News Releases
GSA Announces 2002 Per Diem Rates for Federal TravelersRates Begin October 1, 2001 for TravelGSA #9869 August 31, 2001
The GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy, which is in charge of setting the per diem rates for the continental United States, announced the following information regarding per diem rates for the fiscal year 2002: Individual rates have been set for 423 higher cost cities. Lodging in these locations is paid by the government up to a set limit and reimbursement for meals and incidental expenses range from a low of $30 to a high of $46. The Federal Travel Regulation was revised in January 2000 to include separate treatment of conferences. The new policy allows conference planners to negotiate up to 25% more than the going lodging rate limit and allows the government to pay for light refreshments during conference breaks. The GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy posts a listing of hotels that were surveyed and are at or below the lodging rate in their geographical area; additional properties can be added to the list if they offer federal travelers a room at or below the lodging rate for that geographical area (http://policyworks.gov/perdiem). The federal per diem rates are based on a lodgings-plus system, whereby employees are reimbursed for the actual cost of lodging up to a set limit. In addition, they receive a fixed amount for meals and incidental expenses. GSA's per diem rates also apply to employees of certain government contractors when traveling in connection with federal contracts. The Department of Defense sets travel per diem rates for locations outside the continental United States (Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories and possessions) and the Department of State sets rates for international travel. Federal Premier Lodging Program In January 2000, GSA introduced its Federal Premier Lodging Program (FPLP). This program allows GSA to contract with hotels for guaranteed rooms at guaranteed rates at or below the established per diem rates. GSA has recently awarded contracts in Chicago, IL, Denver and Jefferson County, CO. By the end of 2001, GSA's goal is to have contracts in place for the top 75 destinations. For more information regarding GSA travel programs, contact: Bill Rivers at (202) 208-7631. PLANNING NOTE FOR EDITORS National Travel Forum 2002: Excellence in Travel Achieving Results Together
Last Reviewed 9/30/2008
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