CAPPS Notes - July 17, 2002

I. Welcome (Cliff Lee)

NFC South attendees: Jim Julian, Penny Forbes, Glenda Dorsey, Billy Dantagnan and via teleconference: Margaret Prell, Doug Womac, Andrea Robinson, Deidre Charlot, Carey Turner, and Nancy Pierce.

II. Pay Administration (Cliff Lee) - OPM is looking at a variety of issues in the payroll arena. Goal is standardization (e.g., rounding to the same digit within computations across the government to avoid even penny differences when moving among agencies. Input mechanisms for a number of clients require that HR does the computation and only limits are programmed. Many of the issues (e.g., overtime rates, leave issues, etc.) will require legislative changes. They will have a major impact. OPM is also proposing to eliminate an array of required reports. Payroll Standardization Report from OPM to OMB is due the end of this month.

III. NFC Realignment (Penny Forbes/Jim Julian) NFC realignment became effective on June 30, 2002. However, the day-to-day details are still being worked out. The idea was to organize by product line to help accountability and responsiveness. Recommended by Ted McPherson, USDA's Chief Financial Officer.

A. Handout - ASD and part of FSD have been merged into a newly titled organization, "Government Employees Services Division" with Rod Keith as the Director. Three new groups have been established and they are:

• "Payroll/Personnel Systems" with Penny Forbes as the Associate Director
  
  
• "Government Employees Systems" with Jim Julian as the Associate Director
  
  
• "Government Employees Operations" with Howard Tamborella as the Associate Director

  Payroll/Personnel Systems includes the Payroll/Personnel Services Branch with Margaret Prell as the Branch Chief; the Payroll Systems Branch with Debby Tatum as the Branch Chief; and, the Personnel Systems Branch with Glenda Dorsey as the Branch Chief.

  Government Employees Systems includes the Government Employees Services Branch with Jules Leaumont as the Branch Chief; the Special Systems Branch with Lenny Bankston as the Branch Chief; and the Support Systems Branch with Rick Minella as the Branch Chief.

  Government Employees Operations includes the Government Debt & Insurance Services Branch with Steve Loeffelholz as the Branch Chief; the Payroll Operations Branch with Mose Lindsay as Acting Branch Chief; and the Payroll Control Branch with Brad Womack as the Branch Chief.

  1. Billings & Collections Branch became the Government Debt & Insurance Services Branch (billings, CLER)
     
     
  2. Directives & Analysis Branch (with the exception of the Graphics unit) and the Customer Service Branch will be divided under Payroll/Personnel Systems & Government Employees Systems.
     
     
  3. Accounting Systems Branch was abolished.
     
     
  4. Administrative Systems Branch and the Special Systems Branch were split based upon function. USDA-specific related functions were transferred to Wendy Snow in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and the other functions transferred to Special Systems Branch.
     
     
  5. Payroll/Personnel Upgrade Branch and the Web Branch were merged into the Support Systems Branch. Steve Cunningham will work for Rick but retain his title as "web master".
     
     
  6. Requirements and Development Coordination Branch was split among OCFO and various branches under GES & PPS.

B. Development, directives and maintenance will be handled within the same units.

C. All systems in the future will be web based. Therefore, all units will be developing in that arena.

D. The Project Planning and Reporting Office (PPRO) is a new group that was established in the Management Support Staff. This group is headed by John Turner. One of their primary concerns will be the development of Service Level Agreements.

E. John Ortego and Jerry Lohfink are working on a single customer face. NFC wants to alleviate the problem of calling number after number without success in achieving the results you desire; we plan to implement an interactive voice response (IVR) system by the end of this calendar year. Until then, continue to call your current Customer Service Rep at 504-255-5230 or the Payroll Operations Section at 504-255-4630.

IV. Data Base Expansion (Glenda Dorsey/Billy Dantagnan) -

A. Billy is the project leader for the database expansion. Currently the project is in user acceptance testing. Lynn Isbell has been working with client agencies. NFC is running a pass of PINE at 3:00 am each morning for this testing. One of NFC's major issues is to logically relocate fields that for the past 9-91/2 years have been placed in non-logical places as additional clients were added and space was needed. The initial October 2002 change will only reflect this movement. The other changes that are being made in this expansion are to incorporate the additional fields for military leave and garnishments, etc. While the fields will be in the mainframe database in October, they will not be utilized until the front-end programs are modified. If your agency did not use any of the "stashed" fields, you will not see any changes in October. The focus master file descriptions have changed - see details in section B.

1. Tom Neumeister (SM) indicated a problem with the current FOCUS library where both lines of the mail address file are not available in PAYPERS. They are in PHIS. Just discovered yesterday. Billy referred to Margaret who will have Al Guillot look into it. POST MEETING UPDATE: This is an issue with the current database and how data is returned with FOCUS. Al Guilliot has explained that Ron Alexander's (SM) report has two separate record occurrences for one particular individual, because there are multiple records for the individual on the database. Ron says he still has a problem and is expected to check back with Al.
   
   
2. Melinda Morgan (DOJ) is looking to go ahead and test focus reports now. Billy indicated that they could do so.
   
   
3. Q: How long is the testing scheduled to run? A: Until the end of August. Apparently some agencies did not receive the initial notice but most did get the 2nd one. However, many individuals who signed-up as a result of the 2nd notice are having trouble getting into the test environment. Treasury is still looking for SSNs that they requested be loaded some weeks ago. Billy indicated that the initial employees in the test database were those that are routinely tested for the annual pay adjustment. Agencies may request that additional SSNs to be loaded. Please send requests to Lynn Isbell but cc: to Andrea Robinson at Andrea.Robinson@usda.gov.
   
   
4. Ginny Peck (TR) had their security problems worked out, but could still not get the POL. Margaret requested that she call Andrea Robinson. Q: What is a POL? A: It is the Position Organization Listing available via CULPRPT.
   
   
5. Melinda (DOJ) asked how many of the fields are affected by the relocation issues. Billy indicated that 30-50 fields are affected by the relocate issue. New fields that they agencies have requested may also be addressed in the current change. Other fields were deferred to future database changes that will in approximately 18 month increments. Some of fields that agencies requested may be in one of the future changes. Q: Can NFC inform the clients as to which new fields are in this change. A: Yes. Lynn has this information. It will be reviewed by Billy for accuracy and then distributed to everyone.
   
   
6. Dora Lee (TR) asked when will Military Leave in hourly increments be distributed. This change was originally scheduled for PP-01 of 2003. However, based on the need to have this implemented with the beginning of the fiscal year, this project has been delayed to Pay Period 19, 2003.
   
   
7. Melinda (DOJ) asked will we be testing fields on the 120 document? Billy - No. Clients need to be testing results on all of the various documents that you normally process. Variety is key to ensure that nothing is slips through. It is key that the users test as much as possible to ensure this.
   
   
8. Nancy Yeager (FCA) indicated that the notices regarding security access for DB expansion testing do not mention that access to the reporting area must also be requested. Glenda indicated reporting should be inherent to the process and should not have to be requested separately. Ruby Seabrooks (TR) has also encountered problems with the testing access not including reporting. They have been trying to get it fixed since the first week in July. The problem is being passed back and forth between security, CSB, and the help desk. Margaret will provide an update.
   
   
9. Wanda Vaughan (DOJ) indicated a key part of participating in the testing is access to the testing facilities here in USDA (ie., the Customer Service Office). DOJ has never been able to do this type of testing at their location. Lynda Wilson indicated that part of it may be due to the IP sites that have been identified. Maybe Jim Ivey and Arleen Luc were working on the addresses for all servers outside the main one. Agencies have never been formally told that they can test from off-site. Margaret will take this as an action item.
   
   
10. Cheryl Ruf (USDA) asked if the FESI testers are also participating in this test? Glenda indicated if the FESI testers would like to test they should be doing so now. However, data input fields are not expanding on the front-end. For this database change, only the capture fields on the mainframe (i.e., YTD fields, etc.) will be changing.
    
    
11. Mary Arnold (DOC) asked how an agency can test fields that are in the background since they cannot affect them? YTD fields are typically not updated until after PAYE. A: The agency-use and YTD fields that appear on reports can be validated.

B. Glenda - FOCUS TESTING is option 10 on the FOCUS menu. As Reuben Vaughn mentioned during the HR Briefing in April, the table file PAYPERS has been split into four. This is because the latest version of FOCUS could not handle the new files. The new master file listings are available for you to browse at nfcp.focs.listings.temp. NFC tried to keep the most frequently utilized elements in the original PAYPERS dictionary. Other fields went to PAYPERS1, PAYPERS2, PAYPERS3, and PAYPERS4 (contains new records due to the FOCUS upgrade). There are also fields in SALPPERS, SALPERS1, SALPERS2, and SALPERS3 as well as PAYTA01 through PAYTA27. Please review the listings to see if all of your data elements are found.

1. Melinda Morgan (DOJ) asked if a cross-walk had been developed between the new and old? A: No. Mike Mire (TR) seconded a need for this. Penny will mention the issue to Reuben. POST MEETING UPDATE: The crosswalk for the new elements is still being developed and formatted. NFC plans to have the information in FOCUS. LISTINGS by August 4th.
   
   
2. Tom (SM) asked how users can identify the new field names in the huge listing? Glenda said to check the nfcp.focs.listings.temp file. For most users they will not have to alter the table from PAYPERS during this first conversion. The others will need to modify their FOCUS reports to utilize the proper files. All agencies should run their most frequently used reports to ensure changes do not affect them. If you find changes, please alert Billy as soon as possible at Billy.Dantagnan@usda.gov. The crosswalk should help support this request.
   
   
3. Mike Mire (TR) asked if there will be changes to PHIS? No.

V. Standard Costs (Deidre Charlot/John Turner). Deidre would like a list of attendees for the meeting so that they know who received this information. PPSPS will send Deidre a list of the agencies in attendance at today's meeting.

Functions formerly supported by the Financial Management Staff (FMO) are now supported by two offices. FMO headed by Pat Hanks is responsible for rate setting and budget formulation and execution. John Turner is in charge of the PPRO which handles the service level and reimbursement agreements. A copy of the proposed change in standard cost agreements was distributed for comment in May. As a follow-up to feedback received from CAPPS, a revised proposal was distributed at this meeting. (See Attachment A).

A. Proposed Changes -

1. Statement of Earnings & Leave (SEL) insert information is published on the web site.
   
   
2. Non-Standard FESI file testing charge is a new item.
   
   
3. PMSO/MASC - 3 sweep charges based upon the size of the sweep. Some agencies are using this and it appears to be working out.
   
   
4. SF-50 B Reprints - No change.

   a. DOJ - Initial prints are included in the original reimbursement and thus would not be billed again unless you indicate non-receipt.
   
   b. DOJ - At $1,200 per POI, users should go to RFQS whenever possible to avoid this cost. RFQS is an excellent way to print SF-50's when you are running a small organization.
   
   c. Glenda - NFC is trying to control the output and release SF-50B's in phases so that they are not stockpiled at a printer out-put station. Reprints may be FedEx'd but that would add the FedEx fee to the basic Service Level Agreement (SLA).

5. Manual Payments - A certain number of manual payments are built into an agency's normal service and thus covered in the agency's base agreement. However, the manual payments outlined in the handout will require overtime processing and those costs would invoke a reimbursement agreement. Baseline (included in the basic processing costs) will be specified in the upcoming SLA.

   a. Melinda (DOJ) - Category B a couple of VIPs
   
   b. Cheryl (USDA) - What about USDA who does not do service agreements with NFC? A: Good question, Deidra/John were not sure. USDA would like agreements.
   
   c. Nancy Yeager - The proposed method may save money but it appears that it will take longer because a reimbursable will need to be done. Deidre - Yes. NFC is trying to reduce the time it takes to get back to you on the cost. Nancy's concern is the lengthened time frames and how much extra time will this require? Deidre indicated that they are projecting five working days to get an estimate. Community - Five days! Deidre - what do the clients consider a reasonable time frame? Community - a maximum of 2 days. John - we want to work with the clients to make this as painless as possible.
   
   d. Denise (USPTO) - When will these change be effective? A: NFC is projecting implementation for the beginning of FY 2003. USPTO sent an AD-343 to correct 44 individuals in April and their corrections are still pending. They contacted Gladys who indicated that they could not handle it. If USPTO now has to go back and do a reimbursable list, where will they be in the que for resolution? POST MEETING UPDATE: PPRO confirmed that the 44 AD-343's will be processed by DOC's requested time frame and will not require a reimbursement agreement.
   
   e. Vickie Cline (TR) - I thought NFC was working on a minium service level (i.e., 500 items per week) and anything over that the agency would be billed. Is that correct? Deidre - That is true. In addition, NFC is working toward blanket reimbursement agreements. That will save time and resources and get the items processed more timely.
   
   f. Melinda - I thought SPPS was supposed to help reduce this? Deidre - agencies are encouraged to use SPPS to do the work themselves.

6. TSP Lost Earnings Computations - Three levels on the payroll control branch due to the fluctuating efforts.

VI. Benefits (Jody Nyers)

A. Maximum TSP Contributions - Elective Deferral Limits Changes - Changes will be effective first pay period in December, the $11,000 maximum may be reached in December. Agencies should remind their employees of the maximum since the increased %'s mean more people will max out.

B. TSP Open Season changes - NFC will sweep the database for those employees who would be eligible to begin participating in January since they will now be eligible in December. A report will be distributed of the affected individuals at the start of that open season (probably in October).

C. Long Term Care - Open season started July 1st. At 12:30 today in the Jefferson there will be a final broadcast - all are invited to attend.

D. Agency Contacts for LTCI - LTC Partners contacted Jody and requested a listing by agency of name, phone number and e-mail address. This is necessary in order to confirm that the employee is in a pay status, which is one of the requirements to receiving LTCI benefits. Who do the agencies want that contact person to be (eg., the benefits officer or POI level)? Concern with POI level is keeping it updated.

1. Mary Arnold asked if we can use a table. Jody indicated that TMGT 063 may be expandable to include this data and NFC could feed LTCI Partners a report. The community liked this approach. Jody will check into this.
   
   
2. Glenda asked if LTC has a table that the agencies could access to update contact info instead of requiring NFC to do it. Jody will check into this.
   a. Dora Lee asked when do they need this? A: Don't know yet.

E. TSP Corrections - Reimbursable Agreement - This time last year, due to misunderstanding of the TSP Eligibility Codes (as outlined in NFC bulletins) resulted in a large volume of errors. These errors were from pay periods 9-12 and subsequently included pay periods 1-8 and required a massive correction process. ASD ran reports to determine the number of errors and ran a sweep to get the codes corrected. The Payroll Control Branch (PCB) has been spending many, many hours on each case to correct the individual monies involved (i.e., lost earnings or overpayment when not yet eligible). A draft letter was distributed detailing the need for a reimbursable agreement, by agency, to cover these extra hours of work. Deidre indicated we are targeting August 1st as a release date of the letter. At that point the XXX's will be filled in using the number of SSN's in error multiplied by $270 to complete. Carey Turner (PCB) has the numbers and will FAX this to Jody for distribution to CAPPS.

1. Melinda (DOJ) asked how much of the work has been done and when the expected ending date will be? Carey indicated that most of the work has already been completed. However, it may be another 3-4 months before all are done. POST MEETING UPDATE: As of July 29, 2002, NFC had completed the work on 62% of these cases.
   
   
2. Vickie (TR) asked if the one year or you lose the funds is still in affect? Carey indicated yes it does apply and they have been keeping up with the ones that are due to expire and trying to work in the "aging" process to avoid any lost funds. To date, they have not missed any deadlines. Penny indicated that we can give a status report.
   
   
3. Dora Lee (TR) indicated that they didn't know there would be a cost for the service; that she thought this was free. Deidre indicated nothing is for free and that there is a baseline cost, but it didn't come anywhere close to the volume needed to correct last year's errors which is why we need the reimbursable agreement in place.
   
   
4. Lucy McCabe (FDIC) asked how are they determining the number of impacted employees? Nancy said it's based upon the SSN sweep and the errors made after the sweep in addition to miscellaneous AD-343's that NFC has received. Is all of this work via overtime? YES.

VII. Employee Express Update (George Morris) Macon is preparing for Fall release, and will be testing in August-they have asked if NFC will be able to participate in this testing (files transmissions, etc.), and were advised that NFC would be able to do so. Key issues for the Fall are: (1) 16 allotments for financial, and (2) several state taxes which have already been addressed by NFC. Melinda (DOJ) indicated that overseas employees are still having difficulty with addresses (12,000 employee's affected); This problem relates to the GLC coding of countries versus US states and the overlapping alphas used. It also ties back to the ever growing problems/conflicts between USPS Zips and GLC, and a real fix is far off and would require NFC to make major changes in the way it deals with employee addresses.

VIII. EPIC Implementation (Glenda Dorsey) Glenda is reviewing the schedule of agencies that need to implement EPIC. After December 31, 2002, PACT, PRES, SINQ, FINQ, HCUP and PEP51 will no longer be supported. All agencies have been requested to furnish NFC with the pay period in which they will implement EPIC. Some have, some haven't. Someone from NFC will be contacting each agency that has not designated a pay period. If you have not scheduled a transition date please send an email to Lynda Wilson on lwilson@cfo.usda.gov with a cc to Glenda.Dorsey@usda.gov and Cynthia.Simon@usda.gov.

There is a one-day EPIC Transition Training to move people into EPIC. Wanda indicated that during the EPIC User Group Meeting, two agencies indicated they felt the training was insufficient and their people are having difficulties. Wanda feels transitioning an entire department cannot be done in a one- day training session if History Corrections are included. There is a big difference between EPIC History Corrections and HCUP processing. It is a disservice to only provide a one-day session. The 3-day DOJ Training has not been sufficient in some situations. Lynda indicated that of the two agencies, one did their own training and the other training was by an analyst new to EPIC and HR processing.

Wanda feels that users need extensive History Correction training. The EPIC Transition Training is for experienced processors and personnelists and only covers the maneuvering through the application. It is not intended to teach how to process a History Correction package. There is a 4 1/2 day EPIC training which teaches how to process day-to-day actions and History Corrections. This class is full until next Spring. NFC is developing a plan for addressing the need for additional EPIC Training this year. Tom (SM) indicating that they had a facility available for training that could be utilized to hold additional classes in the area.

It was also noted that the EPIC Transition Training session in August is full and agencies are being turned away. This should not happen. NFC will work towards providing additional Transition Training and will review the course content. Transition Training is not for new processors and all who attend should first preview the tutorial.

The USDA CAMS group is working with Jerry (last name??) on their implementation. Kim Rodrique is their contact.

Tom asked if the EPIC Indicator had to be on to use the EPIC Training data base and it does not.

Treasury wanted to know if there are other FESI users in EPIC. Yes, USPTO and DOJ and they are not having problems.

DOC indicated that NFC should consider the volume of users in the data base as agencies are added. Glenda indicated that with multiple comp servers we should not have this problem. Doug indicated the IT folks are working on this so they can support the users when they jump onboard.

Melinda (DOJ) indicated that if NFC is bringing up a new version of EPIC in database 2 that it must be factored into the training. She recommended a 'train the trainer' approach.

IX. Military LWOP & FEHB Premiums (Jo/Jody) Cliff mentioned that personally there are many agencies who have not yet considered to pay this and he felt the agencies were doing them a disservice.

ISSUE: While troubleshooting a problem with an IRS employee's FEHB benefits while he was on Military LWOP, we stumbled upon a few programming issues. When an agency processes the 473 Q3K ZJW (LWOP-US for Operation Enduring Freedom), the employee's Current Employee Status code becomes a "1 - Military Leave". This triggers the PAYE program to 1) debit the agency for the entire premium and submit it to the carrier IF a T&A is also submitted for that pay period or 2) do nothing (i.e., do not pay the carrier, do not deduct the premiums from the agency and/or the employee and do not generate a bill). If on the other hand no 473 was ever done, the system will tabulate the employee's share of the FEHB premiums each pay period and generate a bill when s/he returns.

BACKGROUND: The current programming appears to be the result of agency decisions and programming that was put in place in the early 1990's to handle Operation Desert Storm. At the January 1991 CAPPS meeting all NFC clients agreed to pay the full premiums for the reservists activated under campaigns. For whatever, reason it was determined that a T&A would be required each pay period to complete this transaction.

NFC PLAN OF ACTION: Cliff, Jo, and Jody with input from Ralph Averett and Steve Loeffelholz have drafted a requirements package with recommendations to address this issue. NFC programmers are currently reviewing the package and the systems to try and determine the best approach. We will update the community as soon as a decision is made. The proposal did include adding an additional CES code to distinguish those agencies that cover the employee's share of the premiums from those who do not. In addition, we are trying to avoid having to submit LWOP on T&A's each pay period since T&A's are not currently by-passing the LWOP counters.

AGENCY PLAN OF ACTION: In the mean time, the agencies should make the decision to either pay or not pay. NFC is trying to avoid having to adjust the programs every time an agency signs up to pay. Per Jo's e-mail, agencies should also be reviewing the files of all individuals called up since September 11, 2001, to ensure that a 473 Q3K ZJW was done if the employee was working on the Operation Enduring Freedom Campaign. (Per OPM guidance agencies can place the individuals on LWOP-US and submit T&A's intermittently to cover any paid military, annual, comp, credit time.) It is critical that the action be on the database and on the database with BOTH authorities in the event that NFC needs to sweep individuals into the 2nd CES code. Agencies may choose to correct earlier campaigns, but NFC's primary concern at the moment is to cover those individuals who are currently affected by this situation. According to NFC's latest report we have had over 2,500 employees called up since September 11th. However, the accuracy of this information is dependant upon whether agencies have processed the 473 documents on all of their affected employees.

NOTE: Agencies should no longer be using 773 Q3K to place an NTE date on a reservists LWOP-US action. In 1995, OPM established the 473 specifically for military LWOP and there is no NTE date for these actions. Agencies that have processed 773 Q3K to try and create "ticklers" to monitor these individuals have changed the employee's CES indicator to "OWCP-LWOP". Obviously this is not correct and may cause other problems. If an agency has done this, they should immediately cancel these documents.

If an agency has submitted a Request for Manual Payment (AD-343) to pay or collect payment for a bill that was generated, NFC will process the request however the AD-343 indicated.

Q: Mary Arnold (DOC) - In light of the TSP issue does this mean that NFC is going to come back later and bill us for these corrections. A: This was clearly an NFC issue. However, NFC's budget is derived solely from the clientele. The agencies will be paying for it one way or another, but it probably will not be a direct bill back.

Q: Should agencies begin sending T&A's for those agencies that have agreed to pay? A: We know submission of T&A's will alter the LWOP counters right now because there is no way to distinguish the type of LWOP. TC-71 is all we have. Until NFC has identified a path for us to take, we do not want to advise you to do extra work that may not be necessary. Regardless of what happens, until the issue is resolved, all employee's will require a pay period by pay period review to see if benefits were paid, by whom, and who should have been paying them.

Q: Do we continue to submit T&A's if we have been? A: Again this is your call until we tell you otherwise. If you chose to submit the T&A's, you MUST remember to adjust the LWOP counters. We do not have any recommendations at this point because we need to thoroughly research the issue before implementing a plan.

Melinda Morgan (DOJ) requested that agencies be contacted as soon as a resolution has been identified.

Mary Arnold (DOC) indicated that this would be a very good item to include on the HELP screens so that users will be able to follow the proper guidelines. Lynda indicated that guidance could be included in the new client due by PP-20 and that it would also be a good subject for the knowledge base.

Jim indicated that the programming staff is also working with Steve Loeffelholz's area to ensure that the financial aspects are being considered.

DoraLee requested that a counter be added since the agency can only cover these costs for 18 months. The request was denied because the agency must manually intervene after 18 months of LWOP regardless of who is paying the FEHB premiums.

X. User & Work Group Updates

A. Awards - (Jo Bonner) The next meeting is scheduled for August 14th from 9-12 in the CSO. Mary Arnold had inquired about the Budget Sub-Object Class (BSOC) used for performance awards. Jo responded with 1153.

B. EPIC - (Lynda Wilson) The next meeting is scheduled for August 22nd from 10-12 in the CSO. EPIC notes from the last meeting are on the CAPPS website.

C. FESI - (Glenda Dorsey) Charlene Hatton also attended today's meeting primarily to obtain an update on the DB expansion. She would like to set up a meeting later this month. Glenda indicated that NFC is working with CAMS on the electronic SINQ/FINQ and reject report files. The idea is to send them electronically on a returned document to help identify why a FESI document did not apply to the database. NFC plans to have this out within the next few months. The release should coincide with the close down of PACT/PRES.

Q: What will happen to the indicator? FESI users will receive a specific SINQ file of errors in addition to what's in the EPIC suspense. Once process is smoothly flowing, go into FESI and set as auto delete.

Geo mentioned a problem that NRCS reported regarding a PMSO message that is returned via FESI that does not match the an on-line error message. Q: Has any other FESI users experienced this problem. A: No.

D. Leave Share - (Jo Bonner) The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, July 18th. Jo thanked the clients for the comments and indicated that the comments would be addressed at the July l8th meeting. USDA receives the prize for the most thorough review having found the "test" value of "Fear the Turtle" inserted by the team to see if anybody ever read documents the size of the Leave Share requirements. The two remaining attachments (reports and letters) are progressing along.

E. RIF - (Debby Berry) - Debbie was not in attendance and there was no report

F. T&A - (Jo Bonner) - The next regular user group meeting is scheduled for July 22nd. At the conclusion of that meeting the T&A requirements group will meet to continue resolution of outstanding requirement issues. The refined requirements are due by August 31st.

XI. Frequently Asked Processing Questions (Jody Nyers) - As indicated last month, we are looking for any unique processing questions where we have resolved them and have valid answers. We would like to thank FEMA for mentioning adding them to the Knowledge Base and we (PPSPS) have access to that program and will gladly add your problems/resolutions to this area. It's a great tool that we encourage you to use. So send your problems/resolutions to PPSPS and we'll update the Knowledge Base accordingly.

XII. Potpourri

Nancy (FCA) is having trouble getting her 113 A&G reports timely (ie, 15th of month). Is anyone else having this problem? SM and others also having this problem. Glenda says they're waiting on a tape of data to come in to get numbers corrected. Piloting USDA reports on the Reporting Center to cut down on these issues. Other agencies want this as well, GESD indicated that it's coming. When will the data come thru so they can alert OPM? Glenda will check and let CAPPS know shortly--it should be any day now.

Vickie (TREAS) asked about SF-50s and printing of remarks but not isolated to FESI users...relates to EPIC as well - remarks in IRIS but not on 50's. Multiple users, other than EPIC HCUP, it could be any system. Doralee has examples which should be sent to Rick Minella at NFC South. We're looking for common denominator.

POST MEETING UPDATE: Additional NFC research indicates that this problem was limited to FESI users. It appears that some clients are submitting the effective date of the document with the remarks and not the authentication date which is required for the data to flow properly to the SF-50 programs.

Sharon (USPTO) indicated one of their users was entering benefits, a FEHB document, and the screen freezes in EPIC. Is anyone else having this problem? No. Lynda asked Sharon if she had installed the new EPIC client? Yes we did. Did you reboot, etc? Yes we did. Mary Arnold will check with other DOC users to determine if they are also having this problem.

Mary (DOC) would like an update on status of PKI - when available, costs, procedures on how we request it? Response Pending.

Mary (DOC) asked if anyone was using an automated performance management system for bench marking? Nancy has something and she will call Mary directly.

Ruby (TREAS) asked if we are able to enter EEX testing on schedule for September? George indicated that NFC will be supporting the August window but nothing confirmed yet. Are we able to support all issues of the DB change? Penny will check and let us know.

Tom (SM) asked about IRIS 109. The problem appears to have been fixed, but is has since stopped working once again. Jody worked with Susan Pitre on this several months ago and it was corrected. However, it sounds like something has happened to the fix. Glenda will check with Susan about it and let Smithsonian know.