NASA Headquarters' Directives
HQPD 9730.1A Effective Date: July 15, 1996 Expiration Date: July 15, 2010 Responsible Office: LM	Fare Subsidies for NASA Headquarters Employees Utilizing Public Mass Transportation

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1. PURPOSE

This directive sets forth policy, objectives and responsibilities for the NASA
Headquarters implementation of employee mass transit fare subsidies.

2. APPLICABILITY

The option to take part in the fare subsidy program is extended only to NASA
Headquarters civil service employees.

3. AUTHORITIES

a. Title 5 U.S.C. Section 7905 (P.L. 103-172, 107 Stat. 1995).

b. The Energy Policy Act, (P.L. 102-486, October 24, 1992) Title 26 U.S.C. Section
132.

4. DEFINITIONS

a. Public Mass Transportation.

1. Any public bus or rail transit system, whether or not publicly owned.
2. Any highway vehicle (1) that seats at least six adults (not including the
driver) (2) at least 80% of the mileage use is to transport employees
between their residences and their place of employment (3) the number of
employees transported for such purposes is at least 1/2 of the adult seating
capacity and (4) transportation is provided by any person in the business of transporting persons for compensation or hire.

b. Fare Media. A ticket, pass, token, farecard, voucher, or similar item entitling a
person to transportation.

c. Employee. A person appointed in the civil service by an authorized appointing
official, engaged in the performance of a Federal function under authority of law
or an executive act, and subject to the supervision of an individual authorized as
an appointing official while engaged in the performance of the duties of his/her
position. NASA Headquarters employees include part-time personnel, Temporary
Assignment Group (TAG) personnel, temporary personnel, and Cooperative
Education Program participants (Co-ops). Detailees, consultants, contractors and
other personnel who do not receive their paychecks directly from NASA
Headquarters are not considered Headquarters employees.

5. POLICY

a. Title 5 U.S.C 7905 (P.L. 103-172, 107 stat. 1995) authorizes Federal agencies to
subsidize employees' cost of commuting to or from work using Public Mass
Transportation.

b. Appropriated funds may be used, if available, to subsidize a portion of the
commuting costs of approved employees who utilize public mass transportation.
The monthly subsidy will not exceed the Internal Revenue Service limit on
non-taxable fringe benefits. The Associate Administrator for Headquarters
Operations will determine at what level NASA Headquarters will participate in
this program. The subsidy is to be used only by the employee who receives the
fare media, and is not transferable.

c To receive the subsidy, the employee must utilize the selected mode of
transportation for a total of 10 workdays during the month for which the subsidy
is given. Fare media not picked up during the month is forfeited for that month.

d. The fare media subsidy may not be received by an employee at the same time as
the employee is receiving another form of transportation subsidy, such as subsidized parking at NASA Headquarters or any other Federal Agency's garage.

6. OBJECTIVE

To reduce petroleum-product consumption and traffic congestion, and improve air quality
through encouraging the use of public mass transportation within Washington, DC and its
environs.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The Director, Headquarters Facilities and Logistics Management Division, Code
CO, is responsible for:

(1) Headquarters oversight and implementation of the fare subsidy program.

(2) Developing and implementing an Internal Operating Procedure to assure
that funds, property and other program assets are properly accounted for
and safeguarded against fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or
misappropriation.

(3) Generating and furnishing reports required by internal and external
organizations.

(4) Disseminating fare media distribution and other pertinent information to
employees in HQ Bulletin articles, Heads Up notices, or other appropriate
means.

(5) Referring to the Labor Relations Office, Code CP, issues which may affect
respective labor organizations as appropriate.

b. The Headquarters Transportation Officer is responsible for:

(1) Processing and verifying applications for the fare media subsidy and
ensuring all required data elements are supplied by the applicant.

(2) Documenting the number of fare media issued to employees, the grade
level of participating employees, and the funds expended in the program.

(3) Ensuring that program participation is limited to eligible NASA
Headquarters civil service employees.

(4) Monitoring the list of employees receiving this subsidy every month to
ensure that employees are not simultaneously receiving a second benefit in
the form of subsidized parking as an individual or as a member of a
carpool, and that employees are rt~ueivin4 the appropriate number of fare
media per month.

(5) Obtaining the appropriate quantity of fare media each month from
approved providers of public mass transportation, and ensuring that a
chain of accountability exists for the media from the time of receipt until
final disposition.

(6) Approving providers of public mass transportation as eligible for
participation in the NASA Headquarters fare subsidy program.

8. CANCELLATION

HQMI 9730.1 dated August 28, 1992.

Associate Administrator for
Headquarters Operations

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