[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 18613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07037]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Notice of the Implementation of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) Electronic Vendor Invoice Program (eVIP)
SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to announce the future
implementation of the Electronic Vendor Invoice Program (eVIP) at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the planned modification of NIH
awards to require vendors to use the eVIP in future contracts.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darlene Walls, The Division of
Acquisition Policy and Evaluation, The National Institutes of Health,
6100 Executive Blvd., Rockville, Maryland 20852 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic invoicing will enhance compliance
with laws and regulations that govern the accuracy, timeliness, and
cost-effectiveness of the Federal Government's payment process.
Executive Order 13576, Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and
Accountable Government, issued June 13, 2011, requires Federal
Government agencies to become more effective and efficient, cut waste,
and streamline Government operations. The Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) subpart 32.9 prescribes policies, procedures, and
clauses for implementing prompt payment regulations. Electronic invoice
submission through eVIP will reduce inefficiencies related to paper-
based invoicing, reduce interest payments caused by late payments of
invoices, and ultimately foster the prompt payment of invoices to
vendors.
Public Law 111-204, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act
of 2010, requires Federal Government agencies to periodically review
all programs and identify the programs and activities that may be
susceptible to significant improper payments. Section 2(h)(4) of Public
Law 111-204 requires the head of the agency to conduct a financial
management improvement program, consistent with the rules prescribed by
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
The first priority of the program must address problems that
contribute directly to the agency improper payments. The eVIP solution
allows for vendor invoices to be matched to the award document
electronically, thereby minimizing processing errors associated with
invoice mailing, invoice scanning, or invoice entry and enhances the
ability to make proper invoice payments. Ultimately, the eVIP solution
is expected to result in a decrease in interest payments, an increase
in data accuracy, and provide an enhanced ability to make proper
invoice payments.
The eVIP will be implemented in three phases, Phase I Pilot, Phase
II Pilot, and Roll-Out:
Phase I Pilot: Phase I was initiated in October 2009. Four pilot
vendors were provisioned in the electronic system to test the
functionality for viewing invoices, and later, submitting invoices for
payment. Lessons learned were gathered from the feedback received and
areas for improvement were identified.
Phase II Pilot: Enhancements in processes are being made to the
electronic payment system based on the lessons learned during Phase I.
Six additional vendors will be added and both Phase I and Phase II
vendors will be provisioned using a authentication process different
from that available in Phase I, and will be provided access to view
invoices and submit invoices for payment.
Roll-Out: Phase II will be initiated in March 2013. The results of
the Phase II effort will be assessed prior to formal implementation of
the eVIP initiative. It is anticipated that implementation will occur
through the use of a phased approach, beginning in October 2013.
Dated: March 9, 2013.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2013-07037 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P