[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 51357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19941]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-MA-2021-04; Docket No. 2021-0002; Sequence No. 23]


Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Relocation Allowances--Waiver of 
Certain Provisions of the FTR Chapter 302 for Official Relocation 
Travel to Locations in Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, and New Jersey 
Impacted by Hurricane Ida

AGENCY: Office of Government-Wide Policy (OGP), General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice of GSA Bulletin FTR 22-02, Waiver of certain Federal 
Travel Regulation (FTR) provisions for official relocation travel to 
locations in Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, and New Jersey impacted 
by Hurricane Ida.

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SUMMARY: GSA Bulletin FTR 22-02 informs Federal agencies that certain 
provisions of the FTR governing official relocation travel are 
temporarily waived for Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, and New Jersey 
locations impacted by Hurricane Ida. As a result of the storm damage 
caused by Hurricane Ida, agencies should consider delaying all non-
essential relocations to the affected areas given the statutory 120-day 
maximum for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses (TQSE). Due to the 
lasting effects of the storm damage to these affected areas, finding 
lodging facilities and/or adequate meals may be difficult, and distance 
involved may be great, resulting in increased cost for relocation per 
diem expenses.

DATES: Applicability Date: This notice is retroactively effective for 
official relocation travel performed on or after (a) August 28, 2021, 
the date of the Presidential Disaster Declaration EM-3569-MS, to 
locations in Mississippi, (b) August 29, 2021, the date of the 
Presidential Disaster Declaration DR-4611-LA, to the locations in 
Louisiana, (c) September 1, 2021, the date of the Presidential Disaster 
Declaration EM-3572-NY, to the locations in New York, and (d) September 
1, 2021, the date of the Presidential Disaster Declaration EM-3573-NJ, 
to the locations in New Jersey, impacted by Hurricane Ida. The FTR 
Bulletin expires 180 days from the respective effective dates, unless 
extended or rescinded by this office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Miller, Senior Policy 
Analyst, Office of Government-wide Policy, Office of Asset and 
Transportation Management, at 202-501-3822 or [email protected]. 
Please cite Notice of GSA Bulletin FTR 22-02.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Federal agencies authorize relocation entitlements to those 
individuals listed at FTR Sec.  302-1.1 and those assigned under the 
Government Employees Training Act (GETA) (5 U.S.C. Chapter 41) which 
must be used within one-year. Some agencies will authorize TQSE and a 
Househunting trip (HHT) to assist employees with temporary expenses 
when relocating to the new duty station. The FTR limits the location of 
where temporary lodging may occur, how long they may receive 
assistance, and at what per diem rate expenses are based. Hurricane Ida 
has affected locations in Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, and New 
Jersey which has resulted in various travel-related disruptions to 
relocating employees. Accordingly, this GSA Bulletin allows agencies to 
determine whether to implement waivers of time limits established by 
the FTR for completion of all aspects of relocation, temporary 
quarter's locations at the new duty station and per diem rates for 
TQSE, and per diem rates for HHTs.
    GSA Bulletin FTR 22-02 can be viewed at https://www.gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.

Krystal J. Brumfield,
Associate Administrator, Office of Government-Wide Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021-19941 Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
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