[Request for Review of GSA Audit Actions]

A freight carrier requested a review of General Services Administration (GSA) audit actions on household goods shipment payments. After an audit of the payment vouchers, GSA computed the applicable charges on the basis of lower rates than those used by the carrier and then recovered the overcharges by administrative set-off. The carrier contended that the use of the lower rates was not allowed. However, GSA argued that there was nothing which prohibited the use of the lower rates and that the rates used by the carrier do not apply when there are lower rates applicable for the same service. GAO agreed with GSA that the lower rates should have been applied in preference to the rates the carrier used. Accordingly, the GSA audit actions were sustained.