FAM 1994-37
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM NO. 94-037 (II.G.1.)
To: Bureau Assistant Directors, Administration
Director, Office of Administrative Services
Bureau Finance Officers
Chief, Division of Fiscal Services
From: Chief, Division of Financial Administration
Office of Financial Management
Subject: Reduced Per Diem for Temporary Duty and Training Travel
for periods 30 or more day.
This Financial Administration Memorandum (FAM) is being issued because
we have received several inquiries regarding the starting date for
reduced per diem in conjunction with long term (30 or more days)
temporary duty or training travel.
When travel assignments involve extended periods at temporary duty or
training locations, the per diem rate will be reduced to 55 per cent of
the full per diem rate (lodging plus M&IE) specified in the Federal
Travel Regulation (FTR) for the location, unless a different rate is
fully justified. Under unusual situations the reduced rate may be
increased or decreased depending on the conditions and necessary cost
that must be incurred by the traveler. The reduced rate should be
established based on the conditions that exist when the travel is
performed; thus, if a traveler is forced to incur unusual lodging and/or
meal cost due to the assignment, the rate should based on cost data
provided. A flat per diem rate may not be established to provide:
A lodging allowance for staying with friends and/or relatives,
or for lodging at his/her abode (home);
A full M&IE allowance because lodging is obtained with friends
or relatives, a reduction should be made to the locality M&IE
allowance;
A payment that will, based on the data available, knowingly
allow the employee to receive more than the full M&IE allowance;
The full locality per diem rate; or
A payment sufficient to cover periods where per diem is lost due
to annual leave or expenses of family members.
The reduced per diem rate is applicable from the first day of the
assignment through the last day of the assignment. Changes to the flat
per diem rate should be based on cost data and the employee must be
notified and should agree with the change before the effective date of
the change.
When a temporary duty assignment that was expected to last less than 30
days is determined to require temporary duty in excess of 30 days, a
flat rate should be established for the remaining days of the
assignment.
When an employee on extended temporary duty is required to go to another
temporary duty location for a short period and return to the former
location, dual lodging may be authorized to defray the lodging expenses
that it may be necessary to incur at both locations. Receipts are
required for dual lodging claims.
Should you have questions or require additional information on this
subject, please contact Lesley Oden of this Division on
208-5223.
Stephen J. Varholy
