Federal employees will have the same business travel budgets in 2015 as they had in 2014, according to the General Services Administration (GSA), which recently published its FY 2015 travel per diem rates for the Continental United States (CONUS).
"The standard CONUS lodging rate will remain unchanged in FY 2015 at $83," GSA stated in an Aug. 6 bulletin to the heads of federal agencies. "The meals and incidental expense tiers also remain unchanged for FY 2015 and range from $46-$71."
Per diem rates are calculated using lodging industry metrics, including average daily rate (ADR). The standard per diem rate -- an aggregate of rates in "standard" locations across the country -- is calculated once every three years and is applicable in 2,600 U.S. counties.
Although the standard per diem remains unchanged, several nonstandard per diem rates (NSAs) -- rates that vary by destination and season, which are reviewed annually -- have been modified. New York's and San Francisco's autumn per diems, for instance, were raised from $303 to $304 and from $226 to $251, respectively. Chicago's fall season, meanwhile, was cut from $209 to $194, although its summer season was raised from $166 to $192.
GSA, which last year eliminated its Conference Lodging Allowance, also continues to be vigilant about meeting spend.
"In recent years, the Administration has taken steps to reduce travel and conference spending. We have implemented strict policies and controls to ensure that all travel and conference expenditures are cost-effective and advancing the goals of federal agencies," GSA said in a blog post.
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