The Funds Distribution System (FDS) is an unclassified, centralized, online, interactive database update and report retrieval financial system that provides for the receipt, control, and distribution of all obligational authority available to DOE. FDS fulfills the mission to provide for the distribution of all obligational authority made available to DOE for the fiscal year. At each stage in this process, specific controls, ceilings, and limitations are imposed on the use of the funds. FDS is used to establish and maintain these controls at the Departmental level to insure that legal, Congressional, OMB and internal ceilings and limitations are not exceeded. FDS is the means by which officials within DOE (allottees) are delegated the authority to incur obligations within a specific amount pursuant to OMB apportionment or reapportionment action or other statutory authority making funds available for obligation. The Advice of Allotment transmits the obligational authority available and displays any legal limitations imposed on the use of the funds.