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Request for Reimbursement of Automobile Rental Charges

B-196196 Aug 19, 1980
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Highlights

An advanced decision was requested as to whether an employee of the Navy was entitled to additional reimbursement for the costs of renting an automobile in connection with authorized home leave at his place of residence. The employee and his dependents were authorized home leave travel from Guam to New Hampshire. Travel orders authorized air and bus travel and the use of a privately owned vehicle. The employee rented an automobile which he used to transport himself and his family from the airport to New Hampshire and retained it while he was on home leave for personal use. The employee claimed reimbursement for the cost of the automobile rental based on the constructive cost of commercial limousine service from the airport to New Hampshire and return. It was at the rate of $15 per person each way. The agency allowed payment of $15 for travel to and from the airport, the basis of rates authorized for travel by privately owned vehicle. The employee contended that the Navy improperly limited his reimbursement inasmuch as his automobile was in Guam and therefore unavailable. GAO held that the employee is entitled to reimbursment for the cost he would have incurred for the rental of an automobile at the applicable daily rate for the travel from the airport and return not to exceed the usual taxi or limousine fare. The amount due should be offset by the $15 payment already received. The concept of constructive cost is an upper limit on the Government's liability so that if the cost of travel actually performed is less, the Government's liability is properly determined upon the lesser amount.

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