No. OFM 99-03
Date: July 9, 1999
Subject: Closure of Imprest Funds
The Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA) requires all Federal payments to be made electronically unless specifically waived. Payments made by cash drawn from imprest funds are not acceptable payment mechanisms under the DCIA since they are not electronic payments. Therefore, alternate payment mechanisms must be used for payments currently made this way and all imprest funds must be closed by 8/31/99.
Instructional Memorandum (IM) No. OFM 99-01 provided the DCIA implementing policies and procedures. That IM stated that imprest funds could remain open until bankcard convenience checks were available. Since these convenience checks are now available, imprest funds need to be closed. Procedures for closing imprest funds were sent directly to imprest fund cashiers on July 2, 1999, and are also available at http://internal.usgs.gov/ops/finance/imprest.html.
The DCIA allows for waivers from electronic payments under specific circumstances. IM OFM 99-01 stated that waiver requests to keep an imprest fund open should be made in writing through the Division Chief’s representative to the Office of Financial Management. Justification should include a history of payments that cannot be made using alternative payment mechanisms.
Questions concerning this IM may be addressed to Susan Sheely at (703) 648-7602 or ssheely@usgs.gov.
This IM is effective upon date of issuance.
This IM will remain in effect until superseded or canceled.
/s/ John J. Blickley
John J. Blickley, Acting Chief Office of Financial Management