USGS National Training Center Operations--Hotels and Rental Cars 

In Reply Refer To: 
Mail Stop 409 
                                                                           
                                              August 7, 2001 

                       Memorandum


To:       All Employees, Water Resources Discipline 

From:       Robert M. Hirsch 
          Associate Director for Water 

Subject:  USGS National Training Center Operations--Hotels and Rental Cars 

The USGS National Training Center (NTC) historically has been the focal 
point for learning and networking within the Water Resources Discipline 
(WRD), and as a result, has yielded immeasurable returns over the years 
for the science and people in the Discipline.  Our commitment to provide 
effective learning opportunities and to maximize networking opportunities 
in a cost-effective manner remains strong, and that commitment leads us to 
examine policies concerning NTC operations on a regular basis. With that 
in mind, we have asked the NTC to reinstate coordination of carpool and 
hotel arrangements to save travel costs.  Effective with those classes 
beginning September 2001, the USGS NTC will again designate carpool 
drivers and passengers, and pre-negotiate/designate hotels (with course 
coordinator concurrence) in which students will reside.  To minimize the 
coordination efforts required by NTC staff, I ask for your cooperation 
when called upon to be a carpool driver, in accepting your carpool 
assignment, and in staying at the designated hotel.   

A detailed layout of shared responsibilities among the NTC staff, course 
coordinators, and students, is located in the attachment.  Please note 
that rental cars will be available at the designated hotel.  All students 
will use the shuttle to and from the airport.   
       USGS NTC                 Course Coordiantor       Student 
       Responsibilities         Responsibilities         Responsibilities

Hotel  Negotiate a preferred    Select one hotel in      Make own reservation
       rate with at least one   coordinator(s),          at designated hotel.
       Full Service and one     instructor(s) and       
       Extended Service Hotel.  students will be housed.

       Provide choices to the   (Designation of hotel 
       course coordinator.      keeps students together
                                and facilitates networking
                                and carpooling.)

Rental Negotiate a preferred                              Fulfill obligation
Cars   rate with rental car                               to drive if designated
       company and arrange                                a rental car driver.
       pre-placement of rental
       cars at designated hotel.

       Designate/appoint rental 
       drivers and passengers.


Airport Continue to negotiate                             Take shuttle to and from
Shuttle reduced rate for shuttle                          airport.  No car rental
        from airport to hotel and                         authorized at the airport
        return                                            (surcharge is much higher
                                                          at airport)
 
             

Attachment



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* Robert M. Hirsch   
* Associate Director for Water     
* 409 National Center                  rhirsch@usgs.gov
* U.S. Geological Survey                    703-648-5215
* Reston, VA 20192                         fax 703-648-7031
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