MOVING EXPENSES

Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, reimbursement for moving expenses shall be in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration Travel Policy (FAATP).

Official station is the building or air traffic facility to which the employee is permanently assigned. Employees transferring from one official station to another for permanent duty are authorized reimbursement of moving expenses and temporary quarters subsistence only when the following conditions are met:

a. the transfer is in the interest of the Government and is not primarily for the convenience or benefit of the employee or at the employee's request;

b. official stations are separated by at least fifty (50) miles;

c. the commuting distance between the old residence and the new official station is fifty (50) miles greater than the distance to the old official station; and

d. the commuting distance from the new residence to the new official station is less than the commuting distance from the old residence to the new official station.

Employees who do not meet the requirements in Section 2 are authorized reimbursement of moving expenses for involuntary moves resulting from facility relocation, closure, co-location, consolidation, de- consolidation/de-combining of facilities or other facility realignments, or directed reassignment, when the following conditions are met:

a. official stations are separated by at least ten (10) miles; and

b. the Agency has determined that the relocation was incident to the change of official station. The relocation is not considered to be incident to a change of official station if the change is merely for the employee’s personal preference or convenience.

Employees who are authorized for reimbursement under this Section are not eligible for reimbursement of house-hunting trips, temporary quarters, or storage of household goods.

House-hunting trips, not to exceed ten (10) calendar days, and reimbursement for associated expenses shall be authorized when the following conditions exist:

a. the employee is authorized relocation benefits for a permanent change of station (PCS) in accordance with the FAATP and this Agreement;

b. both the old and new official stations are located within a non- foreign area;

c. the employee is not assigned to government or other pre-arranged housing at the new official station; and

d. the old and new official stations are seventy-five (75) or more miles apart (as measured by map distance) via a usually traveled surface route.

Employees will be reimbursed for temporary quarters subsistence expenses (TQSE) subsistence costs while occupying temporary quarters for a period of up to sixty (60) days. Approval must be given in advance and the employee must be on an official Travel Authorization. Such reimbursement applies to moves within the United States, its territories and possessions, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

a. Any time expended in a house-hunting trip is included in the initial sixty (60) day period.

b. Temporary quarters authorizations may be extended in accordance with the FAATP.

c. For employees authorized the fixed rate method of reimbursement, subsistence costs will be reimbursed for no more than thirty (30) days. This time period is not reduced if the Agency authorizes a house-hunting trip.

Use of a Relocation Services Company may be authorized when the new official station is at least fifty (50) miles from the old residence (as measured by map distance) via a usually traveled surface route.

Any cap on property value that may apply to reimbursement of authorized sale or purchase of real estate shall be in accordance with the FAATP.

Employees may choose to receive reimbursement for a property management services fee on an employee's residence in lieu of reimbursement for real estate expenses associated with the sale of a residence at the old duty station in accordance with the FAATP. Employees who elect to use the property management services, and are not reimbursed for real estate expenses associated with the purchase of a residence at the new duty station in accordance with the FAATP, shall receive an incentive payment equal to five thousand five hundred forty- five dollars ($5,545.00), less applicable taxes.

When reimbursement of travel expenses is authorized, employees shall receive a miscellaneous expense allowance equal to one (1) week's basic salary including locality pay and, where applicable, cost of living allowance (COLA) of the new official station, at the rate of grade FG-13, Step 1 level. No receipts will be required to substantiate expenses incurred under this Section.

Reimbursement for the cost of shipping a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) within the CONUS shall be authorized when the distance between the old and the new duty stations exceeds fifteen hundred (1,500) miles and it is determined to be advantageous and cost effective to pay the cost of shipping the employee’s POV compared to the costs associated with driving the POV to the new duty station. Reimbursement shall be based on the most advantageous method of transportation to the Government. Employees are responsible for any cost exceeding the most advantageous method of transportation. Vehicles that may be transported under this policy include passenger automobiles, station wagons, and certain small trucks or other similar vehicles that are primarily for personal transportation. Shipment is not authorized for trailers, recreational vehicles, airplanes, or any vehicle intended for commercial use. The employee is authorized the use of a rental car while waiting for the arrival of his/her POV, for which shipment was authorized, and shall be entitled to reimbursement for a period up to two (2) weeks. The Agency shall extend this timeframe if there is a delay in the delivery of the employee's POV through no fault of the employee.

The Agency shall pay the shipping cost of replacement vehicles to the post of duty outside the continental United States if the requirements of the FAATP are met.

All reimbursable PCS travel, including that of the immediate family, and transportation, including that for the shipment of household goods, shall begin within eighteen (18) months of the effective date of the employee's transfer. The eighteen (18) month time limitation shall be extended for an additional period of time not to exceed six (6) months by the authorizing official where there is a demonstrated need due to circumstances which have occurred during the initial eighteen (18) months and have been determined to be beyond the employee's control. Employees must submit a written request for waiver to the authorizing official as soon as the need for an extension is determined but before the expiration of the eighteen (18) month time limitation. The maximum time for beginning travel and transportation shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months from the effective date of the transfer under any circumstances.

The Agency shall make available to an employee who is changing stations access to all pertinent directives in connection with moving expenses, and shall assist the employee in obtaining answers to any questions the employee may have regarding his/her change of station and assist in completing all required forms.

When alternatives are available under law and regulation for transporting household goods, vehicles, dependents, etc., the Agency shall explain the alternatives to the employee and allow the employee to choose the permissible alternatives that most meet his/her personal needs.

Employees shall be authorized a reasonable amount of duty time for travel to a new duty station.

Any relocation allowance offered will be specified on vacancy announcements. The Agency may offer a full PCS (which may or may not include relocation services) or a fixed relocation payment in the amount of up to twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000.00) in accordance with the FAATP. In the case of an involuntary move, the employee may elect a full PCS or a fixed relocation payment in the amount of twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000.00).

When an employee is authorized reimbursement via the fixed relocation payment, the Agency shall offer the employee the option of using the Agency's household goods transportation program. If the employee elects such option, the Agency will withhold the estimated transportation costs (as determined by the vendor) plus a reasonable amount (not to exceed ten percent [10%]) to cover any overages. Upon completion of the transportation of household goods, the employee shall receive any amounts in excess of the actual cost of transportation that were temporarily withheld from the employee's payment.

An employee who is authorized reimbursement via the fixed relocation payment shall not be required by the Agency to itemize individual expenses or repay any amount that is in excess of actual expenses.

An employee who is authorized reimbursement via the fixed relocation payment described in Section 16 shall receive his/her full payment no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer.

Transferred employees who receive a paid PCS relocation move shall not be entitled to another paid PCS move until twelve (12) months after their new duty station report date. However, this Section shall not apply in cases of involuntary moves as defined in Section 3 of this Article.