United States Department of Agriculture

Research, Education, and Economics

ARS CSREES ERS NASS

Bulletin

Title:	Revisions to the Foreign Travel Approval Process

Number:	98-310

Date:	October 9, 1998	Expiration: When rescinded

Originating Office:	Financial Management Division, Administrative and Financial Management

Distribution:	REE Agencies

On October 8, 1998, the Under Secretary, REE, delegated authority and returned approval of foreign travel to the REE agencies. Foreign travel approval by the Secretary's office will only be required for Presidential Appointees, non-career Senior Executive Service officials, and Schedule C Appointees.

This Bulletin rescinds previous requirements to prepare and submit the Foreign Travel Justification Form to Agency Heads and subsequent foreign travel approval by the Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary's Office. This Bulletin also rescinds the requirement for submission of an approved Foreign Travel Justification Form to the International Travel Section, Foreign Agricultural Service. Although use of the Foreign Travel Justification Form has been rescinded, all Foreign Travel approving officials should continue to consider the following five factors as part of their internal approval process:

o	How will the trip assist USDA in furthering the President's program and priorities?

o	How will the trip contribute to the USDA mission?

o	Will the result of the trip justify the expense?

o	How many USDA staff will need to travel to support the trip, and are they needed?

o	How will the traveler ensure the effective management of the mission area or agency in their absence?

For National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Economic Research Service (ERS): Please return to the established Agency foreign travel approval process.

For Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES): Please resume Foreign Travel approvals as defined by the Administrator's letters of June 11, 1996 and July 24, 1997.

For Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Please return to the established Agency foreign travel approval process. Agency guidance regarding delegations of authority for both Domestic and Foreign Travel, as well as, clarification on use of the Foreign Travel Information System (FTIS) are being updated. Supplemental guidance will be forthcoming. Please note that the Agency's FTIS process, used primarily to obtain foreign travel approvals, is also used extensively for tracking and monitoring Agencywide foreign travel activity. Please ensure that all planned attendance at International meetings and all planned work-related foreign travel are accurately reflected and kept current in the FTIS.

If you have questions please contact Linda E. Mahoney, Chief, Travel and Relocation Services Branch, FMD on 301-504-1270 or E-mail LMahoney@ars.usda.gov.

/s/

S. M. HELMRICH, Director

Financial Management Division