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[Question Concerning Entitlement to Per Diem]

B-218910 Published: Oct 23, 1985. Publicly Released: Oct 23, 1985.
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Highlights

The Defense Logistics Agency requested an advance decision concerning whether a transferred employee was entitled to per diem rather than temporary quarters subsistence expenses for an orientation he was directed to perform at administrative headquarters before reporting to his new duty station when his permanent-change-of-station orders did not authorize temporary duty en route. GAO noted that the employee had written advance instructions to report to the headquarters, which was located 60 to 70 miles away from his duty station, prior to beginning his new assignment. GAO found that, although there had not been strict compliance with regulations regarding issuance of formal travel orders, the employee had met the statutory requirements entitling him to payment for travel costs, and failure to issue a formal authorization may not be used as a basis to withhold payment. Therefore, the employee was entitled to per diem for the orientation period, temporary subsistence expenses for the period beginning with the termination of orientation, and temporary storage expenses for his household goods during both periods. Accordingly, the employee's travel claim should be paid in accordance with the above.

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Claims settlementEmployee transfersPer diem allowancesRelocation allowancesRelocation expense claimsStorage expense claimsTemporary duty expense allowancesTemporary lodging allowancesDefense logisticsTravel costsHousehold goodsAmmunitionIntellectual property rightsU.S. ArmyConstructionCivilian employeesAllowancesFederal employees