up with the employee or the repair contractor should the equipment not be returned by the date specified.
B. Form DI-1934. The following illustrates the Property Pass, DI-1934, and outlines step-by-step procedures for correctly completing it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING PROPERTY PASS, DI-1934
(1) Name and signature of individual removing or entering with property.
(2) Check appropriate block.
(3) Enter building name, number or symbol.
(4) Date issued.
(5) Date to be returned, if being returned. For Government-owned property being removed by Government employee, maximum of 180 days.
(6) Reason for removing or entering with property.
(7) Complete description of property, including Survey I.D. Number and manufacturer's serial number.
(8) Check appropriate block.
(9) Authorized signature.
(10) Name, title and signature of Accountable Property Officer.
(11) For Security Office use.
(12) Signature of Custodial Property Officer (pink copy), upon return.
5. Property Requiring Special Handling.
A. Common-Use Property or Pooled Property. Often property is stored in unattended storage facilities, where the CPO is not on site and has no immediate oversight of the equipment. At a minimum, in such instances, a sign-out sheet or log must be maintained, and the users must be counseled in the proper procedures to follow in the use of Government property. Additional practices recommended are frequent inventorying, the use of temporary property receipts with follow-up maintained by the CPO, and key control for the storage facilities. When accountable property is removed for field use, the Survey I.D. number, serial number, and description should be logged and the user should sign as cognizant employee. The user must promptly report any property which becomes lost or damaged through any means other than normal wear and tear. Similarly, the user should report to the CPO immediately upon returning from the field any equipment returned from the field which is in need of repair and which has become damaged beyond repair through normal wear or tear, as well as that which has been rendered obsolete that should be disposed of.
These same procedures should be followed for office and other equipment which is managed through a "pooled" arrangement.
B. Sensitive and Susceptible Property. Special procedures over and above normal prudent care and custody are required to protect equipment items such as binoculars, cameras, pocket calculators, portable dictating equipment, VCR's, laptop computers, tape recorders, etc. which are highly susceptible to theft or conversion to personal use and to protect all sensitive property (firearms and ammunition) as well. To reduce the incidents of loss of such items, all CPO's and users must ensure that such items are:
(1) Stored in locked facilities when not in use;
(2) Removed from public view when leaving an unattended office for even short periods of time; and
(3) Safeguarded when on travel status, i.e., removed from planes, public or private vehicles, and removed from plain view in hotel or motel rooms.
CHAPTER 4. DISPOSAL
1. General. Excess personal property is a mandatory first source of supply and should be utilized to the maximum extent possible in lieu of procuring new property. Personal property which is no longer required by USGS shall not be disposed of through transfer to another Federal agency, or donated or sold until a determination has been made that such property cannot be utilized elsewhere within the bureau or the Department of the Interior. All offices must continually survey property under their control and promptly identify and dispose of unneeded personal property.
2. Authority. Federal and Interior Property Management Regulations, 41 CFR 101-43.3 and 114-43.43-302 contain the procedures to be followed in both reporting and acquiring excess personal property in order to obtain maximum utilization and to minimize procurement of new items.
In those instances where personal property is no longer needed by
a USGS program, it becomes available for transfer to another USGS program or to another bureau or office within DOI.
The USGS has very limited disposal authority without first reporting through the Department and GSA. This authority is limited to:
A. Disposal of uneconomically repairable and in some instances obsolete items by cannibalization or through the abandonment/destruction process. (Note: An item that is obsolete for the CPO's applications may meet the needs of other activities and is not necessarily or automatically eligible for abandonment/destruction. An item that is no longer manufactured or supported can be more valuable for replacement parts by some activity that has a need to continue using similar equipment.)
B. Transfer of "available" property to other bureaus within the Department of the Interior;
C. Limited direct transfers of excess property to other agencies in accordance with 41 CFR 101-43.309-5, including prearranged transfer in those cases where a known requirement exists.
3. Available/Excess Property.
A. Categories of Available/Excess.
(1) Reportable - As defined in 41 CFR 101-43.48, reportable property must always be reported to GSA. This includes both controlled and non-controlled reportable property.
(2) Non-Reportable - Non-reportable Government personal property as defined in 41 CFR 101-43.48 which becomes available/excess shall be screened within the DOI as available property in accordance with DOI Property Management Regulations 41 CFR 114-43.102-51 and may be reported as excess depending on its potential for reutilization. This includes both controlled and non-controlled non-reportable property.
B. CPO's Responsibilities.
(1) CPO's should make a reasonable effort to determine if there is a requirement within their jurisdictional area, and within their division, where feasible.
(2) If there is no requirement within the CPO's division, CPO's reporting property located within the D.C. metropolitan area (including Reston), the Denver metropolitan area, and the San Francisco bay metropolitan area (including Menlo Park) will prepare a Form 9-064, Property Transfer Request, transferring the items to the Reston, Denver, or Menlo Park warehouse as appropriate. In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraph 2 of this chapter, the 9-064 must include all of the information listed in paragraph (3) below in the "name of item" section of the form. Items which the warehouses cannot accommodate will be processed in accordance with (3) below, even if located in one the three listed metropolitan areas.
(3) If there is no requirement within the CPO's division, CPO's reporting property located outside the three metropolitan areas listed above, as well as property which the USGS warehouses cannot accommodate for any reason, shall prepare a Form SF 120. For the purpose of reporting excess and exchange/sale property, the SF 120 has replaced the Form 9-066. For items in need of repair, in addition to the condition code, a brief explanation of the nature and scope of required repairs must be included. Descriptions must include information that would enable potential users to determine whether or not item would meet their need, and must include all out of the ordinary factors. Out of the ordinary factors are not limited to, but would include special dismantling, packing, rigging, assembly, and handling requirements; special temperature, humidity, floor load and space requirements, and all special measures for protection of employee and/or public health and safety while item is in transit, storage or use. Where property will incur storage costs (that will terminate when property is removed) or when property is in space that must be vacated by a certain date, this information must be added to the description. If the CPO is aware of a potential requirement, the name and title, along with the business address and telephone number of the potential user(s), must also be included with the description; in most instances, this will significantly expedite final disposition. The SF 120 must be signed by the CPO and sent to the PMB or to a regional SMO as appropriate based on the physical location of the property.
It is the CPO's responsibility to promptly inform the PMB or appropriate Regional SMO of any changes in location, contact, condition, and/or availability of any items reported.
It is the CPO's responsibility to provide appropriate care and storage of reported items until final disposition is approved and accomplished.
It is the CPO's responsibility to ensure that all decals, labels and markings identifying items as USGS property are totally removed or effaced before items are shipped to or received by any transferee, donee, or purchaser (or designated representative).
C. PMB, Regional SMO's, and the Supply Management Branch Responsibilities.
Depending upon whether available/excess items are reportable or non-reportable, the PMB, Regional SMO's or the Materials Management Branch in Reston shall prepare either an SF 120, an SF 126, or an electronic equivalent for items transferred or reported in accordance with paragraph B.3. above.
(1) Transfers of Available Property Within DOI. Transfers of available personal property within USGS (intra-bureau transfers) and DOI (inter-bureau transfers) shall be recorded on a Property Transfer Request, Form 9-064. Inter-bureau transfers must state that the property is "excess to the needs of USGS."
(2) Direct Inter-Agency Transfers. Personal property not transferred within DOI at the end of the availability period and meeting the conditions stated below may be transferred directly to other Federal agencies. The requesting agency must prepare and submit to the PMB or appropriate regional SMO an SF 122 for:
(a) Reportable property not yet reported to GSA when its total acquisition cost does not exceed $5,000.00,
(b) Non-reportable property which has not been reserved for special screening by a GSA office and its total acquisition cost does not exceed $25,000.00; and
The appropriate GSA Regional Office is furnished an information copy of each direct transfer order, SF 122, within ten (10) working days from receipt of the order by the receiving activity (Reference 41 CFR 101-43.315-5.)
(3) Transfer of Excess Property Outside DOI. Transfers outside the DOI shall be documented on Standard Form SF 122 (Transfer Order, Excess Personal Property) initiated by the transferee in accordance with FPMR 101-43.309.
D. Release of Excess. Excess property that has been reported to GSA shall not be removed from its reported location except as directed by GSA. The CPO is held accountable for all property under his/her jurisdiction from time of acquisition until an authorized disposal has been completed. FPMR 41 CFR 101-45.104 requires each holding area to adequately protect excess personal property until transferred to another activity or until released to GSA. Inside storage should be provided whenever possible.
E. Removal of Bureau Identification. All identification markings which indicate that the property was previously owned by the USGS shall be removed prior to disposal.
F. Standard Form 120. The following illustrates the Report of Excess Personal Property, SF 120, and outlines step-by-step procedures for correctly completing it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING REPORT OF EXCESS PERSONAL PROPERTY
SF 120
(1) Leave blank.
(2) Enter date prepared.
(3) - (7) Leave blank.
(8) Name and title of Custodial Property Officer.
(9) Individual most knowledgeable of item(s). Be sure to include both commercial and FTS telephone numbers.
(10) Custodial Property Officer's Signature.
(11) Custodial Property Officer's mailing address.
(12) Leave blank.
(13) FSC Class (first four digits of the property code). Do not mingle on one form items having different FSC Classes.
(14) Building, street address, etc., where the property is located and can be inspected. You may annotate same as Block 9 only if the address in Block 9 is also the property location.
(15) Leave blank.
(16) Optional for use of Custodial Property Officer.
(17) Leave blank.
(18) (a) Consecutive numbers for all line items in the report, beginning with "1."
(b) Describe each line item in detail - name of manufacturer, model, stock numbers, part numbers, etc. All of the information specified in 3.B.(3) above must be included in this block. Also be sure to include SID Number(s).
(c) Condition Code -- If condition cannot be accurately described by code, elaborate in Column (b).
(d) Unit -- Indicate the type of unit. This will usually be "EA" (each).
(e) Number of Units -- A line item may include a quantity of more than one only if all items bear the same description (except for serial and SID numbers) and are in the same condition.
(f) Per Unit Acquisition Cost -- Indicate the per unit acquisition cost.
(g) and (h) Leave blank.
G. Available/Excess Items Not Disposed of By GSA.
If any items reported excess are not successfully placed for reutilization, donated, or sold, authority for disposition of such items is returned to the USGS at which point the PMB or Regional SMO will immediately notify the CPO. Promptly upon notification by the PMB or Regional SMO, a Certificate of Unserviceable Property for items where disposition authority was returned by GSA should be initiated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 5 of this handbook. Normally, the initiating and approving officials should recommend abandonment/destruction in Section B of the Certificate due to the time and expense already expended by the USGS and by GSA to dispose of such items. However, donation or small lot sale may be recommended in Section B if an eligible donee is known or if a small lot sale would be economical.
H. Abandonment or Destruction.
Many items that are reported to GSA as excess that are subsequently returned to USGS for disposal as having "no commercial value" should not have been reported in the first place. Report only items that meet the criteria set forth in 41 CFR 101-43.4801 or items where there is a known requirement by another agency or eligible donee. Other obsolete and unserviceable items should be disposed of in accordance with 41 CFR 101-45.5, and Chapter 5 of this Handbook.
4. Cannibalization. Cannibalization is using the parts of an obsolete, unserviceable, or unrepairable piece of equipment to repair or improve a like item. Cannibalization of USGS-owned obsolete/unserviceable property does not require authorization from GSA. This action shall be requested in advance on a Certificate of Unserviceable Property which shall be completed and processed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 5 of this handbook. Time is of the essence in many instances. Should time not allow for advance approval due to the emergency nature of a repair to prevent an interruption of work on a project, the Certificate should be processed for approval within 30 days of the actual dismantling of the unserviceable item with a brief explanation of why advance approval was not feasible. Cannibalization of obsolete/unserviceable items is good business practice, and should be considered where feasible.
5. Exchange/Sale. Subject to the provisions of 41 CFR 101-46.2 in acquiring replacement personal property, certain categories of items may be exchanged or sold with the USGS authorized to apply the exchange allowance or the sales proceeds as total or as partial payment for the replacement property acquired. Although there are no disposal restrictions specific to available property acquired from other USGS and DOI activities, keep in mind that excess property acquired from activities outside of the Interior Department must be in the custody of the USGS for one full year before it can be disposed of by means of trade-in or exchange/sale. Under no circumstances may excess property be acquired from activities outside of the Interior Department for the purpose of trade-in or exchange/sale.
A. Trade-in. Requests for trade-in are accomplished on a Form 9-064, by inclusion of one of the following statements, certified by the CPO, concurred with by the APO, and approved by the servicing property office (Reston, Denver, Menlo Park).
There is a continuing need for the listed equipment that has become uneconomical to operate/maintain, meets any applicable replacement standards in accordance with 41 CFR 101-25.4, and qualifies for exchange in accordance with 41 CFR 101-46.2
_________________________ ___________
CPO Date
There is a continuing need for the listed equipment that lacks features/capabilities to perform the function for which it is intended, meets any applicable replacement standards in accordance with 41 CFR 101-25.4, and qualifies for exchange in accordance with 41 CFR 101-46.2.
__________________________ ____________
CPO Date
Two copies of the form (the original and the yellow) are forwarded by the CPO through the appropriate APO for signature, then on to the servicing Property Management Office for approval. The servicing Property Management Office will review the request for conformance to existing regulations, will note approval or disapproval on both copies and return the yellow copy to the CPO. Requisitions to headquarters or regional procurement activities citing a trade-in must state that an approval for the trade-in has been received. The original will be held by the PMB or Regional SMO in a suspense file until a signed copy from the vendor (or representative) has been received. The Regional SMO's will attach a copy of the receipted 9-064 to the approved original and will forward the package to the Headquarters PMB. The CPO will not be relieved of accountability until the vendor (or representative) has signed as receiving the property and until the signed receipt is received in the Headquarters Property Management Branch, MS 210, Reston, VA 22092.
The PMB and Regional SMO's will hold the original 9-064 in suspense for the balance of the FY in which it is received and for the duration of the immediately following FY, and then will discard it. If trade-in action is not completed within that time, a new approval will have to be initiated.
B. Sale.
(1) Policy. Due to the significant administrative and processing costs of this procedure, sale pursuant to exchange/sale authority should only be attempted when proceeds are likely to be significant. It is the policy of the USGS to apply this procedure on an exceptional rather than a routine basis for government personal property other than vehicles.
Prior approval of the APO must be obtained prior to effecting a sale pursuant to Exchange/Sale authority. Requests for such approvals are accomplished on SF 120, by inclusion of one of the following statements, certified by the CPO in Block 18(b).
There is a continuing need for the listed equipment that has become uneconomical to operate/maintain, meets any applicable replacement standards in accordance with 41 CFR 101-25.4, and qualifies for exchange in accordance with 41 CFR 101-46.2
_________________________ ___________
CPO Date
There is a continuing need for the listed equipment that lacks features/capabilities to perform the function for which it is intended, meets any applicable replacement standards in accordance with 41 CFR 101-25.4, and qualifies for exchange in accordance with 41 CFR 101-46.2
_________________________ ____________
CPO Date
(2) Procedure.
(a) The CPO submits to the PMB or the Regional SMO through the APO for approval an SF 120 completed in the same manner as SF 120's prepared for excess except:
Annotate FOR EXCHANGE/SALE prominently and include above signed APO statement in Block 18(b), and check YES in block 15. REIM/REQD.
(b) The PMB or Regional SMO will process a report to GSA. GSA will conduct a sale and deposit proceeds into the USGS' reimbursable account.
(c) The Office of Financial Management (OFM) routinely processes funds as exchange/sale for vehicles only. The CPO must make special arrangements on a case by case basis with OFM to have funds from sale of property other than vehicles processed as exchange/sale.
(d) Depending on arrangements made with OFM, proceeds from the sale can be utilized to reimburse an account that had been used to purchase the replacement or can be applied to the subsequent purchase of the replacement. Funds can be obligated only for a replacement for the item sold and must be obligated either within the FY in which they are deposited or during the immediately following FY after which they revert to miscellaneous receipts and are no longer available to the USGS.
(e) Property reported for sale as exchange/sale, but not successfully sold will then be treated as excess.
6. Leased Equipment. Leased equipment will be disposed of in accordance with the lease agreement.
7. Foreign Disposals. Upon determination by the USGS project chief that accountable/controlled property being used in foreign countries is excess to USGS requirements, it may be disposed of through the usual GSA excess process, or by applying the abandonment/destruction procedures set forth above.
8. Disposal of Firearms. Firearms can be made available by GSA for Federal transfer to other Federal agencies, including DOD, that are authorized to acquire firearms for official use. When no longer needed for Federal use, they will be disposed of as scrap after total destruction by either crushing, cutting, breaking, or deforming to be performed in a manner to ensure that the firearms are rendered completely inoperative and to preclude their being made operative. Such disposals shall be handled through your regional security officers.
Donation and public sale of firearms are prohibited.
9. Sale of Government Property to Federal Employees. USGS may purchase surplus personal property, subject to the provisions of SM 408.11.
10. Disposal of Special Protective Clothing and Equipment. Negotiated sales to employees of special protective clothing and equipment, such as prescription safety glasses, diver's wet suits, and safety toe shoes and boots may be made under the following circumstances.
A. It was designed or purchased for use by a specific
employee under 5 U.S.C. 7903.
B. Employee is separated or transferred to a function where
the special items are no longer required.
C. Proceeds from the sale are under $100.00
D. Competition is obtained to the extent possible under the circumstances.
E. Any such sales will be reported to GSA on an annual basis, in accordance with 41 CFR 114-45.105-3(b).
F. Sale values will be determined in accordance with 41 CFR 114.45.105-3(c).
11. Gifts Disposal. Any unconditional gifts (those with no stipulations concerning their use) which are accepted become the property of the USGS and must be entered into the PMDB. When an accepted gift cannot be used or had been used but is no longer required, it is reported to GSA for disposition in the same manner as other excess personal property.
CHAPTER 5 REPORTS OF SURVEY AND
CERTIFICATES OF UNSERVICEABLE PROPERTY
1. General (410 DM 114-60.800). This chapter implements Boards of Survey and Reports of Survey procedures as specified in Interior Property Management Regulations 410 DM 114-60.8. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) must ensure the safeguarding of Government property against vulnerability to fraud, waste, and abuse. As managers of Government property we are, by law, held accountable for all property entrusted to our use. This chapter outlines the specific requirements for the conduct of Boards of Survey, completion of Reports of Unserviceable Property, and guidelines for the imposition of financial liability for Government-owned personal property which is lost, damaged, or destroyed. Each Property Administrator (PA), Accountable Property Officer (APO), and Custodial Property Officer (CPO) must ensure that all employees are aware of their responsibilities and are held accountable for Government property in their possession, and that all Government property is used only for official purposes.
These procedures apply to all Government personal property as defined in 410 DM 114-60.100(r) and all real property as defined in 41 CFR 101-47.103-12. This includes, but is not limited to, museum property, seized and forfeited property, abandoned property (lost and found), capitalized and non-capitalized, controlled and non-controlled, and non-expendable and expendable property where fraud, or other irregularities, appear to be related to a specific incident(s).
2. Requirements for Report of Survey and Board of Survey Action (410 DM 114-60.801 and 410 DM 114-60.803).
This paragraph implements the requirement for Reports of Survey and Board of Survey actions. Boards of Survey must be convened and an investigation conducted on all Reports of Survey, except those conducted by a Traveling Survey Officer or Local Survey Officer. However, Traveling and Local Survey Officers must conduct investigations as prescribed in this Chapter and 410 DM 114-60.8.
A. When Required. Report of Survey action is required to document the following circumstances:
(1) Any circumstance involving expendable or nonexpendable personal property, regardless of acquisition cost, and real property, where fraud or other irregularities appear to be connected to the incident;
(2) Any circumstance in which there is a possibility of a claim against the Government in connection with the administration, care, and use of Government property. Tort Claims Officers must be consulted in these situations;
(3) All lost or stolen property when the original acquisition cost of the property is $50 or more;
(4) All damage or destruction of property when the original acquisition cost of the property is $50 or more (not including worn out property, or that consumed through normal use);
(5) Loss, theft, damage, destruction, abandonment, determination of unserviceability, or cannibalization of sensitive property items, regardless of the original acquisition cost or circumstances. Sensitive property includes weapons, firearms, ammunition, explosives, hazardous materials, controlled substances, museum property, and proprietary programs or software;
(6) Donation of property to public bodies. Property shall not be donated to public bodies unless it is specifically determined in writing in the Report of Survey that all the circumstances of 41 CFR 101-44.7 and 114-44.7 are met; (this does not apply to donation to public bodies in lieu