BOP Program Statement 2273.01 § 6

transferees notified of a transfer.

a. Travel Advances. Travel advances will be issued in stages.

(1) Initial Advance. The Counselor will issue the

transferee an initial advance in an amount not to exceed

75 percent of the estimated house hunting expenses.

(2) Second Advance. The Counselor will issue the

transferee a second advance in an amount not to exceed

75 percent of the estimated total of en-route travel and the

first 30 days of temporary quarters expenses. This will be

issued in time for the transferee to receive it prior to the

start date of en-route travel.

(3) Third Advance. The Counselor will issue, the

transferee a third advance in an amount not to exceed 75 percent

of the estimated expenses for the additional days of temporary

quarters, not to exceed 30 days, minus the number of days used

for a house hunting trip.

Note: Field locations must not issue PCS travel

advances.

Note: Cash advances on a Government-issued travel charge

card are not authorized for PCS travel.

The transferee will use the Relocation Services Section's

Government Transportation Account (GTA) when making airline or

other transportation arrangements, by calling the contracted

Travel Management Center (TMC).

— In these cases, the airline ticket or other

transportation cost will not be included in the

estimated expenses when computing the authorized travel

advance amount.

— If the transferee has a Government-issued travel charge

card, it may be used for payment of all airline or

other transportation tickets, and the cost will be

included in the estimated expenses when computing the

travel advance amount authorized.

Personal credit cards must not be used to purchase airline or

other transportation accommodations.

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b. Travel to Seek Residence Quarters. If the one-way distance

between the old and new duty stations is more than 600 miles, the

use of a privately owned vehicle (POV) will not be authorized at

Government expense.

— If the employee uses a POV for personal convenience,

per diem will not be allowed for the additional travel

time required for the trip.

— This is applicable even when the total number of days

used is 10 or fewer.

c. Additional Temporary Quarters Travel Advance. When a

transferee realizes the need for additional days of temporary

quarters beyond the initial 30-day period authorized, he or she

will complete and mail to his or her Counselor a Temporary

Quarters Advance Request.

— The Counselor will provide this request form to the

transferee upon his or her request.

d. Temporary Storage of Household Goods. When a transferee

realizes the need for an additional period of temporary storage

of household goods beyond the initial 90-day period authorized,

he or she will complete and mail to his or her Counselor a

"Temporary Storage Extension Request" form.

— The transferee is to complete this form as soon as the

need arises and before the initial 90-day period

expires.

e. Extension of Time for Completion of Real Estate

Transactions. When a transferee realizes the need for an

extension of the time limitation for completion of real estate

transactions beyond the initial two-year period authorized, he or

she must complete and mail to his or her Counselor a “Request for

Extension of Time for Completion of Real Estate Transactions”

form.

— The transferee is to complete this form as soon as the

need arises and before the initial two-year time

limitation expires.

f. Short-Distance Transfers. If a relocation fits any of the

criteria listed below, the Counselor will ensure the transferee

is carefully counseled and cautioned on short-distance transfers.

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Guidance on short-distance transfers may be obtained from the

Chief, Relocation Services Section.

Short-distance transfers are described in 41 CFR 302-2.6. In

particular, moves which fall into one or more of the following

circumstances are short distance transfers and may not qualify

for relocation reimbursement:

# the distance between the old and new duty stations is

100 miles or less, and/or

# the distance between the old and proposed new residence

is 100 miles or less, and/or

# the distance between the old residence and new duty

station is 100 miles or less, and/or

# the commuting time between the old residence and the

new duty station is nearly the same (within 45 minutes)

as the commuting time between the new proposed

residence and the new duty station.

If any one of the above criteria is met, the Chief, Finance

Branch, will determine the eligibility for relocation expense

reimbursement on a case-by-case basis.

In no case will relocation allowances be paid if the

commuting distance and/or time between the old residence and

new duty station is less than the commuting distance and/or

time between the new residence and new duty station.

Employees who transfer between duty stations that are within

100 miles of each other will be cautioned and counseled regarding

the location of the new residence.

— If the Chief, Finance Branch, determines the relocation

of residences is not reasonably related to the change

of official duty station, relocation allowances will

not be authorized and the transferee will be required

to repay any relocation expenses already incurred,

including the home sale assistance program and

household goods shipment costs.

Certifying Officers will not certify for payment short-distance relocation vouchers until the Chief, Finance Branch, has

determined eligibility.

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Certifying Officers will forward the following information to

the Chief, Finance Branch, through the Chief, Relocation Services

Section, Finance Branch, for review:

# mileage between the old and new duty stations,

# mileage between the old and new residences,

# commuting mileage and time between the old residence

and old duty station,

# commuting mileage and time between the old residence

and new duty station,

# commuting mileage and time between the new residence

and new duty station, and

# a map showing the relative locations of old and new

duty stations and old and new residences.

All of the above information will be required in order to

determine eligibility for relocation allowances. Once the Chief,

Finance Branch, determines eligibility for relocation allowances,

it will be returned to the Relocation Services Section for

disposition.

All transferees who fit the criteria for a short-distance

transfer are required to sign a Statement of Understanding for a

Short-Distance Transfer which explains the requirements of short-distance transfers.

g. Last Move Home. Relocation allowances upon separation for

retirement for SES career appointees must be in accordance with

the Federal Travel Regulation, 41 CFR 302-3, Subpart D.

(1) SES Career Appointee Responsibilities. The Director

must approve all requests for last move home travel allowances.

— The requests must be forwarded to the Chief, Relocation

Services Section, through the Regional Director (if

appropriate).

— The Director’s signature on the forms indicate approval

of the last move home allowances.

The request must include moving dates and the origin and

destination of the move, if known. Tentative dates and locations

may be provided.

— The request must be submitted as soon as possible and

in time to meet the requirements of the Federal Travel

Regulation, 41 CFR 302-3.314.

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The SES Career Appointee will complete the Itinerary for

Claiming Reimbursement for En Route Travel to document relocation

expenses and submit it to the Chief, Relocation Services Section,

with any necessary attachments and receipts.

(2) Relocation Services Responsibilities. Upon receiving

the request for last move home allowances, the Chief, Relocation

Services, will prepare an estimate of moving expenses and a

travel authorization and forward these documents to the Chief,

Finance Branch, for forwarding to the Director for approval and

signature.