Biennial Review of Fees

OMB Circular A-25, User Charges, requires the biennial review of agency programs to determine whether fees should be charged for government goods or services, and to ascertain that existing charges are adjusted to reflect unanticipated changes in costs or market values.

The Department conducts a review of its fee programs biennially, with some bureaus conducting annual reviews. In the current review, the Department noted that all but one bureau adjusted their fees to be consistent with the program and with the program’s purpose to maximize the recovery of goods or services provided to the public. ITA is currently implementing an OMB-approved compliance plan for Circular A-25, and plans to complete pricing for all of its products in FY 2006. The Department will keep OMB and Congress informed on its progress with the compliance plan.