[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 53071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19826]



[[Page 53071]]

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Maximum Per Diem Rates for the Continental United States (CONUS)

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice of Per Diem Bulletin 05-1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 
continental United States (CONUS) per diem rates.

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SUMMARY: An analysis of lodging data reveals that the FY 2005 maximum 
per diem rates for locations within the continental United States 
(CONUS) should be updated to provide for the reimbursement of Federal 
employees' expenses covered by per diem. Per Diem Bulletin 05-1 
increases/decreases the maximum lodging amounts in existing per diem 
localities, increases the standard CONUS lodging amount from $55 to $60 
(which results in the deletion of several existing per diem 
localities), and adds new per diem localities due to requests by 
Federal agencies. The per diems prescribed in Bulletin 05-1 may be 
found at http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem. In an effort to improve the 
ability of the per diem rates to meet the lodging demands of Federal 
travelers, the General Services Administration (GSA) has integrated 
average daily rate cost data obtained from lodging industry sources 
into the per diem rate-setting process. The use of such data in the per 
diem rate setting process enhances the Government's ability to obtain 
policy compliant lodging where it is needed. Bulletin 05-1 also 
contains a listing of pertinent information that must be submitted 
through an agency for GSA to restudy a location if a CONUS per diem 
rate is insufficient to meet necessary expenses.

DATES: This notice is effective October 1, 2004, and applies for travel 
performed on or after October 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Adlore Chaudier, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management 
Policy, at (202) 501-3859. Please cite Notice of Per Diem Bulletin 05-
1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    After an analysis of additional data, GSA has determined that 
current lodging rates for certain localities do not adequately reflect 
the lodging economics in those areas.

B.Change in standard procedure

    GSA issues/publishes the CONUS per diem rates, formerly published 
in Appendix A to 41 CFR chapter 301, solely on the internet at http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem. This process, implemented in 2003, ensures more 
timely increases or decreases in per diem rates established by GSA for 
Federal employees on official travel within CONUS. Notices published 
periodically in the Federal Register, such as this one, now constitute 
the only notification of revisions in CONUS per diem rates to agencies.

    Dated: August 25, 2004
John G. Sindelar,
Deputy Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-19826 Filed 8-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S