[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34808-34809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16502]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[GSA Bulletin FPMR G-202]


Aviation, Transportation, and Motor Vehicles

To: Heads of Federal agencies
Subject: Eliminating the Use of Standard Form (SF) 1169, U.S. 
Government Transportation Request (GTR)

    1. What is the purpose of this bulletin? This bulletin notifies 
Federal agencies of the proposed elimination of Standard Form (SF) 
1169, U.S. Government Transportation Request (GTR).
    2. When does this bulletin expire? This bulletin will remain in 
effect until specifically canceled.
    3. What is the background?
     a. Currently, Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR) (41 
CFR 101-41) require that SF 1169 be used to procure all passenger 
transportation services. For many years, the GTR has been recognized as 
the primary source document required to obtain passenger transportation 
services payable by the U.S. Government.
    b. As we enter the 21st century, innovative ideas and methods are 
being applied to change the way the Government transacts its business. 
The General Services Administration (GSA) has already successfully:
    (1) Implemented simplified travel regulations,
    (2) Reduced the costs of administering travel programs, and

[[Page 34809]]

    (3) Employed the use of a Government travel card to pay for travel 
expenses to reduce the Government's cash flow.
    c. GSA is issuing the guidelines contained in this bulletin to 
inform agencies that, although a final decision has not been made, SF 
1169 may become obsolete.
    d. GSA's final review is anticipated by September 30, 2000.
    e. Final action is anticipated early in the calendar year 2001.
    4. What are the guidelines? To continue on the road of improvement, 
Federal agencies are encouraged to:
    a. Focus attention on eliminating outdated methods of payment for 
passenger transportation services by adopting such payment methods as:
    (1) Direct centrally billed accounts arranged through the 
Government travel card program,
    (2) Direct charge to an employee's individual Government travel 
card, and
    (3) Use of electronic fund payments. b. Seek innovative ideas for 
ways to:
    (1) Pay for passenger transportation services, and
    (2) Eliminate the use of the GTR to the maximum extent possible.
    5. Why should the GTR be eliminated? The GTR should be eliminated 
because:
    a. Most travelers are not familiar with the form and process,
    b. It is an accountable form and must be controlled,
    c. The administrative burden of reconciling charges, unused 
tickets, and refund applications is significant,
    d. The form and the process are outdated, and
    e. There are better and more efficient ways for the Government to 
pay for commercial passenger transportation services.
    6. Why is elimination of SF 1169 in the interest of the Government? 
If agencies can and will adopt best business practices for the payment 
of passenger transportation services, the Government can eliminate a 
significant Policy, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 
20405; telephone, (202) 501-0483; e-mail, [email protected].

    Dated: June 22, 1999.
Becky Rhodes,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.
[FR Doc. 99-16502 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-P