B-103315, APR 28, 1971
Highlights
THE REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO USE SUCH GROUP TRAVEL TOURS IS APPROVED. SECRETARY: REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE LETTER DATED APRIL 15. IN WHICH WE ARE REQUESTED TO DEVIATE FROM OUR REGULATIONS COVERING THE PROCUREMENT OF OFFICIAL PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. IT IS EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING TRAVEL ORDERS FOR A GROUP OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S SCIENTISTS TO ATTEND THE XV GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEODESY AND GEOPHYSICS IN MOSCOW. IT IS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION HAS ARRANGED THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENCY PACKAGE GROUP TOURS FOR TRAVEL DURING THIS PERIOD TO MOSCOW. THE LETTER INDICATES THE ADMINISTRATION'S REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR PERCENTAGE REDUCTION IN THE PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE WHERE MEALS OR LODGING ARE FURNISHED.
B-103315, APR 28, 1971
TRAVEL EXPENSES - GROUP TRAVEL IN VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S REPORT OF SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS REALIZABLE THROUGH USE OF THE GROUP TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE TRAVEL AGENCY OVER THE REGULAR AIR FARES PLUS PER DIEM ALLOWANCES, THE REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO USE SUCH GROUP TRAVEL TOURS IS APPROVED, IN CONNECTION WITH TRAVEL ORDERS FOR A GROUP OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S SCIENTISTS TO ATTEND THE XV GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEODESY AND GEOPHYSICS IN MOSCOW.
TO MR. SECRETARY:
REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE LETTER DATED APRIL 15, 1971, WITH ENCLOSURE, FROM E. F. MCCANN, CHIEF, ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS DIVISION, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, OF YOUR DEPARTMENT, IN WHICH WE ARE REQUESTED TO DEVIATE FROM OUR REGULATIONS COVERING THE PROCUREMENT OF OFFICIAL PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.
IT IS EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING TRAVEL ORDERS FOR A GROUP OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S SCIENTISTS TO ATTEND THE XV GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEODESY AND GEOPHYSICS IN MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., DURING THE PERIOD OF AUGUST 2 - 14, 1971. IT IS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION HAS ARRANGED THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENCY PACKAGE GROUP TOURS FOR TRAVEL DURING THIS PERIOD TO MOSCOW. SUCH TOURS INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF LODGING AND CERTAIN MEALS. THE LETTER INDICATES THE ADMINISTRATION'S REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR PERCENTAGE REDUCTION IN THE PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE WHERE MEALS OR LODGING ARE FURNISHED. IT IS INDICATED THE TOUR ARRANGEMENTS WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND PROVIDE A CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS.
IN VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S REPORT OF SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS REALIZABLE THROUGH USE OF THE GROUP TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE TRAVEL AGENCY OVER THE REGULAR AIR FARES PLUS PER DIEM ALLOWANCES, THE REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO USE SUCH GROUP TRAVEL TOURS IS APPROVED.
THE TOUR TICKETS SHOULD NOT BE OBTAINED WITH TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS BUT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE TRAVELER WHO MAY BE REIMBURSED THEREFOR AND WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO APPROPRIATE TRAVEL ADVANCES TO COVER THE COSTS OF SUCH PROCUREMENT. SEE 47 COMP. GEN. 204 (1967).