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Debt Collection Management Staff

The Debt Collection Management Staff (DCM) provides the operational, litigation support, policy and client support services, training, and reporting needed to facilitate the collection of debts owed to the United States Government.

COVID-19:  For more information, please read the DCM COVID-19 Bulletin Update, May 5, 2022


Nationwide Central Intake Facility

The Nationwide Central Intake Facility (NCIF), located in Washington, D.C., is the central location at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) where Federal Agencies should refer civil debts for litigation and enforced collection. Referral packages should contain a Claims Collection Litigation Report (CCLR), a Certificate of Indebtedness (COI), credit data obtained within the past six months which shows an ability to recover from the debtor, and any other supporting information and material available. Information on referrals to DOJ is in the Federal Claims Collection Standards at 31 C.F.R. 904.

For more information download the Agency Briefing Guide or contact us at: NCIF@usdoj.gov. Please DO NOT send unencrypted forms to this address. Contact us for instructions to protect Privacy Protected Information.

If you owe the government money and have been notified that your debt has been referred to DOJ, please contact the DCM Help Desk at (202) 532-4343.


Debt Accounting Operations Group

The Debt Accounting Operations Group (DAOG) provides financial services for the receipt, disbursement, accounting, and reporting of payments received from and on behalf of debtors whose debts are being collected by various components of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The vast majority of the debts for which payments are received are referred to DOJ by other agencies of the Federal government.  The primary means for the disbursement of debtor payments to Federal agencies is the Treasury, Intra-governmental Payment and Collection System (IPAC).  DAOG also disburses funds to non-Federal recipients through the issuance of Treasury checks, or electronic transfers via the Automated Clearing House service (ACH). 

If you are a non-federal entity (victim in a criminal case, relator in a qui tam case, debtor expecting a refund), and you need to inquire about your Federal payment, please contact the DOJ, United States Attorneys' Office, Litigating Division, or Private Counsel Office that is handling your debt.

Federal Agencies may contact the DCM-DAOG staff to request disbursement /accounting information for a debt referred to DOJ at DAOG.Disbursement.Submittals@usdoj.gov.


Private Counsel Program

The Private Counsel Program (PCP) is the point of contact for law firms contracted to collect debts owed to the Federal government. DOJ launched the PCP following the passage of the Federal Debt Recovery Act of 1986 which first authorized the use of private law firms for this purpose. The PCP, part of the Debt Collection Management Staff in Washington, D.C., runs the program with oversight by the United States Attorney's Offices at the district level. The program is currently running in 19 districts nationwide with further expansion planned.

Authorizing Legislation/Regulation: Section 3718 of Title 31 of U.S. Code

  • Solicitations for private counsel services are distributed solely through the General Service Administration's electronic posting system website. Counsel interested in obtaining a Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Department to enable them to bid on debt collection business should visit the Contract Opportunities website.
  • The RFP provides instructions about how to prepare bids and the estimated number of cases and amount of debt that may be referred to Private Counsel in the specific judicial district. Paper copies of RFPs are not available.

Annual Reports to Congress

2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 


Contact the Staff

Dennis Dauphin, Director, Debt Collection Management Staff
Phone: (202) 532-4343

Updated March 13, 2024