[Claims for Per Diem on Temporary Duty]

The National Finance Center requested a decision as to whether several Forest Service employees were entitled to per diem for tours of temporary duty performed at seasonal worksites. Legislation provides that such claims must be received within 6 years from the date the claim first accrued. GAO noted that several of the claims did not meet this time requirement and were barred from consideration. GAO also noted that employees performing temporary duty a substantial distance from their permanent duty stations, as in this claim, properly receive a reduced per diem in exchange for government-provided quarters. Per diem is not allowed if the employees incurred no additional living expenses or were provided both quarters and meals. However, it is unreasonable to deny per diem if an employee incurred additional expenses that were necessary to successfully perform required work. GAO held that, since the employees incurred these additional expenses, failure to pay their per diem claims was unreasonable. Accordingly, those claims not barred from consideration may be paid at reduced per diem rates.