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B-237236 1 (1989-12-11)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadnqo0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Th. Comproler Guuserml of tbnUed Swmm wmmm~mD.C. 206 Decision Department of the Navy--Purchase of Employee Maor of: Identification Tags File: B-237236 Dare: December 11, 1989 DIGEST An agency may use appropriated funds to purchase employee identification tags which, unlike calling or business cards, are not personal in nature and are reasonably necess' ry to the operations of the agency. DECISION An authorized certifying officer of the Naval Telecommunications Command, Department of the Navy, asks whether the Navy may use its operations and maintenance appropriation to purchase identification tags for senior staff officials. The officer requests our opinion in light of our decisions disallowing the use of appropriated funds to purchase business or calling cards. For the following reasons, we conclude that the Navy may use appropriated funds to purchase identification tags. BACKGROUND The Naval Telecommunications Command plans to require senior staff officials to wear identification tags. Each tag will be engraved with the command crest and identify the individual by name and rank or, if civilian, by title. DISCUSSION We have long held that the costs of calling or business cards constitute personal rather than official expenses and, as such, may not be paid for with government funds in the absence of specific statutory authority to do so. B-231830, June 5, 1989. However, an early decision of the Comptroller General distinguished the purchase of employee identification tags from the purchase of calling or business cards. 2 Comp. Gen. 429 (1923). Identification tags are not personal in nature; their use will be mandated and they' will remain the property of the government. The Command has

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