GSA has developed ways to make government travel easier and more economical. GSA's programs can help with all agency travel needs.
Travel Management Centers (TMCs) provide customized travel agency services to meet an agency's unique requirements. The agency controls the quality and cost of travel by comparing services and choosing a TMC contractor.
Services provided include:
24-hour service;
Airline reservations and ticketing;
Car rental reservations;
E-ticket tracking;
Frequent traveler programs;
Itineraries/passenger receipt coupons;
Lodging reservations;
Management information reports;
Onsite/offsite support;
Reconciliation of central accounts; and
Ticket delivery.
GSA's master contracts for travel management services have the flexibility to determine requirements, select a contractor, and award a task order for the services required to meet an agency's travel needs. Federal agencies must have a task order in place to receive travel management services under the contracts. Review the How-to Guide for setting up a task order. Agencies will find a complete list of contractors specific for geographic areas, pricing, and services offered.
Once an agency has selected a provider(s) based on pricing and services offered, the agency must submit a written task order to the contractor in order to receive services. There are two types of task orders -- the Standard Task Order and the Tailored Task Order. Tailored Task Orders are issued when requirements need specific clarification and pricing, such as onsite services.
The contracts have changed the way federal agencies are managing their travel programs. There has been a shift towards ordering travel management services nationwide. That is, many federal agencies are awarding task orders on the nationwide Contract Line Item Number. Federal agencies are paying a fee for each transaction and taking a closer look at how travel dollars are spent. Many agencies have reduced transaction fees by leveraging buying power and ordering services on a nationwide scale.
