The General Services Administration is freezing the fiscal 2013 per diem travel rate at fiscal 2012 levels, agency officials announced on Aug. 14.

The cost-cutting effort is part of the White House directive to reduce federal travel expenses.

The per diem rate covers daily lodging, meals and incidental expenses for most federal employees traveling for work.

It also applies to most federal contractors traveling on government business.

The current standard per diem rate is $123, including $77 for lodging and $46 for meals and incidentals.

That rate is now to remain the same through Sept. 30, 2013.

Rates for non-standard areas, including Washington, DC., Los Angeles and Las Vegas, also are frozen, GSA said. For example, the 2012 per diem lodging rates for Washington range from $183 to $226, while meals and incidentals are $71.

GSA said the action complies with the Office of Management and Budget’s order to cut travel costs by 30% in fiscal 2013, in comparison to fiscal 2010.

“By keeping per diem rates at current levels, we are supporting federal agencies in controlling costs and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely,” GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini said in a statement.