Management Assistance Report: International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, Travel Policy Is Not in Compliance With Federal Travel Regulations

Summary of Review
The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), 41 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Chapters 300– 304, implements statutory requirements and Executive branch policies for travel by Federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at Government expense.¹ The FTR requires all Government employees to use Government contractor-issued travel charge cards to pay for all official travel expenses unless exempted.² The FTR was modified in September 2016, removing some exemptions. During a mandated risk assessment of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section (USIBWC) credit card programs, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) obtained and reviewed a copy of USIBWC’s travel policy. This policy was issued in 2011, before the 2016 modifications of the FTR’s exemptions for the use of Government contractor-issued travel charge cards. Therefore, the exemptions allowed by USIBWC’s Directives Management System Manual for the use of travel charge cards do not reflect current FTR requirements.

OIG made one recommendation to address the deficiency identified in this report. In response to a draft of this report, USIBWC concurred with the recommendation. On the basis of USIBWC’s concurrence, OIG considers the recommendation resolved, pending further action. A synopsis of USIBWC’s response to the recommendation offered and OIG’s reply follow the recommendation in the Results section of this report. USIBWC’s response to a draft of this report is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix A.

¹ _{41 C.F.R. § 300-1.}
² _{41 C.F.R. § 300-51.1.}