OMB Circular A-126
Encyclopedia
OMB Circular A-126, revised May 22, 1992, is a Government circular
that introduces standards and policies regarding the management and use of United States Government aircraft, specifically the acquisition, management, usage, cost accounting, and disposal of. Originally issued in 1921 as the Budget and Accounting Act, it was revised in 1950 as the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act; again in 1970 as Reorganization Plan No. 2; as Executive Order 11541 and [31 U.S.C. 1344].
All policies presented by this circular apply to Executive Agencies, with special policy covering the travel by senior officials or non-Federal travelers on government aircraft that is government-owned, leased, chartered or rented and any related services that apply. The only exceptions are aircraft that is in use by or in support of the President
or Vice President
of the United States
or employed in the Executive Office of the President at a payrate of Level II of the Executive Schedule.
Simply, anyone who meets the criteria as being employed and paid that or greater of
the basic pay equivalent to a member of the Senior Executive Service.
Exempted from this definition are active duty military officers.
As stated in the circular, agencies are only allowed to operate government aircraft for "official purposes", which is defined as including mission requirements and other official travel.
There are outlined specifics that define "official travel" that must meet these specific critera:
and that the minimum mission requirements are not surpassed. In emergency situations, this certification may be produced after-the-fact.
At a minimum, those individuals appointed by the agency head must be one organizational level above the person(s) traveling. If this is not possible, then another appropriate approval is required.
Travel requests must also be approved in advance and in writing. This approval must be done on a trip-by-trip basis from the agency's senior legal official or their principal deputy. There are two exceptions:
All use of government aircraft by agencies must be reported semi-annually to the GSA. These reports must be formatted within GSA standards and must list the following during a six-month period:
In addition to the GSA, these reports must also be submitted semi-annually to the OMB in the same format. The exception to this rule are any classified trips, which then must be maintained by the agency and available for review under authorization.
For all uses of federal aircraft, the following documentation must be retained for a minimum of two years:
All authorizations must conform to the same policies as authorized agency travel.
. Any material weaknesses must be reported to the President and the United States Congress
.
The development of policies and procedures must be done in cooperation with the GSA
. If the agency does not have systems that conform to these policies, a period of one year from the date of issuance of GSA standards is given to implement those systems.
, air transportation security has become a major issue for all aspects of American culture, including government transportation. Because of concerns for safety of elected government officials, the Speaker of the House--second in line behind the vice president
in order of succession
--has been granted use of military planes for secure travel services.
In February 2007, a controversy arose regarding the capability of aircraft for travel requested by newly-elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
. The previous speaker, Rep. Dennis Hastert
of Illinois, flew in a C-20 which is a modified version of a Gulfstream III. Pelosi requested an upgrade from this plane, which is incapable of flying non-stop the required 2,800+ miles to Pelosi's home district of San Francisco, California
.
There was some question as to whether or not Pelosi's friends and associates would be allowed to travel with her, and that further consultation with the Air Force
, and Department of Defense
would be required.
Government circular
A Government circular is a written statement of government policy. It will often provide information, guidance, rules, and/or background information on legislative or procedural matters.-References:*...
that introduces standards and policies regarding the management and use of United States Government aircraft, specifically the acquisition, management, usage, cost accounting, and disposal of. Originally issued in 1921 as the Budget and Accounting Act, it was revised in 1950 as the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act; again in 1970 as Reorganization Plan No. 2; as Executive Order 11541 and [31 U.S.C. 1344].
All policies presented by this circular apply to Executive Agencies, with special policy covering the travel by senior officials or non-Federal travelers on government aircraft that is government-owned, leased, chartered or rented and any related services that apply. The only exceptions are aircraft that is in use by or in support of the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
or Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Definition of "Senior Officials"
In this circular, the term 'Senior Official' is defined by anyone employed by an Executive or independent agency at a payrate of Level I of the Executive ScheduleExecutive Schedule
Executive Schedule refers to the highest-ranked appointed positions in the executive branch of the U.S. government. The President of the United States, an elected official, appoints incumbents to these positions, most of them with the advice and consent of the Senate. They include members of the...
or employed in the Executive Office of the President at a payrate of Level II of the Executive Schedule.
Simply, anyone who meets the criteria as being employed and paid that or greater of
the basic pay equivalent to a member of the Senior Executive Service.
Exempted from this definition are active duty military officers.
Use and travel on government aircraft
Note: The sections below are intended only as a summary of government aircraft use policy. For specific concerns or questions about official government flight policy, please see the official circular at the Office of Management and BudgetAs stated in the circular, agencies are only allowed to operate government aircraft for "official purposes", which is defined as including mission requirements and other official travel.
There are outlined specifics that define "official travel" that must meet these specific critera:
- when no commercial airline or aircraft(including charter) service is reasonably available; specifically any schedule that does not meet the traveler's departure and/or arrival requirements within a 24 hour period
- the cost of government aircraft usage is not more than the cost of using commercial airline or aircraft
- aircraft may not be used on a "space available" basis unless:
- the aircraft is already scheduled for an official purpose
- the "space available" does not require a larger aircraft than needed
- the "space available" use results in a minor additional cost to the government
Cost and reimbursement
The following conditions are not eligible for reimbursement from the government and must be recouped by the employee:- incidental private travel activities of an employee incur additional cost while on official travel
- wholly personal or political trips (the full coach fare)
- official trip during which political activities are attended and engaged in (the appropriate share of the full coach fare)
- in which the employee flies to one or more locations for personal reasons (the excess of the full coach fare for all flights taken above the cost rendered to the federal government)
Approval and documentation for government travel
Typically only an agency head or officials that are designated by the agency head may approve the use of agency aircraft, but government aircraft may also be used when it is also designated to transport senior Federal officials, members of their families or other non-Federal travelers on a "space available" basis but only when a written certification is presented by the agency. This certification must show that the mission activity is bona fideBona Fide
Bona Fide is a studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first studio album in six years and is the only studio album to feature guitarist Ben Granfelt...
and that the minimum mission requirements are not surpassed. In emergency situations, this certification may be produced after-the-fact.
At a minimum, those individuals appointed by the agency head must be one organizational level above the person(s) traveling. If this is not possible, then another appropriate approval is required.
Travel requests must also be approved in advance and in writing. This approval must be done on a trip-by-trip basis from the agency's senior legal official or their principal deputy. There are two exceptions:
- the agency head has determined that all travel by the individual qualifies as required use travel or
- the President has determined that all travel by the agency head qualifies as required use.
All use of government aircraft by agencies must be reported semi-annually to the GSA. These reports must be formatted within GSA standards and must list the following during a six-month period:
- name of each traveler
- official purpose of trip
- destination(s)
- the appropriate allocated share of the full operating cost of the trip
In addition to the GSA, these reports must also be submitted semi-annually to the OMB in the same format. The exception to this rule are any classified trips, which then must be maintained by the agency and available for review under authorization.
For all uses of federal aircraft, the following documentation must be retained for a minimum of two years:
- tail number of the plane used
- date(s) used
- name(s) of pilot(s) and flight crew
- purpose(s) of the flight
- the route(s) flown
- names of all passengers
Eligibility
Status as a federal employee does not automatically result in authorization for use of government aircraft. There are three categories of people who require advance authorization in writing:- senior Federal officials
- members of their families
- non-Federal travelers
All authorizations must conform to the same policies as authorized agency travel.
Audit responsibility
All agency officials with the statutory authority to procure aircraft must ensure that their policies and procedures comply with the requirements of OMB Circular A-76, and that those programs comply with the internal control requirements of OMB Circular A-123OMB Circular A-123
OMB Circular A-123 is a US Office of Management and Budget Government circular that defines the management responsibilities for internal financial controls in Federal agencies. It was issued by OMB's Office of Federal Financial Management on 21 December 2004 and addressed to all Federal Chief...
. Any material weaknesses must be reported to the President and the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
The development of policies and procedures must be done in cooperation with the GSA
GSA
-Commerce:* Citroën GS / GSA, a French automobile car* Global mobile Suppliers Association, an industry association for 3G mobile technology* General Sales Agent, an airline sales representative* Google Search Appliance, a device for document indexing...
. If the agency does not have systems that conform to these policies, a period of one year from the date of issuance of GSA standards is given to implement those systems.
Accounting
Those systems which are implemented that conform to GSA standards must permit justification of use of government aircraft services and the determination of usage over commercial or alternative government aircraft; recovery of operation costs of the aircraft; the cost-effectiveness of their aircraft program; and cost-comparison to justify in-house operation of government aircraft in accordance with OMB Circular A-76.In the media
Since the September 11, 2001 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, air transportation security has become a major issue for all aspects of American culture, including government transportation. Because of concerns for safety of elected government officials, the Speaker of the House--second in line behind the vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
in order of succession
Order of succession
An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death, resignation, or removal of its current occupant.-Monarchies and nobility:...
--has been granted use of military planes for secure travel services.
In February 2007, a controversy arose regarding the capability of aircraft for travel requested by newly-elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and served as the 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011...
. The previous speaker, Rep. Dennis Hastert
Dennis Hastert
John Dennis "Denny" Hastert was the 59th Speaker of the House serving from 1999 to 2007. He represented as a Republican for twenty years, 1987 to 2007.He is the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history...
of Illinois, flew in a C-20 which is a modified version of a Gulfstream III. Pelosi requested an upgrade from this plane, which is incapable of flying non-stop the required 2,800+ miles to Pelosi's home district of San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
There was some question as to whether or not Pelosi's friends and associates would be allowed to travel with her, and that further consultation with the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
, and Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
would be required.