After lots of research this morning I found that Official government employees are allowed to accept some gifts while in service of their country.  According to 5 U.S.C. § 7342, Receipt and Disposition of Foreign Gifts and Decorations, provides:


1.                  Employees may accept a gift (or combination of gifts) of "minimal value," i.e., having retail value in the United States at the time of acceptance of $305 or less, tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy from a foreign government.  "Minimum value" is established by GSA and adjusted every three years based on the Consumer Price Index.


2.                  Gifts exceeding "minimum value" may be accepted when the gift is in the nature of an educational scholarship or medical treatment or when it appears that refusal is likely to cause offense or embarrassment or adversely affect foreign relations.


Such gifts are accepted on behalf of the United States and following that acceptance within 60 days the gift must be turned over to the employing agency for disposal or subject to the approval of the employing agency  becomes the property of the United States for use within that agency.  


Later once the use of the gift is terminated the employing agency turns the gift into GSA.


Now I need to know how long we keep the inventory records of those gifts and the disposal actions which took place.  Does anyone have any knowledge of records like these?    

 

Ms. Laura F. Bell

DOT Directives & Records Management

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

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202-366-9761

 


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