GSA continues to refine its methodology in setting per diem rates. Instead of basing per diem rates on a random survey of lodging properties as had been done prior to fiscal year 2005, GSA now uses market data provided by Smith Travel Research to establish per diem rates. This change was among the recommendations made last year by AH&LA and other members of the Governmentwide Per Diem Advisory Board as a way to ensure that per diem rates accurately reflect actual lodging market conditions. In addition, GSA this year included 50 percent more properties and captured Average Daily Rate (ADR) data for the typical Monday through Thursday week as had been done previously.

The standard Continental U.S. (CONUS) per diem rate for lodging, which applies to destinations that are not specifically listed on the 2006 per diem rate schedule, remains at $60 per night. This rate was increased last year.

The Fiscal year 2006 federal per diem rates can be viewed on the web at the GSA's website at http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem.

For more information, contact Kevin Maher, AH&LA vice president for governmental affairs, at 202-289-3147 or kmaher@ahla.com.