[Query Regarding Computation of Per Diem Allowances]

A decision was requested as to whether a Federal Travel Regulation limitation for computing per diem allowances applies to travel of 24 hours or less. The regulations state that, when the departure time for a traveling employee is within 30 minutes prior to the end of a quarter day or the time of return is within 30 minutes after the beginning of a quarter day, per diem for either such quarter day shall not be allowed absent a statement which justifies the time of departure or return. An employee claimed three-quarters of a day per diem based on actual time in official travel status. His per diem entitlement was reduced to two-quarters by a voucher examiner because the employee had failed to provide a justification for the necessity for his departure within 30 minutes prior to the end of a quarter day and his return within 30 minutes after the beginning of a quarter day. GAO has held that per diem for travel of 24 hours or less is not based on calendar day quarters and that, therefore, the language of the 30-minute rule was not intended to be applicable to travel of 24 hours or less. Such per diem should be paid on the basis of actual quarters in travel status. Accordingly, the employee was entitled to per diem as claimed.