Frequently Asked Questions

This site is being developed as a response to questions frequently raised by faculty/staff. Answers have been coordinated with the process owners. If a response requires further clarification, please email FAQ

I will be attending a conference in November 2007, but in order to receive the discount on the registration fee, I must pay it before 25 September 2006. Since the event is occurring in FY2007, what year funding do I use to pay the fee? What is the process?

I will be attending a conference and can take advantage of a reduced registration fee if I become a member of the sponsoring organization. Can I pay for the membership with government funding?

I will be attending a conference in November 2007, but in order to receive the discount on the registration fee, I must pay it before 25 September 2006. Since the event is occurring in FY2007, what year funding do I use to pay the fee? What is the process?
You may use current year funding to pay the registration fee if the DD Form 1556 is approved to authorize pre-payment via the credit card and the procurement request is processed by an NPS Purchasing Agent and the following conditions are met. 1) The registration fee is "due" in this fiscal year although the conference takes place in the next fiscal year. A copy of the conference registration deadline must be filed with the transaction. 2) There is justification to "split" the cost of the conference between an FY06 account and an FY07 account. The most probable justification would be that the FY06 and FY07 account both support the same project. (Note to Purchasing Agent: You can finalize the buy in PARIS even though the conference is not delivered until next fiscal year. The 1556 authorizes the prepayment.) You may also pay the registration fee with personal funds and complete a Claim for Reimbursement, DD Form 1164. If you choose to pay from your personal funds, you cannot submit the Claim for Reimbursement until you attend the conterence.

I will be attending a conference and can take advantage of a reduced registration fee if I become a member of the sponsoring organization. Can I pay for the membership with government funding?
The government is not allowed to pay for personal memberships. Even though there is a savings on the registration fee, personal memberships are not an allowable cost. Reference: Appropriation Law, Vol I, Chapt 4, page 234.