Foreign Gifts Program U.S. General Services Administration Presentation for NPMA Federal Center Chapter Dave Robbins, CPPM Director GSA, Federal Supply Service Property Management Division March 29, 2006
What are Foreign Gifts? > Virtually anything can be a foreign gift…..
Applicable Guidance > 5 USC 7342 » Statute establishing authorities for Government organizations and employees > 41 CFR » Utilization, Donation, and Disposal of Foreign Gifts and Decorations
What are Foreign Gifts? > Defined in 5 USC 7342 (and repeated in 41 CFR ) » “Gift” means a tangible or intangible present (other than a decoration) tendered by, or received from, a foreign government » “Foreign government” means— → (A) any unit of foreign governmental authority, including any foreign national, State, local, and municipal government; → (B) any international or multinational organization whose membership is composed of any unit of foreign government described in subparagraph (A); and → (C) any agent or representative of any such unit or such organization, while acting as such;
As a Federal Employee > You can retain a gift less than minimal value » Currently $305 » Some agencies have lower thresholds > Gifts above minimal value are considered gifts to the agency, not the employee
Agency Processing > Internal Agency guidance/procedures > However, if above minimal value, becomes agency property » Official use » Report as excess » Employee has option to purchase gift
Excess Reporting > Specific requirements in 41 CFR » Name of employee who received gift » Identification of foreign government → And, if possible, official who presented gift » Date of acceptance » Presidential Administration » If employee is interested in purchasing gift → If yes, commercial appraisal prepared in the United States
Gifts Processing > Informal screening » Federal and Donation » Available for Federal transfer only, if employee requests purchase > GSA accepts custody and accountability » Items not requested for purchase by employee » Pictures of all items » No longer accept firearms and alcoholic beverages
Gifts Processing > Sales » To employee after Federal screening, at commercial appraisal value » Public sales require approval of State Department
> Presented by: > David Robbins > Property Management Division (FBP) >