HQ RIO is implementing a new DTS policy called the "Big Six" to address the impact of a 50% reduction in Approving Official (AO) staffing. This significant decrease necessitates a more efficient approach to processing DTS authorizations and vouchers. Currently, six common errors, which we call the "Big Six," account for 80% of all returned submissions. Projections show that if we maintain our current processes, the combination of reduced AO manning and the prevalence of these errors will create an unsustainable backlog, resulting in reimbursement delays potentially exceeding 90 days. The Big Six policy is designed to mitigate this risk and ensure our IRs continue to receive timely travel reimbursements.
The Big Six policy implements a straightforward process to address the most common DTS errors. Any authorization or voucher submitted containing one or more of the Big Six errors will be immediately returned to the submitting member without further review. This means the AO will not spend time identifying and correcting these common mistakes, allowing them to focus on more complex issues and maintain efficient processing times.
To ensure your authorizations and vouchers are processed quickly, it is crucial that you thoroughly review your DTS submissions for Big Six errors before submitting them. Once you have confirmed your submission is free of these common errors, submit it to the AO. At that point, the AO will conduct a comprehensive review for any remaining errors. If additional errors are found, the authorization or voucher will be returned to you with detailed explanations of the issues. If no errors are found, your submission will be approved for reimbursement.
By taking the time to self-audit your submissions against the Big Six error list (provided below), you play a vital role in ensuring prompt and efficient processing of your travel reimbursements.
This website provides a wealth of resources to assist you with navigating DTS and avoiding the Big Six errors. You'll find quick guides covering common DTS procedures and helpful training videos. We encourage you to use these resources to improve your DTS proficiency and ensure accurate submissions.
For personalized assistance, attend our twice-weekly HQ RIO Customer Service Hour. These sessions offer live support from DTS experts who can answer your questions and provide real-time guidance.