Travel Policies & the Federal Travel Regulations; WEBINAR; May 25 & 26, 2023 

Organizations, including Indian tribes and tribal organizations, for-profit and non-profit organizations, all operate using federal funds, must ensure their program expenses, including travel expenses, will be accepted as allowable costs under their federal contracts and grants. Even organizations that receive private foundation funds must use care and reasonable means of spending grant funds on travel and related expenses. Some have adopted the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) as their accepted travel policies. The new Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, commonly referred to as the “Super Circular” requires organizations that receive federal funds, to ensure they have, in place and use, internal controls that include travel expenses comply with the new “Super Circular” requirements.

The federal General Services Administration (GSA) developed and maintains Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) for federal agencies. Most organizations, including Indian tribes and tribal organizations, have incorporated the FTR into their operating policies and procedures govern their travel related expenses. But staying current with the FTR can be challenging for organizations. The FTR changes periodically to respond to the national economy.

Organizations and their employees must have good working knowledge of travel rules that apply to their programs. A good understanding and application of the FTR ensures organizations use their contract and grant funds wisely and in compliance with grant and contract rules. This 2-day seminar will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary for applying the FTR; and how to avoid “Questioned Costs” and “Disallowed Costs” under their federal awards.

Who Should Attend?

Tribal council members, tribal boards, administrators, program managers, clerical staff, finance & accounting staff, personnel and payroll clerks, program directors and managers, program secretaries, and accounting staff.

What Will I Learn?

• What is the FTR? How to use the FTR. Updates.
• OMB Super Circular rules governing travel
• How FTR affects your organization (temporary duty travel allowances; glossary of terms; applicability and general rules)
• Transportation expenses (per diem rates, miscellaneous expenses, allowable travel expenses)
• Appendix A – Maximum Per Diem Rates
• Appendix B – Allocation of M&IE Rates and Deductions
• Appendix C – Standard Data Elements for Travel
• Travel of employee with special needs; emergency travel
• Travel authorizations (blanket authorization, special authorizations)
• Unique Situations (using company credit card, travel advances, promotional discounts, collection of travel advances and credit card expenses)
• Arranging Travel (airlines, tribal vehicles, personally owned vehicles; paying travel expenses)
• Reimbursement Claim (failure to file travel vouchers)
• Assessing your organization’s travel policies
• And more