[Travel-Link] Travel Updates

[HAY Tim * SSD SPO]

Attention travel planners.  Here are some updates regarding the travel
program. 

 

WSCA Lodging:  The In-State qualification list is ending at the end of
August.   The link has been removed from the State of Oregon Travel
Page.   Travelers and travel planners should use WSCA Lodging when
searching for and making hotel reservations for both in and out of state
reservations.  WSCA Lodging is located a www.wscalodging.org or
http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/SSD/SPO/wsca_lodging.shtml   Please take this
time now to update any bookmarks to WSCA Lodging.   WSCA Lodging is also
available through ResX when booking in conjunction with an airline
ticket. 

 

New Hotels:  We have added some Oxford Suites to the list of hotels in
WSCA Lodging, bringing 45 chains and over 10,000 hotels in the list.

 

GSA Per-Diems:  Next year's GSA Per-diems should be announced by the end
of August. If you are booking after 9/30/2011, the rates may be
incorrect on WSCA Lodging.  Once the new rates are available, I will
update WSCA Lodging with the correct per-diems.  

 

City-Pairs: There has been a lot of confusion with the recent expiration
of most of the city-pair contracts.  This email is to explain the
situation.  First off, the Price Agreement with Azumano Travel has NOT
expired.  State agencies under DAS Authority are still required to use
Azumano Travel when booking air fare.   

 

The State still has city-pairs contracts with Alaska, Jet Blue, SeaPort
and United airlines, however most of the city pairs under these
contracts are for destinations west of the Rocky Mountains.   If you are
traveling in this area, State Agencies are required to use the
contracted carrier for the markets served. You have the choice of
choosing the contracted fare or a published fare, but you must fly the
contracted carrier,  The normal exceptions still apply.   Please visit
the travel page at http://travel.oregon.gov to see which city pair
markets are served and by which carrier.   

 

If you are traveling to a market not served by a city-pair, you will
need to purchased a published fare though Azumano Travel.    Keep in
mind that published fares are not as flexible and may be more expensive
depending on flight times.  To limit costs, it is recommended to book
trips as early as possible, search for alternate flight times, days and
even alternate airports.    For example, Baltimore is generally less
expensive to fly to than Reagan National in Washington DC.   You should
compare per-diems, transportation costs, employee costs and other
expenses to determine which make the lowest logical sense to the agency.
Also remember that published fares are non-refundable.   Be sure travel
is approved and all arrangements are satisfactory before ticketing the
fare.

 

Future Airline Contract:  I am in discussions with the airlines on a
possible discounted air-fare type of contract to help defray travel
costs.  I will know more if this concept can become a reality by the end
of September.  I will keep you posted.

 

Best regards,

 

Tim A. Hay, CPPB, CGTP, OPAC, OPBC

Lead State Procurement Analyst

DAS State Procurement Office

1225 Ferry St SE U140

Salem, OR 97301-4285

 

Ph. 503-378-4650

Fax. 503-373-1626

tim.hay at state.or.us <mailto:tim.hay at state.or.us> 

************************************************************************

DAS State Procurement Office Mission:

"Demonstrate and provide leadership through innovative, responsive, and
accountable public procurement services.

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