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- TRAVEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 1. Explanation of Material Transmitted: At this time, Chapter 10 "Temporary Duty Travel and Relocation of Non-FTE Persons," and Appendices 10, 10A, and 10B are to be released. Chapter 10 contains travel policies and procedures as they pertain to Non-FTE Persons. A Non-FTE person is described as an individual who serves in some capacity while engaged in research and science related programs or activities for or at the NIH, but who is not appointed to duty. Appendix 10 "Acceptance Letter" represents the new form letter to be completed by an IC when a Non-FTE person accepts travel and related expenses from a nonfederal source, i.e., sponsored travel. Appendix 10A provides "Sponsored Travel of Non-FTE Persons Question and Answer Guidance" that will address questions/concerns surrounding such acceptance. Appendix 10B "Certification Checklist for Sponsored Travel of Non-FTE Persons", represents the new checklist to be completed by a Non-FTE Person when they are invited to travel by a nonfederal source. These changes were precipitated by recent legal research that uncovered that there is no statutory authority for a Non-FTE Person to accept travel and related expenses from a nonfederal source. Thus, the NIH is adopting policy that stems from the Non-FTE Person agreement to abide by the policies governing employee conduct at the NIH that includes the Standards of Ethical Conduct, outlined in the Government-wide ethics regulations contained in 5 CFR Part 2635. 2. Filing Instructions:
PLEASE NOTE: For information on:
1500-10-00 - Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel and Relocation of Non-FTE Persons (Includes: Visiting Fellows, IRTA's, CRTA's, Special Volunteers, Guest Researchers, and IPA's (Detailee): |
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A. Purpose |
1500-10-00 - Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel and Relocation of Non-FTE Persons (Includes: Visiting Fellows, IRTA's, CRTA's, Special Volunteers, Guest Researchers, and IPA's (Detailee) This chapter sets forth Department and NIH policies and procedures
pertaining to official Government travel and relocation allowances,
its authorization and performance, and submission of claims for reimbursement
of expenses. It is intended to assist non-FTE persons who are required
to travel on official Government business and who are eligible for certain
relocation allowances, as well as personnel responsible for the administration
of travel regulations. For the purpose of this chapter, Non-FTE persons
are individuals who do not receive civil service appointments and, 1)
are retained by NIH to conduct research under a training or other agreement;
2) engage in scientific studies and investigations using NIH research
facilities, 3) provide research services, direct patient care, or other
types of services for NIH on a voluntary basis, or 4) are involved in
a temporary exchange agreement between the Federal Government and a
State or local government and institutions of higher education. Individuals
described in (2) and (3) above receive no compensation from NIH. Information, regulations, and legislative authority used in these guidelines can be referenced in detail at 42 CFR Part 61 Subpart A; 42 CFR Part 63; 45 CFR 9; 42 U.S.C. 282; 42 U.S.C. 284; and 5 U.S.C. 3374 or 5 U.S.C. 3372.
D. NIH Policies (Program Administration/Legislative Authority). Policies/statutes pertaining to non-FTE persons can be referenced as follows:
3. Policies and Procedures. For the travel and relocation provisions in sections (E1) and (E2) above, the policies and procedures outlined for employees in the applicable chapters contained in NIH Manual Chapter 1500 should also be used as a reference source for non-FTE persons with the following exceptions:
F. Sources of Payment for Non-FTE Person Travel Expenses. 1. Use of Appropriated Funds.If the circumstances surrounding the travel are such that the interchange of information with scientists, researchers, and academicians at institutions, foundations, and learned societies is of significant benefit to the NIH mission and warrants the non-FTE person’s attendance and/or participation, then the Institute should should use appropriated funds for the travel and related expenses on behalf of the non-FTE person. 2. Use of Unconditional or Conditional Gift Funds. When a donor requests that a gift be used for research on a specific disease or activity without further specification as to its purpose or manner of use, the gift is considered unconditional and may be used to carry out the mission of the recipient IC relating to research into that specific disease or activity. A gift will be considered as conditional if the donor restricts its purpose to support a specific research study, project, or conference; to support activities of an NIH employee/staff identified by name or organization title; or for specifically identified functions. Therefore, when the above parameters are met, gift funds may be used to pay for necessary travel expenses under the same regulations and procedures as those used by appropriated funds for attendance at conferences and similar events. The gifts should be properly authorized and should be administered through the appropriate channels of fund control. The appropriate authorizing official should adhere to these guidelines (See NIH Manual Issuance 1130, Delegations of Authority Finance #5 and NIH Manual Chapter 1135 "Gifts Administration"). 3. Acceptance of Travel and Related Expenses From a Nonfederal Source.Since Non-FTE persons, in line with their respective signed agreements (NOTE: Non-FTE persons do not sign a formal service agreement, i.e., HHS-355), are to abide by the policies that govern employee conduct as provided in the Standards of Ethical Conduct Agreement, the rules of which are contained in 5 CFR Part 2635, it is NIH policy that a non-FTE person may accept travel and related expenses from a nonfederal source only under the conditions outlined in Appendix 10A "Sponsored Travel of Non-FTE Persons Question and Answer Guidance" of NIH Manual 1500. In addition, a non-FTE person accepting such expenses must do so via the Acceptance Letter Process which can be referenced as Appendix 10 of NIH Manual 1500. The NIH can not accept travel and related expenses from a nonfederal source via the HHS-348 mechanism, on behalf of a non-FTE person. 4. Use of CRADA Funds. Travel relative to the CRADA funded from a CRADA account in support of the collaborative effort is considered "advisory" travel. If applicable, travel may also be authorized to attend a "meeting or similar function". a. In a case where an active CRADA exists and the provision of travel funds relevant to the CRADA is highlighted in the "Contributions" appendix of the agreement, the policies and procedures provided in NIH Manual 1500 Chapter 01-02 are applicable. b. In a case where an active CRADA exists and either 1) the CRADA does not document the provision of travel funds; or 2) CRADA funds become exhausted; an amendment to the CRADA authorizing the use of CRADA funds for travel or providing additional funds prior to travel being initiated, should be properly executed. Travel by a non-FTE person serving on a CRADA is performed as in (a) above or in line with the guidelines of Appendix 10 and Appendix 10A of this manual. The NIH can not accept travel and related expenses from a nonfederal source via the HHS-348 mechanism, on behalf of a non-FTE person. NOTE: The NIH Manual Chapters 1500 and 1130 can be accessed at the following web site: http://www1.od.nih.gov/oma/manualchapters/. |
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