B-103315(2),L/M, FEB 10, 1981
Highlights
WE HAVE DECIDED TO GRANT THE REQUESTED EXEMPTION FOR A 1-YEAR PERIOD. A COPY OF OUR LETTER TO MTMC IS ENCLOSED. WE BELIEVE THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT A 1-YEAR TEST IS SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS TEST WILL FURTHER OUR PURPOSE IN ISSUING THE CIRCULAR PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTION. THAT IS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION WHICH WILL HELP DECIDE WHETHER SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES WILL RESULT FROM THE USE OF TRAVEL AGENTS FOR PROCURING OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRAVEL AND WHETHER THE PROHIBITION SHOULD BE LIFTED ON A PERMANENT BASIS. WE EXPECT THAT THE RESULTS OF THE FOUR TESTS WE HAVE AUTHORIZED WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO REQUEST YOUR COMMENTS IN REGARD TO ANY PROPOSED EXEMPTION FROM OUR PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
B-103315(2),L/M, FEB 10, 1981
PRECIS-UNAVAILABLE
PHILIP R. ARCHER, AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA:
WE REFER TO YOUR LETTER OF JANUARY 22, 1981, CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND (MTMC), REQUEST FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM OUR REGULATIONS IN 4 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SEC. 52.3(A). BASED ON THE REVIEW OF THE PROPOSAL BY OUR LEGAL AND AUDIT STAFF, WHICH INCLUDED CONSIDERATION OF COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY YOU AND THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE DECIDED TO GRANT THE REQUESTED EXEMPTION FOR A 1-YEAR PERIOD.
A COPY OF OUR LETTER TO MTMC IS ENCLOSED. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS REGARDING THE PROPOSAL; HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT A 1-YEAR TEST IS SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD. MOREOVER, WE BELIEVE THAT THIS TEST WILL FURTHER OUR PURPOSE IN ISSUING THE CIRCULAR PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTION, THAT IS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION WHICH WILL HELP DECIDE WHETHER SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES WILL RESULT FROM THE USE OF TRAVEL AGENTS FOR PROCURING OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRAVEL AND WHETHER THE PROHIBITION SHOULD BE LIFTED ON A PERMANENT BASIS. IN THIS CONNECTION, WE EXPECT THAT THE RESULTS OF THE FOUR TESTS WE HAVE AUTHORIZED WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. OF COURSE, WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO REQUEST YOUR COMMENTS IN REGARD TO ANY PROPOSED EXEMPTION FROM OUR PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF TRAVEL AGENTS.