# Travel Regulations for Non-Defense Agencies, FTR Course (TDY and PCS) Canonical URL: ## Overview This course covers the rules and regulations for both temporary duty (TDY) travel and permanent change of station (PCS) travel in non-DoD agencies. Regarding TDY travel, participants will learn the rules for travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), per diem allowances, transportation allowances, reimbursable allowances, contract (city-pair) discounted airfares, deductible meals, Government lodging and mess availability and non-availability, international travel, actual expense allowances for high cost areas and more. Regarding PCS travel, participants will learn the rules for PCS Service Agreements, travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (CTCC), per diem allowances, transportation allowances, international travel, en route travel, house hunting trips, temporary quarters subsistence expense, household goods movement, shipment of privately owned vehicles (POVs), residential transactions, miscellaneous expense allowance, relocation income taxallowance, temporary change of station, and more. ## What you'll learn - Comply with current (FTR) Federal Travel Regulations as contained in Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), chapters 300 through 304. - Describe and define the requirements for travel orders and settlement vouchers while performing TDY for non-DoD agencies. - Describe and define the requirements for Service Agreements, travel orders, and requirements for civilian personnel performing PCS moves for non-DoD agencies. - Identify and calculate allowances and entitlements for personnel who are performing TDY and PCS moves. - Find out when per diem allowance is authorized and under what circumstances allowance is not authorized. - Compute per diem entitlements, reimbursable expenses, and allowances for both TDY & PCS reimbursements. - Assist personnel in non-DoD in resolving complex travel problems. ## Prerequisites Students should have prior experience interpreting federal travel regulations, overseeing financial transactions for compliance, and applying internal control practices, as well as familiarity with travel authorization processes and government charge card usage. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to FTR - Overview of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and its application to non-defense agencies. - Define key travel terms and entitlements under FTR. - Explain the legal framework and authority of FTR policies. #### Module 2: Service Agreements (PCS) - Purpose and legal requirements for PCS service agreements. - Standard provisions, obligations, and terms of service. - Conditions for waivers and consequences for non-compliance. #### Module 3: Permanent Change of Station and PCS Orders - Authorization and issuance process for PCS orders. - Required documentation for PCS travel authorization. - How PCS orders determine entitlements and allowances. #### Module 4: PCS Per Diem and Travel Rules - Per diem eligibility for PCS travel. - Computation of allowable travel days and mileage. - Special rules for dependent travel and transportation. #### Module 5: House-Hunting Trips (HHT) - Eligibility requirements and authorization process. - Reimbursable expenses and duration limits. - Rules for dependent participation. #### Module 6: Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses (TQSE) - Differences between Actual Expense Method (AEM) and Lump Sum Method (LSM). - Eligibility and allowable expenses for TQSE. - Authorization and payment process. #### Module 7: Allowances for Foreign OCONUS PCS - Additional allowances for overseas assignments. - Foreign transfer and separate maintenance allowances. - Rules for transporting goods and dependents internationally. #### Module 8: Household Goods Movement - Authorized shipment methods and weight limitations. - Procedures for scheduling and documenting shipments. - Storage-in-transit and related policies. #### Module 9: Household Goods Storage - Differences between temporary and long-term storage. - Authorization and reimbursement rules. - Duration limits and cost restrictions. #### Module 10: Mobile Home Allowances - Eligibility for mobile home transportation reimbursement. - Rates and cost limitations. - Special considerations for OCONUS moves. #### Module 11: POV Transportation - Rules for shipping privately owned vehicles during PCS. - Authorized shipment points and eligibility requirements. - Reimbursement process and restrictions. #### Module 12: Residence Transactions - Reimbursement for selling and purchasing residences. - Allowable closing costs and exclusions. - Required documentation for claims. #### Module 13: Miscellaneous Expense Allowances - Types of allowable miscellaneous PCS expenses. - Flat rate allowances and documentation needs. - Exclusions and reimbursement limits. #### Module 14: Relocation Income Tax Allowance - Purpose and calculation of relocation tax allowances. - Applicable tax rates and qualifying expenses. - Procedures for payment and reporting. #### Module 15: Temporary Change of Station (TCS) - Definition and distinction from PCS. - Eligibility requirements and allowable expenses. - Return travel and allowances after TCS completion. #### Module 16: TDY Travel Orders - Purpose and required content of TDY orders. - Authorization and documentation requirements. - Procedures for modifying or amending orders. #### Module 17: Government Travel Charge Card and TDY Advances - Proper use of the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC). - Procedures for requesting TDY travel advances. - Compliance rules and repayment obligations. #### Module 18: TDY Per Diem Rules - Eligibility and rate structures for TDY per diem. - Computation of per diem for travel days and partial days. - Special rules for extended TDY assignments. #### Module 19: Transportation by Airplane - Booking requirements and authorized carriers. - City Pair Program and cost considerations. - Policies on upgrades, baggage, and exceptions. #### Module 20: Transportation by Other Modes - Policies for rail, bus, rental car, and POV use during TDY. - Reimbursement process for alternative modes. - Restrictions and documentation requirements. #### Module 21: Miscellaneous Expenses (TDY) - List of reimbursable incidental and travel expenses. - Documentation and justification standards. - Common disallowed expenses. #### Module 22: Deductible Meals and Staying in Government Lodging - Rules for deducting meals provided by the government. - Mandatory use of government lodging policies. - Waivers and exceptions to lodging requirements. #### Module 23: TDY Options and Exceptions - Special TDY arrangements such as local travel and training assignments. - Reduced reimbursement scenarios and alternate travel options. - Approval requirements for exceptions. #### Module 24: Conferences, Time, and Leave Limits on TDY - Policies for travel to conferences and training events. - Leave and time limitations for TDY assignments. - Approvals for extended TDY stays. #### Module 25: Actual Expense Allowance (AEA) - Eligibility and approval process for AEA. - Documentation for expenses exceeding per diem. - Calculation and reimbursement process. #### Module 26: Emergency Travel While TDY - Procedures for authorizing emergency travel. - Allowable expenses and eligibility requirements. - Coordination with agency travel and finance offices. ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Kent Miller — Instructor Kent D. Miller, Jr., MBA, CDFM-A, is a highly accomplished financial management expert and educator with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. A retired U.S. Army officer, Kent has held leadership roles such as Controller/CFO for the U.S. Army Missile Command and Program Manager/Financial Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Army. His expertise spans budgeting, cost analysis, managerial accounting, and financial systems implementation. Notably, he managed a $9 billion organization, supervised a financial staff of 150, and developed funding requirements and congressional testimony for senior Army leadership. Kent’s career also includes consulting and training, where he has developed over 50 courses and taught more than 20,000 students from federal agencies and contractors. As an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA since 2005, Kent specializes in financial management training for federal employees. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including appropriations law, budget formulation and execution, and performance-based budgeting. Kent’s teaching is informed by his extensive experience in planning, programming, and budgeting, as well as his work in reengineering processes to achieve cost savings. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) and has been recognized for his leadership in professional organizations such as the Society of Defense Financial Management and the Association of Government Accountants. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1849