News
Press Releases: Internal Efficiency & Effectiveness
August 15, 2003
Bush Administration’s E-Travel Initiative Under Way
GSA Awards E-Travel Contract Expected to Save Millions
WASHINGTON D.C. - E-Travel, one of President Bush’s E-Government Initiatives, reached a major milestone today, with the announcement that Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) and Carlson Wagonlit Government Travel Inc. (CWGT) have been selected to provide Web-based travel management for the federal government. The contract was awarded after a rigorous, six-month review process, conducted by the General Services Administration (GSA) in collaboration with 22 other agencies.
President Bush’s vision, which the Office of Management and Budget has helped to implement, harnesses the Internet to reap new efficiencies for the government and, ultimately, save taxpayers money. E-Travel contracts embrace best commercial practices, effective use of the Internet and empower the federal traveler—all at a substantially lower cost. They streamline and consolidate federal travel operations into a simplified, end-to-end travel management service. The 10-year, $450 million, E-Travel contract, awarded Wednesday, Aug. 13, is expected to cut federal travel management costs up to 50 percent.
”E-Travel is an innovative E-Government initiative that will advance President Bush’s vision to create a more results-oriented and efficient government,“ said GSA Administrator Stephen A. Perry. ”This initiative addresses the challenge of reengineering the government’s travel function. By doing so, it will allow all agencies to benefit from the full buying power of the federal government.“
E-Travel will be commercially hosted, minimizing federal technology costs, guaranteeing real-time information. From travel planning and authorization to reimbursement, the service will leverage best practices in important areas such as administration, finance and information technology, realizing significant cost savings and improved employee productivity.
NGMS of Fairfax, Va., and CWGT of San Antonio demonstrated they can provide travel management supporting federal travel regulations and policies, accommodating existing travel agencies and FedTrip?. GSA will verify and validate vendors’ solutions. Next, selected agencies will launch E-Travel to demonstrate capability before it becomes available government-wide in December. All civilian agencies should be using it by Sept. 30, 2006, under a Federal Travel Regulation proposed revision. For E-Travel information, visit egov.gsa.gov.
GSA, a centralized Federal procurement and property management agency, was created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help agencies better serve the public. Its 14,000 associates acquire office space, information technology, other office supplies and services for 1 million federal workers in 8,000 buildings in 1,600 U.S. communities.
