Foreign Gifts Program

U.S. General Services Administration

Presentation for NPMA Federal Center Chapter

Dave Robbins, CPPMDirector

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 102-42» Utilization, Donation, and Disposal of Foreign

Gifts and Decorations

What are Foreign Gifts?

>Defined in 5 USC 7342 (and repeated in 41 CFR 102-42)

» “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 102-42» 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)>703-605-5600