LODGING AND PER DIEM A Thorough Analysis

摘要

Title 5 Section 5702 of the United States Code [Public Law 99-234 (1986)] authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish allowance rates (lodging, meals, and incidental expenses) for travel within the Continental United States. All individuals traveling on behalf of the Federal government, including civilian government employees, Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, and persons on invitational travel orders must adhere to these rates. These rates also apply to cost reimbursable contractors in most situations. Questions have been raised concerning the appropriateness of the per diem rates, the methodology used to calculate the allowances, and whether the current processes and programs are the most suitable. To address these questions, the Administrator of GSA established the Governmentwide Per Diem Advisory Board (the Board) with a scope to review the current process and methodology used to establish the Federal per diem rates within the Continental United States (CONUS). In addition, the Board was established to provide advice regarding best practices for a government-wide lodging program. In conducting its work, the Board has been subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as outlined in its Charter, filed with Congress on May 13, 2002. The Board focused on issues related to transient and extended-stay travel within the Continental United States. Travel associated with relocation or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) was not evaluated because a separate group is addressing it. The Board's membership consists of both government and industry experts who have applied their knowledge and engaged in research with other individuals and industry organizations to examine topics related to government-wide per diems and lodging programs.