The National Finance Center (NFC) is now accepting Government purchase cards in payment for goods and services. Payment by credit card is the preferred means of payment for reimbursing NFC for low dollar amount standard cost service such as training. Students cannot be registered for classes without valid payment information. An agency’s options for payment are a Government purchase card, an agency-specific reimbursement agreement, or Standard Form-182, Request, Authorization, Agreement and Certification of Training.

Government Purchase Card Payments
The following information is needed to support the payment by credit card:

• Credit Card number
• Expiration Date
• Billing Address
• Name of cardholder
• Cardholder contact telephone number
• Description of service, e.g., training course number
• Reference information for the service, e.g., training dates or agency request number
• Price of the service

Reimbursement Agreement

Should an agency elect not to pay by credit card, NFC can develop a reimbursement agreement (RA) for the services. An RA usually requires about 4 weeks from start to full execution, so sufficient lead-time must be provided to elect this option.

Standard Form 182
Under limited circumstances, NFC will accept the Form SF-182. For USDA agencies, any SF-182 must be accompanied by valid Common Agreement (CAN) and Miscellaneous Obligation (MO) Numbers. Accurate accounting information is very important when completing the SF-182. Therefore, agencies should call the NFC Training Contact for instructions on completing this form. The NFC Training Contact number for Financial and Administrative Training is 504-426-5471. The NFC Training Contact number for Payroll/Personnel Training is 504-255-5230. The SF-182 or credit card payment information must be received for each student in advance of the training session. Once completed, the vendor copy of the form should be mailed to the NFC Training Contact at the address listed below. The vendor copy may also be faxed to the NFC Training Contact at 504-255-5525. No other copies should be forwarded to NFC.

(NFC TRAINING CENTER)
USDA/NFC
P.O. BOX 60000
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70160

Registration Deadline

Registration closes 3 weeks before the course begins. If the registration deadline has passed, call the NFC Training Contact for the course to determine if space is available.

Cancellation Policy

SCHEDULED TRAINING SESSIONS - An agency may cancel a student from a scheduled session up to one week before the start of the course. If we receive a cancellation less than 5 working days before the start of the session, the agency will be billed for that student. Substitutions can be made up to the first day of the session.

AGENCY REQUESTED SESSIONS - If a training session is scheduled at the request of an agency, the agency will be billed for the number of students agreed upon in the confirmation letter for that session. If an agency wishes to (1) cancel the entire session or (2) increase or decrease the number of students in the session, notification must be provided to NFC at least 5 working days before the start of the session. If the agency cancels the session less than 5 working days before the start of the session, the agency may be billed, if costs are incurred by NFC as a result of the cancellation. The agency can make substitutions for the session at its own discretion.

Attendance Policy

Participants are expected to attend all sessions. If participants must be absent for any portion of the course, they must notify their office and the instructor of the expected absence.

Training Materials and Equipment

If the training is conducted at the agency site, the agency is responsible for providing the necessary training supplies and equipment for the course. The supplies required for the course will be identified by the NFC Training Contact. The equipment required for each course is listed in the course description.

If the training is conducted at the NFC or Shared Access Office, the necessary training supplies and equipment will be supplied by NFC.

Special Accommodations

NFC makes every effort to ensure that training programs are readily accessible and provide a quality learning experience for all students. Any agency planning to send an employee requiring special accommodations to a training course should call the NFC Training Contact as early as possible to discuss the needs of the employee.