500.1 - Policy of USGS in Cooperative Work with States, Counties, Municipalities, and Other Political Subdivisions

2/27/91

OPR: Office of Administration

1. It is USGS policy:

A. To enter into cooperative programs with, and at the request of, State, local, or regional agencies, Indian tribes, or other entities having taxing authority (or public institutions that are integral parts of such entities), either formally or informally, whenever it is mutually advantageous and feasible. Use of USGS funds to match funds that originated in a USGS appropriation is prohibited. Work should not be undertaken for private parties in the Cooperative Program.

B. To identify needs, both for scientific knowledge and data coverage; to encourage cooperator participation in investigations and surveys aimed at satisfying such needs; and to develop long-range plans that will continue to focus the relevance of cooperative work on national objectives. The cooperative program will be planned jointly with the cooperating agencies.

C. Not to duplicate programs or projects carried on by others, but to apply its efforts to investigations or activities which: (1) provide reasonable balance of knowledge, data and geographical or subject coverage; (2) States or local groups do not undertake, or do not assign the priority dictated by national need for earth-science information; and (3) are needed to meet Federal requirements, including those of Federal agencies other than USGS.

2. Agreement Form.

A. Form 9-1366, Joint Funding Agreement, (Figure 1) is the official USGS agreement form which all authorized officials (See SM 205.13) will normally be expected to use. Form 9-1366 will be approved at Division or Regional level in accordance with Division instructions.

B. Additional details on project funding, State requirements, and special arrangements should be made as modifications or attachments to the agreement form.

C. In order to notify customers of Federal cash management requirements, the following statements should be included on, or as an attachment to, all agreement forms:

"Billings for this agreement will be rendered upon completion of the agreement or as otherwise stated in the agreement."

"Payments of bills are due within 60 days the billing date. If not paid by the due date, interest will be charged at the U.S. Treasury Current Value of Funds Rate for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that the payment is delayed beyond the due date. (31 USC 3717; Comptroller General File B-212222, August 23, 1983.)"

"The required method of payment will include check, wire transfer, or other means of payment as specified by the U.S. Geological Survey. See SM 336.2.7B concerning the remittance address."

D. If the Cooperator requires advance billings, they must certify that payment will be made within 30 days of the billing.

E. Divisions and Offices authorized to prepare joint funding agreements will maintain current address lists of State, county, and municipal cooperating agencies. Additions or changes to these lists should be forwarded to the Office of Financial Management, Branch of Accounting, Debt Management Section.

3. Billings. Billings to cooperators will comply with SM 336.2, Billing Non-Federal Customers. Bills will include the due date, which will be 60 days from the bill date, and will include the following statement for charging interest:

"Federal Regulations require the assessment of a__ * __% annual interest rate for each 30-day period, or portion thereof, that payment is delayed beyond the due date."

* The U.S. Treasury's Current Value of Funds Rate.

All billing offices will be notified of the current Treasury rate by OFM numbered memorandum.