5700.1A OAS Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Policy

• Posted Date: 01/21/2021
• Status: Validated
• Outdated on: 01/21/2028

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
                  Washington, DC 20405

 

OAS 5700.1A
January 21, 2021

 

GSA ORDER
 

SUBJECT:  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Policy

1.  Purpose. This directive describes the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) policy on the authorization and payment of travel expenses for TDY travel within the Continental United States (CONUS) and non-foreign areas. It contains standards, instructions, and procedures governing the authorization and payment of transportation, per diem, and miscellaneous expenses for employees on official travel in connection with the programs and operations of GSA and conforms with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), Executive Orders, appropriate statutes, decisions of the Comptroller General of the United States and GSA’s Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA), and determinations of the Administrator of General Services. This directive provides agency policy regarding travel allowances as required by FTR part 301-70.

2.  Scope and Applicability.

     a.  This directive applies to all GSA organizations, programs, and personnel, including all Services, Staff Offices, and Regions. This Order applies to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to the extent that the OIG determines it is consistent with the OIG’s independent authority under the Inspector General Act and does not conflict with other OIG policies or the OIG mission. This Order applies to CBCA to the extent that the CBCA determines it is consistent with the CBCA’s independent authority under the Contract Disputes Act and applicable Federal Court decisions and does not conflict with other CBCA policies or its mission.

     b.  This directive supplements the FTR and is issued under the authority of the FTR.  Supervisors, approval authorities, and employees must still consult the FTR to ensure compliance with the regulations and internal GSA policies not specifically addressed in this supplement. Employees should consult OAS P 5765.1, GSA Non-Federal Source (NFS) Travel Policy; OAS 5775.1 CHGE 2, Foreign Travel Policy; OAS 5785.1C, Conference and Event Management; OAS 5740.1 CHGE 1, Government Travel Charge Card Program and OAS 5735.1, Travel Advances for internal policy on those specific topics.

     c.  Any regional or other directives related to the authorization and approval of official travel, or reimbursement of travel-related expenses, must be cleared in advance through the Office of Travel and Charge Card Services, Office of Administrative Services (OAS).

3.  Cancellation. This Order cancels and supersedes OAS 5700.1 CHGE 1, Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Policy.

4.  Responsibilities. The Office of Travel and Charge Card Services is responsible for developing travel policy for GSA employees and for individuals authorized to travel at GSA’s expense.

5.  Revisions. The following changes have been made to the Order:

     a.  All references to “OAS 5775.1 CHGE 1, Foreign Travel Policy” have been changed to “OAS 5775.1 CHGE 2, Foreign Travel Policy.”

     b.  All references to “OAS 5785.1, Conference and Event Management” have been changed to “OAS 5785.1C, Conference and Event Management.”

     c.  All references to “OAS 5740.1, Government Travel Charge Card Program” have been changed to “OAS 5740.1 CHGE 1, Government Travel Charge Card Program.“

     d.  All references to “CPO IL-13-03, Extended Policy and Procedures for Providing Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities Pursuant to Executive Order 13164” have been changed to “HRM 2300.1, Policy and Procedures for Providing Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities.”

     e.  All references to “OAD P 6010.4, Time and Leave Administration” have been changed to “HRM 6010.1, Time and Leave Administration Policy”.

     f.  All references to “OAS 5770.1, Local Travel” have been changed to “OAS 5770.1A, Local Travel Policy”.

     g.  All references to “ADM P 5620.1, GSA Internal Motor Vehicle Management” have been changed to “OAS 5620.1, GSA Internal Motor Vehicle Management Manual”.

     h.  Chapter 1, Part 1, paragraph 3 is added to provide training requirements for travel cardholders and travel authorizing officials. All subsequent paragraphs in Chapter 1 are re-numbered (e.g. original “paragraph 3” is re-numbered to “paragraph 4”, etc.).

     i.  Chapter 1, Part 2, paragraph 7b is revised to clarify the requirement for Head of Service/Staff Office (HSSO) approval for other than coach-class accommodations, to clarify the requirement for trip-by-trip approval for other than coach-class accommodations, and to clarify the approval requirements for Acela and other high-performance rail use.

     j.  Chapter 2, Part 1, paragraph 2 is revised to clarify the requirement for an employee’s manager/supervisor to serve as authorizing official for travel authorizations.

     k.  Chapter 3, Part 1, paragraph 1 is revised to add transportation network companies (TNCs) and innovative mobility technology companies (IMTCs) as authorized methods of transportation during TDY travel.

    l.  Chapter 3, Part 1, paragraph 5 is revised to clarify language limiting reimbursement of travel to/from common carrier terminal to the cost of the round trip taxicab fare.

    m.  Chapter 3, Part 2, paragraph 7 is revised to clarify the requirement to include documentation of HSSO approval of other than coach-class accommodations in travel authorizations that include other than coach-class travel.

    n.  Chapter 3, Part 2, paragraph 8 is revised to clarify the requirement for prior HSSO approval of coach-class upgrades reimbursed by GSA.

    o.  Chapter 3, Part 2, paragraph 9 is revised to provide updated policy regarding enrollment in trusted traveler programs such as TSA Pre✓®.

    p.  Chapter 3, Part 3, paragraph 19 is divided into paragraphs 19a and 19b and revised to clarify that gas is an allowable expense when using a rental vehicle during TDY. 

    q.  Chapter 3, Part 3, paragraphs 23 and 24 are combined to consolidate policy regarding the use of special conveyances, including taxicabs, TNCs, IMTCs and shuttle services.

    r.  Chapter 3, Part 3, paragraph 25 is changed to paragraph 24 and revised to add TNCs and IMTCs to policy regarding tips to vehicle drivers and increase the maximum reimbursable tip to 20%.

    s.  Chapter 4, paragraph 11 is revised to add policy regarding reimbursement of lodging cancelation fees.

    t.  Chapter 5, paragraph 5 is revised to add policy requiring employees to determine tax exempt status of the TDY location prior to travel and complete any required forms.   

    u.  Chapter 6, Part 1, paragraph 2 is revised to clarify policy regarding the use of city pair fares when combining personal travel with TDY travel.

    v.  Appendix A is revised to add the definition of “innovative mobility technology company” and update the definition of “transit system”.

    w.  Appendix B is revised to add language regarding authorization of economy class seating upgrades and revise language regarding approval of travel authorizations for travel within the United States and return travel to the United States for employees stationed outside the United States.

6.  Signature.    




/S/___________________________________
BOB STAFFORD
Chief Administrative Services Officer
Office of Administrative Services