[Decision Concerning VA Payments for Third Party Relocation Service Costs]

The Veterans Administration (VA) requested a decision on the proper appropriation to charge for payments to third-party relocation firms for purchasing transferred employees' residences which the employees were unsuccessful in selling. GAO held that this was a discretionary service, since VA did not obligate monies for it at the time of an employee's transfer. Accordingly, VA should pay the costs from current appropriations.