Business Law /Army Fiscal Law Part 3

Army Fiscal Law Part 3

Business Law100 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This flashcard set covers the core principles of Army Fiscal Law, including appropriations, authorizations, the role of Congress, the Purpose-Time-Amount (PTA) rule, funding categories (O&M, Procurement, RDT&E, etc.), the Necessary Expense Doctrine, investment thresholds, and specific fiscal law scenarios. It also explains legislative processes like the NDAA and Appropriations Act, and clarifies key distinctions between expenses and investments. Perfect for Soldiers studying for legal, financial, or leadership boards.

To pay settlements, if correct funds are closed...

use current funds.

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Key Terms

Term
Definition

To pay settlements, if correct funds are closed...

use current funds.

To pay settlements, if correct year funds are expired...

use them.

To pay settlements, if correct year funds are expired but exhausted (2)...

1. ask Congress for money
2. Turn settlement into a Consent Judgement

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If you don't have proper year funds to pay a settlement, you must (2)...

1. Co-ordinate with ASA (FM)
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management
2. Turn it into a Consent Judgement and use the Judgeme...

Purposes of the Judgement Fund (4):

1. Provide authority to pay judgements
2. Ease administrative burdens
3. Decrease the time between award and payment
4. Decrease the amoun...

Final Settlement =

loss of right to appeal

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TermDefinition

To pay settlements, if correct funds are closed...

use current funds.

To pay settlements, if correct year funds are expired...

use them.

To pay settlements, if correct year funds are expired but exhausted (2)...

1. ask Congress for money
2. Turn settlement into a Consent Judgement

If you don't have proper year funds to pay a settlement, you must (2)...

1. Co-ordinate with ASA (FM)
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management
2. Turn it into a Consent Judgement and use the Judgement Fund

Purposes of the Judgement Fund (4):

1. Provide authority to pay judgements
2. Ease administrative burdens
3. Decrease the time between award and payment
4. Decrease the amount of interest

Final Settlement =

loss of right to appeal

We have to pay back the Judgement Fund if (2)...

1. NO FEAR Act
2. Construct Disputes Act

Transfer:

movement of money between appropriations
ILLEGAL w/o statutory authority

Intra-Agency Transfer examples (2):

1. DoD O&M to Amry O&M
2. AF RDT&E to AF O&M

Inter-Agency Transfer example:

Dept. State to DoD

Earmarks:

moving funds into or out of a fixed earmark

Transfer Fund Appropriations:

holds money until transferred into another appropriation

Reprogramming:

shifts money within an appropriation
- No change in amount available
- Reapplication of funds (w/in an appropriation)

Reprogramming uses funds...

in an appropriations account for purposes other than those comtemplated at the time of the appropriation.

Items eligible for reprogramming (2):

1. higher priority than the original, unforseen military requirements
2. FMR programming rules

Items ineligible for reprogramming:

Items Congress has denied

Reprogramming Types (2):

1. Non-construction
2. Construction

Types of non-construction reprogramming (3)

1. with prior congressional approval
2. internal reprogramming
3. below threshold reprogramming

Congress prohibits using reprogramming to fund...

a "new start", unless it's for immediate national security

Military construction reprogramming must be submitted to...

DoD Comptroller

Congressional approval is required for Military Construction reprogramming if (4)...

1. increase of 25% or more of reprogramming base or $2mil, whichever is less
2. increase for Unspecific Military Construction (UMMC)
3. BRAC projects
4. Family housing relocation

Military Construction Reprogramming is robbing...

Peter to pay Paul.

Accountable Offficer:

responsible for, or has custody of government funds

I'm not...

an accountable officer.

Accountable Officers (types):

Certifycing Officers (no custody of funds)
Disbursing Officers
Collecting Agents
DoD Departmental Accountable Officials

Certifying Officer certifies...

vouchers for payment
checks for correctness
checks if legally permissible
is designated in writing

Disbursing Officers actually...

make payments
check vouchers
are designated in writing

Disbursing Agent:

receives or disburses funds
cashiers
paying agents
collecting agents
change fund custodians
Imprest fund cashiers

Stricly liable:

liable for the full amount of the loss or erroneous payment

Exceptions to strick liability (4):

1. DoD Departmental Accountable Officials
2. Acts of God or public enemy
3. Payments for a properly certified voucher
4. Advance decisions and relief

Advance decision:

Asking (GAO) for an advanced legal opinion before spending funds.

Relief:

Happens after to absolve or excuse liability

DoD forwards requests for advance decisions to...

General Counsel, not GAO

To find DoD Departmental Accountable Officials liable...

there must be fault/negligence

*Funds available for obligation in FY1 can be used to purchase items not needed until FY2 if:

There is a necessary non-excessive delivery lead-time that forces the command to order the items in FY1 so they can be delivered when the unit needs to use them.

*Someone used an RDT&E appropriation to fund a purchase. Its purchase should have been funded with a Procurement appropriation. They want to know what is necessary to avoid an Antideficiency Act violation for violating (the Purpose Statute).

ADA violation is correctable if (1) proper funds were available at the time of the erroneous obligation, and (2) proper funds are available when the agency discovered, and corrected the erroneous obligation.

*Under an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), a country can "pay" for goods or services this way:

They are specifically reimbursable by statute in one of three ways: payment in kind (cold hard cash), equal value exchange ($100 in tents for $100 in generators), or replacement in kind (tents for tents)

*An accountable officer is not liable for an improper payment:

if the accountable officer obtained an advance decision from the proper authority and the improper payment was made in reliance on that advanced decision, or if he's a DoD Departmental Accountable Official and there was no fault or negligence

*Accountable officers can be held pecuniarily liable:

The statute of limitations for settling the accounts of an accountable officer is three years after accounts are substantially complete. “Substantially complete” means the time when, absent fraud by the officer, the agency can audit the paperwork upon which the officer based his actions. The statute of limitations is not triggered until the loss has been discovered if the loss is due to embezzlement, fraud or other criminal activity.

*You must spend less than what amount to use Operations and Maintenance, Army for a computer system?

$250,000.

*You are awarding Meritorious Service Medals (MSM). You intend to have a local art frame shop frame each awardee's award certificate. In addition, you plan to purchase cake and punch. Assuming you intend to use appropriated funds to make these purchases, is there anything wrong with these intended purchases?

Yes. The military awards statute, only gives us the authority to issue the actual military awards/certificates of award. It does not allow you to incur any other expenses to honor the award recipients' accomplishments. Therefore, neither the cake and punch nor the frames may be purchased with appropriated funds.

*The fiscal year for the U.S. Government is a 12-month period from:

1 October through 30 September.

Any obligation of appropriated funds must comply with which of the following fiscal constraints:

The Bona Fide Needs Rule.

*A contractor was successful on a claim that was filed on a 2005 construction project. The contractor's claim was based on an in-scope modification and the agency is responsible for paying the claimed amount. Fortunately, the funds which funded the original contract are not yet closed. Unfortunately, the expired funds which funded the original contract are exhausted. How should the agency handle this judgment?

The contracting officer should seek payment from the Judgment Fund and reimbursement using current funds.

*How long does the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation give an individual discovering a possible Antideficiency Act violation to report it to his/her chain of command and the Financial Management Comptroller?

2 weeks.

*A unit is conducting a month-long Combined Airborne Parachute Exercise with the country of Romania. The Romanian troops are all already airborne qualified, have successfully completed multiple jumps, but have never jumped from a U.S. C-130 before. The Brigade S3 (operations officer) wants to conduct a two-hour block of instruction for the Romanians on C-130 exit safety procedures. Can the unit provide the training?

The unit may fund it with O&M, because it is for Interoperability, Familiarization, and Safety training (little "t" training).

*When operating under Continuing Resolution Authority, government agencies:

May obligate funds for new contracts, but only if the new contract is not a “new start.”

*On 1 September 2010 a Contracting Officer properly awards a contract to ABC Corporation for 1000 widgets. The widgets are delivered on 1 November 2010. The Contracting Officer correctly determined that the "lead-time" exception for supplies was applicable under the circumstances. The government paid ABC Corporation on 15 November 2010. What day did obligation of funds for this contract occur?

1 September 2010

*Which is the most likely example of a project that would be appropriate under the Commanders' Emergency Response Program (CERP)?

Rebuilding of a small health clinic in Gahzni, Afghanistan which was damaged during combat operations, and which is the only health clinic in the area.

*When an agency “reprograms” funds, there is no change in the total amount available in the appropriations account. T/F

True.

*In accordance with Army Regulations, construction projects which have a common support purpose but are not mutually dependent are funded as separate projects. T/F

True

*Someone proposed tearing down a building and constructing a new one on the site where the old one was located. Construction will cost about $4.8 million dollars. If approved, which type of funds should be used to fund the construction?

Military Construction Funds (MILCON).

*Why don't we do the foundation work this year with current (FY 2012) O&M funds, then next year finish up the project with 2013 O&M funds? Each contract will be less than $750,000." You give the following correct advice.

Splitting a project between fiscal years for the sole purpose of avoiding the statutory limits on use of O&M funds is clearly illegal. This project cannot be funded by splitting the requirement into two contracts if the total cost exceeds $750,000 and O&M funds are used.

*A Commander decides to give a Commander’s Coin for Excellence to everyone. Giving the coins was:

proper only if the coins were purchased with personal funds.

Someone wants to use appropriated funds to buy a refrigerator and a microwave. You respond by telling him:

Food preparation and storage equipment may now be purchased with appropriated funds, so long as the primary benefit of its use accrues to the agency and the equipment is placed in common areas where it is available for use by all personnel.

*Some of the permissible reasons for reprogramming of military construction and family housing funds are that reprogramming is necessary in response to:

Departmental adjustments or reprogrammings may be required for a number of reasons including but not limited to: responding to emergencies; restoring or replacing damaged or destroyed facilities; accommodating unexpected price increases; and implementing specific program provisions provided for by Congressional Committees.

*KO awards a contract on 20 September 2010 for $10 million inadvertently committing an ADA violation by causing the Army to exceed the amount available in its FY 2010 O&M appropriation. Which of the following is correct:


the DOD FMR provides that the investigation report must assign responsibility for the violation to “one or more individuals” so that “appropriate administrative or disciplinary action” may be imposed. DOD FMR, vol. 14, ch. 5, para. 050301. Generally, the responsible party (or parties) will be the highest ranking official in the decision making process who had actual or constructive knowledge of precisely what actions were taken and the impropriety or questionable nature of such actions.

*You're a Government Commercial Purchase Card (GCPC). Your boss serves as the certifying official for the GCPC holders in your office. You used your GCPC to pay for a BBQ. It is now 1 November and someone is questioning the purchase. Which statement is true?

Your boss could be held pecuniarily liable if the purchase is found to be improper.

*Operations and Maintenance appropriations are typically available for obligation for:

1 year.

*The Anti-deficiency Act (ADA):

Evolved over time through a number of statutes designed to stop abuses of fiscal law.

*Appropriations are federal funds identified by unique 4 digit codes referred to as:

Treasury Account Numbers.

*Prior year OMA funds may be used for:

Prior year obligation adjustments.

*Which of the following are true statements about preparing PR&C using multiple funds?

Expenditures must be properly allocated to each funding source.

Obligations should reflect proper distribution of line items and instruct the contractor who to invoice correctly.

*Civil works appropriations are generally:

Indefinite funds.

*Once an appropriation is no longer considered available but before it is officially closed, it is said to be in what phase?

Expired

*While working an important government client's contract you notice funds have been used inappropriately. The customer asks you not to mention it or he'll take his business elsewhere. What is the best course of action?

Take the necessary steps to fix the problem--even if it means losing a customer.

*When preparing a PR&C, you must:

Select the appropriate resource code, work category, and work category element.

Include POCs for technical, contractual, and financial items.

*The P2 System can be used for which of the following activities?

Resourcing

Budgeting

Reporting

Scheduling

*Procurement appropriations are typically 3-year funds and are used to purchase:

Military equipment, tanks, and planes.

*What is the name of the law enacted in 1932 that allows federal agencies to order goods and services from other federal agencies?

Economy Act

*Which of the following projects would require S&A costs to be factored into the cost necessary to complete the work when the reimbursable order is received?

Design projects

Facilities, maintenance, and repair

*If USACE overpays a vendor, what action should be taken when the money is refunded?

The money should be credited to the account from which it was originally paid.

*Bona Fide need:


Applies only to limited year funds.

*Flash reports are:

Required when there is an apparent ADA violation.

*What should you do if you're not certain about the proper response to an item in an PR&C?

Check with the financial or budget POCs.

*According to the Bona Fide Needs Rule, which of the following statements is correct?

Appropriations may be obligated to meet a need arising in, or some time before, the fiscal year for which the appropriation was originally designated.


*Closed appropriations are:

No longer available for any purpose, any remaining funds must be returned to the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

*When you approve funds in CEFMS, you are doing which of the following?

Certifying the application of the funds meets the fiscal requirements for the Purpose, Time, and Amount Statutes.

Accepting responsibility and accountability for this action.

*When issuing a Project Order, which of the following criteria must be met?

It must be a legitimate need of the current year and must be certified to that effect by the ordering command.

It must have definite time for completion, a definite scope of work (i.e. deliverable), and funds must cover the entire project.

It must be DoD reimbursable.

It must utilize military customers.

*A bona fide need inquiry focuses on:

The timing of the obligation of funds and wheter that obligation is for a current need of the government.

*Appropriations that can be used for in-scope modifications but not for new obligations are said to be which of the following?

Expired appropriations

*Which of the following guidelines are established by the Purpose Statute?

Appropriated funds may only be used for the specific purposes outlined in the appropriations act or as otherwise provided by law.

*How many officials (besides the originator) should approve a contract PR&C?

2--An Approving Official and a Certifying Official

**What are the basic statutes that guide appropriation spending?

Purpose, Time, and Amount

**As stated in the Constitution, who holds the "Power of the Purse"?

Congress

**Which of the following is NOT a major source of USACE funding?

Military Personnel (MILPERS) Appropriation Acts

**Which of the following guidelines are established by the Purpose Statute?

Appropriated funds may only be used for the specific purposes outlined in the appropriations act as otherwise provided by law.

**According to the Necessary Expense Rule, which of the following statements is true?

An expediture is permissable if it is reasonably necessary in carrying out an authorized function or will contribute materially to the effective accomplishment of that function.

**Which of the following must be true in order for an obligation to be considered as a necessary expense?

Not within the scope of other appropriation

Necessary and incidental

Not prohibited by law

**Which of the following are authorized uses of appropriated funds?

Food at a conference that cannot be separated from the conference fee.

**According to the Time Statute, which of the following statements is correct?

Agencies must obligate appropriations during their period of availability/

**Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and Military Personnel (MILPERS) appropriations are typically:

1 year funds

**If an out-of-scope modification to a contract results in an increased cost, what funds should be used to pay for the increase?

Funds from the year in which the modifications were made.

**According to the Bond Fide Needs Rule which of the following statements is correct?

Appropriations must be obligated to meet the need arising in, or sometimes before, the fiscal year in which the appropriation was originally designated.

**The Advance Payment Prohibition says that a government agency is not required to pay until _____.

A service or product has been completed or delivered.

**Which of the following restrictions are declared in the Amount Statute?

Do not spend more money than is available.

Do not incur an obligation in advance of an appropriation.

**A contracting officer may obligate in excess of, or contract in advance of and appropriation only if:

Authorized by law

**Which of the following are prohibited by the Anti-deficiency Act?

Making an expenditure or creating an obligation in excess of the amount available in the appropriation or fund unless authorized by law.

Involving the government in a contract or obligation for the payment of money in advance of appropriations made for such purposes, unless the contract or obligation is authorized by law.

Accepting voluntary services for the US, or employing personal services in excess of that authorized by law, except in cases of emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property.

Making obligations or expeditures in excess of an appointment or reappointment, or in excess of the amount permitted by agency regulations.

Obligating any amount in excess/advance of available funds.

**The Miscellaneous Receipts Statute prohibits which of the following?

Keeping the registration fee collected from conference participants in excess of the cost of the conference.

**What are the Army values?

Loyalty

Duty

Respect

Selfless Service

Honor

Integrity

Personal Courage