GSA GSA Specialist Travel & Transportation Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of a Travel Management Center (TMC) in the federal travel system?
- To process travel reimbursement claims and expense reports
- To provide booking and travel management services to federal agencies (Correct answer)
- To audit government travel expenditures for compliance
- To manage government-owned vehicles and fleet assets
Correct answer: To provide booking and travel management services to federal agencies
A Travel Management Center (TMC) is a contracted travel agency that provides booking services and travel management support to federal agencies.
Question 2: Under the Federal Travel Regulation, when is a federal employee generally required to use the City Pair Program for air travel?
- Only for international travel
- Whenever it is available for the required city pair (Correct answer)
- Only when the trip exceeds 500 miles one way
- When the trip cost exceeds $2,500
Correct answer: Whenever it is available for the required city pair
Federal employees must use City Pair Program fares when they are available for the required city pair, as CPP is a mandatory government-wide contract.
Question 3: What does 'constructive cost' mean in the context of federal travel?
- The cost of building temporary work facilities for TDY employees
- The estimated cost of the least expensive authorized mode of transportation (Correct answer)
- The total cost of travel including all incidental expenses
- The cost difference between government and commercial accommodations
Correct answer: The estimated cost of the least expensive authorized mode of transportation
Constructive cost is the calculated cost of the most economical authorized travel option, used to determine the maximum reimbursable amount when a traveler chooses a more expensive alternative.
Question 4: The 'actual expense method' for travel per diem allows:
- Reimbursement of all travel expenses without any dollar limits
- Reimbursement of actual lodging costs up to 300% of the standard per diem rate
- Reimbursement based on actual costs when standard per diem is insufficient, with agency approval (Correct answer)
- Automatic reimbursement for all meals without requiring receipts
Correct answer: Reimbursement based on actual costs when standard per diem is insufficient, with agency approval
The actual expense method allows reimbursement of actual costs that exceed the standard per diem rate when justified and with prior agency approval.
Question 5: Under the FTR, what percentage of the applicable M&IE rate is paid for the first and last calendar day of travel?
- 100%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 50%
- 25%
Correct answer: 75%
The Federal Travel Regulation provides 75% of the applicable Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) rate for the first and last calendar days of travel.
Question 6: Which of the following is a key benefit of using GSA Fleet leased vehicles over commercial rental vehicles for official travel?
- GSA Fleet vehicles have no mileage limits for any official travel
- GSA Fleet vehicles are typically more cost-effective and include maintenance and fuel cards (Correct answer)
- GSA Fleet vehicles can be used for personal travel by government employees
- GSA Fleet vehicles are exempt from all state registration requirements
Correct answer: GSA Fleet vehicles are typically more cost-effective and include maintenance and fuel cards
GSA Fleet leased vehicles are generally more cost-effective than commercial rentals because they include maintenance, fuel cards, and other services in their pricing structure.
Question 7: When must federal employees generally obtain a travel authorization before traveling on official business?
- Only for international travel costing more than $5,000
- Prior to incurring any travel expenses (Correct answer)
- Only when travel costs are expected to exceed $500
- Within 30 days after completing travel
Correct answer: Prior to incurring any travel expenses
The Federal Travel Regulation requires that travel authorizations be obtained prior to traveling, as they must authorize the travel and anticipated expenses in advance.
GSA GSA Specialist Travel & Transportation Management 2
What is the primary function of a Travel Management Center (TMC) in the federal travel system?