97-8962. Privacy Act of 1974; System of Record  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 16793-16795]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-8962]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    
    Defense Finance and Accounting Service
    
    
    Privacy Act of 1974; System of Record
    
    AGENCY: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD.
    ACTION: Notice to alter a record system.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service proposes to alter a 
    system of records notice in its inventory of record systems subject to 
    the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
    DATES: The alteration will be effective on May 8, 1997, unless comments 
    are received that would result in a contrary determination.
    ADDRESSES: Send comments to Administrative Policy and Support, Defense 
    Finance and Accounting Service, Room 416, Arlington, VA 22240-5291
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Genevieve Turney at (703) 607-
    5165.
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 522a(r) of the 
    Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on March 28, 1997, to 
    the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Senate 
    Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and 
    Budget (OMB) pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. 
    A-130, `Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About 
    Individuals,' dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).
        Dated: April 3, 1997.
    
    L. M. Bynum,
    Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
    T7332
    
    System name:
        Defense Debt Management System (December 23, 1996, 61 FR 67534).
    
    Changes:
    * * * * *
    
    Categories of individuals covered by the system:
        Delete entry and replace with `Contractors and individuals who are 
    indebted to a Department of Defense (DoD) agency that have transferred 
    debts to the Defense Debt Management System serviced by the Defense 
    Finance and Accounting Service. EXCLUSION: This system does not include 
    individuals or contractors who are indebted to a DoD agency and who 
    have been identified as currently receiving pay from DoD.'
    * * * * *
    T7332
    
    System name:
        Defense Debt Management System.
    
    System location:
        Primary location: Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Denver 
    Center, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000.
        Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Indianapolis Center, 8899 
    East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-1460;
        Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Columbus Center, 4280 East 
    5th Avenue, Building 3, Columbus, OH 43218-2317;
        Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center, 1240 East 
    9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44199-2056;
        Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Kansas City Center, 1500 
    East 95th Street, Kansas City, MO 64197-0001;
        Defense Accounting Offices at military bases and at National Guard 
    activities, and Reserve units of all the military services. Official 
    mailing address can be obtained from the Chief, Debt Management Systems 
    Division, Directorate of Debt and Claims Management, Defense Finance 
    and Accounting Service-Denver Center, 6760 East Irvington Place, 
    Denver, CO 80279-8000.
    
    Categories of individuals covered by the system:
        Contractors and individuals who are indebted to a Department of 
    Defense (DoD) agency that have transferred debts to the Defense Debt 
    Management System serviced by the Defense Finance and Accounting 
    Service. EXCLUSION: This system does not include individuals or 
    contractors who are indebted to a DoD agency and who have been 
    identified as currently receiving pay from DoD.
    
    Categories of records in the system:
        Information varies depending on the debtor and the related history 
    of debt collection activity. Normally, the name, taxpayer 
    identification number, address, amount of debt or delinquent amount, 
    basis of the debt, date debt arose, office referring debt, collection 
    efforts, credit reports, debt collection letters, and correspondence to 
    or from the debtor relating to the debt.
        Correspondence with employing agencies of debtors requesting that 
    action begin to collect the delinquent debt through voluntary or 
    involuntary offset procedures against the employees' salary or 
    compensation due a retiree.
        Correspondence with other agencies requesting offset from payments 
    due the debtor. These records may include
    
    [[Page 16794]]
    
    individuals name, rank, date of birth, Social Security Number, debt 
    amount documentation establishing overpayment status, military pay 
    records, financial status affidavits, credit references, and 
    substantiating documents such as military pay orders, pay adjustment 
    authorizations, military master pay account printouts, records of 
    travel payments, financial record data folders, miscellaneous vouchers, 
    debtor financial records, credit reports, promissory notes, and debtor 
    financial statements.
        Information on U. S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service 
    (IRS) and General Accounting Office (GAO) inquiries, judicial 
    proceedings regarding bankruptcy, pay account histories, and token 
    payment information.
        Applications for waiver of erroneous payment or for remission of 
    indebtedness with supporting documents including statements of 
    financial status (personal income and expenses), statements of 
    commanders or Defense Accounting Officers, correspondence with members 
    and employees, or overpayments of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) benefits.
        Delinquent accounts receivable from field Defense Accounting 
    Officers including returned checks, medical services billings, 
    collection records, and summaries of military investigations.
        Reports from probate courts regarding estates of deceased members.
        Reports from bankruptcy courts regarding claims of the U.S. 
    Government against debtors.
        Correspondence between contracting officer, administrative 
    contracting officer, or a DFAS center and contractor, that terminates a 
    contract, demands payment, and establishes debt, and any other related 
    papers.
    
    Authority for maintenance of the system:
        5 U.S.C. 301, 5512, 5513, 5514, and 5584; 10 U.S.C. 1442, 1453, 
    2774, 2775, 9835; 31 U.S.C. 3325, 3342, 3526, 3702, 3711, 3716-3718; 32 
    U.S.C. 710, 716; 37 U.S.C. 1007(c); 40 U.S.C. 721, 723, 725, 726, 727, 
    728, 729; 49 U.S.C. 3101 Chapter 1 et. seq.; Pub.L. 97-365, as amended 
    by Pub.L. 104-134; Pub.L. 89-508; E.O. 9397 (SSN); and DoD 7000.14-R, 
    Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation, Volume 5, Part 
    Two.
    
    Purpose(s):
        For the administrative management and collection of all delinquent 
    debts, including past due loan payments, overpayments, fines, interest, 
    penalties, fees, damages, leases, sales of real or personal property, 
    etc., due to the DoD and debts due to other Federal departments and 
    agencies of the U.S. Government that may be referred to the DoD for 
    collection.
        To provide for the implementation of the salary offset (SOL is 10 
    years) provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5514, the administrative offset 
    provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3711 and 3716-3718 and the provisions of the 
    Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS), which applies to personal 
    debts.
        To permit collection of delinquent claims and debts owed to the 
    U.S. Government under any program or service administered by any 
    creditor DoD operating administration or component thereof.
        To maintain and distribute a list of contractors indebted to the 
    U.S. Government, and to initiate collection against a contractor which 
    is indebted to the U.S. Government, and to determine whether judicial 
    proceedings should be initiated against the contractor. Guidance 
    regarding contract debts is contained in the Federal Acquisition 
    Regulation, and the Financial Management Regulation (DoD 7000.14-R), 
    volume 10.
        To determine the validity of waivers or to make referrals to the 
    Government Accounting Office (GAO).
        To maintain records of investigations conducted for the purpose of 
    confirmation, cancellation, and remission of debt, waivers, and other 
    determinations regarding the accuracy and validity of a debt.
        All records in this system are subject to use in authorized 
    computer matching programs within DoD and with other Federal agencies 
    or non-Federal agencies as regulated by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 
    U.S.C. 552a) as amended.
    
    Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
    of users and the purposes of such uses:
        In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
    552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained 
    therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use 
    pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
        To the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), the Department of 
    Justice, and the United States Attorney General, or other Federal 
    agencies for further collection action on any delinquent account when 
    circumstances warrant.
        To commercial credit reporting agencies for the purpose of either 
    adding to a credit history file on an individual or business entity for 
    use in the administration of debt collection. Delinquent debt 
    information may be furnished for purposes of providing an inducement 
    for debtors to pay their obligations to the Federal government.
        To any Federal agency where the debtor is employed or receiving 
    some type of payment for the purpose of enabling that agency to collect 
    a debt owed the U.S. Government on behalf of the agency by counseling 
    the debtor for voluntary repayment or by initiating administrative or 
    salary offset procedures under the provisions of the Debt Collection 
    Act of 1982 (Pub.L. 97-365, as amended by Pub.L. 104-134).
        To any other Federal agency including, but not limited to the 
    Internal Revenue service (IRS) pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3720A, for the 
    purpose of effecting an administrative offset against the debtor for a 
    delinquent debt owed the U.S. Government by the debtor.
        To the Department of Veteran Affairs for administration of laws 
    pertaining to veterans' benefits.
        To any other Federal agency for the purpose of administrative 
    offset of a debt, including but not limited to the Office of Personnel 
    Management for personnel management functions, or the IRS to obtain a 
    mailing address of a taxpayer for the purpose of locating such taxpayer 
    to collect or compromise a Federal claim against the taxpayer pursuant 
    to 26 U.S.C. 1603(m)(2) and in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3711, 3217, 
    and 3718; to obtain locator status for delinquent accounts receivable; 
    to report write-off amounts as taxable income as pertains to amounts 
    compromised and accounts barred from litigation due to age; and to 
    provide for offset of tax refunds.
        To any other Federal, state, or local agency for the purpose of 
    conducting an authorized computer matching program to identify and 
    locate delinquent debtors for recoupment of debts owed the DoD or one 
    of its components.
        To commercial collection agencies for the purpose of collection 
    services to recover moneys owed to the U.S. Government.
        To publish or otherwise publicly disseminate information regarding 
    the identity of the debtor and the existence of the nontax debt, 
    subject to review by the Secretary of the Treasury.
        The `Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the DFAS 
    compilation of record system notices also apply to this system.
    
    Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
        Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12) may be made from this 
    system to `consumer reporting agencies' as defined in the Fair Credit 
    Reporting Act (14 U.S.C. 1681a(f)) or the Federal Claims Collection Act 
    of 1966 (31 U.S.C.
    
    [[Page 16795]]
    
    3701(a)(3)). The purpose of this disclosure is to aid in the collection 
    of outstanding debts owed to the Federal government; typically to 
    provide an incentive for debtors to repay delinquent Federal government 
    debts by making these debts part of their credit records.
        The disclosure is limited to information necessary to establish the 
    identity of the individual, including name, address, and taxpayer 
    identification number (Social Security Number); the amount, status, and 
    history of the claim; and the agency or program under which the claim 
    arose for the sole purpose of allowing the consumer reporting agency to 
    prepare a commercial credit report.
    
    Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
    and disposing of records in the system:
    Storage:
        Records are maintained on computer disks, magnetic tape, 
    microfiche, and paper file folders. Computer disks, magnetic tape, 
    microfiche, and paper file folders.
    
    Retrievability:
        Retrieved by name, Taxpayer Identification Number, other 
    identification number or system identifier, or name of accountable 
    disbursing office in whose custody the public funds were entrusted when 
    the debt arose.
    
    Safeguards:
        Records are accessed by the custodian of the record system and by 
    personnel responsible for servicing the record system in performance of 
    their official duties. Records are stored in locked cabinets or rooms, 
    or in guarded buildings.
    
    Retention and disposal:
        All cases will remain active until settled by full payment, waiver 
    or write-off. The system contains records requiring a retention period 
    of up to 10 years after final action. Records are retired to National 
    Records Centers. Destruction is accomplished by tearing, shredding, 
    pulping, macerating, or burning.
    
    System manager(s) and address:
        Chief, Debt Management Systems Division, Directorate of Debt and 
    Claims Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service - 
    Indianapolis Center, 8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-
    1460;
        Chief, Debt Management Systems Division, Directorate of Debt and 
    Claims Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Columbus 
    Center, 4280 East 5th Avenue, Building 3, Columbus, OH 43218-2317;
        Chief, Debt Management Systems Division, Directorate of Debt and 
    Claims Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Cleveland 
    Center, 1240 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44199-2056;
        Chief, Debt Management Systems Division, Directorate of Debt and 
    Claims Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Denver 
    Center, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000;
        Chief, Debt Management Systems Division, Directorate of Debt and 
    Claims Management, Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Kansas City 
    Center, 1500 East 95th Street, Kansas City, MO 64197-0001.
    
    Notification procedure:
        Individuals seeking to determine whether information about 
    themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries 
    to the Privacy Act Officer at the appropriate DFAS Center identified 
    under `System manager'.
        Individual should furnish name, taxpayer identification number 
    (Social Security Number), or other identifying information verifiable 
    from the records.
    
    Record access procedures:
        Individuals seeking access to information about themselves 
    contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to 
    the Privacy Act Officer at the appropriate DFAS Center identified under 
    `System manager'.
        Individual should furnish name, taxpayer identification number 
    (Social Security Number), or other information verifiable from the 
    records itself.
    
    Contesting record procedures:
        The DFAS rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and 
    appealing initial agency determinations are published in DFAS 
    Regulation 5400.11-R; 32 CFR part 324; or may be obtained from the 
    Privacy Act Officer at any DFAS Center.
    
    Record source categories:
        Records are obtained from the debtor, DFAS centers, other DoD 
    organizations, and agencies of Federal state, and local governments, as 
    applicable or appropriate for processing the case.
    
    Exemptions claimed for the system:
        None.
    [FR Doc. 97-8962 Filed 4-7-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 5000-04-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/8/1997
Published:
04/08/1997
Department:
Defense Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice to alter a record system.
Document Number:
97-8962
Dates:
The alteration will be effective on May 8, 1997, unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination.
Pages:
16793-16795 (3 pages)
PDF File:
97-8962.pdf