There may be some uncertainty concerning the computation of per diem rates among the agency staff. Therefore, I feel it necessary to issue this memorandum to clarify the approved method of per diem rate computation:
Step One. || Look Up Your Daily Per Diem Rate.
The Federal Per Diem Schedule which lists U.S. localities by state, then alphabetically by city name/local area. You will be looking for the prescribed rate for "Meals and Incidental Expenses" ("M&IE"). [Be sure you check the currently valid Federal Register issuance for the correct travel allowance rates.] (NOTE: The AACS pays the full amount of the lodging cost, so the lodging costs are not factored into the traveler's "per diem.")
Step Two. || Compute Your Quarterly "M&IE" Per Diem Rate:
Divide the Daily "M&IE" Per Diem Rate by four (4). The quotient of
this division is your Quarterly "Per Diem" Rate.
Step Three. || Compute Your Trip Per Diem Costs.
Multiply the Quarterly "Per Diem" ("M&IE") Rate by the total number of quarters you
will remain in official travel status.
Please understand that the official Government per diem rate is computed according to current Federal travel regulations. Any requested "per diem" in excess of the standard rate must be thoroughly documented and justified. Even then, any variance from the Federal schedule will be approved only in the most limited of "extrenuating circumstances," i.e, virtually never.
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Last updated on November 30, 1996 || E-mail Ron Logsdon, AACS executive director