What is the policy on plaques/command coins/giveaways with regards to the purchase card?
An agency may not use appropriated funds to purchase gifts or other personal items unless it has specific statutory authority to do so (as in the case of employee awards under the Government Employees Incentive Awards Act, 5 U.S.C. 4501-4507) or can demonstrate (typically statistically), that there is a direct link between the items and the accomplishment of an authorized agency purpose or mission (as opposed to publicity concerning the mission’s existence). Significantly, the General Accounting Office has noted “items in the nature of gifts can rarely be justified.” If the requiring activity has received an expense-operating budget of Official Representation Funds (ORF), those funds may be used to purchase mementos, of nominal cost used in connection with official ceremonies, dedications and functions. Such mementos may not exceed $305 in cost per item. Also, the mementos must be command mementos, such as plaques and commemorative coins, and not personal items. Such mementos will not
