Last updated on December 11, 2009
The links in the "What's New" summaries are linked directly to the respective documents in either or all of the following formats: HTML, PDF and TEXT. A more complete listing may be found in the main category of the entry. For example, if the "What's New" summary refers to a specific DAEOgram the link in the summary will go directly to that DAEOgram. If you want to see a complete listing of DAEOgrams refer to the main DAEOgram category. Links are provided at the bottom of the page to all of the main categories of this web site. Please note that the entries on this page are temporary and will be removed at a future time.
December 2009
2009 Ethics Pledge Compliance Assessment
The U.S Office of Government Ethics will be distributing to Designated Agency Ethics Officials an assessment of agency compliance with Executive Order 13490, “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel.” The assessment will be distributed via email the week of December 14, 2009. Responses are to be submitted by January 11, 2010. See DAEOgram DO-09-033 (PDF-HTML-TXT) for more information.
DAEOgram Issued on Reminder of Gift Rules During the Holiday Season.
DAEOgram DO-09-032 (PDF-HTML-TXT) issued December 10, 2009 is OGE's annual reminder of gift rules durijng the holiday season. This DAEOgram reprises the rules as set to verse in 1994 with additional updated guidance addressing gifts from lobbyists.
DAEOgram Issued Reminding Agencies to Transmit Copies of PAS Termination Public Financial Disclosure Reports to the United States Office of Government Ethics
Copies of all termination public financial disclosure reports (SF 278) for Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) officials must be transmitted to the United States Office of Government Ethics (OGE). Termination reports are due to agencies within 30 days of a PAS official's departure and copies must be transmitted to OGE upon certification by the agency. For more information, please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-031 (PDF-HTML-TXT) issued December 9, 2009.
OGE Requests Three-Year Renewal of Paperwork Approval for Unmodified Qualified Trust Model Certificates and Model Trust Documents
OGE has published a second round paperwork renewal notice requesting public comment on its submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and three-year renewal of approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act unmodified Qualified Trust Model Certificates and Model Trust Documents. See 74 FR 62780-62782 (December 1, 2009) (PDF-HTML-TXT). Any comments by the agencies and the public must be received by the OMB Desk Officer for OGE, in writing, by December 31, 2009. For additional information or to receive a copy of these model certificates and documents contact Paul D. Ledvina at
202-482-9247; email pledvina@oge.gov. The model certificates are codified in appendixes A, B, and C to 5 C.F.R. part 2634. Copies of the model trust documents are also available through the Ethics Documents section of the OGE's Web site at www.usoge.gov.
November 2009
OGE Will Request Three-Year Renewal of Paperwork Approval for an Unmodified OGE Form 201
OGE has published in the Federal Register a first round paperwork renewal notice requesting public comment on its intention to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and three-year renewal of approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act an unmodified OGE Form 201 Ethics Act public access form. See 74 FR 59185-59186 (November 17, 2009). Any comments by the agencies and the public are due to OGE in writing by January 19, 2010. The OGE Form 201 is used to request access to executive branch Public Financial Disclosure Reports (SF 278s) and other covered records. A copy of the OGE Form 201 is available in the Forms Library section of OGE's Web site at www.usoge.gov. Finally, OGE has received from OMB an additional extension of the current paperwork approval of the OGE Form 201 to allow time for completion of the renewal process.
OGE Issues DAEOgram Announcing Publication of the 2008 Conflict of Interest Prosecution Survey
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-09-029 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on October 23, 2009 announcing the publication of the 2008 Conflict of Interest Prosecution Survey. The survey contains summaries of cases involving conflict of interest violations. The Department of Justice prosecuted the cases.
DAEOgram Issued on Questions Concerning Free Attendance at Events Sponsord by The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-09-030 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on November 10, 2009 addressing concerns of offers of free attendance at events sponsored by the Kennedy Center for the Performance Arts. OGE has determined that Executive Branch employees may accept such offers from the Kennedy Center, consistent with the gift rules in the Standards of Ethical Conduct.
October 2009
Updated PDF Version of the Standards of Conduct Now Available On OGE's Website
An updated PDF version of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch is available on OGE's website. You can access it directly at http://www.usoge.gov/ethics_docs/publications/reference_publications/rfsoc.pdf. Alternately, you can navigate to it by selecting "Ethics Documents" from the left-hand menu of OGE's home page, then selecting "OGE Publications". It is the first document on this page.
This easy-to-read format of the regulation at 5 C.F.R. part 2635 was compiled June 2009 from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) and includes all amendments made through March 24, 2008, which was the date of the last amendment. It replaces the October 2002 PDF version of the Standards.
The following are the sections that changed from the October 2002 PDF version of the Standards to the current June 2009 PDF version:
5 CFR Section 2635.102
Clarifying that the definition of "employees" includes employees of a State or local government or other organization who are serving on detail to an agency.
(See 71 FR 45736, August 10, 2006)
5 CFR Section 2635.105
Clarifying that Employees of a State or local government or other organization who are serving on detail to any agency are subject to supplemental agency regulations where expressly provided.
(See 71 FR 45736, August 10, 2006)
5 CFR Sections 2635.203, 2635.804
Removing obsolete regulatory provisions regarding statutory provision on charitable payments made in lieu of honoraria, which is no longer legally operative.
(See 72 FR 16986, April 6, 2007)
5 CFR Section 2635.204
Increasing the exception ceiling for nonsponsor gifts of free attendance at widely attended gatherings to $335 and modifying the dollar amount in example 2 following paragraph (g)(6).
(See 73 FR 15388, March 24, 2008)
DAEOgram Issued Regarding the Upcoming Deadline for Reporting Payments Accepted Under 31 U.S.C. § 1353
Agencies are to submit their next semiannual 1353 report to OGE no later than November 30, 2009. The report must include information about payments for travel, subsistence, and related expenses received from non-Federal sources in connection with the attendance of employees at certain meetings or similar functions. The semiannual report should cover payments received from April 1, 2009, through September 30, 2009. Agencies must submit negative reports.
For more information, please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-028 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
OGE Issues DAEOgram Announcing FY2010 Quarter 1 Training Schedule
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) FY2010 quarter 1 training schedule is now available. OGE is offering a number of courses for both new and experienced ethics officials. Please refer to the Training Workshops and Seminars Section of our website for a complete listing of course titles, course descriptions, dates, times and registration information.
For more information, please refer to DAEOgram DT-09-027 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
September 2009
OGE Will Launch Its 2009 Annual Survey of Ethics Officials
Within the next few days, OGE will launch its 2009 Annual Survey of Ethics Officials. This survey provides OGE with information to enhance to the executive branch ethics program.
For more information, please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-026 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
OGE Will Request Three-Year Renewal of Paperwork Approval for Unmodififed Qualified Trust Model Certificates and Model Trust Documents
OGE has published a 1st round paperwork
renewal notice requesting public comment on its intention to submit to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and three-year renewal of approval
under the Paperwork Reduction Act unmodified Qualified Trust Model Certificates
and Model Trust Documents. See 74 FR 47799-47801 (September 17, 2009) (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22266.pdf.
and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-22266.htm). Any comments by the agencies and the public are due to OGE in writing by November
16, 2009. For additional information or to receive a copy of these
certificates and documents contact Paul D. Ledvina at 202.482-9247; email pledvina@oge.gov. The model certificates
are codified in appendixes A, B, and C to 5 CFR part 2634. Copies of the model
trust documents are available as one set of OGE publications through the Ethics
Documents section of OGE's Web site at www.usoge.gov.
Finally, OGE will separately request from OMB an extension of the current
paperwork approval of these forms to allow time for completion of the renewal
process.
August 2009
OGE 2009 Education and Communication Awards Announcement
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is pleased to invite submissions
of nominations for the OGE 2009 Education and Communication Awards. The
awards will be presented at the 17th National Government Ethics Conference
which will be held May 12 - 14, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on the
Riverwalk in Chicago, Illinois. The deadline for receipt of the
nominations is October 9, 2009.
For information on how to apply for the OGE 2009 Education and
Communication Award, please refer to DAEOgram DT-09-025 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
OGE Releases Employee Course on Conflicts of Interest
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is pleased to announce the release of an instructor-led course on conflicts of interest titled Are You Vulnerable to Conflicts? The course was developed to help ethics officials provide training to executive branch employees. By including this course in your ethics training curriculum, you can increase employees' ability to identify financial conflict of interest situations through the use of exercises and the OGE Get Advice or Pay the Price video.
For more information, please refer to DAEOgram DT-09-024 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
To download the course materials, please visit the Instructor-led Courseware section.
OGE Begins Compliance Assessment of the Ethics Pledge
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) has begun an assessment of agency compliance with the Ethics Pledge requirement of Executive Order 13490, "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel" (January 21, 2009).
The assessment questionnaire was distributed to Designated Agency Ethics Officials (DAEO) on July 31, 2009 via email. Each agency is required to submit a response to the questionnaire by August 17, 2009.
If you are a DAEO and did not receive the questionnaire or have questions, please contact Karen Rigby, Lead Management Analyst, Program Review Division, at (202) 482-9212 or at ethics_official_survey@oge.gov. You may also contact Dale Christopher, Associate Director, Program Review Division, at (202) 482-9224.
Please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-023 (PDF-HTML-TXT) announcing the launch of the assessment.
July 2009
DAEOgram Issued Announcing Ethics Pledge Survey
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-09-022 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on July 14, 2009 announcing a forthcoming electronic survey of Designated Agency Ethics Officials regarding agency compliance with administration of the Ethics Pledge.
June 2009
DAEOgram Issued Announcing FY2009 Quarter 4 Training Schedule
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DT-09-021 (PDF-HTML-TXT) announcing the availability of the FY2009 quarter 3 training schedule. OGE is offering a number of courses for both new and experienced ethics officials. Please refer to the Training Workshops and Seminars Section of our website for a complete listing of course titles, course descriptions, dates, times and registration information.
May 2009
DAEOgram Issued on Pledge Questions
On May 26, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-020 (PDF-HTML-TXT), addressing two issues under
the Ethics Pledge for non-career appointees. The DAEOgram explains how
paragraph 2 of the Pledge applies to appointees giving official speeches to
a former employer or client. The DAEOgram also explains that detailees to
an agency, pursuant to the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, are not subject
to the Pledge.
DAEOgram Issued Regarding the Upcoming Deadline for Reporting Payments Accepted Under 31 U.S.C. § 1353
Agencies should submit their next semiannual 1353 report to OGE no later than June 1, 2009. This report must include information about payments for travel, subsistence and related expenses received from non-Federal sources in connection with the attendance of employees at certain meetings or similar functions. The semiannual report should cover payments received from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009. Agencies must submit negative reports. For more information, please see DAEOgram DO-09-019 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
DAEOgram Issued Regarding Due Dates for Public Financial Disclosure Reports
Unless an extension has been granted, annual public financial disclosure reports (SF 278) must be filled with the appropriate department or agency no later than May 15, 2009. These reports are then to be reviewed and certified within 60 days. After certification, reports for PAS officials, DAEOs and Presidential recess appointees are to be promptly forwarded to OGE for final review and certification. DAEOgram DO-09-018, issued by OGE May 14, 2009, provides the filing deadlines for the 2009 filing period (the deadlines for reports that receive no extension and the deadlines for reports that receive either a 45- or 90-day extension) and the transmittal deadlines for submitting certain reports to OGE. For more information please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-018 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
DAEOgram Issued Regarding the Approaching Deadline for Yearly Update of Filers
OGE is requesting that you prepare and forward your list of SF 278 filers whose reports come to OGE for final review and certification. Your list of filers is due to OGE by May 29, 2009. For information about which reports should come to OGE for final review and certification, what information should be contained on your list of filers, and who should receive your list, please refer to DAEOgram DO-09-017 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
DAEOgram Issued on Reprinting of 14 General Principles Card
The Office of Government Ethics has issued a DAEOgram announcing
the reprinting of the 14 General Principles glossy two-sided card (5x7).
For detailed ordering information, please refer to DAEOgram DT-09-016 (PDF-HTML-TXT).
April 2009
OGE Seeks Government Ethics Specialist (CLOSED)
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is seeking a highly-motivated and enthusiastic person to join a team of dedicated professionals in the Office of Agency Programs. The ideal candidate will have superb organizational and analytical skills and a strong desire to make a positive and practical impact in the Federal Government. This individual will serve as a Government Ethics Specialist (Desk Officer) and will provide liaison service to agency ethics officials and will assist these ethics officials in developing, maintaining and improving ethics programs. For more information, please see Job Announcement Number 09-OGE-008 or Job Announcement Number 09-OGE-009P under the Vacancy Announcement and Other Information section of this website.
DAEOgram Issued on Procedures and Required Evidence of Compliance for Ethics Agreements Made by PAS Nominees
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-09-015 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on April 28, 2009. This memorandum reiterates and clarifies previous OGE guidance regarding
which commitments in an ethics agreement require evidence of compliance and
what documentation OGE will accept as demonstrating compliance.
DAEOgram Issued on Holdover Appointees and the Ethics Pledge
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DO-09-014 (PDF-HTML-TXT) which advises Designated Agency Ethics Official and agency heads of the requirement for holdover appointees to sign the Ethics Pledge by April 28, 2009.
DAEOgram Issued Announcing the Denver Regional Training Symposium
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DT-09-013 (PDF-HTML-TXT) announcing a two-day regional training symposium in Denver on May 27-28, 2009. The training will focus on conflicts of interest, impartiality, seeking employment, post employment, financial disclosure, gifts, outside activities and misuse of position. Please refer to the Training Workshops and Seminars Section of our website for registration information.
March 2009
DAEOgram Issued Announcing FY2009 Quarter 3 Training Schedule
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) issued DAEOgram DT-09-012 (PDF-HTML-TXT) announcing the availability of the FY2009 quarter 3 training schedule. OGE is offering a number of courses for both new and experienced ethics officials. Please refer to the Training Workshops and Seminars Section of our website for a complete listing of course titles, course descriptions, dates, times and registration information.
DAEOgram Issued on Paragraph 2 of the Ethics Pledge
On March 26, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-011 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which explains the revolving door ban for all appointees entering Government, under Paragraph 2 of the Ethics Pledge required by Executive Order 13490.
DAEOgram Issued on Who Must Sign the Ethics Pledge
On March 16, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-010 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which provides guidance
concerning which officials are subject to the Ethics Pledge requirement
under Executive Order 13490. The DAEOgram discusses various categories of
officials.
Effect of 2009 Pay Adjustments on Ethics Provisions
This year's pay adjustments occurred as of January 4, 2009, the beginning of the first pay period of 2009 for most Federal Government civilian personnel. These adjustments affect statutory thresholds that rely on the General Schedule or the Executive Schedule for the application of some of the ethics provisions: in title I of the Ethics in Government Act (Ethics Act) requiring the filing of public financial disclosure reports by certain officers and employees (the first rate listed below); in title V of the Ethics Act setting forth the outside employment and outside earned income restrictions (see footnote as to the latter) for covered noncareer employees (the first and second rates listed below); and in 18 U.S.C. § 207(c) of the post-employment conflict of interest law (the third rate listed below). The new thresholds are as follows:
- Effective January 4, 2009, 120% of the minimum rate of basic pay for grade 15 of the General Schedule is $117,787.20.
- Effective January 1, 2009,* 15% of the annual rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule is $25,830.00.
- Effective January 4, 2009, 86.5% of the annual rate of basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule is $153,105.00.
* In accordance with section 501(a) of the Ethics Act and OGE's regulations at 5 C.F.R. § 2636.304 setting the limitation on outside earned income for covered noncareer employees, this particular rate is set as of January 1, before the pay adjustment for 2009 went into effect. Thus, the percentage amount indicated for this year is calculated based on the 2008 pay adjustment.
February 2009
OGE Places First Installment of the 2008 Informal Advisory Letters and Memoranda on the OGE Web site
On February 26, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-009 (PDF-HTML-TXT), announcing the placement of the first installment of the 2008 Informal Advisory Letters and Memoranda and Formal Opinions on the OGE website. This guidance is available for viewing or downloading and can be found under the 2008 Advisory Opinion section at of the OGE website.
DAEOgram Issued on Waiver Authority for Ethics Pledge
On February 23, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-008 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which announced that Designated Agency Ethics
Officials have been designated to exercise the waiver authority for the
Ethics Pledge, under section 3 of Executive Order 13490. The DAEOgram also
discusses certain limitations on the exercise of this waiver authority.
DAEOgram Issued on Lobbyist Gift Ban
On February 11, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-007 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which provides guidance on the "Lobbyist Gift Ban" in the Ethics Pledge required by Executive Order 13490. The guidance
addresses several questions OGE has received about the ban, and it addresses certain circumstances in which the ban was and was not intended to apply.
DAEOgram Issued Regarding OGE Desk Officer Program - Changes to desk officer agency assignments
Every independent executive branch agency has an OGE desk officer who provides dedicated liaison and program support services. New agency assignments have been made for the
OGE desk officers, and DAEOgram DO-09-006 (PDF-HTML-TXT) details these new assignments. The DAEOgram also provides a list of services that desk officers provide.
DAEOgram Issued on Signing the Ethics Pledge
On February 10, 2009, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-005 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which provides guidance on when appointees must sign the Ethics Pledge, pursuant to Executive Order 13490. The DAEOgram also notes that special Government employees are not required to sign the Ethics Pledge.
OGE Seeks Administrative Officer, GS-0341-13 (CLOSED)
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics is seeking a highly-motivated and enthusiastic person to join a team of dedicated professionals in the Office of Administration. The ideal candidate will have superb organizational and analytical skills and a strong desire to make a positive and practical impact in the Federal Government. For more information, please see Job Announcement Number 09-OGE-005 under the Vacancy Announcement and Other Information section of this website.
January 2009
DAEOgram Issued Regarding Presidential Inaugural Events
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics issued DAEOgram DO-09-001 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on January 15, 2009 regarding Presidential Inaugural Events..
OGE Issues DAEOgram Announcing FY2009 Quarter 2 Training Schedule
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics issued DAEOgram DT-09-002 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on January 21, 2009 (OGE) announcing the FY2009 quarter 2 training
schedule. OGE is offering a number of courses for both
new and experienced ethics officials. Please refer to the Training
Workshops and Seminars Section of our website for a complete listing of
course titles, course descriptions, dates, times and registration
information.
OGE Issues DAEOgram on New Ethics Pledge
On January 22, OGE issued DAEOgram DO-09-003 (PDF-HTML-TXT), which discusses the new Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by
Executive Branch Personnel. In addition to a summary of the Ethics Pledge
required for all full-time political appointees appointed on or after
January 20, 2009, the DAEOgram provides a Pledge form to be used by
agencies for their appointees.
OGE Published an Ethics Official Quick Reference Chart
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics has published an Ethics Official Quick Reference Chart (PDF - Microsoft Word) with links to Ethics-related statutes, regulations, and common issues faced by ethics professionals. It's offered in Microsoft Word format to allow ethics officials to update it as their needs change or new information becomes available.
OGE Issues DAEOgram Regarding the Use of Digital Signatures With the Confidential Financial Disclosure Form
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics issued DAEOgram DO-00-004 (PDF-HTML-TXT) on January 30, 2009, to announce that agencies are now authorized to allow digital signatures on the electronically fillable PDF version of the confidential financial disclosure form (OGE Form 450) as long as their agency’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) has approved a digital signature process.