Request for Reconsideration of GSA Deduction Action

A firm requested reconsideration of a decision in which the deduction action taken by the General Services Administration to recover overcharges was sustained. The overcharges were a result of the difference in transportation charges between the amounts collected by the firm which were derived from Government rate tender and those derived from Florida Household Goods Carriers' Bureau Tariff on the intrastate shipments of household goods owned by military personnel. The firm contended that GAO did not adequately consider two of its arguments: (1) that the shipments were tendered under the terms of the Government rate tender and the military authorities intended the Government rate tender to apply; and (2) that by utilizing the rate sections of the Florida Tariff, but not honoring the tariff's 60-day storage in transit provision, the Government was selectively applying the terms of the Florida Tariff. GAO held that the firm presented no evidence demonstrating an error in fact or law and no arguments not previously considered. Therefore, the prior decision was affirmed.