Finance

HANDBOOK F-15 REVISION

Travel and Relocation

Effective January 1, 2007, Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, is revised to reflect reimbursement rates for travel and relocation. These rates also apply to bargaining unit relocation benefits under Handbook F-12, Relocation Policy.

Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation

* * * * *

A Rates

A-1 Standard Mileage Rates

A-1.1 Mileage Rates

[Revise A-1.1 to read as follows:]

A-1.2 Reimbursement for Postal Service Supervisors

[Revise A-1.2 to read as follows:]

Postal Service supervisors (see 5-5.2.1.2) will be reimbursed at the rate of $6.00 per day or 48.5 cents per mile, whichever is greater, when a privately owned vehicle is used. Do not use the eTravel system when claiming the $6.00 daily rate, because the excess of the daily rate over the actual mileage is taxable as compensation to the claimant. You should claim the $6.00 daily rate by submitting PS Form 1164-A, Claim for Reimbursement for Postal Supervisors, to the Scanning and Imaging Center.

Odometer readings are not required on the respective claim forms; the integrity of the claim is the responsibility of the traveler. However, should the approving official have reason to question the claim, the claimant must provide evidence that supports the claim of distance traveled.

* * * * *

Handbook F-12, Relocation Policy

* * * * *

B Reimbursement Rates

I Mileage Rates

A Standard mileage rates

[Revise A to read as follows:]

B Relocation-related advance round trip and/or en route to new duty station

[Revise the first sentence of B to read as follows:]

The allowable rate is 48.5 cents per mile.

* * * * *

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed editions of Handbooks F-15 and F-12 and into the next update of the online version (Handbook F-15 only) accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Then click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

— National Accounting,
Finance, 1-4-07

NOTICE

eTravel Upgrade — Prepare Now

The eTravel system will be upgraded on January 29, 2007. You will not be able to submit travel vouchers after January 29 in the current version. However, the current version of eTravel will remain open for several months for approvals and maintenance of vouchers created in the old version.

eTravel uses a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product that has not had any significant changes in more than 6 years. Recently, the vendor issued a new version that replaces the one currently in use. The Postal ServiceTM is implementing the eTravel upgrade because it has a number of advantages:

• Groups in the upgrade have group-specific business rules.

• The upgrade has a Web-based user interface with screen helpers and tool tips.

• The need to download the windows applet file has been eliminated, which is a big benefit to those with non-ACE computers.

• It is vendor supported. (The vendor has dropped support of the old version.)

Please prepare for the eTravel upgrade by following these three basic steps:

1. Check your e-mail address in the current version of eTravel. If it's not accurate, correct it as necessary. Information on the upgrade will be forwarded to you via your e-mail account.

2. Go to the Travel Help Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/travelhelp/ and take the online tutorials - required before first-time use of the new version - and review the Quickstart guides. Answers to your questions about the eTravel upgrade are available under the site's frequently asked questions (FAQs).

3. Submit your final eTravel expense report and accompanying receipts in the current eTravel system by the close of business, January 26. If you recently completed a trip and all your charge card transactions aren't in the current eTravel system by then, don't worry - just wait until after January 29 to enter and submit your travel expense report in the upgraded system. Any unused card transactions from December 2006 and January 2007 will be available there.

— National Accounting,
Finance, 1-4-07