FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM NO 2007-19
November 2, 2007
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM NO. 2007-016 (II.G.I.)
To: Solicitor
Inspector General
Assistant Secretaries
Heads of Bureaus
Departmental Offices
Director, National Business Center
From: Daniel L. Fletcher, Director /s/
Office of Financial Management
Subject: Temporary Duty (TDY) and/or Relocation Travel of Employees to Areas
Impacted by the Wildfires in California
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance and procedures to Departmental
personnel for temporary duly (TDY) and/or relocation travel to areas impacted by the wildfires
in California, The General Services Administration (GSA) has released Federal Travel
Regulation (FTR) Bulletin 08-02 informing agencies that certain provisions of the FTR are
temporarily waived as a result of the Emergency Declaration signed by the President on October
23, 2007, in response to wildfires in parts of California.
All non-essential TDY and relocation to the areas in California affected by wildfires for the
Department of the Interior is postponed until January 24, 2008.
If travel to the affected areas cannot be delayed due to mission critical requirements or personal
hardship, then the following travel criteria apply:
TDY Travel
• Travelers are authorized actual subsistence expense reimbursement not to exceed 300
percent of the applicable per diem rate.
• Travelers are authorized per diem rate for the location where lodging is actually
obtained.
• Travelers must complete a "trip-by-trip" travel authorization that includes approval of
actual expenses during the travel period.
Travelers who will he on TDY or training-related travel for periods of 30 days or more are
subject to the restrictions outlined in FAM 94-037. Reduced Per Diem for Temporary Duty and
Training Travel for Periods of 30 or More Days. FAM 94-037 stipulates the following for travel
exceeding 30 days:
• Per diem rate will be reduced to 55 percent of the full per diem rate (lodging plus meals
and incidental expenses) specified in the FTR for the location, unless a different rate is
justified.
• Under unusual situations the reduced rate may be increased or decreased depending on
the conditions and necessary cost that must be incurred by the traveler.
• The reduced rate should be established based on the conditions that exist when travel is
performed.
Relocation Travel
• The requirement for temporary quarters to be in reasonable proximity to the new
official station will be waived for areas affected by the wildfires. However, the 120-day
maximum for temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) cannot be extended due
to statutory restrictions.
• TQSE in the affected areas will not be limited to the standard CONUS rate. Instead,
authorization may be granted for the locality per diem rate or actual expense
reimbursement allowance.
• House hunting trips may be paid as an actual expense allowance.
The policy contained in this memorandum expires on January 24, 2008, unless extended or
rescinded by the Office of Financial Management.
As the policies governing travel/relocation change due to this recent disaster, we will make
available the most current information possible. Should you have questions or require additional
information, please contact Jacqueline Lynch, Office of Financial Management on (703) 648-
7680, e-mail Jacqueline_lynch@ios.doi.gov.
Attachment: GSA Bulletin - FTR 08-02
Prior Financial Administration Memorandum on this Subject:
None
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