THE FOREST SERVICE -ABQ SERVICE CENTER (ASC) Bates, Regensberg, Stewart & Sanchez

Introduction: Forest Service & ASC Inception  The founding of the National Forest System and the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has its roots in the last quarter of the 19th century. Established in 1905 to provide quality water and timber. Over the past 100+ years has expanded to included national forests and grasslands.  The ABQ Service Center was established in 2004 as part of the centralization and migration of all budget and finance processes for the Forest Service.

History of the Forest Service 1891 The national forests (at first called forest reserves) began with the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, which allowed the president to establish forest reserves from timber covered public domain land. 1900’s Congress established the Forest Service in 1905 to provide quality water and timber for the Nation's benefit. The FS has since expanded to cover national forests and gresslands 2000s The ASC Budget & Finance Center was established to consolidate and migrate all budget and finance processes to Albuquerque.

Forest Service Goals:  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations by “Caring for the Land and Serving People”.

Value Chain: Support Processes  Firm Infrastructure  Human Resources Management  Technology and Systems Development  Procurement

Firm Infrastructure  Associate Deputy Chief for Business Operations/Chief Financial Officer (ADC/CFO)  ASC Leadership Team  Program Areas Financial Operations Financial Reporting and Reconciliation Budget Execution  Customer Service Customer Support Call Center Technology Support Group Training Team

Human Resources Management  HR Internal Website:   One of the first processes to be automated  Employees can manage/view: Personal information, Employee benefits, Work schedules, Payroll, Etc…

Technology and Systems Development  CPAIS - Corporate Property Accounting Information System  BRIO – report generator from FFIS (Foundation Financial Information System)  WorkPlan – Forest Service Project Planning System  INFRA – Tim - Timber Reporting System)  PROP – Personal Property System which is currently being integrated into CPAIS  ACL – Audit Command Language System  INFRA – SUDS – Special Uses Database System

Procurement  Data is one of the most valuable inputs in the organization.

Future Plans  Meeting future conservation challenges through synthesis of long term silviculture and range management research.  Identify ways to improve communication within the organization.  Provide science-based applications and tools for sustainable natural resources management.  Provide and sustain benefits to the American people.  Sustain and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.

Recommendations  Identify training needs to improve the skills of end- users.  Identify interdependencies between data, software and hardware requiremants.  Continue to integrate new information technology.  Incorporate clear links between the workforce plans and the strategic plan, and describe how the workforce plans will help the forest service achieve it’s goals.

Conclusion  Gives employees access to more self-service options.  Can now share data with customers and the public in a more effective and timely manner.  Consolidate internal planning, budget and performance information.

References:   