Property Identification Decals for Non-Accountable Property

In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 442

							May 23, 1996

        			MEMORANDUM

To:	  Administrative Officers

From:     Alice A. Sabatini
          Administrative Officer, Water Resources Division

Subject:  Property Identification Decals for Non-Accountable Property

In March, 1996, the Water Resources Division implemented the Property
Management Interface System (PMIS) which removed all property with an
acquisition value of less than $5,000 or designated as a sensitive item from
the official property records.  The property that was removed from the
official records is referred to as non-accountable and is no longer
automatically tracked in the PMIS.  However, all equipment, regardless of
acquisition value, must be marked to identify it as government property.

The Branch of Property Management will continue to provide the decals for
accountable property.  Survey identification numbers are now referred to as
"Fixed Asset Numbers" and are composed of 7-digits with no alpha prefix (i.e.
the old "W" numbers are no longer used).

Individual offices are responsible for providing and affixing the decals to
non-accountable property.  We are distributing these decals to all offices
through the regular mail.

We are also recommending that these decals be used to record information
needed for excess equipment reporting purposes.  Offices are reminded that the
regulations regarding the disposal of property have not been changed.  We
suggest that the decals include the manufacturer's serial number, year
purchased, purchase order or the document number assigned to the bankcard or
blanket purchase order/agreement invoice, and the acquisition value.  

The following is the recommended format to use:
	______________________________________
	Texas Instruments 413442,
	Purchased 1992, $2000, PO6HQSA1234)
	______________________________________

If the non-accountable property item has been entered into PMIS for tracking
purposes, the PMIS number assigned should also be shown on the decal preceded
by NC (for non-accountable)(e.g. NC1234567).

The property management procedures requires the property number decal be
placed on the major component of the equipment in a prominent, clearly visible
location immediately upon receipt of the equipment.  

Offices will be responsible for replenishing your
stock of non-accountable property decals when they are exhausted.  There are
presently two sources of supply:  

Metalcraft Inc., P.O. Box 1468, Mason City, Iowa 50402-9987, 
  Phone Number 1-800-437-5283.  
- (Advise Metalcraft that decals were originally ordered by Sharon Umphlett, 
  USGS under Job Number 73101-002-01.)
- The cost when ordering from Metalcraft is: $111.15 for an order of 300, 
  $94.40 for 500, $63.05 for 1000, $47.90 for 2500 and $27.85 for an order 
  of 5000.
- The description of the labels is: Destructible Plastic Labels, Color: Green,
  Size: 2"x1", and unserialized.

Chiswick, Inc., 33 Union Ave., Sudbury, MA 01776-2267, Phone: (800) 225-8708,
  Sales Representative, Andrea.  
- The cost ordering from Chiswick is $115 per thousand.
- The description of the labels is: Size: 2" x 3/4", green ink with the words
  "Property of the U.S. Geological Survey".  Chiswick indicated these labels
  will stay affixed to field equipment and can be used on equipment which is
  submerged in water.  

Both companies will accept the government purchase card.

Please contact Patricia Powers on 703-648-5039 if you do not receive your
supply of decals by June 15, 1996.  Questions on the use or ordering of decals
should be addressed to the Branch of Property Management or Toni Brenner on
703-648-5233.