[Propriety of Payment of Purchase Orders]

An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) certifying officer requested an opinion as to the propriety of payment for purchase orders for airline tickets obtained through a travel agent for witnesses traveling to testify for EEOC. Federal Travel Regulations and prior GAO decisions state that reduced group and charter fares offered by travel agents may be used when administrative decisions prior to their use by the agency have determined that such use would be advantageous to the Government and would result in monetary savings to the Government. In this case, the required prior administrative decision was made. Accordingly, the purchase orders may be paid if otherwise correct.