[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26558]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 26, 1994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Postal Service
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
and the United States Postal Service (USPS) propose to conduct a
computer matching program. The purpose of the program is to identify
and locate USPS employees who owe delinquent debts to the Federal
Government as a result of their participation in benefit programs
administered by VA. Once identified and located, VA will pursue
collection of debts through voluntary payments. If such payments are
not forthcoming, VA may request USPS to offset up to 15 percent of the
employees' disposable pay as authorized under the provisions of the
Debt Collection Act of 1982.
The legal authority for undertaking this matching program is
contained in the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365), 31
U.S.C. Chapter 37, Subchapter I (General) and Subchapter II (Claims of
the United States Government, 31 U.S.C. 3711 (Collection and
Compromise) and 5 U.S.C. 5514 (Installment Deduction for Indebtedness).
These statutes authorize Federal agencies to offset a Federal
employee's salary as a means of satisfying delinquent debts owed the
United States. VA and USPS have concluded an agreement to conduct the
matching program pursuant to provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as
amended (5 U.S.C. 552a(o)).
USPS will act as the recipient (i.e., matching) agency. VA will
provide a tape extract to USPS that contains the name and social
security number (SSN) of each record subject. USPS will compare the
tape extract against its database of employee records, establishing
``hits'' (i.e., individuals common to both tapes) on the basis of
matched SSN's. For each hit, USPS will disclose to VA the following
information: name, SSN, home address and employee type (permanent or
temporary).
Records to be Matched: The systems of records maintained by the
respective agencies from which records will be disclosed for the
purpose of this computer match are as follows:
USPS: Finance Records--Payroll System (USPS 050.020) containing
records of approximately 700,000 employees. Disclosure will be made
under routine use 24 of that system, a full description of which was
last published at 57 FR 57515 (December 4, 1992).
VA: (a) ``Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation
Records--VA'' (58VA21/22) appearing at page 967 of the document
entitled Privacy Act Issuances, 1991 Comp., Volume II. The exchange of
data under this agreement is consistent with routine uses 9 and 12 of
58VA21/22. (b) ``Loan Guaranty Home, Condominium and Manufactured Home
Loan Applicant Records, Specially Adapted Housing Applicant Records and
Vendee Loan Applicant Records--VA'' (55VA26), appearing at page 962 of
the document entitled Privacy Act Issuances, 1991 Comp., Volume II. The
exchange of data under this agreement is consistent with routine use 19
of 55VA26. The debtor records actually used to perform the match are
maintained in the Centralized Accounts Receivable System (CARS). CARS
records, which number about 500,000, are a subset of those found in
both Privacy Act systems of records listed above.
The matching program is expected to begin on or about November 25,
1994, and continue in effect for 18 months. Matching activity will
begin no sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice or 40
days after a report of this matching program has been provided to
Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), whichever is
later. The agreement governing the matching program and, thus, the
matching program, may be extended an additional 12 months with the
respective approval of VA's and USPS' Data Integrity Boards. Such
extension must occur within three months prior to expiration of the 18-
month period set forth above and under the terms set forth in 5 U.S.C.
552a(o)(2)(D).
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments,
suggestions or objections regarding the proposal to conduct the
matching program to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (271A),
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20420. All written comments received will be available for public
inspection only in the Veterans Service Unit at the above address,
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays, until November 25, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management Center (389/00A), U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal
Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111, (612) 725-1844.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information is required by the Privacy
Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(12)).
A copy of this notice has been provided to both Houses of Congress
and OMB.
Approved: October 17, 1994.
Jesse Brown,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-26558 Filed 10-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8310-01
