FRAME-ing InSite
For the better part of 20 years, Business Objects has served as the official financial reporting system for GSA; however, a modernization effort is currently underway to move financial data and reports to a new environment, the Enterprise Data Solution (EDS). MicroStrategy will replace Business Objects over the next 2-3 years as the primary financial reporting solution.
To learn more about the Financial Reporting and Analytics Modernization Effort, or FRAME, check out our new InSite page. This site will provide more information about the transition, the scheduled timeline, and a listing of data and reports that have already been brought into the new environment. Over the coming months, we will be adding information on training opportunities, how to request access to the new environment, and much more.
This is just one of the ways we’ve designed to keep you actively informed and engaged in the modernization effort. Be on the lookout for future emails, showcase events, and speaking engagements to learn more about the effort. If you have any questions, we have provided a mailbox (financialreportmodernization@gsa.gov) on the GSA InSite FRAME page.
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Did You Know That There's a Federal Customer Experience Community of Practice?!
Sharpen your customer experience skills and network with peers who want to make interactions with customers as meaningful as they can be. Join the CX CoP Google Group to get invites to monthly meetings and connect with others at GSA who are interested in improving the customer experience.
New! Register for the 2024 FEHB Open Season Virtual Benefits Fair
Be sure to register and attend the Virtual Benefits Fair, hosted by FedPoint, from Nov. 11 through Dec. 9, where you can log in anytime to get information about:
- Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
- Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP)
- Federal Flexible Spending Account Program
You will be able to access plan information and brochures, visit carrier booths, watch videos, and register for educational webinars.
Live Q&A
Visit the fair during any one of the four live carrier chat days 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on November 14, 21, 26, or December 3, 2024.
FEHB premiums for the 2025 plan year will rise by an average of 13.5%. FEDVIP premiums will increase by 2.97% for dental and .87% for vision premiums. The Federal Government covers 70% of health insurance premiums, so they are still a very valuable benefit for employees.
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Reminder! Save the Date: Presidential Transition Team Town Hall
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern, please join me for a Presidential Transition Team (PTT) Town Hall to discuss the impact the PTT's occupancy will have on our workspace and answer any questions you may have.
This event will be entirely virtual. Please click this link to join the webinar. (Passcode: 686418)
The PTT and I are excited to hear and answer your questions. Please share your questions here.
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It's Performance Season!
Now’s time to start thinking about the annual end of year performance cycle closeout. This is a great time to reflect on your contributions and plan for the fiscal year ahead.
Everyone in GSA can participate by completing their FY24 self-assessment and collaborate with their supervisor in developing their FY25 performance plan. Looking for guidance? Check out the performance planning job aid, end of year performance job aid and performance management appraising information on InSite.
FY24 performance appraisals and FY25 performance plans must be discussed and completed in HR Links by November 14, 2024.
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New! Sign Up for Earthquake Preparedness Training this October
The Office of Mission Assurance is offering Earthquake Preparedness Training throughout October, coinciding with national shakeout drills taking place in mid-October, collectively known as the Great ShakeOut 2024.
Register HERE for OMA Earthquake Preparedness Training
OMA encourages you to take any of three stand-alone sessions to help equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe before, during, and after an earthquake. Sessions will cover:
- The frequency and reality of earthquakes in the United States
- Proven techniques like “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”
- How to develop a solid emergency plan for your home and workplace
- What to include in your earthquake survival kit
- How GSA prepares and responds to earthquakes
Available sessions:
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, noon, Eastern
- Wednesday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. Eastern
ICYMI: Messages from GSA Leadership
Oct. 10th: Deputy Administrator Katy Kale shares ways you can aid the response to hurricanes Helene and Milton
Oct. 8th: Administrator Carnahan announces this year's CX Award winners
You're all caught up! Check out the Messages from Leadership page on InSite, where you can find past messages from GSA leaders.
Every week we will feature OCFO colleagues who have been recognized by their peers for their great work and character. This is a quick, easy, and fun way to acknowledge and thank one another.
To recognize one (or more) of your peers in the next Week in Review, use the OCFO Shout Outs Google Form.
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Shout out to the Financial Operations and Controls Branch!
Congratulations on another successful year end closing. Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and support. Worksheet adjustments are submitted and now its time to focus on kicking off 2025 reconciliations. We appreciate all your efforts to keep the FAS programs reconciled.
Submitted by: Francie McCabe (BGF)
Welcome to the OCFO Analytics Corner! Each week, the Analytics Community of Practice (A-CoP) team will be sharing events, training, resources, and more. If you would like to learn more about the OCFO Analytics Community of Practice, you can sign up for updates here.
Resource Alert: Virtual Studio Code User Guide for EDA Users in Amazon Workspaces
The BI Presentation Layer has added a VS Code User Guide that provides personnel with the instructions for configuring pyspark development projects that run independent of the Computational Service to support off-cluster development.
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Visit the Mandatory Training page on GSA's InSite for mandatory training deadlines and watch the GSA News & Info section for training reminders.
Looking for enterprise-wide training? You'll find upcoming offerings on the Online University Events Calendar as well as on the GSA IT tech training calendar.
Don't Forget! The Career Planning and Training Tool is Here to Help
The CFO Council's (CFOC) Career Planning and Training Tool has recently undergone a revision to its functionality to make it easier to identify courses that align with the CFOC’s core competencies for the financial management job series (501, 510, 511 and 565). You can start using the tool by clicking on the job series and GS-level filters. Career guidance in the form of virtual cards will display in the center of the screen and below.
Each virtual card will include information about a competency, including a general description, relevant behaviors, and proficiency levels. The cards will also contain embedded links to vendor courses that will help you master aspects of each competency. The partner vendors offer a wide array of course types and learning modalities, including on-line, on-site, hybrid, micro-learning, cohort style, and many more. These courses are available for purchase via government purchase card (note - purchases on government purchase cards are limited to $10,000; most courses are significantly less than that).
Try it today and give your professional development a boost!
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