[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13756-13760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7183]



[[Page 13755]]

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Part IV





General Services Administration





_______________________________________________________________________



41 CFR Part 302-1, et al.



_______________________________________________________________________



Federal Travel Regulations; Final Rule

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

[[Page 13756]]



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 multi-agency 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 two-thirds 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


Sec. 302-1.7  [Amended]

    2. Section 302-1.7 is amended by removing the reference ``Sec. 302-
5.2(h)'' in paragraph (a) and adding in its place the reference 
``Sec. 302-5.4(b)''
    3. Section 302-1.14 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(3)(iii) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 302-1.14  Use of funds.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) Subsistence while occupying temporary quarters as set forth 
in Sec. 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)''?

[[Page 13757]]

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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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 Sec. 302-5.18 for details).


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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

[[Page 13758]]

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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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 Sec. 301-11.3(c) 
of this subtitle.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 302-5.15  May I receive an advance of funds for TQSE?

    Yes. If authorized in accordance with Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       The ``maximum daily amount'' of TQSE under the actual expense method that
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Your accompanied spouse                         
                 For                       You and/or your        or a member of your        A member of your   
                                        unaccompanied spouse*   immediate family who is  immediate family who is
                                            may receive is        age 12 or older may        under age 12 may   
                                                                       receive is               receive is      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first 30 days of temporary         The applicable per diem  .75 times the            .5 times the applicable
 quarters.                              rate.                    applicable per diem      per diem rate.        
                                                                 rate.                                          
Any additional days of temporary       .75 times the            .5 times the applicable  .4 times the applicable
 quarters.                              applicable per diem      per diem rate.           per diem rate.        
                                        rate.                                                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(That is, when the spouse necessarily occupies temporary quarters in lieu of the employee or in a location      
  separate from the employee.)                                                                                  

Sec. 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.


Sec. 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               The applicable per diem  
     For temporary quarters located in                 rate is          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The continental United States (CONUS)......  The standard CONUS rate.   
Alaska, Hawaii, the United States            The locality rate          
 territories or possessions, the              established by the        
 Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the          Secretary of Defense or   
 Northern Mariana Islands, or the former      the Secretary of State    
 Canal Zone area (i.e., areas and             under Sec.  301-7.3 of    
 installations in the Republic of Panama      this subtitle.            
 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)).                                                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 13759]]

Sec. 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 Sec. 302-1.6 of this chapter 
expires.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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 
Sec. 302-5.110 regarding en route travel.)


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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

[[Page 13760]]

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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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.


Sec. 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