[Plsfaculty] FW: Open Skies Clarification - March 29, 2010

Tue Apr 27 11:31:10 MST 2010

  _____  

From: Discussion of Research Administrators' Issues
[mailto:RAMTALK at listserv.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Jing Liu
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 11:24 AM
To: RAMTALK at listserv.arizona.edu
Subject: FW: Open Skies Clarification - March 29, 2010

Dear research administrators:

If you manage federally funded projects, especially those projects
supporting a large number of fellows or participants, please remind your
fellows, participants, and employees on a regular basis about the Fly
America Act if you allow them to book their own travel.  They need to
consult with you when using foreign carriers to see if the exceptions are
allowed per federal regulations.

See below for the recently SPS issued clarification on Open Skies Agreement
and the Fly America Act.

Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of Research Administrators' Issues
[mailto:RAMTALK at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of Jing Liu
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:16 AM
To: RAMTALK at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Open Skies Clarification - March 29, 2010

Open Skies Agreements Clarification - March 29, 2010

Currently, NSF allows the use of the Airline Open Skies Agreements as an
exception to the Fly America Act.  NASA has also informed us that they honor
the Open Skies Agreements.  

NIH has not updated its Grants Policy Statement to include languages about
the Open Skies Agreements.  However, its Grants Policy Statement clearly
points us to follow the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR).  FTR has issued
clarification to allow the use of Open Skies Agreements as an exception to
the Fly America Act.  

We expect all other Federal agencies to honor the Open Skies Agreements.

We have posted a Fly America Waiver Checklist at:
http://sps.arizona.edu/financialcompliance/directindirect/Fly%20America%20Ac
t%20Waiver%20Checklist.pdf

We also added this link to the PI Handbook, Postaward, Other Operating
Costs, Travel section at:

http://www.sps.arizona.edu/handbook/otheroperatingcosts.htm

Here are a few things to know when using the Open Skies Agreements:

-          Currently, the US has Open Skies Agreements with the European
Union, Australia, and Switzerland.

-          There are two exceptions when using the Open Skies Agreements: 

(1)   A US flag carrier must be used when the transportation is between
points for which there is a City-Pair contract fare in effect.  The
City-Pair contract fare is not available to grantees but the grantees are
still required to use the US flag carrier service when a City-Pair contract
fare exists.  City Pairs can be searched at
http://apps.fas.gsa.gov/citypairs/search/

(2)   A US flag carrier must be used when the transportation is obtained or
funded by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military
department.

Below are a few useful web sites for your information:

-          GSA's Federal Travel Regulations:
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW
<http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW&co
ntentId=14161> &contentId=14161

-          FTR's Clarification on Open Skies Agreements:
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?programId=15319
<http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?programId=15319&channelId=-
24564&ooid=14161&contentId=24833&pageTypeId=17113&contentType=GSA_BASIC&prog
ramPage=%2Fep%2Fprogram%2FgsaBasic.jsp&P=MTT>
&channelId=-24564&ooid=14161&contentId=24833&pageTypeId=17113&contentType=GS
A_BASIC&programPage=%2Fep%2Fprogram%2FgsaBasic.jsp&P=MTT

-          NSF Grant General Conditions:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs//gc1/jan10.pdf
<http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gc1/jan10.pdf>   (Article no. 10: Travel)

-          NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial & Administrative Terms and
Conditions: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gc1/cafatc_jan10.pdf (Article no. 10:
Travel)

-          FAR Subpart 47.4 - Air Transportation by U.S. Flag Carriers:
https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2047_4.html#wp1082011
(see 47.403-2)

Jing Liu, CPA
Manager, Sponsored Projects Quality Assurance
Sponsored Projects Services
The University of Arizona
PO Box 3308
Tucson, AZ 85722-3308
(520) 626-6442
Fax: (520) 626-4137

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