13756 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

GENERAL SERVICES

ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Parts 302–1 and 302–5

[FTR Amendment 59 ]

RIN 3090–AG20

Federal Travel Regulation; Fixed

Amount Reimbursement for Temporary

Quarters Subsistence Expenses

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide

Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the

Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to

allow an agency to pay a fixed amount

for temporary quarters subsistence

expenses. This amendment will save the

Government money by easing the

burden of processing relocation claims

and will increase employee satisfaction

with the relocation process.

DATES: This final rule is effective March

22, 1997, and applies to an employee

whose effective date of transfer (date the

employee reports for duty at the new

official station) is on or after March 22,

1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert A. Clauson, Travel and

Transportation Management Policy

Division (MTT), Washington, DC 20405,

telephone 202–501–0299.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A multiagency travel reinvention task force was

organized in August 1994 under the

auspices of the Joint Financial

Management Improvement Program

(JFMIP) to reengineer Federal travel

rules and procedures. The task force

developed 25 recommended travel

management improvements published

in a JFMIP report entitled Improving

Travel Management Governmentwide,

dated December 1995. On September 23,

1996, the President signed into law the

Federal Employee Travel Reform Act of

1996 (Pub. L. 104–201), which included

8 legislative changes recommended by

the JFMIP to improve travel and the

delivery of relocation services.

This amendment implements section

1712 of the Act, which provides the

General Services Administration (GSA)

authority to issue regulations that

authorize agencies to reimburse a

transferred employee a fixed amount for

temporary quarters subsistence

expenses (TQSE). This amendment is

written in the ‘‘plain English’’ style of

regulation writing as a continuation of

GSA s effort to make the FTR easier to

understand and to use.

How does this amendment change the

allowance for temporary quarters

subsistence expenses?

This amendment permits agencies to

reimburse employees a fixed amount

without requiring receipts for TQSE. In

addition to the plain English formatting,

this amendment also refines the current

actual expense method of reimbursing

TQSE.

When will I receive a fixed amount for

temporary quarters subsistence

expenses?

Your agency decides whether it will

offer you the ‘‘fixed amount’’ method of

reimbursement for TQSE. If your agency

offers you the fixed amount option, you

may choose between it and the

traditional method under which you are

reimbursed your actual TQSE within a

maximum ceiling which requires you to

document your expenses.

How does this amendment change the

actual expense method of reimbursing

TQSE?

This amendment makes two principal

changes to the actual expense method of

reimbursing TQSE. First, the maximum

daily amounts are now expressed in

decimal format instead of the previous

format which depicted them as fractions

of the applicable per diem rate. Note

that the new decimal maximum daily

amounts in some cases vary from the

previous fractional equivalents. For

example, the new maximum daily

amount for an accompanied spouse and/

or a child 12 years or older during the

initial 30-day period of temporary

quarters occupancy is .75 of the

applicable per diem rate instead of twothirds of that rate.

The new maximum daily amount

allowed for a child under 12 during any

period of temporary quarters occupancy

subsequent to the initial 30-day period

will be .4 of the applicable per diem rate

instead of two-thirds of one-half of that

rate.

Second, an agency now may authorize

an extension of the temporary quarters

period regardless of when the

compelling reason(s) occur. The FTR

previously required that compelling

reasons occur during the initial period

of temporary quarters. This amendment

eliminates that requirement.

What is the ‘‘plain English’’ style of

regulation writing?

The ‘‘plain English’’ style of

regulation writing is a new, simpler to

read and understand, question and

answer regulatory format. Questions are

in the first person, and answers are in

the second person. GSA uses a ‘‘we’’

question when referring to an agency

and an ‘‘I’’ question when referring to

the employee.

How does the plain English style of

regulation writing affect employees?

A question and its answer combine to

establish a rule. The employee and the

agency must follow the language

contained in both the question and its

answer.

GSA has determined that this rule is

not a significant regulatory action for

the purposes of Executive Order 12866

of September 30, 1993. This final rule is

not required to be published in the

Federal Register for notice and

comment. Therefore, the Regulatory

Flexibility Act does not apply. This rule

also is exempt from Congressional

review prescribed under 5 U.S.C. 801

since it relates solely to agency

management and personnel.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Parts 302–1

and 302–5

Government employees, Travel and

transportation expenses.

For the reasons set out in the

preamble, 41 CFR chapter 302 is

amended as follows:

PART 302–1—APPLICABILITY,

GENERAL RULES, AND ELIGIBILITY

CONDITIONS

1. The authority citation for part 302–

1 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5738; 20 U.S.C. 905(a);

E.O. 11609, 36 FR 13474, 3 CFR, 1971–1975

Comp., p. 586.

Subpart A—New Appointees and

Transferred Employees

§ 302–1.7 [Amended]

2. Section 302–1.7 is amended by

removing the reference ‘‘§ 302–5.2(h)’’

in paragraph (a) and adding in its place

the reference ‘‘§ 302–5.4(b)’’

3. Section 302–1.14 is amended by

revising paragraph (a)(3)(iii) to read as

follows:

§ 302–1.14 Use of funds.

(a) * * *

(3) * * *

(iii) Subsistence while occupying

temporary quarters as set forth in § 302–

5.15 of this chapter;

4. Part 302–5 is revised to read as

follows:

PART 302–5—ALLOWANCE FOR

TEMPORARY QUARTERS

SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES

Subpart A—General Rules

Sec.

302–5.1 What are ‘‘temporary quarters’’?

302–5.2 What are ‘‘temporary quarters

subsistence expenses (TQSE)’’?
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302–5.3 What is the purpose of the TQSE

allowance?

302–5.4 Am I eligible for a TQSE

allowance?

302–5.5 Who is not eligible for a TQSE

allowance?

302–5.6 Must my agency authorize payment

of a TQSE allowance?

302–5.7 Under what circumstances will I

receive a TQSE allowance?

302–5.8 Who may occupy temporary

quarters at Government expense?

302–5.9 Where may I/we occupy temporary

quarters at Government expense?

302–5.10 May my immediate family and I

occupy temporary quarters at different

locations?

302–5.11 What methods may my agency

use to reimburse me for TQSE?

302–5.12 Must I document my TQSE to

receive reimbursement?

302–5.13 How soon may I/we begin

occupying temporary quarters at

Government expense?

302–5.14 How is my TQSE allowance

affected if my temporary quarters

become my permanent residence

quarters?

302–5.15 May I receive an advance of funds

for TQSE?

302–5.16 May I receive a TQSE allowance

if I am receiving another subsistence

expenses allowance?

302–5.17 Am I eligible for a TQSE

allowance if I transfer to a foreign area?

302–5.18 May I be reimbursed for local

transportation expenses incurred while I

am occupying temporary quarters?

Subpart B—Actual TQSE Method of

Reimbursement

302–5.100 What am I paid under the actual

TQSE reimbursement method?

302–5.101 May my agency reduce my TQSE

allowance below the ‘‘maximum

allowable amount’’?

302–5.102 What is the ‘‘applicable per diem

rate’’ under the actual TQSE

reimbursement method?

302–5.103 What is the latest the period for

which I claim actual TQSE

reimbursement may begin?

302–5.104 How long may I be authorized to

claim actual TQSE reimbursement?

302–5.105 What is a ‘‘compelling reason’’

warranting extension of my authorized

period for claiming actual TQSE

reimbursement?

302–5.106 May I interrupt occupancy of

temporary quarters?

302–5.107 What effect do partial days of

temporary quarters occupancy have on

my authorized period for claiming actual

TQSE reimbursement?

302–5.108 When does my authorized

period for claiming actual TQSE

reimbursement end?

302–5.109 May the period for which I am

authorized to claim actual TQSE

reimbursement for myself be different

from that of my immediate family?

302–5.110 What effect do partial days have

on my actual TQSE reimbursement?

302–5.111 May I and/or my immediate

family occupy temporary quarters longer

than the period for which I am

authorized to claim actual TQSE

reimbursement?

Subpart C—Fixed Amount Reimbursement

302–5.200 What am I paid under the fixed

amount reimbursement method?

302–5.201 How do I determine the amount

of my payment under the fixed amount

reimbursement method?

302–5.202 Will I receive additional TQSE

reimbursement if my fixed amount is not

adequate to cover my TQSE?

Subpart D—Agency Responsibilities

302–5.300 How should we administer the

TQSE allowance?

302–5.301 What governing policies must

we establish for the TQSE allowance?

302–5.302 Under what circumstances may

we authorize the TQSE allowance?

302–5.303 What factors should we consider

in determining whether the TQSE

allowance actually is necessary?

302–5.304 What factors should we consider

in determining whether to offer an

employee the fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement option?

302–5.305 What factors should we consider

in determining whether quarters are

temporary?

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5738; 20 U.S.C. 905(a);

E.O. 11609, 36 FR 13474, 3 CFR, 1971–1975

Comp., p. 586.

Subpart A—General Rules

Note to subpart A: Use of the pronouns ‘‘I’’

and ‘‘you’’ throughout this subpart refers to

the employee.

§ 302–5.1 What are ‘‘temporary quarters’’?

The term ‘‘temporary quarters’’ refers

to lodging obtained for the purpose of

temporary occupancy from a private or

commercial source.

§ 302–5.2 What are ‘‘temporary quarters

subsistence expenses (TQSE)’’?

‘‘Temporary quarters subsistence

expenses’’ or ‘‘TQSE’’ are subsistence

expenses incurred by an employee and/

or his/her immediate family while

occupying temporary quarters. TQSE

does not include local transportation

expenses incurred during occupancy of

temporary quarters (see § 302–5.18 for

details).

§ 302–5.3 What is the purpose of the TQSE

allowance?

The TQSE allowance is intended to

reimburse an employee reasonably and

equitably for subsistence expenses

incurred when it is necessary to occupy

temporary quarters.

§ 302–5.4 Am I eligible for a TQSE

allowance?

You are eligible for a TQSE allowance

if you are an employee who is

authorized to transfer; and

(a) Your new official station is located

within the United States, its territories

or possessions, the Commonwealths of

Puerto Rico or the Northern Mariana

Islands, or the former Canal Zone area

(i.e., areas and installations in the

Republic of Panama made available to

the United States pursuant to the

Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and

related agreements (as described in 22

U.S.C. 3602(a))); and

(b) Your old and new official stations

are 40 miles or more apart (as measured

by map distance) via a usually traveled

surface route.

§ 302–5.5 Who is not eligible for a TQSE

allowance?

New appointees, employees assigned

under the Government Employees

Training Act (5 U.S.C. 4109), and

employees returning from an overseas

assignment for the purpose of separation

are not eligible for a TQSE allowance.

§ 302–5.6 Must my agency authorize

payment of a TQSE allowance?

No, your agency determines whether

it is in the Government’s interest to pay

TQSE.

§ 302–5.7 Under what circumstances will I

receive a TQSE allowance?

You will receive a TQSE allowance if:

(a) Your agency authorizes it before

you occupy the temporary quarters (the

agency authorization must specify the

period of time allowed for you to

occupy temporary quarters); and

(b) You have signed a service

agreement; and

(c) You meet any additional

conditions your agency has established.

§ 302–5.8 Who may occupy temporary

quarters at Government expense?

Only you and/or your immediate

family may occupy temporary quarters

at Government expense.

§ 302–5.9 Where may I/we occupy

temporary quarters at Government

expense?

You and/or your immediate family

may occupy temporary quarters at

Government expense within reasonable

proximity of your old and/or new

official stations. Neither you nor your

immediate family may be reimbursed

for occupying temporary quarters at any

other location, unless justified by

special circumstances that are

reasonably related to your transfer.

§ 302–5.10 May my immediate family and I

occupy temporary quarters at different

locations?

Yes. For example, if you must vacate

your home at the old official station and

report to the new official station and

your family remains behind until the
13758 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

end of the school year, you may need to

occupy temporary quarters at the new

official station while your family

occupies temporary quarters at the old

official station.

§ 302–5.11 What methods may my agency

use to reimburse me for TQSE?

Your agency will reimburse you for

TQSE under the actual expense method

unless it permits the ‘‘fixed amount’’

reimbursement method as an

alternative. If your agency makes both

methods available to you, you may

select the one you prefer.

§ 302–5.12 Must I document my TQSE to

receive reimbursement?

For fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement, you do not document

your TQSE. For actual TQSE

reimbursement, you must document

your TQSE by itemizing each expense

and providing receipts as required by

FTR § 301–11.3(c) of this subtitle.

§ 302–5.13 How soon may I/we begin

occupying temporary quarters at

Government expense?

As soon as your agency has

authorized you to receive a TQSE

allowance and you have signed a service

agreement.

§ 302–5.14 How is my TQSE allowance

affected if my temporary quarters become

my permanent residence quarters?

If your temporary quarters become

your permanent residence quarters, you

may receive a TQSE allowance only if

you show in a manner satisfactory to

your agency that you initially intended

to occupy the quarters temporarily.

§ 302–5.15 May I receive an advance of

funds for TQSE?

Yes. If authorized in accordance with

§ 302–1.14(a) of this chapter, your

agency may advance the amount of

funds necessary to cover your estimated

TQSE expenses for up to 30 days. Your

agency subsequently may advance

additional funds for periods up to 30

days.

§ 302–5.16 May I receive a TQSE allowance

if I am receiving another subsistence

expenses allowance?

No, with one exception. You may

receive a cost-of-living allowance

payable under 5 U.S.C. 5941 in addition

to a TQSE allowance.

§ 302–5.17 Am I eligible for a TQSE

allowance if I transfer to a foreign area?

No. You may not receive a TQSE

allowance under this part when you

transfer to an area outside the United

States, its territories or possessions, the

Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the

Northern Mariana Islands, or the former

Canal Zone area (i.e., areas and

installations in the Republic of Panama

made available to the United States

pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of

1977 and related agreements (as

described in 22 U.S.C. 3602(a))).

However, you may qualify for a

comparable allowance under the

Standardized Regulations (Government

Civilians, Foreign Areas) prescribed by

the State Department.

§ 302–5.18 May I be reimbursed for local

transportation expenses incurred while I am

occupying temporary quarters?

Generally not. Local transportation

expenses are not TQSE, and there is no

authority to pay them as such. You may,

however, be reimbursed under part 301–

2 of this subtitle for necessary

transportation expenses if you perform

local official business travel while you

are occupying temporary quarters.

Subpart B—Actual TQSE Method of

Reimbursement

Note to subpart B: Use of the pronouns ‘‘I’’

and ‘‘you’’ throughout this subpart refers to

the employee.

§ 302–5.100 What am I paid under the

actual TQSE reimbursement method?

Your agency will pay your actual

TQSE incurred, provided the expenses

are reasonable and do not exceed the

maximum allowable amount. The

‘‘maximum allowable amount’’ is the

‘‘maximum daily amount’’ multiplied

by the number of days you actually

incur TQSE not to exceed the number of

days authorized, taking into account

that the rates change after 30 days in

temporary quarters. The ‘‘maximum

daily amount’’ is determined by adding

the rates in the following table for you

and each member of your immediate

family authorized to occupy temporary

quarters:

For

The ‘‘maximum daily amount’’ of TQSE under the actual expense method that

You and/or your unaccompanied

spouse* may receive is

Your accompanied spouse or a

member of your immediate family

who is age 12 or older may receive is

A member of your immediate family who is under age 12 may receive is

The first 30 days of temporary

quarters.

The applicable per diem rate ........ .75 times the applicable per diem

rate.

.5 times the applicable per diem

rate.

Any additional days of temporary

quarters.

.75 times the applicable per diem

rate.

.5 times the applicable per diem

rate.

.4 times the applicable per diem

rate.

(That is, when the spouse necessarily occupies temporary quarters in lieu of the employee or in a location separate from the employee.)

§ 302–5.101 May my agency reduce my

TQSE allowance below the ‘‘maximum

allowable amount’’?

Yes. If the estimated daily amount of

your TQSE is determined in advance to

be lower than the maximum daily

amount, your agency may reduce the

maximum allowable amount to your

expected expenses.

§ 302–5.102 What is the ‘‘applicable per

diem rate’’ under the actual TQSE

reimbursement method?

The ‘‘applicable per diem rate’’ under

the actual TQSE reimbursement method

is as follows:

For temporary quarters located in The applicable per diem rate is

The continental United States (CONUS) ........................................................................................................... The standard CONUS rate.

Alaska, Hawaii, the United States territories or possessions, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the

Northern Mariana Islands, or the former Canal Zone area (i.e., areas and installations in the Republic of

Panama made available to the United States pursuant to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related

agreements (as described in section 3(a) of the Panama Canal Act of 1979)).

The locality rate established by the

Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of State under § 301–7.3

of this subtitle.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 13759

§ 302–5.103 What is the latest the period

for which I claim actual TQSE

reimbursement may begin?

The period must begin before the

maximum time for beginning allowable

travel and transportation under § 302–

1.6 of this chapter expires.

§ 302–5.104 How long may I be authorized

to claim actual TQSE reimbursement?

Your agency may authorize you to

claim actual TQSE in 30-day

increments, not to exceed 60

consecutive days. However, if your

agency determines that there is a

compelling reason for you to continue

occupying temporary quarters after 60

consecutive days, it may authorize an

extension of up to 60 additional

consecutive days. Under no

circumstances may you be authorized to

claim actual TQSE reimbursement for

more than a total of 120 consecutive

days.

§ 302–5.105 What is a ‘‘compelling

reason’’ warranting extension of my

authorized period for claiming actual TQSE

reimbursement?

A ‘‘compelling reason’’ is an event

that is beyond your control and is

acceptable to your agency. Examples

include, but are not limited to:

(a) Delivery of your household goods

to your new residence is delayed due to

strikes, customs clearance, hazardous

weather, fires, floods or other acts of

God, or similar events.

(b) You cannot occupy your new

permanent residence because of

unanticipated problems (e.g., delay in

settlement on the new residence, or

short-term delay in construction of the

residence).

(c) You are unable to locate a

permanent residence which is adequate

for your family’s needs because of

housing conditions at your new official

station.

(d) Sudden illness, injury, or death of

employee or immediate family member.

§ 302–5.106 May I interrupt occupancy of

temporary quarters?

Yes. Your authorized period for

claiming actual TQSE reimbursement is

measured in consecutive days, and once

begun, normally continues to run

whether or not you occupy temporary

quarters. You may, however, interrupt

your authorized period for claiming

actual TQSE reimbursement in the

following instances:

(a) For the time allowed for en route

travel between the old and new official

stations;

(b) For circumstances attributable to

official necessity such as an intervening

temporary duty assignment or military

duty; or

(c) For a non-official necessary

interruption such as hospitalization,

approved sick leave, or other reason

beyond your control and acceptable to

your agency.

§ 302–5.107 What effect do partial days of

temporary quarters occupancy have on my

authorized period for claiming actual TQSE

reimbursement?

Occupancy of temporary quarters for

less than a whole day constitutes one

full day of your authorized period.

(However, see § 302–5.110 regarding en

route travel.)

§ 302–5.108 When does my authorized

period for claiming actual TQSE

reimbursement end?

The period ends at midnight on the

earlier of:

(a) The day preceding the day you

and/or any member of your immediate

family occupies permanent residence

quarters.

(b) The day your authorized period for

claiming actual TQSE reimbursement

expires.

§ 302–5.109 May the period for which I am

authorized to claim actual TQSE

reimbursement for myself be different from

that of my immediate family?

No, the eligibility period for which

you are authorized to claim actual TQSE

reimbursement for yourself and for each

member of your immediate family must

run concurrently.

§ 302–5.110 What effect do partial days

have on my actual TQSE reimbursement?

You may not receive reimbursement

under both the actual TQSE allowance

and another subsistence expenses

allowance within the same calendar

day, with one exception: if you claim

TQSE reimbursement on the same day

that en route travel per diem ends, your

en route travel per diem will be

computed under applicable partial day

rules and you also may be reimbursed

for actual TQSE you incur after 6:00

p.m. of that day.

§ 302–5.111 May I and/or my immediate

family occupy temporary quarters longer

than the period for which I am authorized

to claim actual TQSE reimbursement?

Yes, but you will not be reimbursed

for any of the expenses you incur during

the unauthorized period.

Subpart C—Fixed Amount

Reimbursement

Note to subpart C: Use of the pronouns ‘‘I’’

and ‘‘you’’ throughout this subpart refers to

the employee.

§ 302–5.200 What am I paid under the fixed

amount reimbursement method?

If your agency offers and you select

the fixed amount TQSE reimbursement

method, you are paid a fixed amount for

up to 30 days. No extensions are

allowed under the fixed amount

method.

§ 302–5.201 How do I determine the

amount of my payment under the fixed

amount reimbursement method?

Multiply the number of days your

agency authorizes TQSE by .75 times

the maximum per diem rate (i.e.,

lodging plus meals and incidental

expenses) prescribed in chapter 301 of

this subtitle for the locality of the new

official duty station. Then, for each

member of your immediate family,

multiply the same number of days by

.25 times the same per diem rate. Your

payment will be the sum of these

calculations.

§ 302–5.202 Will I receive additional TQSE

reimbursement if my fixed amount is not

adequate to cover my TQSE?

No.

Subpart D—Agency Responsibilities

Note to subpart D: Use of the pronouns

‘‘we’’ and ‘‘you’’ throughout this subpart

refers to the agency.

§ 302–5.300 How should we administer the

TQSE allowance?

Temporary quarters should be used

only if, and only for as long as,

necessary until the employee and/or

his/her immediate family can move into

permanent residence quarters. You must

administer the TQSE allowance to

minimize or avoid other relocation

expenses.

§ 302–5.301 What governing policies must

we establish for the TQSE allowance?

You must establish policies and

procedures governing:

(a) When you will authorize

temporary quarters for employees;

(b) Who will determine if temporary

quarters is appropriate in each situation;

(c) If and when you will authorize the

fixed amount option for TQSE

reimbursement;

(d) Who will determine the

appropriate period of time for which

TQSE reimbursement will be

authorized, including approval of

extensions and interruptions of

temporary quarters occupancy;

(e) Who will determine whether

quarters were indeed temporary, if there

is any doubt.

§ 302–5.302 Under what circumstances

may we authorize the TQSE allowance?

You may authorize a TQSE allowance

on an individual-case basis when use of
13760 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

temporary quarters is justified in

connection with an employee’s transfer

to a new official station. You may not

authorize a TQSE allowance for

vacation purposes or other reasons

unrelated to the transfer.

§ 302–5.303 What factors should we

consider in determining whether the TQSE

allowance actually is necessary?

The factors you should consider

include:

(a) The length of time the employee

should reasonably be expected to

occupy his/her residence at the old

official station prior to reporting for

duty at the new official station. An

employee and his/her immediate family

should continue to occupy the residence

at the old official station for as long as

practicable to avoid the necessity for

temporary quarters.

(b) The existence of less expensive

alternatives. If a less expensive

alternative to the TQSE allowance exists

that will enable the employee to find

permanent quarters at the new official

station, you should consider such an

alternative. For example, authorize a

househunting trip instead of temporary

quarters if it would cost less overall.

(c) The existence of other

opportunities to arrange for permanent

quarters. Consider whether the

employee had other adequate

opportunity to arrange for permanent

quarters. For example, you should not

authorize temporary quarters if the

employee had adequate opportunity

during an extended temporary duty

assignment to arrange for permanent

quarters.

§ 302–5.304 What factors should we

consider in determining whether to offer an

employee the fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement option?

The factors you should consider

include:

(a) Ease of administration. Actual

TQSE reimbursement requires an

agency to review claims for the validity,

accuracy, and reasonableness of each

expense amount. Fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement does not require review

of expense amounts and is therefore

easier to administer.

(b) Cost considerations. You must

weigh the cost of each alternative.

Actual TQSE reimbursement may

extend up to 120 consecutive days,

while fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement is limited to 30 days.

Actual TQSE reimbursement may be

less expensive, since its ceiling is based

on the standard CONUS rate, while

fixed amount TQSE reimbursement is

based on the locality per diem rate.

However, fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement may be less expensive

because the maximum daily rate under

actual TQSE reimbursement is a higher

percentage of the applicable per diem

rate than fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement.

(c) Treatment of employee. The

employee is allowed to choose between

actual TQSE reimbursement and fixed

amount TQSE reimbursement when you

offer the fixed amount TQSE

reimbursement method. You therefore

should weigh employee morale and

productivity considerations against

actual cost considerations in

determining which method to offer.

§ 302–5.305 What factors should we

consider in determining whether quarters

are temporary?

In determining whether quarters are

‘‘temporary’’, you should consider

factors such as the duration of the lease,

movement of household effects into the

quarters, the type of quarters, the

employee’s expressions of intent,

attempts to secure a permanent

dwelling, and the length of time the

employee occupies the quarters.

Dated: March 17, 1997.

Thurman M. Davis, Sr.,

Acting Administrator of General Services.

[FR Doc. 97–7183 Filed 3–20–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820–34–P

41 CFR Part 302–15

[FTR Amendment 60]

RIN 3090–AG21

Federal Travel Regulation; Property

Management Services

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide

Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the

Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to

allow an agency to pay for property

management services when an

employee transfers in the interest of the

Government. This amendment will save

the Government money when property

management services are substituted for

the sale, at Government expense, of an

employee’s residence.

DATES: This final rule is effective March

22, 1997, and applies to an employee

whose effective date of transfer (date the

employee reports for duty at the new

official station) is on or after March 22,

1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert A. Clauson, Travel and

Transportation Management Policy

Division (MTT), Washington, DC 20405,

telephone 202–501–0299.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A multiagency travel reinvention task force was

organized in August 1994 under the

auspices of the Joint Financial

Management Improvement Program

(JFMIP) to reengineer Federal travel

rules and procedures. The task force

developed 25 recommended travel

management improvements published

in a JFMIP report entitled Improving

Travel Management Governmentwide,

dated December 1995. On September 23,

1996, the President signed into law the

Federal Employee Travel Reform Act of

1996 (Pub. L. 104–201), which included

8 legislative changes recommended by

the JFMIP to improve travel and the

delivery of relocation services.

This amendment implements section

1714 of the Act which provides the

General Services Administration (GSA)

authority to issue regulations which

authorize agencies to pay for property

management services. This amendment

is written in the ‘‘plain English’’ style of

regulation writing as a continuation of

GSA’s effort to make the FTR easier to

understand and to use.

What are ‘‘property management

services’’?

‘‘Property management services’’ are

services, offered by a company, which

assist a transferee in retaining and

renting, rather than selling, his/her

residence at the old official station.

How may property management

services be obtained?

The employee may obtain the services

directly and be reimbursed, or the

agency may contract with a relocation

services company to provide these

services.

Must an agency authorize payment for

property management services?

No. The agency has the option of

offering this, as one way of managing

the sale of a residence in connection

with a relocation; it is intended to

provide flexibility for agencies and

transferees.

Under what circumstances may an

agency pay for property management

services?

An agency may pay for property

management services when an

employee transfers to a foreign area. An

agency also may pay for property

management services instead of the sale

of an employee’s residence at

Government expense when an employee

assigned to a foreign post of duty is

transferred back to a different