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Why does Public Buildings Service charge a fee?
The statutory authorities that permit PBS to provide reimbursable services require us to recoup all indirect costs.
What does the Reimbursable Work Authorization Management Fee cover?
The RWA Management Fee covers our indirect costs, which includes the costs of managing the reimbursable program nationwide.
What determines if the old or current fee structure is applied and when?
For nonseverable services:
If an RWA is amended, does the current fee structure apply?
No. The RWA will keep whichever fee structure was associated with it when the RWA was originally accepted, based on the RWA acceptance date.
If the entire amount of the RWA is not needed, will customers still be charged the original fee amount shown on the RETA estimate?
No. Customers only get charged a fee based on the actual amount of cost expensed. If the original RWA was for $10,000, but we only expensed $8,000, the fee will be assessed and charged based on the $8,000. Any remaining value on the RWA, including any remainder originally estimated for the fee, will be returned to the customer through the RWA closeout letter.
What is the fee structure, and where can I see the values?
The current fee structure for nonrecurring RWAs is a stepped fee. A stepped fee means that the fee rate decreases as the project costs increase. The fee structure for recurring RWAs is a flat $500 per child estimate (for example, overtime utilities in GSA-owned space). All recurring and nonrecurring RWAs will be charged a minimum of $500. You can find the table showing the different fee rates for each dollar range on the RWA fee structure page.
How often does PBS revise the RWA fee structure?
In an effort to ensure we are recovering the appropriate amount for management of all reimbursable work, we review and update our fee every three to five years. The fee last changed on Aug. 1, 2020.
If an RWA is amended to add additional funds, how is the fee calculated?
The fee is charged on the new total value of the RWA, not on the additional cost. For example, if $5,000 is added to a $20,000 RWA, the fee will be calculated based on $25,000.
I only have a very small RWA — will I still be charged the minimum fee of $500? What other options do I have?
Yes. All RWAs will be charged a minimum of $500 to cover our cost to establish and maintain the RWA. Customers have the option to not create an RWA, and instead use micro-purchase authority, which can be delegated within your agency. Visit our use micro-purchase delegation page for more information.
For F-type RWAs for miscellaneous services, is the customer charged $500 just to establish the RWA, and then another $500 for every task ordered against that RWA?
No. F-type RWAs follow the stepped fee structure, so the fee applied is based on the estimated total project costs associated with the RWA. There is not a separate fee assessed on top of each task ordered against the RWA.
Where can I get more information about the old (4% and sliding scale) fee structure?
More information is available under policy and guidance, or you can email AskRWA@gsa.gov if you have additional questions.
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Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions are set by the Department of Defense.
Rates for foreign countries are set by the Department of State.
Rates are available between 10/1/2023 and 09/30/2026.
The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
U.S. General Services Administration