Policy Simplification

	Quick Links and Resources Implementation Plan for Consolidation and Reform of Travel and Transportation Authorities

DTMO is pursuing an incremental transformation strategy that will synchronize policy, rules, and computation changes with systems and training, to preclude disruption of day-to-day travel activities or adverse impact to mission accomplishment.

In 2011, Congress passed a reform of title 37 travel and transportation statutes which is established in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012. This reform provides the definitions, general authorities, and, where required, more specific authorities that will be the guidelines used by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries concerned to prescribe travel and transportation programs. This reform also authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct pilot programs to test alternative methods for performing and reimbursing travel, for limiting the need for travel, and for reducing the environmental impact of travel. In addition, the reform provides administrative guidelines for implementing the reform initiative, to include the need to issue regulations.

Statutory reform is the principal catalyst for transformation of travel and simplification of thousands of business rules and over one hundred allowance computations. Because of the magnitude of change, implementation is organized into manageable tracks to be applied incrementally over time. The four main tracks consist of:

• Track #1 - Consolidating Purposes For Travel and Standardizing Travel Allowances
• Track #2 - Simple and Efficient Computations and Rules
• Track #3 - Simplification of Business Rules and Reengineering Selected Travel Processes
• Track #4 - Policy Formulation

Several new provisions require special attention: implementation of a compliance program within one year, electronic processing of travel claims within five years (i.e., NextGen system), and conducting congressionally approved pilot programs (e.g., to gain efficiencies). Other significant activities proceeding concurrently include: the rewrite of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), and consolidation of the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) and Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR). Some changes will require a supporting predecessor event, like a new IT platform, or a pilot program. Significant changes will be vetted through multiple governance boards, presented to various communities, staffs, and agencies. Implementation is complete when all travel policies, regulations, and allowances are supported by provisions of the new law.