6509.33_302-3
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
ALASKA REGION (REGION 10)
JUNEAU, ALASKA
FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
Supplement No.: R-10 6509.33-2014-3
Effective Date: 9/11/2014
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Beth G. Pendleton
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 9/11/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last R-10
supplement to this Handbook was 6509.33-2013-3 to part 302.
New Document
6509.33_302-3
8 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6509.33_302-3, 5/7/2013
8 Pages
Digest:
Updates direction to align with the current Albuquerque Service Center Budget and Finance
processes.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6509.33_302-3
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
Subpart C – Types of Transfers
OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT AND RETURN
302-3.207 Am I eligible to receive relocation allowances for overseas assignment
and return travel?
The employee, new appointee and student trainee may be eligible to receive relocation
allowances for overseas assignment and return travel if the employee (or recruit) is:
(a) An employee, new appointee and student trainee transferring to, from, or between
official stations outside of the contiguous United States (OCONUS). If at the time of the
appointment the employee’s (or recruit’s) residence is in an area other than the post of
duty, the employee and recruit must complete R10-FS-6500-0002, Initial Overseas
Employment Agreement, to be eligible to receive relocation allowances.
(c) An employee who transferred to Alaska at Government expense, has completed the
service agreement(s), and is now transferring to a Forest Service non-Research position
with a reporting date on or before December 31, 2013. In this case, the employee is
entitled to partial transfer of station benefits that are paid by the Alaska Region with the
balance of transfer of station benefits paid by the gaining unit.
Employee, new appointee and student trainee who transferred to Alaska at Government expense
and have not completed their initial overseas agreement are not eligible to receive relocation
allowances for return travel, unless for compassionate or humanitarian reasons. See Federal
Travel Regulation (FTR) section 302-3.511 for further information.
302-3.208 What relocation expenses will my agency pay for my overseas
assignment and return?
Employees, new appointees and student trainees who transferred to Alaska at Government
expense and have completed their service agreement(s) are entitled, along with their immediate
family and former spouse, to have the following expenses paid by the Forest Service (that is,
return rights):
(a) Transportation of employee, new appointee, student trainee and members of the
immediate family.
(b) Per diem for employee, new appointee and student trainee (but not for the immediate
family).
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6509.33_302-3
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
(c) Transportation and storage of up to 18,000 pounds of household goods and personal
effects.
The reimbursement is limited to the lower of the cost associated with the current move or to the
constructive cost of moving to the employee’s place of residence at the time the employee, new
appointee and student trainee transferred to Alaska.
Employees who transfer to another Forest Service or Federal position may have relocation
expenses paid, based upon the language of the vacancy announcement.
OVERSEAS TOUR RENEWAL AGREEMENT
302-3.209 What is overseas tour renewal travel?
Overseas Tour Renewal Agreement Travel (OTRAT) is an entitlement available to eligible
employees assigned to posts of duty outside the contiguous United States. It is authorized for
recruiting and retention purposes in Alaska and Hawaii.
302-3.211 What is an allowance for overseas employment renewal travel?
An allowance for overseas employment renewal travel is a reimbursement for the employee and
the employee’s immediate family of roundtrip transportation and some travel expenses between
the employee’s post of duty in the Alaska Region and the employee’s actual place of residence in
the continental United States.
302-3.212 How do I know if I am eligible to receive an allowance for overseas tour
renewal travel?
The employee, new appointee and student trainee is eligible to receive an allowance for overseas
tour renewal travel if:
(d) The post of duty is in Alaska, the employee has satisfactorily completed the service
agreement time period, and the initial duty location in Alaska meets the following
criteria:
(1) Reported for duty with the Forest Service before September 8, 1982; or
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
(2) Reported for duty with the Forest Service on or after September 8, 1982 and
before April 1, 2013 when either:
(A) The original transfer was to a remote location. For the purpose of OTRAT,
remote locations in the Alaska Region are Craig, Hoonah, Petersburg, Thorne Bay,
Wrangell, Yakutat, and Cordova.
(B) The initial grade in the Alaska Region position was GS-9 or lower.
(e) The employee signed a form R10-FS-6500-0007, Overseas Employment Renewal
Agreement and Request for Transportation Authorization, in which the employee agreed
to stay at the overseas post or to transfer to another overseas post of duty. See section
302-3, exhibit 01 for an example of form R10-FS-6500-0007.
(f) The employee has not already completed two trips, if the employee, new appointee
and student trainee reported to the original post of duty in Alaska on or after September
9, 1982; and
(g) The tour renewal travel is between two places within the United States. Travel to
foreign countries cannot be reimbursed; only travel to the last domestic port of exit/entry
can be reimbursed. For example, travel to/from La Paz, Mexico cannot be reimbursed;
but travel to/from Los Angeles, California can be reimbursed. The employee would
purchase a separate airline ticket between Los Angeles and La Paz.
The signed form R10-FS-6500-0007 must be attached to the employee and immediate family’s
electronic travel authorization.
Travel may begin within six months before the effective date of the new service agreement or
anytime during the agreement. Travel that begins more than six months after the effective date
of the new service agreement will require an adjustment to the effective date of subsequent
service agreements.
302-3.223 What happens if I violate my new service agreement under a tour
renewal assignment?
If an employee fails to complete the period of service described in the form R10-FS-6500-0007,
Overseas Employment Renewal Agreement, by:
(a) Transferring to another position in the Federal Government under the Merit
Promotion System: The employee will not be required to repay cost of OTRAT travel
when the employee completes the new service agreement as well as the remaining period
of the overseas employment renewal agreement. However, employees are expected to
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
complete the agreed upon period of service before they apply for positions at other
locations or apply for return travel upon separation. See FTR 302-2.19 for more
information on having more than one service agreement.
(b) Separating under an “early out” authority, reduction in force, and other management
initiated process: The employee will not be required to repay the cost of OTRAT travel.
These situations are administratively determined to be in the interest of the Government.
The Alaska Region Human Resources Service Team will remove the remaining period of
service from the employee’s electronic human resource record, as applicable.
(c) Voluntary separation from Government service: The employee must reimburse the
Forest Service for all transportation and per diem expenses that were paid to the
employee and to third party vendors on behalf of the employee and immediate family. If
the employee is authorized return travel upon separation, the cost of OTRAT travel from
the incomplete service agreement will be billed to the employee by Albuquerque Service
Center Budget and Finance (ASC B&F).
302-3.224 If I violate my new service agreement, will the Government reimburse
me for return travel and transportation to my actual place of residence?
If an employee violates the OTRAT agreement, the Forest Service will reimburse the employee’s
return travel and transportation to the employee’s actual place of residence based upon their
completion of the initial overseas agreement. If the employee completed an OTRAT trip upon
signing the new service agreement, the employee will be billed for the amount that the Forest
Service paid to third party vendors on behalf of the employee and family members and the
amount reimbursed to the employee. ASC B&F will create the bill for collection. See FTR 3023.224 of the parent text for more information.
PRIOR RETURN OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS
302-3.226 Will the Government reimburse me if I am not eligible to return with my
immediate family member(s) to the U.S. and choose to send them at my own
expense?
Yes. If the employee pays for the return of eligible immediate family member(s) to the
continental United States before the employee is eligible to return rights, the employee will be
reimbursed when the employee becomes eligible for return rights, which is generally upon
separation. The total to be reimbursed will include the authorized cost of eligible members and
the employee, not to exceed authorized allowances.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
Subpart D – Relocation Separation
OVERSEAS TO U.S. RETURN FOR SEPARATION
302-3.300 Must my agency pay for return relocation expenses for my immediate
family and me once I have completed my duty OCONUS?
Yes. Once the employee or recruit has completed the employee’s duty OCONUS as specified in
the service agreement, the agency must pay one-way transportation expenses for the employee,
for the employee’s family member(s), and for the employee’s household goods.
However, some actions taken by the employee may void the agency’s obligation to pay for return
relocation expenses. These actions include:
(a) Not requesting a travel authorization before the date of separation (Comptroller
General B-245649, April 30, 1992). (Appropriations available at the date of separation
must be used to fund the return travel.)
(b) Seeking or accepting private employment in Alaska (Comptroller General B-247585,
July 29, 1992).
(c) Not beginning the move for over a year after date of separation without an approved
extension (Comptroller General B-207094, February 11, 1983).
(d) Establishment of a business at the former duty station after date of separation.
The return for separation must be clearly in conjunction with separation.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
302-3 – Exhibit 01
Example of Form R10-FS-6500-0007, Overseas Employment Renewal Agreement (OTRAT)
and Request for Transportation Authorization
USDA Forest Service
R10-FS-6500-0007 (04/2013)
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT RENEWAL AGREEMENT (OTRAT)
AND REQUEST FOR TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION
Name:
Marvin Brown
Social Security Number:
XXXX-XX-7358
Point of Hire:
Eligibility Date:
Morgantown, WV
06/01/2011
To: Regional Forester/Director/Forest Supervisor
Having completed my (initial, subsequent) agreement as of the close of business on 06/01/13, I hereby apply for transportation authorization for
the purpose of returning to the place of (actual residence, designated location, alternate location) during the period 07/01/13 to 07/21/13. I
request that a letter of authorization be issued covering per diem and transportation costs of myself and transportation costs for my immediate
family from Girdwood, AK (my designated post of duty), directly to Pittsburg, PA (planned destination) and return. My eligibility date will
remain the same if I depart six (6) months prior to or six (6) months after my effective date. Approval of an Application for Leave (OPM-71,
formerly known as SF-71) will serve as documentation that early or delayed departure on leave between tours has been determined to be in the
interest of the USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. I realize that travel is limited to the United States and its possessions.
I agree that if this request is granted, I shall remain at the same or another post of duty outside the continental United States (as defined by 41
CFR 300-3.1) for a minimum of two (2) years from the date of my return to my post of duty, less the period of leave used. The only cases
wherein this agreement may become void are if I am separated for reasons beyond my control or if I am transferred to the continental United
States under provisions of the Forest Service Merit Promotion Plan.
Should I resign for reasons not acceptable to the Forest Service or should I be separated for cause within one (1) year from my return to duty,
minus the period of leave used in conjunction with this agreement, I hereby agree that I shall refund any payments made to me or on my account
by the United States for the above described travel and transportation. I hereby authorize the Forest Service to withhold any payments due me to
be applied against such payments. However, since I did not avail myself of the entitlements of my original agreement, the costs that would have
been incurred for that purpose may be applied as setoff against this indebtedness as described in 41 CFR 302.3-223.
Further, I agree that should I resign for reasons not acceptable to the Forest Service, or should I be separated for cause after one (1) year but less
than two (2) years from the date of my return to duty, minus the period of leave used in conjunction with this agreement, I shall not be reimbursed
for any cost of transportation or per diem for myself of transportation for my dependents covered in this agreement for return to actual residence
or location as specified in my original agreement. However, since I did not avail myself of the entitlements of my original agreement, I shall be
allowed credit for an amount equal to the cost of transporting, from the post of duty at which the formal period of service was completed to the
place of actual residence, my household goods and any member of my immediate family who did not accompany me when I returned to my place
of actual residence incident to this renewal agreement.
I have read and understand Federal Travel Regulation sections 300-3.1 and 302-3.209 through 3.224, which covers in total my liability for
noncompliance of this agreement.
The members of my immediate family (as defined by 41 CFR 300-3.1) are:
NAME
Bonnie Brown
RELATIONSHIP
Spouse
BIRTHDATES OF CHILDREN
AGE
I agree to attach the approved agreement to my electronic travel authorization request.
Marvin Brown_______________
Employee’s Signature
04/01/13______
Date
APPROVED:
Sheldon Smith________________
Employee’s Supervisor
04/03/2013_____
Date
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2013-3
EFFECTIVE DATE:
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6509.33_302-3
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FSH 6509.33 – FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 302 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCES
PART 302-3 – RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE
302-3 – Exhibit 01 Continued
USDA Forest Service
R10-FS-6500-0007 (04/2013)
OTRAT Transportation Request
Shorthand Code:
1004 NFTM0413
Authorized Transportation for All Travelers:
Lower Transportation Cost, $ 875 * Number of Travelers _2_ =
S1,750
Transportation Cost for Each Traveler: $875
ACTUAL ITINERARY
(Attach the tentative airline itinerary to your planned destination.)
DEPART: FROM
Girdwood, AK
Seattle, WA
07/01/2013
07/02/2013
DATE
RETURN: FROM
Pittsburg, PA
Seattle, WA
07/20/2013
07/21/2013
DATE
ARRIVE
Seattle, WA
Pittsburg, PA
07/01/2013
07/02/2013
DATE
ARRIVE
Seattle, WA
Girdwood, AK
07/20/2013
07/21/2013
DATE
Transportation Cost for Each Traveler: $1,050
(If your planned destination is not your point of hire, you must calculate the cost of a trip to your point of hire using GovTrip. Attach the
tentative airline itinerary to your point of hire. This is the maximum the Government will pay for your airfare; any excess costs must be
paid with personal funds.)
DIRECT ITINERARY
DEPART: FROM
Girdwood, AK
Seattle, WA
07/01/2013
07/02/2013
DATE
RETURN: FROM
Pittsburg, PA
Seattle, WA
07/20/2013
07/21/2013
DATE
ARRIVE
Seattle, WA
Pittsburg, PA
07/01/2013
07/02/2013
DATE
ARRIVE
Seattle, WA
Girdwood, AK
07/20/2013
07/21/2013
DATE
Notes: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS:
Employee: Complete and sign the Overseas Employment Renewal Agreement and Request for Transportation Authorization, where:

Point of Hire is the duty location from which you were transferred to Alaska.

Eligibility Date is the later of the Reporting Date to Alaska plus the period of service from the Initial Overseas Agreement or
subsequent Overseas Employment Renewal Agreement (i.e., 12 or 24 months).

Immediate Family are generally spouse and minor children who were transferred to Alaska with the employee or were born to (or
adopted by) the employee while stationed in Alaska. Spouses and step children acquired after the employee’s transfer to Alaska are
generally not included.

Shorthand Code is the four-character budget organization code and the eight-character job code, such as 1004 NFTM0413.
Supervisor: Once signed by the employee and their line officer:
1. Attach the form to the automated travel authorization request (i.e., GovTrip), and
2. Fax the completed form to ASC HRM at 1-888-339-1808 for record retention in the employee’s Electronic Personnel File (eOPF).