I.            PURPOSE

This directive gives procedures for billing State agencies for services performed by laboratories of the Science Program under the Wholesome Meat Act (21 USC 601-692, 694-and 695) and the Wholesome Poultry Products Act (21 USC 451-470). The cost of services performed by laboratories under the Federal State Cooperative Act (Talmadge-Aiken) will be assumed by FSIS.

II.            CANCELLATION

Cancel FSQS Directive 3300.3 dated 9/10/80.

III.            REASON FOR REISSUANCE

Reissued to update the editorial format and to replace FSQS masthead.

IV.            FORMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following will appear in shortened form in this directive:

NFC         National Finance Center
T/A           Talmadge Aiken

AD-496     Bill for Collection

V.            LABORATORY SERVICES PERFORMED

The laboratory administrative officer or designee will:

A. Accumulate the analysis reports showing work performed for each State agency during the month.

B. Use the analysis reports to prepare an AD-496 for each State agency for which analysis work was performed during the previous month. Do not include any hours of work for laboratory services under the T/A Meat and T/A Poultry Inspection Programs. Attachment 1 illustrates a completed AD-496 and gives instructions for its preparation and distribution.

C. Maintain a file for each State agency containing analysis reports, Forms AD-496, and related documents for:

1. Answering inquiries from State agencies.
2. Administrative reviews.
3. Audits and other reviews by inspectors of the Office of Inspector General.

D. Correct a previously submitted AD-496, if necessary, by:

1. Preparing an AD-496 using the same bill number.
2. Leaving the transaction code blank.
3. Forwarding the original and yellow copy with an explanation of the correction to the State. Send the pink copy to NFC. Retain green copy with analysis forms as backup. See Attachment 2.

E. Forward a copy of completed AD-496 to the headquarters administrative officer, Science Program.

VI.            NOTIFICATION TO STATE AGENCIES

The laboratory administrative officer should notify State agencies of the following:

A. State agencies should make checks payable to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. To assure proper credit, the State agency should enter on the check the nine-digit applicant number (shown on the AD-496 as the debtor number). The check and the yellow copy of the AD-496 should be mailed to:

B. The Stage agency may direct inquiries about discrepancies or questions on hours of service performed to the appropriate field laboratory. Inquiries about the AD-496 should be referred to NFC.

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