GSA has issued guidance to agencies on responsibilities of senior officials to control travel costs, based on a 2011 executive order requiring agencies to appoint a senior-level official to set policies on travel and conference spending.
GSA urged agencies to send it the names of their “senior travel official” and suggested that those persons have responsibilities including:
• Develop travel management policies and programs “tightly aligned” with the Federal Travel Regulation.
• Set performance measures and evaluate vendor performance for travel services.
• Research best practices and recommend actions to improve the efficiency and customer satisfaction of travel services.
• Analyze travel management performance, trends and other issues and coordinate with other senior agency officials.
GSA added that it plans to start quarterly meetings of senior travel officials.