[Decision Concerning Bureau of Reclamation Employee's Claim for Reimbursement for Soil Examination Costs]

The Bureau of Reclamation requested a decision regarding a transferred employee's claim for reimbursement for costs he incurred for a soil examination prior to construction of his new home. GAO held that regulations and statutes granted authority for reimbursement of only those real estate expenses related to or comparable with the purchase of existing housing. Accordingly, the claim was denied.