Changes in Travel Delegations To: "AO - All Administrative Officers", "DC - All District Chiefs", "B - Branch Chiefs and Offices" cc: "Connie F Magaha, Chief, Mgmt Support Section, Reston, VA" , "Patricia A Powers, Accounting Technician, Reston, VA" , "Richard W Cecchetti, Accounting Technician, Reston, VA" , "Janice M Biggar, Financial Analyst, Reston, VA" , "Lois A Dabaie, Secretary, Reston, VA" , "Alice A Sabatini, Administrative Officer, Reston, VA" , "Judy L Claussen, Specifications Writer, Reston, VA" , jhroen@operqvarsa.er.usgs.GOV, "Elizabeth A Brenner, Assistant Chief, General Srvcs, Reston, VA" , "Kelly L Bradley, SUPERVISORY FINANCIAL SPEC, Reston, VA" , "Michele L O'Meara, FINANCIAL SPECIALIST, Reston, VA" , "Amy C Cornwell, Admin Ops Asst, Reston, VA" , "Patrick D Smith, Computer Specialist, Reston, VA" , "Susan K Clark, Computer Specialist, Reston, VA" , "Harry M Padbury, Mail Clerk, Reston, VA" , "Michele D Fanning, General Services Clerk, Reston, VA" , "A - Division Chief and Staff", "Susan R Sheely, , Reston, VA" Subject: Changes in Travel Delegations Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1996 07:24:34 -0500 From: "Alice A Sabatini, Administrative Officer, Reston, VA" The new Survey Manual Chapter that revises the travel delegations was signed yesterday. The new policy is effective on April 4, 1996. These changes were distributed for comment last summer, but I am sure that most of you will not remember the details. The Survey Manual Chapter will be distributed this week through normal distribution channels and will be available on the internet. These changes in delegations are a major step forward in our efforts to streamline administrative processes. Most travel authorities in WRD have been redelegated to the District Chiefs and Branch Chiefs. Higher levels of the organizations also have these delegations even though not explicitly stated (e.g. an ACH can still sign travel authorizations, etc.). We have set the delegations at the appropriate level in the organization that controls the resources (financial and human) as such these delegations CANNOT be redelegated by the District Chiefs or Branch Chiefs to a lower level. Please note that the travel regulations have NOT changed, just the delegations. The changes will not require approval of any routine travel issue outside of the Division, with the only exception being foreign travel which still must receive concurrence by the Assistant Secretary, Territorial and International Affairs. We anticipate that offices may need some additional information to implement these new authorities. We encourage each office to obtain a copy of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and have noted the FTR citation for more information within each delegations. The Chief, Management Services Section on my staff (Connie Magaha 703-648-5037; email cfmagaha) and the Chief, Travel Management Branch in the Office of Financial Management (Susan Sheely 703-648-7602; email ssheely) are available to assist offices with questions on travel regulations and authorities. In brief, the redelegated authorities are as follows: District Chiefs and Branch Chiefs now have the authority to: o approve trip, area, first duty station, permanent change of station (CONUS and OCONUS) travel authorizations. o approve all expenses associated with local travel o approve all travel or changes in travel arrangements in emergency situations o approve payment of actual subsistence expenses (NTE 150% of maximum allowable per diem under the FTR) o approve reduced maximum per diem rates when appropriate o approve additional travel expenses incurred by an employee with a disability o approve advance of funds o approve use of cash to purchase passenger transportation services costing more than $100 o approve temporary quarters up to 60 days Supervisors now have the authority to: o approve travel vouchers for trip, area, and permanent change of station Division AO has been delegated the authority to: o approve an employee's written request for an extension of time beyond the initial two years authorized for the completion of the sale or purchase of a residence or lease termination o approve an extension allowing an employee to occupy temporary quarters beyond 60 days (this was left at division level to ensure bureau consistency) Note that this is beyond 60 days--the District Chief can approve up to 60 days. o approve an extension of temporary storage of household goods beyond initial 90 days (this was left at division level to ensure bureau consistency)