Frequently Asked Questions
(for the BMRA Instructor)
Q: Why can't I get paid as soon as my class is done?
Q: Where do I send my end-of-course materials?
Q: Does BMRA have a call-in toll-free number to save me money when I'm on the road?
Q: How do I contact BMRA in a hurry?
Q: What do I do for a Roster if I've left mine at home?
Q: Can I use my HHS Security badge at other locations?
Q: What's the current mileage rate?
Q: What time do I need to get to my class on site?
Q: Help! I'm at the teaching site and I have problems!
Q: What do I do if I'm short books at the site? What do I do if more students show up than I have listed on the roster?
Q: What do I do if promised equipment (projector, flip chart, etc.) is not available on site?
Q: What do I do if I can't access the building and the POC/Training Officer isn't available on my arrival at the site?
Q: Where do I find contact info for BMRA staff off hours?
Q: How do I get technology support during BMRA non-business hours?
Q: Help! My class is out of control!! What actions should I take when student behavior disrupts the entire class?
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Q: Why can't I get paid as soon as my class is done?A: The 30-day clock starts when your completed, error-free paperwork has been submitted. We use the end-of-course information to create certificates for attendees that gets sent to the client. We also must submit your paperwork to most of our clients to get paid. We can't invoice until we can submit all of the required paperwork. The 30 days gives us the time to get the invoice to the client as soon as possible. Bottom line: We can't get paid by our client until we submit completed, error-free invoices, vouchers and receipts.
HOWEVER, we do NOT wait for our payment to pay you. Our policy is to pay you 30 or fewer days after you've provided a complete, error-free end-of-course package and invoice.
NOTE: If you get all of the paperwork in by the Wednesday following the end of your course, we will pay you thirty days after the end of your course (usually the Friday before).
Further, if you give us your direct deposit banking information (cancelled check, for example), we'll deposit your check on or before the 30th day directly to your bank and send you an email or hard copy record of the payment.
Click here to go directly to the Submitting Your End-of-Course Documentation section in your Instructor Handbook. 2012-03-12 14:34:31][17][1]
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Q: Where do I send my end-of-course materials?A: First, as you see in the previous question, it is vital that you get the end-of-course materials to BMRA as soon as you possibly can following the completion of the course. If you are using the United States Postal Service, please use Express Mail (and remember to bill for it on your invoice) to ensure that the package can be tracked. Mail it to BMRA's office address:
2010-04-07 13:21:49][18][2]ATTN: Meghan McCall
Business Management Research Associates, Inc.
3949 Pender Drive, Suite 300
Fairfax, VA 22030-6088
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Q: Does BMRA have a call-in toll-free number to save me money when I'm on the road?A: Yes, 1-888-248-BMRA (1-888-248-2672). This information is available online, as well -- see the Travel section in your Instructor Handbook. 2010-04-07 13:41:20][19][3]
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Q: How do I contact BMRA in a hurry?A: Meghan includes several numbers in your instructor letter. The BMRA office number is there for routine contact. You may also use the toll-free phone number 1-888-248-BMRA (1-888-248-2672). During business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the office and toll-free numbers will get you to BMRA office staff. For emergency situations, such as after-hours, class-related crises, Meghan has included her cell phone. She will contact anyone else in BMRA who will need to provide support. 2010-04-07 13:22:52][20][4]
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Q: What do I do for a Roster if I've left mine at home?A: Check out your Instructor Forms page for downloadable forms anywhere you have Internet access and a printer. 2010-04-07 13:40:13][21][5]
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Q: Can I use my HHS Security badge at other locations?A: In some cases, Yes! Check out the ID Badges section on in your Instructor Handbook. 2010-04-07 13:28:42][22][6]
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Q: What's the current mileage rate?A: The rate is set by the government and it changes periodically. However, you will always get the current mileage rate in your instructor letter. See the Travel Section Section in the Instructor Handbook for more details. When you fill out your Instructor Travel Expense Report, make sure the rate shown for mileage is the same as that provided in your Instructor Letter. 2010-04-07 13:31:06][23][7]
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Q: What time do I need to get to my class on site?A: DO arrive one hour prior to the start of class on the first day. This will permit setting up the room, testing any computer equipment, and ensuring everything is in place prior to participants arrival. Instructors should also arrive 30 minutes prior to class start time on subsequent days. See the Dos and Don'ts During Course Presentation section in the Instructor Handbook. 2010-04-07 13:32:19][24][8]
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Q: Help! I'm at the teaching site and I have problems!A: We are updating the instructor letter to include critical cell phone numbers to provide help for you when you need it. Ensure that you review all of the information provided in your instructor letter and all of the guidance in your Instructor's Handbook. Remember, the earlier you arrive on the first day, the more time you have to solve these problems. See the Dos and Don'ts During Course Presentation section in the Instructor Handbook. 2010-04-07 13:34:54][25][9]
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Q: What do I do if I'm short books at the site? What do I do if more students show up than I have listed on the roster?A: Contact Meghan as soon as possible. She will research and contact the POC/Training Officer to determine how to best handle the situation. The POC/Training Officer may decide to send the extra last minute students back to work, or they may want us to courier extra books. This is their call, not ours, unless it's well over the 30 student maximum rule. Meghan will then get back to POC/Training Officer and/or get a message to you via the on-site POC or training officer. 2010-04-07 13:23:48][26][10]
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Q: What do I do if promised equipment (projector, flip chart, etc.) is not available on site?A: Since this is an on-site problem, please find the POC/Training Officer as soon as possible and work to resolve the problem. 2010-05-10 17:49:11][27][11]
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Q: What do I do if I can't access the building and the POC/Training Officer isn't available on my arrival at the site?A: DO contact Meghan McCall at BMRA immediately if you encounter any problems with books, attendance, or any other issues at any time during the class. Meghan is in the office early on Mondays and Tuesdays to assist you 2010-04-07 13:38:49][28][12]
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Q: Where do I find contact info for BMRA staff off hours?A: Meghan has provided her cell phone for emergency contact. She will then contact anyone else in BMRA who might be needed to help resolve the problem. 2010-04-08 10:43:00][29][13]
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Q: How do I get technology support during BMRA non-business hours?A: Since the local technology POC/Training Officer is most likely your best help in a technology crisis, get to know your on-site technology support resource as soon as you arrive. If possible, make contact with the technology POC/Training Officer before you arrive on site. If the problem is a BMRA technology problem, contact the BMRA IT Help desk. The phone number is the BMRA main phone number, 703-691-0868, extention 15. The email address is it@bmra.com. . Contact Meghan McCall if you need BMRA technical support and she will ensure you get the help you need. 2010-04-07 13:38:25][30][14]
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Q: Help! My class is out of control!! What actions should I take when student behavior disrupts the entire class?A: First, avoid confrontation at all cost. Call Meghan McCall or the local POC/Training Officer (if one is on-site) and let them handle the situation. If a student has missed more than the allowed time for the course and the instructor tells that person that he/she cannot take the final exam the student may refuse to leave the class. If so, then let them take the exam, and let us know the situation so that we can report it to the POC/Training Officer. They will let the student know that they didn't get credit for the class because they didn't meet the attendance requirement. If a student is disruptive, or annoying others, take the person aside and ask that he/she kindly stop the behavior because it is having a negative impact on the students and the learning environment. If this doesn't change things, or things escalate, call BMRA or ask the on-site POC/Training Officer to intervene. When in doubt, instructors can always call BMRA for guidance. When you are on the platform and call in to us, you should mention that you are teaching and need assistance. If you have any problem reaching the BMRA office numbers, please call Meghan's emergency cell phone number. 2010-04-07 13:52:45][31][15]