Travel Pay Department of Air Force (DAF) – Defense Travel System (DTS)

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Program level Payment Integrity results

Sponsoring agency: Department of War

PROGRAM METRICS

$2,356 M

in FY 2024 outlays, with a

90.3%

payment accuracy rate

PROGRAM METRICS

$2,559 M

in FY 2025 outlays, with a

92.4%

payment accuracy rate

  • Improper payment estimates over time
    View as:

    Chart toggle amounts:
    Proper payments
    Overpayment
    Underpayment
    Technically improper
    Unknown

Payment Integrity results

  • FY 2024 improper payment estimates

    Chart legend and breakdown

    Payment accuracy rate

    Improper payment rate

    Unknown payment rate


    Sampling & estimation methodology details

    Sampling timeframe:

    07/2023 - 06/2024


    Confidence interval:

    90% to <95%


    Margin of error:

    +/-1.04

  • Actions taken & planned to mitigate improper payments

    Mitigation strategy Description of the corrective action Completion date Status
    Behavioral/Psych Influence
    The behavioral/psych influence corrective actions taken by the Department of the Air Force (DAF) include the release of metrics by command and unit to call out those with a high rate of improper payments. The most notable behavioral/psych influence corrective action is the notification to an approving official’s command team when they have been identified of approving three or more improper payments and are required to attend remedial training. Further is the notification to an approving official’s command team when they have failed to attend the required remedial training and are being removed for non-compliance and failure to meet the requirements of a DAF approving official.
    FY2024 Q4
    Completed
    Training
    The Department of the Air Force (DAF) has implemented the following initiatives to address training needs. 1.) Since February 2023, the DAF has required Mandatory DTS Approving Official Training for all newly appointed Approving Officials and Reviewing Officials and for all Approving Officials identified as having approved three or more improper payments. This training is designed specifically to address the common errors found by the DTS PPR as well as the DTS Compliance Tool. It also includes all new and recent policy changes regarding travel entitlements, which may not be known to the larger population of travelers and approving officials. It includes specific examples of proper and improper receipts and clearly articulates all the requirements for a valid receipt. The training also teaches approving officials and reviewing officials how to review and adjust per diem amounts in the per diem screens of DTS. 2.) To address the lack of knowledge and/or awareness of newly implemented policy changes affecting travel entitlements, the DAF has implemented a new process to disseminate notification of all JTR or DAF travel policy changes from SAF/FM to the AFIMSC, NGB, and AFRC Component Travel Pay Leads to the installation DTS (Lead Defense Travel Administrator (LDTA). All DAF LDTAs have now been notified and trained to disseminate this information and provide guidance and explanation to their ODTAs, Approving Officials, Reviewing Officials, and Travelers to ensure all are properly informed; and 3.) The DAF has also implemented a monthly travel topic notification to disseminate directly to all installation comptroller squadrons. This notification includes tips and FAQs in addition to any new or changing policies or procedures. 4) The DAF began using established training methods and venues, concentrate training on one of the top five error's each month applying the results from the latest DTS Post Pay Review. 5) The DTS Air Force Accounting and Finance Office (AFAFO) provided the Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA) with the listing of the Air Force bases piloting the robotics solution to DTS which would address an identified material weakness on DTS unauthorized approvals. Implemented the DTS robotics solution to validate its effectiveness in reducing improper payments. 6) AFIMSC tracks Approving Official (AOs) and Air Force bases train AOs identified as having approved an improper payment on the DTS Post Pay Reviews. Metrics developed will focus on verifying remediation actions for officials who cause improper payments. Tracked remediation actions in QART will include training on specific errors to create process improvement loop, and ultimately removal from position if behavior is not corrected.
    FY2024 Q4
    Completed
    Automation
    The Department of the Air Force (DAF) identified a material weakness with the DTS system itself that does not have proper internal controls for permission level access. The issue allows anyone with access to appoint others to approving official role (without necessarily vetting for proper appointment and training completion). Therefore, DAF has implemented the biweekly use of an automation bot to remove approving official permissions for any DAF AOs without properly appointed on a DD Form 577 located in the Forms and Account Management Service (FAMS) system and without completion of mandatory training. The bot compares the list of individuals with approving official permissions in DTS with the list of appointed and trained DTS DAOs in FAMS, and automatically removes the individuals’ permissions who are not properly appointed as a DAO or have not fulfilled all required training as indicated in FAMS.
    The corrective action was not fully completed this reporting period
    Not Completed
    Automation
    The bot described previously will continue to run every two weeks until the proper internal controls are addressed in the Defense Travel System (DTS) by DTMO to prevent wrongful granting of DTS permission levels. Additionally, the DTS system has the technology today to identify improper payments through their Compliance Tool (CT), but only applies this technology post-payment.
    FY2026
    Planned
    Behavioral/Psych Influence
    The behavioral/psych influence corrective actions described in previously are continuous. They began during FY24 and will continue on a monthly basis as long as there are DAF approving officials approving improper payments within DTS.
    FY2026
    Planned
    Training
    The training corrective actions as described previously are continuous. They will continue on a monthly basis as long as there are DAF approving officials approving improper payments within Defense Travel System (DTS). In addition to these, the DAF is implementing a quarterly training for component and installation level travel pay teams, to help them better train and assist their travelers, approving officials, and reviewing officials. The root cause for invalid receipts being submitted for travel related payments includes the following: Travel related payments are processed in DTS with invalid or missing receipts, and missing information needed to properly substantiate the travel payment. The monthly and quarterly training will address the invalid or missing receipts as well as the missing information needed to properly substantiate the travel payment.
    FY2025
    Planned

Overpayments

Overpayments associated with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Defense Travel System (DTS) vouchers are within the DAF’s overall control and responsibility. The DAF is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of its payments to include DTS travel vouchers. There were several contributing factors identified. The DAF’s current construct does not allow for a centralized approach to DTS authorization and voucher management for Temporary Duty (TDY) members. The agency has adopted a decentralized approach to allow each unit to handle their own travel needs. Unfortunately, we have discovered this approach correlates to an increased number of approving officials (AOs) who are not fully aware of the requirements for validating meal authorizations and appropriate lodging rates in the per diem screen of DTS, which make up a large portion of our overpayments. The DAF has taken action to ensure all newly appointed AOs and all AOs identified as having approved 3 or more improper payments receive mandatory initial and/or remedial AO training to reduce improper payments. Further, all AOs who do not comply with the training requirements, will have their AO permissions removed within 10 days of the established training deadline.
Overpayment root cause Overpayment amount
Amount of overpayments within the agency's control $53.27 M
Amount of overpayments that occurred because the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment does not exist $0.0 M
The amount of overpayments that occurred because of an inability to access the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $0.0 M
The amount of overpayments that occurred because of a failure to access data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $53.27 M

Overpayment root cause Overpayment amount
Amount of overpayments outside the agency's control $0.0 M

Overpayment type Eligibility element/information needed Eligibility amount
Overpayments Within Agency Control Address/Location $53.27 M

Overpayment type Mitigation strategies taken Mitigation strategies planned
Overpayments within the agency’s control Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training

Underpayments

Underpayment root cause Underpayment amount
Amount of underpayments $9.68 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment does not exist $0.0 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because of an inability to access the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $0.0 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because of a failure to access data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $9.68 M

Eligibility element/information needed Eligibility amount
Address/Location $9.68 M

Mitigation strategies taken Mitigation strategies planned
Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training

Technically improper payments

The primary cause for the Department of the Air Force (DAF)'s Defense Travel System (DTS) technically improper payments was the submission of invalid receipts. Hotel, airline, rental car, and other receipts were not in the proper format or were missing critical information as required by the Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR). For example, hotel receipts provided did not have zero balance indicated, and often rental car and airline reservation or agreements were provided in place of receipts or invoices. Upon further analysis, it was discovered that many travelers and/or approving officials did not: a. Fully understand, implement or enforce the requirements for a valid receipt as defined by the DOD FMR, and b. Correctly load their reservation document or rental car agreement rather than their official invoice for airfare and rental cars. It was also discovered many approving officials were not c. Properly validate meal authorizations and lodging rates in the per diem screen of DTS, for two primary reasons, a lack of effort or a lack of understanding. d. Complete the requirements for the justification statement associated with vocal orders issued when the DTS is created after the fact; therefore, the statements in DTS were missing who issued the order and when to fully substantiate the authorization in DTS. An example of a recurring error is as follows: The travel authorization was approved after the temporary duty (TDY) dates. Verbal authorization information or documentation is needed that includes the approving officials name and date the verbal authorization was given to proceed on travel. The orders have an issue date which is after the TDY was completed. A Verbal Order of the Commander (VOCO) date is needed for incurred expenses to be reimbursable. The payment is improper.
The amount of improper payments that were paid to the right recipient for the correct amount but were considered technically improper because of failure to follow statute or regulation $112.55 M

Mitigation strategies taken Mitigation strategies planned
Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training

Additional information

$122.23 M

Unknown Payment Details

The primary cause for Department of the Air Force's Defense Travel System (DTS) unknown payments were payments awaiting corrective action by travelers and/or approving officials. For example, proper hotel, airline, or rental car receipts were not attached, and were awaiting the traveler’s action to provide proper receipts in DTS or awaiting the approving official’s action to approve the amended voucher in DTS. At the point identified in the review, there was not enough evidence to determine if the payment was a monetary loss to government or is technically improper, as the final documentation needed to be provided.
An example of missing documentation required to determine if a payment is proper or improper, which resulted in the classification of unknown is a valid airfare receipt. Some travelers inadvertently upload their travel itinerary instead of their final invoice/receipt. Unfortunately, there may have been adjustments made to the travel, which resulted in a change in price/expense incurred. If so, this would be an improper payment with either an overpayment or underpayment. If not, it would be a technically improper payment.

The amount of payments that could either be proper or improper but the agency is unable to determine whether they were proper or improper as a result of insufficient or lack of documentation is $53.72 M


Cause of insufficient or lack of documentation & why the documentation is needed for determination of payment type
Payment cause Amount Description of the documentation that was not provided and explanation of why the program is unable to conclude whether the payment is proper or improper without that documentation
Other $53.72 M The primary cause for Department of the Air Force's Defense Travel System (DTS) unknown payments were payments awaiting corrective action by travelers and/or approving officials. For example, proper hotel, airline, or rental car receipts were not attached, and were awaiting the traveler’s action to provide proper receipts in DTS or awaiting the approving official’s action to approve the amended voucher in DTS. At the point identified in the review, there was not enough evidence to determine if the payment was a proper or improper, as the final documentation needed to be provided was missing. An example of missing documentation required to determine if a payment is proper or improper, which resulted in the classification of unknown is a valid airfare receipt. Some travelers inadvertently upload their travel itinerary instead of their final invoice/receipt. Unfortunately, there may have been adjustments made to the travel, which resulted in a change in price/expense incurred. If so, this would be an improper payment with either an overpayment or underpayment. If not, it would be a technically improper payment.

Mitigation strategies taken Mitigation strategies planned
Automation,Behavioral/Psych Influence,Training Automation,Behavioral/Psych Influence,Training

Evaluation of corrective actions

All of the automation, behavioral/psych influence, and training corrective actions described in the previous questions are designed specifically to address the root causes of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Defense Travel System (DTS) improper payments which is Travel related payments are processed in DTS with invalid or missing receipts, and missing information needed to properly substantiate the travel payment. The severity associated with the action is appropriate. In addition to the training sessions, DTS Air Force Accounting and Finance Office (AFAFO) provides the Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA) with the listing of the Air Force bases piloting the robotics solution to DTS which would address an identified material weakness on DTS unauthorized approvals. The DAF implemented the DTS robotics solution and validated its effectiveness in reducing improper payments. The training sessions specifically include topics and examples of the error types observed in the PPR as well as the DTS Compliance Tool. The training is available to all but is mandatory for approving officials who have approved three or more improper payments. The training sessions and behavioral psych influence messages are targeted directly toward the approving officials and commands identified as either approving multiple improper payments or not in compliance with training requirements. All approving officials not properly appointed in FAMS or not in compliance with mandatory training requirements have their access terminated and their command is notified. This is the most severe action we can take at this time, and believe it is appropriate and necessary to reduce the DAF’s improper payments in DTS.

All of the automation, behavioral/psych influence, and training corrective actions described in the previous questions are adequate and address the root causes to the best of our abilities. The root cause of the improper payments is Travel related payments are processed in the Defense Travel System (DTS) with invalid or missing receipts, and missing information needed to properly substantiate the travel payment.
The training sessions are updated each month to ensure they specifically include topics and examples of the error types observed in the PPR as well as the DTS Compliance Tool. The Department of the Air Force (DAF) tracks the number of improper payments by approving official, and the training sessions and behavioral psych influence messages are targeted directly toward the approving officials and commands identified as either approving multiple improper payments or not in compliance with training requirements. Further, the dissemination of travel updates as they occur, and the scheduling of more frequent travel update/FAQ events promote the required awareness of the ever-changing travel policies within the DoD, which lead to improper payments. Finally, the utilization of our biweekly bot targets the lack of internal controls within the DTS system which allows untrained and unappointed individuals to be granted permission within the system, giving them the ability to approve improper payments on behalf of the DAF. The continuation of this automation tool helps to reduce the risk and occurrence of this issue for the DAF, until the DTMO takes the necessary steps to implement the proper internal controls which should be required for the system.

All of the automation, behavioral/psych influence, and training corrective actions described in the previous questions are designed specifically to address the root causes of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Defense Travel System (DTS) improper payments which is Travel related payments are processed in DTS with invalid or missing receipts, and missing information needed to properly substantiate the travel payment.
The training sessions specifically include topics and examples of the error types observed in the PPR as well as the DTS Compliance Tool. The training sessions and behavioral psych influence messages are targeted directly toward the approving officials and commands identified as either approving multiple improper payments or not in compliance with training requirements. Further, the dissemination of travel updates as they occur, and the scheduling of more frequent travel update/FAQ events promote better awareness of the ever-changing travel policies within the DoD, which lead to improper payments. Finally, the utilization of our biweekly bot targets the lack of internal controls within the DTS system which allows untrained and unappointed individuals to be granted permission within the system, giving them the ability to approve improper payments on behalf of the DAF. The continuation of this automation tool helps to reduce the risk and occurrence of this issue for the DAF.

Commanders and Units are held accountable through repercussions associated with the highlighting their error rates within the Defense Travel System (DTS) PPR and Compliance Tool Metrics briefed in front of their peers at leadership briefings. The Approving officials are held accountable through the repercussions associated with the requirement for mandatory remedial training, the notification to their leadership of their inability to properly perform their duties as a Department of the Air Force (DAF) approving official, and ultimately through the removal of their role as a DAF approving official if they continue to approve improper payments and fail to complete remedial training. It is incumbent upon the commanders/supervisors of these individuals to uphold the integrity of the performance appraisal program, and appropriately annotate on their performance appraisal their inability to successfully perform the duty of DAF DTS approving official.

Future payment integrity outlook

Travel Pay Department of Air Force (DAF) – Defense Travel System (DTS) has established a baseline.

The reduction target is below the estimated DAF DTS future improper and unknown payment rate. The Department is fully confident in the DAF DTS Travel programs corrective action plan and ability to achieve the target rate and/or make significant progress towards it. These CAPs will be effectively implemented and will be fully effective at considerably reducing the improper and unknown payment rates in FY 2025.

Out-Year improper payment and unknown payment projections and target
Current year +1 estimated future outlays $2,379.68 M
Current year +1 estimated future improper payments $131.62 M
Current year +1 estimated future unknown payments $45.67 M
Current year +1 estimated future improper payment and unknown payment rate 7.45 %
Current year +1 estimated future improper payment and unknown payment reduction target 7.4 %

The program's current year improper payment and unknown payment rate of 9.73 % has not been achieved with a balance of payment integrity risk and controls and does not represent the lowest rate that can be achieved without disproportionally increasing another risk, therefore it is not the tolerable rate.

The Department has the internal controls in place to support the reduction of improper payments in the Defense Travel System (DTS) program to the levels the Department has targeted. However, a material weakness in Contract Administration related to improper payments was reported in fiscal year (FY) 2021 through the Risk Management/Internal Control Program. Moreover, the Office of the Under Secretary of the Defense (Comptroller) provides ongoing oversight to ensure material weaknesses are resolved by their target dates and coordination continues between the Risk Management/Internal Control Program and the Payment Integrity Program to leverage best practices in internal controls.

Human Capital:
The Department has the human capital it needs to reduce improper payments in the DTS program to the levels the Department has targeted. However, as the DTS program evolves and DoD operations change, additional skill sets and personnel resources may be needed to sustain and advance the program.

Information Systems and Other Infrastructure:
The Department has the information systems and other infrastructure it needs to reduce improper payments in the DTS program to the levels the Department has targeted. The Defense Travel System Administration and Operational Support Services, received an unmodified System and Organizational Control (SOC) 1 Type 2 report under Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 18 in FY 2023. The general and application controls of the DTS were included in the scope of the DMDC SSAE No. 18 examination. Integrated Accounts Payable System all received unmodified SOC 1 Type 2 reports under SSAE No. 18 in FY 2022. And, the Computerized Accounts Payable System, DFAS DAI, and DCMA Contract Pay each
received modified SOC 1 Type 2 reports under SSAE No. 18 in FY 2023. Moreover, the Automated Disbursing System, the Centralized Disbursing System, and the Deployable Disbursing System (which are the primary disbursing systems for the Department) received an unmodified SOC 1 Type 2 report under SSAE No. 18 in FY 2023. As technology advances, the Department continues to consider ways to improve the accuracy and efficiency of travel pay through implementation of new commercial and entitlement processing systems and enhancements to existing systems.

The Department of the Air Force Defense Travel System (DTS) Payment Integrity program has not had any specific or known additional resources requested in their most recent budget submission. Furthermore, the Department is investigating and performing comprehensive analysis into the development and modernization of DTS.

Additional programmatic information

Accountability for detecting, preventing, and recovering improper payments

The Department of Defense Payment Integrity Senior Accountable Officials Steering Committee (the Committee) was created in FY 2018, and it institutionalized a forum of accountability to oversee and guide the Department’s actions required by Appendix C of the OMB Circular Number A-123 to achieve full compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA). The Committee is chaired by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Deputy Chief Financial Officer and co-chaired by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Deputy Director of Operations. It also includes Senior Executive Service representatives from the Military Services and Defense Agencies. The Committee provides oversight to the DoD Payment Integrity program and drives action for compliance with the PIIA. More specifically, the Committee evaluates the status of improper payments testing, the root causes of improper payments and appropriate actions to reduce them, payment recovery activities, and solutions to resolve DoD-wide audit findings and recommendations related to improper payments. Additionally, the Committee supports audits related to improper payments, reviews audit recommendations, performance of risk assessments and oversees the identification of root cause(s) and the development and implementation of corrective actions to address areas of noncompliance.

  • FY 2025 improper payment estimates

    Chart legend and breakdown

    Payment accuracy rate

    Improper payment rate

    Unknown payment rate


    Sampling & estimation methodology details

    Sampling timeframe:

    07/2024 - 06/2025


    Confidence interval:

    90% to <95%


    Margin of error:

    +/-0.85

Causes

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Defense Travel System (DTS) program has been identified as having significant improper and unknown payments, exceeding the statutory threshold. As such, corrective actions are required in accordance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019. The top error types for DAF DTS include airfare paid with an invalid receipt, missing or conflicting information on the travel claim, invalid DTS authorization, and rental car, meals, airfare, and lodging over or underpaid.

The root causes of these improper payments are related to process and procedure issues stemming from the actions of both travelers and approving officials (AOs). Specifically, one of the main causes is the lack of valid supporting documentation submitted and/or compliance with travel policies and procedures. Many travelers and approving officials are not fully understanding, implementing, or enforcing the requirements for a valid receipt as defined by the DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR). This leads to the use of incorrect documents such as reservation confirmations or rental car agreements instead of official invoices for airfare and rental car expenses.

Another significant cause involves per diem calculations. Travelers and approving officials are failing to validate meal authorizations and lodging rates using the per diem screen within DTS. Additionally, problems arise from after-the-fact vocal orders, where the required justification statements are not completed adequately in DTS. These actions contribute to incorrect payment amounts, leading to improper payments and an increased risk of non-compliance with payment integrity requirements.

Overpayment root cause Overpayment amount
Amount of overpayments within the agency's control $48.48 M
Amount of overpayments outside the agency's control $0.0 M
Amount of overpayments that occurred because the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment does not exist $0.0 M
Amount of overpayments that occurred because of an inability to access the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $0.0 M
Amount of overpayments that occurred because of a failure to access data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $48.48 M

Underpayment root cause Underpayment amount
Amount of underpayments $11.94 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment does not exist $0.0 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because of an inability to access the data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $0.0 M
The amount of underpayments that occurred because of a failure to access data/information needed to validate payment accuracy prior to making a payment $11.94 M

The amount of improper payments that were paid to the right recipient for the correct amount but were considered technically improper because of failure to follow statute or regulation $105.02 M

The amount that could either be proper or improper but the agency is unable to determine whether it was proper or improper as a result of insufficient or lack of documentation $28.29 M

Prevention

The Department of Air Force (DAF) has implemented a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the DoW Payment Integrity Program to address improper and unknown payments. These payments exceeded the statutory threshold in FY 2025. The actions taken to correct the improper and unknown payments have resulted in improving the estimated improper and unknown payment rate in FY 2025. The goal is to further reduce these improper payments and achieve full PIIA compliance by FY 2026.

Actions to accomplish these reductions include:

Implementation of a Revised Tracking Tool: A tracking tool has been implemented to monitor the total number of improper payments identified by each approving official (AO) on both the DTS Post Pay Review (PPR) and the DTS Compliance Tool. The tracker includes training requirements, dates assigned, and dates completed. The DAF takes action to remove DTS approving official permissions for all approving officials who do not complete the mandatory training as assigned.

Dissemination of Policy Changes: To address the lack of knowledge and/or awareness of newly implemented policy changes affecting travel entitlements, the DAF has implemented a process to disseminate notification of all joint travel regulations (JTR) or DAF travel policy changes from SAF/FM to the AFIMSC, NGB, and AFRC Component Travel Pay Leads to the installation DTS Lead Defense Travel Administrator (LDTAs). All DAF LDTAs have now been notified and trained to disseminate this information and provide guidance and explanation to their Organizational Defense Travel Administrators (ODTAs), Approving Officials, Reviewing Officials, and Travelers to ensure all are properly informed. In addition, a monthly travel topic notification to disseminate directly to all installation comptroller squadrons. This notification includes tips and FAQs in addition to any new or changing policies or procedures.

To further prevent improper payments, the DAF plans to continue the following corrective actions:

Mandatory Approving Official Training: The DAF will continue to require Mandatory DAF DTS Approving Official Training for all newly appointed Approving Officials and Reviewing Officials and for all Approving Officials identified as having approved three or more improper payments. This training is designed specifically to address the common errors found by the DTS Post Pay Review as well as the DTS Compliance Tool. It also includes all new and recent policy changes regarding travel entitlements, which may not be known to the larger population of travelers and approving officials. It includes specific examples of proper and improper receipts and clearly articulates all the requirements for a valid receipt. The training also teaches approving officials and reviewing officials how to review and adjust per diem amounts in the per diem screens of DTS. Milestone target dates for this training will be March, June and September 2026.

Quarterly Travel Pay Processing Personnel Training: DAF will continue to provide comprehensive quarterly training for component and installation level travel pay teams, to help them better train and assist their travelers, approving officials, and reviewing officials based on current trends and analysis. Milestone target dates for this training will be January, April and July 2026.

Automated BOT for Permission Removal: DAF has implemented a biweekly automated bot to remove approving official permissions for any DAF AO who is not properly appointed on a DD Form 577 in FAMS or who has not completed all mandatory training. Milestone target dates for the BOTs reports are March, June and September 2026.

These corrective actions target the root causes of improper payments, which include failure to access data/information, lack of valid supporting documentation, and non-compliance with travel policies and procedures. The DAF anticipates that these continued efforts, coupled with DTS Reinvestment initiatives, will ensure continued improvement in reducing improper payments and achieving compliance with PIIA requirements.

The corrective actions of mandatory DAF DTS Approving Official and Quarterly Travel Pay Processing Personnel Training, and the process to maximize dissemination of joint travel regulations (JTR) and travel policy updates, are designed to address the key root causes of improper payments and unknown payments within the Department of Air Force (DAF) Defense Travel System (DTS) program. Specifically, these actions target the following deficiencies: a lack of full understanding, implementation, or enforcement of the requirements for valid receipts as defined by the DOD Financial Management Regulation (FMR); the incorrect submission of reservation documents or rental car agreements instead of official invoices for airfare and rental cars; failure to validate meal authorizations and lodging rates in the per diem screen of DTS; and incomplete justification statements for after-the-fact vocal orders in DTS.

To ensure the effectiveness of these measures, the DTS Improper Payment Tracking Tool is utilized to monitor improper payments and provide remedial training or even remove approving officials from their positions if necessary. Additionally, a DTS BOT is employed quarterly to remove unsupported permission levels, further strengthening the system's integrity.

These corrective actions are proportional to the severity of improper payments because they directly address and seek to reduce improper payments related to airfare, meals, lodging, and rental cars. By targeting these specific areas, the DAF aims to improve the accuracy of submission, review, and validation of supporting documentation, ultimately leading to a reduction in the overall improper payment rate and amount. The continued improvement in the improper payment rate demonstrates the effectiveness of these targeted corrective actions.


The Department is actively working to address improper and unknown payments related to the Defense Travel System (DTS). A Corrective Action Plan (CAP) has been developed to address deficiencies. The primary root causes identified include a lack of valid supporting documentation, non-compliance with travel policies and procedures, misunderstandings regarding receipt requirements, incorrect input of reservation documents instead of official invoices, failure to validate meal authorizations and lodging rates, and incomplete justification statements for after-the-fact verbal orders.

The corrective actions, including mandatory training for Approving Officials (AOs), the implementation of an improper payment tracking tool, a DTS BOT to remove unsupported permission levels, and a process to maximize DTS policy updates, are implemented and prioritized through scheduled events and reports, such as training sessions and removal of permission levels. These corrective action milestones are directly aligned with addressing each of the identified causes of DTS improper and unknown payments. The CAP emphasizes enhancing the accuracy of submission, review, and validation of supporting documentation, addressing the core issues of traveler and approving official compliance. Furthermore, DTS Reinvestment initiatives are planned to enhance AO capabilities, integrate external post-payment compliance audit tool results into the DTS pre-payment approval workflow, and incorporate e-receipt capabilities.

The priority and effectiveness of these corrective actions are demonstrated by the continued improvement in the projected improper and unknown payment rate. The DAF anticipates achieving full PIIA compliance by FY 2026, based on the continuation of these proven corrective actions, further enhanced by DTS Reinvestment initiatives.

Payment type Mitigation strategies taken Mitigation strategies planned
Overpayments Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training
Underpayments Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training
Technically improper payments Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training Automation, Behavioral/Psych Influence, Training
Unknown payments Automation,Behavioral/Psych Influence,Training Automation,Behavioral/Psych Influence,Training

Eligibility element/information needed Description of the eligbility element/information
Address/location Information regarding where the applicant/recipient lived, owned property, or was physically present in a specific location

Additional information

Reduction target

6.49 %

The Department of War (DoW) asserts that the Travel Pay Department of Air Force – DTS program possesses the requisite internal controls and human capital necessary to effectively mitigate improper and unknown payments to a level where further reduction expenditures would exceed the value of prevented or recovered improper payments. However, the Department currently lacks the necessary information system infrastructure to achieve this goal. The Department recognizes the need for improvements within the Defense Travel System (DTS) controls. Specifically, the Department of Air Force requires additional system controls of editing for proper receipts. For example, hotel receipts that are not finalized with a zero balance should be rejected, and the system should differentiate between an airfare receipt and an itinerary. These edits should prevent voucher approval until all issues are resolved. Furthermore, DTS should implement a system control to prevent users from transferring permission levels without validating appointments as accountable officials. Finally, simplified travel rules and regulations would significantly reduce improper and unknown payments.

Based on current information available to the Office of the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller) Payment Integrity Team, the Department did not include specific budget submissions explicitly dedicated to payment integrity enhancements in the most recent budget cycle. The Department acknowledges that ongoing system upgrades and maintenance across various financial management systems contribute indirectly to improving payment accuracy and reducing improper payments. The Department's budget strategy emphasizes leveraging existing resources and planned system enhancements to strengthen internal controls and improve data quality related to payments. Future budget submissions will continue to prioritize enhancements that promote payment integrity, incorporating lessons learned and evolving best practices.

Pursuant to the January 20, 2025, Presidential Memorandum entitled “Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives” and consistent with the President’s direction U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) established new Senior Executive Service (SES) performance plans that all agencies must adopt beginning with the FY 2026 performance cycle. The “Faithful Administration of the Law and the President’s Policies” critical performance element has the highest weighted rating. Part of implementing these new directives that DoW mandates additional performance requirements specific to Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation (FIAR) standards.

SES members within the Secretary of War with ownership of the financial statement audit priorities will include specific performance requirements aligned to one or more of the annual audit priorities in their Achieving Organizational Goals critical elements. These requirements articulate specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based performance measures that will support each organizational performance goal. As an example “Supports the annual financial statement audit by accelerating the path to an unmodified audit opinion.” SES members with a direct role must comply with the policies and regulations, implement internal control procedures, document transactions, submit auditor-requested materials timely, remediate high risk/priority material weaknesses, develop/update audit roadmaps and drive remediation strategy and plans targeted at achieving an unmodified opinion. They further direct continuous process and internal control improvements, identifies root cause(s) of issues and sustains up-to-date system internal controls. Additionally, SES members are accountable for driving government efficiencies within their organization to streamline proficiencies, quality work and cost-effective use of government resources. SES members with an indirect role must implement timely, effective and measurable corrective actions plans and maintain key supporting documentation to substantiate financial transactions to ensure their workforce is properly trained on their business effectiveness and are held accountable. All of which either directly and/or indirectly equips the DoW with the inherent ability and organizational leadership structure to achieve compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act.

Furthermore, to provide high-level strategic direction and oversight, the Department of War Payment Integrity Senior Accountable Officials Steering Committee (the Committee) was established in FY 2018. This Committee, institutionalizes a forum of accountability designed to oversee and guide the Department’s actions required by Appendix C of OMB Circular A-123, aiming for full compliance with the PIIA. The Committee is chaired by the Office of the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Deputy Chief Financial Officer and co-chaired by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Deputy Director of Operations and has SES representatives from the Military Services and War Agencies. The Committee evaluates the status of improper payment testing, analyzes the root causes of improper payments, oversees payment recovery activities, and drives the resolution of DoW-wide audit findings and recommendations related to improper payments. In addition, the Committee supports related audits, reviews audit recommendations, oversees risk assessments and supervises the identification of root causes and the development/implementation of corrective actions to address areas of non-compliance.

$116.96 M