General Services Administration September 26, 2007 Washington, DC 20405

FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION\
Amendment 2007-04

> TO: Heads of Federal agencies

Subject: Amendment 2007-04, FTR Case 2007-303, Relocation Expenses Test
Programs

1\. [Purpose.]{.underline} The Travel and Transportation Reform Act of
1998 (Pub. L. 105-264, October 19, 1998), authorized Federal agencies to
conduct travel and relocation expenses test programs when determined by
the Administrator of General Services to be in the interest of the
Government. The provisions of the Act were implemented by a Federal
Travel Regulation (FTR) amendment, and published in the *Federal
Register* at 64 FR 28880, may 27, 1999. They permit agencies to test new
and innovative methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses
without seeking a waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation.
However, the test authority for the travel and relocation programs
expired in October 2005.

Pub. L. 109-325, October 11, 2006, amends 5 U.S.C. 5739 by extending the
authority for the General Services Administration (GSA) to approve
relocation expenses test programs for an additional four years. In
addition, the law removes the 24-month period in which an agency had to
complete an approved relocation expense test program. The amendments
provided by Pub. L. No. 109­325 are effective as though enacted as part
of the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998.

This final rule incorporates Pub. L. 109-325 by removing the required
period of time to complete a relocation test program and extends the
authority to conduct relocation tests for an additional four years. The
authority to conduct a travel test expense program was not renewed;
accordingly, this final rule also deletes those provisions. The FTR and
any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA\'s Website at
[*[http://www.gsa.gov/ftr.]{.underline}*](http://www.gsa.gov/ftr.)

> 2\. [Effective date:]{.underline} September 7, 2007.

3\. [Backcrround.]{.underline} On October 19, 1998, the President signed
into law the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (the Act)
(Pub. L. 105-264). In applicable part, the Act authorized travel and
relocation expenses test programs designed to enhance cost savings or
other efficiencies that may accrue to the Government. The provisions of
the Act were implemented by Federal Travel

Regulation (FTR) Amendment Number 83, dated may 7, 1999, and published
in the *Federal Register* on may 27, 1999 (64 FR 28880). The provisions
of the Act terminated October 2005. Public Law (Pub. L.) 109-325,
October 11, 2006, extends the provisions relating to relocation test
programs for an additional four years. This final rule implements the
provisions of Pub. L. 109­325 by authorizing the continuance of the
relocation expense test programs.

This final rule also requires agencies having an approved test program
to submit annual reports on the progress of the test

to the General Services Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy,
Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management. Failure to submit
a report may cause termination of the test program approval. In
addition, this final rule removes the

provisions of the FTR relating to travel test programs as there is no
longer any statutory authority for conducting such tests.

4\. [Filinq instructions.]{.underline} Remove and insert the following
pages to the FTR:

> [Remove pages]{.underline} [Insert pages]{.underline}
>
> General TOC, General TOC,
>
> iii and iv iii and iv
>
> Chapter 300 TOC, Chapter 300 TOC,
>
> 300-i and 300-ii 300-i and 300-ii

300-80-1 and 300-80-2

300-80-1 and 300-80-2

![](media/image1.png){width="2.1527777777777777in" height="0.90625in"}

> RUSSELL H. PENTZ
>
> Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator,
>
> Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management
>
> AMENDMENT 2007-04 **SEPTEMBER** 7, 2007
>
> FEDERAL IRAVEL REGULATION
>
> GENERAL CHAPTERS AND PARTS
>
> FOREWORD

CHAPTER **300** GENERAL Subchapter A-Introduction

Part 300-1-The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) Part 300-2-How to Use the
FTR Part 300-3-Glossary of Terms

Subchapter B-Agency Requirements

Part 300-70-Agency Reporting Requirements Part 300-80-Relocation
Expenses Test Programs

CHAPTER 301-TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL\
ALLOWANCES

Subchapter A-Introduction

Part 301-1-Applicability Part 301-2-General Rules

Subchapter B-Allowable Travel Expenses

Part 301-10-Transportation Expenses

Part 301-11-Per Diem Expenses

Part 301-12-Miscellaneous Expenses

Part 301-13-Travel of an Employee With Special Needs Part
301-30-Emergency Travel

Part 301-31-Threatened Law Enforcement/Investigative Employees

Subchapter C-Arranging for Travel Services, Paying Travel Expenses, and
Claiming Reimbursement

Part 301-50-Arranging for Travel Services

Part 301-51-Paying Travel Expenses

Part 301-52-Claiming Reimbursement

Part 301-53-Using Promotional Materials and Frequent Traveler Programs

Part 301-54-Collection of Undisputed Delinquent Amounts Owed to the
Contractor Issuing the Individually Billed Travel Charge Card

Subchapter D-Agency Responsibilities

Part 301-70-Internal Policy and Procedure Requirements

Part 301-71-Agency Travel Accountability Requirements

Part 301-72-Agency Responsibilities Related to Common Carrier
Transportation Part 301-73-Travel Programs

iii

**CONTENTS** FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION

Part 301-74-Conference Planning

Part 301-75-Pre-employment Interview Travel

Part 301-76-Collection of Undisputed Delinquent Amounts Owed to the
Contractor Issuing the Individually Billed Travel Charge Card

Appendix A to Chapter 301-Prescribed Maximum Per Diem Rates for CONUS
Appendix B to Chapter 301-Allocation of M&IE Rates To Be Used in Making
Deductions From the M&IE Allowance

Appendix C to Chapter 301-Standard Data Elements for Federal Travel
Appendix D to Chapter 301-Glossary of Acronyms

Appendix E to Chapter 301-Suggested Guidance for Conference Planning

CHAPTER 302-RELOCATION ALLOWANCES Subchapter A-Introduction

Part 302-1-General Rules

Part 302-2-Employee Eligibility Requirements

Subchapter B-Relocation Allowances

Part 302-3-Relocation Allowance by Specific Type

Subchapter C-Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Allowances for
Subsistence and Transportation Expenses

Part 302-4-Allowances for Subsistence and Transportation

Part 302-5-Allowance for Househunting Trip Expenses

Part 302-6-Allowance for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses

Subchapter D-Transportation and Storage of Property

Part 302-7-Transportation and Temporary Storage of Household Goods and
Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment (PBP&E)

Part 302-8-Allowances for Extended Storage of Household Goods (HHG)

Part 302-9-Allowances for Transportation and Emergency Storage of a
Privately Owned Vehicle

Part 302-10-Allowances for Transportation of Mobile Homes and Boats Used
as a Primary Residence

Subchapter E-Residence Transaction Allowances

Part 302-11-Allowances for Expenses Incurred in Connection With
Residence Transactions Part 302-12-Use of a Relocation Services Company

Part 302-13-\[Reserved\]

Part 302-14-Home Marketing Incentive Payments

Part 302-15-Allowance for Property Management Services

Subchapter F-Miscellaneous Allowances

Part 302-16-Allowance for Miscellaneous Expenses Part 302-17-Relocation
Income Tax (RIT) Allowance

iv

> AMENDMENT 2007-04 **SEPTEMBER** 7, 2007 FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION

CHAPTER 300 GENERAL

Subchapter A-Introduction

Part 300-1-The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR)

> §300-1.1-What is the FTR? §300-1.20-What is the purpose of the FTR?

Part 300-2-How to Use the FTR

> Subpart A-General
>
> §300-2.1-What formats exist in the FTR?
>
> Subpart B-Question & Answer Format
>
> §300-2.20-What is the purpose of the question & answer format?
> §300-2.21-How is the rule expressed in the question and answer format?
> §300-2.22-Who is subject to the FTR? §300-2.23-How is the user
> addressed in the FTR?
>
> Subpart C-Title and Narrative Format
>
> §300-2.70-How is the rule expressed in the title and narrative format?

Part 300-3-Glossary of Terms

> §300-3.1-What do the following terms mean?

Subchapter B-Agency Requirements

Part 300-70-Agency Reporting Requirements

> Subpart A-Requirement to Report Agency Payments for Employee Travel
> and Relocation
>
> §300-70.1-What are the requirements for reporting payments for
> employee travel and relocation? §300-70.2-What information must we
> report?
>
> §300-70.3-How long will we have to respond to the travel survey?
>
> §300-70.4-How do we respond to the travel survey if we have major
> suborganizations?
>
> Subpart B-Requirement to Report Use of First-Class Transportation
> Accommodations
>
> §300-70.100-Who must report use of first-class transportation
> accommodations? §300-70.101-What information must we report?
> §300-70.102-How often must we report the required information?
> §300-70.103-When will GSA request this information? §300-70.104-Are
> there any exceptions to the reporting requirement?
>
> Subpart C-\[Reserved\]

Part 300-80-Relocation Expenses Test Programs

> §300-80.1-What is a relocation expenses test program? §300-80.2-Who
> may authorize test programs?
>
> §300-80.3-What must be done to apply for test program authority?
>
> §300-80.4-How many test programs may be authorized by GSA throughout
> the government?

300-i

**AMENDMENT 2007-04 SEPTEMBER** 7, **2007**

CONTENTS FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION

> §300-80.5-What factors will GSA consider in approving a request for a
> relocation expenses test program? §300-80.6-What limits are there to
> test programs?
>
> §300-80.7-What is the maximum duration of test programs?
>
> §300-80.8-What reports are required for a test program?
>
> §300-80.9-When does the authority of GSA to authorize test programs
> expire?

300-ii

> **AMENDMENT 2007-04 SEPTEMBER** 7, **2007**

Chapter 300-General

> [Part]{.underline} [300-80-RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST
> PROGRAMS]{.underline}
>
> **PART 300-80-RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST PROGRAMS**

**§300-80.9**

> **Authority:** 5 U.S.C. 5707, 5738, and 5739.

**§300-80.1 What is a relocation expenses test program?**

It is a program to permit agencies to test new and innova­tive methods of
reimbursing relocation expenses without seeking a waiver of current
rules or authorizing legislation.

**§300-80.2 Who may authorize test programs?**

The Administrator of General Services may authorize an agency to conduct
tests when the Administrator determines tests to be in the interest of
the Government.

**§300-80.3 What must be done to apply for test program authority?**

The head of the agency or designee must design the test program to
enhance cost savings or other efficiencies to the Government and submit
in writing to the Administrator of General Services (Attention: MTT),
1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405:

> \(a\) An explanation of the test program;

\(b\) If applicable, the specific provisions of the FTR from which the
agency is deviating;

> \(c\) An analysis of the expected costs and benefits; and

\(d\) A set of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

**§300-80.4 How many test programs may be authorized**

> by GSA **throughout the government?**

No more than 10 relocation expense test programs may be conducted at the
same time.

**§300-80.5 What factors will GSA consider in approving a request for a
relocation expenses test program?** The following factors will be
considered: (a) Potential savings to the Government. (b) Application of
results to other agencies. (c) Feasibility of successful implementation.

> \(d\) Number of tests, if any, already authorized to the same

activity.

\(e\) Whether the request meets the requirements of
[§300-80.3.]{.underline}

\(f\) Other agency requests under consideration at the time of
submission.

> \(g\) Uniqueness of proposed test.

**§300-80.6 What limits are there to test programs?**

None. When authorized by the Administrator of General Services, the
agency may pay any necessary relocation expenses in lieu of payments
authorized or required under [Chapter 302]{.underline} of this title.

**§300-80.7 What is the maximum duration of test**

> **programs?**

The duration of a test program is 24 months from the date of
authorization unless terminated prior to that date by the Administrator
of General Services due to changes in law or regulation. Extensions of
the 24 month period may be granted by the Administrator of General
Services for up to an addi­tional 24 months, but not beyond October 2009,
the expiration of the test authority. A request to extend the test
program shall be submitted to the Administrator of General Services not
later than 45 days prior to the expiration of the original test period.

**§300-80.8 What reports are required for a test program?**

> Two reports are required:

\(a\) The Administrator of General Services must submit a copy of an
approved test program to Congress at least 30 days before the effective
date of the authorized test program.

\(b\) The agency authorized to conduct the test program must submit the
following reports:

\(1\) An annual report on the progress of the test, submit­ted to the
General Services Administration, Office of Govern­mentwide Policy, Office
of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management (Attention MTT),
Washington, DC 20405. The Administrator or designee may terminate the
test program approval for failure to comply with these reporting
require­ments; and

\(2\) A final report on the results of the test program must be
submitted to the General Services Administration, Office of
Governmentwide Policy, Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset
Management (Attention MTT), Washington, DC 20405, and to the appropriate
committees of Congress within 3 months after completion of the program.

**§300-80.9 When does the authority of GSA to authorize**

> **test programs expire?**

The authority to conduct test programs expires on October 20, 2009.

FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION

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