Foreword

This January 2004 edition is a complete reissue of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR). It includes all FTR amendments through 2003-05.

The FTR is the regulation contained in 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapters 300 through 304, which implements statutory requirements and Executive branch policies for travel by Federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at Government expense.

The Administrator of General Services promulgates the FTR to: (a) interpret statutory and other policy requirements in a manner that balances the need to assure that official travel is conducted in a responsible manner with the need to minimize administrative costs, and (b) communicate the resulting policies in a clear manner to Federal agencies and employees.

The General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Office of Governmentwide Policy’s Travel Management Policy Division sponsors an Interagency Travel Management Committee (ITMC) that provides a forum through which Federal agencies can exchange information and ideas for resolving common interests relating to the effective utilization of the FTR. Through the ITMC, GSA strengthens lines of communication and disseminates information to agency representatives. To ensure compliance with internal agency rules and regulations, Federal employees are referred back to his/her ITMC representative for direct assistance. The ITMC representative is generally found in the agency’s Office of Finance and/or travel policy office. If additional assistance is needed, GSA is available at 202–501–4318.