To: All FEDLINK Members--
On September 7, the Library of Congress received GAO's response to
its questions about use of members' annual funds within the new
FEDLINK revolving fund authorized under P.L. 106-481. (See
http://www.gao.gov/decisions/appro/288142.htm)
As you may be aware, the FEDLINK program had received earlier legal
advice suggesting that under the revolving fund, surplus annual funds
from prior years might be made available for reobligation either to
pay for new vendor services or to subsidize FEDLINK fees beginning in
FY2002. However, GAO supported neither of those interpretations.
GAO's attorneys advised LC that members working with annual
appropriations are still governed by the rules for annual
appropriations even under our revolving fund.
The GAO opinion was anticipated in FEDLINK's announcement that the
FY2002 transfer pay fee would remain at the current rate of 7.75%,
reduced to 7% on amounts above $300,000 in a single account. The
FY2002 direct pay fee will also remain at the current level.
FEDLINK's online registration system is already actively accepting
orders for FY2002.
Beginning on October 1, 2001, we will be able to operate the FEDLINK
administrative budget "without fiscal year limitation." This means
that fee revenue earned to operate FEDLINK in one fiscal year will not
lapse at the end of that fiscal year and can continue to support the
program into future years. This will: (1) allow for full use of
members' fee payments to carry out the program; (2) eliminate the
double-charging of members with no-year or multi-year funds when they
have unexpended balances remaining at the end of a fiscal year; (3)
permit funding of large capital program expenditures over multiple
years; and (4) provide stability to the FEDLINK program that will
permit longer-term planning and program development. Starting with
FY2002, we will also be able to take in large transfers at the end of
a fiscal year, with the option of completing any extended procurement
procedures after the year ends.
We hope you will experience some of these immediate benefits of the
revolving fund while we continue to work with the Library of Congress
to consider a legislative strategy to adjust the law for the full
member benefits we had envisioned.
Susan M. Tarr, Executive Director
Federal Library and Information Center Committee
The Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540-4935
Tel. 202-707-4800/01 Fax 202-707-4818
Email: [log in to unmask]
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