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1. What is the purpose of this section?
2. Does this directive cancel an existing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) directive?
3. What references were used when writing this section?
4. How are travel and transportation expenses authorized?
5. Who may authorize travel and transportation expenses?
6. Must the FHWA maintain records on the use of this authority?

1. What is the purpose of this section? This section describes procedures for authorizing travel expenses for preemployment interviews, and for authorizing a new appointee's travel and transportation expenses from his or her residence to the first duty station within the United States, or first post of duty outside the United States.

2. Does this directive cancel an existing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) directive? Yes. This directive cancels FHWA Personnel Management Manual (PMM), Part 1, Chapter 6, Section 3, dated June 28, 1996.

3. What references were used when writing this section?

   1. Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 5706b.

   2. Title 5, U.S.C, Section 5723.

   3. Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 572, Travel and Transportation Expenses, New Appointees and Interviews.

   4. Title 41, CFR, Subtitle F, Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) System.

   5. General Records Schedule 9, Travel and Transportation Records.

   6. FHWA Order 1500.8, FHWA Travel Policy Supplement.

4. How are travel and transportation expenses authorized?

   1. Preemployment interview expenses. Preemployment interview expenses related to any appointment may be authorized when it is determined that an interview is essential to assess the qualifications of candidates, and the potential candidate(s) have requested travel expense reimbursement. See FHWA Order 1500.8 for additional guidance.

   2. Travel and transportation expenses to the first post of duty. The authority to pay an employee's travel and transportation expenses to the first duty station or first post of duty is discretionary. This authority should be exercised consistently to avoid the appearance of favoritism or unfairness. Refer to the FTR for appropriate entitlements.

5. Who may authorize travel and transportation expenses?

   1. Preemployment interview expenses. Associate Administrators, the Chief Counsel, Directors of Field Services, Resource Center Managers, Division Administrators, Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers, and the Director, Office of Human Resources, may authorize preemployment interview expenses.

   2. Travel and transportation (relocation) expenses to the first duty station or first post of duty. Associate Administrators, the Chief Counsel, Directors of Field Services, Resource Center Managers, Division Administrators, and Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers, as the hiring officials, may recommend payment of travel and transportation expenses for new appointees. The Associate Administrator for Administration or his/her designee authorizes all relocation allowances. Such decisions should be coordinated with the Office of Budget and Finance to ensure the availability of funds and that eligibility requirements are met.

6. Must the FHWA maintain records on the use of this authority? Yes. The FHWA must maintain written records whenever preemployment interview expenses and travel and transportation expenses to the first duty station or first post of duty are authorized. These records are to be made available to the Office of Personnel Management as they are requested. See General Records Schedule 9, Travel and Transportation Records, for further guidance or maintaining these records.