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Airbnb for lodging by contractors


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The travel cost principle, including the portion of the government travel regulations cited there, does not limit contractor employees in regard to where they may stay while in a travel status.  Thus, there is no regulatory restriction on contractor employees staying at an Airbnb.  Airbnb operates on a rental basis.  If the employee pays for a rental while on covered travel, the employee has incurred a lodging expense.  If the contractor reimburses the employee for that cost, the contractor has incurred a lodging expense subject to the travel cost principle.  As long as the daily rental cost and M&IE expenses do not exceed the daily per diem amount for the locale, I see no reason why it should not be allowable. 

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15 minutes ago, Retreadfed said:

The travel cost principle, including the portion of the government travel regulations cited there, does not limit contractor employees in regard to where they may stay while in a travel status.  Thus, there is no regulatory restriction on contractor employees staying at an Airbnb.  Airbnb operates on a rental basis.  If the employee pays for a rental while on covered travel, the employee has incurred a lodging expense.  If the contractor reimburses the employee for that cost, the contractor has incurred a lodging expense subject to the travel cost principle.  As long as the daily rental cost and M&IE expenses do not exceed the daily per diem amount for the locale, I see no reason why it should not be allowable. 

Thank you very much!

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8 minutes ago, Vern Edwards said:

I don't know the answer, but see this 2021 Air Force memo, "Clarifying Guidance for Nonconventional Lodging (Airbnb, VRBO etc.)"

https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/Portals/13/AirBnB policy.pdf

There are other memos like it by other agencies and sources.

https://combadi.com/can-you-use-airbnb-for-government-travel/

This is helpful.  Thank you!

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2 minutes ago, LuketheNuke said:

Then how does one establish 'reasonablness'? 

If the total cost of lodging and M&IE does not exceed the total amount allowed by the appropriate regulation for those costs, the cost is considered reasonable.  The cost principle does not apply the separate limits on lodging and M&IE to contractors, only the total daily amount.

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So long as the lodging cost is within the ceiling established by GSA for the locality, and there is sufficient evidence the cost was incurred (e.g., a receipt), then the cost is allowable as defined by the FAR.

Company policy, however, may indicate a different choice.

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