[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17481]


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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 06-1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 
continental United States (CONUS) per diem rates.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration's (GSA's) annual per diem 
review has resulted in lodging and meal allowances changes for 
locations within the continental United States (CONUS) to provide for 
the reimbursement of Federal employees' expenses covered by per diem. 
Per Diem Bulletin 06-1 increases/decreases the maximum per diem amounts 
in existing per diem localities. The standard CONUS lodging amount of 
$60 is unchanged. The CONUS per diems prescribed in Bulletin 06-1 may 
be found at http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem. GSA based the lodging per diem 
rates on the average daily rate that the lodging industry reports. 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. In addition to the annual lodging study, GSA conducted a meals 
study which resulted in new meal allowances for FY 2006. Bulletin 06-1 
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, 2005, and applies for travel 
performed on or after October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Lois Mandell, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Office of Travel, 
Transportation, and Asset Management, at (202) 501-2824, or by email at 
www.gsa.gov/perdiemquestions. Please cite Notice of Per Diem Bulletin 
06-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    After an analysis of current data, GSA has determined that current 
lodging rates for certain localities do not adequately reflect the 
lodging economics in those areas. In FY06, we have refined our 
methodology to include 50 percent more properties, and current ADR data 
capturing the business week (Monday through Thursday) rather than the 
entire week, as was done for the 2005 rates. A meals study has also 
been conducted which resulted in new meal allowances.

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 changes 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, 2005.
Becky Rhodes,
Deputy Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-17481 Filed 8-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S