6409.11,0 Code
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             FSH 6409.11 - QUARTERS RENTAL HANDBOOK
                    WO AMENDMENT 6409.11-97-1
                        EFFECTIVE 4/7/97

                            ZERO CODE


This Handbook sets forth procedures for establishing rental rates 
and direction on assigning and using Government-furnished 
quarters.

01 - AUTHORITY.

    1.  Office of Management and Budget Circular A-45, Policy 
Governing Charges for Rental Quarters and Related Facilities (FSM 
6445.01).

    2.  Comptroller General's Decision, volume 39, page 117 (39 
Comp. Gen. 117), which authorizes that a reasonable value be 
charged for lodging furnished to family members staying with an 
employee while that employee is in travel status.
 
06 - ASSIGNMENT AND USE OF QUARTERS.

    1.  Document the assigning of Government quarters to 
employees and legal permit holders on Form FS-6400-30, Quarters 
Assignment Agreement.  Assignment may be made to other Department 
of Agriculture employees and other persons directly related to 
performance of a contract, memorandum of understanding, or other 
formal agreement between the Forest Service and another 
cooperating Federal or State agency or with a contractor 
providing services or supplies to the Forest Service.

    2.  Place those yearlong employees furnished housing and 
assigned to field work during the summer or other seasonal 
periods at designated field locations either: (a) in travel 
status during assignments or 
(b) assign these employees to the field location (FSH 6509.33).

    3.  Provide Government quarters without charge to employees 
in travel status and decrease the per diem rate accordingly (FSH 
6509.33 - FTR 301-7).  If family members stay with the employee 
in Government quarters while the employee is in travel status, 
charge a reasonable value for the lodging furnished to the family 
members (39 Comp. Gen. 117).

    4.  Continue to charge employees rent for the official 
station housing when they move seasonally from the official 
station housing to housing at field locations, unless the 
official station housing is vacated and made available to other 
occupants.

    5.  Consider regular and temporary employees, including 
project crews and their supervisors, who are not assigned to 
definite field locations (including camps) for specified periods, 
as field parties in travel status.  Their official duty station 
for travel purposes is the designated headquarters town for the 
Forest, District, or other organizational unit.  While away from 
their official duty station, such employees may be furnished 
housing in lieu of per diem or a reduced per diem allowance (FSH 
6509.33 - FTR 301-7).

    6.  Consider lookout structures as facilities or workshops 
and not quarters.  When used as bunkhouses, dormitories, or 
barracks during the off season, classify them as bunkhouses, 
dormitories, or barracks and set rates accordingly.

Charge employees the established rental rate for quarters that 
are separate from, or in addition to, the lookout structure.