4.1 Origin of Directives. The directives in the Departmental Directives System have their origins in various legislative and executive agency authorities and instructions. The Secretary and the Department are assigned numerous responsibilities and authorities through the passage of laws by Congress, the issuance of directives by the President and the Executive Office of the President, and through directives and regulations issued by other executive agencies (i.e., Office of Personnel Management, General Services Administration, etc.). Departmental directives are limited to the subject areas authorized by law, and restricted by the interpretations, guidelines, instructions, and procedures set up by executive and legislative agencies.
4.2 Responsibilities. The Office of the Secretary through its Secretariat and its staff offices prescribes general policies and procedures, and assigns functions and makes delegations through the Departmental Manual and Secretary's Orders. Its staff offices interpret and implement Presidential and other agency administrative and technical directives which require Departmental observance. The directives containing such policies, procedures, and guidance are issued and published through the Departmental Directives System.
A. The Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget is responsible for the Departmental Directives System. The Assistant Secretary is assisted in carrying out such responsibilities by the Division of Directives and Regulatory Management, Office of Management Improvement.
B. Departmental directives which are addressed to or which apply to the Service shall be observed and followed.
4.3 System Components. The Departmental Directives System comprises the following:
A. The Departmental Manual and Departmental Manual Additions to: (1) the Federal Personnel Manual (FPM), (2) the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), (3) The Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR), and the Treasury Financial Manual (TFM).
B. Secretary's Orders.
C. The Department's public regulations published in the Code of Federal Regulations.
D. Directives of the President and other executive agencies which are incorporated into and made a part of Departmental directives.
E. Administrative and technical directives issued by Office of the Secretary components which are limited to specific subject areas and specific audiences.
4.4 Descriptions.
A. The structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure and issuance criteria for the Department's directives are described in the following Departmental Manual chapters:
(1) Departmental Manual - 011 DM 1-3.
(2) Departmental Manual Additions to the Federal Personnel Manual - 370 DM 1.
(3) Departmental Manual Additions to the Federal Acquisition Regulations -401 DM 1.
(4) Departmental Manual Additions to the Federal Property Management Regulations - 400 DM 1.
(5) Departmental Manual Additions to the Treasury Financial Manual - 330 DM 1.
(6) Secretary's Orders - 012 DM 1.
(7) Code of Federal Regulations - 318 DM 1-10.
(8) Directives of the President and other executive agencies - 381 DM 2, 3.
B. Administrative and technical directives issued by Office of the Secretary components are used to convey instructions and guidance to counterpart staff activities in the Service. Such directives are limited in scope and do not enunciate Departmentwide policy, guidelines, or delegations of authority, which are reserved for publication in the Departmental Manual. Descriptions of such directives series may be obtained from the issuing office listed below. The Office of the Secretary components which issue such limited directives include:
(1) Office of Environmental Affairs.
(2) Office of Financial Management.
(3) Office of Administrative Services.
(4) Office of Personnel.
(5) Office for Equal Opportunity.
(6) Office of Acquisition and Property Management.
4.5 Reference. Copies of the Departmental Manual are maintained by the Division of Policy and Directives Management in Headquarters and in each Regional Office.