ETSNext: The E-Gov Travel Service Program

ETSNext, also known as GO.gov, is the government’s new and modern way to manage travel and expenses for federal employees. 

‍

It is a cloud-based system designed to replace the older travel platform, making the entire process more user-friendly, secure, and efficient. 

‍

With more than one million federal employees traveling each year, ETSNext will soon become the central system that helps both agencies and travelers handle their bookings, expenses, and reporting in one place.

‍

Program Overview

‍

ETSNext is the next generation of the government’s travel service. It replaces the older program, called E-Gov Travel Service 2, which has been in use for many years. 

ETSNext is a centralized travel service that supports all federal civilian agencies. 

‍

It handles the complete travel process from start to finish planning, booking, approvals, expense tracking, and reimbursements. The system covers temporary duty trips, relocations, and other official travel while making sure everything stays in line with federal travel rules.

‍

In 2024, the General Services Administration awarded a long-term contract to build and operate ETSNext. 

This new service is designed as a cloud-based platform that all federal agencies will use. It will help simplify and standardize the way travel is managed across government.

‍

• The current system will remain active until mid-2027.
  
  
• Early adopter agencies will start using ETSNext by November 2025.
  
  
• Full adoption across all agencies is expected by February 2027.

‍

What makes ETSNext different from older systems is its modern, flexible design. Instead of relying on outdated technology and rigid workflows, it uses a modular setup with easy integrations. 

This allows agencies to tailor features to their needs and even connect with outside services, all while keeping security and user experience at the center.

You can read more about GSA’s official announcement here: GSA on GO.gov

‍

Key Features of ETSNext

‍

ETSNext brings several important features to federal travel:

1. A modern cloud platform that can grow and stay up to date with security standards.
   
   
2. Centralized operations that reduce duplicate work across agencies.
   
   
3. A mobile-friendly design that makes booking and reporting easier for travelers.
   
   
4. Direct connection with government travel cards to help with faster reconciliation.
   
   
5. Strong security built on federal compliance standards.
   
   

A simple and intuitive interface that makes the system easy to use.

‍

ETSNext Benefits for Federal Agencies, Travelers, and Other Individuals

‍

The move to ETSNext is meant to make life easier for both agencies and employees.

• For Agencies: It creates consistent processes, reduces the cost of managing travel, and makes oversight and reporting more reliable.
  
  
• For Individual Travelers/Federals: It allows for quicker bookings, easier expense reporting, and faster reimbursements. The system is designed to feel more natural and less complicated than the current one.

For federal employees on the move, ETSNext makes travel easier at every step–

‍

1. A self-service platform that keeps planning, booking, and reimbursements simple
2. Mobile access so approvals and expense uploads can be handled anytime, anywhere
3. Fewer mistakes and faster processing through built-in policy checks and automation
4. Better support with integrated help tools and dedicated travel assistance
   
   

• For Government as a Whole: It brings better transparency, stronger data for decision-making, and a single system to support all users across different agencies.
  

For detailed updates, check the ETSNext Interact Community: GSA Interact Activity Feed.

‍

Contracting and Implementation

‍

GSA awarded the ETSNext master contract to CWTSatoTravel, the vendor responsible for building and operating the new system. Agencies moving to ETSNext will do so under task orders that allow them to configure the platform, manage migration, and receive continued support.

‍

The program is being rolled out in phases. This gives agencies the time to plan their migration from the older system in an organized way. GSA offers a wide range of support, including onboarding guidance, training, data migration services, and help with aligning travel policies.

‍

Agencies are encouraged to work closely with GSA’s Office of Travel, Transportation, and Logistics to ensure their transition is smooth and that they remain on track with the wider government schedule.

‍

Also read - best cities for military retirees​

‍

How to Be Part of It

‍

Agencies and employees do not need to set up their own contracts to use ETSNext. It is a government-wide service that will be introduced step by step.

1. Early adopters will begin onboarding by November 2025.
   
   
2. All agencies are expected to complete their move to ETSNext by February 2027.
   
   
3. Training, resources, and support will be provided by GSA and CWTSatoTravel to help agencies and employees adjust.
   
   

To stay informed:

• Follow official updates on GSA’s Travel Services Page
• Check opportunities and contract details on SAM.gov.

Final Thoughts

‍

ETSNext, also known as GO.gov, is more than just an upgrade. It is a complete modernization of how federal travel is managed. By offering a secure, cloud-based, and user-friendly platform, it promises to make travel easier for employees, more efficient for agencies, and more transparent for the government overall. By 2027, ETSNext will fully replace the older system and will stand as the single travel and expense management solution for the federal workforce.

‍