R 252036Z JUL 07 ZUI ASN-A00206000023
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N07220//
ALCOAST 362/07
COMDTNOTE 7220
SUBJ:  USE OF TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC) AND GOVERNMENT
CONTRACT CITY PAIR FARE
A.  CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 41 (FEDERAL TRAVEL
REGULATIONS), SEC 301-10.107
B.  THE JOINT FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JFTR), U3120 AND APPENDIX
P
C.  COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 291738Z MAR 07/ALCOAST 172/07
1.  THE PURPOSE OF THIS ALCOAST IS TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENT FOR
MANDATORY USE OF A GOVT CONTRACT TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTER
(CURRENTLY SATO) AND BOOKING OF NON-CONTRACT FARES.
2.  ALL OFFICIAL TRAVEL IS TO BE ARRANGED THROUGH THE TMC (SATO).
IF A MEMBER BOOKS A NON-CONTRACT FARE THEY ARE STILL REQUIRED TO
USE THE GOVERNMENT TMC (SATO) AFTER RECEIVING AUTHORIZATION FROM
THEIR APPROVING OFFICIAL (AO).  A GOVT TRAVELER THAT USES A NON-
CONTRACT CARRIER WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR ANY
ADDITIONAL COSTS OR PENALTIES AND IS AT PERSONAL FINANCIAL RISK FOR
CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGES.
3.  IF THE TMC (SATO) IS NOT AVAILABLE (A RARE OCCURRENCE), AND THE
TRAVELER PROCURES COMMON CARRIER TRANSPORTATION AT PERSONAL
EXPENSE, THE TRAVELER MAY STILL REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE
ACTUAL TRANSPORTATION COST FOR THE TRANSPORTATION MODE AUTHORIZED
AND USED, BUT MAY ONLY BE REIMBURSED UP TO THE CONSTRUCTED OR
ESTIMATED COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION COST BETWEEN AUTHORIZED POINTS.
4.  IF YOU PURCHASE NON-CONTRACT AIRFARE, PER REFS A AND B, ONE OF
THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS MUST BE CERTIFIED ON THE TRAVEL
ORDER/AUTHORIZATION:
 A.  SPACE ON A SCHEDULED CONTRACT FLIGHT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIME
TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRAVEL, OR USE OF A CONTRACT
SERVICE WOULD REQUIRE YOU TO INCUR UNNECESSARY OVERNIGHT LODGING
COSTS WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE TOTAL COST OF THE TRIP; OR
 B.  THE CONTRACTORS FLIGHT SCHEDULE IS INCONSISTENT WITH EXPLICIT
POLICIES OF YOUR FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY WITH REGARD TO
SCHEDULING TRAVEL DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS; OR
 C.  A NON-CONTRACT CARRIER OFFERS A LOWER FARE AVAILABLE TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC, THE USE OF WHICH WILL RESULT IN A LOWER TOTAL TRIP
COST TO THE GOVERNMENT, TO INCLUDE THE COMBINED COSTS OF
TRANSPORTATION, LODGING, MEALS AND RELATED EXPENSES; (NOTE: THIS
EXCEPTION DOES NOT APPLY IF THE CONTRACT CARRIER OFFERS A
COMPARABLE AIRFARE AND HAS SEATS AVAILABLE AT THAT AIRFARE, OR IF
THE LOWER AIRFARE OFFERED BY A NON-CONTRACT CARRIER IS LIMITED TO A
GOVERNMENT AND/OR MILITARY TRAVELER ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS AND ONLY
MAY BE PURCHASED WITH A GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT DOCUMENT (GTR),
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD OR THROUGH A CENTRALLY BILLED
ACCOUNT); OR
 D.  RAIL SERVICE IS AVAILABLE, AND SUCH SERVICE IS COST EFFECTIVE
AND IS CONSISTENT WITH MISSION REQUIREMENTS; OR
 E.  SMOKING IS PERMITTED ON THE CONTRACT FLIGHT AND THE NONSMOKING
SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE CONTRACT FLIGHT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
TO THE TRAVELER.
5.  REFER TO REF C FOR THE PROPER PROCEDURES ON CHANGING YOUR
RESERVATIONS, USING THE SATO FULL SERVICE RESERVATION SERVICE, AND
CHARGING TRANSPORTATION TICKETS TO A CENTRALLY BILLED ACCOUNT.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MEMBERS WHO BILL TRAVEL TO INDIVIDUALLY BILLED
ACCOUNTS DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THEIR ORDERS TO SATO;
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO BILL TRAVEL TO A GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD
CENTRALLY BILLED ACCOUNT (CBA) MUST PROVIDE TO SATO A COPY OF THE
SIGNED OFFICIAL TRAVEL ORDER BEFORE THE RESERVATION WILL BE
TICKETED.
6. QUESTIONS MAY BE ADDRESSED THROUGH YOUR SERVICING PERSONNEL OR
ADMIN OFFICE, OR TRAVEL AUTHORIZING OFFICIALS, TO COMDT(CG-1222).
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
8. MR. CURTIS B. ODOM, ACTING DIRECTOR FOR PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT,
SENDS.
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