Approval to Exceed GSA Lodging for LPSC 2026: A Waiver for NASA Grantees
This letter from SARA grants NASA grantees attending the 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC2026) a special accommodation. It allows them to be reimbursed for their actual lodging expenses, even if they exceed the GSA-approved amount. This waiver is a significant benefit for attendees, as many hotels in the area may charge significantly more than the GSA-allowed rate of $128 per night for The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
The waiver is particularly relevant for those with travel policies that are more restrictive than the GSA guidelines. It's important to note that this waiver applies to specific grants, including cooperative agreements. Grantees traveling on NASA contracts should also be aware of this and communicate with their contracting officers to ensure compliance.
The waiver is made possible by SARA's authority to issue bulk approvals for lodging costs, allowing attendees to be reimbursed up to $276 per night, plus taxes and fees, which aligns with the average actual cost of the conference hotel. This is a substantial increase from the GSA-allotted amount, reflecting the higher costs typically associated with conference accommodations.
This approval is a valuable resource for NASA grantees, ensuring they can focus on the conference without financial constraints. It's a testament to the flexibility and support provided by SARA and NASA to facilitate scientific exploration and collaboration.
For more information about the conference and hotel details, visit https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/plan/.
