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  • Per diem lookup
Buy through us
Explore buy through us
Category management
Government property for sale or lease
Personal property (tangible goods)
Real property (real estate and buildings) for public use
Real property sales
Vehicle sales
Products and services
Human capital
Industrial products and services
Office management
Professional services
Security and protection
Transportation and logistics services
Purchasing programs
Assisted acquisition
Commercial platforms
Federal strategic sourcing initiative
Fleet management
HCaTS and HCaTS SB
OASIS and OASIS SB
Requisition programs
State and local programs
Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
Shared services
Payroll services
Support services for CABs
Sell to government
Explore sell to government
Step 1: Learn about government contracting
Ways you can sell to government
How to access contract opportunities
Conduct market research
Step 2: Compete for a contract
Register your business
Certify as a small business
Become a schedule holder
Market your business
Research active solicitations
Respond to a solicitation
What to expect during the award process
Step 3: Manage your contract
Comply with contractual requirements
Handle contract modifications
Monitor past performance evaluations
Real estate
Explore real estate
Design and construction
3D-4D building information modeling
Computer-aided design standards
Engineering
Project management information system
Prospectus thresholds
Facilities management
Security
Tenant services
Water quality management
Our properties
Owned and leased properties
Renting property
Real estate services
Leasing resources
Real property disposal
Reimbursable services (RWA)
For businesses seeking opportunities
For workers in federal buildings
Voice of the customer
Workplace optimization
Commercial coworking
Space Match
Explore historic buildings
Policy and regulations
Explore policy and regulations
Acquisition policy
Aviation management policy
Federal Advisory Committee Act management
Information technology policy
Real property management policy
Travel management policy
Regulations
Federal acquisition regulations
Federal management regulations
Federal travel regulations
Small business
Explore small business
Small business goals
Register your business
Explore business models
Research the federal market
Subcontracting and other partnerships
Forecast of contracting opportunities
Small business resources
Small business contacts
Videos
Travel
Explore travel
Plan a trip
Per diem rates
Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
Lodging
Travel charge card
Travel and lodging services
E-gov travel service (ETS)
Rideshare
Travel category schedule
Federal travel regulation
Technology
Explore technology
Purchasing programs
Cloud computing services
Cybersecurity products and services
Governmentwide acquisition contracts
MAS information technology
USAccess
Government initiatives
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
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FedRAMP
Federal identity, credentials, and access management
Robotic process automation community
Technology modernization fund
Training
About us
Explore about us
Background and history
Overview
Mission and strategic goals
Role in presidential transitions
Careers
Get an internship
Launch your career
Elevate your professional career
Discover special hiring paths
Resources and related links
Events and training
Events, training, and request a speaker
Our training programs
Newsroom
Agency blog
Congressional testimony
GSA does that podcast
News releases
Speeches
Videos
Organization
Leadership directory
Federal Acquisition Service
Public Buildings Service
Staff offices
Contact us
  1. Home
  2. Travel
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  4. Lodging
  5. Emergency Lodging Services
  6. Emergency Lodging Services FAQs

Emergency Lodging Services FAQs

What is Emergency Lodging Services (ELS)?

GSA’s Emergency Lodging Services (ELS) program provides temporary lodging accommodations in support of emergencies and/or disasters. ELS enables Federal and State agencies to quickly secure lodging accommodations and services for first responders, government employees, support personnel, and evacuees; resulting from an emergency or disaster.

ELS can be utilized for both planned and unplanned events that require a federal or state coordinated response. All disasters, emergencies, Continuity of Operations (COOP) events, and National Security Special Events are covered by ELS. The ELS Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) offers accommodations, housing, and support services for federal agencies, state/local governments, and first responders.

How does ELS work?

Agencies execute a funded Task Order, and place reservation requests with the ELS contractor. The awarded contractor secures lodging at negotiated rates, reserves accommodations, and manages billing for all agency users. The contractor also manages the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program during Declared Disasters.

Who manages and operates ELS?

GSA Lodging Program Management Office, under the Center for Travel Management, administered a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a contractor under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) 561599-L. Federal and State agencies may become authorized users of the BPA.

The GSA Lodging PMO manages the relationship, and BPA, with the awarded contractor, Corporate Lodging Consultants, Inc. (CLC). CLC has over 30 years of lodging management experience and has directly supported over 500 emergency response efforts for the American Red Cross, FEMA, state National Guard, and many other agencies. CLC sources lodging properties (hotels, extended stay properties, corporate housing, apartments, etc.), negotiates discounted rates, and provides auditing and reporting.

How can hotels and/or apartment communities provide accommodations and participate in ELS?

If you are a hotel, or apartment community, and would like to participate in ELS, please visit Corporate Lodging Consultants website at www.clclodging.com. You may also contact the Emergency Lodging Services Hotline at 800-321-0455.

Who is eligible to use ELS?

Emergency Lodging Services may be utilized by any Federal Government Agency, and state and local government agencies requesting to become an authorized user of the BPA. Detailed instructions on how to become an authorized user and execute a task order can be found on ELS’s page at gsa.gov/els. Additionally, on our website we have a link to the Task Order Template which is a guide for agencies to outline their requirements that will be a part of the funded task order.

Who is responsible for booking ELS accommodations and services?

Once your agency is authorized to use the ELS-BPA, they should designate a central point of contact to establish a task order with the ELS vendor, CLC. The task order should include all your agency’s requirements, ordering instructions, payment instructions, reporting and auditing requirements, and must be executed by a Contracting Officer. Payment of all services under this task order is the sole responsibility of the specified ordering activity.

For the purpose of this BPA, who is classified as an evacuee?

An evacuee can either be a Federal employee or private citizen who has been displaced from their workplace or home by a disaster or emergency, and as result, requires lodging. Specific determinations of evacuee or relief/emergency support personnel status will be determined by the ordering agency.

I’m on temporary duty travel (TDY). Can I use the ELS BPA?

It depends if you are on TDY in an area determined by your agency to be affected by an emergency, disaster, or associated planned event. You must first check with the appropriate officials within your agency. If your TDY is confirmed to be affected by an emergency, disaster, or an associated planned event, your agency may authorize you to use this BPA due to the difficulty of securing lodging accommodations.

If you are on TDY travel in an area that your agency has determined is NOT impacted by an emergency, disaster, or an associated planned event you must use your approved travel management system. You should use your normal travel management systems for routine TDY travel.

What is a National Security Event? What are some examples?

National Security Events include any event of national or international significance deemed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity. Examples of such events are: Papal visits, dignitary visits, or political events (ex: National Conventions, Inaugurations).

What are examples of “planned events” that can utilize the ELS BPA?

A planned event may be a training or readiness exercise in preparation for an emergency or disaster. ELS can provide lodging for these types of events.

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Last updated: Aug 5, 2025
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Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

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When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.