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A-49009, APR. 2, 1958

A-49009 Apr 02, 1958
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TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE: THERE IS ATTACHED A COPY OF A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 20. INDICATING THAT SEVERAL UNSPECIFIED DIVISIONS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT ARE STILL REQUIRING CERTIFICATION OF INVOICES COVERING SALES MADE UNDER CONTRACT. NOR WILL IT BE CONSTRUED AS MITIGATING THEIR LIABILITY FOR ASSERTING FALSE. PENALTIES FOR WHICH ARE SET FORTH IN 18 U.S.C. 287.'. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ATTENTION OF THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS AND AGENCIES OF YOUR DEPARTMENT BE INVITED TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5020.10.

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A-49009, APR. 2, 1958

TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE:

THERE IS ATTACHED A COPY OF A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1958, FROM THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY, LOUISVILLE 2, KENTUCKY, INDICATING THAT SEVERAL UNSPECIFIED DIVISIONS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT ARE STILL REQUIRING CERTIFICATION OF INVOICES COVERING SALES MADE UNDER CONTRACT.

SECTION 5020.10 OF TITLE 7, GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR GUIDANCE OF FEDERAL AGENCIES (FORMERLY CONTAINED IN GENERAL REGULATIONS NO. 134, DATED MARCH 11, 1957) PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

"5020.10 CONTRACTORS' AND VENDORS' CERTIFICATES. THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE NO LONGER REQUIRES THAT A CERTIFICATE AS TO CORRECTNESS AND NONPAYMENT BE EXECUTED ON THE BILLS AND INVOICES OF CONTRACTORS AND VENDORS, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT CARRIERS, OR OTHER CORPORATIONS, AGENCIES, OR PERSONS FURNISHING TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSORIAL SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO EXECUTE THE CERTIFICATES AS PROVIDED IN 5 GAO 2060.60 AND 5 GAO 3060.25 OF THIS MANUAL. PENDING THE EVENTUAL ELIMINATION OF THE CONTRACTORS' AND VENDORS' CERTIFICATES FROM ALL OTHER STANDARD VOUCHER FORMS, THE CERTIFICATES ON SUCH OTHER FORMS NEED NO LONGER BE EXECUTED. HOWEVER, THE ELIMINATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT DOES NOT DISPENSE WITH THE NECESSITY FOR THE SPECIFIC CERTIFICATION OF FACTS REQUIRED BY CERTAIN CONTRACTS.

"THE OMISSION OF THE CERTIFICATE FROM BILLS OR INVOICES SUBMITTED FOR PAYMENT TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DOES NOT IN ANY MANNER LESSEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTRACTORS AND VENDORS IN COMPLYING WITH ALL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO TRANSACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, NOR WILL IT BE CONSTRUED AS MITIGATING THEIR LIABILITY FOR ASSERTING FALSE, FICTITIOUS, OR FRAUDULENT CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, PENALTIES FOR WHICH ARE SET FORTH IN 18 U.S.C. 287.'

FOR THE SAKE OF UNIFORMITY IN DEALING WITH VENDORS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ATTENTION OF THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS AND AGENCIES OF YOUR DEPARTMENT BE INVITED TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5020.10.

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