Proper Use of Government Charge Cards (Update Available)
Overview/Description Target Audience Expected Duration Lesson Objectives Course Number Overview/Description
Charge cards provide federal agencies with an easy solution for making smaller purchases. The charge card program is known as the GSA (General Services Administration) SmartPay® Program. Federal cardholders can use the GSA SmartPay® Program to pay for commercial goods and services, travel related expenses, and fleet expenses. This course provides an overview of the GSA SmartPay® Program and advises on best practices related to the program. In doing so, it specifies the benefits of the program to the federal government and its contractors, and identifies the key features of the purchase and travel charge cards. The course unlocks the ways in which federal legislation and agency policies regulate the type of purchases that can be made with the purchase charge card. It also describes how best to use and manage the travel charge card. In addition the course illustrates the concepts of misuse and fraudulent use of charge cards and advises on the best practices for pre-issuance, and issuance and maintenance of the charge card program. This course was developed with subject matter support provided by the Labor, Employment, and Employee Benefits Law Group of the law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green PA. Please note, however, that the course materials and content are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing herein, or in the course materials, shall be construed as professional advice as to any particular situation or constitute a legal opinion with respect to compliance with any federal, state, or local laws. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. The information contained herein is provided only as general information that may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. This information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed in your state.
Target Audience
Federal government employees; employees of federal agencies; supervisors of federal employees; managers of federal employees; employees who buy goods and services from the private sector for the federal government; employees who deal with the public who are looking to obtain permits, licenses, and address other regulatory needs