Office of Governmentwide Policy

U.S. General Services Administration

Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) for Non-Defense Agencies – Temporary Duty Travel Allowances Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) for Non-Defense Agencies – Temporary Duty Travel Allowances

Rick MillerProgram AnalystTravel and Transportation Management Policy (MTT) Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management GSA EXPO 2009

Rick MillerProgram AnalystTravel and Transportation Management Policy (MTT) Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management GSA EXPO 2009

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Federal Travel Regulation

Issued by GSA to implement Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 57 regarding travel, transportation, and subsistence expenses of federal civilian employees

FTR is promulgated under direction from Congress – it is a “legislative rule” which is entitled to special weight & binding on all agencies (41 Code of Federal Regulation)

Agency policy/regulation are “interpretive rules” since they are typically issued without statutory imprimatur and generally used to implement and supplement the FTR for civilian employees

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WHERE TO LOOK …www.gsa.gov/ftr

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FTR – Chapter 301

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TRAVEL AUTHORIZATIONS

FTR 301-2.1 Must I have authorization to travel?

Yes, generally you must have written or electronic authorization prior to incurring any travel expense. If it is not practicable or possible to obtain such authorization prior to travel, your agency may approve a specific authorization for reimbursement of travel expenses after travel is completed

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TRAVEL EXPENSESFTR 301-2.2 What travel expenses may my agency pay?

Your agency may pay only those expenses essential to the transaction of official business, which include:

Transportation

Per diem

Miscellaneous

Travel expenses of an employee with special needs

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TRANSPORTATION

FTR 301-10.3

What methods of transportation may my agency authorize?

Common carrier transportation

Government vehicle

Privately owned vehicle (POV)

Special conveyance

(taxi or commercial automobile)

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TRANSPORTATION

FTR 301-10.6 What is my liability if I do not travel by the selected method

of transportation?

If you do not travel by the method of transportation required by your agency, any additional expenses will be borne by you

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AIRLINE

FTR 301-10.105 What are the basic requirements for using

airlines?

Three requirements are:Using contract carriers, when availableUsing coach class service, unless other

than coach class is authorizedUsing U.S. flag air carrier service

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AIRLINEFTR 301-10.116 What must I do with compensation an

airline gives me if it denies me a seat on a plane?

If you are performing official travel and a carrier denies you a confirmed reserved seat on a plane, you must give your agency any payment you receive for liquidated damages

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AIRLINEFTR 301-10.117 May I keep compensation an airline gives me for voluntarily

vacating my seat on a scheduled airline flight when the airline asks for volunteers? YES - however!

If voluntarily vacating your seat will not interfere with performing your official duties; and

If additional travel expenses, incurred as a result of vacating your seat, are borne by you and are not reimbursed; but

If volunteering delays your travel during duty hours, your agency will charge you with annual leave for the additional hours

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AIRLINE

FTR 301-10.135 When must I travel using U.S. flag air carrier service?

You are required by 49 U.S.C 40118 (Fly America Act) to use U.S. flag air carrier for all Government funded travel. There are some exceptions:

Use of a foreign air carrier is determined to be a matter of necessity with FTR 301-10.138

The transportation is provided under a bilateral or multilateral air transportation agreement (Open Skies)

You are an employee of a Foreign Affairs agency

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AIRLINEFTR 301-10.135 (cont) Airline Open Skies Agreements:

Transportation provided under a bilateral or multilateral air transportation agreement to which the U.S. Government and the government of a foreign country are parties, and which the DoT has determined meets the requirements of the Fly America Act

Does not apply if:

(1) Transportation is between points for which there is a City-Pair contract fare in effect for air passenger transportation services, or

(2) Transportation is obtained or funded by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department

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MILEAGE RATES

FTR 301-10.303

Privately-owned airplane $1.24 per mile

Privately-owned automobile $0.55 per mile Privately-owned motorcycle $0.52 per mile

*EFFECTIVE 2009

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TAXICABS/SHUTTLE SERVICES

FTR 301-10.420 When may I use a taxi or shuttle service?

When your agency authorizes/approves this use: (a) For local travel at the TDY location (b) To and from a carrier terminal (c) Between residence and office on day you perform

official travel (d) Between residence and office in case of necessity

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TIPS

FTR 301-10.421 How much will my agency reimburse me for a

tip to a taxi, shuttle service, or courtesy transportation driver?

An amount which your agency determines to be reasonable

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PER DIEM EXPENSES

FTR 301-11.1 When am I eligible for allowance (per diem or actual

expense)?

When you perform official travel away from your station, or other areas defined by your agency

You incur per diem expenses while performing official travel; and

You are in a travel status for more than 12 hours

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PER DIEM EXPENSES

FTR 301-11.2 Will I be reimbursed for per diem expenses if my official

travel is 12 hours or less?

NO

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PER DIEM EXPENSES

FTR 301-11.3 Must my agency pay an allowance (either a per diem

allowance or actual expense)?

YES, unless:– You perform travel to a training event under the

Government Employees Training Act (5 U.S.C. 4101-4118), and you agree not to be paid per diem expenses

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PER DIEM EXPENSES

FTR 301-11.5

How will my per diem expenses be reimbursed?

Lodging-plus per diem method

Reduced per diem method

Conference lodging allowance method

Actual expense method

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PER DIEM EXPENSESFTR 301-11.6 Where do I find maximum per diem and actual expense rates?For travel in =

Continental United States (CONUS) – Rates set by: GSA (http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem)

Non-foreign areas – Rates set by: Department of Defense (http://defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/)

Foreign areas – Rates set by: Department of State (http://www.state.gov)

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PER DIEM ALLOWANCE

FTR 301-11.7

What determines my maximum per diem reimbursement rate?

Your TDY location determines your maximum per diem reimbursement rate

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PER DIEM ALLOWANCE

FTR 301-11.12 How does the type of lodging I select affect my

reimbursement?

Your agency will reimburse you for different types of lodging as follows:

Conventional lodging Government quarters Lodging with friends or relatives Nonconventional lodging Recreational vehicle

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MEAL ALLOWANCES

FTR 301-11.17 If my agency authorizes per diem reimbursement, will it

reduce my M&IE allowance for a meal(s) provided by a common carrier or for a complimentary meal(s) provided by hotel/motel?

No. A meal provided by a common carrier or a complimentary meal provided by a hotel/motel does not affect your per diem rate.

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MEAL ALLOWANCESFTR 301-11.18

What M&E rate will I receive if a meal(s) is furnished by the Government or is included in the registration fee?

Except as provided in §301-11.17 your M&IE rate must be adjusted for a meal(s) furnished to you by the government (including meals furnished under the authority of Chapter 304 - conference) by deducting the appropriate amount shown in the chart for travel within CONUS

The total amount of deductions made will not cause you to receive less than the amount allowed for incidental expenses

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MEALS ALLOWANCES - CONUSFTR 301-11.18 (cont)

M&IE $39 $44 $49 $54 $59 $64 Breakfast 7 8 9 10 11 12 Lunch 11 12 13 15 16 18 Dinner 18 21 24 26 29 31 Incidentals 3 3 3 3 3 3

Rates effective: 10/1/08

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RECEIPTS

FTR 301-11.25 Must I provide receipts to substantiate my claimed travel

expenses?

Yes, you must provide a lodging receipt and either a receipt for any authorized expenses over $75; or provide a reason acceptable to your agency explaining why you are unable to provide the necessary receipt

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LODGING TAXES

FTR 301-11.27 Are taxes included in the lodging portion of the

Government per diem rate?

No. Lodging taxes paid by you are reimbursable as miscellaneous travel expense limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs (CONUS/non-foreign areas). Separate claims for lodging taxes incurred in foreign areas are not allowed

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TAX EXEMPT

FTR 301-11.29Are lodging facilities required to accept a generic federal,

state or local tax exempt certificate?

Exemptions from taxes for Federal travelers, and the forms required to claim them vary from location to location. The GSA Per Diem rates webpage (http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem) and GSA Smartpay®2 (tax information) provides additional information on State tax-exemptions

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LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING

FTR 301-11.31Are laundry, cleaning and pressing of clothing expenses reimbursable?

Yes: The expenses incurred for laundry, cleaning and pressing of clothing at a TDY location are reimbursable as a miscellaneous travel expense

However: you must incur a minimum of 4 consecutive nights lodging on official travel to quality for this reimbursement

Separate claims for laundry and dry cleaning expenses incurred in foreign and non-foreign areas are not allowed

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TRAVEL LESS THAN 24 HOURS

FTR 301-11.101 What allowance will I be paid for M&IE?

Travel more than 12 hours - 75 percent of M&IE rate

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TRAVEL MORE THAN 24 HOURS

FTR 301-11.101 (cont)

Day of departure - 75 percent of M&IE

Full days of travel - 100 percent of M&IE

Day of return - 75 percent of M&IE applicable to the

previous day of travel

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ACTUAL EXPENSE

FTR 301-11.300 When is actual expense reimbursement warranted?

Lodging and/or meals are procured at a prearranged place such as a hotel where a meeting, conference or training session is held;

Costs have escalated due to special events;

Because of mission requirements; or

Any other reason approved within your agency

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ACTUAL EXPENSE

FTR 301-11.303 What is the maximum amount that I may be reimbursed

under actual expense?

The maximum amount that you may be reimbursed under actual expense is limited to 300 percent of the applicable maximum per diem rate

However, subject to your agency’s policy, a lesser amount may be authorized

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MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

FTR 301-12.1 What miscellaneous expenses are reimbursable?

Baggage expenses

Services of guides, interpreters, drivers

Services of an attendant

Use of computers, printers, faxing machines, or stenographers

Services of typists, data processors, or stenographers

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MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

FTR 301-12.1 (cont)

Storage of property used on official business

Hire of conference center room or hotel room for official business

Official phone calls/service, faxes, telegrams, cablegrams, or radiograms

Lodging taxes as prescribed in 301-11.27

Laundry, cleaning & pressing of clothing expenses as prescribed in 301-11.31

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MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

FTR 301-12.1 (cont) Energy surcharge and lodging resort fee(s) (when such fee(s)

is/are not optional)

Fees to obtain moneyFees for travelers checksFees for money ordersFees for certified checksTransaction fees for use of automated teller machines

(ATMs)—Government contractor-issued charge card

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MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

FTR 301-12.1 (cont)

Commissions on conversion of foreign currency

Passport and/or visa fees (including physicals)

Cost of photographs for passports and visas

Foreign country exit fees

Costs of birth, health, and identity certificates

Charges for inoculations that cannot be obtained through a Federal dispensary

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CLAIMING REIMBURSEMENT

FTR 301-52.1

Must I file a travel claim?

• YES!

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CLAIMING REIMBURSEMENT

FTR 301-52.4What must I provide with my travel claim?

Evidence of your necessary travel authorizations including any necessary special authorizations;

Receipts for:Any lodging expense, except when you are authorized

a fixed reduced per diem allowance;Any other expense costing over $75Receipts must be retained for 6 years, three months

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CLAIMING REIMBURSEMENT

FTR 301-52.7 When must I submit my travel claim?

Within 5 working days after you complete your trip or period of travel; or

Every 30 days if you are on continuous travel status

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CLAIMING REIMBURSEMENT

FTR 301-52.12 What happens if I attempt to defraud the Government?

You forfeit reimbursement pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2514; and

You may be subject under 18 U.S.C. 287 and 1001 to one, or both, of the following:A fine of not more than $10,000, orImprisonment for not more than 5 years

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PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

FTR 301-53.2 What may I do with promotional benefits or materials I

receive from a travel service provider?

Any promotional benefits or materials received from a travel service provider in connection with official travel may be retained for personal use, if such items are obtained under the same conditions as those offered to the general public and at no additional cost to the Government

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PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

FTR 301-53.4 May I select travel service providers for which my agency is

not mandatory user in order to maximize my frequent traveler benefits?

No, you may not select a traveler service provider based on whether it provides frequent traveler benefits. You must use the travel service provider for which your agency is a mandatory user. This includes contract passenger transportation services and travel management services. You may not choose a travel service provider to gain frequent traveler benefits for personal use.

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CONFERENCE PART 301-74 Conference Planning

Minimize all conference cost, administrative cost, conference attendees travel costs and conference attendees time costs

Maximize the use of Government-owned or Government provided conference facilities

Identify opportunities to reduce costs in selecting a location

Ensure that the conference planner or designee does not retain for personal use any promotional benefits or materials received from a travel service provider as a result of booking the conference

Develop and establish internal policies to ensure these standards are met

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CONFERENCEFTR 301-74.11 May we provide light refreshments at an official conference?

Yes. Agencies sponsoring a conference may provide light refreshments to agency employees attending an official conference. Light refreshments for morning, afternoon or evening breaks are defined to include, but not be limited to:

Coffee Tea Milk Juice

Soft drinks Donuts

BagelsFruit

Pretzels Cookies Chips Muffins

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CONFERENCE

FTR 301-74.21 When meals or light refreshments are furnished by the

Government or are included in the registration fee the applicable M&IE will be calculated as follows:

If meals are furnished, the appropriate deduction from the M&IE rate must be made (301-11.18)

If light refreshments are furnished, no deduction of the M&IE allowance is required.

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CONFERENCE

FTR 301-74.25

May we reimburse travelers for an advanced payment of a conference or training registration fee?

Yes, you may reimburse travelers for an advanced discounted payment for a conference or training registration fee as soon as you have approved their travel to that event, and they submit a proper claim for the expenses incurred

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TRAINING GSA Travel Training Branch offers a wide range of courses

throughout the calendar year in locations around the country www.gsa.gov/traveltransportationtraining

Conference Planning Relocation Allowances Relocation Income Tax Allowances Temporary Duty Travel – Joint Travel Regulation (JTR Vol.2) Temporary Duty Travel – Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) Advanced Temporary Duty Travel: FTR

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THANK YOU

It has been my pleasure speaking to you today!

Rick Miller, OGP, MTT(202) 501-3822 (voice)(202) 501-0349 (fax)e-mail – Rodney.Miller@gsa.gov