Idaho Bulletin 250-8-2

May 19, 2008

SUBJECT:  FNM - New GovTrip travel system

TO:   All Employees, NRCS, Idaho

Purpose.  To inform all employees about the new GovTrip travel system and request a completed AD-1143 from each employee

Expiration Date.  September 30, 2008

Action: Return completed AD-1143 by May 30, 2008

Background:  USDA will be vacating the existing FedTraveler system for a new online application that should make travel easier for employees.  The new system called GovTrip will automate and tie together several steps in the travel process including the travel authorization, obligation of funds, and creation of the travel voucher.  With GovTrip, the AD-202, Travel Authorization and Advance form and the AD-616, Travel Voucher will become obsolete.  The Government Travel Card (currently Bank of America) will receive automatic payments for some, but not all, of the travel voucher reimbursed expenses.  Any balance of funds due the traveler will continue to be direct deposited via EFT to the employee’s account.

GovTrip is a large, complex, distributed computing system that provides USDA travelers with completely automated travel planning and reimbursement capabilities.  USDA travelers using GovTrip are able to generate travel authorizations, make trip reservations, and route travel requests for approval, all from their desktop workstations.  The system is paperless and allows for the electronic submission of documents.  When the trip is complete, the traveler files a voucher that is electronically routed for approval and sent to FFIS (Foundation Financial Information System).

GovTrip consists of travel software that has added interfaces to many other systems, which allow the traveler to make airline, lodging, rail and rental car reservations.  Employees can access the application at http://www.govtrip.com/govtrip/site/index.jsp.  Employees also can get a head start on how to use GovTrip by accessing the web based training block (Launch GovTrip WBT) towards the bottom left of the page.  Other training, via NetMeeting for field offices and in the USDA conference room for SO employees, will be scheduled prior to the end of June.

In order to receive access to the new GovTrip travel system employees must complete the attached AD-1143, Corporate Systems Access Request Form.  Employees should fill in the highlighted boxes and return the signed ORIGINAL to Mary Goode by May 30, 2008.  The new system is scheduled to be implemented on July 7, 2008. 

/s/
RICHARD SIMS
STATE CONSERVATIONIST             

Attachment

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