The eTravel service, which the Office of Management and Budget has helped to implement, harnesses the Internet to gain government efficiency and save taxpayers money. eTravel seeks best commercial practices and effective Internet use to empower the federal traveler at lower cost. The service aims to streamline and consolidate federal travel operations into a simplified, end-to-end travel management service. The 10-year, $450 million contract is expected to cut federal travel management costs up to 50 percent.
eTravel will be commercially hosted, minimizing federal technology costs, offering real-time information. From travel planning and authorization to reimbursement, the service will use best practices in areas such as administration, finance and information technology to realize significant cost savings and improved employee productivity.
NGMS and CWGT can provide travel management while following federal travel regulations and policies, accommodating existing travel agencies and FedTrip (the federal Web-based travel booking system).
GSA will verify and validate vendors' solutions. Next, selected agencies will launch eTravel to demonstrate capability before it becomes available governmentwide in December. All civilian agencies should be using it by Sept. 30, 2006, under a Federal Travel Regulation proposed revision.
