Effective October 1, 2008, the following policies and procedures supporting local buying activities were updated and are available on the PolicyNet website at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/, click Manuals or HBKs, as applicable:
All personnel involved in the local buying process should access and review these updated policies and procedures.
Handbook AS-709 will no longer be printed in hardcopy and stocked at the Material Distribution Center (MDC) in Topeka. When necessary, you can order print on demand copies of Handbook AS-709 from the MDC through the touch-tone order entry (TTOE) system at 800-273-1509.
Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.)
Use the following information to order Handbook AS–709:
PSIN: HBKAS709
PSN: 7610-03-000-0339
Unit of Issue: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: N/A
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $2.50
Edition Date: 09/08
Detailed instructions for using TTOE are available at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/_doc/ops_ttoeins.doc.
These local buying-related policies and procedures were primarily updated to do the following:
- Further the mandate to use eBuy and Postal Service™–negotiated national/area contracts and agreements.
- Reflect changes in other organizational policies and procedures referenced within these policies.
- Include updates in Handbook AS-709 associated with the new GSA SmartPay 2 contract. Note: the name I.M.P.A.C. is no longer in use and has been replaced with “Purchase card” throughout governing policies and procedures.
- Incorporate process and policy recommendations resulting from internal and external Purchase card oversight reviews and advances in technology, with the most significant changes in Handbook AS-709, Chapter 4 covering the reconciliation process.
- Announce enhanced Purchase card training requirements in Handbook AS-709 that all cardholders, credit card approving officials (CCAOs), and Agency Program Coordinators (APCs) must complete by the end of Postal Quarter 2, FY2009. This includes completing a new web-based Purchase card training program, postal ethics training, eBuy training, a review of the updated Handbook AS-709, and, when applicable, U.S. Bank Electronic Access System (EAS) training on Access Online. Thereafter, there is a requirement for update/refresher training every 3 years. All training requirements details will be posted and maintained on the Supply Management Purchase card website on Blue at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/operations/ops_impachome.htm. Cardholders and CCAOs may also contact their assigned APC regarding participant training requirements.
— Supply Management Infrastructure, Supply Management, 10-9-08
