[Decision Concerning HHS Employee's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Travel and Transportation Expenses]

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for reimbursement for travel and per diem expenses she incurred incident to a temporary duty assignment. HHS advised that its Office of Human Development Services (OHDS) authorized the expenses, although an internal travel regulation precluded authorization for travel of less than 24 hours within a 40-mile radius of the permanent duty station. GAO held that OHDS reasonably exercised its discretion when it authorized the travel expenses, since the claimant expected to work about 15 hours daily during the 3-day temporary assignment. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.