What is FAR 31.205-46?
Travel Costs cost principle
FAR 31.205-46 is the federal cost principle governing the allowability of travel costs on government contracts. It caps lodging, meals, and incidentals at federal per-diem rates, limits airfare to the lowest customary class, and ties into the requirement to use U.S.-flag carriers. Costs outside these rules are unallowable.
Every cost proposal and incurred-cost submission with travel must conform; DCAA routinely tests travel for compliance with this principle.
In FORGEFORGE enforces travel and transport cost rules at point of entry so unallowable costs are caught before they're booked.
Common questions
Generally no — the principle limits airfare to the lowest priced class available for the mission, with narrow documented exceptions; premium-class costs are typically unallowable.