I am looking for references to what the ethical/contractual
responsibilities of the government, prime contractor, and
subcontractor when an employee has a moral objection to the government
housing arrangements while on official travel:  a woman sharing an
apartment with two men.

One of my questions is which is the primary concern for the companies:
 the client, or the employee objecting?  The government arranged the
housing situation.  The government cannot compel coworkers to share
hotel rooms, but does this apply to an apartment situation?

I have searched with terms like government, prime contractor,
subcontractor, ethics, responsibility, dispute, resolve, and most of
my hits refer to acquisition or procurement.  Any and all help is
greatly appreciated!

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Request for Question Clarification by nellie_bly-ga on 29 Nov 2002 10:29 PST

Are you an employee of:

a) government, if so, federal, state, local?   If federal, which department?

b) prime govt. contractor?

c) subcontractor?

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Clarification of Question by gecka-ga on 29 Nov 2002 13:09 PST

I'm the subcontractor, the one who objected to the housing situation. 
Yes, it's the federal government.

Hi gecka-

As a federal contract employee you are entitled to a per diem for each
day of travel.  While some contractors/employees may choose to combine
their per diems to rent an apartment you cannot be forced to
participate in that agreement, unless there is some specific clause in
your sub-contract, and even then, it would be questionable. I say that
based on a few years working as federal contractor/sub-contractor.

The GSA is clear about your not having to share a room:
"Should I be required to share my hotel room with another employee? 

"No. Each Federal employee, for official travel away from the official
station, is entitled to a daily payment for lodging, meals and related
incidental expenses. If, for whatever circumstances, a lodging receipt
shows a charge for double occupancy, such fact shall be shown on the
travel voucher. If the person sharing the room is a Government
employee on official travel, one-half of the double occupancy charge
shall be allowable for each employee. If the person sharing the room
is not another Government employee on official travel, identification
of the person is not required and the employee may be allowed the
single room rate."

http://159.142.162.71/Portal/content/offerings_content.jsp?contentOID=118763&contentType=1004

One would generally go up the chain of command with a concern such as
yours, i.e., starting with your employer (the sub contractor), then
the contractor, then the federal contracts officer.

The following paragraph explains about the ITMC rep. There should be
one in whichever department issued your contract.  Or contact the GSA
at the number below.

Federal agencies have designated individuals to serve on an
Interagency Travel Management Committee (ITMC) which provides a forum
through which Federal agencies can exchange information and ideas for
resolving common problems relating to the effective utilization of the
FTR. The Committee is composed of approximately 100 members,
representing Federal agencies, boards, and commissions that have a
significant interest in the management of Federal travel. Through the
ITMC, GSA strengthens lines of communication and disseminates
information to agency representatives . An employee should contact
his/her agency ITMC representative for any travel-related questions.
The ITMC representative may normally be found in the agency's Office
of Finance and/or travel policy office.

If you need additional assistance, GSA is available at 202-501-1538

Search strategy: federal per diem lodging


If you have questions about this response or require additional
information, please post a Request for Clarification before rating
this answer.

Nellie Bly

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Request for Answer Clarification by gecka-ga on 29 Nov 2002 15:02 PST

Hi Nellie,

That's what I was hoping - it's good to see that GSA agrees with me!

What about if the prime disagrees with the sub's position, and refuses
to go to the government?  Does the sub have any recourse then?

Thanks so much for your help,
Gecka

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Clarification of Answer by nellie_bly-ga on 29 Nov 2002 15:21 PST

You have rights as a sub-contractor. 
It may be sticky politically, but jump over the prime if they won't
respond and go to the contracts officer.
There should be a couple of clauses in the fine print of your contract
that explain your rights.

We seemed to have both filed a clarification at the same time, so
here's a piece I missed posting before.  It may show up twice, but
just in case.


Travel Management Policy
SECTION 
§ 301-11.11
May I stay in a lodging facility of my choice?
Yes. You are encouraged to stay in lodging facilities that have been
approved by FEMA as "approved accommodations". To ensure that you are
staying in an approved facility, given the best available choices
and/or obtaining Government discount rates, you are further encouraged
to make lodging arrangement through your agency's TMS.
http://www.policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/homepage/mtt/ftr/newftr/301-11_11.html

I am fairly adept at searching, but wasn't finding what I needed. 
Nellie immediately got to the crux of the question, and found my
answers.

The nellie bly answer seems right to me and you will likely win if you
persevere, but some one may find a sneeky way to get revenge in such a
way that you don't have enough hard facts to fight back. Is winning
worth it?   Neil

In principle, it is absolutely worth it.  In reality, probably not. 
The situation is overcome by events, but I'm finding that the
legalities of the whole thing are appalling.