6509.33_301-11.200
Page 1 of 3
FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION (RMRS)
FORT COLLINS, CO
FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS
PART 301-11 - PER DIEM EXPENSES
Supplement No.: 6509.33-2006-1
Effective Date: March 13, 2006
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: DAVID A. CLEAVES
Station Director
Date Approved: 3/13/2006
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Print on blue paper and post by document name. This supplement replaces all
previous RMRS field rate direction. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this document. The
last supplement to this handbook was RMRS 6509.33-2004-1.
New Document(s):
6509.33_301-11.200
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
by Issuance Number and
Effective Date
RMRS 6509.33-2004-1 (April 26, 2004)
3 Pages
Digest of Changes:
301-11.200 – Updates the Station’s field per diem rates.
NOTE: A Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between the RMRS and NFFE Local 1950
(dated April 8, 2004) set field per diem rates at 60% of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR)
rates, which changed October 1, 2005.
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 6509.33-2006-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 13, 2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
6509.33_301-11.200
Page 2 of 3
FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 301 – TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
PART 301-11 - PER DIEM EXPENSES
SUBPART C – REDUCED PER DIEM
301-11.200
Under what circumstances
may my agency prescribe a
reduced per diem rate lower
than the prescribed
maximum?
(a) When your agency can determine
in advance that lodging and/or
meal costs will be lower than the
per diem rate
A special per diem rate has been established for employees who subsist themselves by purchasing
and preparing their own food while in official travel status. This reduced per diem rate is
frequently called “field rate.” The most common use of “field rate” occurs when employees are
working out in the field and camping overnight (for one or multiple nights).
Field rates will apply when the government furnishes lodging quarters (at the minimum, a tent),
and cooking equipment and utensils. If the government does not provide these items and
employees are required to bring their own, employees will be reimbursed at the full M&IE rate
(and not the reduced field rate) for the county they are in. However, if the government does
provide these items but an employee chooses to use their own, field rates will still apply.
NOTE: An employee may use personal equipment only when documented and approved by their
supervisor, prior to use, as required by FSM 6412.11-1,d.
For most situations, the Station’s field rate will be 60 percent of the FTR rates for the county in
which the field work is being conducted (rounded to the nearest dollar). However, there are some
exceptions to this rate. They are:
 When crews are backpacking, the rate will be 70 percent of the FTR rates.
 When crews are in extended, continuous travel status (60 days or longer), the rate will be
45 percent of the FTR rates.
 When circumstances warrant, Project Leaders (PL’s) have the authority to approve a higher
field rate on a case-by-case basis. These exceptions must be documented in writing, signed by
the supervisor or PL, and attached to the travel voucher. Whenever possible, employees and
PL’s should identify up-front when travel needs may require a higher rate.
The following field rates will remain in effect until renegotiated with the Union:
If the FTR Rate for
the applicable County is:
Field Rate:
60%
$39
$44
$49
$54
$59
$64
$23
$26
$29
$32
$35
$38
EXCEPTION Field Rates:
45%
70%
$18
$20
$22
$24
$27
$29
$27
$31
$34
$38
$41
$45
RMRS SUPPLEMENT: 6509.33-2006-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 13, 2006
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
6509.33_301-11.200
Page 3 of 3
FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 301 – TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
PART 301-11 - PER DIEM EXPENSES
The first and last day of travel to and from the work site will be paid at 75 percent of the regular
M&IE rate for the applicable county (and not 75 percent of the reduced field rate). In addition,
employees will be entitled to full M&IE rates whenever they are in field travel status but are
unable to self-subsist. However, if employees are on field rate but elect to obtain commercial
meals from time to time, they will still be reimbursed at the appropriate field rate.
There may be occasions when meals are provided by the government for employees receiving
field rate. Examples may include providing freeze-dried food or bringing in a cook or caterer.
When this occurs, the appropriate amounts shall be deducted from the employee’s travel voucher
based on the following field rates:
If Field
Rate is:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Incidentals
$18
$4
$4
$7
$3
$20
$22
$23
$24
$26
$27
$29
$4
$4
$5
$5
$5
$5
$6
$5
$5
$5
$5
$6
$6
$7
$8
$10
$10
$11
$12
$13
$13
$3
$3
$3
$3
$3
$3
$3
$31
$32
$34
$35
$38
$6
$6
$7
$7
$7
$7
$7
$8
$8
$9
$15
$16
$16
$17
$19
$3
$3
$3
$3
$3
$41
$45
$8
$9
$10
$11
$20
$22
$3
$3
The incidentals portion of $3.00 shall be paid daily to the employee, no matter how many meals
are provided.