SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

.01 This Order is a consolidated listing of Handbooks and Manuals in the Department of Commerce ("the Department"). Each has the full force and effect of a Department Administrative Order (DAO).

.02 Handbooks and manuals which have been cleared per procedures in Section 2, and which have been issued subsequent to the date of issuance of this Order also have the full force and effect of a DAO. Any such handbook and manual will be added to the consolidated listing of this Order in its next issuance.

.03 This revision updates procedural guidance for the Office of Primary Interest (OPI); provides a listing of Departmental handbooks and manuals; and incorporates some of the hyperlinks to handbook and manual titles.

SECTION 2. PROCEDURES.

.01 Department of Commerce documents which fall within the description of that which constitutes a DAO (See DAO 200-3, Department Administrative Order Series, Section 2. Scope) and are unavoidably lengthy or detailed by virtue of the operational guidance included therein, shall be issued, pursuant to this DAO, as a handbook or manual. Examples of this type of document include: directives that contain policy as well as procedural guidance in administrative areas such as travel management, security, acquisition, and financial management. For the purposes of this Order, there is not a difference in the terms handbook and manual, and titling is the option of the OPI.

.02 The OPI is responsible for preparing, clearing, issuing, and maintaining the handbook or manual and any subsequent issuances or changes according to this Section of this Order, subject to prior review and comment by the Office of Inspector General, Office of the General Counsel and other offices as appropriate.

.03 The format and style of a handbook or manual are not prescribed, except that each handbook or manual must conform to the following principles: written in plain English; provide complete and clear information; and organized so that the target audience can readily find the information needed. Offices that are preparing a handbook or manual are encouraged to review a sample of those contained in Sections 3 and 4 below, to identify formats that may be suited for the objective and type of material presented.

.04 Each OPI is responsible for providing timely notice to the Office of Privacy and Open Government (OPOG) whenever a handbook or manual is issued or revoked. If the document is available on-line, a link to the electronic version should be provided to OPOG. When changes are made to a handbook or manual, it is the responsibility of the OPI to ensure that all users are aware of the changes and effects they may have upon the user's responsibilities, procedures, or operations. Each handbook or manual should explain to its users how changes will be promulgated and the steps a user may take to verify that he/she is using the version of the handbook or manual that contains the most up-to-date, current information. When an OPI issues a new or revised handbook or manual, it should transmit a memorandum or e-mail to OPOG that provides the following: title; purpose; website address; and verification that the manual or handbook was reviewed by the Office of Inspector General in accordance with the Inspector General Act, as amended, and reviewed and cleared by the Office of the General Counsel.

SECTION 3. HANDBOOKS.

.01 The Agreements Handbook assigns responsibilities and establishes general policies and procedures for the preparation, review, clearance, approval, monitoring and closeout of inter-/intra- agency and other agreements. (OPI, Office of Acquisition Management, Office of General Counsel)

.02 The Department Travel Handbook supplements the provisions of the "Federal Travel Regulation," as amended, which is issued by the General Services Administration, and other federal laws and regulations pertaining to travel. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.03 The Budget and Program Analysis Handbook contains policies and procedures governing the preparation and justification of the Department's budgets and strategic plans, and the information and analysis necessary to meet the Secretary's responsibilities for managing the budget. (OPI, Office of Budget)

.04 The Department of Commerce Information Technology Management Handbook provides policies, procedures, and guidance for the management of information technology resources.
(OPI, Office of the Chief Information Officer)

.05 The Accounting Principles and Standards Handbook sets forth the accounting principles and standards to be followed by the Department in the design and operation of accounting systems, and provides specific accounting and related principles and standards against which financial management and accounting systems can be evaluated and improved.
(OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.06 The Budget Contacts Handbook improves the management of funds in the Office of the Secretary (OS) by enhancing the knowledge base of OS budget contacts and directors. This handbook is designed to provide guidance to individuals who may have little or no experience as a budget contact. It is organized according to the budget cycle. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.07 The Cash Management Policies and Procedures Handbook provides specifics on implementing Departmental cash management policies and procedures to improve the Department's cash flow functions, describes opportunities to improve cash flow processes, raises the consciousness of financial managers about the time-value-of-money, and emphasizes the use of Electronic Funds Transfer mechanisms for collecting receipts and making payments. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.08 The Credit and Debt Management Operating Standards and Procedures Handbook provides guidance to Departmental offices and operating units to ensure that consistent credit and debt management practices are established and followed throughout the Department. The Handbook also establishes and enhances internal Departmental management practices in conformance with the regulatory requirements established by central agencies in the areas of credit and debt management. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.09 The Standard Accounts Payable Business Rules Handbook provides business rules for accounts payable processes that promote standardized policy, procedures, and tasks across the Department to help ensure that consistent practices are established and followed throughout the Department. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.10 The Working Capital Fund (WCF) and Advances & Reimbursement (A&R) Handbook provides a thorough understanding of expenses, activities, and programs funded through the WCF and A&R accounts, a description of the services provided, and the basis of charge and performance metrics for each active project. The handbook also includes each Office of the Secretary (OS) service provider's description of functions and responsibilities and key management officials. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.11 The Leave Regulations Handbook amplifies the principal requirements of law and regulation and provides procedural guidance for the administration of hours of work and leave. The levels of delegation reflect the authorities to make human resources management decisions, administer human resources management programs and activities, and effect personnel actions as cited in DAO 202-250, Delegation of Authority for Human Resources Management. (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management)

.12 The Performance Management System Handbook provides more detailed guidance and information, and establishes procedures for implementing the policy outlined in DAO 202-‘430, Performance Management System. The Handbook also provides policy and guidance on the incentive awards. (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management)

.13 The Department of Commerce Committee Management Handbook provides policies, procedures, and guidance for the creation, operation, control, and termination of committees chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) by the Department. (OPI, Office of Privacy and Open Government, contact directly for information).

.14 The Department of Commerce Handbook of Privacy Act Administration prescribes Department-wide policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the administration of an effective privacy protection program. (OPI, Office of Privacy and Open Government).

.15 The Department of Commerce Labor-Management Relations (LMR) Handbook revises the Department's policy and procedures concerning the Department's Labor-Management Relations Program to be consistent with developments in law, regulations, and case law by appropriate authorities. It establishes the framework for the Department's LMR program and the responsibilities of the Departments labor relations staff. (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management.)

.16 The Department of Commerce (Department) Reduction-in-Force (RIF), Transfer of Function, and Furlough Policy Handbook establishes a uniform RIF policy for competitive and excepted service employees, and retains existing Department policy that excepted service employees are not entitled to bump and retreat (assignment) rights. The Handbook updates the Department's RIF policy to be consistent with the provisions of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 302, 330, 351, 353, 536 and 550 (Subpart G). (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management.)

.17 The Real Property Contracting Officer Warrant Program Handbook describes the Real Property Contracting Officer (RPCO) Warrant Program for employees carrying out real property leasing activities.  The guidelines in this document are developed to ensure real property leases are executed by individuals having the appropriate authority, experience, education, and training.

SECTION 4. MANUALS.

.01 The Commerce Acquisition Manual serves as an adjunct to the Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) and supplements, consolidates, and clarifies acquisition regulations, policies, and guidance. (OPI, Office of Acquisition Management)

.02 The Department of Commerce Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual prescribes Department-wide guidance and procedures for the award and administration of grants and cooperative agreements. (OPI, Office of Acquisition Management)

.03 The Publishing and Printing Management Manual prescribes Department-wide policies, procedures, and responsibilities for publishing and printing management. (OPI, Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality)

.04 The Department Personal Property Management Manual serves as the single authoritative Departmental reference for policies and procedures related to the management of personal property. (OPI, Office of Financial Management)

.05 The Department of Commerce Mail Management Manual, prescribes Department-wide policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the mail management program. (OPI, Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality, contact directly for information)

.06 The Department of Commerce Real Property Manual, prescribes Department-wide policies, procedures, and guidance for the planning, acquisition, management, and disposal of real property. (OPI, Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality)

.07 The Environmental Compliance Management Manual (ECMM), specifically authorized by DAO 217-16, (was previously named the Energy and Environmental Management Manual) focuses only on environmental compliance requirements. The ECMM summarizes environmental compliance requirements mandated by laws, regulations, executive orders, and Department of Commerce (Department) requirements (e.g., policies, guidance) pertaining to Department facilities within the United States and its territories.(OPI, Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality)

.08 The Manual for Processing Discrimination Complaints sets forth the major statutory and regulatory provisions governing the processing of discrimination complaints. (OPI, Office of Civil Rights)

.09 The Executive Personnel Policy Manual is the authoritative reference for the policies and procedures of the Department for executive personnel. (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management)

.10 The Occupational Safety and Health Manual prescribes Department-wide policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the Occupational Safety and Health Program in the Department. (OPI, Office of Human Resources Management)

.11 The Manual of Security Policies and Procedures provides procedures and recommendations for mitigating the risk and vulnerabilities to DOC personnel, facilities, and assets from potential terrorist attacks, espionage, criminal events, workplace violence, and natural disasters. The manual applies to all bureaus and operating units within the Department. (OPI, Office of Security)

.12 The Executive Secretariat Correspondence Manual includes policy and procedures for submission of correspondence and other written materials (e.g., weekly reports, scheduling requests, and briefing papers) to and from the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and the White House. This manual also includes an introduction to WebCIMS, ExecSec's automated correspondence management system, and an appendix of form templates. (OPI, Executive Secretariat, Office of the Secretary)

SECTION 5. EFFECT ON OTHER ORDERS.

This Order supersedes Department Administrative Order 200-0, dated December 24, 1996.

Signed: Chief Privacy Officer and Director for Open Government

Approved: Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration

Office of Primary Interest: Office of Privacy and Open Government