All federal agencies are required to refer claims when the principal amount is $1,000,000 or less for litigation or debt enforcement to the Department of Justice through the Nationwide Central Intake Facility (NCIF). The NCIF acknowledges receipt of the claim, provides a limited review of the CCLR for compliance with the Federal Claims Collection Standards, sends a demand letter to the debtor, opens a record in CDCS, and forwards the information to the appropriate United States Attorney’s office for litigation. Federal agencies are not required to send the following types of cases to the NCIF: anti-trust cases; environment and natural resources cases; tax cases; fraud cases; interagency claims; renewal of judgment lien only cases; and if the agency is seeking Department of Justice concurrence on an agency’s proposal to suspend or terminate action to collect a claim.

In cases where time is of the essence in securing the government’s position, the agency may send a referral directly to the United States Attorney’s office with a copy of the CCLR to the NCIF. If the Financial Litigation/Asset Recovery Unit receives a referral package directly from an agency, or they are requested to enforce a civil judgment from another division within the United States Attorney’s office that has not been previously docketed by the NCIF, Financial Litigation/Asset Recovery Unit personnel shall open a record in CDCS.

[added May 2018]