Excess Weight Charge for Drayage Between Local Quarters

A decision was requested concerning the weight of household goods which may be drayed at Government expense for a civilian employee of the Air Force. Upon arrival at his new permanent duty station, the employee moved into economy quarters with his family and stored over 4000 pounds of his household goods in nontemporary storage at Government expense. Upon his subsequent move to Government quarters, the employee was authorized drayage of his household goods in accordance with travel regulations. A constructive weight of all of the employee's goods was established at over 8000 pounds. The employee was billed for excess weight charges, which were computed based on a total weight allowance of 11,000 pounds minus the weight of the goods in nontemporary storage. The Air Force asked GAO to determine whether the correct drayage limit had been used and what the employee's liability was in the matter. GAO believed that the question of whether and to what extent the authorized weights had been exceeded was a matter primarily for administrative determination by the Air Force. However, GAO had no objection to the Air Force's weight determination since it was consistent with regulations which provide that the weight of household goods in storage, plus the weight of household goods shipped, should not exceed the employee's applicable weight allowance. GAO held that, since the employee's household goods shipment exceeded the maximum limitation, the employee was liable for the excess costs.